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Man Utd's Form Is Great, But They Look Knackered - Rotation Must Be Considered Against Chelsea

The Powermen administrator has urged the league managers and Federation to solve their issues and work together

Western Stima chairman Laban Jobita insists there is no way the 2019/20 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) can be played to completion.

The annulling of the top tier by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on April 30 has been contested bitterly by the league managers, who feel the Federation overstepped their mandate by ending it and crowning Gor Mahia as champions.

The KPL initially hoped the government would relax the cessation and curfew measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19, but that has not been the case.

"There is absolutely no way we can play the season to completion as initially planned," Jobita told Goal on Monday.

"Time is not on our side, what we expected is not happening and we should now focus on the new season.

"Suppose we are given a green light to resume, we will need two months to prepare which will take us to September. Then we will need about two months or so to play the games which will affect the start of the 2020/21 season.

"We should just accept, there is no way we can play the current campaign to a conclusion."

The contract between the KPL and the FKF ends on September 24 and the latter has confirmed it will not be renewed.

"KPL operates under the blessings of FKF and it is important for both to try and get a solution to their issues," Jobita added.

"It should not be about arguments every now and then because it hurts the game as well. This is the right time for the two parties to settle their problems and help the game grow."

In an earlier interview with Goal, Bandari technical director Twahir Muhiddin opined on the issue as well.

"In the last 17 years, KPL has done enough to help our football grow," the tactician said.

"I do not know where we would have been without them. Despite a lot of criticism, I insist football quality in the country improved under KPL's management.

"They have enough experience to continue overseeing our top-flight football and all the involved parties should do is get a solution and continue working together.

"They kept all the teams on their toes and ran the league the way it should; it has helped in our development." 

Original author: Seth Willis
  224 Hits

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Zaha & Eze threat a different test to improving Gunners

The Spanish boss was not easy to work with at Allianz Arena, according to a well-respected club servant

Pep Guardiola "interfered in medical matters" at Bayern Munich, according to former team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who says the highly-rated coach thought he "knew everything better than I did".

Guardiola was drafted in to replace Jupp Heynckes in the Allianz Arena hot seat in the summer of 2013, inheriting a treble-winning squad brimming with world-class talent.

The Spaniard had already established himself as arguably the finest manager in Europe by that time, after assembling one of the greatest teams in history at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.

As expected, Bayern continued to dominate the domestic scene in Germany with Guardiola at the helm, but he was unable to deliver success in Europe.

The 49-year-old picked up seven major trophies during his time at the Allianz, including three Bundesliga titles, before moving onto a new challenge in the Premier League with Manchester City in 2016.

Muller-Wohlfahrt, whose 40-year stint as Bayern's first-team doctor ended in June, recalls being frustrated by Guardiola's input when it came to assessing the physical condition of the players.

The 77-year-old told BR24: "It was just that I couldn't put up with the fact that a young trainer - who was very successful and who is probably one of the really, really big ones - interfered in medical matters and knew everything better than I did."

Muller-Wohlfahrt went on to reveal that although he didn't always see eye to eye with Guardiola at Bayern, he still enjoys a good relationship with the current City boss.

He added: "We met and talked to each other, and then it's over. We appreciate each other and he appreciates my work above all. He never questioned that."

Bayern secured an eighth successive Bundesliga crown this season, finishing 13 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

Hansi Flick's men also picked up the DFB Cup by beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 in the final on Saturday, and another treble could be on the cards if they continue to advance in the Champions League.

Before Bayern's 1-0 victory over Dortmund on May 26, Flick hailed Muller-Wohlfahrt for his work on the touchline and behind the scenes. The German tactician said: "I am very grateful. For me, he is the best doctor I have ever known."

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Sources: Barca board uncertain about Koeman

The former Gunners defender believes a prolific striker stalling on fresh terms has to be made aware of recruitment plans in north London

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang needs to be made aware of Arsenal’s transfer plans before committing to a new contract, says Sol Campbell, with extension talks now becoming a matter of “trust”.

A prolific Gabonese frontman is yet to extend his stay at Emirates Stadium beyond the summer of 2021.

