Football

Sergio Aguero: Pep Guardiola to be patient with Manchester City striker’s return from injury

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Man City have struggled for goals in Sergio Aguero’s absence – managing no more than one in a league game since September’s 5-2 defeat to Leicester – and Pep Guardiola knows it: “I’m not going to say that we don’t need Sergio, we need him. I want Sergio fit”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his side need Sergio Aguero to return to full fitness, but is ready to be patient over the striker’s comeback from injury in order to avoid further setbacks.

Aguero, who was out for five months after undergoing knee surgery on an injury sustained in the early stages of last season’s restart, made only three appearances this campaign before picking up a hamstring injury.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham made it one win in three matches for City, who have failed to score more than once in a single Premier League match since September’s 5-2 defeat by Leicester.

Guardiola knows a fit and firing Aguero will be crucial to reviving City’s domestic campaign, but warns he will have to be cautious over how he uses the 32-year-old once he recovers.

“I’m not going to say that we don’t need Sergio, we need him,” said Guardiola after the reverse at Spurs.

“But Sergio, who is 32, was out for five months with a dangerous and difficult injury. He came back and played 50 or 55 minutes and he is injured again.

“We want him and I want Sergio fit because I’m not just discovering now how important he is for us.

“But we have to be careful [to make sure he does] not come back and get injured again. You have to see the right moment to put him in again and hopefully it can be soon and he can maintain the regularity to play games.”

Tottenham made a big title statement as a vintage Jose Mourinho operation saw them beat Manchester City 2-0.

Spurs had just 33 per cent possession and four shots to City’s 22, but once again came away with victory against Pep Guardiola’s City in a clinical smash-and-grab show at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

During a lively opening, Spurs took the lead as Heung-Min Son tucked under Ederson from the edge of the box after Tanguy Ndombele’s chipped pass caught out a high City line (5). It was Spurs’ only shot on goal in the first 59 minutes as Mourinho’s side soaked up City pressure.

Despite some City half-chances either side of the break, Mourinho’s approach continued to work as they snatched a second, man-of-the-match Harry Kane turning brilliantly on halfway and feeding Giovani Lo Celso to finish under Ederson again just 35 seconds after coming on (65).

City were ragged thereon as Spurs closed out victory, and the result means Mourinho, celebrating one year at Spurs, sees his side sit atop the Premier League for 24 hours at least. City’s poor start continues, sitting 10th with just 12 points from eight games.

Football

‘Pepe has let everybody down’ – Arsenal winger ‘needs better advice around him’, says Wright

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The Gunners legend has criticized the Ivorian for being “unprofessional” after he was sent off against Leeds United on Sunday

Nicolas Pepe has “let everybody down”, according to Ian Wright, who says the Arsenal winger “needs better advice around him”.

Arsenal survived an onslaught to escape Elland Road with a valuable point after being outplayed by Leeds United on Sunday.

The hosts had to settle for a 0-0 draw despite being aided by a numerical advantage in the final forty minutes, with the Gunners reduced to ten men following a moment of madness from Pepe.

The Ivory Coast international was shown a straight red card for headbutting Ezgyjan Alioski, having been handed a rare start ahead of Alexandre Lacazette.

Mikel Arteta condemned Pepe’s actions post-match, telling reporters: “It is unacceptable. I’ve spoken to him; it is unacceptable.”

Wright has also singled the 25-year-old out for criticism, with it his belief that a man who cost Arsenal a club record fee of £72 million ($96m) is still showing no signs of living up to his price tag.

“I’m not saying that it’s a proper full-on headbutt but you can’t do that to people in this day and age,” the Gunners legend told Premier League Productions. “You can’t get into people’s face like that. Alioski has gone down like he’s really got a proper headbutt but at the same time that’s just totally unprofessional and just poor from him.

“From somebody that has been complaining about not getting enough game time, somebody that has now got his chance and he’s let everybody down.

“He has let everybody down and I’m very disappointed in him simply because I don’t know who his team is around him but he’s come to the club, we’ve spent a lot of money on him.

“He’s someone that we have a lot of faith in and he seems to me that he’s not getting better, he’s actually getting more in himself and more frustrated, where you want to see him improving. He needs better advice around him.” Arsenal have slipped to 11th in the Premier League standings after their latest setback, and must now turn their attention to a Europa League meeting with Molde on Thursday before preparations begin for a crucial showdown with Wolves at Emirates Stadium on November 29.

Football

What crisis?! Injury-hit Liverpool send huge title-race statement

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The Reds were without a host of star names but still dominated Leicester City at Anfield to secure a 3-0 victory over the Foxes

Crisis, what crisis? 

If this is Liverpool when they are stretched, then the rest of the Premier League should be afraid. 

Jurgen Klopp’s men, it seems, are nowhere near ready to surrender their position as English football’s top dogs.

The Reds may have an injury list longer than any in recent memory, but they shrugged that off in impressive fashion, beating Leicester City 3-0 at Anfield to move level on points with Tottenham at the top of the table.

It means they set a new club record in the process. They are now 64 games unbeaten in the league on home soil, a run which, remarkably, stretches back to April 2017 – a world of fans in stadiums, of Sam Allardyce and Christian Benteke celebrating, a world where the idea of a Liverpool title challenge was still some way off.

A different world.

They are thinking about the title now, that is for sure. This was a win which will send a message to the challengers.

If you are coming for the crown, you best be ready for the fight of your life.

