Blog

Dele Alli named in matchday squad for first time in two years

2Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Dele Alli named in matchday squad for first time in two years

COMO, ITALY - JANUARY 25: Dele Alli of Como 1907 reacts as he makes his way to the tunnel following the warm up prior to the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on January 25, 2025 in Como, Italy. Former Tottenham star Dele Alli has been handed a career lifeline after being named in a matchday squad for the first time in two years. Alli, 28, is now in contention to feature for the Italian side in their Serie A clash against Roma on Sunday afternoon. He has endured a difficult period in his journey as a professional since leaving Spurs permanently in 2022. After signing for the north London side as a teenager from MK Dons, Dele became an integral part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans in a side that reached the Champions League final in 2019. But aft...

Dortmund beats St. Pauli 2-1 for back-to-back wins in Bundesliga

1Mar

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund beats St. Pauli 2-1 for back-to-back wins in Bundesliga

01 March 2025, Hamburg: Soccer: Bundesliga, Matchday 24, FC St. Pauli - Borussia Dortmund, at the Millerntor Stadium. Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy (4th from left) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 0:1. Serhou Guirassy scored again on Saturday as Borussia Dortmund secured back-to-back wins in the Bundesliga for the first time this season with a 2-0 victory at St. Pauli. But it was far from impressive from Niko Kovac´s team, which bounced back from two defeats by routing Union Berlin 6-0 last weekend. Dortmund failed to the threaten in the first half, while St. Pauli - which has now failed to score in four games - created the goal-scoring opportunities. "We got exactly what we expected in the first half," Kovac said. "We had difficulties in build up play. We didn´t find the ri...

Isco’s Betis upset Liga champions Real Madrid

1Mar

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Isco’s Betis upset Liga champions Real Madrid

SEVILLA, SPAIN - MARCH 1: (L-R) Isco of Real Betis Sevilla, Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Betis Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 1, 2025 in Sevilla Spain. La Liga champions Real Madrid suffered a dent to their title defence with a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis on Saturday. Isco scored the winner from the penalty spot against his former side, who are level on points with league leaders Barcelona, who face Real Sociedad on Sunday. Atletico Madrid, third, host Athletic Bilbao later Saturday and can move top with a victory. The visitors took the lead at the Benito Villamarin stadium through Brahim Diaz but Betis struck back with a Johnny Cardoso header. Isco secured the Andalusian side a deserved victory with a penalty ea...

Napoli score late to stay within 1 pt of Inter

1Mar

By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

SERIE A

Napoli score late to stay within 1 pt of Inter

Philip Billing of SSC Napoli celebrates with team mates after scoring during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 1 March 2025. Napoli scored late on to stay within one point of champs and leaders Inter Milan at the top of Serie A Saturday. Denmark midfielder Philip Billing slotted home in the 86th minute to wipe out Italy left wing back Federico Di Marco's wicked curling free kick from the edge of the box in the 22nd minute that had long fuelled Nerazzurri hopes of going four points clear with 11 games to go. Napoli nearly got the winner in a goalmouth scramble at the death. Inter have 58 points, and Napoli 57. Atalanta, who drew 0-0 at home to secodn bottom Venezia earlier, are third on 45.

Ruben Amorim responds to Roy Keane’s criticism of Bruno Fernandes

28Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ruben Amorim responds to Roy Keane’s criticism of Bruno Fernandes

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Old Trafford on January 19, 2025 in Manchester, England. Ruben Amorim says his opinion of Bruno Fernandes is more important than Roy Keane’s as he defended his Manchester United captain in the face of another attack by the Irishman. Former United skipper Keane took aim at Fernandes again in a podcast on Thursday, accusing the Portuguese of not being ‘a fighter’ and claiming that ‘talent is not enough’ to captain the club. But Amorim leapt to Fernandes’ defence on Friday even though he acknowledged that the player can sometimes get under people’s skin. Asked about Keane’s comments, he said: ‘I heard about that, I have a differen...

Juventus Bounce Back Financially After Years of Losses

28Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Juventus Bounce Back Financially After Years of Losses

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: A Juventus branded corner flag in a general view prior to kick off in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Juventus FC and PSV at Juventus Stadium on February 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. Juventus aren’t doing particularly well on the pitch, but the financial situation at the club has improved significantly in the past calendar year, primarily thanks to the return to the Champions League after a one-year ban stemming from the ‘plusvalenze’ trial, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. The Bianconeri announced having closed the last six months of 2024 in the black by €16.9M. They had lost €95.1M in the same period of 2023 and 199M for the entire past season. The UEFA prize money was a big factor. The team pocketed €64,1M. J...

