Sports Updates

[Edoman]

LaLiga: Dani Alves reveals what Messi needs, Barcelona’s problem after losing title to Real Madrid

 July 18, 2020


A former Barcelona right back, Dani Alves, has revealed that captain Lionel Messi needs more support at Camp Nou.


Alves who now plays for São Paulo in the Brazilian league, also said that the present Barcelona squad lacks identity on the pitch like ‘Ronaldinho’s Barca’.
The Brazil captain stated this while reacting to Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Osasuna that saw Real Madrid being crowned La Liga champions on Thursday.


“What this Barça lacks is the identity it has always had, like Ronaldinho’s Barça, our Barça. The identity of a team that dominates for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, or 150 minutes,” Alves told Catalunya Radio.


[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/07/18/laliga-setien-reacts-to-messis-comments-speaks-on-resigning-as-barcelona-manager/][/url]
“Barça are there for people to enjoy. Now what I see, from the outside, is that Barça are just another team. They used to have an understanding throughout the team and made things look easy.


“Leo is a natural winner. He doesn’t like losing. When the team loses it’s normal, he gets angry, he always wants to win, just like me. We always want to win.


“He sees what I feel, and that’s a lack of support. I’ll always say that Messi is the main course and we were the perfect ingredients for that plate. Now I have the feeling that he’s doing everything, all the time, and we must remember he’s only human.”

[Edoman]

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury bump into each other while holidaying in Marbella (photo)




                          


World Heavyweight boxing champions, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury bumped into each other while holidaying in Marbella on Saturday, July 17.
 
The British boxers who are set to go toe-to-toe in an all-British heavyweight unification clash next year, came face-to-face just before Fury flew out of the holiday resort following his son Prince Tyson Fury II's dinosaur-themed fourth birthday party.
 

 
An elated Joshua took to his Instagram page to share the photo showing Fury looking through the window of his Land Rover while Joshua stood looking wearing a facemask.
He captioned the post: "Sweeeeeeeeeeeet Caroline!! Ohhhh ohhh ohhhhh."
 

 
Meanwhile fans commenting on Joshua's page couldn't resist talk of a potential fight between both fighters.

See some comments below.
 

[Edoman]

Eden Hazard reveals most trying season of his career


 July 19, 2020



Real Madrid forward, Eden Hazard, has insisted that the 2019/20 season was the worst campaign of his career so far despite winning the La Liga title.
Hazard, who joined Real Madrid from Chelsea last summer, missed a lot of games for the Los Blancos due to injury.

The Belgium international, however, hope that next season would be better.

“I have surely had the worst season of my career,” Hazard told France Info.


“Certainly there have been injuries, but I hope next year will be better.


“Although this year has not been a great year for me, to come here and win the La Liga title in the first year, I could not have wished for more.


“This year, we won this title as a team, because I, at an individual level, have surely had the worst season of my career.”


Meanwhile, Hazard, who is still not fit, was skipped by Manager, Zinedine Zidane, for the teams final La Liga clash against Leganes on Sunday night.

[Edoman]

Chelsea humiliates Manchester United 3-1 to reach FA Cup final against Arsenal (Photos/tweets)




                               


It was a bad day for goalkeeper David de Gea and Manchester United.
Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday night to book their place in the FA Cup final to play Arsenal .

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring just before the half-time whistle as a David de Gea howler from Mason Mount’s effort and a Harry Maguire own goal made it a terrible evening for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side at Wembley.

During the final few minutes, Bruno Fernandes was able to score from the penalty spot, with a goal that proved to only be a mere consolation.


The Blues worked harder, looked fitter were tactically more sound, profoundly acute on the ball and were great value for their win in Sunday night's semi-final.


Manchester United Goalkeeper De Gea was so bad that fans clamored for his immediate removal from the team. See reactions and more photos below.

 
 

[Edoman]

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Jay Jay Okocha: See new list of the 30 greatest free-kick takers of all time




                           


Football fans have voted the top 30 best freekick takers in the history of the sport.
 
