Football

Juve work in progress, says Pirlo after Roma draw

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Pirlo was a surprising choice to succeed sacked coach Maurizio Sarri in August, as he had no previous coaching experience and had been appointed as the club’s Under-23 coach just a week earlier.

The Italian champions failed to impress in the capital and had a Cristiano Ronaldo double to thank as they came from behind twice, the second time while down to 10 men after Adrien Rabiot was shown a second yellow card.

Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo was disappointed by his side’s performance in Sunday’s 2-2 Serie A draw at AS Roma but explained that his side was still a “work in progress”.

The Italian champions failed to impress in the capital and had a Cristiano Ronaldo double to thank as they came from behind twice, the second time while down to 10 men after Adrien Rabiot was shown a second yellow card.ADVERTISINGAds by Teads

“It was a step backwards, but as a team we are a work in progress,” Pirlo told Sky Italia. “We haven’t had the chance to try much out in pre-season because there were practically no friendly matches.”

Pirlo was a surprising choice to succeed sacked coach Maurizio Sarri in August, as he had no previous coaching experience and had been appointed as the club’s Under-23 coach just a week earlier.

He oversaw an impressive 3-0 win against Sampdoria on his debut last weekend, but pointed out that new signings like striker Alvaro Morata and midfielder Arthur Melo are yet to be fully integrated.

“In the end it was one point gained,” he said. “Morata arrived two days ago, Arthur hasn’t played for six months and needs to adapt to Italian football, even though he did well when he came on.”

Pirlo was questioned about Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan side, who appear to be the most likely challengers to Juventus in their quest for a 10th consecutive Serie A title.

“They are certainly stronger than they were last year and have strengthened,” he said. “I don’t know if they are therefore better than us. We will certainly be battling it out until the end.”

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo Stat Proves He’s Become A Better Goal Scorer Since Turning 30

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Cristiano Ronaldo is aging like a fine wine as his current goal stat shows that he has become a better goal scorer as time passes.

The Juventus superstar is continuing where he left off earlier this year as stats from Pro Football DB revealed that Ronaldo’s goal average has increased after turning 30 years old.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner tallied a total of 463 goals in 718 matches before turning 30 with an average of 0.64. Since then, “CR7” has become more efficient on the pitch and scored 279 goals in 299 matches to improve his average to 0.93.

At 35, Ronaldo has reaped the record books last season for the Old Lady. One of his latest accolades came in the derby against Torino on July 4. Ronaldo netted a free-kick goal, and in the process, set a new Serie A record. The phenomenal goal saw Ronaldo becoming the first player in 60 years to hit 25 goals for Juventus in a single Serie A season.

He followed it up by completing 50 career Serie A goals with his brace against Lazio on July 20, making him the first player in history to score 50 goals in Italy, England, Spain and the Champions League.

In the final match of Week 2 of the current Serie A season, Ronaldo once again proved that age is just a number with his sensational giant leap to score an equalizer against AS Roma Sunday. The 35-year-old came to the rescue after Adrien Rabiot was sent off, reducing Juve’s squad to just 10 men.

Ronaldo’s first goal came from the penalty spot after Lorenzo Pellegrini blocked his attempted shot with an extended arm. The second, however, saved the reigning Serie A champion from suffering its first loss of the season as Ronaldo soared for the ball and hung in the air to guide Danilo’s cross past Roma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.

The goal was indeed a thing of beauty as the Juventus talisman managed to hit the back of the net after hitting the ball using his head.

Despite scoring a highlight-worthy goal, Ronaldo admitted that the team endured a difficult match. He also lauded newly-appointed Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo for building camaraderie in the team.

“It was an important point, it was a difficult game, we went twice behind, we were ten. We are at the beginning of the championship, with a new coach, with new ideas, we have to work but I see a great future for this team,” Ronaldo told Sky Sports after the match.

“With Pirlo, the team works harder and is happier,” he added. “The Italian league has so many strong teams, there is Inter, there is Milan, it is more difficult this year.”

Football

The incredible story of Ronaldo’s training regime that left a PL coach in shock

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Former Newcastle Jets manager Scott Miller has recalled how he was left in awe by Cristiano Ronaldo’s insane regime on a visit to Real Madrid’s training ground once.

Miller, who is a coach in the NPL in Melbourne, used to be involved in a coaching capacity at Premier League side Fulham and was asked to join new signing Mahamadou Diarra in Spain to do some training while the Malian player was at the west London club.

He retold the story to Adam Peacock on the Fox Football Podcast about how an early-morning arrival one day meant he managed to run into the former Real Madrid icon and see his dedication to his fitness first hand.

“I remember I went to Real Madrid years ago with a player called Mahamadou Diarra,” he said. “He was a Galactico and an amazing player and we signed him at Fulham.

