Month: September 2019

Massimiliano Allegri has made it clear that a Portuguese superstar will only return to his plans once fully recovered from an untimely thigh injury

Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will undergo further scans on Monday before Juventus can plan his return to first-team action. 

Ronaldo picked up a thigh injury during Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Serbia on Monday and will not be fit to face Empoli in Serie A this weekend. 

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was given Friday off to continue his rehabilitation, and Allegri is hopeful his star man will be fit for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Ajax on April 10. 

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“Prudence is always useful, it is better to skip a game than two months,” he told reporters. 

“We are in a delicate phase, we have 10 games in the league and, for now, two in the Champions League. He will be back when there is no danger of a relapse. 

“On Monday he will have a scan, from then we will evaluate. There are so many risks for the away game with Ajax. He also knows that if he is not well then he will not play.” 

Teenage forward Moise Kean could come in for Ronaldo on Saturday after becoming the second youngest player to score for Italy with his debut goal against Finland, with the 19-year-old then also finding the net against Liechtenstein three days later.

While Kean grabbed the headlines during the international break, Allegri is keen to protect his young star. 

“Kean’s path must be built step by step,” he added. “He is a 19-year-old boy.  

“Like for all young people, my concern is about his recovery at the moment. He needs to be calm.” 

Juve will also be without Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado for the visit of Empoli, while Leonardo Bonucci will be rested to ensure he is fresh to face Ajax. 

“Tomorrow, Bonucci will rest,” Allgeri continued. “We have many challenges from now until April 22, five in Serie A and two in the Champions League. 

“We find ourselves in a vortex at the moment, so we must not pull the plug thinking to have already won the title.” 

The Hammers boss wasn’t pleased with his team’s lack of fight in their defeat to Everton on Saturday

West Ham showed no fight as they produced “the worst performance of the year” in a 2-0 loss to Everton, said Manuel Pellegrini.

Kurt Zouma gave Everton the lead inside five minutes at London Stadium and Lukasz Fabianski had to keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Lucas Digne at bay before quarter of an hour had been played at London Stadium.

West Ham continued to be cut open at will by their expansive visitors and Bernard got a deserved second for Everton before half-time.

Pellegrini responded by changing from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 but the Hammers failed to register a single shot in the second half – their tally of three efforts on goal was their lowest in a home Premier League game since 2005-06.

“Very disappointing because without a doubt it was the worst performance of the year,” he told BT Sport . “You can win or you can lose but not in the way we did, without fighting and without creating chances on the opposition’s goal.

“It was another option to move seventh. Everton were two points behind us. Watford lost before we started and it was an opportunity to demonstrate we could be in another position in table. It’s not the first time it’s happened. We found it impossible to make two passes in a row.”
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Issa Diop failed to challenge Zouma to Sigurdsson’s corner on the opening goal and Pellegrini was far from impressed with West Ham’s defending at set-pieces.

He added: “We are conceding too many goals from set-pieces. That was an easy goal. It was just because we didn’t jump for the ball.

“But you can concede a goal in the fifth minute and you can change the game after that, or at least create chances and show another face. All the players had bad days.”

Marko Arnautovic was moved out to the left wing for the second half and had ice on his knee in the dugout after being replaced by Grady Diangana in the 67th minute, and Pellegrini confessed playing the striker was somewhat of a gamble.

“Marko’s been playing a lot of games with pain in his knee. In the international games he played with Austria he felt it again. He was maybe not 100 per cent,” said the manager.

While Pellegrini was clearly unhappy with his side’s showing, Marco Silva hailed Everton’s improved defensive resilience.

“Very satisfied. Very proud of what we did here,” he told reporters. “It is everything we are working to achieve.

“The last five games we have four clean sheets. I was really happy what we did this afternoon. From the first minute we were the best team on the pitch.

“Two-nil at half-time was a really good result for our opponent because we had chances to score three, four and five.

“It was one of the most consistent performances of the season.”

The Baggies are looking to enhance their chances of breaking into an automatic promotion spot, while their visitors are in a poor run of form

Birmingham City are looking to claw their way back up the Championship when they visit West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

Birmingham have fallen to within five points of the relegation zone after losing four games in a row and being deducted nine points for breaking financial rules.