In the list, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked higher than his rival Lionel Messi, while African football legend, Jay Jay Okocha is the only African on the list.
 

 
While Messi has scored five goals from free kick this season, Ronaldo still leads the way in terms of career totals from free kicks at 55 vs 53 for Messi.
 
The voting list named 'Best Free Kick Takers in Football' is organized by thetoptens.com and allows supporters to vote on the players they think are the greatest free-kick takers of all time.
 
See the top 30 best free-kick takers list below.
30. Leighton Baines
29. Gareth Bale
28. Miralem Pjanic
27. Wayne Rooney
26. Jay Jay Okocha
25. Juan Roman Riquelme
24. Alex 
23. Diego Forlan
22. Thierry Henry
21. Rivaldo
20. Robin van Persie
19. Memphis Depay
18. Ryan Giggs
17. Wesley Sneijder 
16. Juan Arango
15. Zico
14. Shunsuke Nakamura 
13. Gheorghe Hagi
12. Pierre van Hooijdonk
11. Steven Gerrard
10. Alessandro del Piero
9. Sinisa Mihajlovic
8. Lionel Messi           
7. Andrea Pirlo
6. Ronaldinho
5. Diego Maradona
4. Roberto Carlos
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. David Beckham
1. Juninho Pernambucano
 

[Edoman]

Mikel Obi’s Exit Cost Trabzonspor League Title – Turkish Fans

Trabzonspor fans say the sacking of Mikel Obi in March led to the team’s championship loss to Istanbul Başakşehir.

The team were top of the table before the Turkish Super Lig and sporting activities were suspended in Turkey due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Mikel was an integral part of the squad but his contract was terminated after he called for the suspension of the league due to the COVID-19 outbreak, stating that it was “unsafe” for football to continue during such crisis.

Trabzonspor lost only two of the 19 league matches Mikel was involved in.

In the wake of Başakşehir’s first Super Lig title win, fans took to Twitter to call out the team’s management for their poor handling of the issue, stating that Trabzonspor were a better team when the Nigerian was around and could have won the title.

“This is what happens when you bring politics to sports. We did not have enough staff depth. The substitute player could not perform the same performance. Especially the substitutes for Mikel, his departure weakened the team,” @ozylmza61 tweeted.

“Trabzonspor lost the championship due to the ego of the management. When the success came, the ego was swollen. They made two big mistakes. First was sending an experienced coach like Hikmet Karaman away, and the other was terminating Mikel’s contract,” Samet Özdemir, a Trabzonspor fan, tweeted.

“The management made the dream fly away because they could not hold on to Mikel. We won most of the matches he played in and he played very well,” İrfan Bayrak wrote on Twitter.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/mikels-exit-cost-trabzonspor-league-title-turkish-fans/%3famp=1

[Edoman]

Super Eagles player, Samuel Kalu tests positive for Coronavirus







Super Eagles player and Bordeaux forward, Samuel Kalu has tested positive for Coronavirus. 
 
AFP reported that Kalu who has been in quarantine in France, was the unnamed player announced by the club to have contracted COVID-19 on July 6. 
 
He has reportedly missed the team’s training sessions since the opening of camp and might be left out of some of the club’s pre-season games. He is expected to rejoin the rest of the squad on July 27, if his test returns negative.
 
This is coming after Super Eagles player and Genk striker, Paul Onuachu recovered from the disease. 

by

[Edoman]

Karim Benzema Voted La Liga Best Player Ahead Of Messi 


Karim Benzema voted La Liga best player of the season ahead Messi


- Karim Benzema scored staggering 21 goals at the just concluded La Liga season

- The Real Madrid striker has been voted La Liga's best player of the season by fans

- Benzema edges Lionel Messi at the poll despite the Argentine winning the Pichichi with 25 goals

Karim Benzema has been voted the best player of the just concluded La Liga season according to fans as the Frenchman scored 21 goals to help Real Madrid win their first title in three years.

