Sports Updates

[Edoman]

Leicester City includes Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and 22 others in the club's calendar for 2021 to ensure no one is left out







Leicester City decided to have 24 players included in their calendar for 2021 instead of 12 stars to ensure no one is left out.

The Premier League side usually put 12 players in the club's calendar, but this time they used 24 players with two stars each for every month rather than one. 
 
Super Eagles stars,  Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi were also included. 
 

 
January features goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and defender Wes Morgan. February has Jonny Evans and Daniel Amartey with Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray lined up for March.
 
April sees Cengiz Under alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, while in May Christian Fuchs joins Caglar Soyuncu.

Ricardo Pereira and Timothy Castagne are the faces of June while July features James Justin and Danny Ward. August’s stars are Youri Tielemans and Hamza Choudhury, and September has Jamie Vardy with Wesley Fofana.
 
James Maddison and Marc Albrighton are lined up for October while November’s players are Wilfred Ndidi and Dennis Praet.

Ayoze Perez and Nampalys Mendy end the year next December.
 
Leicester City are currently 4th in the Premier League table.

[Edoman]

Jose Mourinho has brainwashed Tottenham players'- Former Tottenham coach, Tim Sherwood







Tim Sherwood, a former England international and Tottenham coach, says he believes Tottenham manager, Jose Mourinho has ‘brainwashed’ his Tottenham players to believe they can win the English premier League title.
 
Tottenham are contenders in a packed title race this term, and their 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday November 21, increased their title credentials as Mourinho got the better of old rival Pep Guardiola .
 

Mourinho and Guardiola 
 
The north London club were 20 points behind Liverpool in the table when Mourinho was appointed last season.
 
Now, Tottenham are level on 20 points with the champions at the top of the league.
 
Sherwood believes  Tottenham have the belief to be Premier League champions this season, even if Jose Mourinho doesn’t admit it in public.
 
According to Sherwood, star players, Heung Son and Harry Kane who boast an incredible tally of 24 goals and 16 assists between them in all competitions this season are vital to Tottenham's premier league title push.
“He’s found a way with the group of players he has,” the former Tottenham player and manager told talkSPORT Breakfast.


“He’s bought very well, [Sergio] Reguilon has been a good signing at left-back, but [Pierre-Emile] Hojbjerg for me has been the best signing. He fits into the style and just protects the two centre-halves.


“Jose has brainwashed his players to believe they have to work to achieve something – they need to win trophies, this group of players.


“When you play as solid as they do, he’s almost brainwashed them into believing.
“And why wouldn’t you believe in him? He’s won 20 major trophies in his career and you’re winning football matches, so then you start believing that this guy is the real deal, he knows what he’s talking about, and why can’t we win the league?


“When we’ve got players like Son and Kane, who are world-class and could probably play in any team in the world, you’ve always got a chance.


“They haven’t played fantastically well this season, but who cares?”
 
The Premier League winning former Blackburn captain added: “On the back of my medal it doesn’t say: ‘Oh, any by the way we didn’t play well for 24 games’.


“You just go and pick it up at the end of the season, and that’s it!”

[Edoman]

Nominees For The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2020 Revealed 


Shortlists for the player, goalkeeper and coach prizes announced

Public voting via FIFA.com: votes can be cast until 9 December at 23:59 CET

The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2020 takes place on 17 December.

FIFA has revealed the candidates shortlisted for seven of the individual trophies that will be presented at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ ceremony on 17 December 2020.

Two expert panels – one for women’s football and one for men’s football – have selected the candidates for each category.

The nominees are listed below in alphabetical order:

The Best FIFA Women’s Player:
Lucy Bronze (England / Olympique Lyonnais / Manchester City WFC)
Delphine Cascarino (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway / FC Barcelona)
Pernille Harder (Denmark / VfL Wolfsburg / Chelsea FC Women)
Jennifer Hermoso (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Ji So-yun (Korea Republic / Chelsea FC Women)
Sam Kerr (Australia / Chelsea FC Women)
Saki Kumagai (Japan / Olympique Lyonnais)
Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany / Olympique Lyonnais)
Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands / Arsenal WFC)
Wendie Renard (France / Olympique Lyonnais)

The Best FIFA Men’s Player:
Thiago Alcântara (Spain / FC Bayern München / Liverpool FC)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus FC)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City FC)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München)
Sadio Mané (Senegal / Liverpool FC)
Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona)
Neymar (Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain)
Sergio Ramos (Spain / Real Madrid CF)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool FC )
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands / Liverpool FC)

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper:
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Chelsea FC Women)
Sarah Bouhaddi (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
Christiane Endler (Chile / Paris Saint-Germain)
Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden / VfL Wolfsburg / Atlético de Madrid Femenino)
Alyssa Naeher (USA / Chicago Red Stars)
Ellie Roebuck (England / Manchester City WFC)

