Sports Updates

[Edoman]

Lampard tells high-flying Chelsea to be humble as Cole makes title claim

21 November 2020, 


Chelsea boss Frank Lampard told his team to "stay humble" after victory at Newcastle United showed they might be in this season's Premier League title mix.


For a short while at least, the 2-0 win at St James' Park took Chelsea to the top of the table, with an early own goal from Federico Fernandez followed by a Tammy Abraham strike, who was teed up by Timo Werner.


Given their dominance – Chelsea had 78.9 per cent of first-half possession and played 439 passes against a meagre 109 from Newcastle before the break – the only disappointment for Lampard was that his team did not win by a wider margin.


But considering he was without the likes of Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic, it was a highly successful trip to Tyneside for Lampard.
"It's pleasing but I'm not going to get excited about being top of the table for five minutes," he said.
"It's time to stay humble when you go top and know that it's a long, long race."


Lampard's former Chelsea and England midfield colleague Joe Cole believes there is the making of a championship-winning team at the club now.
Speaking on BT Sport, Cole said: "I don't think Frank will thank me, but if you look at that, you're looking at a team of title contenders.


"You add Pulisic and Havertz into the mix and it's an embarrassment of riches. It's been built the right way: the structure that's gone in place, the style of play, the methodology.


"The biggest credit you can pay Frank is you can see his personality on the team – that work ethic, that togetherness, that relentlessness."


Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games now, and in nine matches across all competitions, with their last defeat coming on penalties to Tottenham in the EFL Cup.


There were still elements about the performance at Newcastle that Lampard felt needed work, but he spoke of being impressed by the early penetration behind the home defence.


"I always felt the real danger moments for us could be on transition and counter-attacks, as Timo showed one or two times in the first half and then obviously he showed that for Tammy's goal," Lampard said.


Newcastle carried very little threat, which meant Chelsea at times appeared to ease off.
"I understand players can at times become comfortable. There's little lessons where we can get better," Lampard said.


"We played well in patches and the result is key in these games, because the Premier League is tough, it's relentless.


"I thought they dealt with the challenge of the game very well today, did the lads, so I'm very pleased."

[Edoman]

Tottenham 2-0 Manchester City: Spurs go top as Mourinho beats Guardiola again

21 November 2020, 


Tottenham moved top of the Premier League after strikes from Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso earned them a statement 2-0 victory over Manchester City.


Jose Mourinho celebrated a year in charge of Spurs with a second straight win over old rival Guardiola, who was hoping to mark his new contract with a positive result but has now lost all three of his games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.


Son converted a Tanguy Ndombele pass after five minutes on Saturday and Mourinho's men, who spent much of the intervening time on the back foot, sealed the triumph when Lo Celso beat Ederson with 25 minutes remaining.


Aymeric Laporte had a first-half goal ruled out for City and they are now eight points behind Spurs, who ended Chelsea's brief stint at the top of the table.


Spurs made an excellent start when a lofted ball from Ndombele found Son, who beat the offside trap and took one touch with his right foot before sending a cool finish with his left through the legs of an onrushing Ederson.


Harry Kane had the ball in the net after a superb move involving Son, only to be denied by an offside flag.


Aside from those incidents, City controlled proceedings with Ferran Torres, Rodri and Ruben Dias all forcing routine saves from Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.


The visitors thought they had levelled the contest after 27 minutes when Laporte fired in, only for referee Mike Dean to overturn the goal after viewing the monitor, having found Gabriel Jesus handled Rodri's cross before passing to the defender.


City continued to probe without creating a notable opportunity before a swift Spurs counter-attack saw Kane thread a pass through to Lo Celso, the substitute hitting a fine left-footed finish beyond Ederson just 35 seconds after replacing Ndombele.


Guardiola threw on England duo Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling with 18 minutes left but Lloris saved from Dias late on as Spurs held on for a memorable victory by the same scoreline as they won this fixture in February.

[Edoman]

Villarreal 1-1 Real Madrid: Champions denied despite rare Mariano strike

21 November 2020, 18:07


Real Madrid's LaLiga title defence suffered another early setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Villarreal despite leading for 74 minutes on Saturday.


The champions were without captain Sergio Ramos and star striker Karim Benzema due to injury but were in front after just 107 seconds through Mariano Diaz, back in the line-up for the first time in 18 months.


