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Pep Guardiola has challenged Hansi Flick and Bayern Munich to a ‘battle of the sextuples’ after the Bundesliga giants matched his Barcelona team’s achievement with a sixth straight trophy.

Bayern beat Tigres to win the Club World Cup on Thursday, adding to their Bundesliga, Champions League, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Super Cup and DFL-Supercup titles over the last year.

In doing so, they became only the second side ever to win the sextuple, matching Guardiola’s legendary 2009 Barcelona team.

What did Guardiola say?

In a video message on Twitter, Guardiola said: “Big congratulations to all the Bayern family for this incredible success, to be the Club World Cup champions and especially to win six titles.

“We are so proud, I am so proud, a big congratulations for everyone, especially Hansi [Flick], the players and the backroom staff for this amazing thing.

“But I would like to say to Hansi that you are the second team to win the six titles in a row!

“Before you, there was another team, Barcelona… so maybe I can call Messi and company and we can play for the seventh title? Tell me when and where and we will be there!”

Bayern almost won the sextuple under Guardiola in 2013. After Jupp Heynckes had won the treble in 2012-13, Guardiola won the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in his first season in Bavaria, but lost to Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup.

Will Bayern 2021 play Barcelona 2009?

While Guardiola had a smirk on his face as he challenged his former club, he is still hugely popular at both Barca and Bayern so he could have the pulling power to broker an exhibition match.

Of course, the 12-year gap between the two sides would put Bayern at quite the advantage on the field.

While they have just confirmed themselves as champions of the world, only three players who started Barca's 2009 Champions League final win - Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta - are still playing.

Further reading

Neymar’s father has launched a passionate defence of his son, criticising Caen manager Pascal Dupraz for taunting him after he went off injured for Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Neymar is set to miss next week’s reunion with former club Barcelona in the Champions League after being ruled out for around four weeks through injury.

The Brazilian went off during PSG’s 1-0 Coupe de France win over Caen and has since vented his frustration on Instagram, saying: “The sadness is great, the pain is immense and the crying is constant.”

What did the Caen manager say?

Complaining about a refereeing decision after the match, Caen boss Dupraz said: “Maybe we would have liked a penalty for [Steeve] Yago’s action which earned him a yellow card.

“In my opinion that is a penalty. But I'm not going to cry, I'll leave that to Neymar".

Neymar Sr.'s response

Neymar’s father, Neymar Sr., responded to Dupraz on Instagram: "Really, my son has to cry, but not for the reason you think, sir.

"I think he has to cry because there are coaches like you, referees of that level, negligent leagues, biased referees and cowards in the sport.

"Yes, he has to cry...

"But through our crying and his, my son's, the athlete's, the magic of football will last another night and after that he will rise up, as always, to win again."

Which games will Neymar miss?

As well as Tuesday's game at Camp Nou, Neymar is expected to miss Ligue 1 games against Nice, Monaco, Dijon and Bordeaux.

He will be racing to be fit for the return leg against Barcelona, in Paris on March 10.

PSG are currently three points off the top of Ligue 1 in third, with Lille and Lyon ahead of them.

Further reading

Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Chelsea lacked "courage" during their FA Cup fifth-round win over Barnsley.

Chelsea progressed to the quarter-finals of English football''s oldest competition by picking up a 1-0 win at Oakwell Stadium on Thursday night, as Tammy Abraham grabbed the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.

However, Barnsley, who are currently 13th in the Championship, were by no means outplayed by the Premier League giants, with Tuchel conceding that his side were well below their best.

What was said?

Tuchel told reporters post-match: "We changed to a back four [at half-time] and took Marcos [Alonso] out for this tactical change. Andreas [Christensen] had to go out because he had a headache.

"The changes made it a little easier to get into the opponents half and overcome the first press.

"We did it well at the start of the second half and played constantly in the opponents half.

"We scored the goal and I had the feeling that they increased the risk but we stepped down in the little decisions. Not enough courage and it was too deep for a long, long time.

"We clearly can play better, so yes I expected more but not in terms that I am frustrated.

