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Lionel Messi expected to face Real Betis

Lionel Messi is reportedly "expected to get his first minutes of the season" for Barcelona against Real Betis on Sunday after recovering from a calf injury.The Argentinian missed Barca's opening game of the 2019-20 La Liga season last Friday when the defending champions lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao.The Blaugrana will be aiming to get their first win of the new campaign at the Camp Nou against Betis, and their chances will be boosted if Messi is involved.According to Sport's Jordi Gil, the 32-year-old is "fully recovered" from his injury and will join the rest of Barca's squad in training on Friday and Saturday before a decision is made about his involvement against Betis.Gil added, barring any setbacks, Messi could be included in Barca's starting XI on Sunday, but he is "extremely unlikely"...
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Bale Shines as Real Madrid Beat Celta Vigo

Gareth Bale marked his return to the starting line-up with an impressive assist as Real Madrid survived a red card for Luka Modric to win 3-1 at Celta Vigo in their opening LaLiga fixture of the season.The Wales star had been left out in the cold for large parts of pre-season following a collapsed move to China, but he was handed a start at Balaidos on Saturday and set up Karim Benzema for a 12th-minute opener.Looking to capitalise on champions Barcelona's shock loss to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, Madrid added a stunning second goal through Toni Kroos, but only after Brais Mendez had a strike ruled out and Modric was shown a straight red card.Zinedine Zidane started without any of his new signings, although the quality of his side's third goal - rounded off by substitute Lucas Vazquez - wil...
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Gareth Bale to get another chance at Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is ready to put his faith in Gareth Bale as he looks set to stay at the Bernabeu.The Wales forward was omitted from Zidane's squad for a pre-season friendly with RB Salzburg, having also previously missed the club's trip to Germany for the Audi Cup.That came after the collapse of Bale's proposed transfer to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning amid widespread speculation his six-year stay in Spain was about to end.Bale reportedly skipped the trip to Germany, where the Spanish giants faced Tottenham and Fenerbahce, as he was furious with his treatment at the hands of Zidane and president Florentino Perez and felt he was not in the right frame of mind to play.But Zidane now seems to have changed his mind on the Welshman.He said in a press conference ahead of Real's op...
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Atletico Madrid face setback after striker Diego Costa sustains left thigh injury

Recent reports received on Tuesday reveal that La Liga side Atletico Madrid’s forward player Diego Costa has injured his left thigh during a friendly match against Serie A giants Juventus in Sweden.Notably, Diego Costa was replaced by Ivan Saponjic immediately after he complained of muscle pain in the 90th minute of Saturday’s encounter which Atletico won 2-1.“Diego Costa suffers a muscle injury in the adductors of the left thigh,” the club said in a statement.“Costa underwent an MRI scan at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra and is pending response to treatment,” the statement added.Atletico Madrid is all set to host Getafe on Sunday in the first week of the new La Liga season. It is worth noting here that Costa will not be able to take part in that match even if he regains fitness by the...
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Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann Lead Barcelona to 4-0 Friendly Win over Napoli

Antoine Griezmann scored his first goal in Barcelona colours, and Luis Suarez netted twice, as the La Liga champions thrashed Napoli 4-0 in their final pre-season game on Saturday in Michigan.All the goals came in the second half at the Michigan Stadium as Barcelona beat the same side they had faced in Miami on Wednesday as part of their short United States tour.Suarez, who had scored the winner against Arsenal at Camp Nou six days ago, continued his good form as he struck three minutes after half time, and then in the 58th minutes.Sandwiching that was Griezmann's first goal since he joined from Atletico Madrid. Valverde had backed the Frenchman after he had looked frustrated in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Serie A side, and the 28 year old stepped up here.Ousmane Dembele struck the other ...
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Real Madrid in talks with PSG to sign Neymar

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have engaged in talks over the potential transfer of Brazilian attacker Neymar Jr. to Madrid, according to a report from AS. The French club simply don’t want to sell Neymar to Barcelona and even offered the player to Real Madrid, knowing that the attacker just doesn’t want to stay in Paris.A year-long loan deal could be a possibility, per that same report, although a regular transfer seems more likely given the quality and reputation of the player.Real Madrid have almost ruled out the signing of Paul Pogba after the transfer window in the Premier League closed without Manchester United securing the arrival of a replacement for the French midfielder. Los Blancos seem ready to sign Van de Beek this summer.While Neymar is definitely a quality player w...
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Zinedine Zidane furious with Real Madrid over Paul Pogba move