And the Frenchman picked up 37% of the vote compared to Messi’s 31% despite that the Argentine the season with the Pichichi trophy after his 25 goals, while he also registered 21 assists.

Those 21 assists broke a La Liga record which had previously been set by former teammate Xavi.

Ronaldo Delima tops list of highest goalscorers at 21 for club and country (see where Messi and Ronaldo are)

https://www.legit.ng/1349393-karim-benzema-voted-la-liga-player-season-messi.html

[Edoman]

He is extraordinary'- Juventus coach Sarri heaps praise on Cristiano Ronaldo after he becomes quickest player to score 50 Serie A goals




                                 


Juventus manager, Maurizio Sarri has hailed superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo after the footballer broke another record by becoming the quickest player to reach 50 goals in Serie A.
 
The Portuguese scored twice within three minutes against Lazio to help his club's quest to clinch the Serie A after he converted a penalty and then scored from a swift counter attack following a pass from Paulo Dybala in the 2-1 victory.
 
The brace took him to 51 Serie A goals in total but he became the quickest to reach half a century, doing so in just 61 league games.
 
Former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko previously held the record by getting to 50 goals in 68 games, while Brazilian Ronaldo reached the 50 mark in 70 appearances.
 

 
Sarri praising Ronaldo, said;
“When Cristiano smells blood… He’s extraordinary, as he recovers so quickly between games,’ Sarri said to Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s not just physical, but psychological.
“He could be someone who uses up so much energy in each game, but he recovers it every time and he’s world class in the mind as well as the legs.”
 
Ronaldo also became the first player to score at least 50 goals in the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A.
 
His 51 goals in Italy go alongside his 84 in the English Premier League, and 311 in LaLiga make Ronaldo's feats look supernatural. The star player, however, played down his achievements.
“Records are always important, but the most important thing is that the team wins,” Ronaldo said.
“We are a phenomenal team and we showed that again today, although we always want to improve and raise the bar.”

b

[Edoman]

[b]Ronaldo Becomes First Player To Score At Least 50 Goals In 3 Different Leagues

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score 50 goals in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League as his double against Lazio put Juventus on the brink of the Serie A title.[/b]

Juve are eight points clear of Inter Milan and need four points to clinch a ninth consecutive title.

Ronaldo opened the scoring with a penalty and tapped in a second from Paulo Dybala's pass.

Ciro Immobile scored a penalty to pull one back for fourth-placed Lazio.

Ronaldo and Immobile are joint top scorers in Serie A with 30 goals each. Portugal captain Ronaldo is bidding to become the first Juve player to win the Serie A golden boot since Alessandro del Piero in 2007-08.

Ronaldo's record in Europe's top leagues
Premier League: 84 goals in 196 appearances for Manchester United

La Liga: 311 goals in 292 appearances for Real Madrid

Serie A: 51 goals in 61 appearances for Juventus

Juventus - who had failed to win in their previous three games - now only need four points in their last four games to seal the first league title of manager Maurizio Sarri's career.

Ronaldo was the difference between the teams. The 35-year-old scored a penalty awarded by the video assistant referee after a Bastos handball to make it 1-0.

He then finished off a two-on-one after being unselfishly set up by Dybala.

Juve looked in control and Ronaldo hit the crossbar with a header as he searched for a hat-trick, but they ended up hanging on when Leonardo Bonucci brought down Immobile, who scored from the spot.

Ronaldo is only the third Juve player ever to score 30 goals in a Serie A season, while Immobile is the fifth Italian to reach that landmark.

The pair have also equalled the record of penalties scored in a Serie A season with 12, level with Lazio's Giuseppe Signori in 1995-96.

Ronaldo is the fastest player to score 50 goals in Serie A this century, with 61 appearances. His second goal was his 51st.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53421439

[Edoman]

EPL Title: Chelsea have ‘long way’ to compete with Liverpool, Man City – Lampard


 July 21, 2020



Chelsea gaffer, Frank Lampard, has insisted that his team has a long way to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Chelsea presently sits in third on the Premier League log.