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper:
Alisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool FC)
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF)
Keylor Navas (Costa Rica / Paris Saint-Germain)
Manuel Neuer (Germany / FC Bayern München)
Jan Oblak (Slovenia / Atlético de Madrid)
Marc-André ter Stegen (Germany / FC Barcelona)

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach:
Lluís Cortés (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Rita Guarino (Italy / Juventus Women)
Emma Hayes (England / Chelsea FC Women)
Stephan Lerch (Germany / VfL Wolfsburg)
Hege Riise (Norway / LSK Kvinner)
Jean-Luc Vasseur (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / Dutch national team)

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach:
Marcelo Bielsa (Argentina / Leeds United FC)
Hans-Dieter Flick (Germany / FC Bayern München)
Jürgen Klopp (Germany / Liverpool FC)
Julen Lopetegui (Spain / Sevilla FC)
Zinedine Zidane (France / Real Madrid CF)

FIFA Puskás Award
Who will succeed 2019’s winner Daniel Zsóri in taking home the coveted crown this year? The eleven-goal shortlist for the best goal of the year has been revealed. This year’s selection:

Shirley Cruz (CRC) – Costa Rica v. Panama [Concacaf Women’s Olympic qualifying] (28 January 2020)

Giorgian De Arrascaeta (URU) – Ceará SC v. CR Flamengo [Brasileirão - Brazil] (25 August 2019)

Jordan Flores (ENG) – Shamrock Rovers FC v. Dundalk FC [League of Ireland] (28 February 2020)

André-Pierre Gignac (FRA) – UANL Tigres v. Pumas UNAM [Liga MX - Mexico] (1 March 2020)

Sophie Ingle (WAL) – Arsenal WFC v. Chelsea FC Women [FA Women’s Super League - England] (19 January 2020)

Zlatko Junuzović (AUT) – SK Rapid Wien v. FC Red Bull Salzburg [Bundesliga - Austria] (24 June 2020)

Hlompho Kekana (RSA) – Mamelodi Sundowns FC v. Cape Town City FC [South African Premier Soccer League] (20 August 2019)

Son Heungmin (KOR) – Tottenham Hotspur FC v. Burnley FC [Premier League - England] (7 December 2019)

Leonel Quiñónez (ECU) – Universidad Católica v. CSD Macará [Serie A - Ecuador] (19 August 2019)

Luis Suárez (URU) – FC Barcelona v. RCD Mallorca [LaLiga[MG(1] - Spain] (7 December 2019)

Caroline Weir (SCO) – Manchester City WFC v. Manchester United WFC [FA Women’s Super League - England] (7 September 2019)

The winner of the FIFA Puskás Award will be selected by an international jury comprising a panel of FIFA Legends and by the fans from all over the world registered on FIFA.com. Each of the two groups of voters within the jury has the same electoral weight.

Voting open now!
Public voting is open on FIFA.com and will run until 9 December 2020 (23:59 CET).

FIFA will announce the three finalists in each of the seven categories listed above on 11 December 2020.

The full voting and award process is explained in the rules of allocation.

https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/nominees-for-the-best-fifa-football-awardstm-2020-revealed

[Edoman]

Diego Maradona Dead

Argentinian football legend passes away aged 60

Argentinian football legend and winner of the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona, has passed away at home in Tigre after suffering a heart attack, according to reports in Argentina.

https://www.rt.com/sport/507808-diego-maradona-dead/


 

[Edoman]

Maradona's Death: Players, Entertainers Mourn Soccer Legend 


What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be said but, for now, May God give strength to (his) family. One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky

Pele

2020 has taken a lot from us.

Rest in peace legend Maradona.(Hand Of God)

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Diego Maradona. A sad sad day for the football world. The best player I ever saw and played against. RIP Diego.

Pete Schmeichel

A man who brought not only unbelievable skill but also true artistry to the pitch. The football world will not be the same without you.

Rest in peace Diego Maradona �

Edwin Van der Saar

One of the best to ever do it. Rest in peace, Diego Maradona �

Harry Maguire

The world has lost a legend, an idol, a genius - one of the greatest of all time, who will be remembered forever.

A very sad day for all Argentines and for football. He leaves us but does not leave, because Diego is eternal.