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is on collision course with club president Florentino Perez over a move for Manchester United star Paul Pogba. The Frenchman returned to the club at the end of last season after Perez promised to fund a rebuild at the Bernabeu.The likes of Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic have arrived in a £250m spending spree but they’ve been offset with sales of Theo Hernandez and Mateo Kovacic. After the initial outlay, Zidane wanted Madrid to focus their efforts in the remainder of the window in signing Pogba.Zidane made it clear to Madrid on his return last season that Pogba was a crucial part of his rebuild.However, a move for Pogba was dependent on Gareth Bale’s departure and the club have failed to get the Welshman’s £600,000-a-week wages off the books. Another man s...
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Neymar must speak out – Pique hopes star returns to Barcelona

Gerard Pique says Neymar must speak out if he wants to push through his "complicated" return to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.Sources have told Football Flame that Barca have looked into a deal for Neymar, while PSG sporting director Leonardo has confirmed the club would sell the Brazilian forward for the right price.Neymar, 27, left Barca for PSG in a world record €222 million transfer two years ago and the way he forced through his exit angered some people at the Catalan club.However, Pique says he would be delighted to welcome him back to Camp Nou but added the caveat that it will not be easy to come up with a formula to satisfy the French champions."I think Neymar's a great player that knows the dressing room, the city and the club," the defender said in a news confere...
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Lionel Messi to miss Barcelona's US trip due to calf strain

Argentine star Lionel Messi strained his right calf in his first training session on Monday, forcing him to extend his break and miss the upcoming matches against Serie A side Napoli."Messi withdrew from the session due to discomfort in his right leg," Barcelona said in a club statement. Barca confirmed that Messi was diagnosed with a grade 1 calf strain. The club did not say when Messi could return to the field.Messi also expressed his disappointment on social media: "I wanted to be with the team and the fans that follow us in the U.S. This time its not to be but we will see each other soon," he wrote.Barcelona will play on Thursday at Miami Gardens, Florida, and on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Barcelona faces Napoli on both Aug. 7th and 10th, before opening their league schedule on t...
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Real Madrid's Pre-Season Struggles Continue With Loss To Tottenham Hotspur

Real Madrid's disastrous pre-season continued on Tuesday as they lost 0-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in Munich. "Our defeat was well deserved," Real midfielder Tony Kroos told German TV after the match. It's true that we're not quite in good shape." In the second match of the evening, Bayern Munich thrashed Fenerbahce 6-1. Champions League runners up Tottenham will play Bayern Munich in Wednesday's final. Real Madrid will have a chance to find winning form run against a Turkish side that finished their game against hosts Bayern in disarray.For Spurs, Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game with a deft finish after pouncing on a disastrous pass by Marcelo, who was trying to prevent a throw in, after 22 minutes.Humiliated 7-3 last week by Atletico Madrid, Real could thank goalkeeper ...
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Pique's Team Pay £411,000 for Promotion to Spanish 3rd Tier

FC Andorra - owned by Barcelona defender Gerard Pique - have paid 452,022 euros (£411,000) to fill a vacated slot in Spain's third tier.The club, bought by Pique's Kosmos group in December, earned promotion to the fourth tier last season but have now replaced Reus, who were relegated as a result of financial problems.Zamora, Jaen, Intercity and Linares were also keen on replacing Reus.FC Andorra, founded in 1942, have played in the league system since 1948.
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Bale Aims to Have Beckham-Like Impact in China

Gareth Bale believes he can be at the forefront of a football revolution in China should he complete his impending move to Jiangsu Suning.While the deal, which is worth around £1m per week to the Real Madrid forward, is being finalised, a key motivation for the Welshman is the chance to effect fundamental change in the game, rather as David Beckham energised football in the United States with his move to MLS.The 30-year-old believes he has achieved everything in the European game, having claimed four Champions Leagues, one La Liga, one Copa del Rey, three Uefa Super Cups and three Club World Cups in six years at Real. He scored three times in the Champions League final triumphs, and six times in six Club World Cup matches, the second highest tally, behind Cristiano Ronaldo. When at Tottenh...
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Valverde : Griezmann Will Flourish With Messi

New boy Anotine Griezmman will likely settle well alongside Barcelona veterans Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez when the trio link up for the new season, says coach Ernesto Valverde.The striker, who arrived from Atletico Madrid as the Blaugrana's biggest recruit of a busy off-season so far , made his second appearance for the club in Saturday's 2-0 friendly win against Vissel Kobe in Japan.The La Liga champions, who also lost to Chelsea in Saitama on their pre-season tour, return to Spain now ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, where they will link up with Argentina duo Messi and Suarez following the duo's extended post-Copa America break."The good players always understand things easily," Valverde told the media, addressing how the France international has settled since the switch to Camp Nou."We'...
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'We Lacked Everything' – Zidane Upset After Atletico Rout

