Archive for November 2017

Tim Vickery’s Notes from South America: Tim Vickery’s Notes from South America: Lanus pin their Libertadores hopes on Messi’s former team-mate

November 29, 2017 Add Comment
Tim Vickery’s Notes from South America: Tim Vickery’s Notes from South America: Lanus pin their Libertadores hopes on Messi’s former team-mate
News – World Soccer
Tim Vickery’s Notes from South America: Tim Vickery’s Notes from South America: Lanus pin their Libertadores hopes on Messi’s former team-mate

Little winger Acosta could play a big role in the second leg against Gremio

Lautaro Acosta of Lanus celebrates after scoring a penalty during the second leg match between Lanus and San Lorenzo as part of the quarter finals of Copa Libertadores 2017 at Ciudad de Lanus Stadium in Lanus, Argentina. (Photo: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)The little winger could play a big role in the second leg against Gremio

LOAN WATCH: Chelsea winger Jeremie Boga wonder goal earns Birmingham crucial point

November 28, 2017 Add Comment
LOAN WATCH: Chelsea winger Jeremie Boga wonder goal earns Birmingham crucial point
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
LOAN WATCH: Chelsea winger Jeremie Boga wonder goal earns Birmingham crucial point
LOAN WATCH: Chelsea winger Jeremie Boga wonder goal earns Birmingham crucial point

Chelsea loanee, Jeremie Boga has helped his side, Birmingham City, to their second away point of the season on Saturday at Sheffield United.

Boga scored a stunning first-ever goal for Birmingham in the 38th minute, when he struck home a monster strike from 25 yards out, after receiving the rebound ball from a corner.

Read more on Tribal Football

​Stoke boss Hughes stresses Liverpool pose a threat overall not just Salah

November 27, 2017 Add Comment
​Stoke boss Hughes stresses Liverpool pose a threat overall not just Salah
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
​Stoke boss Hughes stresses Liverpool pose a threat overall not just Salah
​Stoke boss Hughes stresses Liverpool pose a threat overall not just Salah

Stoke boss Hughes stresses Liverpool pose a threat overall not just Salah

Stoke boss Mark Hughes says his team must be aware of the threat posed by the whole Liverpool team and not become preoccupied with prolific scorer Mo Salah.

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Kante hails Chelsea battling qualities to earn Liverpool draw: We are united

November 26, 2017 Add Comment
Kante hails Chelsea battling qualities to earn Liverpool draw: We are united
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Kante hails Chelsea battling qualities to earn Liverpool draw: We are united
Kante hails Chelsea battling qualities to earn Liverpool draw: We are united

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante felt they can be happy with the point earned at Liverpool on Saturday.

After going behind to a second-half strike from Mohamed Salah, it took a late equaliser from Willian who lobbed Simon Mignolet from wide on the right to earn Chelsea a share of the spoils.

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WATCH: Barcelona goalscorer Jordi Alba says 'I saw Messi goal from halfway line!'

November 26, 2017 Add Comment
WATCH: Barcelona goalscorer Jordi Alba says 'I saw Messi goal from halfway line!'
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
WATCH: Barcelona goalscorer Jordi Alba says 'I saw Messi goal from halfway line!'
WATCH: Barcelona goalscorer Jordi Alba says 'I saw Messi goal from halfway line!'

Barcelona fullback Jordi Alba admits there was a lot of frustration after their 1-1 draw at Valencia.

Alba was adamant that it was a mistake on behalf of referee, Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva, not to allow Lionel Messi's goal.

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Thibaut Courtois' contract dilemma: Why Abramovich can't take Conte's Chelsea warning personally

November 26, 2017 Add Comment
Thibaut Courtois' contract dilemma: Why Abramovich can't take Conte's Chelsea warning personally
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Thibaut Courtois' contract dilemma: Why Abramovich can't take Conte's Chelsea warning personally
Thibaut Courtois' contract dilemma: Why Abramovich can't take Conte's Chelsea warning personally

COMMENT: Take it the right way, Roman. Please take this week's comments from your manager with the spirit it was intended.

If the belief was with Michael Emenalo stepping down, that Antonio Conte would pull back from his complaining about how the front office is running Chelsea, then Roman Abramovich was sure in for a surprise this week.