"If you lack a rhythm and a bit of self-confidence and you have to show on this pitch, against an opponent that takes all the risk and plays the game of his life, that is not easy. We can do better but I don’t want to be too hard on the players."

Match summary 

Chelsea dominated the possession stakes at Oakwell, but Barnsley created far more clear cut openings than the visitors over the course of the 90 minutes.

Callum Brittain squandered the hosts' two best opportunities, with Blues goalkeeper Kepa producing a strong performance in the Blues' net to record a rare clean sheet after stepping in for first-choice shot-stopper Edouard Mendy.

Tuchel's team eventually made Barnsley pay for their wasteful finishing when Abraham tapped home a Reece James cross from close range in the 64th minute, with the goal standing despite a strong suspicion of offside with no VAR in use during the tie.

Chelsea ultimately saw out the final twenty-six minutes to book a place in the last eight, and they remain on course for their first FA Cup win since 2018.

Who will Chelsea play in the quarter-finals?

The draw for the next round of the competition took place before Chelsea kicked off against Barnsley, with the west London club paired with Premier League strugglers Sheffield United.

The tie will take place at Stamford Bridge on the weekend of March 20, and although Tuchel is expecting a tough examination against the Blades, he is glad the contest will be staged on home soil.

"It’s going to be a tough one. They are a very physical team that presses high," he said. "They are organised but I am happy to have a home game. This is what we wanted."

Further reading 

East Bengal can go within four points of the play-off spots when they face Hyderabad in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa, on Friday evening.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

 TEAM NEWS

East Bengal Possible XI:

Injured - Milan Singh
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Bright Enobakhare, Jacques Maghoma

Hyderabad Possible XI: 

Injured - Lalawmpuia
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Aridane Santana, Fran Sandaza

Robert Lewandowski has revealed the half-time rallying cry he issued in the dressing room during Bayern Munich's Club World Cup final triumph, as he demanded that his team-mates "put a few more crosses in".

Bayern became only the second team in history to win the sextuple, after Barcelona in 2009, by beating Tigres at the Education City Stadium in Doha on Thursday night - with Benjamin Pavard grabbing the only goal of the game in the 59th minute.

The German champions were not at their scintillating best against the Mexican giants, with Lewandowski calling for more balls into the box during the interval after a frustrating first 45 minutes.

What was said?

Lewandowski told reporters after the 1-0 victory: “We really wanted to win today. The goal that we scored was probably from the first cross that came in.

"I said to the boys at half-time, come on, put a few more crosses in.

"They managed it once and that’s how we won the sextuple, and that’s an amazing thing!"

The Bayern striker was sad to see Thomas Muller miss out on the final after being laid low with coronavirus, and has insisted that celebrations will be muted due to the strict travel arrangements in place for the squad amid the pandemic.

"It’s a shame that Thomas Muller wasn’t able to be here. We are flying back straight home to Munich, there is no time to celebrate," Lewandowski added.

Who was named Player of the Tournament?

Lewandowski was given the Golden Ball for the 2020 Club World Cup after scoring twice in Bayern's 2-0 semi-final win against Al Ahly and playing a key role in Pavard's winner in the showpiece event.

Tigres frontman Andre Pierre Gignac was awarded the silver award, while Joshua Kimmich grabbed bronze following his stellar display in the final for Hansi Flick's history-makers.

What's next for Bayern?

Bayern will only have three days to rest after their exploits in Qatar, with a domestic clash against Arminia scheduled to take place on Monday.

The Bundesliga leaders are due to play Eintracht Frankfurt the following weekend, before preparations for a Champions League round of 16 first leg tie against Lazio will begin.

Further reading

The Egyptian champions stunned Brazilian giants Palmeiras SC 3-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw in the third-place playoff match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. 

The result saw Al Ahly claim the bronze medal in their sixth appearance in the Club World Cup and they equalled their best finish in the global competition having also finished third in the 2006 tournament in Japan.  

The Red Devils took part in the third-place playoff match after losing 2-0 to eventual champions Bayern Munich in a semi-final match at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan on Monday. 

