Former Italy striker, Mario Balotelli has labelled Brendan Rodgers as a “disaster”.

He also described the current Celtic boss as the worst coach he has ever played under.

Balotelli played under Rodgers after Liverpool decided to sign him from AC Milan for £16million in 2014.

However, he struggled for form, scoring only one goal in 16 Premier League appearances.

Balotelli managed four goals in 28 games in total at Anfield.

However, it was after Balotelli left for Nice when Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool, that he and Rodgers began feuding publicly.

Balotelli seems to have reignited their feud in an interview with TVPlay.

He said: “Brendan Rodgers is the worst coach I have ever had.

“He was number one as far as training sessions were concerned, what with keeping possession of the ball and the small-sided games. But as a person he was a disaster.”

With one round of fixtures remaining before the conclusion of the group stage phase of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League finals, 12 teams including Arsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona and Inter have qualified for the knockout round of the competition.

Arsenal sealed their qualification on Wednesday following a 6-0 win over French Ligue 1 side Lens at the Emirates Stadium courtesy of goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martineli, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho respectively.

The Gunners were able to achieve a knockout phase qualification six years after they last reached the round of 16 during the 2016/17 campaign.

Bayern Munich, with 13 points, have already been confirmed as the runaway winners of Group A after the Bavarians were held to a goalless draw by Copenhagen at the Allianz Arena, an outcome which further put United in the brink of not qualifying to the round of 16.

Manchester United thrice threw their lead away after Andre Onana conceded two questionable goals, as the Red Devils settled for a 3-3 draw against Galatasaray on Wednesday evening, a match Erik ten Hag’s team needed to win to maintain a higher chance of qualifying for the knockout round.

To qualify for the round of 16, the Red Devils, who are on four points at the bottom of Group A, must secure the maximum three points against Bayern Munich in their last game of the group at Old Trafford and hope Galatasaray, one four points too and Copenhagen, on five points, play out a draw.

On Tuesday, Barcelona, now on 12 points, qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time since the 2021/2022 seasons.

This was confirmed after the Spanish champions defeated Porto 2-1 courtesy of goals by Portuguese duo of Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix.

Both Manchester City and Real Madrid have been confirmed as the Group G and Group C respectively— they are the only two teams to win all of their group stage matches in the ongoing campaign so far.

City came back from two goals down to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 on Tuesday.

Despite the defeat, RB Leipzig joined the defending champions as the two teams that qualified for the round of 16 from the group.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham scored again as Real Madrid beat Victor Osimehn’s Napoli 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Napoli only need a draw in their last Group C game against Braga to secure a back-to-back Champions League knockout qualification.

From Group D, Real Socieded and Inter, both on 11 points each, have been confirmed as the two that have qualified for the knockout round.

On Wednesday, Umar Saqid’s Real Socieded played a goalless draw against RB Salzburg while 10-man Inter came back from three goals down to secure a point against Benfica.

Spanish side Atlético Madrid, Italian outfit Lazio, both from Group E and German giants Borussia Dortmund and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven have also secured their spot in the Champions League knockout round.

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has said he would be the one to blame if they fail to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16.

The Red Devils are still bottom of Group G following their 3-3 draw at Galatasaray on Wednesday night.

Ten Hag’s men must now beat Bayern Munich in their last fixture and hope FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray play out a draw.

“I blame myself if we go out. Know that we are in a project and we are improving.

“We are in the right direction. I know where we have to go, what steps to take and I’m sure we will be successful in the long term,” Ten Hag said.

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi unfollowed Alejandro Garnacho on social media.

Ferdinand made the claim as Garnacho recently scored a spectacular overhead kick during Man United’s Premier League win over Everton.

Speaking on Vibe with FIVE YouTube show, Ferdinand said, “My lad [Garnacho] said to me the other day Messi unfollowed him. He said Messi unfollowed him.

“Because he comes out, don’t care, ‘I’m a Ronaldo man’. Who’s the GOAT? Ronaldo. (Even) when he’.

Garnacho and Messi are both international teammates with Argentina’s senior team.

The 19-year-old joined Man United from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

Former Arsenal winger, Freddie Ljungberg has doubts about whether the Gunners can end their title drought this season under manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal are searching for their first league triumph since 2004.

Arteta’s side moved top of the Premier League table on Saturday after beating Brentford 1-0.

However, Ljungberg is concerned by Arsenal’s attack, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all down on their goals-per-minutes ratio when compared with last season.

“I think definitely they are ready to challenge for the title,” Ljungberg said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

“But the stats here are quite telling and I don’t think they work in their favour,” the retired footballer added as he looked at Arsenal’s attacking numbers.