This, remember, was a side without three of its first-choice back four, with its captain sidelined, its marquee summer signing missing and its top scorer isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. No Virgil van Dijk, no Joe Gomez, no Trent Alexander-Arnold, no Jordan Henderson, no Thiago Alcantara, no Mohamed Salah. 

And they were facing a team that many had talked of as contenders, a team which had already beaten Manchester City and Arsenal on the road, which had wiped the floor with Leeds United and which had started the weekend on top of the Premier League. 

Leicester, though, barely laid a glove on the champions. Beaten twice by the Reds last season, Brendan Rodgers’ men were put in their place once more here. “The best team won,” admitted the Foxes boss afterwards, making an early claim for understatement of the season.

The bulk of the damage was done in the first half, which Liverpool dominated from the word go and were rewarded for through a Jonny Evans own goal, and a superbly-crafted second courtesy of Diogo Jota, who headed home Andy Robertson’s delicious delivery at the end of a flowing team move.

Jota, bright, slick and dangerous, continues to impress. The Portugal international has now scored in all four of his home league appearances for the club, the first player in Reds history to manage such a feat. As several pointed out, he has scored more home goals this season than Manchester United. 

He was the Man of the Match here, but he had plenty of competition. Klopp had asked for players to step up in the absence of so many stars. His wish was granted, and then some.

Jota led the way, but how pleasing it will have been for Klopp to see Curtis Jones, for example, performing so admirably in midfield. This was only the 19-year-old’s third Premier League start, but he looked like he had been there all his life.

Confident, robust and tactically perfect, he certainly outshone another England hopeful, James Maddison, on the opposition.

Jones, for sure, is the future, but he was matched in his excellence by Liverpool’s elder statesman. James Milner turns 35 in January, but you would never know it watching this.

He started at right-back and finished in midfield, his corners creating two of the Reds’ three goals; his experience, nous and quality setting the tone for this patched-up XI. What a player he has been, and continues to be, for Klopp.

Of course, this being Liverpool there was still another injury to contend with. Naby Keita had been excellent on his return to the side, but his evening was to be cut short by what looked like a hamstring issue early in the second half. At least he will have plenty of company in the treatment room…

Liverpool, though, overcame that blow as they have overcome all the others. They extended their lead through Roberto Firmino late on – a welcome goal for the Brazilian, who turned in a much-improved performance himself. Only he, and the goalline technology, knows how he didn’t collect another goal.

Not to worry, though. One was enough for Firmino, three enough for his team.

Maybe one day we will learn, eh? Write off Liverpool at your peril. The names may change, but the story does not.

This is, and remains, one hell of a football team.

Football

Pressure on, Pep: Guardiola extension must result in Champions League success for Man City

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The Catalan is closing in on a decade since he last lifted Europe’s biggest trophy after a run of disappointing exits during his time at the Etihad.

If Pep Guardiola is actually going to be the manager to finally end Manchester City’s wait to win the Champions League, then he has certainly given himself a little extra breathing space.

By signing a two-year contract extension that keeps him at the Etihad Stadium until 2023, the Catalan now has a total of three more shots at European success.

As the most successful coach in City’s history having collected six trophies in four seasons, Guardiola is assured of his legendary status at the club.

A European triumph, though, would only further strengthen his legacy as well as his reputation as the greatest coach of his generation.

But, with the extra opportunities comes extra pressure.

This year’s final at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul will come 10 years and one day after Guardiola last won the trophy back when he was with Barcelona.

The 49-year-old has half-joked in the past that he will be remembered as a failure if he does not win the Champions League at City. He does, to be fair, have previous in that regard.

Domestic dominance with Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokals in his three years at the Allianz Arena, was not enough to prevent some in Germany from writing off his time there as being underwhelming.

Seven attempts at trying to win the Champions League with City will now bring an added risk of a similar judgment to his time in England.

Guardiola has contested in the past that it is harder for a club without a pedigree of European success or experience to win the competition, and that it will take time for City to be on the same level as the elite clubs having only previously won the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1970.

They have, however, become regulars in Europe’s most prestigious tournament over the past decade, and following heavy investment in the first-team squad, one semi-final in nine successive seasons in the Champions League is a disappointing return.

Paris Saint-Germain have had a similar financial backing, which resulted in them reaching last season’s final. Premier League rivals Tottenham, meanwhile, managed to find their own route to the showpiece in 2018-19 despite not having had anywhere near the same amount of money spent on them when compared to City.

To their credit, City have competently got to grips with qualifying from the group stage of the competition without too many issues, and have reached the knockout stages in their last seven attempts.

This season is no exception, with three victories from their opening three matches ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Olympiacos putting Guardiola’s side on schedule for another early qualification and the opportunity to put all their focus on addressing their disappointing Premier League start.

It is when they get beyond the group stage that the problems have started.

Guardiola has never gone beyond the quarter-final stage with City and faced regular accusations that he overthinks the big matches, with the club having won just three of their seven knockout ties under the Catalan’s tutelage.

Of the successes, two came when they were overwhelming favourites against Swiss champions Basel and German club Schalke, with the other – against Real Madrid last season – the only time they have beaten an established European giant.

Twice, eliminations have come against English rivals – Liverpool and Spurs – when City would later be crowned Premier League champions.

The others were a last-16 defeat to an exciting, Kylian Mbappe-inspired Monaco side in Guardiola’s first campaign and last summer’s shock exit to fellow French side Lyon in a one-off encounter.

“Different year, same stuff,” was Kevin De Bruyne’s honest but withering assessment following the shock quarter-final defeat in Lisbon back in August.