"Well, that's not what we came for," Mosimane told beIN Sports TV after the game.

"But we must be humble and we must understand that facing Bayern in the semis was not easy. I'm happy and proud of my team. We must be modest, but now the situation is different."

Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made some smart saves during the game and he went on to deny both Rony and Felipe Melo during the penalty shootout. 

The Red Devils captain was named Man of the Match and Mosimane is grateful to the talented shot-stopper. 

“I thank the players and Mohamed El Shenawy, who for saving the penalties and clinching the bronze medal," the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach added. 

“I think we fought fiercely. Yes, we were not the strongest team in the tournament, but we showed character and fighting during our matches.

“I thank the fans for their enthusiasm and tremendous support during the tournament."

The North African giants are now set to start their defence of the Caf Champions League title next week Tuesday as they take on Sudanese side Al-Merrikh at Cairo International Stadium. 

"What's important is to take this performance to the Champions League. We must take it from there," Mosimane concluded.

Al Ahly will also face DR Congolese giants AS Vita Club and Tanzanian side Simba SC in the Champions League Group A.

Bayern Munich have cemented their place in footballing history, matching Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona to win a historic sextuple.

Benjamin Pavard scored the only goal of the game on Thursday as Bayern beat Mexican side Tigres 1-0 to win the Club World Cup.

The Bundesliga giants are now undisputed champions of Germany, Europe and the World.

How have Bayern made history?

Bayern now hold all six titles available to them. That includes the Bundesliga, Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as their national domestic cup (DFB-Pokal) and super cup (DFL-Supercup).

Barcelona were the only team ever to hold all six titles at the same time before. In 2009, Guardiola’s legendary team won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. That squad is now frequently talked about among the greatest ever to play football.

In fact, Bayern had almost matched them once before, between 2012 and 2013.

Jupp Heynckes’ team won the quadruple in 2012-13 before following up with the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup under Guardiola the following season, but they didn’t hold all six titles at once as they lost the 2013 DFL-Supercup to Borussia Dortmund.

Hansi Flick’s incredible trophy record

Perhaps the most remarkable record goes to Bayern manager Hansi Flick.

He took over as interim boss in November 2019 following the sacking of Niko Kovac. Bayern had just been humiliated 5-1 by Kovac’s former side, Eintracht Frankfurt, and were down to fourth in the Bundesliga.

Since then, Flick has won more trophies (6) than he has lost competitive games (5).

Special mentions also go to French trio Benjamin Pavard, Corentin Tolisso and Lucas Hernandez. After winning the World Cup in 2018, they are now not only sextuple winners, but champions of the world at both club and international level.

Further reading

Saido Berahino scored an own goal in Sporting Charleroi’s 3-1 defeat to Gent in Thursday’s Belgian Cup tie.

The 27-year-old teamed up with Karim Belhocine’s men in the summer of 2020 from rivals Zulte Waregem on a season-long loan with an option t buy.

The forward moved to Belgium in 2019 after ending his stay with Stoke City, where he endured a torrid time with the Championship club.

The Burundi international was handed his 14th appearance since teaming up with Charleroi but did not impress in the outing, turning the ball into his own net to condemn his side to defeat.

The Zebras started the game on a flying note when Shamar Nicholson opened the scoring few seconds into the encounter.

Roman Bezus then levelled proceedings in the 74th and Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe gave Gent the lead for the first time in the match seven minutes later.

Berahino was introduced into the match in the 83rr minute for Senegalese forward Mamadou Fall and went straight into the game to score an own goal.

Charleroi's campaign in the competition, thus, came to an abrupt end following the defeat and will hope to return to winning ways in their next league game against Club Brugge on Sunday.

Berahino has scored four goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions this season.

The forward will hope to continue his stay beyond the 2020-21 campaign with the Stade du Pays de Charleroi’s outfit.

Berahino had previously played for West Bromwich Albion before he joined Stoke City in January 2017.

The versatile forward remains a key member of Burundi national team and has been featuring consistently for the side.

