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Weekly Football News 31 10 11
Weekly Soccer News, October 31, 2011
Juventus have the look of champions: Ranieri
Inter Milan coach Claudio Ranieri believes that his former side have all the attributes to win the Serie A title this season.
Ranieri watched his ex-employers at close hand yesterday as unbeaten Juve recorded a 2-1 win at the San Siro to stretch their lead at the summit of the Italian league over Udinese and Lazio in second and third places, respectively.
"They can [win the title], they're working hard and have the time to do so but I'm not giving up," he told Sky afterwards. "I was very interested to see the most in-form team in the league against us."
Following two successive seventh-placed finishes, Juventus coach Antonio Conte has now guided his revamped side to victories over both Milan giants this season. Meanwhile, Inter languish fourth from bottom following five league defeats in nine games.
Johnson can become a top player: Mancini
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended his recent criticism of England international winger Adam Johnson, claiming that he feels Johnson could become one of best midfielders in the world if he improves his discipline and focus during games.
Johnson reportedly refused to board the team bus after City’s Carling Cup victory over Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday following Mancini’s post-match criticism of some elements of his display in the 5-2 win - despite scoring one and setting up a second for Samir Nasri.
However, Mancini reinforced his commitment to provoking Johnson, the former Middleborough winger, into becoming a better player after watching him score a delightful injury time winner against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.
"If he were not a good player, then I wouldn't waste my time on him. But he has everything," said Mancini "I don't want him stopping at this level. I want him up a level and then a level more.
"He has some characteristics that are different from other players and because of this he could become one of the top wingers in the game.
"One versus one, he is incredible. Every time he takes the ball out wide near the box, we can score a goal or at least have a chance."
Celtic’s season close to finished: Ledley
Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley has challenged his team-mates to win every single one of their remaining 26 league games if they want to overcome pacesetters Rangers in the Scottish Premier League title race.
The Hoops slipped to a staggering 12 points behind their title rivals on Saturday following a goalless draw with Hibs at Celtic Park - although they do have one game in hand - and are now down to third place behind Motherwell.
"We need to buck up as I don't think we can afford to drop any more points before the end of the season," Ledley said. "We didn't play anywhere near as well as we can and it wasn't good enough as a team.
"We should have created more chances and worked harder as a unit. We didn't even have a corner."
Champions Rangers beat Aberdeen 2-1 to stretch their unbeaten record this season to 13 league games.
Solskjaer steers Molde to first-ever Norwegian title
Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ended a 100-year wait by guiding Molde to their maiden Norwegian title with two matches to spare.
Although Solskjaer's side only managed a 2-2 draw with Stromsgodset, their closest challengers Rosenborg were thrashed 6-3 at home by Brann.
Founded in 1911, Molde had finished runners-up in the Tippeligaen on seven previous occasions.
Roar-ing on in the A-League
Australian A-League champions Brisbane Roar have maintained their impressive form under Ange Postecoglou with four straight victories in the new season, including a 7-1 thrashing of pre-season hopefuls Adelaide United over the weekend.
Postecoglou, who led the Queenslanders to their first A-League triumph last season in dramatic circumstances, further placed himself in the shop window of big-spending Asian clubs, but refused to make apologies for his side’s dominance.
"There's no shame in accepting that this is a very good side," he said afterwards. "We don't have to apologise for how good we are and I don't think other people should either."
Compiled by Marc Fox
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