Month: September 2019

Home / Month: September 2019

The Blues saw their goalkeeper refuse to go off during the Carabao Cup final, with a former boss refusing to buy the excuses offered up afterwards

Kepa Arrizabalaga has undermined manager Maurizio Sarri by refusing to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final, says Ruud Gullit, with talk of a misunderstanding merely “a political answer” to a problematic situation.

Chaotic scenes at Wembley Stadium saw the Blues goalkeeper summoned from the field after requiring treatment in extra-time.

Willy Caballero was readied to come on a matter of minutes before a goalless clash with his former club, Manchester City, headed into a penalty shootout.

Kepa, though, ignored the calls of those on the touchline and stubbornly stayed on the field, before going on to concede four times from the spot as City collected the first major silverware of the season.

The Spaniard’s actions sparked bemusement among many, while there have been calls for the world’s most expensive goalkeeper to be sacked or dropped indefinitely over his act of defiance.

Both Kepa and Sarri attempted to play the spat down in the wake of a frustrating afternoon for Chelsea, but former Blues boss Gullit is not buying the excuses offered up in public.

He told BBC Sport: “The captain [Cesar Azpilicueta] should have gone up to him and said ‘go off’.

“This is just a political answer for the newspapers so there is no confusion the next day. Everybody knows what happened. The way he [Sarri] reacted on the touchline says everything.”

Sarri was clearly angered by Kepa’s actions at the time and set off down the tunnel at one stage after seeing his authority undermined.

He did return to the bench but the damage had already been done.

Gullit added: “I think he wanted to take him off because he wanted a goalkeeper who knows the players of Manchester City.

“I think the goalkeeper, because he was injured, feels they wanted to substitute him because of his injury. That’s why he goes ‘no, no I’m fine’.

“In that moment I don’t know if someone came to him and said ‘look, there is a reason for this’. But he refused to go off and I think that undermines the manager and his authority.”

Asked how he would have reacted to such a situation, the former Netherlands international said: “You would go crazy.

“After a while he had to accept the fact that he didn’t want to go off. That was crazy.

“He had to stay there and say you have to come off now.”

Chelsea are due back in action on Wednesday when they play host to London rivals Tottenham and it remains to be seen whether Kepa will once again be selected to operate between the sticks.

Click Here: NRL Telstra Premiership

Folau still scratching the surface of rugby talent

September 27, 2019 | | No Comments

Israel Folau has been among the world’s best throughout his rugby career but NSW attack coach Chris Malone says the superstar has weapons that are still yet to be fully realised.

Folau’s aerial skills have always been among his most spectacular but it is only in the past two seasons that the Waratahs and Wallabies have really tried to harness this, with a switch to the wing last weekend only aiding that.

Though he wasn’t taking any credit for the positional move, NSW attack coach Chris Malone was more than satisfied with Folau’s game against the Rebels.

“I think the reality is you could pick him anywhere in the back line and he’s probably going to be the best player on the field and I was really pleased for the performance that he had, he embraced the move to the wing and obviously as you saw he was a huge difference in the two teams,” he said.

“The ability to get on the front foot through what he can do in the air was phenomenal.”

Malone admitted there was still more in Folau’s arsenal that might not have been maximised in his relatively short rugby career, a sport he only began playing in 2013.

“The great strengths that he has have probably not been used enough over the last five years and we want him to get his hands on the ball,” he said.

“If that’s good work inside him and passing it to him or kicking it to him or – there’s a number of different ways we can ensure we do that.

“He’s a huge threat and he had a good game last week and we’ll be looking for him to have another one this week.”

It wasn’t just Folau who enjoyed a positive afternoon the last time the Waratahs ran out – a dominant second half showed fans exactly the type of football they have the potential to play.

That was a display that Malone put down to one key factor, something that he is hoping will again be back in force in Canberra on Saturday night.

“The change was just a little bit of composure,” he said.

“The reality was we’d already created a lot in that game as we have in the games prior to that in the season.

“For us, it’s about believing that we’re going to get the outcome that we want, we don’t have to get it straight away on the first phase every time.

We had a golden patch in the game on the weekend, (but) the Brumbies, they have the best defence in the Australian conference, so you know we’re going to have to maintain possession for a lot longer than we have so far.

“I think the belief and the potential in this team, the boys have seen that now, so it’ll be our intention to continue to play good rugby, we don’t want to stop playing, we’re just finding a nice balance there keeping the pressure on the opposition as opposed to ourselves.”

Malone said halfback Nick Phipps was still ‘maybe, maybe not’ going to be back for the round seven match, still recovering from a preseason calf injury.

Jake Gordon should be back in the starting spot, overcoming a concussion.