Uncertainty regarding his future has led to inevitable exit talk, with Arsenal in no position to let another key man head towards free agency.

Those in north London remain optimistic when it comes to thrashing out fresh terms, but no agreement has been reached as yet and a long-running saga continues to provide an unwelcome distraction.

Campbell believes Aubameyang needs assurances from the Gunners regarding their ambition before putting pen to paper, with the 31-year-old looking to challenge for more major silverware before hanging up his boots.

“He’s got to settle down and have a conversation with the manager and he needs to have a clear understanding of what they’re looking to spend, who they’re trying to get in,” former Arsenal defender Campbell told Stadium Astro.

“It’s going to come down to trust, can he trust the club to say, 'right we are looking for x, y and z, we’re going to bring two or three players in' and I think they’ll push us on to really challenge for the top four, or really you never know [with] the Premiership.

“He needs to sit down with his people and have a serious conversation about where the club is going in the next two or three years, because he hasn’t got five years, six years to say let’s see how it goes, he needs almost instant success now.”

Campbell added: “Sometimes you need to spend a lot of money, but, sometimes you get really lucky and have a lucky, fantastic year. You’ve got to say Leicester, they just kept on going, it does happen.

“I think he [Mikel Arteta] is trustworthy, there’s no doubt, he [Aubameyang] has to decide himself where he wants to go in his heart and soul and spirit.

“Where does he feel that, ‘If I can do it here I’ll just stay here I’ll give it a go, I believe they’re going to get two or three players in and I’ll believe in them.'

“That’s what it comes down to, no one’s got a crystal ball, it doesn’t matter, you can spend £150-200 million, it doesn’t bring you any trophies. 

“It can probably help the profile of the players around you, but not necessarily end up winning something.

“Sometimes you’ve got to trust yourself, your own instinct and hope it matches up with the hierarchy.”

Aubameyang has remained coy when it comes to his future plans, but Arsenal need to make a decision quickly on a player who has hit 63 goals for them through 102 appearances.

Original author: Chris Burton
  226 Hits

‘Dele-Bashiru's effort was onside’ – Reading’s Paunovic slams offside decision vs Barnsley

The Zimbabwean striker became the first player to score two hat-tricks this season after he shined in the huge win

Azam FC striker Obrey Chirwa set a new high in the Mainland Premier League this season after he scored four goals as his team mauled Singida United 7-0 on Sunday.

The Zimbabwean forward proved to be a hot knife in butter for the Singida United defence as he set up two goals and notched four, to walk away with the match ball and also become the first player in the league to score two hat-tricks this campaign.

Chirwa had also scored a hat-trick as Azam clobbered Alliance FC 5-0, while Kagere’s hat-trick came in the match they hammered Singida United 8-0 at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The 28-year-old had also achieved the feat of scoring two hat-tricks in one season in the 2018-19 campaign, when Azam beat Mbeya City 5-0 and also thrashed Njombe FC 4-0.

The four goals he scored on Sunday have seen him rise to 12 goals in the scoring chart, which is headed by Kagere who has notched 19 goals, while Yusuf Mhilu of Kagera Sugar is second on 13 goals.

Chirwa has credited his exploits to teamwork and promised to score more goals before the season comes to a close.

“I cannot achieve such records without my teammates and I want to thank them for the teamwork we have that has seen us win tough matches and also keep the pace to finish second on the log,” Chirwa told reporters after the match played at Azam Complex.

“I know we still have like five matches to play before the season ends, I am hoping to continue scoring goals and hopefully catch up with Kagere or even beat him to the Golden Boot, I know it is possible if we continue playing like we are doing, we can achieve the target together.”

The 7-0 win was also the best result for Azam since they were promoted to the top-flight in 2008. Their best results until Sunday was a 6-2 win against Villa Squad and a 6-1 win against JKT Tanzania.

The win also enabled Azam to move above Young Africans (Yanga SC) to the second position on the log as they have 62 points, while Yanga have 61.

