Winning only thing on our minds: Van Gaal

Triumph over Wolfsburg will ensure Man United’s qualification for last-16

WOLFSBURG: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says the Red Devils only have themselves to blame ahead of Tuesday’s winner-takes-all clash at Wolfsburg as they bid to avoid an early Champions League exit.

Van Gaal’s men must beat Group B leaders Wolfsburg to ensure their place in the knockout stages having allowed the Germans to usurp them at the top of the table by being held to a goalless draw at home to PSV Eindhoven a fortnight ago.

Leaders Wolfsburg will reach the knock-out stages for the first time in the club’s history with just a draw, while United, who are a point behind, know anything less than a win could see them eliminated.

However, United could still qualify even if they draw or lose to Wolfsburg, provided PSV do not better their result at home to CSKA Moscow in the other group match but Van Gaal wants to leave nothing to chance in Germany.



“We have a huge Champions League match at Wolfsburg,” said Van Gaal. “After the disappointing result against Eindhoven at Old Trafford, we now know what we have to do in order to progress to the knockout stages of the competition: win. We have not made it easy for ourselves, but we know that victory in Germany will not only guarantee qualification, but also ensure we finish top of our group.”

Finishing top of Group B will mean United avoid the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the last 16.

Top spot the goal for Juventus at Sevilla

Italian champions Juventus are aiming to avoid Europe’s elite in the Champions League last 16 by sealing top spot in Group D at Sevilla on Tuesday.

Last season’s finalists lead Manchester City — who host Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday — by two points and need just a draw at the Sanchez Pizjuan to avoid the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the knockout phase, thanks to their better head-to-head record against the English side.



“Finishing top of the standings could give us a favourable draw in the first knockout round and for that reason we have to come back with a positive result on Tuesday night,” said defender Leonardo Bonucci.

Juventus have also surged back into form in Serie A with five consecutive wins to move back to within six points of leaders Inter Milan.

Bale believes Malmo visit key to Madrid resurgence

Gareth Bale has urged Real Madrid to maintain their recovery from the shock of the club’s problems on and off the field when they host Malmo in their final Champions League group game on Tuesday.



Madrid were thrashed 4-0 at home by eternal rivals Barcelona last month and thrown out of the Spanish Cup last week for fielding an ineligible player.

However, Rafael Benitez’s men have at least strung together four consecutive victories since their humiliation against Barca with Bale also getting back on the scoresheet in La Liga wins over Eibar and Getafe.

“We showed [against Getafe] we are in good form,” said the Welshman. “It is important that the team are united, that we win every game and try to get better every day.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2015.

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