But Garry Monk’s team face a difficult task in overcoming a West Brom team sitting comfortably in fourth place and hoping to push for an automatic promotion spot.

Game	West Brom vs Birmingham City
Date	Friday, March 29
Time	8pm GMT / 4pm ET

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In the United States (US), the game can be streamed via ESPN+.

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US TV channel	Online stream
N/A	ESPN+

In the UK, the game will be shown on Sky Sports Football and Main Event and can be streamed through the Sky Go app.

UK TV channel	Online stream
Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Main Event	Sky Go

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Position	West Brom squad
Goalkeepers	Johnstone, Myhill
Defenders	Gibbs, Dawson, Holgate, Hegazi, Bartley, Townsend, Mears, Fitzwater, Adarabioyo
Midfielders	Montero, Phillips, Johansen, Livermore, Brunt, Morrison, Barry, Hoolahan, Murphy,
Forwards	Gayle, Rodriguez, Sako, Robson-Kanu, Leko

Kieran Gbbs and Tosin Adarabioyo are available again after returning to training last week, while Matt Phillips may be back in the team after missing the last two matches with an ankle problem.

Potential West Brom starting XI: Johnstone, Holgate, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs, Morrison, Brunt, Johansen, Edwards, Rodriguez, Gayle. 

Position	Birmingham City squad
Goalkeepers	Camp, Trueman
Defenders	Pedersen, Roberts, Colin, Dean, Cogley, Morrison, Harding
Midfielders	Kieftenbeld, Mahoney, C. Gardner, Adams, Mrabti, Maghoma, G. Gardner, Jota, Davis, Lakin
Forwards	Jutkiewicz, Vassell, Lubala

Birmingham defender Maxime Colin is struggling with a hamstring injury and is a doubt for this game, while 19-year-old midfielder Charlie Larkin could be back in the team after returning to training.

Potential Birmingham starting XI: Camp, Harding, Dean, Morrison, Pederson, Mahoney, Gardner, Kieftenbeld, Maghoma, Adams, Jutkiewicz.

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Home side West Brom are slight favourites to win the match at 3/4 with bet365. Birmingham can be backed at 15/4 and a draw is priced at 13/5.

Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.

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It has been 13 years since West Brom last lost to Birmingham in a competitive fixture and the playoff contenders will be confident of continuing their recent dominance over their struggling neighbours. 

Although the Baggies recently sacked coach Darren Moore following a run of poor results, they have bounced back with two wins under caretaker boss James Shan. 

The former West Brom Under 21s manager had been given the role on a match-by-match basis initially, but it was reported this week that the club will give him the job until the end of the season.

According to left-back Conor Townsend, the 40-year-old has made a big impression on his squad. 

“I think it’s always tough when a manager leaves somewhere but I think we’ve reacted pretty well,” said Townsend. “To get two good wins off the back of it has been good for everyone’s morale around the place.

“We know Jimmy, he’s been around the place all year and the young lads know him from years gone by. Everyone’s enjoyed it, everyone’s took to his training and got on with it. Hopefully, we’ve repaid him with the performances in the last couple of games.”

While West Brom still have an outside chance of breaking into the top two, Friday’s visitors find themselves in a gloomy situation. Birmingham have fallen towards the relegation zone after losing their last four games and being deducted nine points for breaking profitability and sustainability rules.

Birmingham boss Monk has admitted his side are in a “sticky patch” that they need to escape, but the persistent individual errors and defensive mistakes have undermined his team in recent losses to Preston, Millwall and Aston Villa.

ALONSO LINED UP TO REPLACE ZIDANE
Reports on Friday suggested that sacking Zinedine Zidane would cost Real Madrid around £70million. But that is a price they are apparently willing to pay…

According to Mundo Deportivo, Florentino Perez decided in pre-season that Zizou’s spark had gone. More specifically, Real’s returning coach has ‘fallen into complacency’ and ‘lost the desire to win’. Christ, they only reappointed him in March. No wonder they refused to cough up for Paul Pogba.

Talk is not now of whether Zidane will stay, rather who will replace him. And this latest report suggests Perez fancies Xabi Alonso as his next sitting duck.