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  94 Hits

‘Thiago wouldn’t walk into Liverpool’s starting XI’ – Bayern midfielder would strengthen squad, says Nicol

The 40-year-old mentor has parted company with Phunya Sele Sele but the reasons behind his departure are still unclear at this stage

Coach Lehlohonolo Seema has left Bloemfontein Celtic, Goal can confirm. 

Seema had been in charge of Phunya Sele Sele for the past two seasons alongside John Maduka and Simon Gopane. 

In an interview with Goal, the former Lesotho international confirmed he has indeed parted ways with Phunya Sele Sele. 

"I no longer have a job, my brother," Seema told Goal.

However, Seema didn't want to go into details about the reasons why he will no longer be at Bloemfontein Celtic.  

"Nothing wrong really happened but such is life," he said. 

Asked about media reports that he could surface at Chippa United, Seema said: "I don't know yet but there's a big surprise in store. Maybe I might surface in Botswana. Who knows?" 

"I just get my passport ready but we will talk later in the day,"  he added. 

 

 

Original author: Ernest Makhaya
  195 Hits

West Ham predicted lineup vs Leicester - Premier League

The Frenchman has reached 20 goals for the season after he scored in the 5-2 win against Bournemouth at Old Trafford in the Premier League

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Anthony Martial settling into the number nine role has prompted his good run of form which has seen the Manchester United forward reach 20 goals for the season.

The Frenchman scored his first career hat-trick against Sheffield United last month and followed it up with a perfectly-struck strike against Bournemouth at the weekend, taking him to 15 Premier League goals this season.

It is already Martial’s best goalscoring season and United still have five league games remaining, an FA Cup semi-final and the Europa League to continue. And Solskjaer explained the secret behind unlocking the attacker's potential.

“I think the team creating chances, Anthony working hard, being the number nine in a settled position, but also once in a while rotating with Marcus [Rashford] and switching positions,” Solskjaer said.

“For his goal (against Bournemouth), he started off on the left and curled it into the top corner.”

While Martial has been impressing, the spotlight has been on 18-year-old Mason Greenwood. He became the youngest United player since Wayne Rooney to reach 15 goals for a season after he scored a brace against Eddie Howe’s side.

The teenager has already been compared to the former United captain and Robin van Persie, and there has been ongoing debate as to whether the forward should be called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

“If you can handle playing for Man Utd, then you can handle playing for any team and Mason's got the qualities that not many others have,” Solskjaer said.

“So he could play for England's full team or Under-21s, I don't really mind. I know he's doing well for us and it's great to have him here.”

Whether or not Greenwood gets a call from Southgate, Solskjaer is confident the youngster will continue to improve and has been impressed with what he has seen from the academy graduate.

“He’s a naturally good finisher, so he'll always score goals,” Solskjaer explained. “He's a humble boy, he wants to learn, he listens, he's worked hard, you can see his fitness is getting better and better.

"He's just a young boy who will fill out, he's exciting to work with and we'll keep on building him up in the gym and on the pitch.”

Original author: Charlotte Duncker
  223 Hits

Real Madrid close to 'final agreement' to sign Aurelien Tchouameni

With Luqman Hakim set to begin his European adventure soon, Goal look back on his fellow Southeast Asian players who have taken similar route.
Original author: Ooi Kin Fai
  86 Hits

Juve stadium ban for Lukaku abuse suspended

The French attacker ended his wait for another goal and his head coach was happy with the forward

Quique Setien praised Antoine Griezmann after the forward finally returned to the scoresheet in Barcelona's 4-1 La Liga victory over Villarreal.

Griezmann netted his first goal since February to go with strikes from Luis Suarez and Ansu Fati after Pau Torres' own goal as Barca pulled back to within four points of leaders and rivals Real Madrid.

Setien was happy with what he saw from Griezmann, whose goal was his 15th in his first season at Barcelona.

"He has associated himself very well and has been gaining confidence," the Barcelona head coach said, via AS.

"I am very satisfied as I suppose he will be after the goal so beautiful that he has scored, reminded me of one of [Lionel] Messi's at [Real] Betis."

Setien hailed Barca's performance as they claimed just their second win in five games.

"All teams are different. Today, we have had everything," he said.