“He had to go to Spain for a few weeks so I joined him, on one of those ‘I’ll help you’ trips. All expenses paid, we trained three or four times a day and ate beautiful food at night. If you’re sitting at a dining table with a Galactico of Real Madrid, you feel like a rockstar, so it wasn’t a bad couple of weeks.

“We trained at Real Madrid’s training ground every day because he’s a God there. And the first day, we get picked up and driven there in this car and the driveway to the training ground is quite long.

“I see this stick figure miles away, this tiny little figure training. Bang! Hitting these balls. I said ‘who’s that?’ and he says ‘it’s Cristiano’ and I said ‘who?’ and he said ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’.

“I looked at my watch and it was like 7.15 in the morning. I said ‘what’s he doing?’, because in Europe training usually starts at 10.30am, players in for 8.30/9am, training at 10.30am. It’s basically a part-time job – the best job in the world starting at 10.30am.

“So he’s there at 7.15am and I’m thinking ‘what is this? What’s going on?’ And he goes ‘every morning he’ll be there. Every morning’. It’s either in the gym or on the pitch every morning and this was back in 2012 I think.

“He’s obviously conditioned to do that. We would then go and do our gym workout and he would come in and join the rest of the team for breakfast, and he’s already done a session. And that was Ronaldo.

“And we’re talking about COVID and the impacts of training or lack of ability to do it and then I’m looking at one of the best players, if not the best player in the world out there training by himself at 7.15am when he’s got everything in the world that he needs.

“So that to me is inspiration enough and I tell that story to kids and they don’t want to go home. They want to train everyday. Because that’s what it takes.”

Football

Juventus superstar tipped to still be playing at 40

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Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most accomplished footballers in the world and the Portuguese attacker is set to keep playing until he is 40, according to his national team manager, Fernando Santos.

The Portuguese attacker has shattered goal records at the different clubs that he has played for and at the age of 35, he is still going very strong at Juventus. He scored 450 goals in 438 games for Real Madrid before moving to Turin and he has already scored 68 goals in 91 matches for the Bianconeri.

He has also netted 101 times for the Portugal national team. After netting twice in Juve’s 2-2 draw against AS Roma the last time, it is clear to see that he will be around for a long time.

Fernando Santos has been the manager of the Portugal national team since 2014 and he has managed the talented frontman since that time.

They won the Euro2016 together as well as the Euro Nations League last year.

Quoted by TuttoJuve, he said: ‘I don’t know if it will happen, because he might feel like he’s no longer at the top physically or technically, but Cristiano Ronaldo can play until he’s 40. He won’t lower his level, he’s going to stop if he finds out. If he understands he can’t be Ronaldo it won’t be Ronalndinho. Of course I’m not talking about the Brazilian.”

Football

Report: Roma step up Smalling talks

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Roma representatives have reportedly travelled to discuss with Manchester United, pushing for Chris Smalling’s return to the Olimpico.

The Giallorossi have, according to SportItalia, accelerated the talks and are hoping to reach an agreement with Manchester United as soon as possible.

La Lupa haven’t met Manchester United’s asking price so far, but interest from other clubs could force them to cough up, as coach Paulo Fonseca wants Smalling back after an impressive stint on loan in 2019-20.

Inter have been linked with the former England international, should Milan Skriniar move this summer.

The transfer market closes on Monday and Roma are hoping to close a deal before other teams join the chase with a concrete offer.

Football

Man City star facing axe as Guardiola hunts reunion with Bayern legend

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Manchester City are reportedly looking to bring in either David Alaba or Nicolas Tagliafico to strengthen their left-back options, but only if Oleksandr Zinchenko leaves the club first.

The Telegraph reports that Pep Guardiola is keen for Zinchenko, 23, to move on so that he can launch a bid for his new defensive targets. Indeed the move would come after City’s £65.2 million capture of Portuguese centre-half Ruben Dias.

Manchester City have now spent around £126million on players this transfer window having previously attained the services of Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake. Now Guardiola is facing a race against time to bring in his fourth signing ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Zinchenko has been predominantly used as a back-up to Benjamin Mendy at left-back having turned down offers from numerous clubs, including Spanish outfit Real Betis, to try and fight for his place in the side. Now, however, The Telegraph says that in order for his club to bring in defensive reinforcements, he will have to make an Eithad Stadium exit three years and 68 games on since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven.

The 28-year-old Austrian worked under the City boss when he managed the German giants between 2013 and 2016. He won three of his nine Bundesliga titles during his tenure and also the 2013 Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. The news of Manchester City’s interest in the serial winner comes a month after Bayern Munich chief executive Oliver Khan stated he was “optimistic” that Alaba would sign a new deal with the European champions.

Previous reports claimed that rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are also in the market for the Austrian international after rejecting a new deal with Bayern.

