by David
on August 13, 2018
Lionel Messi became Barcelona’s most successful player on Sunday night when he won a 33rd team title with the club.
Messi claimed an assist for Ousmane Dembele’s winner as Barca beat Sevilla 2-1 to lift the Supercopa de Espana.
The 31-year-old replaced Andres Iniesta, who left the Camp Nou after more than two decades to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe earlier this year, as the most decorated player in Barca’s history.
Messi has now won the Spanish Super Cup eight times, as well as nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, six Copa del Reys, three Club World Cups and a hat-trick of UEFA Super Cups. Read more... (264 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)
by David
on August 13, 2018
Arsenal manager Unai Emery says that Petr Cech will be his No 1 goalkeeper this season despite an unconvincing display against Manchester City on Sunday.
The veteran shot-stopper started for the Gunners in their Premier League opener against the defending champions, but struggled with the ball at his feet.
Emery’s preference will be to continue playing out from the back and Leno, a £20 million summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, has the technical ability to better implement it than Cech.
However, speaking after the 2-0 defeat, Emery insisted the German international will have to be patient, suggesting the elder of the two will be his first choice until given a reason to change his mind. Read more... (258 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)
by David
on August 12, 2018
It took just eight minutes for the Juventus fans to see what they came for: A Cristiano Ronaldo debut goal.
Was it ever really in doubt? Ronaldo started his life at Juventus with a bang by netting the opener against their U19 side on Sunday before forcing an own goal after putting a defender under pressure.
Paulo Dybala stole some of Ronaldo’s thunder by adding a quick fire brace before half-time as Juventus went into the break in complete control.
Claudio Marchisio provided a tidy finish to give Juventus a five-goal lead after a well-worked team move. Read more... (283 words, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)
by David
on August 12, 2018
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has confirmed he will not play again for the Spanish national team despite his former Barca coach Luis Enrique being appointed as coach.
Pique declared his intention to quit international football after the 2018 World Cup following a World Cup qualifier against Albania in October 2016, saying he was tired of repeated criticism from supporters and the media, and that he wished ‘to be left in peace’.
The outspoken Barcelona-born defender has never enjoyed the same rapport with Spain supporters as his international team mates, and he has often been booed at games due to his repeated jibes at Real Madrid and his support for a referendum on Catalan independence. Read more... (300 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
by David
on August 12, 2018
Jurgen Klopp was pleased with Liverpool’s convincing start to the season, but warned there will be much tougher tests ahead.
The Reds underlined their Premier League title credentials with a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of West Ham in their first game at Anfield.
Klopp’s side have been tipped by many as the side most likely to challenge Manchester City for the crown, but the Liverpool manager is not getting carried away with one result.
The German said: “We know about our expectations and we realise there is a really positive atmosphere around us in the pre-season. That is good that people are positive, but this season will be unbelievably hard. Read more... (297 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)
by David
on August 12, 2018
Manchester United ‘will appoint their first ever director of football’ in the aftermath of Jose Mourinho’s frustrating summer transfer window.
Mourinho was vocal in his opinions on the club’s business over the summer, and it has been reported that United are now set to make huge changes behind the scenes.
According to the Guardian, once the current restructure of the club and expansion of facilities is complete, United will overhaul their transfer policy next.
The changes would allow for a more streamlined recruitment process in which the manager takes on a different role, lending itself to comments made by Mourinho on Friday night. Read more... (340 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)
by David
on August 12, 2018
Pep Guardiola believes there is still room for improvement in his Manchester City side despite the champions kicking off their Premier League defence with a 2-0 win away to Arsenal on Sunday.
Goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva handed City all three points at the Emirates Stadium just hours after Liverpool, who have been tipped to challenge City for the top-flight crown following heavy recruitment this summer, thrashed West Ham 4-0.
Guardiola’s side recorded a record points tally of 100 on their way to lifting the Premier League trophy last season, and the Spaniard believes his team has what it takes to play and do even better this term. Read more... (391 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)
by David
on August 12, 2018
Chelsea’s new manager Maurizio Sarri says he has a month to whip his team into shape and make them familiar with the high-intensity, passing football which was nicknamed ‘Sarri-ball’ during his time at Napoli in Serie A.
His new-look Chelsea side looked impressive on the opening day of the season as they eased past Huddersfield 3-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
With the first international break four weeks away though, Sarri says that only now can he really get to work, as World Cup stars such as Eden Hazard, Olivier Giroud and N’Golo Kante returned to training just last week. Read more... (341 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)
by David
on August 12, 2018
Tottenham were confirmed as 2018 International Champions Cup winners on Saturday night.
Spurs, who beat Roma 4-1 and AC Milan 1-0 in July, either side of a 2-2 with Barcelona, who won a penalty shootout, were crowned champions after Inter overcame Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the final match of the 18-team pre-season mega tournament.
Inter went into Saturday’s game needing to win by four goals in order to leapfrog Spurs into first place, but ultimately had to settle for third spot in the table behind Borussia Dortmund on goal difference. Read more... (331 words, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
by David
on August 10, 2018
Jose Mourinho labelled Paul Pogba a “monster” after the World Cup-winning midfielder captained Manchester United to victory on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Pogba was a force in United’s midfield and showed no sign of fatigue in Friday night’s 2-1 victory over Leicester, which came just 26 days after he inspired France to World Cup glory.
United’s captain sent them on their way to victory with a third-minute penalty – the first goal of the 2018/19 season – and answered his manager’s call by lasting 84 minutes when alternatives were sparse. Read more... (305 words, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)