I keep all the beautiful moments lived with him and I wanted to take the opportunity to send my condolences to all his family and friends. RIP

Lionel Messi

Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius. One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.��

Cristiano Ronaldo

R.I.P Diego Armando Maradona .your memory will live on forever �. #maradona #GOAT #football #argentina #legend @fifaworldcup #worldcup #best #memories

Kanu Nwankwo

I am so sad to hear of the passing of Diego Maradona. A magician with the football and a true legend #Maradona #RipMaradona

Gilberto Silva

“I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all, I have shoulders big enough to fight with everybody.” “When God decides its time, I guess he'll come for us.” “All the people that criticised me should eat their words.”
...
������������������������
#Diego Maradona , you achieved your dreams and gave hope and inspiration to so many little boys and Girls around the world !! LEGEND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE !! REST IN POWER �������� �������� #diegomaradona #gonebutneverforgotten ��⚽️���

Naomi Campbell

The world awaits our words but there are no words to describe the pain we're going through. Now is the time to grieve.
Diego �

SSC Napoli

Thank you for everything, Diego
FC Barcelona expresses its deepest condolences regarding the death of Diego Armando Maradona, a player for our club (1982-84) and an icon of world football. Rest in peace Diego

FC Barcelona

Eternal Thanks. Eternal Diego

Boca Juniors

Legends don't die. They only take a rest #RipMaradona

Mutiu Adepoju

Sunday Oliseh

Only those of us who are crazy about this sport know how much you meant to it.

You are eternal, Pelusa.

RIP #Maradona

Malaga CF

My 1st football hero. Few people have impact over generations like this man did. The greatest, the best, the artist, the man...charismatic, a leader...A WINNER! One of the main reasons why I went out on my estate to kick a ball, pretending to be Diego.
RIP Diego Armando Maradona

Rio Ferdinand

Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died. By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego

Gary Lineker

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Diego Maradona, one of world football’s greatest and most iconic figures. He achieved greatness as a wonderful player with a genius and charisma of his own."

"Diego Maradona was a hero in his native Argentina," added the UEFA president, "with whom he enjoyed World Cup glory, and became an eternal idol for the supporters of Napoli, who will never forget the successes he brought to the club during his memorable spell in Italy."

Mr Čeferin said: "He will go down in history as someone who set football alight and thrilled fans young and old with his brilliance and skill. I have instructed UEFA to hold a minute's silence in memory of Diego at this week's matches."

UEFA

Goodbye Diego.

You remain Eternal in every heart of the soccer planet

Argentina FA

[Edoman]

UEFA Champioms Liverpool 0-2 Atlanta: EPL champions suffer worst ever home defeat at home under Jurgen Klopp





Liverpool on Wednesday night suffered a 2-0 loss against Atalanta in the Champions League, making it the first time in 137 matches that manager Jurgen Klopp has lost at home by such a margin since joining Liverpool.


In Klopp's previous competitive matches in charge at home, Liverpool have only lost by more than one goal. 
The last time the Reds suffered such a heavy defeat at Anfield was in August 2015, when Brendan Rodgers saw his side lose 3-0 to West Ham in the Premier League. 

On Wednesday night, Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target - the first time they've done so in the Champions League since  2003 while opponents Atalanta  struck twice in the space of five minutes via Josip Illcic and Robin Gosens. 
Star player, James Milner conceded they never showed their real ability.


"We didn't get going. We know it was a poor performance and that we were pretty flat," Milner told BT Sport.
"A lot of players have not played together and the schedule is busy. Sometimes you have to try and get a win without being your best but we didn't have that sharpness.
"We are still top of the group so have to recover and go again at the weekend. The effort is always there. They took their chances at the right time. The whole game we were maybe a second late on the press and created very few chances.
"It was one of those nights where we didn't produce our best. We need to move on from it pretty quickly because we have a lot of games coming up. It's in our hands and we have to look where we can improve." 
Liverpool are still top of Group D.
     

[Edoman]

He can move to another league - Villarreal boss Unai Emery predicts Samuel Chukwueze's future amid reported Real Madrid and Everton links







Super Eagles attacker, Samuel Chukwueze can move to another league, his club boss Unai Emery has predicted, following reports of several European clubs including Real Madrid being interested in the Nigerian player's services.
 
Chukwueze's fine form has seen him linked with a reported move to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Premier League outfit Everton.
 
He has been at Villarreal since 2017 and his contract deal is expected to expire in June 2023.
 
Chukwueze is in line to make his third appearance in the Europa League when Unai Emery's side travel to Israel to face Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday November 26.
 
On Saturday, the 21-year-old came off the bench to win a penalty for Villarreal as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Zinedine Zidane's side at Estadio de la Ceramica and Emery believes the fast paced winger has a bright future.


"We are very happy with Samuel Chukwueze, he’s growing up with us at this club," Emery said in a press conference.


"His performance is getting better little by little but above all, we want to achieve with him our performance with his skills and capacity. He’s young and has a very good future but first, he’s with us trying to get better with his performances for us and the national team.


“In the future, he can go to another league to grow up more, but I think he’s very happy with us and every match he plays, he tries to give the best performance.”
 

[Edoman]

Conte: Real Madrid defeat shows the path Inter must take

26 November 2020, 


Inter head coach Antonio Conte said his players should not be downbeat following their 2-0 Champions League loss to Real Madrid as it showed exactly what they must do to reach the level of their opponents.


Eden Hazard's early penalty and substitute Rodrygo's second-half strike in Wednesday's Champions League clash condemned Inter to their first ever home loss against LaLiga champions Madrid.


