Month: September 2024

30Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Italy probe eyes mafia link to AC Milan, Inter Milan ‘ultras’

Italian police arrested 19 people accused of criminal ties with the powerful 'Ndrangheta mafia group in a move that decimated the fan clubs backing Serie A teams Inter Milan and AC Milan. STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY - 2024/09/24: Official Serie A match balls Puma 'Orbita' are seen in a row prior to the Coppa Italia football match between Torino FC and Empoli FC. Empoli FC won 2-1 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) Prosecutors said at a news conference on Monday that possible charges include criminal association, with the use of "mafia methods," extortion, assault and other serious offenses. According to the wide investigation, the criminal ring was linked to 'Ndrangheta -- the Italian mafia organization that has emerged in recent...

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30Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man United make Erik ten Hag decision ahead of Aston Villa

Manchester United are expected to stick with manager Erik ten Hag ahead of facing Aston Villa. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Erik ten Hag Manager / Head Coach of Manchester United as his team acknowledge the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Old Trafford on September 29, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) Ten Hag has already insisted he’s “not thinking” about his future at Old Trafford, despite being under huge pressure in the wake of an embarrassing 3-0 defeat against Tottenham on Sunday that left the Red Devils down in 12th in the Premier League table after six matches. Next up for Ten Hag and his players in the league is a trip to Villa Park on Sunday (2pm), with a match a...

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29Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Szczesny to arrive in Barca on Monday to complete move

Wojciech Szczesny is now expected to arrive in Barcelona on Monday to complete his move to the club after coming out of retirement. The goalkeeper will fly into the city for a medical and then sign a deal that runs until the end of the season, according to Polish outlet Meczyki. Szczesny is also then expected to watch Barcelona’s Champions League match against Young Boys from the stands. The goalkeeper had been expected at Barcelona last but week but it does seem now that the move is going ahead as planned. There’s been talk Szczesny only wants to come if he’s first choice which should make things interesting after he signs. La Liga is due to pause for an international break after next weekend’s clash with Alaves, giving Szczesny time to work on his fitness and get used to his new club for...

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29Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Atalanta Suffer Massive Injury Scare in Bologna Draw

Problems keep piling up for Atalanta at the start of the new campaign as Marco Brescianini faces a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines. The former Frosinone midfielder picked up an injury during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bologna at Renato Dall’Ara. Brescianini tried to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime when he latched on to Sead Kolasinac’s cut-back on the edge of the six-yard box. Despite a delightful first touch, the Atalanta star caught the turf as he was trying to pull the trigger, injuring himself in the process. The 24-year-old immediately asked for medical attention. However, he refused to leave the pitch despite being treated near the end-line. Moments later, he collapsed to the ground again and had to hobble off the field in pain, with Lazar Samardzic taking...

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29Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Kane’s late injury overshadows Bayern’s 1-1 stalemate with Leverkusen

Harry Kane went off injured as Bayern Munich were held 1-1 at home by champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga yesterday. Robert Andrich put the visitors ahead after 31 minutes in Munich but Aleksandar Pavlovic pulled leaders Bayern level eight minutes later with an incredible long range shot. England captain Kane, who was largely anonymous in front of goal, hobbled off with a foot injury with four minutes remaining after a collision with Leverkusen’s Amine Adli. Coach Vincent Kompany said it was “too early” to know the extent of the injury but he was hopeful Kane would be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Aston Villa. “I don’t have the exact information but hopefully it’s just a bit of pain and we’ll get him back this week,” said Kompany. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl...

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29Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Flick’s first misstep sees Barcelona’s unbeaten run end

A first loss of the season had to come at some point but the manner of the humbling at Osasuna could easily have been avoided. Notwithstanding that one can sympathise with why Hansi Flick rotated his starting XI, multiple changes virtually handed the win to the team from Pamplona. On another night, if Barca’s second half chances had gone in, the Blaugranes could even have walked away with all three points, but frankly they wouldn’t have deserved it. Flick’s tactical nous was on show throughout the game, and his switches certainly affected things. Over the course of the season under this manager, Barca will undoubtedly win more than they lose. But he cannot escape criticism for leaving the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marc Casado and Inigo Martinez on the bench. One, or maybe two at a p...