The former Real, Liverpool and Bayern midfielder is currently on the coaching staff at another former club, Real Sociedad. Jose Mourinho is also a a possibility, but Real swerved the ex-Man Utd boss in spring and they would probably do the same again.

Marca are also touting Max Allegri as an option for Real.

 

BARCA NEED TO SELL TRIO 
Marca say Barcelona have also got problems. Apparently, they need to raise around £88million quid to balance the books for FFP.

So the La Liga champions are set to hold a fire sale in January. Any takers for Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti, and Arturo Vidal?

Rakitic and Umtiti have been linked with Man Utd just like 427 other players across Europe. Barca were said to be looking for around £50million for Umtiti in the summer but they’ll have to sell with a hefty discount if they want rid mid-season

 

LIVERPOOL EYE EX-ARSENAL STRIKER
Closer to home, Liverpool are said to be tracking PSV Eindhoven striker Donyell Malen.

The 20-year-old moved to PSV from Arsenal for less than a £1million a couple of years ago but the Eredivisie side look set to make a whopping profit if Calciomercato are to be believed.

Malen has scored 10 goals in 12 games including all five in a 5-0 win over Vitesse Arnhem last weekend. He opened his Holland account during the recent international break and is catching eyes across Europe. Apparently, including Liverpool’s.

 

AND THE REST
Man Utd have opened contract talks with Angel Gomes… Joao Moutinho is set to sign a new two-year contract at Wolves… Watford are set to beat Hull to Malmo striker Kevin Harletun… Thomas Meunier is frustrated at PSG… Aston Villa have set aside £20m for a new striker in January… Inter Miami are set to appoint former Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari as their first manager… Barcelona need to raise an additional £88m to balance the books for FFP.

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Manuel Pellegrini wants his West Ham side to show they can play “exactly the same way” as Manchester United when the teams meet at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Last season, West Ham ran out 3-1 winners in the fixture, as goals from Felipe Anderson and Marko Arnautovic and an own goal from Victor Lindelof sealed all three points for the Hammers.

United have had a congested fixture list and their clash with West Ham will be their third match in just nine days.

On whether it was a good time to play United given the number of matches they have played, Pellegrini said: “They played yesterday night (on Thursday against Astana) but they changed nine players so it will be absolutely a different team.

“More than when is the best time to play against United, I think we are in a good moment so if we need to play against these big teams now we must demonstrate that we are able to play exactly the same way they do.”

The Chilean added: “We know that we have a very strong team in front of us, now we have a good test against United and we will try to beat them and it’s the only way to try to arrive in the first six positions of the table, demonstrating every game that you are able to do it.”

The Hammers go into the game level on points with United, and are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions.

When asked about his side’s defensive strength, Pellegrini said: “We defend as a team, that is very important.

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“At this moment we are doing well and that is why we have the results and clean sheets but we must continue to not make mistakes.”

West Ham will be without Winston Reid, who is still recovering from his long-term knee injury, but he could return for the under-23s next week or the week after.

Manuel Lanzini has a small problem, which will be assessed on Saturday, but all other players remain available to Pellegrini.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits they have to improve the defensive side of their game but says a lack of clean sheets is not down to a more attacking approach.

In five matches this season they have scored 15 goals and conceded five in the Premier League, with just one clean sheet – at Burnley last month – in eight matches in all competitions this season.

At the same stage last season the Reds had scored 11 and conceded just two, having opened the league campaign with three successive clean sheets.

They are, however, better off as they currently have a five-point lead, the biggest the Premier League has seen at this early point of the season, having been second to Manchester City on goal difference this time last year.

What cost them the title in their neck-and-neck race with Pep Guardiola’s side was the number of draws (seven compared to City’s two) but Klopp insists they have not sought to rectify that this time around with a more adventurous approach.

“There is no difference. We didn’t focus more on defensive or offensive things,” he said.

“The goals have been strange. There would have been a second clean sheet at Southampton if we didn’t concede that goal (down to an error by second-choice goalkeeper Adrian) would have been a clean sheet, there could have been clean sheets in other games.

“It’s not exactly as we want but we don’t collect clean sheets, we want to win football games.

“It is still early in the season, we have to improve and develop. But it’s not because we have a different approach to last year.”

