Manchester City manager Roberto Manicni insists he knows where his team's problems lie after their fitful start to the season.

City's 1-1 Champions League draw with Borussia Dortmund here Wednesday extended their poor run to just three wins in nine matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo was in treble form as Real Madrid tuned up for this weekend's Clasico with a stylish 4-1 win at Ajax here on Wednesday to maintain their perfect start to the fledgling Champions League campaign.

Ronaldo, who had bagged the late winner in the Spanish champions' opening Group D win over Manchester City, was joined on the score-sheet by Karim Benzema, with Ajax's lone strike coming from Niklas Moisander.

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton insisted "nothing has changed" despite his upcoming switch to Mercedes and vowed to fight for the title with McLaren, starting with this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old Briton, who has agreed a three-year contract with Mercedes starting in 2013, pledged to attack this year's last six races as he bids to overhaul Fernando Alonso's 52-point championship lead.

Former Arsenal star Aleksandr Hleb has insisted BATE Borisov are keeping their feet firmly on the ground despite their shock 3-1 Champions League home win over last season's finalists Bayern Munich.

The Belarus champions earned their second European win to go top of Group F with six points on Tuesday in Minsk after midfielder Aleksandr Pavlov, then striker Vitali Rodionov put them 2-0 up with 12 minutes left.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney are ready to take Europe by storm after the deadly double act inspired Manchester United's 2-1 win over CFR Cluj in the Champions League.

Ferguson started van Persie and Rooney together for the first time in Tuesday's Group H clash in Romania and the United manager was delighted to see his two star forwards strike up an immediate understanding.

Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche has insisted Michael Schmacher's disappointing return to Formula One has been due to their underperforming car and not the driver.

Schumacher, 43, returned to Formula One in 2010 after a four-year hiatus, but the seven-times world champion has failed to make an impact on the world drivers' championships.

The 2013 Australian Open will offer a record Aus$30 million (US$31.1 million) in prize money, as organizers respond to threats of a boycott from players agitating for a greater share of revenue.

Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood said Tuesday the Aus$4 million hike from the last tournament was the single biggest increase in the history of the opening Grand Slam of the season.

Newcomers Dwight Howard and Steve Nash joined the Los Angeles Lakers for Monday's first day of training camp as Kobe Bryant looks for a sixth career NBA title and Pau Gasol bids for his third.

The Lakers signed Canadian Nash, a veteran point guard still seeking his first NBA crown, in the off-season and added center Howard from Orlando in a four-team deal last August to become a favorite in the NBA championship quest.

Manchester City may only be heading into their second Champions League game of the season but Roberto Mancini's side's clash with Dortmund may prove hugely significant for both.

City suffered a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their opening game despite taking the lead twice in the Bernabeu.

Mikel Arteta has warned Olympiakos that Arsenal will take out their frustrations on the Greek team in Wednesday's Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's side suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday as Chelsea punished some slack defending from the hosts to clinch a 2-1 victory and Arteta admits his teammates are desperate to make amends against Olympiakos.