Berahino has made 12 appearances for the Swallows and will be expected to feature in their last 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

Mali and Sevilla legend Frederic Kanoute feels Youssef En-Nesyri can challenge Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the La Liga top scorer prize in the 2020-21 campaign.

Thanks to his impressive spell at Leganes, Morocco international En-Nesyri joined the Andalusians on January 2020, for a reported fee for €25 million on a five-year-deal following the departure of strikers Mu'nas Dabbur and Javier Hernandez.

En-Nesyri made a slow start to life at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan – finding the net on four occasions in 18 Spanish top-flight games as Los Nervionenses finished fourth in the 2019-20 campaign.

This season his performances have been nothing short of splendid – scoring 13 goals in 21 games so far – joint-second with Barcelona’s Messi and three goals short of leading scorer, Suarez of Atletico Madrid.

In an interview with Goal, Kanoute, who enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Sevilla in his seven years at the club, describes the ex-Malaga star’s performances as ‘complete’ and feels he is in line to win the Pichichi trophy, although he warned that the form of Julen Lopetegui’s side would also play a crucial role.

“Well, in the long run, we would see because obviously he did a fantastic job in the first half of the season and I would like to describe his performances as really complete,” Kanoute told Goal during a virtual La Liga chat with media on Thursday.

“He is not only scoring goals, I think what Sevilla value a lot is the work he is doing for the team; he can hold the ball up upfront, can also run in space and can create space for others.

“Recently, he has been scoring a lot of goals so that’s perfect for him right now but obviously, you still have the likes of Suarez who is still scoring a lot of goals and Messi.

“So, we will see at the end of the season, but I feel if Sevilla stays competitive in La Liga until the end, he has a good chance of winning the Pichichi trophy this year.”

En-Nesyri would be hoping to add to his goal tally when Sevilla, who are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions, host relegation-threatened Huesca on Saturday evening.

With 42 points from 21 games, Lopetegui’s side occupies fourth spot in the Spanish elite division log.

After six months of waiting, Ghanaian defender Mohammed Salisu finally made his debut for Southampton as they handed Wolves a 2-0 defeat in the FA Cup on Thursday. 

The 21-year-old saw 90 minutes of action, helping The Saints progress to the sixth round of the cup competition.

In the end, second-half goals from Danny Ings and Stuart Armstrong decided the fixture at Molineux. 

Salisu joined Southampton in a four-year deal from Spanish side Real Valladolid in August last year. 

Owing to an injury suffered while in Spain, the defender had to delay joining Southampton training until after a month, ultimately linking up with his new teammates in the week of commencement of the Premier League season. 

Despite being ever-present at training, Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl overlooked the Ghanaian in his matchday squads until December where the centre-back was drafted into the set-up for a league clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. 

He went on to make six consecutive appearances on the bench before sustaining another injury just before the New Year, ruling him out of an FA Cup encounter with Shrewsbury Town in which the club had hoped to hand the Accra-born a debut.

"He [Salisu] came to us with a medical issue and we knew he probably won't play until October," Southampton chief executive officer Martin Semmens explained to the BBC last month.

"From our perspective, we made that decision [to still go ahead with the transfer]. That decision is on me, it's not on him or [Southampton manager] Ralph [Hasenhuttl]. We made that decision because we believed he's going to be a superstar in the future.

"We expected him to be available from the middle of October and in November he was getting on track, then he had a setback that probably pushed him into December.

"Just when he was ready, just when he was training every day and doing really well he picked up a muscle injury, I think after the Fulham game. So he was ready to play and if fit, Ralph would have selected him but he picked up a muscle injury. He's not too far away.

"I think we need to be really clear here: we are exceptionally happy with him as a person and a character. He's physically great and fits our system and Ralph loves working with him and he'll be a great player in our future."

Having turned down his maiden Ghana call-up in 2019 due to injury, Salisu could be handed another invitation for next month's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

Wayne Rooney has offered his advice on how Phil Foden can make the most of his potential – just keep doing what he’s doing.

