LALIGA

25Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lewandowski secures Barca win over Athletic

Robert Lewandowski shrugged off a string of missed opportunities to earn Barcelona a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga. The 36-year-old striker twice hit the woodwork, among other wasted chances, but kept his cool to slot home a 75th-minute winner for the Catalan giants. Teenage starlet Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead with a deflected effort but Oihan Sancet pulled Athletic level from the penalty spot before half-time. Lewandowski’s strike earned Barcelona their second win from two league matches under new coach Hansi Flick. “Especially in the first half he could have scored one or two goals... but in the end this is a goal getter, a striker, who scores goals,” Flick told reporters. “The second goal was the winner, three points, perfect.” The former Germany and Bayern...

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25Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Vitor Roque lands in Sevilla to complete Real Betis move

Barcelona striker Vitor Roque was all smiles after landing in Seville to complete a loan move to Real Betis. A deal has finally been agreed between the two sides, with reports claiming it’s a two-year loan that will include a buyback clause set at €27.5m. Fabrizio Romano reports the deal is done, however, and we can expect an official announcement within the next day or so. Vitor Roque will be hoping he can make an impact at Real Betis after a tough time at Barcelona since his move at the start of the year. Rivaldo has already tipped the youngster to succeed at Betis this season and prove Barcelona they were wrong to let him go. Vitor Roque’s move won’t do too much to help Barca register Dani Olmo. The Brazilian isn’t registered yet by Barcelona for the current season as the club had ...

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24Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham injured, expected to miss several weeks

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham sustained a muscle injury during training, the Spanish club said on Friday, and will miss key games for club and country. The 21-year-old England international, who was a key player last season when Real won the Champions League and La Liga titles, will be sidelined for several weeks, according to club sources. “Following tests carried out today (Saturday) on our player Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantaris muscle in his right leg. Pending evolution,” Real said in a statement. He will miss Sunday’s La Liga clash against Real Valladolid and England’s Nations League matches next month against Ireland and Finland. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, who usually talks to the media one day be...

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24Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Barcelona can save big with double Lenglet operation

As has been the case for the last few years, FC Barcelona once again have to look for a new club for Clement Lenglet in this summer transfer window. The Frenchman has returned to the Catalan club after spending the last season on loan at Aston Villa, but it is highly unlikely that he will remain in Flick’s team for this season. A breakthrough in this operation for Barcelona was reported yesterday as Fabrizio Romano claimed that the French defender is going to join Atletico Madrid on loan, while also extending his contract with the Blaugrana club by one year.While this move has not officially been announced yet, Mundo Deportivo has provided an outline of how this will impact the Catalan club’s finances and fair play margin. Without this contract extension, Lenglet would have been rece...

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24Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Flick backs Kounde to ‘take care’ of Nico Williams

Hansi Flick is backing Jules Kounde to “take care” of Nico Williams when Barcelona come up against Athletic Club on Saturday in La Liga. Barca spent the summer trying to sign Nico but appear to have given up on their efforts to land the Spain star. The Catalans will now have to find a way to stop the forward on Saturday night, with Flick confident Kounde can do the business at Montjuic. “On this side we have an experienced player, so I can say that Jules will take care of him,” he told reporters. “To speak about him is not my job because he’s not our player. The focus is more how we play him because he’s a good player, so I think Jules will make a good job.” Athletic Club started the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Getafe. Williams came off the bench in that game but is expected to ...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Kylian Mbappe set for home debut as Carlo Ancelotti seeks to get Madrid on track

Kylian Mbappe will make his home debut for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe's La Liga debut for Real Madrid did not go as planned, as Los Blancos drew at Mallorca last weekend, with coach Carlo Ancelotti believing the Spanish champions lacked "balance." The French superstar striker will make his first home appearance for Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday against promoted side Real Valladolid, owned by former Madrid forward and Brazil great Ronaldo. Mbappe is on course to enjoy a similarly sizable legacy in soccer, but is hoping to make a far greater impact at Madrid than Ronaldo was able to during the club's "galactico" era. Ronaldo won just one La Liga title and failed to lift the Champions League trophy during five seasons in the Spanish capital...

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22Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Andreas Christensen ‘could follow Ilkay Gundogan out of Barcelona’

Former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen could leave Barcelona before the summer transfer window ends, according to reports. The Catalan giants are already on the verge of losing Ilkay Gundogan, with the midfielder set for a sensational return to Manchester City. He landed in Manchester on Wednesday night and met Pep Guardiola for dinner ahead of his proposed free transfer back to the club he left last summer. Now, Christensen could follow him out the exit door as the centre back is open to leaving Barcelona this month, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Christensen was only on the bench for Barcelona's opening LaLiga match at Valencia last weekend, and is unlikely to have a prominent role under Hansi Flick if he stays at the club. With this in mind, he could be tempted by a move aw...

