Category: Soccer

Quique Setién speaks ahead of Barcelona vs Bayern Munich

Barcelona coach Quique Setién has spoken in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on Friday night. The Cantabrian coach answered general questions and explained his expectations.

On statements in German media: “One thing is the statements and what people may think and another is what happens on the pitch. We know about Bayern’s talent and pace, especially in the offensive aspect. I think it will key to have the ball. There will not be a clear dominator and the one who will overcome the tie is the one who takes advantage of their chances.”

On the Lewandowski-Messi comparisons: “Lewandowski is a great player but he’s not on Messi’s level, I think that’s clear. Lewandowski has 13 goals in the Champions League and is very well assisted by his teammates, but we have already seen Leo the other day against Napoli. It’s good that … Read the rest

Romano reveals date Man United will renew Pogba's contract by

Manchester United fans can expect Paul Pogba to be tied down long-term soon according to Fabrizio Romano.

The French midfielder previously stated a desire for a new challenge but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed to hold onto him nonetheless.

Pogba was said to have an interest in him by the likes of PSG, Juventus and Real Madrid but United fought them all off so far.

The World Cup winner only has a year left to his contract though it’s believed the club triggered the additional year in his deal.

Either way, Pogba needs to be handed a new contract if he’s going to be committed to the Red Devils for the long term and Romano has given fans a date.

… Read the rest

Beating Bayern: towards Barça’s Champions League clash

With the most important game of the Barça season approaching its beginning, Bayern Munich looks stronger than ever this year and is set to have the favoritisms on its side. Despite Barcelona’s struggles, we analyse the ways in which the Spanish giants could overturn the predictions into beating Bayern for a place in the next Champions League semi-final.

Are you excited? Oh, you are afraid? Do not be. This is not the time to be fearful, but rather excited. Really excited. The only reason we, as football enthusiasts, watch the Champions League is to live something extraordinary, entertaining and enjoyable. Fans should strive for nights as this one that is quickly approaching. A strange night in mid August, in a strange atmosphere, with strange predictions.

Barcelona has always been used get comfortable when witnessing an European draw, especially its fans. The Catalan team has never once been considered the weakest … Read the rest

Could the underdogs tag play into the favour of Barcelona?

The hype for the upcoming Barça vs Bayern clash refuses to die down. Several provocative statements have been made in just the past two days. With Barcelona being unanimously labelled the underdogs, could it actually work in their favor?

Underdogs. A term used to describe a side that is thought to have little to no chance of winning a contest. Certainly, not a term one would associate with a European giant like Barça. Heading into Friday night’s clash against Bayern Munich, however, it seems to be accepted that Barcelona are the underdogs. Football pundits across the globe, fans of both sides, and various influential figures of the German club, seem to have overlooked the blaugranas alike.

“Obviously Barcelona have the quality to play at their best in this game. But I believe Bayern would have to make a lot of bad mistakes to lose to this Barcelona team”

… Read the rest

Barcelona confirm squad heading to Lisbon ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Barcelona have announced the squad that has made the trip to Lisbon ahead of their Champions League quarter-final showdown against Bayern Munich on Friday night.

After seeing off Napoli last week, the Catalan giants will hope to continue their run in Europe but face a hugely difficult task against the reigning Bundesliga champions.

SEE MORE: Video: Ousmane Dembele turns on style in Barcelona training as star looks sharp

It promises to be a fascinating battle between two giants of European football, and Barcelona coach Quique Setien will hope to have as close to a fully-fit squad at his disposal as possible.

As seen in the club’s tweet below, they’ve named a 26-man squad list that has travelled to Lisbon for the meeting with the Bavarian giants, and notably Ousmane Dembele has been included.

However, Mundo Deportivo note that the Frenchman hasn’t been given the all clear by the medical staff … Read the rest

Liverpool ‘disrespected’ Norwich and left a ‘sour taste’ after Jamal Lewis chase, according to Inside Story

There is a long and rather interesting story in the Eastern Daily Press that slams Liverpool for our conduct during the Jamal Lewis chase.

Journalist Paddy Davitt has branded the Premier League champions ‘disrespectful’ and has claimed the relationship between ourselves and Norwich has been damaged following the Jamal Lewis mini-saga.

To be honest, we’re baffled by his opinion. Liverpool had a valuation for Lewis of around £10-12m. Norwich wanted at least double that.

When the offer was submitted and immediately rejected, Liverpool signed a left-back for £11m in Kostas Tsimikas who was valued at what we wanted to spend on him.

Davitt’s argument that Liverpool have now potentially unsettled Lewis is a little silly. It’s the summer transfer window. Clubs make bids for players they want the entire time. Liverpool did not pursue the deal for months, only to pull out at the last minute and leave Lewis despondent, … Read the rest

Liverpool ‘frontrunners’ for Sarr – £50m bankroll from player sales could fund deal for Sadio Mane’s mate

A reliable source has indicated that Liverpool are indeed in the race for Ismaila Sarr, Watford’s 22-year-old winger.

David Lynch of the Standard has penned a piece with Watford expert Simon Collings that states Liverpool are the ‘frontrunners’ for Sarr, but Watford want £40m for his services…

The winger would prefer an Anfield switch, says Lynch, who also states the fee for his services could be funded by the sales of Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson and Marko Grujic – who could fetch over £50m combined.

We don’t mind Sarr as a player, but for that kind of money, we’d like someone a little closer to the levels of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

After all, Sarr scored five goals in his debut Premier League season, two less than Wilson, who is already on our books and is not in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.

Sarr ripped us apart at Vicarage Road, but … Read the rest

Can Arteta’s Arsenal build on FA Cup triumph?

By Jon Spurling @jonspurling1

Despite what Arsenal fans may have sung or Tweeted last weekend, the club doesn’t actually own the FA Cup. Yet, given that that the Gunners have now won it 14 times, and 8 of these victories have occurred within the last 22 years, it’s no surprise that the love many fans have for the beautiful old silver pot runs deep.

Several of the club’s FA Cup wins have even been afforded their own moniker which most Arsenal fans will recognise instantly. In 1930, when Herbert Chapman’s men defeated Huddersfield 2-0 to land the club its first piece of major silverware, it quickly became dubbed the ‘Zeppelin Final,’ after the Graf Zeppelin hove into view during the second half at Wembley.

The 1979 showpiece was described as the “3 minute final” after Manchester United wiped out Arsenal’s 2-0 lead, only to see Alan Sunderland sweep home the … Read the rest

Gallery: Man United stars put through their paces ahead of Sevilla

Manchester United’s players appear to be working hard ahead of their clash with Sevilla as pictures from training were posted online.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will take on the Spanish side in the semi-final of the Europa League with it being the last chance for any silverware this season.

United reached the Carabao Cup semi-final where they fell to Manchester City and in the FA Cup they fell to Chelsea.

Solskjaer managed to lead his men to a third-place finish in the league but there’s no trophy for that and he’s keen to get his players into a winning mentality.

Winning the Europa League will put the Red Devils in good stead for the next season if they are to challenge for the title.

… Read the rest