The Manchester City midfielder has stepped into the void left by the departed David Silva this season, and made headlines with his virtuoso performance in City’s 4-1 thrashing of Premier League champions Liverpool.

Rooney says Foden has to be in England’s squad for this summer’s European Championship, and he thinks he and Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish should be challenging for a starting spot.

What did Rooney say about Foden?

Rooney told reporters: “I think [my advice] for Phil Foden is to keep doing what he’s doing.

“I think he has been one of the best players in the league this season. Guardiola has managed him really well.

“I spoke to him a couple of times and you could see he is a very level-headed lad. So, to keep doing what he’s doing. He’s entertaining to watch, great to watch.

“I think there’s a few players, not just him, [such as] Jack Grealish who bring something different to the national team. They have to be in the squad for the Euros and arguably have to play. They are that good.

“He’s scoring, he’s assisting and hopefully he can carry that form on with the national team.”

Will Foden and Grealish make the England squad?

Given both players’ good form this season, it would be a surprise if they didn’t make Gareth Southgate’s final squad for the Euros.

The midfield duo have been consistently spoken about as among the best performers in the Premier League this season and both were included in England’s most recent squad during the November international break.

Both men started in England’s last game, a 4-0 Nations League win over Iceland, with Foden scoring twice.

The next international break is scheduled for the end of March. England face World Cup qualifiers with San Marino, Albania and Poland, with Southgate's selection likely to be a good indication of his final squad for the Euros.

Further reading

Goal Kenya will be part of the 2021 edition of the LaLiga Media Tournament to be played on Sunday, February 14 at the Goan Institute Grounds in Nairobi.

The tournament, which will include seven other media houses in Kenya, is meant to create good working relations with the stakeholders in the media industry. 

The teams are divided into two groups with the top two making it to the semi-finals. Group A has Capital FM, debutants CTGN Africa, Homeboyz, and heavyweights Nation Media. 

Goal Kenya are in Group B with Radio Africa, Standard, and Royal Media Services. The champions of the seven-a-side one-day tournament will have a chance to choose a children's football project which will benefit from a donation of LaLiga balls and training kit.

"Finally, the winning team will choose a children football project that will benefit from a donation of training material and LaLiga balls thanks to our partner MBet," Beatriz García who is the LaLiga Delegate in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, told Goal after the Thursday draw.

"Please make sure you have selected your project by Sunday since the winning team will be expected to announce the beneficiary."

Goal team manager, who is also the Chief Editor of Goal Kenya, Dennis Mabuka is optimistic the team will make it out of the tough group.

"We have prepared only for a week but we don't fear our opponents," the official said.

"We will do our best to get out of the group stage and then after that, work on winning the title. The players in the team are upbeat and ready to ensure the Goal flag flies way above the rest."

The fixtures will be released a few hours before the tournament kicks off on Sunday.

Rivers Angels continued their incredible start to the season after they celebrated a third win of the campaign, following a 1-0 victory over Ibom Angels in Uyo on Wednesday.

Returning from the coronavirus suspension of fixtures, Rivers maintained their good form, although only earned the winner through Jennifer Oliver's 69th-minute own goal at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

The result was Rivers' third of the season and takes them to second on the log with 11 points from five matches, while Ibom Angels dropped to 12th place on the NWPL log after five games.

In Lokoja, Confluence Queens secured a second win of the season at the Confluence Stadium as they defeated Robo Queens 1-0.

Agams Nkechi's 44th-minute strike was all the Kogi ladies required to return to winning ways following a 2-1 defeat at Bayelsa Queens.

The win sees Confluence move to eighth on the log with seven points from five matches, while defeat left Robo crashing from second to the fourth position with nine points from five games.

Elsewhere, Delta Queens bounced back to winning ways following a 1-0 victory over Bayelsa Queens at the Agbor Township Stadium.

The Warri ladies were smarting from a 1-0 defeat at Nasarawa Amazons, while Bayelsa Queens were cruising from a 2-1 win over Confluence Queens before the break.

Racheal Okotete's 26th-minute goal was all the Delta state-owned club needed to end the winning streak of Moses Aduku's side.