Mariano's previous start in May 2019 had seen him score twice in a victory over Villarreal, yet his goal - which angered Unai Emery and his players amid confusion over a potential offside - proved only enough for a point this time.


Thibaut Courtois felled Samuel Chukwueze and, after a number of close calls for a defence evidently missing Ramos, Gerard Moreno tucked away the resulting penalty to equalise, keeping Madrid fourth following their humbling at Valencia prior to the international break.

[Edoman]

Bayern Munich 1-1 Werder Bremen: Eggestein helps visitors to deserved point

21 November 2020, 


Bayern Munich dropped points for just the second time this season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Werder Bremen on Saturday.


Maximilian Eggestein's well-worked goal gave the visitors a deserved lead late in the first half before the champions struck back through Kingsley Coman after the hour.


But they were unable to build on their equaliser as a dogged performance from Florian Kohfeldt's men earned a deserved share of the spoils.
Werder travelled to the Allianz Arena having avoided defeat in their previous four outings, though each of those ended in draws.


And, with Bayern having earned 10 consecutive victories coming into this fixture, they would've expected to dominate from the off, rather than give up the best of the first-half chances.


However, only a brilliant Manuel Neuer save denied Josh Sargent from close range early on, before Leonardo Bittencourt volleyed into the side-netting when he might have done better.


The hosts' rhythm was no doubt damaged by the early loss of Theo Hernandez to injury, a blow that saw Leon Goretzka introduced and both Javi Martinez and David Alaba change position.


Werder capitalised on that uncertainty at the back as Sargent burst in behind down the flank being marshalled by Martinez and Alaba, before pulling back for Eggestein to sidefoot home just before half-time.

Milot Rashica should've made it two shortly after the restart, taking too long in a one-on-one situation, prompting Douglas Costa to respond by cracking the bar with a deflected effort.


That marked the start of a spell of long overdue Bayern pressure that finally told when Coman headed in Goretzka's right-wing cross at the back post.


But, despite the introduction of Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry off the bench, Hansi Flick's men struggled to create much of note in the final half-hour.


In fact, only another fine one-handed stop from Neuer prevented the visitors from snatching the win through Sargent with five minutes of normal time remaining.

What does it mean?

Bayern's grip on top spot in the Bundesliga has been loosened by dropped points, with RB Leipzig now able to draw level if they beat Eintracht Frankfurt later on Saturday
Werder, meanwhile, remain in mid-table thanks to a fifth consecutive stalemate.


What's next?

Bayern return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they host Salzburg, while Bremen's next Bundesliga outing is away at Wolfsburg on Friday.

[Edoman]

Midfield king Kante thrills Chelsea boss Lampard

21 November 2020, 


N'Golo Kante is playing like a midfield boss again for Chelsea and Frank Lampard could not be happier for the two-time Premier League winner.


The midfield dynamo, who played a big part in Leicester City's title success before repeating the feat with Chelsea, has shaken off ankle and muscle injury strife to shine this season.


He captained the side in a comfortable 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Saturday, as Chelsea at least briefly went to the top of the table.


It was a frustration to Lampard that Kante missed large part of the 2019-20 campaign, because the manager knows the World Cup winner brings proven quality and valuable experience.


Kante is playing a key role for a Chelsea side that are unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, winning five in a row.
Lampard said: "I'm really, really happy with how he’s playing.


"Last year he missed 50 per cent of the games with injuries, he had a tough time for different reasons and we are working very hard on that to get him as fit and fresh [as possible].


"Now we are managing his training and game time, but his levels of performances are really high."
Lampard sees Kante as not so much an organiser and a disrupter of play, which are clear strengths, but as a footballer with a broad, under-rated range of qualities.


"I keep saying every time I get asked about N'Golo that I have so much faith in him and the top midfield player that he is in world football," said the Chelsea boss. "Not just at breaking up and winning balls back, as we know that is a huge quality of his, but his passing and supporting in midfield and playing in that deeper role now."


Kante made four tackles and three interceptions against Newcastle, which were both team-highs. He played 75 passes - 70 short and five long - and had 93.8 per cent accuracy with his 48 passes inside the Newcastle half.


Such data draws perhaps less attention than the goals and assists Chelsea will also require to sustain a challenge at the top of the table, but Lampard appreciates the significance.