An ex-Chelsea player and manager of England national team ‘Three Lions’, Terry Venables, has died after suffering from a year-long illness, the family announced on Sunday.

“We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness. We would ask that privacy be given at this incredibly sad time to allow us to mourn the loss of this lovely man who we were so lucky to have had in our lives,” the family said in a statement.

He was aged 80.

During his coaching career, Venables served as the manager of the England national team between 1994 and 1996, guiding the team to the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championship on home soil.

He also managed several top clubs across Europe including Spanish side Barcelona where he won the league title, the now-discontinued Copa de la Liga and reached the final of the UEFA Champions League.

As a player, Venables accumulated more than 500 appearances mostly for Chelsea where he won the league cup, Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham, winning the FA Cup title in 1967.

Nigeria defender, Olisa Ndah has won Orlando Pirates’ Player of the Month for October.

The Buccaneers made the announcement on their official X handle.

Ndah made four appearances for the South African Premier League side in the month.

Pirates recorded two wins and two draws from the four games.

The 25-year-old has featured five times for the club this season.

Pirates are currently seventh on the table with 15 points from 10 games.

Ndah is expected to be in action when they take on Richards Bay in a league game on Saturday.

Napoli may sell their talismanic striker, Victor Osimhen for around €120m, according to transfer expert, Ben Jacobs.

Osimhen has failed to sign a contract extension and will have one-year remaining on his deal next summer.

Premier League clubs Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing the Nigeria international.

In an interview with GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs said Osimhen’s price tag could drop if he does not sign a new contract.

The 24-year-old joined Napoli from Ligue 1 club, Lille in 2020.

He played a key role in the Partenopei’s title success last season.

The Nigeria Premier Football League board has fined Sporting Lagos N1m for security breach.

Sporting Lagos were sanctioned for failing to provide adequate security during their matchday nine encounter against Heartland on Sunday.

The encounter ended in a 1-1 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Sporting Lagos must pay the fine within 14 days or risk further sanctions.

The club have been ordered to implement an effective matchday security arrangement & organise a reorientation programme for their supporters.

The NPFL board also ordered the club to put in place an effective matchday security plan to avoid a recurrence.

The modest club has 48 hours to appeal the sanction.

1472 Football Club have announced the signing of two Brazilian players.

The duo are Wellington, a midfielder and Saulo, a centre-back.

The players will be unveiled to the club’s supporters later in the week.

1472 are making their maiden appearance in the Nigeria National League, NNL.

The newly formed Lagos -based club began their NNL campaign with a 2-2 away draw against Dakkada at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Sunday.

Solomon Alade scored the club’s inaugural league goal against the Uyo- based club.

1472 will lock horns with Rovers in a matchday two fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, this weekend.

Arsenal legend Sol Campbell wants Arsenal to add more firepower to the squad with the signing of Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, in January to help them win the Premier League this season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Gunners sit third in the Premier League after 12 games, level on points with Liverpool on 27, and one behind Manchester City.

Campbell has identified the striking department as an area in need of reinforcement, given the team’s reliance on a limited pool of strikers.

Arsenal have been linked with Napoli striker Osimhen and Ivan Toney from Brentford. Either of the two strikers will cost Arsenal a significant amount to tempt their respective clubs to consider selling and Campbell believes it is a deal the Gunners should be interested in.

“Osimhen. But is he going to cost too much money? There’s Ivan (Toney). I think they’re good (in other areas of the pitch). Centre forward is one thing they might need to look at and see the possibilities, see what’s out there, or wait until next season,” Campbell said.

“But if the right person comes along, an out-and-out striker, that can unlock those tight games, knows what to do in those positions, and also keeps defence occupied to then free up other people, they should maybe look at it Christmas time and if not, definitely next season. The right person will offload the pressure on the team, I think.”

Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Leandro Trossard have collectively netted 14 goals across various competitions this season, but Campbell believes Arsenal requires a striker capable of consistently bagging 20 to 25 goals in a Premier League campaign.

“In the end, they will have to decide by January, do they need a centre forward. Twenty to 25 goals in the Premier League. You know, in those big, tight games. I think it will help them,” Campbell told Mirror Football at the Web Summit in Lisbon.

“Is it always easy to find the right centre forward? I think eventually if they get someone like that, the right centre forward to compliment the attack – you need them to be able to play to dislodge defences.

Some defences understand your frequency but you bring in another player to change that frequency and other things happen. Bringing on someone really changes it up.”

Osimhen was the star of the show in the Campania capital last season during their historic Scudetto success, scoring 26 goals and providing five assists across 32 league games.

