Guardiola: Real are better than us

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has said rivals Real Madrid are currently the better side ahead of their SuperCopa second-leg clash at Nou Camp on Wednesday.

The two Spanish giants produced an awesome 2-2 draw in the first-leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.

And speaking ahead of the return leg, Guardiola has played down his side's chances as he believes Mourinho' side have the advantage.

"In the first-leg, Madrid were better, in these three days we have improved some things, but I believe they are still better," he was quoted as saying in Spanish daily Marca.

"That is the feeling I have, but every match is a story. If the return leg were in two weeks, it would be different. We will have to play better than we did at the Santiago Bernabeu to win the Supercopa.

"We will have to play with the kind of speed we could not put in our game the other day. Three days have passed, we have trained really well."

Meanwhile, new signing Cesc Fabregas is set to make his Barcelona debut against Madrid on Wednesday.

But Guardiola remains doubtful over whether the former Arsenal captain will start.

"We will see tomorrow [Wednesday]. He has trained very well, a lot of time alone, and also some bits with the team," the coach noted.

"He will surely be in the squad, but tomorrow we will see if he will play the whole 90 minutes or not."

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Eto'o set to complete Anzhi Makhachkala move

Inter Milan star Samuel Eto'o is set to complete his move to Russian big spenders Anzhi Makhachkala and will undergo a medical in Rome tomorrow.

The Cameroon international has been heavily linked with a move to Anzhi Makhachkala, who have tabled an imposing offer of €35million to Inter for their hit-man.

It was initially thought that the 30-year-old would not be willing to a move out of Europe, having been linked with the likes of English side Manchester City.

But with Anzhi ready to make Eto'o the best paid forward in the world in a four-year deal worth €80million, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker has agreed terms with the Russian team.

According to Italian press agency ANSA, he was planned for a medical in Russia on Monday but will now travel to Rome later this week to seal his move.

Eto'o has played over 100 games for Italian giants and scored 53 goals since arriving from Barcelona in 2009.

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Kranjcar 'close' to Sunderland move

Niko Kranjcar's agent claims the Tottenham Hotspur play-maker is close to joining Premier League rivals Sunderland.

The Croatia international is on the periphery at White Hart Lane and started just two games in the league for the London club last season.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce accepted his interest in Kranjcar last week, despite making 10 signings already this summer.

He could now bring in the 27 year-old on either a loan or permanent deal, with the player's agent Adrian Aljai feeling the move is the best solution for Niko.

"We are about to close a deal with Sunderland," Aljai was quoted by the Daily Express.

"I believe that is the best solution for Niko."

Kranjcar joined Tottenham from Portsmouth two years ago and he scored Spurs' winner away to The Black cats last season.

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Today's UEFA Champions League Qualifier Fixtures

 

Bayern Munich vs Zurich

Dinamo Zagreb vs Malmo FF

Maccabi Haifa vs Racing Genk

OB Odense vs Villarreal

Wisla Krakow vs APOEL Nicosia

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UEFA Champions League Qualifier Results

Theo Walcott scoring in the 4th minute

Arsenal 1-0 Udinese

Arsenal laboured to a 1-0 win over Italian side Udinese in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at Emirates Stadium. Manager Wegner watched from the stands as he served a touchline ban. Theo Walcott scored the lone goal in the 4^th minute of the match.

Goal Scorer: Theo Walcott(Arsenal) 

Gomis Celebrating after scoring the equaliser

Lyon 3-1 Rubin Kazan

French side Lyon came from behind on Tuesday evening to claim a 3-1 win in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier against Russian side Rubin Kazan.

Goal Scorers: Vladimir Dyadyun(Rubin), Bafetimbi Gomis(Lyon), Saba Kvirkvelia(Rubin)-Own Goal, Jimmy Briand(Lyon)
 

FC Twente 2-2 Benfica

Bryan Ruiz's late equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Dutch side Twente but Portuguese side Benfica are still in good position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Goal Scorer: Luuk de Jong(Twente), Oscar Cardozo(Benfica), Nolito(Benfica), Bryan Ruiz(Twente).

 

BATE Borisov 1-1 Sturm Graz                                                                                    

Precious away goal makes Austrian side Sturm Graz slight favourites to qualify for the Champions League group stage after they claimed a 1-1 draw with Belarusian side BATE Borisov in the first leg of their qualifier.

Goal Scorers: Manuel Weber (Sturm), Marko Simic(BATE)

 

Copenhagen 1-3 Viktoria Plzen

Czech Republic team Viktoria Plzen are 90 minutes away from making the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time after claiming a 3-1 away win over Denmark side FC Copenhagen.

Goal Scorers: Solvi Otteson(Copenhagen)-Own Goal, Vaclav Pilar(Plzen), Otteson(Copenhagen), Martin Fillo(Plzen)

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