Another title tilt is something that the manager is reluctant to talk about, but should Kante stay fit then it might be a realistic ambition.


Lampard knows Chelsea are better off with the 29-year-old in their team, which is why he has been starting almost every game this term, and the Blues certainly hope the worst of Kante's injury troubles are over.


“I don't want to tempt fate because at the minute he is going well," Lampard said. "We have had a better period of him to get him in a place where we are really happy."


For Chelsea, it is a case of ensuring Kante does not over-stretch himself.


Nobody ran further in Chelsea's team than Kante's 11.33 kilometres at St James' Park, and the impact of his exertions is closely monitored.


"We're very aware and we keep check on his training and his numbers and how much distance he travels, because every time you train and allow him off the leash in training he makes ridiculous output because that’s the way he plays," Lampard said.


"We are very careful with that and at the minute we are in a good place and hopefully that continues."

[Edoman]

Tottenham are the biggest Premier League contenders right now" - Pep Guardiola







Manchester city manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted that Jose Mourinho's side, Tottenham are favorites to win the English Premier league and shouldn't be taken lightly.
 
Pep Guardiola made the comment after Tottenham inflicted a 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday November 21.

Since arriving at City in 2016, Guardiola has helped the club win two Premier League titles .


The other two titles were won by Chelsea by seven points in 2016-17 and Liverpool by 18 last season but Guardioal feels this may be the most open title race since his arrival in England.
 
City sit 11th in the table, eight points behind league leaders Spurs but have played one less game.
 
With just 10 goals scored through eight league games, this is City's worst return.
 
"They are top of the league. So obviously they are more contenders than anyone else right now," Guardiola said in a news conference.


"Of course, there are a lot of points to play for, we're eight points down, we have one game less, but there are a lot of teams in front of us. We have to start winning games, if not that will not be possible, we know it.

 We have to try to win games, we know it.
"In terms of the game, I think we are not far away, but we struggle to score the goals right now, and it is not about particularly for one person or the other one. 

That is the reality, 10 goals...is not good enough."
"Well, the first year, I remember Chelsea yeah, in the beginning it was so tight, but in the end they take the advantage.


 The second season, and the third, and the fourth, it was so clear for City two times and Liverpool once," he said.


"This looks like [the most open title race], but again it is nine [sic] games I think we have played so still a lot to play.


"We will see, you know playing a lot of games this season how it is going to happen. We will see."
?????

[Edoman]

EPL: Mourinho speaks on winning title as Tottenham go top


 
on
 November 22, 2020



Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, has insisted his team is not equipped to win the title.



Spurs are top of the Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s matches, following their 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Saturday.



Heung-Min Son opened scoring early in the game, before Giovani Lo Celso sealed maximum points after coming off the bench in the second half.


Mourinho is, however, refusing to get carried away with their good form.

“It feels good [to be top], but maybe tomorrow we are second again and honestly that would not be a problem for me, I am just happy with the evolution.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/11/21/laliga-zidane-takes-decision-on-varane-leaving-real-madrid-for-man-utd/][/url]
“People cannot expect us to come here and after one season we are fighting for the title.


“We are not fighting for the title, we are just fighting to win every match,” Mourinho told reporters.

[Edoman]

Juventus clear air on Ronaldo leaving Serie A club next year


 
on
 November 22, 2020



Juventus sporting director, Fabio Paratici, has dismissed reports linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a move away in 2021, insisting the forward will see out his contract at the club.


Ronaldo’s contract runs until summer 2022, though it is claimed Juve are planning to cash-in on the 35-year-old at the end of this season.


They are believed to be concerns over his age, coupled with his huge salary and the club’s financial problems were said to be factors behind the Serie A giants considering his sale.

Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester United have all been linked with Ronaldo.
But Paratici said: “His future is with us, I can assure you.

[url=https://dailypost.ng/2020/11/21/newcastle-vs-chelsea-lampard-singles-out-two-players-after-2-0-victory/][/url]
“There are transfer rumours every day and players that are linked with different clubs but we don’t pay much attention to that.”

[Edoman]

Champions League: Lampard reveals when next Havertz could play for Chelsea

 
on
 November 23, 2020



Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, believes Kai Havertz will be in contention to face Rennes in the Champions League on Tuesday, after missing two weeks with the coronavirus.