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Real Madrid captain Ramos calls Ozil directly with Barcelona warning

November 26, 2017 Add Comment
Real Madrid captain Ramos calls Ozil directly with Barcelona warning
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Real Madrid captain Ramos calls Ozil directly with Barcelona warning
Real Madrid captain Ramos calls Ozil directly with Barcelona warning

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has inserted himself into Barcelona's pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.

The German playmaker is out of contract next summer and has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp.

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Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Dortmund facing crisis over Aubameyang

November 25, 2017 Add Comment
Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Dortmund facing crisis over Aubameyang
News – World Soccer
Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Dortmund facing crisis over Aubameyang

Striker is in the throes of a slow-motion departure from the Westfalenstadion

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund (Photo: Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images)Striker is in the throes of a slow-motion departure from the Westfalenstadion

Gerard Pique angry with Barcelona board for ditching appeal

November 23, 2017 Add Comment
Gerard Pique angry with Barcelona board for ditching appeal
Tribal Football - Football News, Soccer News, Transfers & Rumours
Gerard Pique angry with Barcelona board for ditching appeal
Gerard Pique angry with Barcelona board for ditching appeal

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is again feeling let down by management.

Pique, reports Don Balon, has been left stunned that Barca chose not to appeal his yellow card received in the win over Leganes last weekend. The booking sees the defender suspended for the looming clash with Valencia.

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Footy Accumulators asks the big question: what’s the biggest rivalry in British football?

November 23, 2017 Add Comment
Footy Accumulators asks the big question: what’s the biggest rivalry in British football?
News – World Soccer
Footy Accumulators asks the big question: what’s the biggest rivalry in British football?

Online poll reveals the biggest divide in British football

Rangers and Celtic fans during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on September 10, 2016 in Glasgow. (Photo: Steve Welsh/Getty Images)Online poll reveals the biggest divide in British football

Griezmann needs support of Atletico and fans – Simeone

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Diego Simeone said out-of-form star Antoine Griezmann needs the support of Atletico Madrid and their fans amid his eight-game streak without a goal.
Griezmann was jeered by his own supporters as he fired another blank in Atletico's scoreless stalemate against city rivals and LaLiga champions Real Madrid last week.

Linked with a big-money move to Manchester United in the off-season, Griezmann has not scored since September 27, while he has only tallied three goals in all competitions this term – two of those in 10 LaLiga appearances.

Simeone defended Griezmann – who revealed a transfer to United is a "possibility" in his biography 'Behind a smile, the life of the Little Prince told by himself' – following the Madrid derby and the Atletico head coach rallied behind the France international again ahead of Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Roma.

"Antoine is worried and it's normal because he wants to show us his best version and he need to score for that," Simeone told reporters during his pre-match news conference.

"It's also true that he did a great job in a lot of matches even if he didn't score but he had a great relationship with goals in the last year's so now that he's not scoring he's suffering and so does the team.

"Also, the fans get angry because he has been our top scorer in the last season's, the kid has everything, he's an awesome player, from our side we know that we just need to support him. Giving him the opportunity to play and trusting him because he's a player with the goal in the blood so he will naturally find his way back to it."

I say one thing and you write something else - Angry Ronaldo brushes off media

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Cristiano Ronaldo was in no mood to speak to the media following Real Madrid's Champions League victory over APOEL, with the frustrated star claiming he would say one thing and reporters would write another.

Ronaldo ended his four-game goalless streak for Madrid by scoring twice in Tuesday's 6-0 rout of APOEL in Cyprus, however, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner was angry afterwards.

Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer has been the subject of speculation regarding his reported unhappiness in the Spanish capital as well as an alleged rift with captain Sergio Ramos over the strength of the LaLiga and Champions League titleholders in 2017-18.

As Ronaldo walked through the mixed zone post-match, the Portuguese told reporters: "How can I talk to you if I say one thing and you write something else?"

´World class´ Insigne can´t be rested – Sarri

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Maurizio Sarri said he cannot rotate Lorenzo Insigne as the "world class player" is too important for Napoli following their Champions League victory.
Insigne scored a stunning goal to lead Napoli to a 3-0 win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F action on Tuesday.

Deemed surplus to requirements in Italy's failed World Cup qualification bid against Sweden, Insigne struck against AC Milan in Serie A last week and the star forward was at it again as Napoli accounted for Shakhtar.