It is the first time Inter have failed to win any of their opening four group games in the illustrious European competition and leaves their hopes of progressing to the last 16 in tatters.


The Nerazzurri are bottom of Group B, five points adrift of Madrid in second and a further point behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach with two rounds of fixtures remaining.


Madrid's goals came either side of Arturo Vidal's sending off, the midfielder issued with two quick-fire yellow cards for dissent, which under-fire coach Conte feels was a turning point at San Siro.


"It was always going to be difficult playing against big clubs like Real Madrid, so when going a goal down and a man down, it becomes an impossible mountain to climb," Conte told Sky Sport Italia.


"I think we saw the difference between them and us. It shouldn't knock us down. It should show us there's a path we must take.


"We need to be hungry, hard-working and humble, to realise where we are and not let ourselves get swayed by voices from the outside.
"The only path forward is to work hard and grow in every possible way."


Vidal was unhappy not to have been awarded a penalty when put under pressure by Raphael Varane inside the box and was dismissed by English referee Anthony Taylor after just 33 minutes in Milan.


Chile international Vidal became the third player in Champions League history to be sent off for three different clubs, along with Patrick Vieira and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Conte questioned the decision.


"I prefer not to talk about the referee, even if they should be smart not to ruin certain games in this way," he said. "Unless, of course, Vidal has said something very strong to him. He has killed the game."


Inter had just 38 per cent of possession and had only one attempt on target – Ivan Perisic testing Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the final 10 minutes with a weak shot.


Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku managed four touches in the opposition box between them but Conte does not believe his side have an issue with their attack.


"We're not weak upfront as we score plenty of goals," he said. "We are perhaps conceding a few too many at the moment.


"As I said, the game was immediately an uphill struggle and it became difficult to get back into it due to a red card that was caused by an excessive protest.


"This is the situation, we accept it. We had done much better and were more aggressive in Madrid, but it was tough here to be almost immediately 1-0 down and then see a player sent off.


"That knocked the wind out of us. But nonetheless, I think the team worked very hard today and put the effort in. Don't forget, we were against Real Madrid and not the bottom of the table club."
Serie A hopefuls Inter travel to Monchengladbach in their next group game and host Shakhtar Donetsk on the final matchday.

[Edoman]

Bayern boss Flick hails 'insane professional' Neuer

26 November 2020, 


Hansi Flick has described Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as an "insane professional" after his superb display in Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League win over Salzburg.


Robert Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane netted for Bayern, who had Marc Roca sent off midway through the second half, while Mergim Berisha pulled one back for the visitors with 17 minutes of normal time remaining.


The result helped Bayern to a fourth win out of four in Group A and sealed their progression to the last 16 as group winners with two games remaining.


It could have been a different outcome had it not been for the heroics of Neuer, though – the Germany international making 10 saves to deny the Austrians, with his finest moment coming in the form of a superb double stop to deny Berisha and Enock Mwepu.


It was the latest in a string of impressive displays from Neuer, with head coach Flick quick to hail the 34-year-old's dedication to his craft.


"Manu has been playing sensationally for over a year," he told Sky Sport. "With him, the goal for the striker is getting smaller and smaller.
"He is in the form of his life. He is an insane professional and very focused on his job."


Bayern never hit the heights of their 6-2 drubbing of Salzburg in the reverse fixture three weeks ago, allowing their opponents 19 attempts on goal in a display characterised by sloppy defending.


Flick was not impressed by his side's inability to keep hold of the ball but he refused to be too hard on his players, who he says improved after the interval.


"We made our way a little difficult because we lost a lot of balls," he added. "The ball losses must not happen like this. That is insecurity and recklessness. Of course, we have personnel problems at the moment.


"It got better in the second half. I'm satisfied with the efficiency and, of course, we have a world-class goalkeeper at the back."


Neuer agreed with Flick's assessment that Bayern lost possession too easily, but he believes it is important to remember they achieved their objective of qualifying for the last 16.


"We have conceded too many goals recently," he said. "It was, of course, also down to the opponents. We played against a strong team. We lost the ball too easily and that hurt us.
"For me, it is important that we won today and are group winners. You do what you can."

[Edoman]

Liverpool boss Klopp brands schedule 'a crime' after Atalanta defeat

26 November 2020, 


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called his side's fixture schedule "a crime" as he prepared to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League less than three days after suffering a 2-0 Champions League loss to Atalanta.


Second-half goals from Josip Illicic and Robin Gosens helped secure an unexpected win for Serie A visitors Atalanta, who Liverpool thrashed 5-0 just three weeks earlier, as the Reds missed the chance to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage.


Wednesday's result left Premier League champions Liverpool with one win from their last three games as they approach a run of four matches in 12 days.


Klopp predicted his players would not be alone in suffering dips in form as a result of the congestion, telling BT Sport: "I'm afraid to say I think it could happen not only to us but to other teams as well.