The 21-year-old got a positive test shortly before the last Champions League clash with the Ligue 1 side and has been in self-isolation.


It is understood that Havertz has been training at home on an exercise bike after recovering from mild symptoms associated with the virus.

Despite his training being disrupted, Havertz could be set to feature as Blues seek qualification for the knockout phase with a win at Roazhon Park.


“I hope he is available. He’s been in for two, three days training doing some individual work and he looks pretty good,” Lampard said of Havertz after his side’s 2-0 win away at Newcastle.

“Kai is a naturally fit boy. I hope to have him travelling with us to Rennes on Tuesday. Maybe get some minutes. I’m not sure how many because it was two-week isolation but he looks in good shape.”

[Edoman]

[b]Barcelona's Pique Out For 3-5 Months With Knee Injury In Atletico Defeat

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique will be out for a reported three to five months with knee ligament injuries.[/b]

Pique, 33, sprained the internal lateral ligament in his right knee and suffered a partial injury to the anterior cruciate ligament during Saturday's defeat by Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona will also be without defender Sergi Roberto for two months after he ruptured a thigh muscle.

The 1-0 loss was Barca's third in eight La Liga games, leaving them 10th

.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55034059

[Edoman]

Giroud prepared for January decision amid 'worrying' situation at Chelsea

22 November 2020, 


Olivier Giroud is worried about his lack of playing time at Chelsea and admits he will have to make a decision over his future in January if the situation does not change.


Striker Giroud has yet to start a Premier League game for Frank Lampard's side this season, instead restricted to four substitute appearances in the competition.


The France international was also on the periphery of the first team in the previous campaign, though did become more involved when the action resumed following the coronavirus-enforced break.


However, the signing of Timo Werner – coupled with the continued presence of Tammy Abraham in the squad – has increased the competition at Chelsea, leaving the 34-year-old facing a dilemma.
Giroud still believes he can contribute but, looking ahead to the delayed Euro 2020 tournament next year, has raised concerns over his lack of playing time.


"Even if some people talk about my age, I still feel very good physically. I have a lot of desire and freshness, and what makes a career last is also the head," Giroud said in an interview with Telefoot.


"We would like things to be a little easier, but we are built in adversity. And as my buddy [Laurent] Koscielny often says, 'I am the best when I am back against the wall'.


"It's worrying. I thought I still had a role to play at Chelsea, but my playing time is getting reduced a lot. It's going to have to change, or else make a decision.


"I am clear-headed about my situation - I will have to make a decision in January. I hope to make the right one, as I have always done"


Giroud has played just 36 minutes in the league so far in the 2020-21 campaign, during which his only start came in the EFL Cup defeat away to Tottenham in September.


He still remains a key component for the world champions under Didier Deschamps, scoring twice in last week's 4-2 victory over Sweden in the final round of Nations League fixtures.


Deschamps discussed the former Arsenal frontman's future during the November international break, telling RTL: "Olivier Giroud knows it - the situation he's in today cannot drag on forever. Before March he will have to find another situation than this one."


David Beckham's Inter Miami have been linked with a move for Giroud, while Inter were rumoured to be interested in bringing him to Serie A back in January.

[Edoman]

Klopp hails Firmino for 'super game' as Liverpool forward stars

23 November 2020


Jurgen Klopp praised Roberto Firmino for a "super game" after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League.


Firmino headed in the sealer at Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool extended their unbeaten league run at home to a club record 64 games.


Often criticised, Firmino scored his second goal of the season and the Brazilian's 48 passes, 41 successful passes and six shots were the most he has managed in any Premier League game this campaign.


Klopp hailed the forward and said he was pleased to see the 29-year-old also get on the scoresheet, heading in James Milner's 86th-minute corner.
"We were really happy and relieved. He deserved it so much. He played a super game, he played a super game and was so important for us again," the Liverpool manager told a news conference.


"You could see in the face of all the players when he scored that everybody thought, 'Yes, exactly the right goalscorer'."


Firmino's goal came after Diogo Jota doubled Liverpool's lead following Jonny Evans' 21st-minute own goal.


Klopp was proud of his players for setting a club record with their unbeaten league run at home, but said it was something he would reflect on at another time.