Part of the reason for a lack of clean sheets could be attributed to the absence of Alisson Becker.

The first-choice goalkeeper won the golden glove last season for 21 clean sheets but the Brazil international has been absent since sustaining a calf injury 39 minutes into their opening league match.

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But Klopp has had some encouraging news on his fitness and that of midfielder Naby Keita.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers insists the defeat at Manchester United shows his team must improve if they are to finish in the top six in the Premier League.

The Foxes have been tipped to mount a serious challenge this season and have openly admitted themselves that bringing European football back to the King Power Stadium is the aim.

Last weekend’s trip to Old Trafford was a yardstick for their aspirations but they came up short, losing 1-0 after conceding an early penalty.

The home game against Tottenham at Saturday lunchtime provides another opportunity for Leicester to reaffirm their position as potential top-six contenders.

To do so, Rodgers thinks more consistency in matches is key.

“We need to improve, that’s clear,” said the Foxes boss. “It’s not so much about ability, I think what is most important for us to work on is the level of performance.

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“I have no doubts about the quality of the players but we must ensure we can deal with the pressure of these games – not when we are behind but at 0-0 and from the kick-off – and that comes with time and more work together.

“I didn’t feel we deserved to lose at Old Trafford, although we didn’t do enough to win it. We were much better in the second half, but not so much in the first half. We have been very strong in the second half of games so far this season.

“Our challenge, as the season progresses, is to ensure that our performance level is consistent for as long as we possibly can and then when we can do that we will be a really tough opponent.”

Eight of the Leicester players to feature against United were aged 23 or under and Rodgers was keen to stress that his team are still learning.

“For us the ambition is important and there is real excitement going forward. We have a group of exciting young talent that need educating and we must give them confidence and belief to achieve,” he added.

“There is a strong culture here of learning and wanting to do better. We have very talented young players and also a great group of experienced pros to complement that.

“All of them have the hunger to improve and when you mix all that together then ambition will hopefully help you to progress.

“We are trying to form an identity here and we know we must improve – and we will over time.

“But we know we haven’t fully got to our top level yet and we’re still in a good place – fifth in league and still in a cup and showing some good qualities with lots still to improve on.”

Rodgers will have a fully-fit squad to choose from against Tottenham.

Ben Chilwell was absent from training on Thursday as he underwent a recovery session indoors, but the England full-back will be available for selection.

The World Cup winner has had more than enough of prejudicial treatment from ignorant spectators and will vacate the pitch if it happens again

Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has revealed that team-mate Blaise Matuidi plans to walk off the field of play if he or any of the players on the pitch are subjected to further racial abuse.

Matuidi’s team-mate Moise Kean was subjected to racist chants from Cagliari fans in the Bianconeri’s 2-0 victory on Tuesday evening.

The young striker, deputising for Cristiano Ronaldo, celebrated silently in front of the home fans after netting the second goal in an act of defiance against the crowd’s jeers.

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Messages of solidarity continue to pour in for young Kean, but Pjanic says Matuidi is far from over the abhorrent incident.

“Blaise is very upset,” the Bosnian told Tuttosport. “He told us if it happens again he will walk off the pitch.”

Leonardo Bonucci came in for criticism for saying Kean was as much to blame for the racism as the fans due to his celebration, but has since apologised for his remarks.

Meanwhile, Pjanic is clear about his feelings, stating that racism is never called for, regardless of what happens on the pitch, celebration or otherwise.

“I don’t believe that a celebration can have anything to do with these chants,” he said.

“Everyone can celebrate in whichever way they want. Even I could have scored and celebrated in the same way and the same thing would have happened.

“This is the second year that Matuidi has been here and he still has to live like this, it’s a horrible thing. We are so sorry that they have to live like this because we have seen how upset the boys were after the game.

“And I’m not referring only to Kean and Matuidi, there’s also Alex Sandro and Cagliari have some black players too.

“Racism is linked to the person – what does a celebration have to do with the chanting? Absolutely nothing. If the referee thinks a player is provoking the fans then he can go to Kean and warn him.

“But regardless of what happens on the field, these chants shouldn’t exist. I hope the right people do the necessary things so this sort of stuff never happens again.