AS Roma head coach, Jose Mourinho has reportedly asked his club to sign Arsenal defender, Jakub Kiwior in the January window.

Mourinho wants to add Kiwior to his backline in a bid to bolster Roma’s defence in the second half of the campaign.

According to the Italian publication Romagiallorossa, Mourinho’s side are looking to sign either Kiwior or Tottenham’s Eric Dier in January.

Kiwior joined Arsenal from Italian club Spezia Calcio back in January for a fee of €25 million.

The 23-year-old has struggled for regular game-time as he’s seen as a back-up to first-choice left centre-back Gabriel.

The Poland international has managed just four Premier League appearances for Mikel Artea’s side so far this season.

He has completed 16 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, scoring a goal and providing no assists.

However, Roma are seeking a cheap signing, given Evan Ndicka will be away at the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, with Ivory Coast in January.

Fulham midfielder, Alex Iwobi says it is important for the Super Eagles to keep fighting as they look to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles held Zimbabwe to a 1-1 draw in their matchday two encounter at the Huye Stadium, Butare, on Sunday.

Jose Peseiro’s charges are now without a win from two games, leaving them in danger of missing out on another World Cup after their failure to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Iwobi reckoned that they must not dwell too much on the result instead focus more on the upcoming games.

“We’re disappointed with the players we have, Nigeria is a country with a lot of quality players, we should have been able to get more points and goals,” the 27-year-old said during the post-match press conference.

“We won’t dwell on this, we’ll keep fighting till the very end to make sure we qualify.”

The Super Eagles will host the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their next game in June 2023.

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has insisted that some Nigeria supporters are interested in betting not the team.

According to Musa, most Nigeria fans don’t support the Super Eagles because they are bettors.

The former Leicester City star spoke in Lagos on Friday during a ceremony to unveil the team’s ‘Let’s Do It Again’ mantra in their bid to win a fourth AFCON title in Ivory Coast next year.

“I love this country and I know whenever we lose, I have a family back home, I know the pressure they face when we lose. When we are on the pitch, they say ‘na him mother be this, go insult am (this is his mother, insult her). So, I know I must put in everything I have so that people don’t insult my family,” Musa said.

“Nowadays, with the players we have in the team, none of them stay in Nigeria. They don’t know the anger that most of us, who have families in Nigeria, face when the team loses.

“He [Amaju Pinnick] did his best so that we qualified for the World Cup. We lost a lot of money and that is why most of our players right now are facing challenges because we failed to qualify for the [2022] World Cup. So, we as players lost so much money.”

The 31-year-old added, “No matter where you are playing you always go down into your corner to think when you lose money. Nowadays I understand what football is and the anger of the fans.

Most of us don’t support Super Eagles because we like them, they will say, ‘hey dem don cut my ticket, give me my money’ (hey they’ve spoiled my ticket, refund my money). You will see on most of our DMs ‘you cut my ticket, you no sabi play’ (you spoiled my ticket, you don’t know how to play), its because they are bettors. Before, you will see the love and passion for the team but nowadays, betting has spoiled everything.”

Remo Stars, Shooting Stars and Plateau United players dominated the Nigeria Premier Football League matchday eight Team of the Week.

The three clubs have two players each in the selection.

Remo Stars duo of Ismaila Sodiq, Sikiru Alimi Shooting Stars captain Malomo Taofeek, goalkeeper Anozie Chinedu and Plateau United Daniel Itodo and Chris Nwaeze made the Team of the Week.

Chinedu Sunday (Lobi Stars), Mohammed Alao(Kwara United), Godwin Obaje(Ranger), Ezekiel Tamara(Bendel Insurance) and Robert Mizo(Bayelsa United) also made the list.

Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede was named Coach of the Week.Matchday nine fixtures will take place on Saturday and Sunday.

League leaders Lobi Stars battle with reigning NPFL champions Enyimba will be the star match of the week.

The encounter is billed for the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

Arsenal defender, Gabriel Magalhaes, has named Chelsea star Thiago Silva and former Liverpool attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho, among his favourite Brazil players.

Gabriel is currently on international duty with the Brazil national team as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers this month.

Asked by Arsenal’s official website for his favourite Brazilian players from years gone by, Gabriel said, “After Ronaldo came to Corinthians, of course I watched him a lot and he is a top player.

“I like Neymar so I am happy to be there with him. Now he is injured but he is a good guy.

“I love to be there because I watched Neymar when I was younger.

“A lot of players, Marquinhos as well, Thiago Silva… I am so happy to be there. Coutinho is a top player and I have played with him as well for the national team.”