The victory means Delta are now sixth on the table with nine points from five outings, while Bayelsa remain on the top of the log with 12 points from the same number of games despite the defeat.

In Umuahia, Seun Fakunle's solitary effort was all Sunshine Queens needed to claim the maximum points against Abia Angels. 

Abia Angels failed to recover from a 2-0 defeat at Rivers Angels in their last time out against Sunshine, who were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Edo Queens during the same Week Four fixture.

With the latest win, Sunshine climbed to seventh with seven points from six outings, while the second defeat left Abia Angels crashing to 11th spot with five points.

At Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Edo Queens condemned Nasarawa Amazons to a fourth defeat of the season following a 1-0 triumph. 

Christopher Danjuma's side came to Benine with the aim of building on a 1-0 win over Delta Queens, but Rowlandson Odeh's ladies left no to chance in a bid to consolidate on a 0-0 draw at Sunshine Queens.

Elizabeth Zirike's 38th-minute effort was enough for the hosts to claim a third win of the ongoing season and also extend their unbeaten run this season to five matches.

The latest victory moves Edo Queens to third on the table with 11 points, while the defeat leaves Nasawara in 12th with three points.

Also in Osogbo, Osun Babes returned to winning ways following a 1-0 victory over DreamStar Ladies at Osogbo Township Stadium.

Osun were smarting from a 1-0 defeat at Royal Queens in Warri, while DreamStar Ladies were eager to improve on their first win of the season following a 3-2 triumph over Ibom Angels the last time out.

Yetunde Fajobi was the heroine as her 61st-minute strike was all Osun Babes needed to earn their third win of the season.

The result means Osun are now fifth on the table with nine points from five games, while DreamStars are 13th with three.

In Calabar, Pelican Stars failed to celebrate their first win of the season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Royal Queens.

The seven-time champions sought to bounce back from a 5-1 thrashing at Robo, while Royal Queens look to step up on their campaign following a 1-0 win over Osun Babes.

The hosts made a perfect start to the encounter at the UJ Esuene Stadium when Ogechi Ukwuoma's 15th-minute effort handed them the crucial lead against their visitors.

Royal, however, bounced back into the mix when Chiamaka Okwuchukwu struck in the 71st minute to force a stalemate.

The draw saw Pelican remain rooted at the bottom with just one point from five games, while Royal are ninth with seven points.

Lionel Messi is the "perfect footballer", according to Cesc Fabregas, who says he's "thankful" that he got the chance to play alongside several of the world's best.

Messi is currently in the middle of his 17th season at Barca, where he has enjoyed unprecedented success on both team and individual levels, winning four Champions League crowns and six Ballon d'Ors among a whole host of other major honours.

Fabregas, who was able to witness the Argentine's talents up close at Camp Nou between 2011 and 2014, thinks his old team-mate has no equal in the modern game and says he will always see the 33-year-old as a source of inspiration.

What has Fabregas said?

The Monaco star paid tribute to Messi before also hailing Thierry Henry, Carles Puyol and John Terry when asked to describe his perfect footballer.

Fabregas also labelled himself as a master of the game when it comes to the art of passing, as he told reporters:  "From all the players that I played with? I don't really need to pick many, I will pick Lionel Messi and you have the perfect footballer right there. I don't have to go that far.

"I would have the speed of Thierry Henry, the quality and intelligence of Messi, the heart of Carles Puyol or John Terry. The last pass, I don't think I will change that for anyone, I would stick to mine to be honest!

"That's the kind of player I look up to. I like to look at the very, very best and I was thankful always that God gave me the opportunity to play with the very, very best for many years."

Fabregas and Messi at Barcelona

Fabregas worked with Messi for three years at Barca, during which time they managed to win six trophies, including one league title and the Club World Cup.

In addition to scoring 42 goals in 151 games for the Blaugrana, Fabregas also recorded 50 assists, with a high percentage of those passes being finished off by his Argentine colleague.

The Spaniard helped to bring the best out of Messi in his first season at Camp Nou in 2011-12, which saw the diminutive magician become the first player in history to score over 70 goals in a single campaign.