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29Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool go top of Premier League with 2-1 win over hapless Wolves

Ibrahima Konate headed home his first ever Premier League goal and Mohamed Salah converted a penalty as Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (Sept 28). Arne Slot's men have 15 points after six games, one more than both Manchester City and Arsenal, while Wolves are bottom with a single point. "Feels good [to be top], you want to be up there but it doesn't tell me that much at the moment," Slot told Sky Sports. "If you look at Wolves they are down in the table but they played much better than that today. "After 19 games, it'll tell me something but not after six." Konate scored in first-half injury time after Diogo Jota beat his man down the left then served up a pinpoint cross that the 25-year-old cen...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Martinez double at Udinese fires Inter level with Serie A leaders

Lautaro Martinez struck his first goals of the season for Inter Milan with a brace in Saturday's 3-2 win at Udinese which moved the champions level with Torino and local rivals AC Milan at the top of Serie A. Davide Frattesi's deft finish after just 43 seconds was followed by Argentina forward Martinez's strikes moments before and after half-time. The win in Udine saw Inter bounce back from Milan derby defeat last weekend and move up to 11 points after six matches. Torino, who host Lazio on Sunday, currently hold top spot by virtue of second-placed Milan and Inter having played a game more. "After the derby we kept quiet and worked hard and I think you saw that on the pitch," said Martinez to DAZN. Martinez's brace will be great news for coach Simone Inzaghi whose team host Red Star Belgra...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Leipzig’s young stars on song in big win over Augsburg

Benjamin Sesko scored twice in five minutes as RB Leipzig's young attack combined superbly to beat Augsburg 4-0 at home on Saturday. Sesko struck twice and laid on an assist for fellow 21-year-old Xavi Simons, who himself assisted a goal for 24-year-old Lois Openda. After 10 minutes, Sesko drilled a low shot into the bottom left from outside the box to open the scoring, leaping high to head in a David Raum cross shortly after. Augsburg had a chance to fight their way back into the match when Leipzig gave away a penalty midway through the first stanza but Jeffrey Gouweleeuw's effort was well saved by home goalie Peter Gulacsi. Openda beat Augsburg's offside trap just a minute into the second half, latching onto a Simons pass to put Leipzig 3-0 up. Simons then got on the scoresheet himself, ...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City Draws to Newcastle United, Drops Points in Consecutive Games

Manchester City was held to a 1–1 draw against Newcastle United at St. James' Park after an Ederson challenge resulted in an Anthony Gordon penalty. Saturday marks the first time since Dec. 2023 that City has dropped points in consecutive Premier League games. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Manchester City FC at St James' Park on September 28, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) Pep Guardiola's side last dropped points in back-to-back outings when it side drew to Tottenham Hotspur and lost to Aston Villa last season. City nearly lost to Arsenal last weekend at the Etihad Stadium if not for a John...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Arsenal likely to drop out of race for Bundesliga star

Arsenal will hope to return to winning ways when they welcome struggling Leicester City to The Emirates on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners battled to a 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Manchester City last weekend, despite having ten players for the entire second-half. Mikel Arteta will have been pleased by his side’s performance at The Etihad, despite conceding an equaliser deep into added time. The Foxes arrive in North London without a win in the league so far this term, although they are unbeaten in their last two. Ahead of Saturday’s match, it has emerged that Arsenal are unlikely to pursue a move for one of the Bundesliga’s biggest stars. According to GiveMeSport, the Gunners aren’t likely to make a formal offer for Bayer Leverkusen tar Florian Wirtz. It is claimed that Arse...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

TRANSFERS

Man City ‘planning move’ for Barcelona star as Catalan outfit ‘reach agreement’

Manchester City are reportedly planning to move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong next year, with a deal during the January transfer window not being ruled out. Frenkie de Jong is presenting the 2024-25 FC Barcelona squad at the Luis Companys Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on August 12, 2024. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images) The Citizens are expected to enter the winter market for a new central midfielder, having been hit with the news that Rodri will be out for the remainder of the campaign with a serious knee injury. Torino's Samuele Ricci has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, but according to Fichajes, De Jong is also firmly on the Manchester club's radar. The 27-year-old's contract at Camp Nou is due to expire in June 2026, ...

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28Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Guirassy scores twice in Dortmund’s 4-2 comeback win over Bochum

Serhou Guirassy scored twice and won a penalty as Borussia Dortmund overturned a two-goal deficit to beat local rivals Bochum 4-2 in the Bundesliga on Friday ahead of facing Celtic in the UEFA Champions League next week. 27 September 2024, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Soccer: Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund - VfL Bochum, Matchday 5, Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy and Bochum's Anthony Losilla in action. Photo: Bernd Thissen/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Bernd Thissen/picture alliance via Getty Image...