And while much of the focus will be on trying to wrestle back the Premier League title this term, the Champions League remains the most sought-after prize among City’s hierarchy.

In signing Guardiola up for a further two years, they believe they have the best coach available to deliver that dream.

Football

Former Barcelona & Chelsea star Fabregas ‘disappointed’ in Guardiola but still considers Mourinho a ‘friend’

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The Spanish midfielder, who now plies his trade in France with Monaco, has opened up on his relationship with two of his former managers

Former Barcelona and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas has expressed “disappointment” in his old mentor Pep Guardiola, while revealing he still considers Jose Mourinho a “friend” to this day.

Guardiola lured Fabregas to Camp Nou from Arsenal back in 2011, having seen him emerge as one of the best midfielders in Europe at Emirates Stadium.

Barca went on to win four major trophies during the Spaniard’s first full season at the club, but ultimately missed out on La Liga and Champions League honours.

Guardiola decided to call time on his four-year reign in Catalunya at the end of the campaign, and took a 12-month sabbatical before returning to management at Bayern Munich.

Fabregas says he hasn’t spoken to the 49-year-old, who is now in charge at Manchester City, since his departure from Camp Nou, and has hinted that the pair’s relationship has been damaged beyond repair.

Asked if he’s been in contact with Guardiola at all over the past eight years, the Monaco playmaker told CCMA: “No, no, with Pep nothing at all.

“I don’t know if the disappointment with Pep is mutual. Things happened, but I prefer not to talk about it. Pep was my idol since I was a child. It is from him that I have learned the most, perhaps, since I was four until now.”

Fabregas eventually left Barca to join Chelsea in 2014, and went on to pick up his first Premier League title under Mourinho.

The 33-year-old has credited a man currently occupying the hot seat at Tottenham for helping him to rediscover his best form at Stamford Bridge, having previously seen him as a rival during his time at Arsenal and Barca.

“Mourinho inspired me the most when I left Barca,” Fabregas added.

“He told me that we had had our issues on the pitch when he was at Chelsea and I was at Arsenal and then when he was coaching at Real Madrid and I was at Barcelona, but that for him, it all ended there. We turned the page.

“He told me about his project. I had to go where I thought I would do best, the decision was mine and it didn’t depend on what people said. I prioritized the professional [aspect], and today I still write to him and I consider him a friend.

“He helped me a lot at a difficult time in my career and perhaps I played one of my best seasons with him.”

Fabregas brought the curtain down on a hugely successful five-year spell at Chelsea when he signed for Monaco last year, and will be back in action when the French outfit play host to reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on Friday.

Football, World News

Former Super Eagle star, Christian Obodo has been rescued after he was kidnapped for the second time in Warri.

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Christian Obodo has been freed. The former Super Eagles midfielder was abducted in Nigeria.

The Udinese star, who spent last season on-loan to Serie B side Lecce, was sensationally kidnapped in his hometown , Warri on Saturday, November 14. He was reportedly with his girlfriend when he was kidnapped. 

The 28-year-old, who has represented the Super Eagles 21 times, reportedly stopped to buy bananas with his girlfriend when he was seized from his car in the Effurun area with the kidknappers demanding a £121,000 ransom.

He was safely rescued by the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday in nearby Isoko, after Delta State governor Emmanuel Uguaghan ordered authorities to rescue the star within 48 hours.

Delta FA spokesman Timi Ebikagboro told KickOffNigeria.com: “He was found at Isoko and has been rescued. The police are bringing him back to Warri.”

The is the second time Obodo will be kidnapped in Nigeria. He was also abducted by unknown gunmen on June 9, 2012, on his way to church in Warri.

Football

AFCON Qualifier: Super Eagles blow four-goal lead against Sierra Leone

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SIERRA LEONE fought back from 4-0 down away to Nigeria to draw 4-4 on Friday in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after a spectacular comeback in Benin City.

The Super Eagles were coasting towards a third win from three in Group L after racing to a 4-0 lead inside the first half hour of the match.

Everton forward Alex Iwobi scored twice, with his first goal coming in the fourth minute. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen found the net after 21 minutes on his return to Nigeria’s team.

Osimhen then set up Iwobi who got his second goal six minutes later and Villareal’s Samuel Chukwueze added a fourth, with another assist from Osimhen.

Sierra Leone began their stunning fight back just before half-time when Kwame Quee grabbed what looked to be a consolation goal.

Alhaji Kamara began to stamp his mark on the match. He added a second for the visitors after 72 minutes to make it 4-2.

Mustapha Bundu then added a third for Sierra Leone to make it 4-3 with 10 minutes remaining.

Nigeria were left stunned as Alhaji Kamara completed an astonishing performance by his team with an equaliser four minutes from time.

Nigeria remain top of their group on seven points – with Sierra Leone third, five points adrift. Second placed Benin play bottom side Lesotho on Saturday.

Also on Friday, Niger beat Ethiopia 1-0 in Niamey thanks to a second half Youssef Oumarou penalty.

Niger and Ethiopia are both on three points in Group K behind the top two, Ivory Coast and Madagascar, who are both on six points. The Africa Cup of Nations finals will be played in Cameroon in 2022.

Meanwhile, disappointed Nigeria football fans at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium prevented the Super Eagles players from leaving the match venue after disappointing 4-4 scoreline in the Nigeria versus Sierra Leone match-day 3 CAF African Nations Cup qualifiers BSNSports.com.ng can report.

The Super Eagles had scored four goals in the first half only to lose the four goals to Sierra Leone in the second half.

