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Barcelona receives Ronald Araujo injury update
LALIGA

Barcelona receives Ronald Araujo injury update

Ronald Araujo centre-back of Barcelona and Uruguay during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on February 6, 2025 in Valencia, Spain (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) FC Barcelona has received news on the fitness of its defender Ronald Araujo, as explained by various outlets including Jijantes and MARCA. With Pau Cubarsi given a rare taste of the bench, the Uruguayan started Sunday’s vital La Liga clash with Sevilla partnering Inigo Martinez in central defense. After just 22 minutes of play down on the clock, though, as the score was tied at 1-1, Araujo had to leave the pitch while being replaced by 18-year-old La Masia pearl Cubarsi. There were fears that Araujo had picked up a right ankle knock as a ...
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says calls for his dismissal are ‘agenda driven’
PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says calls for his dismissal are ‘agenda driven’

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou after the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Sunday February 9, 2025. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) Embattled Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says people who are calling for him to be sacked are “agenda driven” and no other side would be able to cope with the amount of injuries his side have had. Postecoglou’s position was plunged into more uncertainty after Spurs were knocked out of their second cup competition in four days following a 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa. Less than 72 hours after losing the Carabao Cup semi-final to Liverpool, a depleted Spurs went down to goals from Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers at Villa Park with Mathys Tel bagging a late consolation. Postecoglou is ha...
Ousmane Dembele named Ligue 1 Player of the Month
Ligue 1

Ousmane Dembele named Ligue 1 Player of the Month

Ousmane Dembele right winger of PSG and France during the Trophee des Champions match between Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco at Stadium 974 on January 5, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. The French players’ union – Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels – have announced that PSG striker Ousmane Dembele (27) has been named Ligue 1 Player of the Month for January. The former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona winger is on fire at the moment. Dembélé scored 13 goals since the turn of the year, including eight in Ligue 1. Dembele rocked to the top of Ligue 1 goalscoring charts with 16 strikes. Dembélé notably clinched a hat-trick against Brest last week and was on target again twice against AS Monaco on Friday. Dembele has won the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award for the first time since Marc...
Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez ruled out of Champions League clash against Man City
Champions League

Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez ruled out of Champions League clash against Man City

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid in action during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on February 8, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Lucas Vazquez has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off first leg away to Manchester City with a hamstring injury. Madrid announced the Spain international has an issue with his left hamstring and will not travel to Manchester for Tuesday’s first leg of the play-off tie. “Following tests carried out on Lucas Vazquez today by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left hamstring meaning he will not be in the squad to travel to Manchester,” a statement said. “His recovery will be ass...
Sevilla set €45m asking price for Juventus target
TRANSFERS

Sevilla set €45m asking price for Juventus target

SEVILLE, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Dodi Lukebakio of Sevilla FC in action during the LaLiga match between Sevilla FC and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on January 25, 2025 in Seville, Spain. Sevilla have had a relatively good season up until now, and a big reason for this is the excellent form of Dodi Lukebakio. The Belgian winger had a rather quiet first campaign at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, but it is in 2024-25 that he is starting to come into his own. Lukebakio has made up for Sevilla’s striker woes, as he currently sits top of the club’s scoring charts with nine (all in La Liga). He will be hoping to add to that tally when Barcelona come to Seville on Sunday night, and given that he has already found the back of the net against Real Madrid and Atletico Madri...
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen expects to return for Barcelona season run-in
LALIGA

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen expects to return for Barcelona season run-in

Marc-Andre ter Stegen goalkeeper of Barcelona and Germany lifts the trophy after winning with his team during the Spanish Super Cup final match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at King Abdullah Sports City on January 12, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Barcelona suffered a very big blow earlier in the season when Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was ruled out with a serious knee injury, sustained during the 5-1 victory at Villarreal in September. It meant that Hansi Flick would be without his starting goalkeeper and captain for an extended period of time, with many believing that the German international would not play again in the current campaign. Ter Stegen’s absence meant that Wojciech Szczesny was brought in as a replacement, and despite having started behind Inaki Pena in the pecking order...
Leao reacts after helping Milan to victory in 2-0 Empoli win: ‘Limitless’
SERIE A

Leao reacts after helping Milan to victory in 2-0 Empoli win: ‘Limitless’

EMPOLI, ITALY - FEBRUARY 8: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Empoli and AC Milan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 8, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. Rafael Leao posted a one-word message to his supporters on social media following his goal off the bench in Milan’s 2-0 win over Empoli in Serie A on Saturday: ‘Limitless’. The Rossoneri star was not included in Sergio Conceicao’s starting line-up for the Empoli match on Saturday, with Alex Jimenez and Yunus Musah the preferred options on the wing. Still, the Portugal international emerged off the bench at the half-time break, alongside January signing Santiago Gimenez, and half an hour later, both of them were on the scoresheet. Leao rose highest at the back post to nod home Christian P...
Simeone laments missed chances in Madrid derby
LALIGA