The Brumbies are expected to name David Pocock to return from a knee injury for the derby.

The Waratahs take on the Brumbies at GIO Stadium on Saturday March 31, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.

The midfielder has struggled for game time under the current boss and the Real Madrid coach had now explained why he’s been left out

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has criticised Isco’s fitness, seemingly revealing why the midfielder has been out of favour this season as he was omitted from the squad once again.

Isco, 26, has made just five La Liga starts this campaign, and none since Solari took charge in late October.

The Spain international reportedly opted not to travel with Madrid on the bus for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 loss to Ajax on Tuesday after being dropped from the matchday squad.

While Solari was unwilling to be drawn into that matter, the Argentinian hinted that the midfielder was struggling to maintain his appropriate fitness levels as his exile continued this week when he was left out of the squad for Sunday’s trip to Real Valladolid on Sunday.

“Disciplinary issues are handled internally,” the coach told a news conference. 

“To play, you have to be in the right physical shape first and then you have to maintain it.”

Solari’s future with the club remains very much in doubt, with Goal understanding that  Jose Mourinho is being lined up to replace the Argentine in an interim role after a wretched 11-day period that some critics have dubbed the worst in Madrid’s history .

In that span the club lost twice to Barcelona at the Bernabeu, once in the Copa del Rey and once in La Liga, before taking a 4-1 loss to Ajax that saw the club knocked out of the Champions League.  

And Isco is not the only player to have drawn the ire of the current manager, who claimed that he had directly spoken to the players he didn’t think had fallen in line . 

Other star names like Gareth Bale and Marcelo have had their struggles, and a bust-up with Florentino Perez has left the future of club captain Serigio Ramos in some doubt as well . 

Madrid are third in La Liga, 15 points behind rivals and leaders Barcelona heading into Sunday’s match and have just 12 matches remaining to try and close the gap on the runaway league leaders. 

Click Here: France Football Shop

De Ligt should stay at Ajax for another year – Rep

September 26, 2019 | News | No Comments

The defender is linked with a move from the club, but the former Dutch winger wants him to stay a little longer

Ajax great Johnny Rep believes star centre-back Matthijs de Ligt should stay with the Eredivisie giants for another year amid links with a move.

De Ligt, 19, is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe and is already the Ajax captain.

Click Here: New Zealand rugby store

The Netherlands international, who has amassed 13 caps with the senior team, is linked with a switch to several of the world’s biggest clubs, including the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester City and Manchester United.

But Rep, who helped Ajax to two Eredivisie titles and a pair of European Cups in the early 1970s, hopes De Ligt stays in Amsterdam a little longer.

“It would be good for him to stay another year at Ajax,” he told AS.

“He is 19 years old, he is the captain. He should not be in a hurry.”

Rep came up through the Ajax academy in the 1970s, eventually moving to Valencia after winning seven total trophies with the club.

He retired in 1987 and remains the most prolific Dutch player in World Cup history having scored seven goals across two tournaments.

Ajax visit Real Madrid on Tuesday looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit in the Champions League last-16 tie.

Rep believes Erik ten Hag’s men still have a chance against Madrid, who have lost three of their past four games.

“I haven’t seen from the beginning that it was certain Madrid would get through this tie,” he said.

“I’ve been watching Madrid this season with many problems. Ajax still has a chance.”

Ajax currently sit five points behind PSV Eindhoven in the league, but hold a game in hand on their title rivals.

After the Real Madrid tie, Ajax will face Fortuna Sittard in their return to Eredivisie play.

The Netherlands international’s ability to read the game puts him in a class of his own, says the retired striker

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the world, according to Stan Collymore, and has been compared to Rio Ferdinand and Sergio Ramos by the former Reds striker.

Van Dijk has had a significant influence at the back for Liverpool this term and has helped turn the Reds into the best defensive side in the Premier League.

Click Here: NRL league Jerseys

Jurgen Klopp’s men have conceded just 15 league goals this term and kept a clean sheet against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, although some claimed the Bavarians sat back in that game.

“Van Dijk reads the game better than any other defender in the Premier League and is a bit old-school in that respect,” Collymore wrote in the Mirror.

“I’d put him in the Rio Ferdinand bracket when it comes to his reading of situations — he sees the danger, acknowledges the danger and has the physicality and athleticism to be able to deal with it.

“Some players can read the game but don’t have the pace and some have the pace but not the instinct. He has the lot and on top of that he exudes a calmness that rubs off on the rest of his side’s back four.

“I see in Van Dijk someone who is unflustered and will go on, either with Liverpool or another club, to win many, many titles.