The fans stayed back as Nigeria were leading 4-0 only to be shocked when the Sierra Leoneans levelled up.

Football

‘He really wants to leave’ – Maradona to be discharged from hospital imminently

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The Argentine legend underwent surgery last week and his doctor provided an update on the 60-year-old’s condition on Tuesday.

Diego Maradona is set to be discharged from hospital imminently, according to his personal doctor Leopoldo Luque.

Maradona has been recovering in hospital since undergoing a “routine” operation for a subdural haematoma last week, a day after being admitted due to concerns over anaemia and dehydration.

Luque provided a further update on the 60-year-old Argentina and Napoli great, who is head coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.

“Diego has a very good clinical picture, very favourable in terms of surgery and the withdrawal picture that we had talked about,” Luque told reporters on Tuesday.

“A discharge is being considered, he really wants to leave and, although he had already expressed this desire, this is another context and another clinical picture. A patient with great consistency asks us to be discharged and we are ordering the place that will receive him, a comfortable house for his recovery.

“This is generated thanks to the support of the doctors and the hospital, but above all by the support of their environment, family and representatives. The discharge of Diego is imminent, he is not leaving today but it will be soon.”

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and guided Napoli to two Serie A titles, has been in charge of Superliga Argentina club Gimnasia since 2019.

He appeared in a fragile state when he briefly made an appearance as his Gimnasia side played a match on the evening of his birthday last month.

“Regarding his family reunion, I want to highlight everyone’s interest, seeking the same goal, Diego’s improvement,” Luque added.

Gimnasia were in action on Sunday for the first time since their head coach was hospitalised, drawing 2-2 with Velez Sarsfield in Argentina’s top tier.

Their players held a banner reading “we are with you” ahead of the game, and assistant boss Sebastian Mendez hopes his side did Maradona proud with their display.

“It has been a complicated week,” he said. “Diego is still hospitalised and we are all aware of that.

“We have built a very strong group and we are a family. When one falls, another picks him up. There is always a word of encouragement and that makes the group healthy. It also results in a team that is hard to beat on the pitch. It was a difficult week and we managed to play well.

“The latest news I have from Diego is that he is very well, luckily, and thank God because it is what we all hope. He is in a good mood and passes these days in the best possible way.”

Football

Setien’s criticism of Messi rubbished by Rivaldo as Griezmann is urged to stay at Barcelona

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The Blaugrana icon says a former coach should not be shifting the blame for an “awful end of season” and wants a French forward to keep the faith

Quique Setien was looking to “shift responsibility for an awful end of season” in his claims that Lionel Messi boasts too much power at Barcelona, claims Rivaldo, with said accusations being refuted by a Camp Nou legend.

A coach unceremoniously dumped from a prominent post in Catalunya has been discussing his experiences with the Liga giants.

Setien has claimed that mercurial Argentine forward Messi was “difficult to manage”, given how important he is to the collective cause at Barca.

Rivaldo believes better managers would have found a way around any such issues, with a man who flopped badly after being handed the most prestigious of reins considered to be looking for excuses.

The Blaugrana icon told Betfair: “Setien has complained in an interview about Lionel Messi controlling the locker room and having too much say in the club’s decisions.

“I have my doubts that Setien’s claims are true. But if they were, he should have told the board that he wasn’t happy with the situation.

“A manager should always communicate when something is unpleasant for him. Setien shouldn’t be trying to shift the responsibility for an awful end of season.”

It remains to be seen how long Messi – who was named on the bench for a meeting with Real Betis on Saturday – will be sticking around at Barcelona, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner still seeing a move mooted on the back of his efforts to leave over the summer.

Antoine Griezmann is another facing questions of his future, with the France international failing to make the desired impact in Catalunya, but Rivaldo believes the World Cup winner should stick around.

He added: “Antoine Griezmann is still struggling to get things going at Barcelona, but I don’t think going out on loan is the right option for him. Barcelona need all parts of their squad and he is one of the best players.

“We’ve seen good things from Griezmann against Juventus and Alaves this season, so his poor performance against Dynamo Kiev shouldn’t detract from that. As players, we all have bad days.

“He needs to build more confidence and start proving his real value as no one doubts his ability.”

Football

‘Pogba has been nothing but problems’ – Ince tells Pogba to forget about Real Madrid & start performing

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The former Red Devils midfielder believes patience has worn thin with a France international who will be questioning his own role at Old Trafford

Paul Pogba has been “nothing but problems” for Manchester United since returning to the club in 2016, says Paul Ince, will all concerned at Old Trafford now asking questions of where they go from this point.

The Red Devils invested £89 million ($116m) in bringing a France international back onto their books, with their transfer record smashed when doing business with Juventus.

Pogba’s capture was considered to be a quite a coup, with there plenty of potential in his game still to be unlocked.

United have, however, been unable to bring the best out of an enigmatic 27-year-old, with regular questions being asked of his form and future.

Pogba has become a World Cup winner during his second spell in England, but domestic struggles have contributed to the Red Devils being unable to kick on as a collective.

There is now no obvious role for an expensive asset within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with a place on the bench taken up in a 2-1 Champions League defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir, and Ince admits those on and off the field need to be mulling over their options.

The former United midfielder told Ladbrokes: “I love Pogba. I think he’s a world-class player on his day. We saw that at Juventus. But since he’s come to Manchester United it’s been nothing but problems.

“Under Jose Mourinho and things with his agent, there’s always something. His performances haven’t been up to scratch, the fans have almost gone against him.