Football

Seven biggest transfers which could still happen before next week’s deadline including Jadon Sancho to Man Utd

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TRANSFER Deadline Day does not look like it will dissappoint this year.

Manchester United are still on the lookout for a striker while Chelsea hope to offload a number of players.

The transfer window will officially close on Monday October 5 at 11pm. But top-flight clubs will be able to do domestic transfers up until October 16. Premier League teams will be able to do business with EFL teams during that period – but not foreign clubs. As we prepare for the end of the transfer window, SunSport have pulled together a list of the seven biggest transfers that could still go through.

Jadon Sancho – £108m

The 20-year-old has been Manchester United’s top target for the entire summer. Solskjaer made a huge £91.3million bid for Sancho this week – but it was rejected. Dortmund are refusing to do business for any less than their £108m valuation. But Solskjaer remains confident a deal can be completed before the deadline.

Houssem Aouar – £45m

Lyon refused to entertain Arsenal’s initial bid of £32m for the playmaker. The Gunners returned with a ‘timid’ £34.5m offer – but that was also swiftly rejected. The French club value him £54m, but reports claim they will entertain offers around £45m. Aouar, 22, is believed to be keen on a move to the Emirates if the two clubs agree on a fee.

Milan Skriniar – £45m

Tottenham and Fulham are set to battle it out for Inter Milan centre-back Skriniar. Spurs are reportedly prepared to offer between £30m and £35m for the 25-year-old. But the Italian side are holding out for a fee of around £45m. Should Fulham land a deal for upwards of £30m, it would smash through their transfer record of £27m.

Declan Rice – £40m

SunSport exclusively revealed this week that Chelsea still believe they will sign Rice. West Ham have insisted throughout the summer that the midfielder is not up for sale. But the Blues are expected to make a bid in excess of £40million before the deadline. The 21-year-old, who was released by the Blues at the age of 14, is said to be pushing for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Kurt Zouma – £36m

Chelsea are hoping to offload the centre-back, 25, before the transfer window closes. He still has three years remaining on his deal, but the club are keen to recoup some of the £220million they have spent this summer.

Zouma will be allowed to leave if the club’s £36million valuation of him is met. Everton, who he played for on loan in 2018-19, and Leicester could make their move.

Edinson Cavani – Free agent

The 33-year-old is a free agent after he was released by Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.

Manchester United have been linked to him as Solskjaer continues his hunt for a new striker. Cavani has scored 341 goals and made 65 assists during his illustrious career. There has been reports linking United to Luka Jovic instead – but the Glazers want Cavani.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek – Loan

Aston Villa are in pole position to sign Loftus-Cheek on a season-long loan. But a deadline day battle could commence as West ham and Southampton are also interested.

Frank Lampard has confirmed he is open to sending the 24-year-old out on loan – but believes he has a future at the club. Loftus-Cheek has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge after spending a year out with an Achilles problem.

Football

Zinedine Zidane refuses to rule out Luka Jovic move amid Manchester United speculation

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Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has refused to rule out the possibility of Luka Jovic leaving the club on loan before the transfer deadline, with Manchester United eyeing a last-ditch move for the striker. Jovic has fallen some way short of expectations after joining Madrid for a fee of €60million (£55m) ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and the 22-year-old is looking for a temporary escape route out of the Bernabeu in order to guarantee regular playing time.

United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add a centre-forward to his squad for the new campaign and talks have taken place with free agent Edinson Cavani and Jovic over the last few days.

Jovic is said to be seduced by the prospect of a switch to Old Trafford and discussions are progressing well, with a loan agreement appearing to suit all parties and United prepared to pay the attacker’s €8million (£7.3m) salary.

Football

‘It’s up to Barcelona & Dembele’ – Koeman responds amid Man Utd links

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Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has issued a response to the rumours linking Ousmane Dembele with a move to Manchester United.

United are reportedly in talks to sign Dembele on a season-long loan, and hope to finalise a deal before the transfer window slams shut on October 5.

Koeman addressed the speculation over the Frenchman’s future at a press conference on Tuesday, telling reporters: “The first thing to say is that it is up to the club and to the player.

“But he is with us and as we’ve seen in recent weeks I am counting on him….he has to wait to play but he is training well, getting fitter.

“I want to say that I am counting on him.”

Football

Houssem Aouar: What makes Lyon’s Arsenal target such a special player?

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Lyon’s Houssem Aouar has been tipped for a Premier League move for some time, with Arsenal seeing a bid turned down this week. Why is the midfielder in such demand?

Aouar’s performances since his Lyon breakthrough in 2017 have caught the eye either side of the English Channel, with his starring role in the French side’s run to the 2019/20 Champions League semi-finals, beating Juventus and Manchester City along the way, impressing in particular.