"Look, my problem is that in the moment I spoke so much about football, I have so much to think about how we can play the next game and things like this," he said.


"So, it doesn't feel it. Maybe it's not right but there will be a moment, for sure, in the future when I think back – and hopefully it will be a different number and not only 64.


"It's absolutely incredible, but it's all about the boys. It's really difficult to achieve something like this but when you think about how tight a lot of games were then it doesn't happen just like this. You have to really dig in for that and the boys did that.


"I said it a few times before, we really enjoy playing here. It's our ground, it's our home, everything feels home – even when the people are not here. It doesn't feel right but we have to do it and we are happy that we can play.


"So, what the boys put out there on the pitch performance-wise is absolutely incredible and it's the only reason for the number. Obviously it's pretty tricky and pretty difficult to set records for this incredible club because our fathers or grandfathers, they were obviously pretty good.


 So having this record now, I'm happy for the players but it doesn't feel like a big moment, to be honest, because we play on Wednesday and that's actually my only concern at the moment."

[Edoman]

Ibrahimovic even better than he was 10-12 years ago – Gattuso

23 November 



Napoli head coach Gennaro Gattuso believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic is better now than he was 10 to 12 years ago following his match-winning display for Milan.


Ibrahimovic scored twice as Milan returned to the top of the Serie A standings with a 3-1 win over 10-man Napoli on Sunday.


Evergreen Milan star Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to score at least 10 goals in the first eight Serie A matchdays, the 39-year-old surpassing Lazio's Silvio Piola (29 years old in 1942-43) for the record.


Ibrahimovic – who struck in the 20th and 54th minutes before hobbling off – also matched Gunnar Nordahl for second-most Serie A goals from the first eight games played of a season by a Milan player, only adrift of Marco Van Basten (12 in 1992-93).


Gattuso played alongside Ibrahimovic at Milan between 2010-12 – the pair helping the Rossoneri to their last Scudetto in 2011 – and the former hailed the veteran.

"Milan believe firmly in Ibra, they believe 100 per cent in what they are doing," Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia. "He seems I think even stronger now than he was 10, 12 years ago.


"They put the crosses in because they know he'll get on the end of them. What we did today was create lots of chances and not believe in them fully.


"It's about mentality. Football is about helping each other out, clubbing together, having a kind, reassuring word for your team-mate when they're struggling.


"There are too many people who act like professors, who want to teach you everything. This hurts me."


Milan, two points clear of high-flying Sassuolo, have collected at least 20 points from the first eight matchdays for the second time in the three points for a win era – the Italian powerhouse also achieved the feat in 2003-04 as they went on to secure the Scudetto.


Napoli are six points off the pace in sixth position, having lost two of their past three Serie A fixtures.

[Edoman]

Conte demands comeback kings Inter find their ferocity

22 November 2020, 


Antonio Conte did not spare his Inter side from criticism despite a fine 4-2 comeback win over Torino and accused them of going backwards from last season.


Marco Giampaolo's struggling side deservedly led at the break at San Siro, thanks to Simone Zaza's splendid strike and former Inter wing-back Cristian Ansaldi doubling Torino's advantage with a 62nd-minute penalty.


From that point, Romelu Lukaku inspired a stunning turnaround, creating a goal for Alexis Sanchez before tapping in his team-mate's low cross in the 67th-minute.


The Belgium striker dispatched a penalty of his own six minutes from time and laid on for substitute Lautaro Martinez to complete the scoring.


Nevertheless, it was an abject first hour that commanded most of Conte's attention at the post-match news conference.


"Our approach wasn't the best, I didn't like what I saw," he said. "We should have been more ferocious and determined. Torino played in this fashion and we lost many duels.


"I understand there are difficulties relating to players returning from international duty, it isn't easy to get back into the swing of things and understand the importance of a match.


"We were lacking in this regard: during the first part of the game, we were lacking a competitive edge and ruthlessness. In the second half, however, we showed that we have something big in our locker, including in terms of our character: being 2-0 down could have destroyed us.


"It wasn't easy, and I'd like to compliment the guys on the reaction they displayed. We managed to score four goals and fight back, but we need to show a ruthless side at the right time.


"We also need to work hard to raise our concentration levels. Compared to how we finished last season, we've lost a lot of this, so we need to find that ferocity again."