Conceicao offers up his job after yet another loss

28Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Conceicao offers up his job after yet another loss

Sergio Conceicao is the head coach of AC Milan during the match between AC Milan and FC Inter in Serie A at Stadio San Siro in Milan, Italy, on February 2, 2025. Milan didn’t take advantage of the make-up game against Bologna to gain ground in the Champions League, and coach Sergio Conceicao stated that he’d be ready to step down if it helped in his post-game remarks (via Goal). “There was a blatant handball on the first goal. We should do more about all these negative episodes. We must keep working and see what we did well. All our errors turn out to be decisive. When we settle into games, we play like we prepared, cover the pitch well, and arrive in the final third easily. Then, every now and again, these things happen. The referee isn’t the only one responsible for this loss, but the...

Neymar Reveals Why He Rejected Real Madrid ‘Blank Cheque’ To Join FC Barcelona

28Feb

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Neymar Reveals Why He Rejected Real Madrid ‘Blank Cheque’ To Join FC Barcelona

LIMEIRA, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 23: Neymar of Santos kicks a corner kick during a Campeonato Paulista match between Inter de Limeira and Santos at Major Levy Sobrinho Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Limeira, Brazil. Brazilian soccer star Neymar revealed why he rejected a "blank check" from Real Madrid to join its bitter rival FC Barcelona while appearing on the Podpah podcast. The Santos-produced prodigy is now back with the Sao Paulo state coastal club that also gave the world Pele and Rodrygo. In the early 2010s, however, upon his rise to global prominence, he was wanted by a number of European heavyweights falling over themselves to land Brazil’s most talked up talent of the time. On the Podpah podcast, Neymar recalled that time in history. “Real Madrid’s offer was a blank cheque, they t...

Jose Mourinho banned for four matches, fined after Turkish referees comment

28Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Jose Mourinho banned for four matches, fined after Turkish referees comment

José Mourinho of Fenerbahce looks on during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at Rams Park, Istanbul, Turkey on February 24, 2025. Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho was given a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray. The Turkish federation on Thursday (February 27, 2025) fined the 62-year-old Portuguese coach 1.6 million Turkish lira ($44,000) after he criticized the match officials in a media conference following a 0-0 Super Lig draw on Monday. Mourinho served one of his suspended four games on Thursday when he was absent from the bench for Fenerbahce's 4-1 Turkish Cup win at Gaziantep. Britain's Sky Sports News said Fenerbahce had appealed the four-game ban. It means tha...

Ruud van Nistelrooy vows to ‘keep going’ after another poor Leicester result

28Feb

By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ruud van Nistelrooy vows to ‘keep going’ after another poor Leicester result

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City speaks to the media in a post match press conference after the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Leicester City FC at London Stadium on February 27, 2025 in London, England. Ruud van Nistelrooy shrugged off any suggestion he could be sacked after Leicester slumped to another dismal defeat at West Ham. The Foxes looked like they were waving the white flag in the battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League during an abject first half. An early goal from Tomas Soucek and Jannik Vestergaard’s own goal before half-time ultimately gave West Ham a 2-0 victory that was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Van Nistelrooy’s hapless side have now lost 11 of their last 12 matches, th...

PSG Rekindle Strong Interest in Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

TRANSFERS

PSG Rekindle Strong Interest in Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern MÃ¼nchen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Allianz Arena on February 23, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images) Paris Saint-Germain have been keeping an eye on Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich for months, even coming close to signing him last summer. Nonetheless, the Parisians are again revisiting this file and hoping that this time around, they will succeed. Barcelona are reportedly targeting Joshua Kimmich and Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah as they look to strengthen their midfield and defense ahead of the 2025 season. Journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl have previously reported that Bayern Munich have given up on persuading Kimmich to...

Flick makes De Jong demand after Barca’s draw with Atletico

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Flick makes De Jong demand after Barca’s draw with Atletico

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick during the Copa del Rey match, Semi-finals, leg 1, between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid played at Lluis Companys Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Hansi Flick made it clear he wasn’t happy with Barcelona’s defensive effort after Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final draw against Atletico Madrid. According to Marca, Flick has analysed the game and called on Frenkie de Jong to be “more decisive” defensively to help support the backline. De Jong had a good game against Atletico, but Flick wants more from the Dutchman and feels he could have done better against Diego Simeone’s side. The German coach has noted how De Jong failed to close down Angel Correa in the build-up to Atletico’s third goal which put the visitors back in the game. Flic...

Emery says Villa ‘not contenders’ to win FA Cup

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Emery says Villa ‘not contenders’ to win FA Cup

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery arriving at the stadium during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Aston Villa FC at Selhurst Park on February 25, 2025 in London, England. Manager Unai Emery says Aston Villa are "not a contender" to win the FA Cup this season. Villa host Championship strugglers Cardiff City on Friday for a place in the quarter-finals. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have already been knocked out and Villa beat Premier League rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur in the previous two rounds. But Emery said: "We are not a contender in the FA Cup to win the title, but to try to compete in the competition and have a way to a trophy - and Europe is very important, and prestigious. "Every club, players and coaches like...