Lampard’s men will tackle Liverpool on Wednesday in the Premier League.


The Blues need to beat the Reds, as they need a win against the Reds to secure UEFA Champions League football next season.


When asked how far Chelse had to go to compete with Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City, Lampard told a pre-match press conference on Tuesday: “A long way.


“We have to be realistic about that as a club because Liverpool and Manchester City, particularly Liverpool this season, have shown an incredible consistency that only comes through hard work and time with fantastic players and fantastic coaching.


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“You are talking about probably the two best teams in world football, up there with a couple of others in European football.


“The points do not lie over the past few seasons, but we have targets, and we want to close that gap,” Lampard said.

[Edoman]

EPL: Chelsea set conditions to complete Kai Havertz transfer

 July 21, 2020



Chelsea will make a formal bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz when their Champions League qualification is confirmed, ESPN reports.


The Blues are confident of securing a deal in the region of £70-£75 million, despite Leverkusen demanding closer to £90m.


However, negotiations are yet to begin, but Havertz is believed to be keen on joining the Premier League side this summer and the club expects an agreement to be reached.


The 21-year-old has verbally agreed to a four/five-year contract with Chelsea.


Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, on Tuesday refused to be drawn on Havertz during his press conference ahead of their Premier League trip to Liverpool, where they can secure Champions League qualification with a win.


“I’m not talking about Kai Havertz. I’ve said before, he is a player of another team,” Lampard said.

[Edoman]

Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Arteta reveals why Gunners lost 1-0


 July 22, 2020


Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has said he is not disappointed by their 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Tuesday night.


According to him, his team came into the match after “a very emotional and physically demanding week” in which they beat Liverpool and Manchester City.


Arteta saw his side’s quest to qualify for the Europa League via the Premier League all but end, following a shock loss against their relegation-threatened hosts.
Trezeguet scored the only goal in the first half, as Villa boosted their chances of survival.


Arteta told reporters after the game: “This is football, every game is completely different.


“First of all congratulate Villa for their performance and win.
“For us it has been a very emotional and physically demanding week. We tried everything.”

[Edoman]

Niko Kovac unveiled as new coach of Monaco (Photos)







Former Bayern Munich boss, Niko Kovac has been unveiled as the new Monaco manager.

Kovac, who was sacked by the German champions in November 2019, replaces Robert Moreno, who was dismissed after Monaco finished ninth in Ligue 1.

The Croatian had his first press conference as their new head coach on Wednesday, July 22, and promised to introduce 'intense' football at the French club. 

Kovac said: 'I play an intensive style of football. It requires being in good shape to be able to practice it. 

'I have had the opportunity to participate in a lot of pre-seasons in my career and I know that it is important to be in good shape physically, of course, but also technically and tactically. 
'We will have to use every day over the next five weeks to work on these aspects in an optimal way. 
'It will take a lot of drive and hard work for our first game in August and we will do everything possible to be in the best possible shape.'

Monaco's vice-president, Oleg Petrov hailed the appointment which he says represents the club's ambition.  

'The arrival of Niko is a strong choice - it demonstrates our ambition,' he said at a news conference on Tuesday.
'It also demonstrates our willingness to do our utmost to achieve our goal, which is to make AS Monaco a successful club.
 
'It is an important change, one that is assumed, and aligned with the strategy of the club.' 
 
Kovac won the Bundesliga and German Cup in his first season at Bayern before he was then replaced by Hansi Flick.

[Edoman]

Nigeria players Eze and Osayi-Samuel dominate Queens Park Rangers football club end-of-season awards




                            


Nigerian players, Eberechi Eze and Bright Osayi Samuel, have put smiles on the faces of football lovers as they dominated British football club, QPR's end-of-season awards after a fine season in the Championship.
 
Eberechi Eze won three awards as he was named the Players' Player of the Year, the Supporters' Player of the Year and the club Player of the Year while Bright Osayi-Samuel claimed two accolades- the Goal of the Season prize and the Supporters' Young Player of the Year award.
 