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21Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Gundogan’s exit still not enough for Barca to register Olmo

Ilkay Gundogan is leaving Barcelona after just one year to sign for Manchester City but his departure is reportedly still not enough to register Dani Olmo. It’s been widely reported that one of the key reasons for Gundogan’s exit is for Barcelona to free up some space on the wage bill for their new signing. However, COPE are reporting that Gundogan’s departure is not enough and another exit is needed by the Catalan giants. A new Nike kit deal might also be enought but there’s no word on that, even though Joan Laporta claimed he’d have news shortly just about a month ago.Barcelona are finalising Vitor Roque’s exit to Real Betis at the moment, but the Brazilian isn’t registered for the new season yet either. Mikayil Faye is another player expected to move on, while Clement Lengle...

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20Aug By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

LALIGA

Atletico held, Valladolid make La Liga winning return

Villarreal and Atletico Madrid have combined for four goals in an action-packed first half but neither side could find a winner in the second as they settled for a 2-2 draw in their La Liga opener. A new-look Atletico team were without Stefan Savic, Mario Hermoso, Memphis Depay and Alvaro Morata and went behind on the road after 18 minutes when Arnaut Danjuma scored a solo goal from a tight angle. Marcos Llorente levelled for Atletico two minutes later with a fierce strike only for hosts Villarreal to get back in front nine minutes before halftime thanks to a goalkeeping mistake by keeper Jan Oblak. Oblak flapped at a cross and the ball hit the unsuspecting Koke and bounced into the net for an own goal. Alexander Sorloth, who joined from Villlareal this month, equalised in first-half ...

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19Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Chelsea reach agreement with Atletico Madrid for Joao Felix

After over a week of negotiations, Chelsea look to have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for Portuguese forward Joao Felix. The 24-year-old is in Atletico’s matchday squad for their season debut against Villarreal, but may have played his final minutes for the club. As per The Athletic, Chelsea and Atletico have agreed on a deal for Felix, with personal terms long-since settled. Felix has given the green light for a move, and will sign a six-year deal with an option for a further season, meaning he will be at least 30 years of age when his contract expires. Meanwhile Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has been given permission to travel to Madrid for a second time to complete a €42m move to Atletico. The England midfielder had to return to London after the initial move sta...

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18Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Balde offers positive update after Barca beat Valencia

Alejandro Balde has offered a positive fitness update after being taken off during Barcelona’s win over Valencia on Saturday at Mestalla. The left-back was back in the starting XI after a long spell out through injury but had to go off in the second half after seemingly picking up a problem. However, Balde has moved to ease injury fears after the game by posting a message on social media. He wrote on Instagram Stories: “It was only a knock, I’m alright.” The news will be a boost to Hansi Flick who doesn’t have too many options at left-back for the new 2024-25 season. Gerard Martin replaced Balde at Mestalla and made his La Liga debut for Barcelona. The 22-year-old looks like he may get plenty more opportunities this season too. Barcelona how have a week to recover before they return t...

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17Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Iago Aspas steers late winner for Celta Vigo in La Liga

Iago Aspas avoided an early red card thanks to a video review, had a goal chalked off just before half-time and then capped an eventful game by scoring Celta Vigo's winner against Deportivo Alaves in the Spanish league. The 37-year-old Aspas was the focal point for Celta for much of last season and picked up where he left off in their opening game, netting in the 84th minute to seal a 2-1 victory for the hosts. He had been shown a red card after seven minutes when his arm made contact with Antonio Blanco, but it was downgraded to a yellow after a VAR review. Blanco's cross to Kike Garcia then set up the opening goal for Alaves 10 minutes later. Aspas had a goal disallowed for offside before half-time but Celta equalised midway through the second half thanks to Williot Swedberg's superb...

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16Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Young midfielder Uche scores in league debut for Getafe

Nigerian midfielder Christantus Uche was playing in the fifth division of Spanish soccer two years ago, now he has scored on debut for Getafe in La Liga. Young midfielder Christantus Uche has scored in his La Liga debut to help Getafe earn a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao. The 21-year-old Nigerian, who was playing in the fifth division of Spanish soccer only two years ago, scored on Thursday - the opening day of the Spanish league - from a firm header in the 64th minute. "I'm feeling so good," said Uche. "To score a goal in my debut is amazing. I'm really happy." Uche was with fifth-division Moralo before joining third-division side Ceuta for a reported transfer fee of 800 euros ($A1300) last year. Athletic, the defending Copa del Rey champions and one of the teams considered to have an...