Setien added: "Other teams like Atletico [Madrid] or Sevilla, firmer in defence created more problems for us. Perhaps they were stronger than this.

"This helps us a lot in confidence. We have pressed very well and we haven't allowed them to leave. We have made a very balanced match. I would have liked to be right before."

Meanwhile, there was further controversy in Real Madrid's win over Athletic Bilbao as another Sergio Ramos penalty saw Zinedine Zidane's men claim three points.

The spot-kick was awarded via the VAR and Setien said the system was becoming more confusing.

"I understand it [the VAR] less and less," he said.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique urged the Catalans to continue fighting despite the deficit to Madrid.

Pique called for his side to keep pushing ahead of hosting Espanyol in a derby clash on Wednesday.

"We don't like to be behind in the standings, but we will fight to turn the situation around, knowing how complicated it is," the Barca defender told Movistar.

"We will fight to the end."

Barcelona's draws against Sevilla, Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid have allowed Madrid to take the initiative, with Los Blancos winning all of their seven games since the restart - and only conceding two goals along the way.

Madrid finish the season with matches against Deportivo Alaves (home), Granada (away), Villarreal (home) and Leganes (away), while Barcelona face Espanyol (home), Real Valladolid (away), Osasuna (home) and Deportivo Alaves (away).

Original author: Dejan Kalinic
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Kaizer Chiefs player ratings as Hunt starts new era with Maritzburg United win

The Mali international scored his ninth league goal of the season to help the Blue and Whites secure a comfortable victory

Moussa Marega found the back of the net as Porto demolished Belenenses 5-0 in Sunday’s Primeira Liga game at Estadio do Dragao

The 29-year-old striker was afforded his 24th league start in the encounter and delivered an impressive performance to help the Blue and Whites extend their winning streak to three games.

Marega led his side’s attack along with Soares, who opened the glut of goals in the 31st minute after benefitting from a fine assist from Otavio.

The Mali international then doubled the lead after he was set up by Jesus Coron moments before the hour mark.

Alex Telles found the back of the net from the penalty spot to further extend the Estadio do Dragao outfit's lead in the 75th minute.

Eight minutes before full time, Fabio Vieira added the fourth before Luis Diaz sealed the comprehensive victory at the death.

Marega featured for the duration of the game along with Guinea star Alhassane Keita, who ended with the losing side.

The former Maritimo striker has now scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 39 appearances across all competitions in this campaign.

With the result, Porto firmly maintain their lead on the league table with 73 points from 30 games, six points above second-placed Benfica.

Marega has been with Porto since 2016 and has made 91 league appearances for Sergio Conceicao’s men, scoring 41 goals.

The Mali star will hope to continue his eye-catching displays when his side takes on Tondela in their next league game on Thursday.

 

 

 

Original author: Gbenga Adewoye
  91 Hits

Man Utd not thinking about Prem title - Ten Hag

The Spaniard says that new reinforcements to his squad aren't necessarily needed after their shock defeat at St Marys

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola does not believe Sunday's surprise Premier League loss to Southampton highlights the need for the club to sign new players.

Guardiola's City suffered their third consecutive away defeat in the Premier League after going down 1-0 to Southampton at St Mary's on Sunday.

After routing newly crowned champions Liverpool 4-0 last time out, City – who rested Kevin De Bruyne and others – succumbed to Che Adams' first Premier League goal as they fell 23 points adrift in second position.

Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly and Bayern Munich's David Alaba have been among the players linked with moves to City at the end of the season.

But when asked if City's defeat was a question of needing new players, Guardiola told reporters: "No, I don't think so.

"I think we play good, honestly. We play with the character and desire to drive until the end. We played against Southampton who had 10 players in the penalty area. We did it really well.

"We will review the game, and with the chances that we had, we can do more. It's difficult to create more chances than we created and the way we did it.

"I'm so proud, so I liked the way we played but it's not enough. There's no complaint about the players. We played really well, I like it but it's not enough to win the games."

Guardiola, meanwhile, does not feel City goalkeeper Ederson is to blame for the loss to Southampton.

Adams scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute, catching the Brazilian keeper off his line after Oleksandr Zinchenko had been dispossessed of the ball.