Eze is the joint-highest goalscorer for QPR in this campaign with 13 goals and eight assists after 45 league appearances while Osayi-Samuel provided five goals and eight assists in 36 matches this season.
 

Both players played key roles this season for the Championship side and are being lined up for mega moves to bigger clubs.
Congrats to them both.
 
 

[Edoman]

Liverpool lifts Premier League trophy after thrashing Chelsea 5 - 3 at Anfield (Photos)








Champions of England, Liverpool have been presented the Premier League trophy following their 5-3 win against Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday, July 22. 
 
The Jurgen Klopp's side dominated the Premier League this year and won the league with seven games to spare in late June. It took them 28 wins and 86 points to win the title.
 
They were first confirmed champions of Premier League 2019/2020 season after Chelsea defeated Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last month to deny them the chance of defending the title and paving the way for The Reds to get their hands on the title after a 30-year wait. 

Speaking to Sky Sports after his side were crowned champions. Jurgen Klopp said: 'That’s how life is you make the best of what you get. Everything would be better with fans but we’ve known for six months it would not be possible but I didn’t think we’d even do this a few months ago.
 
'I couldn’t be happier, it would be perfect if the stadium would be full but we cannot change it. We do it for them. Everyone celebrates at home, it’s a great moment.'
 
Klopp continues: 'We are champions of england, Europe and the world. I know how that sounds but it’s the truth. We’ve won four trophies, really big ones.
 
'Thank you very much, we should all together celebrate at home, drink celebrate, when this b******* virus is gone we will celebrate together and have a party!'
 
Liverpool F.C. had previously won England's top football league 18 times. The club's last league title win was the 1989-90 season.
 
See more photos below. 

[Edoman]

Liverpool FC Lift Premier League Trophy After 30-Year Wait


Liverpool have lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time after waiting 30 years to win a league title.

Jurgen Klopp's men have finally placed their hands on the silverware nearly a month after they were crowned champions.

The Merseyside club have lifted the trophy after defeating Chelsea 5-3 at Anfield stadium.

Fireworks could be heard outside the ground during the second half of the match as Reds fans eagerly-awaited the trophy presentation.

Supporters were unable to watch the match or enjoy the presentation inside the stadium because of measures introduced to stop the spread of coronavirus.

After the match, Liverpool manager Klopp promised supporters "a party" to celebrate their title success but added "he doesn't know when" it will take place.


Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish was at the stadium to present the trophy to the side's captain Jordan Henderson.

Club manager Klopp then joined with the players in singing the side's anthem You'll Never Walk Alone.

The Reds are one of the most successful teams in English football history having won 19 top-flight titles.

However their success this season marks the first time they have won the Premier League since it was founded in 1992.

Liverpool fans have gathered outside Anfield to celebrate the club's Premier League win despite warnings to stay at home because of the coronavirus outbreak.

A heavy police presence was in force outside the stadium during what was the Reds' final home game of the season.

Police introduced a 48-hour dispersal zone around the ground in anticipation of crowds gathering as the trophy was lifted in the empty stadium.

Much of the stadium was fenced off but by 9.45pm a large group had gathered in the road outside the Kop end with flags and flares.

Police vans lined the road and officers stood in cordons.

Thousands of supporters celebrated outside Anfield last month when the team's first top-flight title in 30 years was confirmed.

Huge numbers gathered at the city's Pier Head the following night, where police reported violent confrontations.

Superintendent Dave Charnock said: "We're aware of the significant impact that anti-social behaviour can have on individuals and communities, and we will be targeting people we suspect of being involved in this type of behaviour in the area.

"To the vast majority of law-abiding members of the community and Liverpool fans, I just want to remind them that this order is not about bothering people going about their legitimate daily business.

"We would like to thank the vast majority of you who are adhering to the restrictions currently in place to protect the wider community as well as those who are continuing to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour and reporting it to us.

"It has never been more important than now to ensure that we all follow Government advice to ensure the safety of those living in Merseyside."