"You ask us to go on Saturday at 12:30, which is nearly a crime to be honest. That's nothing to do with our game tonight.


"Now my only interest is I got thumbs up, nobody is injured. Now let's recover immediately. The boys are disappointed and frustrated but we don't have time for it, to be honest.


"It's just get fresh legs as quick as possible and go again."


Klopp selected a number of fringe players in his side to face Atalanta and saw them struggle to find any rhythm, with Mohamed Salah's shot in the 44th minute Liverpool's first of the game.


For the first time since Opta had shot data available in the Champions League since 2003-04, Liverpool failed to record a single shot on target in a home game in the competition.


Up against 19-year-old full-back Nico Williams, Atalanta's Papu Gomez enjoyed a successful night on the wing, providing the cross for Ilicic to score the opener and then making a second assist in the build-up to Gosens' goal.


Klopp – whose side lost a competitive home fixture by a margin of more than one goal for the first time in 137 matches at Anfield – admitted his players struggled with the intensity of the game, saying: "Both teams didn't create a lot until they scored the goals. We saw it coming a little in the first half but couldn't avoid it or defend it anyway.


"The ref brought a lot of tempo in the game, he didn't whistle a lot. That makes it even more difficult on both sides. It was unbelievably intense for the boys; you need one or two breaks.


"We changed five times, that always costs rhythm, that's normal. Usually when the first half is gone it settles a bit but you could see for some players who hadn't played for a while it was very intense for them.


"So we didn't really find a way in the game. We didn't find ways to create."

[Edoman]

Man Utd boss Solskjaer: More to Fernandes than penalties

25 November 2020, 


Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed Bruno Fernandes after his scintillating brace inspired a 4-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.


Fernandes scored twice as United routed Turkish champions Basaksehir at Old Trafford on Tuesday to remain top of Group H ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig through four matchdays.



United star Fernandes scored twice in the opening 19 minutes, including a stunning half-volley – the Portugal midfielder directly involved in 34 goals in 35 appearances (21 goals, 13 assists) since debuting in February, 16 more than any other player at the club in that period.


Of Fernandes' goals, 12 have come from penalties in all competitions, and Solskjaer insisted there is more to the 26-year-old than spot-kicks.


"Not really, no [on whether Fernandes continues to surprise him]," Solskjaer said during his post-match news conference, after substitute Daniel James also became the first Welshman to score a Champions League goal for United since Ryan Giggs in 2011.


"Of course, we see him every day in training. We knew what we were going to get when we got Bruno to the team.


"He's a player who likes to take risks. He likes to create chances. He likes to score goals. He's a winner. He wants his team to win.


"He wants the team to do well. And I think it showed today that he can do more than just take penalties."


Asked when to rest Fernandes – who passed up an opportunity to complete his hat-trick after allowing Marcus Rashford to convert a 35th-minute penalty – Solskjaer replied: "You take him off. Of course I was thinking at half-time to maybe take a couple more players off, but you don't want to give the impression that we can just relax and the game is – we don't take the second half seriously.


"Bruno is very important for us, if the game is won at half-time or at 60 [minutes] then it's easy to rest him."


New signings Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek, who both started in Manchester, impressed for United as Solskjaer's men avenged their 2-1 loss to Basaksehir in Istanbul on matchday three.
Van de Beek – with Paul Pogba absent from the matchday squad for the second consecutive match – created two chances, boasted an 87.5 per cent passing accuracy and won three duels.


"Edinson and Donny did really well, both of them," Solskjaer said. "Of course, I thought the whole team played really well. We found our positions and the tempo on the ball was really good.


"So, we deserved the win, of course, after that first half. The second half was a little bit – it's always different and more difficult to keep the tempo up when you're winning 3-0."

[Edoman]

Morata can become one of world's best forwards – Pirlo

25 November 


Alvaro Morata can become one of the world's best forwards, according to Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo.


Morata scored a 92nd-minute winner to see Juventus edge Ferencvaros 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, sealing progression from Group G.


The Spain forward's haul of five goals in four Champions League games this season equals his best tally in a single campaign in the competition, having managed five in 12 for Juve in 2014-15.



Pirlo believes Morata, who has seven goals in 10 games this season, can be among the world's best.
"He's a strong player, he just needed consistency and confidence," he told a news conference.


"If he's well mentally then he can do anything, he can become one of the best strikers around. If he trains well, if he's in good shape and he plays and he scores, he's a fundamental player not just for Juventus but also for his national team.


"We work to put him in the best condition, and then he is good at finalising what he does on the pitch."
Only Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland (six) has scored more goals than Morata in the Champions League this season, while Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has also netted five.


But Morata's big chance conversion – 100 per cent – is better than both Haaland (71.4) and Rashford (80), while his shot conversion rate, excluding blocks, is also better than that duo.