“And by the time he hangs up his boots, we could be talking about him in the same venerable tones as Sergio Ramos if he gets the chance to win as many titles either at Liverpool or elsewhere.”

The Dutch international became the world’s most expensive defender when Liverpool paid £75 million to sign him from Southampton in January 2018, but Collymore thinks that now looks a bargain price.

“Van Dijk has to be worth at least £175m of anybody’s money and, while it’s easy to throw around statements such as ‘best in the world’, I really believe he is,” the former striker added.

The centre-back could still lift the Premier League and the Champions League this season with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson having said the Reds are targetting both titles.

They need either a win or a scoring draw when they travel to Bavaria next week if they are to make it through to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition. 

Former Spurs star Clive Allen believes a Wales international forward is being “unfairly treated” in Spain and should be given the support he deserves

Tottenham have been urged to make a “massive statement” by bringing Gareth Bale back to the club, with Clive Allen saddened to see a former favourite being “unfairly treated” at Real Madrid.

Speculation regarding the Wales international’s future has resurfaced over recent weeks.

Bale has faced criticism from former Blancos stars in Spain, while his apparent reluctance to integrate fully with those at the Santiago Bernabeu has been questioned by Marcelo and Thibaut Courtois.

A disgruntled fan base, amid a testing season for Madrid, has also made a scapegoat of the 29-year-old after growing tired of his form and fitness issues.

Bale’s agent has spoken out in defence of his client, slamming a supposed lack of respect and branding those involved “a disgrace”.

Jonathan Barnett has also sought to play down the mounting transfer talk, with Manchester United and Chelsea being credited with interest, but Allen believes a homecoming could be the best option for a man still given the appreciation he deserves in north London.

The former Spurs striker and coach told talkSPORT of the links to Bale: “I would love to see that happen.

“Gareth Bale coming back to Spurs, with the new stadium and the way the club is moving forward, I think that would be a massive statement.

“Obviously I was there when he arrived and I worked with him for a number of years.

“I saw him become an incredible footballer, he matured as a person and he has gone to extraordinary heights and achievements.

“We don’t appreciate him enough. What he has produced at Real Madrid has been nothing short of exceptional. It’s absolutely incredible what he’s done there.

Click Here: kenzo online españa

“I think Gareth has been very unfairly treated at Real Madrid. It’s just incredible they feel that way about him.”

Bale has spent almost six years in Spain, during which time has won the Liga title and four Champions League crowns.

He has also taken in three Club World Cup triumphs and passed the 100-goal mark for Madrid.

Expectation has always been high around him, though, following a record-breaking transfer in 2013 and he is not considered to have stepped out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese’s switch to Juventus last summer.

The Reds will be looking to keep pace with Premier League leaders Manchester City as they welcome Sean Dyche’s Clarets this weekend

Knocked off top, but have Liverpool been knocked out of the title race?

We will find out this week, as the Reds resume their Premier League campaign at home to Burnley.

A run of four draws in six league games has given the impetus to Manchester City, but Jurgen Klopp’s side know that with nine games remaining, there will be plenty more twists and turns to come between now and May.

Liverpool were 3-1 winners when visiting Burnley back in December, coming from behind to grab all three points at Turf Moor.

Here, Goal takes a look at everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s meeting…



Liverpool’s injury worries appeared to be easing, with Roberto Firmino shaking off an ankle problem to feature at Everton.

But James Milner, Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno all missed training at Melwood this week, with Lovren still no closer to a return after two months out with a hamstring issue.

Joe Gomez, injured in the reverse fixture, should be back later this month.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain featured for the Reds’ under-23 side at Derby County on Friday and is nearing a comeback, while young striker Rhian Brewster is also back in full training after 14 months out with a knee injury.



Liverpool do not have any suspended players for this game.



We can expect at least one change from last weekend’s draw at Everton, with Firmino almost certain to come in for Divock Origi up front.

After that, the big question surrounds Klopp’s midfield. Will he return to the 4-2-3-1 formation he has used in the past, with Naby Keita (left) or Xherdan Shaqiri (right) brought in? Both were unused at Goodison.

Keita could also be used as a third midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation, with either Gini Wijnaldum or Jordan Henderson missing out. That, for now, appears likeliest.



Burnley will be without long-term absentees Jon Walters (Achilles), Steven Defour (calf) and Aaron Lennon (knee) for this one.

Peter Crouch could face his former club, though he is likely to be used from the bench with Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood both in good form of late.



The game will kick off at 12 noon GMT, and will be screened live on BT Sport 1.

In the United States, the game can be watched live on television on NBC Sports, kick-off 7am ET. 