Inter are a point behind champions Juventus and three shy of surprise leaders Sassuolo in a congested Serie A.


It is unlikely they would be so well placed without the exploits of Lukaku who now has 30 goals in 43 top-flight games for Inter. Only Brazil great Ronaldo (41 games) and Christian Vieri (43) have reached the landmark as swiftly, putting him in esteemed company.


After the game Lukaku told reporters the Nerazzurri are still not a "top team" - an assessment with which Conte concurred.
"I'm happy that Romelu has said those things, because we shouldn't pay attention to outside voices but follow our own path," he said.


"We need to have a desire to win that can be felt by our opponents even in the changing rooms. We've got a solid and intelligent group,
"I fully agree with what Romelu said. We've still got a long way to go to become a top team because in twelve games you shouldn't be forced to come from behind so often."

[Edoman]

Arsenal reopen negotiations with Nigerian youngster Folarin Balogun for a new contract








Arsenal have reportedly reopened talks with Nigerian youngster Folarin Balogun over a new contract for the striker to remain at the club. 
 
The 19-year-old striker's deal expires in June and he was the subject of summer interest to several clubs including Championship sides, Brentford and Sheffield United. 
 
Brentford saw a £5million bid rejected by Arsenal and Sheffield United were interested in the summer, with Chris Wilder open about his desire to sign him.
 
But in the end, the Blades went for Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster instead.
 
The teenager made his first-team debut as a substitute in the 3-0 win at home to Dundalk in the Europa League last month, and boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly determined to keep hold of him.
 
He is just months away from becoming a free agent, but The Athletic have reported that Arsenal chiefs have re-opened contract talks with the 18-year-old.
 
Balogun, who is widely regarded as one of Arsenal’s best young talents, was born in the United States to Nigerian parents.

[Edoman]

[b]Messi Left Out Of Barcelona's 19-Man UCL Squad For Trip To Dynamo Kiev

Barcelona have left Lionel Messi out of their 19-man squad to face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday.[/b]

The Argentine played the full 90 minutes of Barca's 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid on Saturday, but was not included in the list of players who will travel to the Ukraine for the Group G match.

Manager Ronald Koeman advised he has decided to rest Messi and midfielder Frenkie de Jong for the European tie because they are in a good position in their group but are struggling in 12th place in LaLiga.

The club cannot afford another injury after Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto joined Ansu Fati and Samuel Umtiti in the long-term absentee list.

The superstar forward is due a rest after missing just 45 minutes of action in total for Barca this season and played all of both Argentina's games against Paraguay and Peru last week.

Source: Lionel Messi LEFT OUT of Barcelona's 19-man Champions League squad for trip
to Dynamo Kiev7 hours ago

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8977633/amp/Lionel-Messi-LEFT-Barcelonas-19-man-Champions-League-squad-trip-Dynamo-Kiev.html

[Edoman]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic slams EA Sports for using his 'name and face in FIFA 21 without his knowledge or permission'







39-year-old AC Milan star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken to social media to vent at EA sports, makers of the FIFA 21 game franchise, alleging his image was included in the hugely popular video game without his permission.
 
According to Zlatan he is not a member of FIFpro, the professional body that all professional footballers belong too, and someone is making money off him without his knowledge.
 
On Monday night, Zlatan made a social media rant saying it is “time to investigate”.
“Who gave FIFA EA Sport permission to use my name and face? @FIFPro?” he wrote on Twitter.
“I’m not aware to be a member of Fifpro and if I am I was put there without any real knowledge through some weird maneuver.
“And for sure I never allowed @FIFAcom or Fifpro to make money using me.
“Somebody is making profit on my name and face without any agreement all these years. Time to investigate”
 
        
Tottenham forward Gareth Bale also weighed in on the debate, saying on Twitter: “@Ibra_official Interesting... what is @FIFPro ? #TimeToInvestigate.”
 
Earlier this year EA Sports announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with AC Milan which commenced with the launch of FIFA 21 this October.
 
The agreement sees the Italian giants feature exclusively in FIFA 21 – meaning the game boasts all-encompassing access to the AC Milan players, kits, training grounds and stadium. 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Man Utd boss Ole Gunnaer Solskjaer admits concerns over mental health of his players







Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken in favour of increased matchday squads, saying players mental health could be affected when they are not included in the match day squad.

