In this week’s Premier League Review we look how the International break was not a quiet one at White Heart Lane as Tottenham Hotspur fired manager Antonio Conte and then realized that Director of Football Fabio Paratici had to serve a 30-month worldwide ban.
Conte was sacked following his stunning rant at owner Daniel Levy and the club’s trophy record after a 3-3 Premier League draw with Southampton on March 18:
It was not a quiet international break as Bayern Munich stunned the footballing world with the announcement that they had fired manager Julian Nagelsmann a replaced him with former Chelsea and PSG boss Thomas Tuchel.
The Nagelsmann sacking caught many fans by surprise as he departs with his side in second place in the Bundesliga standings, one point behind leaders BVB, while Bayern are also in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Speaking after the club announced the decision, Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said:
The stories out of Paris will not disappear. Paris Saint-Germain continue to be linked with the blockbuster move of letting Lionel Messi leave for free this summer.
Messi struggled in his first season in Paris, but he has been brilliant this season, leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and scoring 18 goals in 32 appearances for PSG.
Messi earns a massive £740,000 a week, and with team-mate Sergio Ramos also on huge wages, PSG are under Financial Fair Play constraints after being hit with a FFP fine of £8.6million in September, with a further £56.3m dependent on future compliance.
Ricardo Pepi continued his rich vein of form, scoring a delicious winning goal for the United States vs. El Salvador in its 1-0 victory. The 1-0 win booked the USMNT’s ticket to the CONCAF Nations League semifinals, to be held in June.
Pepi gave the US a tangible reward for an inspired second half performance following a dour first 45 minutes.
The Groningen striker, who scored twice in 7-1 win at Grenada on Friday, entered in the 60th minute and put the US ahead two minutes later.
It is clear that the U.S. will be a major destination for Premier League clubs this summer as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all expected to tour the USA this summer.
Premier League leaders Arsenal are scheduled to take on the MLS All-Stars on July 19 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Additionally, 10 top Arsenal FC players will face off against 10 MLS All-Stars in the 2023 MLS Skills Challenge at Audi Field on the night of July 18. Details of the other Arsenal games have not been released yet.
The 2023 MLS All-Star Game will see the MLS take on Premier League leaders Arsenal on July 19 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Additionally, 10 top Arsenal FC players will face off against 10 MLS All-Stars in the 2023 MLS Skills Challenge at Audi Field on the night of July 18.
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Arsenal sporting Director Edu, said:
Barcelona moved 12 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with only 12 games left to play thanks to a 92nd minute winner from Franck Kessie. The win was Barcelona’s 100th Clasico win and left them on track to win their first title since 2018-19
Real went ahead in El Clasico against the run of play as Vinicius Jr’s cross was headed into his own net by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
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It was a rare glimmer of sunshine for Juventus fans at the weekend as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Derby D’Italia. The winner, from Filip Kostic was not without controversy as there were major question marks around an Adrien Rabiot handball in the build-up. The goal stood after a length VAR check, infuriating Inter and their supporters.
For all the criticism that Max Allegri’s side have faced this season, they find themselves heading into the international break in 7th place in the table, only 7 points behind fourth place AC Milan. Juventus are scheduled to have their appeal against the 15-point penalty on April 19 and if they win that appeal, they will move back into second place, making it very likely that they will be in the Champions League next season.
Roma manager Jose Mourinho and Lazio owner Claudio Lotito clashed inside the dressing room at the Stadio Olimpico after Sunday’s Derby della Capitale with the Lazio President asking the Special One: ‘Who are you?’
It was a passionate Derby della Capitale that saw two red cards for Roma and one for Lazio. The two sides also had one staff member sent off each.
In the end, Mattia Zaccagni’s goal in the second half have Lazio the 1-0 win, a result that moved them into second place in Serie A, carving out a five-point lead over their bitter rivals in the race for a Champions League place.
Manchester rivals, City and United are on track for a Manchester derby cup final after the two sides were kept apart in the semi-final draw.
Manchester United will face Brighton while Manchester City have been drawn against Sheffield United at Wembley.
United trailed 1-0 but three quick red cards for the Cottagers saw Erik ten Hag’s side progress on Sunday with a 3-1 win.
Brighton had earlier eased into the semi-finals with a 5-0 win over Grimsby Town, with striker Evan Ferguson scoring twice. Brighton will be seeking to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1983.