Simeone laments missed chances in Madrid derby

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 8: Diego Simeone, head coach of Atletico Madris follows the La Liga week 23 football match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on February 8, 2025. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said his team paid the price for missed opportunities in a heated LaLiga derby at Real Madrid on Saturday after Kylian Mbappé cancelled out Julián Álvarez's opener for the visiting side. Atletico were unable to make the most of the chances they created during a dominant start to the game. "We played a very good first half but we didn't have the clarity to take advantage of the chances we created," Simeone told a press conference. "We could have managed those opportunities better. That led to a draw despite the feeling that in many...
Barcelona boss Flick speaks on possible contract extension
LALIGA

Barcelona boss Flick speaks on possible contract extension

SANT JOAN DESPI, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona attends a press conference during the training day of FC Barcelona ahead the Spanish League, La Liga EA Sports, football match against Sevilla CF at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper on February 08, 2025 in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are hoping to continue their fine start to 2025 when they travel to face Sevilla in their latest La Liga fixture on Sunday. The Catalans continued their excellent form with a five-goal victory at Valencia in the Copa del Rey in midweek, but they know that they must keep winning in the league if they are to keep themselves in the title race. Sevilla have improved in recent months, and this is something that Hansi Flick is aware of. He expects a tough outing, although...
Kevin De Bruyne strike late as City advance in  FA Cup
NEWS

Kevin De Bruyne strike late as City advance in FA Cup

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (left) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at the Gaughan Group Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday February 8, 2025. Manchester City survived a scare against third-division Leyton Orient on Saturday to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup. Orient threatened to pull off a famous upset when it led 1-0 at halftime against Pep Guardiola's four-time defending Premier League champion. But City fought back after the break with goals from substitutes Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin De Bruyne. Orient went ahead in spectacular fashion when Jamie Donley's shot from just past the halfway line hit the bar and rebounded off the back of City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into the back of the net in th...
Antony nets first Real Betis goal
LALIGA

Antony nets first Real Betis goal

Antony dos Santos of Real Betis celebrates after scoring their side's first goal with teammate Natan during the LaLiga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio Balaidos on February 08, 2025 in Vigo, Spain. Manchester United winger Antony continued his fine start to life on loan at Real Betis with his first goal for the LaLiga side during Saturday's game at Celta Vigo. The 24-year-old opened the scoring at Balaídos in the 10th minute, taking a touch with his right foot, shifting on to his left and producing a really good finish from inside the box. Defender Diego Llorente added a second soon after to double Betis' lead before halt time. Antony's goal comes in just his second game for the Seville-based club, where he has hit the ground running after joining on loan...
Man City name Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in squad for Champions League run in
Champions League

Man City name Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in squad for Champions League run in

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 29: Rodri of Manchester City portrait before the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Manchester City and Club Brugge KV at City of Manchester Stadium on January 29, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) Manchester City showed faith in Rodri’s potential return to action this season by registering the injured Ballon d’Or winner in its Champions League squad for the knockout phase. UEFA set a midnight Thursday deadline to submit updated squad lists for European competitions. With a limit of three new signings in the midseason transfer window allowed, City left teenage defender Vitor Reis – who joined from Palmeiras last month – out of their squad for the knockout stages of Europe’s ...
Unai Emery relishing challenge of getting Rashford back to his best
PREMIER LEAGUE

Unai Emery relishing challenge of getting Rashford back to his best

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa signs on loan for Aston Villa pictured with Damian Vidagany and Monchi at Bodymoor Heath training ground on February 02, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images) Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is looking forward to the “huge challenge” of getting Marcus Rashford back to his best. The 27-year-old has joined Villa on loan on from Manchester United until the end of season, with the option of a permanent transfer in the summer. Rashford left his boyhood club after being frozen out under new boss Ruben Amorim, with his performances having stagnated over the last couple of years.He is in the frame to make his debut against Tottenham in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round. “I’m very...
Harry Kane celebrates Manuel Neuer’s extension at Bayern Munich
BUNDESLIGA

Harry Kane celebrates Manuel Neuer’s extension at Bayern Munich

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) controls the ball during the Champions League MD8 match between Bayern Munich and Slovan Bratislava in Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany on January 29 2025. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer recently extended his contract, due to expire this summer, by another year. The move keeps the senior-most Bayern captain in place and leaves the question of the 38-year-old’s succession open. Count Harry Kane as among those delighted by the news. “It’s great news for us players and for the club. Manu is one of best, if not the best goalkeeper I’ve seen. His ability, and him as a leader is everything you need. I’m excited for him and hopefully we keep progressing as a team,” Kane said in comments attributed to Cleats Club (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). Neuer has caught h...
Milan Open to Keeping Chelsea Loanee Permanently
SERIE A

