Sabella: Messi is irreplaceable

The Argentina boss has stressed that they are a different team without their star player, but was happy with their display versus Italy
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has admitted that Lionel Messi is irreplaceable, but was pleased with his side's performance without the Barcelona star in Wednesday's 2-1 international friendly win over Italy.

Messi was forced to withdraw from the Argentina squad for the match in Rome due to a muscular problem yet, even though Sabella has highlighted the attacker's importance, the South American side put in a superb performance to beat the Euro 2012 finalists.

"When a team is used to playing with Messi, you can see the difference when he is not there," Sabella commented to reporters after Argentina's win.

"Messi is irreplaceable, but the character and desire we showed really pleased me."

Argentina - who top the South American qualifying section for the 2014 World Cup - are now unbeaten in their last seven matches.

Mazzarri: I don't regret joining Inter

The 51-year-old still feels he made the right decision to join the Nerazzurri and is keen to help them back to the top again

Walter Mazzarri has insisted that he has no regrets over his decision to leave Napoli earlier this summer in order to take charge of Inter.

The Nerazzurri have been struggling during pre-season, while their delicate financial situation has prevented them from making any high-profile signings, yet Mazzarri, 51, remains adamant that he made the right choice in moving to San Siro.

"Of course I would make the same decision again if given the chance to go back in time," Mazzarri toldCorriere dello Sport. 

"There's no reason why I would not join Inter. The president's words made the difference for me. What he said to me made me decide to come here.

"We had a great discussion and he ignited a fire in me that's really motivated me. We understood each other right away. 

"I was told that we can start from zero I will get the chance to build a team for the future. We might need some time, though. I want to take Inter back to where they belong."

Inter had to settle for ninth spot in the Serie A table last term.

Rooney out of sorts on return to the spotlight

The wantaway Manchester United striker's lack of pre-season action showed as he toiled against Scotland in England's 3-2 victory at Wembley on Wednesday night
Based on last night's performance alone, David Moyes may want to revise his ‘not for sale’ stance on Wayne Rooney's future. After all the conjecture, debate and posturing, the England striker failed to live up to top billing. 

Rooney has barely kicked a ball in pre-season and has been training with the United second string as he recovers from a shoulder injury, but he looked miles off the pace at Wembley on Wednesday night.

This was the golden opportunity to send a message to his suitors and his doubters. A chance he missed. His first involvement of the game - a wild swing at a cross - set the tone for a performance in which he seemed to be two yards off the pace of everyone else on the pitch.

And this was against Scotland, placed 50th in the Fifa rankings and playing with a centre-back pairing of Russell Martin and Grant Hanley. 

Hardly formidable, but you would have been forgiven for thinking Rooney was up against Franco Baresi given the nature of his performance.

Rooney is far too good and has been far too successful to be judged on his 67-minute appearance in the 3-2 win over Scotland, but his lack of pre-season action told.

As if to prove the point, his replacement Rickie Lambert was bursting the net less than three minutes after arriving to make his England debut. Rooney had not even managed a shot on target.

Rooney wants to join Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, the Blues manager, envisages the 27-year-old playing as the focal point of the Londoners’ attack.

But playing in that very role here, Rooney constantly dropped deep in search of the ball, disrupting any attacking rhythm England managed to generate.

Rooney was certainly lacking confidence, his first touch unpredictable as he lost possession early on and gave the ball away with sloppy passes.

His only real action of note was a low shot from 25 yards in the first-half that skidded well wide of the Scotland goal.

After the game, Hodgson admitted Rooney was a little off the pace of the game but said he was pleased with the forward’s contribution.

“We all knew before the game that this was his first actual competitive game of the season,” said Hodgson. “You wouldn’t expect that in normal circumstances, it wasn’t an ideal situation. 

“David Moyes and the people at Manchester United have been fantastic, they welcomed the fact that he wanted to play and I wanted to play him.”

On this evidence it will take Rooney several weeks, perhaps even months, to find the form and fitness that will make him a key player in a title challenging team this season - whether that’s Chelsea or United.

Rooney appeared in good spirits after the game, smiling and affable even with journalists in the post-match mixed zone.

But with no resolution imminent between United and Chelsea - the latest bid of around £30m was flatly rejected - Rooney’s mental state is likely to be tested in the remainder of the transfer window.

He needs to make sure that the summer’s disruption does not have too much of a negative impact on his game, particularly in a World Cup year.

For now, he needs to forget about his future, focus on his match sharpness and play for Manchester United. Training with the rest of the first-team might be a start.

Leeds United-Sheffield Wednesday Betting Preview: Expect United to claim Yorkshire bragging rights

There's Championship action on Saturday lunchtime, as two of Yorkshire’s heavyweights meet at Elland Road and Hugh Wilson is backing the Whites to come out on top

Sheffield Wednesday travel 30 miles north to face Yorkshire rivals Leeds United this weekend. 

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with the Owls yet to win a game, but with a full house expected at Elland Road, it should be a tasty atmosphere which could lead to a fiery encounter. Leeds come into this match unbeaten so far this season. Brian McDermott’s men have had a good start to the campaign, winning one and drawing one in the league, and progressing through the first round of the League Cup. 

