DEFEAT IN FRANKFURT - WERDER LOSE IN THE LAST MINUTE

SV Werder have suffered an agonising 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. SGE took the lead through Ante Rebic (17’) before Niklas Moisander equalised from a corner (25’). Sebastian Haller scored the winner for Frankfurt in the 89th minute.

Line-up and formation: Florian Kohfeldt made three changes in his first game as SV Werder head coach. Milos Veljkovic, Philipp Bargfrede and Fin Bartels came in for Lamine Sané, Robert Bauer and Ishak Belfodil. Kohfeldt set the team out in a 4-1-3-2 formation.

2nd minute: First big chance for SVW! Zlatko Junuzovic has lots of space on the left hand side and his grounded cross is met by Max Kruse. He shoots from five yards out but Lukas Hradecky makes a good save to deny him.

17th minute: Goal for Frankfurt. Ante Rebic puts Eintracht into the lead with a curling effort. Frankfurt put together a series of passes and Rebic switches the ball onto his stronger foot and, without being closed down at all, has time to curls his shot from the edge of the box, leaving Jiri Pavlenka no chance in the Werder goal.

25th minute: GOAL for SVW! Niklas Moisander pokes the ball home after a goalmouth scramble from a corner. A scrappy goal but they all count!

29th minute: Brilliant save from Jiri Pavlenka. Marius Wolf takes a shot from 20 yards but the Czech stopper is on hand to tip the ball wide for a corner.

40th minute: A huge chance for Zlatko Junuzovic. Maximilian Eggestein makes progress down the right and finds Junuzovic in the middle but Hradecky is equal to the effort from just a few yards out.

42nd minute: Two more chances in quick succession! First Kruse and then Eggestein are denied by Hradecky. But a brilliant end to the half from the Green-Whites.

45th minute: Half-time in Frankfurt. SVW put in a great performance for large periods of the half. In the only poor period, the hosts took the lead but Moisander cancelled it out shortly after. SGE have their ‘keeper to thank that Werder are not in the lead at the break.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL THAT COUNTS IS THE RESULT

If you looked at the faces of the Green-Whites after the final whistle, you would’ve seen how painful Frankfurt’s goal from Sebastian Haller just before the end of the game was.

The Werder faces were blank and disbelieving since the team could’ve and perhaps should have taken at least a point from the game. Werder reacted well to going behind, put in their all, had some good chances but had to watch as Eintracht celebrated at the end. The travelling fans showed their immense support once again after the goal went in and cheered and applauded the team after the full-time whistle. The disappointment after the bitter defeat was clear to see in the post-match interviews.

Florian Kohfeldt: “The team did really well in the first half. After Frankfurt’s wonder goal, we did well to come back and created lots of goalscoring opportunities. We should’ve gone into the break in the lead. Eintracht had more possession in the second 45 and we couldn’t close the gaps as well as in the first half. The late goal hurts. The team have a lot of character and I’m convinced that we will find a way to get out of the rut that we are in.”

Frank Baumann: “The team showed the necessary reaction today after the Augsburg game last week. It was a really good performance for the vast majority of the game, we were proactive, had a clear plan and had lots of good chances to get at least a draw. Unfortunately we couldn’t manage it today. It proved true again today that you need a bit of luck on your side. We didn’t get that with our chances unfortunately.”

Read More: https://www.werder.de/en/news/news/werder-bremen-news/20172018/frankfurt-post-match-reaction-03112017/

Marseille player Patrice Evra was sent off after kicking one of his team's fans in the head before the Europa League defeat at Vitoria Guimaraes.

Footage shows the 36-year-old former Manchester United defender aiming an acrobatic kick at a supporter at the side of the pitch during the warm-up.

Evra, who was named as a substitute, was dismissed before kick-off, and Marseille started with 11 players.

Governing body Uefa has charged Evra with violent conduct.

The full-back has been suspended for "at least one game", with Uefa's disciplinary body to decide the case on 10 November.

Marseille have also been charged with a field invasion by fans, setting off of fireworks and "acts of damages".

French newspaper L'Equipe reported Marseille supporters had been jeering Evra for about half an hour while the players prepared for the game, which the French side lost 1-0.

The player had gone over to the fans to talk to them, but the situation escalated.

French football journalist Julien Laurens said Evra - who regularly posts light-hearted videos on social media - was insulted and also told: "Keep doing your videos, but stop playing football."

Marseille begin investigation

Marseille said on Friday that they had begun an investigation into the incident.

"No matter what happens, a professional player must maintain self-control despite provocations and insults, no matter how unjustified they may be," the club said in a statement.

Marseille coach Rudi Garcia said after the match: "Pat has experience, and he must not react, it's obvious.

"Patrice is a more than just an experienced player. You can't respond, of course, to insults as bad as they are and as incredible as they might be because they come from one of our supporters.

"He must learn to keep his cool. That's all I can say."

