HEADLINES 
Marco Asensio hits hat-trick in Real Madrid rout Hakimi double saves PSG at Metz to stretch perfect Ligue 1 startSolskjaer frustrated by slow start as Man United crash out of Carabao CupUEFA release statement condemning FIFA plans for biennial World CupQatari club Al Rayyan confirm signing of Everton star James RodriguezPremier League agree winter break for 2022 World CupUefa says biennial World Cup creates four significant dangers
SPANISH PAPERS
Real Madrid has scored 6 goals in a La Liga game for the first time since May 12th, 2018 (6-0 vs Celta Vigo). Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has scored his 200th goal in LaLiga, becoming the 10th player to reach that milestone in the competition’s history. Karim Benzema has been involved in 15 goals in La Liga this season, with 8 goals and 7 assists – more than any other player in the Top 5 leagues.Karim Benzema has 8 goals in La Liga – the same as the entire Barcelona squad. Apart from Real Madrid, there are only three other teams with more goals than him in La Liga: Valencia (11), Rayo Vallecano (10) and Atlético Madrid (9). Real Madrid had not played a full La Liga match without Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric since 31 March 2019. Marco Asensio post-match: “I am Very happy, I knew that I had to take advantage of this opportunity. I’ve shown that I can be counted on, there’s a lot of competition here. I’m happy with anywhere Carlo plays me.”Asensio: “It’s my first hattrick for Real Madrid, I’m over the moon. I hope to keep this dynamic. It’s an emotional night, I’m happy to have performed in front of our fans at the Bernabéu.”Carlo Ancelotti ”I give (the team) everything I can. My experience, confidence. I am lucky to coach such a brave team, with a lot of quality, and one that learns quickly.”Mallorca player Jaume Costa to Movistar Futbol post-match: “This is Real Madrid, they’re really good.”Diego Simeone: “Antoine Griezmann has to adapt to our style of play.”Barcelona’s economic vice president Eduard Romeu has backed Joan Laporta’s decision to allow Lionel Messi to leave this summer.Roberto Martínez (manager of the national team of Belgium): “Succeeding Koeman? As you can imagine, there is nothing, really nothing, for me to comment on. Obviously, there are always rumors. This is normal in football.” Joan Laporta: “Ronald Koeman’s statement in his press conference was unnecessary. The communications department and myself tried to tell him to answer questions, but he refused. Answering questions allows you to explain yourself.”Barcelona have no problem paying Robert Martinez’s 1.8M release clause for his contract with Belgium. However, they would need to pay off Koeman’s remaining salary for this season, and give him an extra 6M due to a clause put by Josep Maria Bartomeu. Barcelona are expected to include Ansu Fati in their matchday squad for their La Liga game against Levante on Sunday.
FRENCH PAPERSAnother pitch invasion – the second one across Ligue 1 tonight – took place at the end of Metz-PSG, with several home supporters jumping over the barriers after the final whistle.Angers-Marseille marred by crowd incidents at full time – pitch invasion, firecrackers set off, fights between fans, stadium equipment damaged. The prosecutor has requested a five-year stadium ban and six-month prison sentence for the fan who attacked Dimitri Payet during last month’s Nice-Marseille incidents. Lionel Messi is also expected to miss PSG’s match against Montpellier this weekend, having picked up bone bruising on his left knee. New footage has emerged showing a collision with Lyon’s Jérôme Boateng as the potential cause of Lionel Messi’s knee injury on Sunday.
GERMAN PAPERSBayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman has resumed training for the first time following his heart surgery Robert Lewandowski on whether he can target Messi’s record of 50 league goals in a season (2011/12) or Ronaldo’s of 48 (2014/15): “I’m not thinking about such numbers and not setting myself any targets. It’s still too early and the season has just started.”
ITALIAN PAPERSAfter Milan’s win over Venezia, Stefano Pioli has described Rafael Leao as a player who can win any game for the Rossoneri. AC Milan announced that third-choice goalkeeper Alessandro Plizzari will be out for three months after knee surgery. Juventus midfielder Arthur was involved in a car accident on Wednesday morning but he escaped unharmed.UEFA have released a statement blasting FIFA for continuing to push the plans for a World Cup every two years without ‘consultation’ and analysing the ‘real dangers’ of the idea. Match winner Matthijs de Ligt said ‘the only thing that mattered was three points’ for Juventus against Spezia on Wednesday night. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was less angry after his men beat #Spezia 3-2 in Liguria. ‘Luckily we won a match suffering’. Alexis Saelemaekers assures Milan ‘do not start out looking to finish second or third, we are aiming for the top’ of the Serie A table after beating Venezia
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his defeated Manchester United team should have been awarded a penalty AGAIN in the Carabao Cup loss to West Ham.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted Edinson Cavani is still unable to play for Manchester United, having not trained enough to be fully fit.John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are reportedly serious doubts for Manchester City’s huge trio of fixtures with the defensive pair understood to be sidelined for two weeks in a blow to Pep Guardiola.Manchester United star Marcus Rashford’s use of social media has been included on the GCSE curriculum for media
LONDON EVENING STANDARDPremier League confirm that they will NOT insist that fans attending matches must be double vaccinated unless Covid cases rise throughout the autumn and winter months. The Government is set to ban betting firms from sponsoring football shirts following its review of gambling laws.
BRITISH MIRRORChelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has hinted that England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has to impress him to salvage his Blues careerArsenal and France striker Alexandre Lacazette has no desire to sign a new contract at the club. His current deal expires at the end of the season. Manchester City have rejected a £15m bid from Borussia Dortmund for English striker Liam Delap.
LIVERPOOL ECHOLiverpool are keeping an eye on 25-year-old Real Madrid and Spain winger Marco Asensio.FC Basel are considering a move for Liverpool’s German goalkeeper Loris Karius. Liverpool have confirmed that expansion of the Anfield Road stand will begin with an official ground-breaking ceremony next week.
BRITISH MAILBayern Munich are interested in signing Chelsea and Germany defender Antonio Rudiger, but the 28-year-old wants to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge. Barcelona would have to pay 1.8m euros (£1.5m) to release managerial target Roberto Martinez from the 48-year-old Spaniard’s contract with the Belgium national team.But Martinez has played down reports linking him with the job as a potential replacement for under-fire Dutchman Ronald Koeman.
LONDON FOOTBALLThomas Tuchel has praised Kepa Arrizabalaga for his performance in the penalty shoot-out as he helped Chelsea advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The Blues booked a place in the last 16 of the tournament with a 4-3 shoot-out win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.Mikel Arteta believes the momentum his Arsenal side continued to build with their Carabao Cup third-round win over AFC Wimbledon will be an important factor as they face neighbours Tottenham on Sunday.Chelsea are ready to turn their attention towards Juventus central defender Matthijs De Ligt having failed to sign Jules Kounde in the summer window.