His goal came after Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Myrto Uzuni's opener in Turin, the Portuguese star equalling Lionel Messi's record of 70 home goals in the Champions League.


"You don't always have to play well to win, but if you play well usually you win," Pirlo said.


"We had some difficulties, especially in terms of approach to the game. I had asked for a different attitude at the beginning of the game, because we knew the difficulties we would have faced.


"And indeed we had some, if you don't start your games in the best possible way then you are bound to face some trouble. However, the players have been good at reacting and chase the win until the end."

[Edoman]

Lampard: Giroud has given me a problem

24 November 2020, 


Chelsea boss Frank Lampard praised Olivier Giroud for once again stepping up with his late goal against Rennes and says the striker has given him "a problem" when it comes to his team selection.



Second-half substitute Giroud headed in an injury-time winner for Chelsea in Tuesday's 2-1 victory to earn his side a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two Group E games to spare.


The 34-year-old scored from his only shot at Roazhon Park, for what was his second goal of the campaign in his eighth outing.


Seven of those appearances have now come via the bench and the France international revealed last week he may have to leave Chelsea in January if he is to keep alive his hopes of representing his country at Euro 2020.


Lampard vowed on the eve of the Rennes match to give Giroud more opportunities, however, and the Chelsea head coach heaped further praise on the former Arsenal man after his late heroics in his homeland.


"He does things like he does tonight, he's great for us," Lampard told BT Sport. "It wasn't just his goal when he came on but his hold-up play and physicality.


"I have a problem because Tammy [Abraham] is playing well and Olivier in the restart was incredible. I have two players fighting for the position, but it's a good problem.


"He'll get his minutes because of the amount of games. You saw the reaction to his goal, and that wasn't just because it was a late winner – it shows what he does day to day and what he means to the team."


Giroud has scored six goals in 13 matches since the Premier League resumed post-lockdown in June – one more than next-best Abraham, who has played four games more.


Abraham has been favoured of late and scored in last weekend's 2-0 win at Newcastle United, with Lampard welcoming the competition to lead the line.


"They are fighting for a place in the side," he added at his post-match news conference. "But we know what a great professional [Giroud] is. To see the reaction of the team-mates showed what kind of a player he is. He always keeps the right attitude.


"We are playing every three days, maybe two days. I don't want think I have to prove to him that he will play games. Tammy is in great form as well. I hope that he knows what I want with him. He came on today and impressed."


Callum Hudson-Odoi had earlier given Chelsea the lead after being played in by a sublime pass from Mason Mount, who also won possession to start the attack from inside his own half.


Mount has now registered eight assists in all competitions since the start of last season, putting him level with Cesar Azpilicueta and Abraham among players still at the club.


The England international has had his place in the side questioned by some but Lampard feels he has more than justified his selection.


"With Mason there's been a lot of talk and any negative talk just needs to go away," he said. "I've been lucky enough to be closer to him and what he did at Derby and last season has been outstanding.


"I'm not going to undermine the quality he has and when we have two number eights he's got all the qualities – I think he can get more goals and assists. The pass for Callum Hudson-Odoi's goal was top class. We need to keep that competition."


Hudson-Odoi's opener and Giroud's winner came either side of Serhou Guirassy's header five minutes from time for a Rennes side on a four-match losing streak, ensuring that Chelsea can look forward to the knockout round.


"I'm very happy to qualify with two games to spare," Lampard said. "It was a really tough match, they're a very good team.


"Their recent form doesn't reflect how good they are, it was a tough, hard-fought win."

[Edoman]

I won't apologise for winning ugly - Tuchel defiant after PSG beat RB Leipzig

25 November 2020


Thomas Tuchel praised Paris Saint-Germain's "heart" after their underwhelming 1-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig and refused to apologise for winning ugly.


Last season's beaten finalists were badly out of sorts against their Bundesliga opponents on Tuesday , with Neymar's decisive 11th-minute penalty just one of three shots on target they mustered.


The result means PSG leapfrog Leipzig into second place in Group H courtesy of a better goal difference with two games remaining.


Under pressure head coach Tuchel concedes his side were lucky to claim all three points at Parc des Princes, but refused to say sorry for winning by any means necessary.


"We lacked luck in Leipzig [they lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture three weeks ago] and tonight we had some luck," he told a media conference. "We played with a lot of solidarity and defended with a lot of heart.


"Always together. That's why we won. I'm not going to apologise for that. The match demanded that we defend deep and we just did what the game demanded of us.


"Tonight it wasn't possible to get out of pressure with the ball and we have to accept that. I accept it.


"We want to attack. We've done that before. But sometimes it's just not possible."


The Ligue 1 champions ended the first half with just 37.2 per cent possession, their lowest total at half-time in a Champions League game since facing Bayern Munich in September 2017.


It did not get much better after the interval, with Leipzig finishing the game having enjoyed 62 per cent possession and taking 15 shots to PSG's eight.