Mikel Arteta wants good news on returns of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta wants good news on returns of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli

Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, looks dejected after a 0-0 draw during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at the City Ground in Nottingham, England, on February 26, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hoping for some good news from his medical department on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Saka and Martinelli have both been sidelined with hamstring injuries, with the England international needing surgery before Christmas. They are on the comeback trail and could be fit to return after next month’s international break. Arteta is meeting with medical staff on Thursday to find out their exact condition. Asked if they could be back in early April, the Spaniard said: “I think so but again let’s see how...

Penalty shoots Leipzig into German Cup semi-finals

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Penalty shoots Leipzig into German Cup semi-finals

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 26: Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig celebrates scoring his team's first goal from a penalty during the DFB Cup quarterfinal match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on February 26, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. RB Leipzig needed a well-taken second-half penalty from forward Benjamin Sesko to edge out VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 and reach the German Cup last four. Leipzig, back-to-back German Cup winners in 2022 and 2023, soaked up early Wolfsburg pressure in both halves on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) before gradually improving. Slovenia forward Sesko scored from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after Wolfsburg's Kilian Fischer was penalised for hand ball when Sesko's close-range shot hit his arm. There was no correction from the video referee. It was the ...

Vinicius: “Playing my first game as captain is a source of pride for me and my family”

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Vinicius: “Playing my first game as captain is a source of pride for me and my family”

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, semi-final football match played between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid at Reale Arena stadium on February 26, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain. In a significant night for Real Madrid’s Brazilian superstar, Vinicius Jr. captained Real Madrid for the first time in their victory over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. “It’s something very special,” Vinicius told Real Madrid TV after the match. “After so much time here and at 24 years old, playing my first game as captain is a source of pride for me and my family, after everything we’ve been through to be here, to reach the club of my dreams and to be able to fulfill my dreams... I hope I can continue doing this for a long time. ...

Thiago Motta slams ‘shameful’ attitude after cup exit

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel5 Comments

SERIE A

Thiago Motta slams ‘shameful’ attitude after cup exit

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 26: Thiago Motta, Head Coach of Juventus, talks to Kenan Yildiz of Juventus during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between Juventus FC and Empoli FC at Allianz Stadium on February 26, 2025 in Turin, Italy. Empoli knocked Juventus out of the Coppa Italia with a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw in regular time, leaving coach Thiago Motta ashamed by the Bianconeri's shock exit. Empoli initially led with a first-half goal by Youssef Maleh, while Juventus struggled to pose any serious threat before the interval, prompting Motta to criticise his side's performance and urging his players to take responsibility. "Shame. I feel shame for what we saw in the first half and I hope my players feel the same," Motta told a press conference. "The attitude...

Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha could be for sale this summer

26Feb

By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha could be for sale this summer

01 February 2025, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich - Holstein Kiel, matchday 20 at the Allianz Arena. Joao Palhinha from Munich plays the ball. According to a report from Tz journalists Hanna Raif, Philipp Kessler, and Vinzent Tschirpke (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Bayern Munich might not have necessarily wanted to sign João Palhinha last summer, but felt an obligation to do so because of how a potential transfer fell apart in 2023: There’s talk behind the scenes at Säbener Straße that João Palhinha was only signed last summer because the people in charge promised him that after the failed transfer in summer 2023. The Portuguese is currently behind in the pecking order, and the fact he had to deal with injuries and illnesses didn’t make things any easier for him. Palhin...

Real Madrid star to be handed rare start vs Real Sociedad

26Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid star to be handed rare start vs Real Sociedad

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 24: Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick Felipe players of Real Madrid are training at Valdebebas training ground on February 24, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. An oft-overlooked member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid is expected to be afforded a starting berth in the club’s next outing. That’s according to Marca, who point towards Endrick as the player in question. Real Madrid, of course, are primed to return to action in short order. Turning attentions back towards matters in the Copa del Rey, Los Blancos have made the trip to Anoeta, for a semi-final first-leg meeting with Real Sociedad. Carlo Ancelotti and co. opted to leave several of the club’s leading stars out of Real’s travelling squad for the clash, including Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde an...

Lionel Messi fined for grabbing New York City coach by the neck

26Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Lionel Messi fined for grabbing New York City coach by the neck

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF smiles during a 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup second leg match between Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami at Chase Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount for grabbing one of New York City FC's coaching staff on the neck after Saturday's MLS opener, the league said. Video footage showed Messi approach the coach and grab the back of his neck, causing him to pull away from the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner after the 2-2 draw in Miami. The fine was imposed by the MLS' Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday. The top-flight North American league also fined Messi's teammate Luis Suarez on Tuesday for violating the same "face/head/neck of...