“The fact that Kean is young doesn’t matter. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it: these things shouldn’t happen because of a celebration.

“You can do what you want and if the referee thinks he has to then he’ll warn you, but celebrating has nothing to do with racism.

“It’s a situation that no one should have to live with and, given this isn’t the first time, I hope that something will change.”

The Norwegian was confirmed as permanent manager at Old Trafford last week after winning 10 of his first 13 league games

David Beckham has backed his former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to succeed as Manchester United’s permanent manager.

The Norwegian was confirmed as United boss on a three-year contract last week, having won 10 of his 13 Premier League games in charge.

And the team’s season has been transformed since the ex-striker replaced Jose Mourinho as manager on December 18.

United now face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final after recovering from 2-0 down to knock out Paris Saint-Germain in one of the club’s greatest European comebacks.

And Beckham has given a vote of confidence to the man who scored the winner when United won Europe’s top prize in 1999 in a miraculous late victory over Bayern Munich.

“It’s great, he has done an incredible job, so he deserves the contract he has got,” Beckham told Sky Sports News, speaking at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“He is loved by the fans and the players and everyone else at the club. He has done a great job and it will continue because real fans love him. It’s great for the club and great for him.”

Beckham has seen his former England team-mate Gareth Southgate make an equally impressive impact in charge of the national team, leading the team to back to back Euro 2020 qualifying wins following last summer’s last-four showing at the World Cup.

“It’s exciting. I was excited when Gareth took over because I think he spent enough time with the players from a very young age,” added the former England captain.

“To see them go into the first team squad and the way they are playing – it is exceptional to see.

“I think it does not matter how old they are – we’ve all talked about age over the years – but when they’ve got the experience they’ve got playing for the teams they play for it does not matter what age they are.

“If they are playing the way they are – it is exciting times.”

Solskjaer celebrated his permanent appointment in winning fashion on Saturday as United made a successful return from the international break. 

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial sealed a 2-1 win over Watford to push the reds into Champions League qualification contention, although Arsenal will regain fourth place should they down Newcastle United on Monday.

The Liverpool boss acknowledged his skipper’s determination and character after the Premier League victory over Southampton

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed Jordan Henderson’s mentality after the midfielder bagged the Reds’ third, and final, goal against Southampton, saying the captain has had “the most difficult job in the last 500 years of football.”

The former Sunderland man was introduced as a second-half substitute on Friday night and his late strike ensured Liverpool moved back to the top of the table with a 3-1 victory.

The goal was Henderson’s first since September 2017 and was undoubtedly a much-needed one for the Liverpool captain, who appears to have dropped down the pecking order at Anfield over the course of the campaign in a crowded midfield.

“That goal meant so much to him and to us,” said manager Jurgen Klopp at the end of the match. 

“He’s just a fantastic boy. He deserves all the praise but he doesn’t get too much of it,” said Klopp.

“Hendo, from my point of view, is a brilliant player. He’s our skipper, he’s a fantastic character. If I had to write a book about Hendo, it would be 500 pages.”

The 28-year-old is one of the few players left from Liverpool’s botched title bid in 2014, which is often remembered for longtime captain and club talisman Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip against Chelsea.

Henderson replaced Gerrard as captain when he left the club a year later and has often had to shoulder the weight of expectation from fans.

“I’m very positive,” said Klopp. “The most difficult job in the last 500 years of football was to replace Steven Gerrard. In the mind of the people it was like ‘if it’s not Stevie, then it’s not good enough’. 

“And he has dealt with that outstandingly well so he can be really proud. Now we have to think of the future and he is a very important part of our team.

“When I came in and thought first about the team, Hendo was a box-to-box player. We made him a No.6 and that’s good.

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“I think it’s helped him a lot to play in different positions. I told him already that that doesn’t mean he will never play as a six again. He thinks it makes sense, and that’s absolutely true. We play different systems. Milly [James Milner] and Hendo were both really pumped up. It helped us a lot.”

Friday’s win ensured Liverpool moved two points clear at the top of the table with just five games left, although Manchester City do have a match in hand on their title-rivals.

Next up for the Merseysiders is the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at Porto, which takes place at Anfield on Tuesday.