"We use our keeper to build up our play. We use our keeper to play better," Guardiola said. "It gives us a lot. The mistake is part of the game but we didn't lose for that reason.

"It happens many times this season this situation. The amount of chances we have but it's football. The amount of chances we have but not able to score goals."

Original author: Sacha Pisani
  84 Hits

Leeds sign Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim on club-record deal

The Spurs boss tried not to take offence but couldn't help throwing some shade back at the Gunners
Original author: Josh Thomas
  80 Hits

Erik ten Hag still pushing Man Utd to sign Cody Gakpo following World Cup performances

The Argentine forward's skills show no signs of waning after another prolific showing for the Catalan giants

Lionel Messi wrote another page in the record books when he set up Antoine Griezmann for Barcelona’s third goal against Villarreal for his 19th La Liga assist for the season - the Argentine’s best ever tally in the Spanish top-flight.

The 33-year-old had already set up Luis Suarez midway through the first half at El Madrigal, becoming the first player to reach 18 assists for the season since Messi himself did so in 2014-15 and prior to that in 2010-11.

He went one better shortly before the break, with his neat back-heel teeing up Griezmann who stroked home his ninth La Liga goal of the campaign. Messi has now up set up three of those nine goals, more than any other team-mate.

It was perhaps a timely reminder to the Barcelona hierarchy of Messi’s continued importance to Barca despite his advancing years.

Not only is he top of the assists chart, he is also La Liga’s top scorer with 22 goals - five goals clear of nearest challenger Karim Benzema. He thought he had taken his tally to 23 on Sunday evening but his close range strike was ruled out following a VAR referral.

It was also a memorable evening for Suarez, whose 194th goal for Barca moved him level with Laszlo Kubala on the club’s all-time scoring charts, with only Cesar Rodríguez and Messi ahead of the Uruguayan.

Teenage prospect Ansu Fati made sure of the win with a fourth goal late on to narrow Real Madrid’s lead at the top of the table back to four points, though Los Blancos remain in the driving seat for the title with four games remaining.

Messi’s latest match-winning antics comes after a week of frenzied speculation over his future at Camp Nou , with the striker yet to respond to Cadena SER's  claim that he could leave Camp Nou when his contract expires next summer

As previously confirmed by Goal , Messi does not want to leave Barcelona – but he is immensely frustrated with how the club is presently being run, highlighted by the cancellation of talks over a new contract.

It has now piled the pressure on Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and may force the presidential elections to be brought forward, highlighting the influence Messi wields at Camp Nou.

Original author: Goal
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USA's win over Iran a relief for Berhalter after a tense build-up that had turned bizarre

The Premier League champions were not at the best against a spirited Villa side, but did just enough to earn the victory at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp highlighted Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa as a prime example of why his side are Premier League champions. 

The Reds, playing their first game at Anfield since ending a 30-year title drought, were made to work hard by their relegation-threatened visitors. 

Late goals from Sadio Mane and Curtis Jones got the job done as Klopp's side continued their 100 per cent home record in the league in the 2019-20 campaign. 

And the German, who was left angered by Thursday's 4-0 loss to Manchester City, felt it showed just why his side have reigned supreme this season. 

"A very difficult game for different reasons," Klopp told Sky Sports. 

"Villa are obviously organised and made it tricky for us. The wind made it tricky for both, but it was really hard to play normal football. 

"We had to stay on track and do the right things and in the second half we had more of the good moments. You could see we needed time to get used to it." 

The result took Liverpool to 89 points, with just 11 more needed from their remaining five matches to equal the record tally achieved by Manchester City two seasons ago.

They could also end the season with the record for most wins and become the first side to win every one of their home games, putting the gloss on what has already been a dominant season by the Merseysiders.

Klopp, however, insists records were not his mind on Sunday and believes obsessing over them would actually prove counter-productive.

"The only thing I can say is there's no chance to win records if you constantly think about records," he added. 

"We don't want a record we want the three points. We don't think about these things, three points is difficult enough. 

"Aston Villa was fighting with all they had and it makes life uncomfortable. I like it, it was not a brilliant performance but it was a good performance that gets us three points." 

