by David
on November 19, 2019
Luis Enrique has officially returned as Spain boss five months after stepping down for personal reasons, it has been confirmed.
Former Barcelona boss Enrique stepped down from the role in June to spend time with his terminally ill daughter, who tragically passed away earlier this year.
The 49-year-old was replaced by his assistant, Robert Moreno, who went unbeaten through his nine matches at the helm – winning seven, and they have sealed their place in next summer’s European Championships finals. Read more... (251 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)
by David
on November 18, 2019
Barcelona technical director Eric Abidal has admitted the Spanish giants are keeping a close eye on Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.
The 22-year-old is catching the eye in Italy after a series of stunning performances for Antonio Conte’s side, and swiftly becoming a wanted man among Europe’s elite sides.
Barcelona, who are known to be looking for a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, are among those sides interested.
‘Yes, he is a complete player, I think he is performing at a great level,’ admitted Abidal recently to Mundo Deportivo. Read more... (265 words, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)
by David
on November 13, 2019
AC Milan are lining up a sensational return for former boss Carlo Ancelotti, according to reports in Italy.
Ancelotti’s future as Napoli manager is up in the air following a team mutiny against club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The turbulent period at the San Paolo Stadium came after a poor run of results which led to the controversial chairman organising a training camp – something which was rejected by players and the coaching staff.
Reports in Italy are suggesting that Ancelotti has just two games to save his job considering Napoli have not won a league game since mid October. Read more... (220 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)
by David
on November 12, 2019
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has made the bold claim of reassuring supporters that talisman Lionel Messi will not be leaving the club.
Messi recently revealed he turned down the offer of a lucrative lifetime contract at Barca, because he did not want to be completely tied down by the club.
Now, however, Bartomeu has told fans that he expects the living legend to stay for the immediate future, suggesting the 32-year-old could be with Barca for another five seasons. Read more... (362 words, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)
by David
on November 11, 2019
Barcelona’s rearranged home clash with rivals Real Madrid has finally been given a date with the Spanish giants meeting on December 18.
The duo were due to go head-to-head on October 26 but the highly anticipated fixture had to be postponed due to the political protests in Catalonia.
There was talk of the fixture being switched to the Santiago Bernabeu but both clubs decided against the idea.
They will now instead meet at the Nou Camp a week before Christmas Day. Read more... (169 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)
by David
on November 3, 2019
Roberto Mancini has extended his contract as Italy boss until 2022 after sealing qualification for Euro 2020.
Mancini has honoured a clause in his deal to commit his future for another three years, having transformed Italy’s fortunes since taking charge in May 2018.
Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup less than two years ago but the former Manchester City boss has guided his side to seven wins out of seven in Euro 2020 qualification.
Italy’s latest victory, a 2-0 victory over Greece, booked their place at the tournament next summer and prompted Mancini to put pen to paper on an extension. Read more... (210 words, estimated 50 secs reading time)
by David
on October 31, 2019
Manchester United have been handed a dream draw against League Two side Colchester in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side made it through to the last eight with a 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday and will now welcome the lowest-ranked team left in the competition to Old Trafford.
There will also be two all-Premier League ties as Liverpool travel to Aston Villa and Everton welcome Leicester to Goodison Park.
Elsewhere, League One side Oxford United will play defending champions Manchester City as they chase a third successive League Cup success. Read more... (533 words, estimated 2:08 mins reading time)
by David
on October 23, 2019
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool’s seven Ballon d’Or nominees is the surest indication his club have re-established themselves as a leading European force.
Liverpool’s manager has always spoken about his desire to make Anfield the final destination of a player’s career rather than a stopping-off point en route to Barcelona or Real Madrid, and the progress over the past two years firmly indicates Klopp is succeeding.
Central defender Virgil van Dijk is the odds-on favourite to win the prestigious award in December — the Premier League has not had a representative in the final three since Fernando Torres in 2008. With him on the 30-man shortlist are Alisson, Roberto Firmino, Giorginio Wijnaldum, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah. Read more... (509 words, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)
by David
on October 18, 2019
La Liga have agreed to stage a league match between Atletico Madrid and Villarreal in the United States, according to reports.
The match would take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a 65,000-seater venue that has hosted five Super Bowls, on December 8 .
It comes less than a year after the Spanish top flight failed in hosting one of Barcelona’s league fixtures in the US.
Plans to host the game between the Catalan giants and Girona in Miami fell through after the controversial proposals were rejected while being met with uproar. Read more... (269 words, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)
by David
on October 10, 2019
Milan ultras released a statement calling the club “weak and failing yet again to achieve the target it really wanted” after replacing Marco Giampaolo with Stefano Pioli.
Giampaolo was axed this week after just seven games and 111 days in charge, a new club record.
Fans are already furious at the introduction of the ninth different Coach since Max Allegri was sacked in January 2014.
“Time’s up… you have to prove yourselves!” read a statement from the Curva Sud ultras.
“This was the banner we laid out in the stands on Saturday during the Genoa game, representing a population of Milanisti exhausted by the continual embarrassment of this club. Read more... (420 words, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)
