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Wednesday Kickoff: Dortmund’s Hummels to miss Arsenal match; Morelia win first ever Copa MX; and more

Mats Hummels

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

Arsenal may have their share of injuries heading into the fourth match day of the UEFA Champions League, but Borussia Dortmund have been left scrambling ahead of their tie with the English Premier League leaders.

Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp said on Tuesday in a press conference that star defender Mats Hummels is very likely to miss the match due to an injury, despite playing the full 90 minutes last Friday in Dortmund’s 6-1 victory against Stuttgart.

“There is a 97.5% chance that Mats Hummels will not be available due to hamstring problems,” Klopp told reporters.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is expected to take the German international’s place in the lineup, just five days after scoring his first goal for Dortmund since joining them in the summer.

Here are some more stories to start your Wednesday:

MORELIA WIN COPA MX TITLE

For the first time in their nearly 89 year history, Morelia are Copa MX champions.

The Monarchs of Michoacán defeated fellow Liga MX side Atlas, 3-1, in penalty kicks after the two teams finished regulation tied at three goals each. Morelia’s win, coming in their home stadium, earns them a chance to qualify for the 2015 Copa Libertadores when they face the eventual winners of the Clausura Copa MX next summer.

Star Morelia winger Jefferson Montero rounded the goalkeeper and scored to give his side a dream start in the seventh minute. Montero’s teammate Edgar Andrade put the Monarchs up two goals six minutes later, but Atlas wasn’t planning on going out without scoring some goals of their own.

Former Sporting Kansas City striker Omar Bravo scored a penalty kick in the 40th minute after Morelia midfielder Carlos Morales blocked a goal-bound strike with his hand, earning a straight red card from the referee. Bravo himself though was shown a straight red card just prior to halftime.

Atlas forward Matias Vuoso followed that up with a low shot on goal in the 52nd minute to tie the match, but three minutes later, Morelia’s Hector Mancilla put the hosts ahead once more with a header from close range. Atlas midfielder Luis Ayala though pulled a rabbit out of his hat with an out-of-this-world blast from the top of the box in the 58th minute to tie the match at three, eventually going to penalty kicks to decide the Copa MX champion.

Morelia goalkeeper Federico Vilar was the hero for his side, making three saves while scoring a goal himself to give his side a memorable night in a terrific Cup final.

QUICK KICKS

109-times capped goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has retired from international soccer after representing Australia for the last 20 years. (REPORT)

Spain have replaced Gabon on their schedule this month with a friendly against Equatorial Guinea on November 16. (REPORT)

Tottenham will renew efforts to sign Real Madrid left back Fabio Coentrao in January after failing to sign him in the Gareth Bale transfer to Spain. (REPORT)

Italy international Thiago Motta is reportedly on the verge of signing a three-year contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain. (REPORT)

Everton forward Arouna Kone is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after doctors discovered a cartilage problem in his knee. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Dortmund struggling without Hummels? What did you think of the Copa MX final? Do you see Tottenham signing Coentrao?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Hummels not playing isnt a huge deal honestly. He is among the most overrated CBs in the world at the moment, he has not been anything special for the last 12 months or so but yet gets rated in the top 5. Subotic is the better CB there and it isn’t close. The Greek guy is a solid player as well, I’m sure he’ll be fine

    Reply
    • I can agree Hummels’s for form is off from last year, but he is still very good and definitely Dortmund’s best centerback and will be missed. But I do agree with that heavy-metal Jurgen Klopp is a much better coach that Arsne Wenger and we can all hope that Dortmund minus Hummels will still be able to kick Arsenal’s you know what.

      Reply

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