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15Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Mbappe Scores as Lookman’s Atalanta Fall to Madrid in Super Cup

Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman failed to reenact his Europa Cup final win last May yesterday as UEFA Champions League Champions, Real Madrid posted a 2-0 win against the Italian side in the Super Cup final match in Warsaw, Poland. The result leaves only Nwankwo Kanu, Finidi George and Celestine Babayaro as the only Nigerian players to have won the Super Cup for their respective clubs in Europe. The win gives Real Madrid its sixth time winning cup which itself is a record. Kylian Mbappe made his first appearance for last season’s Champions League winners and scored on his debut after Federico Valverde had put Real Madrid ahead with half an hour to play. Carlo Ancelotti’s side could have filled their boots even more in the second half if it wasn’t for a fine display from Atalanta g...

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14Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Kylian Mbappe ready to make Real Madrid debut in UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta

Kylian Mbappe appears ready to make his debut for Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta on Wednesday. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said the France striker arrived in good shape following the European Championship and was adapting well to the team after a week of practice. Mbappe “could play tomorrow,” Ancelotti said Tuesday at a news conference at the National Stadium in Warsaw where the match will be played.The 25-year-old Mbappe is the biggest draw in the Polish capital after finally joining Madrid following a drawn-out saga with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain. He was introduced to the club’s fans at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last month but wasn’t part of the squad on its U.S. tour while he rested after Euro 2024.He joins a slew of world-class forwards at Mad...

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13Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Flick and Baby Barca get a dose of reality at just the right time

No one said wins would come easy for Hansi Flick and his young Barcelona players. What made them special throughout the preseason was completely absent on Monday night. No intensity. No fight. That being said, Monaco had a very different tactical approach than Manchester City, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. In this game, this Barcelona team, for the first time, were the favorites. They were playing at home, and although they fielded some young and inexperienced players, namely Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, Pablo Torre, and Pau Víctor, they were expected to come out on top. After all, it’s been over a decade since Barcelona last lost their inaugural Joan Gamper match. In the end, it was naivete that lost them the game. One bad touch from Marc Bernal in front of goal was all it took to sink the ...

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12Aug By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona confirm goodbye ceremony to be held for Sergi Roberto

Sergi Roberto has confirmed he’s leaving Barcelona this summer and will say a proper goodbye to the club next week. The versatile veteran announced on Instagram that he’s moving on after his contract with the Catalan giants expired. Barcelona have now confirmed a farewell ceremony will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at the club, with president Joan Laporta in attendance. It’s a chance for the club, players and fans to pay tribute to the outgoing captain and for Roberto to say a proper farewell. It’s not clear yet where Roberto plans to continue his career, but it’s thought he has plenty of offers and fancies a move to the Premier League. Roberto had openly admitted he wanted to stay on at Barcelona past the end of his most recent contract but he has not been granted his wish and wil...

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10Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid Target Prefers Spain Move Amid PSG Links, Report Says

A few days ago, Paris Saint-Germain was linked to center-back Aymeric Laporte, who is currently at Al-Nassr. After Spain won UEFA Euro 2024 this summer, European suitors are calling for the veteran defender. El Chiringuito’s José Álvarez Haya reported that PSG are in the mix with Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid for the Spanish player. It seems that the Parisians are particularly interested because manager Luis Enrique is eager to bring Laporte to the club. Laporte joined Al-Nassr last summer and before leaving for Saudi Arabia, Laporte spent time with Athletic Club from 2012 to 2018 and then moved to Manchester City, where he played from 2018 to 2023. Once his time with the Premier League was over, the defender went to Al-Nassr. However, it now seems after one season, the Spaniard wants...

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9Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Coman offered to Barça as Nico Williams alternative

Barcelona have not yet given up on their chase of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, but they are still looking for alternatives to add more depth to the flanks in Hansi Flick’s squad. And a new name has been included in the list, one that the new boss knows well. That’s according to Kerry Hau of Sky Germany, who reports Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman has been offered to the Blaugrana by the player’s agents, who are looking for a new club for the French winger who doesn’t appear to be part of the plans for new Bayern manager Vincent Kompany. Coman has already been linked with Barça in the past, but this new round of rumors makes more sense now that Coman isn’t as untouchable within the Bayern ranks as he once was and given his familiarity with Hansi Flick, who was Coman’s coach i...

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8Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid handed boost in pursuit of 23-year-old treble-winning wing-back

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have reportedly changed their stance on Alphonso Davies and might consider offers for him this summer amid his links with Real Madrid. According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Alphonso Davies is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions are confident that the Bayern Munich wing-back wants to play for them. Meanwhile, the Bundesliga champions are now open to cashing in on the 23-year-old if he does not commit to a new contract in the coming days. Alphonso Davies and his Bayern Munich journey Alphonso Davies has enjoyed a transformational half a decade at Bayern Munich since arriving from Vancouver Whitecaps in January 2019. The youngster was a promising winger when he moved to the Allianz Arena several years ago. However, h...

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