Both sides have since been heavily linked with his signature, but this weekend, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas name checked Arsenal as the suitor who had put their money where their mouth is for the 22-year-old, albeit still not enough for him to convince to part ways with one of Lyon’s brightest home-grown talents – yet.

“As far as Aouar is concerned, I think Lyon are prepared to sell him,” Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol told Monday’s Transfer Show. “Arsenal are in a relatively strong position. The president is a very difficult man to negotiate with, and I think it would take at least £50m to get him.

“But people are telling me Lyon need to sell players to raise money, and they have a very good crop of youngsters in their youth system who they think are ready to play in the first team.”

Aouar ‘technically a very fine player’

There are plenty of reasons why the Gunners would go all out to make the creatively minded goal-scoring midfielder one of their own, even though he has not always hit the heights expected at the Groupama Stadium.

“He is technically a very fine player, with an excellent vision of the game,” Gael Berger, a journalist covering Lyon for French station Radio Scoop, told Sky Sports. “He’s always been able to create chances and make good decisions on the ball, as well as provide goals and assists.

Football

Liverpool ‘machine’ will take some stopping after Arsenal, Chelsea wins

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Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Arsenal on Monday Night Football made it nine points from nine to start their Premier League title defence. The early evidence suggests Jurgen Klopp’s side will take some stopping this season…

Liverpool’s chaotic 4-3 win over Leeds on the opening day of the season offered some encouragement to their Premier League rivals. Mohamed Salah looked more lethal than ever, but the solidity that underpinned their title charge was absent. Was it a sign of slipping standards?

It was certainly a tantalising thought for the sides seeking to close the gap to the top of the table in the new campaign, but fast forward two games and their hopes of a Liverpool drop-off look fanciful at best. Two of those sides, first Chelsea and now Arsenal, have found that out for themselves.

On Monday Night Football, Jurgen Klopp’s side followed up last weekend’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge with a similarly impressive show of force at Anfield. Mikel Arteta’s side had beaten them twice in the previous four months. A third consecutive upset, however, never looked likely.

That is not to say there were not awkward moments for them.

Arsenal’s lead, following Alexandre Lacazette’s freakish opening goal, lasted only 147 seconds and it was a minor miracle that they were still in the game at all when Diogo Jota struck Liverpool’s third in the closing stages.

By the end, Jurgen Klopp’s men had attempted 21 shots to Arsenal’s four and the numbers were similar against both Leeds and Chelsea. As well as taking maximum points from their first three games, Liverpool have attempted the most shots in the Premier League and faced the fewest.

Football

Are you crazy?’ – Klopp unhappy with Liverpool applause of Chelsea red card

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The Reds boss wasn’t impressed with the reaction from one of his members of staff after the Blues were reduced to 10 men

Jurgen Klopp reiterated his dislike for any unsportsmanlike behaviour after remonstrating with a member of the Liverpool staff for applauding a red card handed to Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen on Sunday. 

After VAR intervention, an initial yellow card for Christensen was upgraded to red for a poor challenge on Sadio Mane and Klopp was left fuming when someone on the Reds bench began applauding the decision. 

“Are you crazy? We never ever do that, ok?,” Klopp could reportedly be heard shouting from the sidelines. 

Football

Barcelona hands jersey No. 8 to Pjanic

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Miralem Pjanic has chosen the No. 8 jersey at Barca, Diario Sport’s Albert Roge reports. Hilariously, it was Arthur Melo who was carrying this number last season.

Before Arthur, the likes of Andres Iniesta, Hristo Stoichkov, Pep Guardiola and many other Barca greats were wearing this jersey.

Pjanic is yet to make his debut appearance for the Catalans.

Football

James makes historic impact on Everton debut

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The Colombia international equalled a feat last managed by Alexis Sanchez in 2014 as he tore the Tottenham defence apart

James Rodriguez’s creative genius came to the fore on Sunday as the new Everton signing gave Spurs a torrid afternoon in a sparkling debut. 

The ex-Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star was reunited with former coach Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park after completing a £22 million ($29m) move at the start of September. 

And despite having less than a week with his new team-mates prior to making his Premier League bow, James left Everton fans delighted with a brilliant display in the side’s 1-0 win in north London. 

It was the side’s first Premier League win in the capital in their last nine attempts, with Everton’s last victory in London coming 18 months ago away to West Ham.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed three points for Ancelotti’s charges with a fine header from Lucas Digne’s free-kick 55 minutes into the clash, while the Toffees also squandered a number of excellent chances to extend their advantage. 

A large proportion of those came directly from the left boot of the Colombia international, who thrived on the right side of an attacking trident completed by Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. 

James created no less than five chances before being withdrawn in a late substitution, more than any other player on the pitch. 

Indeed, not since Alexis Sanchez’s Arsenal bow in 2014 has a Premier League newcomer managed that figure in their debut. 

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