Next up for Liverpool is a trip to Brighton on Wednesday before a home game against Burnley next Saturday.

Original author: Rob Lancaster
  115 Hits

Stoic Queiroz: Beaten Iran gained world's respect

The Yellow-Reds’ Turkish title ambitions suffered a massive blow following their home defeat to the Black Sea Storm

Galatasaray crumbled 3-1 to Trabzonspor in Sunday’s Turkish Super Lig clash with Jean Seri finding the net.

Needing a victory over Huseyin Cimsir’s men to stay in contention for the Turkish elite division title, they bowed at home to the rampaging visitors.

Algeria international Sofiane Feghouli – who was featuring in his 25th game of the season was given the marching orders by referee Cuneyt Cakir in the 31st for a dangerous play.

Even at their numerical disadvantage, the hosts showed great mental strength but blew away several scoring chances.

For their opportunities, however, it was the Black Sea Storm who took the lead with four minutes left into the half-time break thanks to a well-taken penalty from captain Jose Sosa after a foul by Ryan Donk.

Sosa turned provider for Filip Novak in the 70th minute to help Trabzonspor race to a two-goal lead at the Turk Telecom Stadium.

Despite the deficit, Gala kept fighting got their consolation through the Cote d’Ivoire star who beat goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir from the penalty spot.

Seconds later, Cimsir’s team regained their two-goal advantage courtesy of Alexander Sorloth with the last kick of the encounter.

Seri who now boasts of two goals this season was on parade from start to finish, while Morocco’s Younes Belhanda was replaced in the 77th minute by Emin Bayram.

Nigeria's Jesse Sekidika was brought in for Omer Bayram early in the 46th minute, while DR Congo’s Christian Luyindama was not listed for the game.

For Trabzonspor, Anthony Nwakaeme was brought in for Sosa with four minutes left to play, as well as Ghana’s Caleb Ekuban for SosaBilal Basacikoglu.

On-loan Stoke City midfielder Badou Ndiaye made the starting lineup, albeit he was substituted for Brazil’s Guilherme in the 71st minute as Morocco’s Manuel da Costa was in action from start to finish.

Defeat leaves Galatasaray with 52 points after 30 games – 11 points behind leaders Istanbul Basaksehir and nine points adrift of Trabzonspor who are in second place.

Seri would be targeting victory with his team when they face Alanyaspor on Wednesday as Nwakaeme is expected to lead his club’s attacking set up versus Antalyaspor on the same day.

Original author: Shina Oludare
  116 Hits

Man Utd's rivals warned Sancho deal is 'terrible news' as Ferdinand urges winger to 'entertain'

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world
Original author: Goal
  104 Hits

Dortmund confirm Sancho's €85m move to Man Utd

The club president was keen to play down speculation suggesting the Argentine is ready to quit Camp Nou

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has addressed the speculation surrounding the future of Lionel Messi, insisting that the Argentine superstar will remain at the club for the rest of his career.

The rumour mill was sent into overdrive earlier this week when Cadena SER claimed  Messi was ready to quit Barcelona when his contract expires next summer.

Goal has previously confirmed that Messi does not want to leave Camp Nou - but he is immensely frustrated with how the club is presently being run, with the suspension of talks over a contract extension evidence of his dissatisfaction.

Messi has yet to publicly comment on the rumours, though his silence in itself is telling and believed to be vote of no-confidence in Bartomeu’s stewardship, whose position is now looking increasingly perilous as a result.

The presidential elections, originally scheduled for next year, may now be brought forward in the hope it may placate Messi and prevent one of the game’s greatest ever players leaving the club where he has spent his entire career.

That prospect has been swiftly dismissed by Bartomeu himself, who remains confident the 33-year-old will sign a new contract and see out his playing days at the Catalan giants.

"I am not going to give details but Messi has said many times that he will end his football life in Barcelona,” he said.

“We are focused on [the] competition and there are negotiations with many players. Messi wants to continue and wants to end [his career] here. He has many years left and we are going to enjoy him for much longer."