How did Fabregas end up at Monaco?

Fabregas joined Chelsea after leaving Barca in 2014, and spent five years at Stamford Bridge before being snapped up by Monaco in January 2019.

The 33-year-old has now revealed that former Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz played a key role in his move to Stade Louis II.

The Brazilian, who played with Fabregas at Chelsea at the time, convinced him that Ligue 1 was the perfect environment for him to express himself freely after a frustrating end to his Blues career.

"It's something that David Luiz, having played at PSG for three seasons told me. It's that people love running with the ball," said Fabregas. "They don't care who you are, they just come at you fast, and they love to dribble. 

"Tactically as well, it's improving with these new, young, coaches coming up to the top teams, to improve all this young talent so it's interesting to live it as well.

"From my perspective, having lived what I lived in the last 18 years and experiencing now this move to Ligue 1. It's very good for me to learn things."

Further reading

Swallows FC chairman David Mogashoa says they are open to signing former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo.

The 30-year-old player has been a free agent since he parted ways with Baroka FC at the end of the 2018/19 season. 

Ntshumayelo started training with the Beautiful Birds last month as he looks to continue playing professional football. 

Mogashoa disclosed the former Bafana Bafana international asked to train with the team in order to keep fit.

"We are not even talking about that [the possibility of signing Ntshumayelo] because he still needs to be match fit, that's the most important point," Mogashoa told Sowetan. 

"The reason he asked to train with the club was that he wants to get fit. 

"We're not even having a conversation with him around signing him...the agreement was that he must get fit and after that maybe we can see what happens. We can't rush things or commit to signing him." 

Mogashoa did state that Ntshumayelo will be signed by the Soweto giants if he impresses the club's head coach Brandon Truter. 

"If he does get match fit and the coach [Truter] is happy with him, why not sign him? Remember, the most important person here is the coach," he added. 

"I am happy that the coach is the one that agreed that he trains with us. So if he meets the coach's expectations we will help him out by offering him a contract."

Ntshumayelo would bring PSL title-winning experience to the Swallows team which is competing for this season's league trophy.

The midfield maestro helped SuperSport United clinch the 2009/10 PSL title, before moving to Pirates where he also lifted the league trophy in the 2011/12 campaign. 

Swallows have been the surprise package of the season on their return to the elite league after clinching last season's National First Division (NFD) title.

They are currently placed joint-second with SuperSport and Pirates on the league standings - five points behind leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah reveals he is aiming for the Italian Serie A title with new club Cagliari.

The utility man joined The Islanders last week, signing a short-term deal which expires at the end of the season.

He joined the club as a free agent, having been unattached since parting ways with Inter Milan in October last year.

"Cagliari is a very important team, I'm happy to have had the opportunity to be here, I'm ready to give my best," Asamoah has told his new club's official website.

“The group is made up of a mix of experienced and talented young players. We have a great coach: there is everything to do well, together we can get great satisfaction.

"I played for the Scudetto, in the Champions League, nothing changes for me: my mentality remains the same, taking the field to always win.

"From the first day I received in an incredible way by my teammates, it almost didn't seem like I had just arrived. I immediately had good sensation, it was like feeling at home.

"I did not know the city, I had already been there but only to play. It's made a good impression on me: Cagliari is quiet and I have always met very kind and nice people."

Cagliari are Asamoah's fourth club in Serie A.

After debuting in the top-flight with Udinese in 2008 and going on to produce some fine performances at Stadio Fruili, the Ghanaian became a transfer target for a series of top European clubs.

In 2012, Juventus ultimately secured his signature, a move that would ultimately see him win Serie A on six occasions. He also clinched four Italian Cup titles and won the Super Cup in 2012, 2013 and 2015 while with the Old Lady.

After six years at Juventus Stadium, Asamoah switched camp to Inter, helping the club to the final of the Europa League last year.

At international level, the 2010 and 2014 World Cup star last represented Ghana at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where the Black Stars suffered a Round of 16 elimination. 

Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions Gor Mahia found themselves in the Caf Confederation Cup after a poor show in the Champions League yet again.

This time around, Gor Mahia were unable to progress into the group stage after losing 6-1 to CR Belouizdad in the first leg before a 2-1 home defeat in the second round of qualification.

When Gor Mahia returned to the continental fold in 2018 after winning the 2017 league title, they were eliminated in the Champions League in the first round after a 0-0 home draw and a 1-0 away loss to ES Tunis.

They dropped to the Confederation Cup and were paired against SuperSport United whom they saw off courtesy of a 1-0 home win and a 2-1 loss in South Africa.

K’Ogalo progressed into the group stage where they were pooled alongside USM Alger, Rayon Sports and Yanga SC. They started with a 1-1 draw against Rayon Sport, followed it with a 0-0 draw against the Algerian side before a 4-0 win over Yanga.

They went on to defeat the Tanzanian giants 3-2 in Dar es Salaam before losing 2-1 to Rayon Sports in the respective return leg which complicated their chances of advancing. A 2-1 loss to the Algerian opponents all but ended their ambition of reaching the quarter-finals.

The Green Army retained the league title in the 2018 season and represented the country at the continental stage but were eliminated in the Champions League again after falling to Nigeria's Lobi Stars and found themselves paired against New Star of Cameroon in the Confederation Cup.

A 2-1 win in Nairobi and a 0-0 home draw in Douala on January 13 and 20, 2019 respectively saw them qualify for the group stage.

They started Group D with a 4-2 win over Zamalek before a 2-1 away loss to Petro Atletico with both matches being played in February 2019.

Gor Mahia recorded a second group win when they defeated Hussein Dey 2-1 in Nairobi but fell to a 1-0 defeat in the return leg. In Egypt, they were defeated 4-0 by Zamalek before beating Petro Atletico 1-0 at home and the points were enough for them to proceed to the knockout stage.

They were eliminated by RS Berkane in the quarter-finals when they conceded a 2-1 home loss and a 5-1 defeat away to end their continental journey.

When they failed to proceed past USM Alger in the 2019/20 Champions League campaign, they dropped to the Confederation Cup and landed DC Motema Pembe as their play-off opponents.

A 1-1 home draw and a 2-1 loss in Kinshasa halted their ambition of an advanced campaign at continental level once more.

Coach Bobby Williamson has claimed he did not get the chance to finish his job with the Uganda national team.

Williamson – who also revealed he would take a second chance with the side if it comes - has now claimed he developed a good team which he did not get the chance to finish moulding.

“I don’t like talking publicly about a position that is already occupied. If the position was available, I would love to come back,” Williamson told Football256. “To be honest, I think I had developed some good young players but never got the chance to finish the job. 

“The fans were so fantastic, so passionate, so encouraging towards the players. I had never experienced an atmosphere like the one at Namboole, there is nowhere close to it.”

The tactician left his job in 2013 after Uganda were defeated by Liberia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. When the position became vacant following the departure of Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, Williamson applied for it again but he had to withdraw the application as he fell ill.

“I applied way back, unfortunately, I developed cancer and had to withdraw my application,” the former Kilmarnock striker said.

“I spoke to Lawrence Mulindwa [then Fufa president] after I had left. To be honest, he handled my situation very professionally and we agreed on a settlement which was not even in my contract.

“I didn’t want the full amount as I had earned just enough to see me into my next job which it did. Unlike other managers, I’m sure you are aware I never bad mouthed Fufa when I left and I can only respect the people I worked with.”

Williamson explained how he nurtured young players like Godfrey Walusimbi and Emmanuel Okwi who are still featuring for the Cranes.

“When I first took over, we had a good experience in the squad but a few players were near to retirement and we had to bring in young players who actually went on to have long national careers like Walusimbi and Okwi.” he concluded.

“If I got the opportunity, I would want to bring through local young prospects and help develop them but still my project would not ignore the players who have developed and grown outside Uganda.

“But I must point out that this is all hypothetical at the moment as the job is not available.”