Garcia also criticised the fan, saying: "He's not a supporter of Marseille, because you can't insult your own players, you have to be behind all of us."

Evra, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during eight years at Manchester United, joined Marseille from Juventus in January but has made only two appearances this season.

Thursday's incident evoked memories of Eric Cantona's infamous "kung-fu kick" during Manchester United's game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in January 1995.

The Frenchman was banned for nine months by the Football Association for the incident, which took place as he left the pitch after being sent off.

Read More: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41853841

BRAZIL LEGEND RONALDO: NEYMAR'S BARCELONA EXIT WAS LIKE MINE

The Brazilian stunned the football world when he left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, and his countryman says his exit was similar

Former Brazil star Ronaldo believes Neymar's sensational world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain was similar to his own Barcelona exit.

Ronaldo enjoyed one extraordinary season at Camp Nou, scoring 34 La Liga goals in 37 appearances before leaving for Inter ahead of the 1997-98 campaign.

His form at Barca helped him become FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997, but he grew unhappy and contract negotiations broke down, with Inter then swooping in to pay his release clause.

Read More: http://www.goal.com/en/news/neymar-barcelona-exit-was-like-mine-laliga-ronaldo/15oj3coi2z2a81r8t8f8l7v1r7

Barcelona star Messi wants Tottenham duo, Real Madrid eying Mourinho return

Barcelona star Lionel Messi would love the club to sign Tottenham duo Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli.

Alli bagged a brace with Eriksen also getting on the scoresheet in Spurs’ 3-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid last night.

And Spanish website Don Balon claims Messi was impressed by the performances of the Tottenham duo.

It is said he feels both players would be welcome at the Nou Camp, particularly given the club’s ageing midfield.

Andres Iniesta is past his best, while Sergio Busquets turns 30 in July - and Messi thinks Spurs’ young duo could help Barcelona win silverware galore.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is on Real Madrid’s list of candidates to replace Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane is under pressure with Los Blancos well off the pace both domestically and in Europe.

And Don Balon say Real have Mourinho on their list should they decide to axe the Frenchman.

Also on their radar are Mauricio Pochettino and Joachim Lowe, though prising them away from their current posts at Tottenham and Germany could be difficult.

Timing wrong for Mauricio Pochettino to join Real Madrid, says Guillem Balague

The timing is wrong for Mauricio Pochettino to leave Tottenham for Real Madrid, says Guillem Balague.

GUILLEM SAYS

“Real Madrid are following Pochettino with a lot of interest, but they have no intention of approaching him as they want to see how Zinedine Zidane reacts in the current difficult situation. At Real Madrid the manager needs to give players priority and look after them – but they also need something else. I feel they are doing something special at Spurs, and Pochettino feels part of it. In terms of any potential deal, timing will be important – at the moment the timing is wrong. Who knows how winning a trophy with Spurs will affect the situation.”

Read More: http://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11827/11111296/guillem-balague-qa-live

European Paper Talk: AC Milan to target Chelsea boss Antonio Conte next summer

AC Milan have made Antonio Conte their No 1 target, according to reports in Italy
With the opening of the January transfer window just two months away, there is already plenty of talk about who might be on the move around Europe.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the continent to bring you all the latest news and transfer gossip from the European newspapers...

Italy

AC Milan have made Antonio Conte their number one target to become the club's head coach in the summer. Vincenzo Montella is currently in charge of the Rossoneri but is under intense pressure following a poor start to the season.

If Milan sack Montella before the end of the season, former Watford manager Walter Mazzarri could be appointed on a short-term interim basis. (Calciomercato)

Conte was humbled, meanwhile, in the Stadio Olimpico as he watched his Chelsea side endure a Halloween nightmare at the hands of a ruthless Roma in their Champions League Group C clash. Stephan El Shaarawy scored twice as the Giallorossi thumped the Blues 3-0, with it being "an historic lesson for Conte".

Following the game, the Blues boss admitted that Eusebio Di Francesco's side deserved to win but lamented the poor defending that allowed Roma to score. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

It will take a bid in excess of €100m (£87.4m) for PSG to consider selling Juventus transfer target Marco Verratti. The Serie A champions remain interested in the midfielder but are reluctant to meet the French club's asking price. (Calciomercato)

Juventus have revived their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos. The 21-year-old joined the La Liga champions over the Bianconeri in the summer but has struggled to make an impression and the Serie A champions may launch a bid for his services in the New Year if his situation under Zinedine Zidane does not improve. (Calciomercato)

Spain

Atletico Madrid need a miracle if they are to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase. Diego Simeone's men only managed a 1-1 draw at home to Qarabag on Tuesday night, leaving the 2014 and 2016 finalists on just three points after four games.

They now have to beat Roma and Chelsea in their final two games while hoping that other results go their way after a "disastrous" night against the Azeri club. (Marca)

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11108297/european-paper-talk-ac-milan-to-target-chelsea-boss-antonio-conte-next-summer