A late Luke Murphy strike on the opening day of the season saw United beat Brighton, with McDermott’s men then drawing 0-0 with Leicester last weekend. BetVictor price them as favourites at 11/10 (2.10) to take all three points. 

Conversely, Wednesday have had a shocking start to the season, losing their opening three games 2-1. Dave Jones’ side started well on the opening weekend against QPR, but lost the match after conceding two late first-half goals. 

The Owls were then beaten in the League Cup by rivals Rotherham, with Burnley inflicting another defeat last weekend. BetVictor price the Owls at 11/4 (3.75) to take all three points at Leeds. The same firm prices the draw at 5/2 (3.50).

Backing both teams to score in this fixture at 17/20 (1.85) is certainly worth investing in. This bet would have paid out in Wednesday's three fixtures so far, as well as two of Leeds’ last three. 

For those looking for more value, the correct score to be 2-1 to Leeds at 17/2 (9.50) with BetVictor seems like a fantastic price. 

In both home games this season for McDermott’s men they have won 2-1. When you consider that all of Wednesday's matches this season have ended in 2-1 defeats, its tough to ignore this price. 

I don't fear Gotze competition, says Robben

The winger is keen to play alongside the former Dortmund star and thinks Franck Ribery deserves to win Uefa's Best Player in Europe award
Arjen Robben has insisted that he does not fear competition from Mario Gotze following the midfielder's arrival at Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The Germany international, 21, recently made his Bayern debut after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury and Robben is looking forward to teaming up with the former BVB star.

"Gotze's arrival? You have to believe in yourself and don't fear competition for places. I am really looking forward to playing alongside Mario," the 29-year-old was quoted as saying by Bild.

"He is a great player. One of our biggest strengths last year was that the absence of a key player didn't really weaken us.

"And it can be a positive thing as well when you occasionally miss a game in a season followed by a World Cup."

The Dutchman then went on to discuss Franck Ribery's nomination for Uefa's Best Player in Europe award and stated that his team-mate is more deserving of the award than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I would totally understand it if Ribery wins it. He deserves it. It would also be recognition for the team. It's the team that allows individuals to shine. 

"Messi and Ronaldo are extraordinary, but Franck and Bayern won the treble."

Villas-Boas reveals Bale to miss Tottenham opener at Crystal Palace

The Real Madrid target has not featured for Spurs since a pre-season friendly against Swindon on July 16 and will miss the trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that Gareth Bale will miss the club's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, and potentially further fixtures because of an injury-hit pre-season.

The 24-year-old has not featured since scoring against Swindon on July 16 with a foot injury, with his future at White Hart Lane in doubt following talks between Spurs and Real Madrid talking place over a potential £100 million deal.

Bale was called up to the Wales squad to face Republic of Ireland, but coach Chris Coleman admitted his star player was not physically or mentally ready to play - and Villas-Boas has ruled him out of the trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday.

"No, because he's been out injured for most of pre-season," Villas-Boas told reporters.

"He was involved in the games against Brentford and Swindon but not any others, for different reasons; pulled a muscle in his gluteus that prevented him from being involved for two weeks and he's been complaining of pain in the foot.

"I think the most natural thing is to see him not involved against Palace."

Bundesliga Wrap: Hamburg hold Schalke, Mainz edge Stuttgart

Jens Keller's side and the Rothosen served up a goalfest, while at the Coface Arena, Nicolai Muller proved to be the hero for the hosts

A second-half strike from Adam Szalai earned Schalke a 3-3 draw with Hamburg in a thrilling game at the Veltins Arena on Sunday.

Szalai netted 18 minutes from time to ensure a share of the spoils for Jens Keller's men.

Schalke took the lead after just two minutes when Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar found the net with a superb first-time finish, having been put through by Julian Draxler.

However, their lead proved to be short-lived as Hamburg levelled when Rafael van der Vaart converted from the spot after Joel Matip was adjudged to have handled Marcell Jansen's left-wing cross.

Thorsten Fink's men then turned the game on its head after 21 minutes. Maximilian Beister met Dennis Diekmeier's delivery with a bullet header which cannoned off the underside of the bar.

Schake equalised just before the interval though. Huntelaar netted his second with a headed effort from point-blank range following a well-worked corner from Christian Clemens and Christian Fuchs.

Hamburg gained the advantage for a second time early in the second half as Lasse Sobiech nodded in Van der Vaart's corner at the far post.

But again they could not hold on and substitute Szalai secured a point for the hosts, reacting quickest to slot home after Rene Adler had spilled Clemens' effort from range.

Nicolai Mueller was the hero for Mainz in their opening game of the season, netting a double for Thomas Tuchel's men as they overcame Stuttgart 3-2 at the Coface Arena.

Muller opened his Bundesliga account for the season as he capitalised on some sloppy play from the visitors to steal possession, before surging forward and firing confidently beyond goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.

However, just two minutes later Stuttgart tied things up as Vedad Ibisevic turned in Ibrahima Traore's right-wing cross in at the near post.

That was the way it stayed until Shinji Okazaki - playing against the club he left in July - gave Mainz the lead again with a close-range finish.

Muller stretched the advantage as he rifled home following an incisive pass from Maxim Choupo-Moting and, although Martin Harnik pulled one back eight minutes from time, Mainz were able to hold on to claim the points.