“If I was playing with him, I’d be saying ‘listen, you just go out there and play. Go out there and start performing. Once you start performing like you should be performing, then you can talk about wanting to sign for Real Madrid, because at the moment you can’t even get into the Man United side.’

“If I’m Paul Pogba, I’m sitting on the bench thinking ‘hang on, I’ve got Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes all playing in midfield and I’m sat on the bench? There’s got to be something wrong with me.’

“Man United is not about Paul Pogba.”

Pogba has aired a desire to represent Real Madrid at some stage in his career, but United have taken up an extension option in his contract that is due to keep him in his current surroundings through to the summer of 2022.

Football

‘Speak about Man Utd & Liverpool’ – Furious Mourinho fires back at media over Kane penalty criticism

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The Spurs striker earned a spot-kick after a foul by Adam Lallana in the win over Brighton and his manager isn’t happy with the backlash he’s received

Jose Mourinho took issue with the suggestion Harry Kane was “clever” in winning penalties as the Tottenham boss encouraged the media to look at similar incidents involving rival top clubs.

Spot-kick awards were a popular topic of discussion in the Premier League last weekend as both Liverpool‘s Mohamed Salah and Spurs striker Kane drew criticism for the manner in which they earned penalties.

Kane appeared to step into a challenge with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Adam Lallana, who was already in the air contesting a header.

Rather than award a foul against the Tottenham man, though, the referee pointed to the spot to the bemusement of Lallana after a VAR check confirmed the incident occurred inside the penalty area.

But Mourinho, speaking ahead of a Europa League trip to Ludogorets where he promised to go “full power”, believed it was a genuine foul and defended his player.

“I think you are confused,” Mourinho fired back when asked about the decision.

“You could be speaking about some Manchester United players, some Man City players, some Liverpool players, some Chelsea players. You are speaking about Kane?

“He was in position to control the ball and Lallana came in a reckless action and committed the foul. It was a foul. What are the media speaking about? It’s a foul.

“Direct free-kick or penalty, that’s for the VAR to decide. It’s inside [the box].

“It’s not being clever. Harry Kane is there to score goals. Lallana was reckless, he made a mistake. What are you speaking about?

“You have to speak about something that happened that could have a direct impact on the result of the game, which was their goal.

“Speak about Liverpool, Man United, these penalties where you see the ‘clever’ guy on the floor. Don’t speak about Harry Kane.”

It was not the first time Mourinho has railed against the media in recent days, revealing after Gareth Bale’s first goal back at Tottenham – also against Brighton – he would be studying the response in Spain, where the winger was criticised as a Real Madrid player.

“I just talk about the Spanish media, the media that used to not be very nice with Gareth,” he said on Wednesday.

“Yes, they were very fair, very honest, praising his connection with [Sergio] Reguilon. I think they were very honest and I’m happy with that.

Football

‘Ronaldo is ignorant & has no respect for his team-mates or Italians’ – former Juventus defender Pasquale Bruno

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The Portugal international has spent over two years in Turin but is yet to learn the local language

Cristiano Ronaldo has been labelled “ignorant” by Pasquale Bruno, with the former Juventus defender of the opinion that the Portuguese superstar lacks respect for both his team-mates and the country of Italy as a whole.

Largely regarded as one of the best footballers in history, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ended a nine-year stay at Real Madrid in 2018 as he opted to start a new chapter in his career with Juventus.

Despite his advancing years, the 35-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down since his arrival, doing his fair share of graft and bagging plenty of goals to help the Bianconeri to back-to-back Serie A titles.

But, while the Portugal captain’s talent is unquestioned, Bruno believes that a refusal to learn Italian throughout his two years in the country smacks of a lack of respect for the rest of the Juventus squad and general public in his new home.

“He is ignorant,” the 58-year-old said during an appearance on Tiki Taka. “He has been in Italy for two years and has not yet learned to speak our language. He uses Spanish to express himself. He has no respect for his team-mates or for the Italians.”

Ronaldo is unlikely to be affected by those comments, however, with Juan Cuadrado stating at the recent Champions League pre-match press conference that the attacker is a model professional who helps to drive his team forward.

“Ronaldo is very happy, he couldn’t wait to come back and play,” the Colombian said of his team-mate’s return from a coronavirus-enforced lay-off. “You saw that from the moment he stepped onto the pitch [against Spezia].

“He’s an extra weapon for us, we all know what he gives to the team. He is very confident and that helps us too, passing on the professionalism and desire to win that we all ought to have.”

While Ronaldo came off the bench against Spezia, he is expected to feature from the start against Ferencvaros on Wednesday and head coach Andrea Pirlo confirmed that he will not change his tactics despite switching up his on-field personnel.

“The attitude is the same. The players change from game to game but the positions are the same,” the Italy legend said. “[Weston] McKennie played against Spezia, [Aaron] Ramsey was there two games ago and [Dejan] Kulusevski before that.

“It doesn’t matter who plays, the model remains the same.”

Football

‘Barcelona need to take care of Messi in a special way’ – Rakitic urges former club to get behind Argentine

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A six-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to see questions asked of his future, with a former team-mate saying we may never see another like him

Lionel Messi needs to be treated in a “very special way” at Barcelona, says Ivan Rakitic, with a former team-mate of the mercurial Argentine admitting that a player of his ilk may never be seen again.

A standing among the all-time greats has already been secured by a six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

At 33 years of age, though, it is yet to be determined where the final chapters of a remarkable career will be written.

Barca are hoping to see a one-club man extend his association with them beyond the summer of 2021, but exit thoughts have already been formed.