"This is Lorenzo. He has improved so much over the last three years, become a world class player who I think has to be left out of squad rotation too, because he is so important," Sarri told Mediaset Premium.

"We can give him a rest for the final 20 minutes, but to drop him from the start – I can't do it."

The win boosted Napoli's hopes of progressing to the knockout round in the Champions League.

Napoli are still third in Group F, but they only trail second-placed Shakhtar by three points with one matchday remaining as Manchester City sit six points clear.

"We wanted the three points at all costs," Insigne said. "We know it doesn't only depend on us, but we hope City will beat Shakhtar and we can get our result away to Feyenoord."

On Sarri, Insigne – who was dropped by former Italy head coach Gian Piero Ventura for the World Cup play-off – added: "I thank the coach, as since the first day he has always put his faith in me and I tried to repay him with performances, goals and assists.

"I'll never stop putting myself at the disposal of the coach at any moment of the match."

Ben Yedder trolls Liverpool after dramatic Sevilla comeback

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

While there was no Champions League trophy on the line, Sevilla's comeback against Liverpool was reminiscent of the 'Miracle of Istanbul' as two-goal hero Wissam Ben Yedder trolled the Reds on Twitter.

Liverpool were cruising at 3-0 in Tuesday's Champions League encounter in Seville until Ben Yedder scored twice in the second half to salvage a dramatic 3-3 draw.

After Roberto Firmino's quick-fire brace and Sadio Mane's strike gave Liverpool a three-goal lead inside 30 minutes, Ben Yedder reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half.

Ben Yedder struck again via the penalty spot on the hour-mark before Guido Pizarro equalised in the 93rd minute.

Liverpool are no strangers to stunning comebacks, having erased a 3-0 deficit against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final as they eventually triumphed on penalties.

And Frenchman Ben Yedder had some afterwards on social media, seemingly referencing Liverpool's famous night in Istanbul 12 years ago.

Everton yet to make contact with Van Gaal

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Louis van Gaal has not yet had any contact with Everton about the vacant managerial position at Goodison Park.
Ronald Koeman was dismissed as Toffees boss last month and, despite a seemingly extensive search that has seen the likes of Marco Silva, Sam Allardyce and Sean Dyche linked to the role, a permanent replacement has not yet been named.

Van Gaal has emerged as a surprise candidate to succeed his fellow Dutchman, with the 66-year-old having been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in May 2016.

It is thought the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is interested in a return to management, but he says there has been no contact with Everton's hierarchy.

When asked about the Everton role by The Daily Mail, Van Gaal responded: "I've not yet been asked."

Van Gaal, who won the FA Cup with United in 2016, endured a difficult time with the Old Trafford supporters, who were frustrated by his perceived negative style of play.

Everton spent heavily in the past transfer window to bring in the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen, while Wayne Rooney returned, but have taken just 12 points from as many matches to three points above the drop zone.

Skoko wants Australian coach as Arnold emerges as Postecoglou replacement

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Former Australia midfielder Josip Skoko believes Ange Postecoglou's replacement should be local as Graham Arnold looms as the next head coach of the World Cup-bound Socceroos.

Despite securing Australia's spot in Russia next year via the inter-continental play-offs last week, Asian Cup-winning boss Postecoglou resigned on Wednesday.

Speculation over his future had dominated headlines since the Socceroos overcame Syria in an AFC play-off in September, with the 52-year-old non-committal on his plans throughout the vital stages of Australia's qualifying campaign.

Discussions over Postecoglou's successor have centred on Sydney FC head coach and two-time A-League champion Arnold, who spent a brief stint in charge of the national side following Guus Hiddink's memorable reign in 2006.

Whether it is Arnold or not, ex-Wigan Athletic and Hajduk Split player Skoko – who earned 51 international caps and featured at the 2006 World Cup – feels Football Federation Australia (FFA) should stick with an Australian coach.

Messi closes on century but Pogba must do more – Champions League in Opta numbers

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Barcelona will secure top spot in their group with another positive result on Wednesday in what is arguably the biggest game of Champions League matchday five.

Lionel Messi is close to a personal milestone but Juventus will be desperate to avenge their 3-0 loss at Camp Nou and secure passage to the last 16 themselves.