Milan Open to Keeping Chelsea Loanee Permanently

Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan is in action during the Serie A Eniline 2024/25 match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, on January 26, 2025. (Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The January window could have had a coda past deadline day for Milan because Samuel Chukwueze is being tracked by teams where the transfer market is still open, but he won’t leave. Director Geoffrey Moncada confirmed it to Mediaset before the successful Coppa Italia fixture versus Roma. “He’ll stay with us and will be an extra option on the right wing.” “It was important for us to do something. We changed a few players, tweaking the profile and structure of the team to give the coach more alternatives. The expectations are high. We want to advance in the Champions...
Real Madrid legend Marcelo retires aged 36
LALIGA

Real Madrid legend Marcelo retires aged 36

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 25: Marcelo of Fluminense kicks the ball during the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 Quarterfinal Second Leg match between Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense at Arena MRV on September 25, 2024 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images) Brazil defender Marcelo has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.The left-back, one of the most decorated players in history, played 58 times for Brazil.After coming through the ranks of Brazilian club Fluminense, Marcelo joined Real Madrid in 2007 at the age of 18. He won 25 pieces of major silverware in 15 years at the Bernabeu, including five Champions League titles and six La Liga titles."At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here. Now, I can proudly say that I am ...
Torino talent Njie has surgery for serious fracture
SERIE A

Torino talent Njie has surgery for serious fracture

Turin, Italy - January 5: Alieu Njie of Torino Fc controls the ball during the Serie A match between Torino and Parma at Olimpico on January 5, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) Torino have announced that striker Alieu Njie has undergone surgery for a major fracture and it could be the end of the season for him. The forward was stretchered off during the most recent Serie A match against Atalanta, which ended 1-1 on Saturday evening. He was later diagnosed with a fractured tibial malleolus bone in his right ankle.This required surgery to reduce the fracture, which was successfully performed today by Professor Luigi Milano and Torino medic Corrado Bertolo.According to Sky Sport Italia, Njie is expected to be out of action for at least three...
Inter eager to sign Petar Sucic from Dinamo Zagreb
SERIE A

Inter eager to sign Petar Sucic from Dinamo Zagreb

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 23: Petar Sucic of GNK Dinamo in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between FC Salzburg and GNK Dinamo at Stadion Salzburg on October 23, 2024 in Salzburg, Austria. Inter have moved early to address potential future problems in the midfield, reaching an agreement with Dinamo Zagreb for Petar Sucic, who will join in the summer. The clubs have shaken hands, and he’ll be in Milan to finalize the switch soon, La Gazzetta dello Sport relays. The Nerazzurri had zeroed in on him a while back for his quality, versatility, and still affordable price tag. Oaktree plots to invest in youngsters but without breaking the bank. They’ll pay €14M plus €2M add-ons. His current team will be entitled to 10 percent of a future sale. Inter had ...
PSG boss Enrique react to win over Le Mans in French Cup
Ligue 1

PSG boss Enrique react to win over Le Mans in French Cup

Headcoach of Paris Saint Germain Luis ENRIQUE during the French Cup match between Le Mans and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Marie-Marvingt on February 4, 2025 in Le Mans, France. Paris Saint-Germain earned a 2-0 victory over Le Mans in the Coupe de France Round of 16 on Tuesday night at Stade Marie-Marvingt. The opening goal came in the 25th minute, following a costly mistake in Le Mans’ build-up play. After receiving the ball from his goalkeeper, Alexandre Lauray attempted a short pass, but Gonçalo Ramos intercepted it. The ball quickly found its way to Désiré Doué, who took control and coolly slotted it past goalkeeper Ewan Hatfout with a right-footed shot. Bradley Barcola put the game beyond doubt in the 71st minute. He raced past the defenders to collect a long pass, cut inside the b...
Venezia Confirm Tendon Injury to Filip Stankovic
SERIE A

Venezia Confirm Tendon Injury to Filip Stankovic

Filip Stankovic of Venezia sustains an injury during the Italian Serie A Enilive soccer championship match between Udinese Calcio and Venezia FC at Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, on February 1, 2025. Inter Milan loanee Filip Stankovic underwent further checks after sustaining an injury in Saturday’s match between Venezia and Udinese. Venezia issued an official statement on the club’s website, confirming the 22-year-old’s tendon problem. A partial rupture of the left patellar tendon forced Filip Stankovic off in the 18th minute during Venezia’s away loss at Udinese last weekend. Jesse Joronen, who took his place in the first half, conceded three times after the break in a goal-glutted 3-2 defeat in Udine. Furthermore, Stankovic could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines. That’s awful ...
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