Messi pushed for a move elsewhere on the back of a disappointing end to the 2019-20 campaign, only to see the Blaugrana block his path.

As things stand, he will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with any of his many suitors from January.

A presidential election is set to be held at Camp Nou before then, as Josep Maria Bartomeu is forced out amid a vote of no confidence, and it may be that change leads Messi to reconsider his options.

Rakitic hopes that proves to be the case, with the ex-Blaugrana midfielder aware of the need for those in Catalunya to handle a mercurial talent with care.

He told Muchodeporte: “Players of that level are different from everyone else and the other players have to take care of them in a very special way because of their ability to make a difference.

“We do not know if in the future we will be lucky enough to see a footballer like Leo again.”

While Barcelona are refusing to give on keeping Messi around, presidential candidate Pere Riera has claimed that the South American will be given no special treatment if he takes the reins at boardroom level.

He has told Radio Marca: “In my opinion, Messi has to stay at Barcelona and not with history. It’s not good for anyone.

“In the end, it’s Messi who decides [his future]. I very much doubt that Messi wanted to leave Barcelona [in the summer].

“I wouldn’t pull out all the stops for Messi.”

Former Barca boss Quique Setien, who was relieved of his duties over the summer, has told El Pais that Messi can be “difficult to manage”, given his standing in the global game.

Football

Man Utd legend & Wales coach Giggs denies allegations of assault after police arrest

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The former Red Devils winger has been released from police custody on bail after being arrested at the weekend

Manchester United legend and Wales head coach Ryan Giggs has denied allegations of assault after being arrested by police.

Giggs was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and assault before being taken to Pendleton police station in Greater Manchester, after police were called following reports of a disturbance at an address in Worsley, Salford on Sunday night.

Police have confirmed that the 46-year-old was released on bail on Monday pending further inquiries.

A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police issued the following statement: “Police were called at 10.05pm on Sunday to reports of a disturbance.

“A woman in her 30s sustained minor injuries but did not require any treatment.

“A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 47 assault and section 39 common assault.”

A representative for Giggs stated that the former winger has denied all allegations against him, and is cooperating fully with the ongoing inquiries being made by police.

“Mr Giggs denies all allegations of assault made against him,” read the statement. “He is cooperating with the police and will continue to assist them with their ongoing investigations.”

Giggs was due to announce his latest Wales squad at the start of the week, with a UEFA Nations League double-header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland set to follow his side’s clash with the U.S. national team over the international break.

The Football Association of Wales has confirmed that the squad announcement, which was scheduled for Tuesday, will no longer take place and has been postponed.

The former United winger succeeded Chris Coleman as Wales’ permanent manager in 2018, and has since overseen a successful European Championship qualifying campaign.

Wales have been drawn against Switzerland, Turkey and Italy in Group A for next year’s tournament, which had to be pushed back to 2021 following the coronavirus outbreak.

Giggs also enjoyed a stellar career as a player, winning 64 caps for his country, and at club level he was a part of the United side that dominated English football under Sir Alex Ferguson between 1992 and 2013.

He got his hands on 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and three League Cups during his time at Old Trafford, scoring 161 goals in a club-record 928 appearances. 

Football

James Rodriguez earns Ronaldo comparison after opening Everton spell with more goals & assists than sprints

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Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti claims to see similarities between the Colombian playmaker and an iconic Brazilian striker he worked with at AC Milan

James Rodriguez’s languid style has earned the Colombian comparisons to Brazil legend Ronaldo, with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti claiming to see similarities between the pair.

The Toffees moved to snap up a South American superstar during the summer transfer window.

With James struggling for game time at Real Madrid, a reunion was put in place with former Blancos boss Ancelotti at Goodison Park.

That deal was considered to be quite a coup for the Merseyside outfit, with Everton proving that they can compete for the finest talent available in any given market.

James has made a bright start to his time in England, with three goals and four assists recorded through seven appearances.

The 29-year-old has shown that you do not need to be full of running in order to thrive in the Premier League, with guile as important as graft in the modern era.

Those at the very top of the world game have been proving that for years, with Ancelotti admitting that James’ laid-back approach reminds him of World Cup-winning frontman Ronaldo.

The Italian told France Football: “When I signed James this summer, everyone was worried about his physical state and to see how he’d cope with the intensity of the Premier League.

“During the first four games, do you know how many times he sprinted? Seven! He’s got more assists and goals than he did sprints.

“So what are we talking about? Of what we expect a player to do on the pitch?

“When I was at Milan, we brought in Ronaldo. On his arrival, he weighed 100kg.

“Before the first game, I told him: ‘You know I can’t play you. You need to lose weight’. He replied ‘What do you want me to do on the pitch? Score or run? If it’s to run, put me on the bench, if it’s to score, play me!’.

“I played him. He didn’t run, but he scored two goals. For James, it’s the same thing.”

James sat out Everton’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday as he was offered an opportunity to recharge his batteries.

He has been nursing a slight knock since an eventful Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool on October 17, but could come back into contention when the Toffees take in a home date with Manchester United on Saturday.

Football

Nigeria football Federation receive Covid-19 palliatives

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has received the $1 million Covid-19 palliatives promised by world football governing body, FIFA, to help football stakeholders in the country cushion the effects of the pandemic.

President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick, confirmed the good news to football stakeholders on Wednesday via his verified Twitter handle.

Pinnick who explained how the $1 million will be utilized, also revealed that the federation has also received the $600,000 fund for the FIFA Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborodo (Escravos) in Delta State.