Click Here: cheap INTERNATIONAL jersey

After ugly scenes after the final whistle in the play-off first leg encounter between the teams, NEUFC are seeking action against Bengaluru officials

NorthEast United FC have lodged an official complaint with the match commissioner after distasteful incidents after the conclusion of the first leg of their Indian Super League play-off tie against Bengaluru FC.

The Highlanders had triumphed 2-1 after a dramatic injury-time penalty, awarded after Harmanjot Khabra had wrestled Juan Cruz Mascia down in the penalty box, was converted by the Uruguayan forward.

Following the final whistle that soon blew, there were ugly scenes with Bengaluru FC players and technical staff seemingly involved in a fracas which also featured NorthEast United assistant coach Shaun Onteng and winger Nikhil Kadam.

Though the situation was diffused soon, the Highlanders have gone on to register an official complaint against Bengaluru FC assistant coach Gerard Zaragoza and Spanish midfielder Dimas Delgado.

The Highlanders have accused Zaragoza and Dimas of physically assaulting Onteng and Kadam during the altercation.

More seriously, NorthEast United have also levelled charges against the aforementioned Bengaluru FC duo of abusing Kadam and Onteng verbally. They have also said that discriminatory language against Nikhil Kadam, highlighting his Indian nationality, was also used.

The League Secretary of the ISL and match commissioner now have a decision to make and Goal has come to know that the latter has already requested video footage of the incident from the TV broadcasters.

Should the Bengaluru FC duo be meted out any punishment, it could potentially endanger Dimas’ participation in the return leg in Bengaluru. With the Blues trailing the tie 2-1, coach Carles Cuadrat will be a concerned man.

 

Click Here: Italy Football Shop

The Scotsman does not think the Reds have anything to fear as they chase a maiden Premier League trophy

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson believes that being part of a title race should be enjoyable, amidst talk of pressure getting to him and his team-mates.

The Reds had held a seven-point lead over Manchester City, but a dip in form since the turn of the year has seen the reigning champions close the gap and go top of the table by a point.

Since losing to City – Liverpool’s only league loss of the season – Jurgen Klopp’s men have drawn with Leicester City, West Ham, Manchester United and Everton, allowing Pep Guardiola’s side to catch up.

However, Robertson has dismissed speculation that the pressure is getting to the squad, lauding their position.

“Talk about pressure and ‘bottling’… Relegation, that’s pressure,” Robertson said to The Anfield Wrap.

“I’ve said it in interviews before, people lose their job, players lose half their wages, managers get sacked more often than not. That’s not what this is. We’re going for a title, we’re going for trophies, it’s something we should enjoy, it shouldn’t be something that we fear.”

And the Scotland captain believes that Liverpool have every chance of winning the league, and must be ready to capitalise on any potential slip-ups from the league leaders.

“You know how hard it is to win a Premier League. We’ve got nine games and we’ve put ourselves in a great position. Some people that are talking about it would pay a lot of money to put their team in the same position as us.

“If you said at the start of the season would we have took a point behind Man City with nine games to go, after how far we finished behind them last season, you would have. It’s hard because of what’s happened in the season, we were leading but it was too early, it was in December/January, you don’t win a league then.

“Now we’re at the bit where it matters, we’re in single figures and we’re a point behind. We’ve given ourselves a hell of a chance. If City slip up then we need to be in a position to take advantage of that.”

Click Here: NRL Telstra Premiership

Liverpool will win their remaining games – Kompany

September 24, 2019 | News | No Comments

The defender feels Manchester City must stay in form as the Reds will be flawless for the rest of the Premier League season

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany believes Premier League title rivals Liverpool will win all of their remaining games.

Pep Guardiola’s men hold a one-point lead at the top with eight matches left in the Premier League this season.

City have won 24 of their 30 league games this campaign, while Liverpool have 22 victories after beating Burnley 4-2 on Sunday.

Kompany, whose team are aiming for back-to-back titles, said he felt the Reds would be flawless for the rest of the league season.

“We couldn’t have asked for more at this stage of the season but we are all convinced that Liverpool will win every single remaining game until the end of the season,” he told reporters.

“We know how big the task ahead of us is with big games still coming up and difficult games against any team. We’re all relaxed and calm, we’re not getting carried away.”

Raheem Sterling led City to their latest win, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Watford on Saturday.

Kompany believes the 24-year-old, who has 15 goals and nine assists in 27 league games this season, is one of the world’s best attackers.

“He has an amazing drive to develop. It’s incredible because his first year at City was tough and then from the moment Pep came in he just kicked on and went from strength to strength,” he said.

“For me, he is one of the best wingers in the world. He’s so, so important for us. To have the ability to unlock defences when they defend with so many bodies is the sign of a top, top, top player.”