Solskjaer's team will face Istanbul Basaksehir in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday  November 24, and he can now make up to five substitutes, which cuts down the chances of players becoming fatigued.
 
 He is also able to select a larger matchday squad than is allowed in the Premier League.
 
Even though the increased number of matchday squads allowed in Europe give managers more options in tactics, Solskjaer believes that the players benefit mentally from being involved compared to if they stayed at home.


"So I like the five subs, I also like the size of the squads because the players feel involved, especially during lockdown,” Solskjaer said.


 “Sometimes if you're told you're not in the squad you've got to stay at home and you can't go and see your friend or see the game with a friend. 


“That's another mental welfare that we have to look after with the players, so Champions League, I like it.”
 
United occupy top spot in Champions League Group H ahead of Tuesday’s game, but Solksjaer has admitted he wants to get red star midfielder Bruno Fernandes at some stage as the club will play 11 games in December.


"Bruno is not going to be able to play every single game, that's for sure,” Solskjaer said.
 “So when he only played one-and-a-half games with Portugal during the international break I was very happy."
 

[Edoman]

Champions League fixtures: Date, standings, kick-off time of match-day 4


 
on
 November 24, 2020



Here are the Champions League match-day four fixtures, date, standings and kick-off time.


The Champions League is well underway with the biggest teams across Europe all in action this week.
Champions Bayern Munich will be the team to beat after they defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the 2019/2020 Champions League final in Lisbon back in August.


Bayern, Borussia Monchengladbach, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Dortmund, Barcelona and Man United top Group A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H respectively.

Here are all of the confirmed matches, date and kick-off time and group standings:
Tuesday, 24th November:
Rennes vs Chelsea – 6.55pm
FK Krasnodar vs Sevilla – 6.55pm
Juventus vs Ferencvaros – 9 pm
Manchester United vs Istanbul Basaksehir- 9 pm
PSG vs RB Leipzig – 9 pm
Borussia Dortmund vs Club Brugge – 9pm
Lazio vs Zenit St Petersburg – 9 pm
Dynamo Kiev vs Barcelona – 9 pm.

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Wednesday, 25th November:
Olympiakos vs Manchester City – 6:55 pm
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Shakhtar Donetsk- 6.55pm
Marseille vs FC Porto – 9pm
Ajax vs FC Midtjylland – 9pm
Liverpool vs Atalanta – 9 pm
Inter Milan vs Real Madrid – 9 pm
Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow – 9pm
Bayern Munich vs RB Salzburg – 9 pm.

[Edoman]

Messi told me he was screwed when I rejected Barca'- Antoine Griezmann







Barcelona and France striker, Antonie Griezmann has revealed that his initial decision to reject a transfer to Barcelona in 2018 angered superstar footballer, Lionel Messi.
 
Despite recent controversies painting a negative relationship between Messi amd Griezmann, Messi spoke positively about Griezmann joining the club in 2018, and the Frenchman has admitted the pair had a long conversation when he eventually joined the club.
"When I signed for the club I asked for forgiveness for delaying the move and saying I wouldn’t join Barcelona," Griezmann told Jorge Valdano on the latest edition of Universo Valdano. "I told Lionel Messi that I would give everything on the pitch for the club.
 
"I spoke with Leo when I arrived and he told me that when I turned down the first chance to go, he was screwed because he had asked for it publicly, but he told me he was with me and I notice it every day.“
          
Griezmann's former agent Eric Olhats and uncle Emmanuel Lopes have caused controversy by saying Griezmann has a negative relationship with Messi but the striker says he has no relationship with both men .
"He (Olhats) was very important in my life but I don’t have a relationship with him anymore,” Griezmann said.
“I stopped having any relationship with him since the day I got married. I invited him to the wedding day, and he didn’t come. That’s why I stopped having a relationship with him. 
“My uncle doesn’t know how football works. And in the end, the journalist ended up getting the statement out of him. I told Leo that I never speak to them, in fact, I don’t even have my uncle’s phone number. 
“My parents don’t talk to Eric either, so who is going to talk to him? He can do a lot of damage, and create problems in the dressing room.”
 
Barcelona are struggling in La Liga, where they sit in 13th in the table - 12 points behind leaders Real Sociedad, albeit with two games in hand.