“Huge appreciation to football’s world governing body, FIFA, for the $1 million (one million dollars) the Federation has received in the frame of COVID-19 palliatives. The money was received by the NFF and we re-confirmed the purpose from FIFA two days ago.

“FIFA also sent $600,000 to the Federation for the FIFA Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborodo. At $300,000 each, it will enable the mini-stadia in both centres to start at a very good pace, as we earmark completion by the end of March 2021.

“As a further break down, the $1 million for palliatives is composed of $500,000 for men’s football and $500,000 for the women’s game.”

He added:”FIFA has also promised to send the Federation an additional $500,000 sometime in January 2021, also as part of COVID-19 palliative efforts.

“On the continent, we have received confirmation from CAF that the Federation will receive the expected $300,000 from the Confederation on or before Sunday, the 1st of November. With the $200,000 we have already ring-fenced from our sponsors’ funds for the purpose, the coast will then be clear for us to start the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries, as captured in our approved template, from next week.

“Even though we are bolstered by the guidelines from FIFA strictly outlying the purposes of these funds as well as the approval of the NFF Executive Board, we will also interface with our auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on each and every line item, to ensure the disbursements conform to global best practices.

“Beneficiaries MUST ensure 100% compliance to guidelines by ensuring that all funds are paid into designated accounts. I would also like to thank all beneficiaries for their patience and understanding at these trying times.

“Finally, I would like to wish FIFA President, Gianni Infantino God’s speed as he recovers from the pandemic,” the NFF boss concluded.

Football

‘We’re glad you got to see the GOAT!’ – Barca troll Ronaldo and Juventus after Champions League win

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Lionel Messi added a late goal in the Spanish side’s win before becoming the subject of a bit of banter on social media

Barcelona trolled Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus on Twitter following the Spanish side’s 2-0 win over the Italian champions on Wednesday.

The Catalans took down Juve at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, moving atop their Champions League group with two wins from as many games.

Barca benefitted from a first-half goal from Ousmane Dembele, whose shot deflected up and over Wojciech Szczesny for the game’s opener.

They added a second in the 91st minute with a Lionel Messi spot-kick, with Juventus having seen Merih Demiral sent off moments earlier for a second yellow.

Originally billed as a clash of two of the greatest of all time in Messi and Ronaldo, Juventus were without their talismanic striker once again on Wednesday.

The Portuguese star has been absent after testing positive for the coronavirus during the international break, and he did not produce a negative test in time to take part in Wednesday’s Champions League clash. 

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Ronaldo said he was “feeling good and healthy”, but the Juventus star then commented questioning the accuracy of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests that ruled him out for the Barca match.

Without Ronaldo, Juventus were unable to produce a goal, although Alvaro Morata did see a trio of finishes ruled out due to offside calls.

And Barcelona took to social media to troll their opponents after the match, saying: We are glad you were able to see the GOAT on your pitch, @juventusfcen!”

Having defeated both Juventus and Ferencvaros, Barca currently sit atop the group, with Juventus just behind on three points.

Ferencvaros and Dynamo Kiev, meanwhile, have collected one point apiece, having played to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday in Hungary.

Having defeated both Juventus and Ferencvaros, Barca currently sit atop the group, with Juventus just behind on three points.

Ferencvaros and Dynamo Kiev, meanwhile, have collected one point apiece, having played to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday in Hungary.

Football

‘Messi is the Harry Potter of football’ – Vieri says he will throw his TV away when Barcelona star retires

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The Italian legend described the Blaugrana icon as a magician after Barca’s win against the Old Lady

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the Harry Potter of football, according to Christian Vieri.

Messi assisted Ousmane Dembele’s deflected opener and converted a late penalty as Barcelona recorded a 2-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner made a game-high five key passes and 65 passes in the opposition half as Barca improved to six points in Group G.

Vieri, who won Serie A with Juve in 1996-97 and was a 49-time Italy international, lauded Messi’s contribution in Turin.

“An amazing Barcelona, there was no game. They could’ve scored six, seven goals easy. They played fantastic,” he told CBS Sports.

“Messi is a magician, he’s the Harry Potter of soccer and when he stops playing, I’m throwing my TVs away. I’m not going to work no more on TV, I’m going to watch Netflix, that’s it, because when he stops there’s nothing else to watch.”

Since Messi’s first Champions League campaign in 2004-05, only Cristiano Ronaldo (38) has provided more assists in the competition than his 35.

The Argentina international helped Barca dominate as Juve – who had Merih Demiral sent off in the 85th minute – failed to record a shot on target in a Champions League home game for the first time since 2003-04 – when Opta have such data available.

Juventus forward Alvaro Morata incredibly had three goals ruled out for offside during the encounter.

Vieri was impressed by Barcelona’s performance, saying: “It’s just another football, another game.

“I don’t know how they lost against Real Madrid, but if you see them [against Juventus] you’re going to say they can’t lose against anyone this year, it’s impossible the way they played.

“Every game is different but the Barcelona I saw and everyone saw it’s just incredible. When you’ve got a number 10 like that, it’s just crazy.

“It’s a pity there are no fans here because the fans should be seeing a team like this.”

Sitting 12th in the La Liga table, Barcelona visit Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.

Football

Rashford sets new Champions League record with quick-fire hat-trick against RB Leipzig

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The England international came off the bench to produce a stunning performance that etched his name in the record books

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has become the fifth player to score a hat-trick as a substitute in the Champions League, with his 27 minutes on the pitch on Wednesday the fewest number played while also netting a treble in the competition’s history.