Manchester United are also on the brink of the knockout phase and will look to fit-again Paul Pogba to improve on a pretty miserable record in the competition, while Paris Saint-Germain represent a daunting prospect for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers.

Chelsea will look to follow them into the next round and will hope Eden Hazard continues his electric form against Qarabag, while Atletico Madrid and Roma face off in a potentially pivotal showdown in the Spanish capital.

Below, we examine the key Opta numbers behind Wednesday's fixtures.

Replacing you might not be a great idea! – Buffon grateful for Rakitic tribute

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Ivan Rakitic spoke for a generation of football fans when he described the difficulty of witnessing Gianluigi Buffon's international heartbreak, but his offer of a place in Croatia's midfield has been kindly rejected by the Italy great.

Buffon's 175-cap career for the Azzurri ended in tears as Italy missed out on the World Cup for the first time in 60 years following a play-off defeat to Sweden.

Like millions watching the world over, Rakitic found it tough to see a legend of the game miss out in such agonising fashion and spoke glowingly of the Juventus stalwart ahead of Barcelona's trip to Turin in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"I would give up my place in the World Cup for him; when you see him crying, you want to cry too," said Rakitic.

"A player like him cannot say goodbye like that."

Barca team-mate Jordi Alba was also effusive in his praise for Buffon, calling him "the best goalkeeper in history".

And Buffon was grateful to receive the support of his opponents, but turned down Rakitic's offer to replace him in Croatia's midfield.

Carragher slams Liverpool for playing ´like children´ in Sevilla collapse

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Jamie Carragher was angered by Liverpool's Champions League collapse at Sevilla, describing the performance as "like watching children".

The Reds appeared to be coasting into the knockout stages as Roberto Firmino's double and a diving header from Sadio Mane put them into a commanding 3-0 lead.

However, Jurgen Klopp's side floundered after the break at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, as Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice to give Sevilla hope, before Guido Pizarro levelled the match in injury time.

Liverpool's defending has faced severe scrutiny this season and club great Carragher was incensed by their inability to see out what should have been a comfortable three points.

Speaking to Viasport, he said: "Well it was a shambles, and thankfully I'm not allowed to swear also, because I'd like to swear when I see that second half!

"The big question going into this game [was] could Liverpool's defence cope with the atmosphere and the players of Sevilla – we know they have a great record.

"And I felt before the game the answer would be 'no', but I didn't think it would be as bad as this, especially in the second half.

"I didn't see Liverpool keeping a clean sheet, but to be 3-0 up and to seeing how Liverpool gave the goals away, and the actual game intelligence, it was like watching children play.

"At Sevilla, you have to quieten the crowd. Liverpool did that by scoring goals in the first half.

"In the second half Sevilla came flying out, [Liverpool were] giving stupid free-kicks away that lift the crowd, lift the players, get the referee giving yellow cards.

"And that's what Liverpool continually did. Two of the goals came from set-pieces, and another from a foul they give away in the box from Alberto Moreno.

"It's unbelievable to see a decision like that from a player at Champions League level. It was like watching children in the second half.”

Manchester United move still a possibility for Atletico star Griezmann

November 22, 2017 Add Comment

Antoine Griezmann has once again fuelled talk of joining Manchester United by suggesting a switch to Old Trafford remains a possibility.

The Atletico Madrid forward was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League during the last window, but a transfer ban imposed on the LaLiga club curtailed any potential deal.

Griezman then extended his stay at Atletico, where his form has faltered this season with just three goals in 14 matches across all competitions.

Nevertheless, there is little doubt that Griezmann's stock remains high and United have been tipped to renew their interest.

The France forward reiterated that he is happy with life in the Spanish capital, but the 26-year-old is keen to keep his options open.

"In June, I extended my contract. I'm linked to the club until 2022," Griezmann wrote in a new biography 'Behind the smile. The life of the little prince as told by himself'.

"Although I might be missing out on titles, I have everything here to be happy but that does not mean to say I won't go one day.

"I haven't made that decision. It all depends on various factors. I have nothing against England except for the weather. Manchester United is a possibility.

"As much as I repeat that I am delighted at Atletico, I have a great coach and great team-mates, they regularly ask me about my future. I do not exclude anything."
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