Ahead of the match, police had joined with the club, council and supporters' group Spirit of Shankly to ask people to celebrate at home.

https://news.sky.com/story/liverpool-lift-premier-league-trophy-for-first-time-after-30-year-wait-for-league-title-12034245

[Edoman]

EPL: Lampard told to get rid of Kepa, three others after Chelsea’s 5-3 loss to Liverpool


 July 23, 2020



Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, has advised Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, to get rid of goalkeeper, Kepa Arizzabalaga and his back three defenders, Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and Cesar Azpilicueta following the Blues’ Premier League 5-3 defeat to the Reds on Wednesday night.


Carragher also urged Lampard to sign a new defender this summer transfer window in a bid to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for next season’s Premier League title.

Liverpool defeated Chelsea at Anfield, thanks to goals from Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.


Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic did score for Lampard’s side.


“Chelsea won’t go further unless they change their goalkeeper, Kepa,” Carragher told Sky Sports.


“Going back to how important goalkeepers are I look at this Chelsea team, and there’s a lot I like about it, it does remind me in a lot of ways of the position Jurgen Klopp was in a couple of years ago.

“He’s done as much as he can, yes Frank’s still in his early stages, but those big signings can completely transform you as a team.


“I still think Chelsea need a defender. You see how many goals they’ve conceded. I think a lot of that is down to the goalkeeper being totally honest.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/07/23/epl-lampard-speaks-on-chelsea-failing-to-qualify-for-champions-league-after-liverpool-loss/][/url]
“You see a lot of centre-halves at Chelsea without seeing one really outstanding one, those are the areas that if they are going to challenge Liverpool and Man City, they will have to rectify in the summer.

“They are the worst team in the league defending corners. This is a massive problem for Chelsea. Yes, Werner is coming in and the lad from Ajax, there is talk of Havertz as well.


“It sounds great, and it gets supporters excited, but it means nothing if you don’t sort out that back three and certainly that goalkeeper [Kepa].”

[Edoman]

Man Utd vs West Ham: What Solskjaer said about Pogba’s ‘handball’ after 1-1 draw


 July 23, 2020



Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has said Paul Pogba should have taken Declan Rice’s shot “in the mush”, rather than throwing up his hands against West Ham.


Pogba was punished for handball in the area and a penalty was awarded to the Hammers.
Michail Antonio stepped up to give his side the lead with the last kick of the first half.


United levelled in the second half through Mason Greenwood and now need a point against Leicester City on Sunday, to qualify for the Champions League.

Speaking after the game, when Solskjaer was asked about the Pogba incident, he said: “It’s a natural reaction.

“Paul held hands up knowing he should have taken it in the mush. It came flying at him at 100 miles an hour.”
The Red Devils have not secured a top-four finish since 2018.

[Edoman]

Victor Osimhen could be better than Didier Drogba - Emmanuel Amuneke




                                    


Nigeria Football icon, Emmanuel Amuneke, believes Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen could one day become better than African football icon, Didier Drogba.
 
Osimhen has scored 13 goals in 27 matches during his Ligue 1 debut season, and some months ago he was compared to Drogba by Nicolas Penneteau, his former teammate at Belgian club, Sporting Charleroi. 
 
Osimhen is also close to completing a mega move to Italian club Napoli, that will make him Nigeria's most expensive player.
 

 
When quizzed about the comparison with Drogba, Amuneke who coached the Golden Eaglets to U17 World Cup success in Chile five years ago, thinks Osimhen can surpass Chelsea legend Drogba.


“Victor is still young, he has still a long road to reach Didier's level. But, in my opinion, one day he could become even better than him. Maybe, by playing in the Serie A'' Amuneke told Italian website Tuttomercato Web.


“To change championship and country again, after Germany, Belgium and France, will let him experience a new reality and to improve as a man and player.


“It's clear Napoli are one of the most important clubs in Italy with a great history and passionate fans like few others. In my opinion, Osimhen has everything to become an idol to Napoli fans in the next years, he will only need some time to settle down."
 
Amuneke is currenty the sporting director for Egyptian Premier League side El-Makkasa.