Messi once again displayed his enduring influence on the side with two assists in Sunday’s 4-1 win at Villarreal. The Argentine now has 19 La Liga assists for the season - the most prolific of his career to date.

Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann, Ansu Fati and Pau Torres' own goal were on target for Quique Setien’s side, who narrowed Real Madrid’s lead at the top back to four points, though with just four games remaining it is Los Blancos who remain firmly in the driving seat for the title.

Original author: Goal
  116 Hits

Sources: Ramos set to join PSG on free transfer

The Blaugrana chief was critical of the video technology system, claiming that the results it produces were influenced toward other teams

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has accused the VAR of favouring the same team as he hinted the system was stacked in favour of La Liga title rivals Real Madrid.

The Blaugrana official made the statement following Barca's 4-1 victory over Villarreal, which saw the Catalans move four points behind Madrid with four games remaining.

Bartomeu referred to watching Madrid's 1-0 victory over Athletic Club in San Mames on Sunday before revealing his dismay at the decisions made by the video technology.

Madrid's game-winning goal came after the referee viewed the VAR pitch-side monitor to award a 76th-minute penalty dispatched by Sergio Ramos, while Athletic appeared unlucky to not receive a late spot-kick themselves.

"I watched San Mames match until almost the end of the second half," Bartomeu said after Barca's victory. "I feel bad because we have the best league in the world and VAR after coronavirus isn't fair.

"It has changed some results and always favours the same team."

Since the restart after the coronavirus-forced hiatus, Barcelona's two point lead at the top of La Liga's standings has evaporated with Madrid currently clear by four with the same number of matches left to play.

Barcelona's draws against Sevilla, Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid have allowed Madrid to take the initiative, with Los Blancos winning all of their seven games since the restart - and only conceding two goals along the way.

Madrid finish the season with matches against Deportivo Alaves (home), Granada (away), Villarreal (home) and Leganes (away), while Barcelona face Espanyol (home), Real Valladolid (away), Osasuna (home) and Deportivo Alaves (away).

Barca's victory against fifth-placed Villarreal was a positive performance, with Lionel Messi's 18th and 19th assists breaking his personal record for most in a La Liga season.

A Pau Torres own goal in the third minute got Barca off to the best possible start, before the Yellow Submarine hit back through in-form attacker Gerard Moreno.

But then Messi took a hold of the match, setting up Luis Suarez in the 20th minute before helping to end Antoine Griezmann's goal drought on the stroke of half-time.

Seventeen-year-old prodigy Ansu Fati then put the finishing touches on Barca's victory four minutes from time with a well-taken solo goal.

Original author: Goal
  106 Hits

'I can't explain how happy I feel' - Messi

The Uganda international scored the decisive goal to help his side secure a narrow victory at Konya Buyuksehir Belediyesi Stadium

Farouk Miya scored the only goal in Konyaspor’s 1-0 win over Rizespor in Sunday’s Turkish Super Lig game.

The 22-year-old midfielder has continued to impress since teaming up with the Anatolian Eagle last summer from Gorica.

The Uganda international came off the bench for his 22nd league appearance for the Konya Buyuksehir Arena and shone, helping his side to bounce back to winning ways, after a three-game winless run.    

With only seven minutes into the encounter, Konyaspor got a glorious chance to open the scoring from a free-kick but missed the target.

After both sides failed to break the deadlock, manager Bulent Korkmaz brought on Miya for Levan Shengelia in the 57th minute in his quest to ensure his side clinches the victory.

The midfielder then went on to score the match-winner with a well-taken strike from the penalty spot, leaving goalkeeper Tarik Cetin with no chance.

The Uganda star has now scored seven goals and provided one assist in 26 appearances across all competitions, amid other dazzling displays.

With the win, Konyaspor are 14th on the league table with 30 points from 30 games, two places above the relegation zone.

Miya will hope to continue his impressive performances when his side takes on Gaziantep FK in their next league game on Thursday.

Victory in the encounter will steer Konyaspor further away from the drop zone and brighten their hope of maintaining their Super Lig status.

Miya started his career with the Vipers in 2013 before he joined Belgian side Standard Liege in 2016, where he spent two years.