Tuchel blamed his side's lacklustre performance on injuries and fatigue after a busy start to the season, but he is targeting an improved performance against group leaders Manchester United next week.


"We've played 11 league games and four Champions League games, and we've had around 100 injuries during that time," he added. "I saw that we average seven injured players per game.


"We have another game in Manchester next week. I hope we're able to recover but we have another game on Saturday [against Bordeaux in Ligue 1].


"Marco Verratti played today practically without having trained. The same for Neymar. That's the reality. Maybe you think it's always excuses.


"The most difficult thing was to find 11 players who could make a physical impact. We'll prepare a plan for Manchester. If the players feel better, we'll play a better match. If we have to defend deep again, then we'll do that."

[Edoman]

Koeman claims nothing behind 'happy' Griezmann not starting in Kiev

25 November 2020, 


Ronald Koeman claimed there was nothing sinister behind his decision not to start Antoine Griezmann in Barcelona's 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday.


The France international was named among the substitutes and replaced Philippe Coutinho in the 66th minute of the contest, going on to score a goal in injury time.


Griezmann's relationship with Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who was rested for the trip to Ukraine, has been under scrutiny recently, after comments by his former agent and his uncle.


However, Koeman said Griezmann was "happy" at Camp Nou and he was just being cautious with the 29-year-old's workload.


"Griezmann was on the bench solely for a little physical problem we wanted to be careful with," Koeman told a news conference after the game.
"It's vital to give rest to some and playing time to those who work hard in training every day but haven't played a lot.


"I have seen him [Griezmann] work from the beginning. He is a happy player, who always gives his best for the team and the club.


"Too bad he has no luck scoring more goals. The only way to change this is to work harder. He is trying."


Koeman claimed Barca's victory over Dynamo, which secured their place in the Champions League last 16, was the type of performance he wants to see repeated in LaLiga.


The Blaugrana are languishing in 13th place in the table after three wins, three defeats and two draws from their opening eight matches.


It is their worst start to a season at this stage in LaLiga since the 1991-92 campaign.

"This is the image of Barcelona we want to see," 


added the Barca head coach. "I liked the collective performance. They have worked hard, they pushed.
"They dominated the game sufficiently to be proud of their performance. We perhaps lacked a bit of effectiveness in the first half but overall I'm very happy.


"We have seen a very hungry team. We scored four goals, important players were able to rest and the youngsters have deserved these minutes. They have delivered. I highlight the whole team."

[Edoman]

Life Of Diego Maradona: 1960 - 2020, As Fans Mourn Across The World (Pictures)

On the soccer field, he was considered as a genius. Outside, he was a character known practically everywhere, by everybody.

Diego Maradona, who died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60, started his story as a player in the Villa Fiorito neighborhood in Buenos Aires and over the decades he became a soccer great.

He debuted with Argentinos Juniors and then jumped to the mythical Boca Juniors, where in 1981 he got his first title as a professional soccer player. Then, it was off to Europe, and his legend began.

He won three titles with the Barcelona club, becoming a world soccer figure. But Maradona won a place as one of the all-time greats when he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, where he scored one of the most storied goals in soccer history — the “Hand of God” goal that helped defeat England in a quarterfinal match.

Pundits have debated about who was the best soccer player in history — whether Maradona or Pelé, the iconic Brazilian who retired in 1977 and is still alive. There has been no consensus.

Maradona and Pelé had a very good relationship until the Argentine failed a doping test and was expelled from the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Pelé criticized him and they parted ways until 2005, when they re-established a relationship.

Maradona retired in 1997, but he remained linked to soccer. He was Argentina’s team coach.

Off the field, Maradona was an outspoken personality who leaned to leftist ideology. He was a good friend of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban revolution, and was also close to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/international-soccer-soccer-mexico-e8554fa741931d6f43130456770890dc

Source: https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/diego-maradona-1960-2020-idUSRTX8BVRB

[Edoman]

Diego Maradona wife and children: Who was Maradona married to, how many kids did he have?

Diego Maradona has died aged 60 and Express Sport takes a look at his personal life. Who was Maradona married to, how many kids did he have?

Diego Maradona has died aged 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest. The Argentine FA confirmed the news, saying: "The Argentine Football Association, through its President Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You will always be in our hearts."

Maradona's first and only wife was his long term fiance Claudia Villafañe, who he wed on November 7, 1984 in Buenos Aires.

The pair were married for 20 years but divorced in 2004. The pair remained on good terms and regularly went on trips together after their split.

While she is his only wife, he is believed to have had a string of affairs and was forced to accept paternity of three children following their break up.

The World Cup winner previously denied any children other than with his former wife.

But in 2019 he accepted he was the official father of eight children.

He has since recognised Diego Junior and Jana as his children after court battles with their mothers.

Maradona also has another child from his relationship with Veronica Ojeda, Diego Fernando,

Three further children have been named as Joana, Lu and Javielito, and Maradona is believed to have travelled to Havana to take paternity tests last year.