Zinedine Zidane is upset but "convinced" Real Madrid will enjoy a good season following their 7-3 rout at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid at the International Champions Cup.Madrid were put to the sword in New Jersey, where La Liga neighbours Atletico led 5-0 at half-time in the pre-season fixture on Friday.It was an incredible match at MetLife Stadium, where the margin of defeat could have been greater if not for some desperate defending and late goals from Karim Benzema and Javi Hernandez."At eight minutes we were down 2-0. There was no response from us to change something. The first part was difficult. We never entered the game. We have lacked everything. Especially intensity."Zidane continued: "They scored seven goals, it can't happen. That is also known to the players, who are disa...
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Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy Suffers Injury Blow

Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks with a thigh problem, the club has confirmed. The left-back has been diagnosed with a muscular lesion that will keep him on the sidelines for the opening weeks of the new La Liga campaign. French international Mendy, who made a big money move to Santiago Bernabeu in June from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon, will likely miss his side's first game against Celta Vigo. He has featured in both of Madrid's International Champions Cup pre-season encounters so far, as a substitute in their defeat to Bayern Munich and starting in their penalty shoot-out victory against Arsenal. Los Blancos have already been struck by injury issues, with Marco Asensio suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against the Gunners aft...
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Atletico Madrid Want to block Antoine Griezmann's transfer to Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann's contentious move to Barcelona looks set to get even uglier after his former club, Altetico Madrid, requested La Liga block the French forward's transfer as the two clubs continue to dispute over the fee.World Cup winner Griezmann signed for Barcelona earlier this month for €120 million (Dh491m) after the Spanish giants triggered the buyout clause in his Atletico contract.However, Atletico are insisting Barca did not pay enough. The buyout clause had dropped from €200m to 120m on July 1, but Atletico claim that Griezmann's May 14 announcement that he was leaving the club is proof a deal was struck between the player and Barcelona much earlier.Atletico had previously accused Barcelona of approaching Griezmann behind their back, and have now taken their issues to the Spani...
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Real Madrid's Asensio Suffers Bad Injury

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio has been stretchered from the field with a 'worrisome' knee injury during the penalty shootout win in the International Champions Cup against Arsenal in Maryland.The attacking midfielder appeared to get his foot stuck in the turf during a tussle with Gunners star Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang around the hour mark, before falling to the pitch clutching his left knee.Asensio was seen banging the turf in frustration after suffering the issue before covering his face to hide his emotion as he was removed from the pitch by medical staff - with Real coach Zinedine Zidane admitting the injury could be serious."It's worrisome," Zidane said in his post-match press conference."Hopefully not, but he's gone directly to the hospital to test. It looks bad."
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Bale Very Close to Leaving Real Madrid – Zidane

Zinedine Zidane said Gareth Bale is close to leaving Real Madrid after he was left out of Saturday's International Champions Cup clash against Bayern Munich.Bale has been deemed surplus to requirements by head coach Zidane and the Welsh star was absent as Madrid lost 3-1 to Bayern in Houston.The 30-year-old, who has three seasons remaining on his contract, has been linked to former club Tottenham, Manchester United and Saturday’s opponent Bayern.And it appears Bale's future is close to being resolved, with Zidane determined to sell the Wales international sooner rather than later.Asked why Bale was left out of the squad on Saturday, Zidane told reporters: "Bale did not play because he is very close to leaving."We hope he leaves soon, it would be best for everyone. We are working on his tra...
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Barcelona Officially Present Antoine Griezmann

France star Antoine Griezmann joined Barcelona on Friday after the Spanish club agreed to pay his €120 million release clause to rival club Atletico Madrid. On Sunday the club presented Griezmann with the number 17 shirt. Griezmann spoke on the opportunity with his new club saying, "It's a new challenge. I always try to better myself and break out of my comfort zone. I want to win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League -which is missing from my curriculum."The 28-year-old World Cup winner with France last year joins Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Malcom as an attacking option, adding to the already world-class forwards that Barcelona possesses. Griezmann had a contract with Atletico until 2023 with a buyout clause of €200 million...
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Frenkie de Jong Wants De Ligt at Barcelona

New Barcelona recruit Frenkie de Jong says he would like to see his ex-teammate from Ajax Matthijs de Ligt join him at Camp Nou, but that he cannot make up the defender’s mind for him.Ajax skipper De Ligt has been the subject of intense transfer speculation since he led the Dutch champions to an unlikely semi-final appearance in the Champions League, where only a stoppage-time comeback from Tottenham prevented them from reaching the final.Barca had been favourite to land the 19-year-old’s signature earlier in the summer, but it now looks like Juventus will win the race to sign Europe’s most sought-after defender after the Serie A champions reportedly agreed a fee with Ajax.And De Jong, who was finally unveiled on Friday as a Barcelona player having agreed to join the club six months previo...
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