The midfielder, who made 33 league appearances for Gorica before his departure, is a key member of the Uganda national team and has 64 caps for the East African side.

 

 

 

 

Original author: Gbenga Adewoye
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Gary Lineker pens heartfelt message to England ahead of Euro 2020 final

The Blaugrana celebrated a milestone thanks to their teenage sensation's late effort

Barcelona reached 9,000 goals in all official competitions following their 4-1 rout of Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday.

Barca celebrated the milestone thanks to teenage sensation Ansu Fati, who came off the bench and scored the team's fourth goal away to Villarreal.

The two-time reigning La Liga champions, who are four points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid with four matches remaining, netted their first official goal in April 1909.

Just over 111 years later, Barca have scored their 9,000th goal – superstar captain and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi contributing 630.

Of Barca's overall tally, 6,165 goals have been scored in La Liga, followed by the Copa del Rey (1,474) and the Champions League (543).

The Blaugrana added four goals to their league tally against Villarreal with the first coming in the opening three minutes of the match.

Barca's blistering start and they were rewarded when Pau Torres turned the ball into his own net just three minutes in with Antoine Griezmann waiting to pounce on Jordi Alba's cross behind him.

Quique Setien's side were causing the home side all sorts of problems going forward but looked vulnerable on the break and Moreno levelled clinically against the run of play with 14 minutes played after Marc-Andre ter Stegen palmed away Santi Cazorla's strike.

Barca wasted little time in regaining the lead, though, Messi running from just inside the Villarreal half and beating two players before finding Luis Suarez, who picked out the far corner with a sublime first-time finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Arturo Vidal and Suarez came close before Griezmann added a third just before half-time, lobbing Sergio Asenjo with a superb effort after Messi set him up with a cheeky backheel following another penetrating run.

The busy Asenjo denied Suarez and Vidal after the break and Messi had a goal chalked off after VAR ruled he had been offside before tucking in Sergi Roberto's cutback.

Fati came off the bench to put the icing on the cake, cutting in from the left to fire home and Messi rattled the crossbar with a free-kick before Asenjo superbly saved Martin Braithwaite's header following up.

Original author: Sacha Pisani
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Why Manchester United Will Win the Europa League

The Serie A club have said that they are choosing to focus on the current campaign before thinking about the next one

Inter have rejected reports that they are in the midst of negotiations with Chelsea over the potential arrival of Emerson Palmieri.

The Serie A side have been linked with a €20 million (£18m/$22m) move for the Brazil-born star, who has struggled to find regular game time under the guidance of Frank Lampard.

The 25-year-old left-back, who has featured seven times for the Italy national team, has featured in only 19 games in all competitions this season and has not been involved in a Premier League encounter since featuring in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in January, only making the bench in two of their subsequent nine outings.

While he appears to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, the San Siro outfit have indicated that they have not opened talks with the Blues.

“I understand the many questions about transfer speculation, but I can say we have not had any contact or opened any negotiation for Emerson Palmieri,” Nerazzurri CEO Giuseppe Marotta told DAZN.

“We are making evaluations for next season, but the most important issue remains this current campaign.”

Marotta, meanwhile, also indicated that star man Lautaro Martinez, who has been linked with a summer switch to Barcelona, has not shown “the slightest desire to leave” the club.

Inter’s slim hopes of winning the Serie A title were surely ended on Sunday as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Bologna, a match in which they found themselves a goal to the good thanks to Romelu Lukaku, and a man up after the visitors’ Roberto Soriano was dismissed.

Lautaro then missed a penalty before Musa Juwara levelled for the guests with 16 minutes left, sparking an incredible collapse. Alessandro Bastoni was sent off three minutes later and Musa Barrow soon followed up to score the winner for the mid-table outfit.

Inter now find themselves 11 points behind Juventus in the race for the Scudetto, with the defending champions seven points clear of Lazio, who also suffered defeat this weekend as they went down 3-0 at home against a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-inspired AC Milan.

Nevertheless, a top-four finish seems assured for the 2010 Champions League winners, who are 16 points clear of fifth-placed Roma

Original author: Robin Bairner
  93 Hits

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