His daughter Giannina - who was once married to Manchester City star Sergio Aguero - joked: "Just three more needed for the team of 11. You can do it!!!"

Prior to last year's announcement, teenager Santiago Lara made a TV appeal for Maradona to recognise him as his son.

He said: "I've been told my real father is supposedly Diego Maradona. My dad is always going to be Marcelo Lara but what I've been told is that my real father is supposedly Diego Maradona.

"I think I look like him, the face, the curls, everything. I look at Marcelo and I know we're not alike. It's not easy to wake up in the morning with that feeling.'

"I found out after I went past a newspaper stand near my house aged 13 and saw a magazine front cover with Maradona's face on it and mine pixellated underneath.

"I was left in a state of shock because I didn't know what I was doing in the magazine.

"I went running home and asked Marcelo what was going on and he explained everything.

"He told me my mum was well-known on the modelling circuit when she was younger and he told me he had the feeling I wasn't his son.

"He told me a DNA test was asked for but was never forthcoming."

Maradona's lawyer Matias Morla said at the time that the retired footballer will assume his responsibilities as Santiago's father if the blood link is confirmed.

He added the ex-footballer had been 'naughty' in Cuba, where his three newest additions to the family have been confirmed.

The three were born after Maradona moved to Cuba in February 2000 to fight drink and drug addictions. They met him for the first time at Fidel Castro's funeral.

The lawyer confessed: "There's going to be a lot of Maradona's, a lot, even if some people don't like it."

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1364617/Diego-Maradona-wife-children-who-married-to-how-many-kids-evg

[Edoman]

Folarin Balogun Scores His First Arsenal Goal 37 Seconds After Coming As A Sub

19 year old Folarin Balogun scored his first Arsenal goal just 37seconds after coming in as a Substitute..

He was brought in by head coach Mikel Arteta in a 3-0 Europa league away win at Molde.

Astonishing.

https://mobile.twitter.com/brfootball/status/1332053111653982210

Please let's celebrate this young man by taking this to the front page.

[Edoman]

Braga 3-3 Leicester City: Vardy seals Europa League progression in frantic fashion

26 November 2020,


Jamie Vardy scored a last-gasp goal amid a dramatic finale as Leicester City clinched their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League in an enthralling 3-3 draw at Braga.


With AEK Athens losing to Zorya Luhansk in Group G's other game on Thursday, the Foxes needed a point to book their place in the last 16, and thought they had it when Luke Thomas scored his first senior goal in the 78th minute to make it 2-2.


Yet Braga, who led at half-time thanks to goals from Al Musrati and Paulinho either side of Harvey Barnes' equaliser, seemed to have snatched the win when substitute Fransergio slotted in on the counter.


It was not to be, with Leicester's talisman Vardy on hand to tuck home Marc Albrighton's cross in the final minute of stoppage time and claim a precious, progression-sealing draw.

[Edoman]

Tottenham 4-0 Ludogorets: Vinicius off the mark as Winks nets outrageous 54-yard lob

26 November 2020, 


Carlos Vinicius scored twice as Tottenham claimed a comfortable 4-0 win over Ludogorets and edged closer to a place in the Europa League knockout stage.


Brazilian striker Vinicius, on a season-long loan from Benfica, netted for Spurs for the first time with two clinical finishes in a one-sided match on Thursday.


But the pick of the goals belonged to Harry Winks, as a spectacular long-range effort drifted over Ludogorets goalkeeper Plamen Iliev from 53.7 yards, before Lucas Moura added a fourth with a crisp finish.


The win moved second-placed Spurs level with Group J leaders Royal Antwerp on nine points, although the Belgian side are ahead courtesy of their head-to-head record.


Gareth Bale, in search of his 200th career goal, tried his luck with two free-kicks and a long-range effort early after Jose Mourinho made 10 changes from the side which beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday.

But it was Vinicius who opened the scoring for Spurs after he got on the end of Dele Alli's deflected pass and calmly slid the ball home.
His second goal owed much to Alli's unselfish play after the midfielder cut the ball back for Vinicius to tap in from close range following Tanguy Ndombele's burst forward.


Ludogorets struggled to get out of their own half and were unable to register a single shot in the first half, with goalkeeper Joe Hart touching the ball just seven times before the break.

Bale got himself into a good position after the interval only to be denied by Iliev at the far post following Matt Doherty's knockdown.


Iliev was embarrassed after 63 minutes, though, when Winks collected the ball from a throw-in on the left flank and remarkably picked out the top-right corner, via the crossbar, with the Ludogorets keeper off his line.


Alli and Vinicius were both involved again when Spurs notched a fourth, Moura the beneficiary as some clever link-up play allowed him to fire home.
Iliev at least partially redeemed himself late on when he saved from substitute Harvey White from close range, but Tottenham eased to another three points.