Rashford entered the field in the 63rd minute with the Red Devils a single goal ahead courtesy of Mason Greenwood’s opener, before scoring three times in his short time on the pitch to help the home side to a crushing 5-0 victory over RB Leipzig.

In doing so, he joined Kylian Mbappe, Walter Pandiani, Joseba Llorente and Uwe Rosler as the only players to come off the bench and bag three goals in Europe’s top club competition.

Rashford also matched a feat set by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he became the second Manchester United player to score a hat-trick as a substitute, after the Norwegian did it against in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest in February 1999.

“I think the manager wanted me to up the tempo,” three-goal hero Rashford told BT Sport after the match. “That for us means going forward. There was definitely spaces there. We got Bruno [Fernandes] and Paul [Pogba] on the ball. We looked dangerous throughout and like we could score every time we went forward.

“It was a real team performance. The ones who started did well and the substitutes did well too. We can’t ask for much more than that in terms of the attitude and the intent to go and kill the game off. It worked in our favour.”

Leipzig came to Old Trafford with a high-tempo pressing game and did trouble United at times but it was the home side who went ahead after Pogba slid [Mason] Greenwood through, with the 19-year-old finishing clinically to score his first Champions League goal.

The match remained within Leipzig’s reach until Rashford’s introduction in the second half, with the England international running on to Bruno Fernandes’ pass and streaking through to score, with VAR correctly ruling he was in his own half when the pass came.

Only four minutes later, Rashford snared his second after United won possession high up the field, before Anthony Martial got on the scoresheet from the spot after being fouled in the penalty area.

Rashford put an exclamation mark next to his performance and earned the match ball with a third deep into stoppage time, as he deftly finished again from inside the box.

The 22-year-old has also been kicking goals off the field recently, with the striker being told he has done more to combat child poverty in the UK than any politician has in the last 25 years by Manchester councillor John Leech.

United – who host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday – are now clear on top of their Champions League group with six points, with PSG and Leipzig three adrift.

Football

Nightmare’s over: Messi and Barcelona’s young guns make perfect start to post-Bartomeu era

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The Argentine recorded a goal and an assist as the Blaugrana celebrated the end of a forgettable era with victory over Juventus in Turin

Josep Maria Bartomeu is gone as Barcelona president and the Blaugrana are playing good football again.

No, Barca fans, you are not dreaming.

The past few days have been filled with ups and downs at Camp Nou, from Saturday’s Clasico defeat to an impressive 2-0 win at Juventus on Wednesday, but Lionel Messi is smiling again and the club’s supporters can too.

The Argentine slotted home a penalty late on in Turin, adding to Ousmane Dembele’s opener, as Barca took three points in Italy, thus maintaining their 100 per cent start to this season’s Champions League.

This match, played in the wake of Bartomeu and his board’s resignation on Tuesday night, will likely act as an injection of morale for a club that was left both sad and angry after losing at home against Real Madrid.

Those feelings were compounded when Bartomeu claimed on Monday that he had “no reason to resign”, despite the impending vote of confidence against him.

But 24 hours later, the president was gone. The club’s errors during his reign could fill a book, and almost culminated in Messi walking away from the club this summer.

He still might, at the end of the season, but now a new man will get the chance to convince him to stay beyond the length of his current deal.

The players, who even beyond Messi, have been at odds with the board recently, seemed invigorated. Ronald Koeman’s side started fast.

Antoine Griezmann smashed a shot against the post, Messi had an effort well saved by Wojciech Szczesny and eventually Dembele broke the deadlock in the 14th minute.

Messi whipped a spectacular crossfield pass from the left flank to the right, first time, and the France international controlled it immaculately. Dembele moved forward quickly, cutting inside and then back out, showing off his two-footedness and dribbling ability.

With the defence on the back foot, the ex-Borussia Dortmund star launched a shot at goal which took a huge deflection and looped into the net past the helpless Szczensy.

Of course, Dembele is one of the most expensive mistakes the club has made in the transfer market, with injury keeping him from finding any semblance of form since joining in 2017.

That said, it is not too late. There is a desperate need for his skill and pace in this team, as well as someone who can provide width on the right. Koeman wanted him out during the summer, but Dembele’s stock has risen with this performance.

Pedri’s, meanwhile, has gone through the roof.

The 17-year-old midfielder impressed Koeman from the word go this summer following his arrival from Las Palmas, and this display was just reward for the coach’s faith in him.

One roulette while bringing the ball out of defence in the first half was not just a sublime moment of skill, but showed that despite his age, he has ice in his veins. Having previously been likened to Andres Iniesta, the teenager looks extremely comfortable playing at this level and has a huge future ahead of him.

He played his part in Barca creating several chances either side of half-time which went to waste, and they deserved their eventual second, scored at the death from the spot by Messi after Merih Demiral had been sent-off for the hosts.

In all Barca passed the ball positively and moved well, in what was the best display of the Koeman era so far.

That is not to say this was a perfect performance, with Juventus striker Alvaro Morata seeing a hat-trick of goals disallowed for offside by VAR, with Barca too profligate at times.

Quarantined Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo, watching at home, would have relished reviving his rivalry with the Catalans against a weakened defence, and will still get the chance to face them at Camp Nou in December.

But this was a night for Barcelona and their fans to celebrate. After substitute Ansu Fati also erred badly in front of goal in stoppage time, the youngster could afford to flash a wry grin towards Messi.

A weight has been lifted at the club. The good times could be on the way back.

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