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28Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Milan talisman delivers promising statement after Lecce rout

Theo Hernandez ran the show at Stadio San Siro on Friday evening as Milan trounced out-of-sorts Lecce 3-0 to close the gap on Serie A leaders Torino. The French left-back delivered a match-winning performance, tallying a goal and an assist in Rossoneri’s clear-cut triumph. MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 27: Theo Hernández of AC Milan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 27, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) It took Milan 39 minutes to break the deadlock, with Hernandez whipping the ball into the box from the resulting free-kick to serve Alvaro Morata on the near post. The Spaniard still had much to do, yet he directed his towering header beyond Wladimiro Falco...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

Ligue 1

Barcola scores twice as PSG extend unbeaten league run

Bradley Barcola scored a goal in each half and Lee Kang-in added a third as Paris Saint-Germain beat Rennes 3-1 to extend their unbeaten run in the French league.Barcola took a pass from Ousmane Dembélé after half an hour and steered a right-foot shot inside the far post. PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 27: Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint Germain (R) dribbles Leo Ostigard of Rennes (L) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Stade Rennais FC 1901 at Parc des Princes on September 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) Lee got his third goal of the season to double the home side's advantage 12 minutes into the second half and Barcola added his second with a simple tap in after 68 minutes. Arnaud Kalimuendo scored a consol...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Raphinha explains why he’s thriving under Flick at Barca

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 10: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France.(Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images) Raphinha has been talking about life at Barcelona under Hansi Flick and his fine form so far this season for the Catalan giants. The Brazilian has been key to Barcelona’s early-season form and was named La Liga’s Player of the Month for August.After picking up the award, Raphinha has been asked about his performances and why he’s thriving this season under Flick.“ During last season, Xavi had me defending several times and the truth is that I really like being closer to the goal,” he told...

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27Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Official: Four Real Madrid stars called up to Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers

Just a couple of weeks after the first international break of the 2024/25 season window came to an end, the second one is just around the corner. ASUNCION, PARAGUAY - SEPTEMBER 10: Vinicius Junior of Brazil reacts during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Paraguay and Brazil at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on September 10, 2024 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images) And national teams are already announcing the squad list for the upcoming matches, with a plethora of Real Madrid stars expected to fly away to play international football. Kicking things off, Brazil manager Dorival Junior announced the squad list of players for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in October.And, as many as four Real Madrid players hav...

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27Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Enzo Maresca confirms Chelsea injury boost ahead of Brighton as star returns

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed a major injury boost ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Brighton.The Blues will welcome Romeo Lavia back into the fold after missing the last five weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up in training. BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca shouts instructions to his team from the technical area during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea FC at Vitality Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images) The 20-year-old - who joined Chelsea from Southampton in an initial £53million transfer- made just one substitute appearance last season after suffering from a number of injury issues. However, Lavia was one of the...

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27Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Napoli thrash Palermo to reach Coppa Italia last 16

Napoli winger Cyril Ngonge scored twice in an electrifying performance to help send his side through to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia with a crushing 5-0 win over Serie B club Palermo. Ngone struck in the seventh minute with a left-foot drive that bounced in front of Salvatore Sirigu and squirmed under his body into the net, leaving the keeper shaking his head in disbelief. Sirigu was at fault again five minutes later when Ngonge lashed another left-footer from a difficult angle, the ball flying across the face of the goal before nestling in the side netting to make it 2-0. Sitting second in Serie A and with Palermo 12th in the division below them, Napoli were too big, too strong and too quick for their visitors and Juan Jesus nodded home a corner to make it 3-0 just before the break. Pa...

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27Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Injury Update: Manuel Neuer fit to play for Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen

This weekend may be Vincent Kompany’s toughest test yet as manager of Bayern Munich. The first-year Bayern head coach has his side off to a perfect start thus far, having won all six matches across all competitions, but now the Bavarians are set to play host to reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena. Following up on a truly remarkable Meisterschale-winnin 2023/24 season, Xabi Alonso’s side have only slipped up once thus far this season, which came in Bundesliga match week two by virtue of a dramatic 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig. This weekend’s clash really needs no introduction, but the result will already have pundits and fans alike talking about title ramifications. In what is a much-welcomed injury boost for Bayern, it has been reported by Abendzeitung’s Kilian ...

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