Showing posts with label Football | The Guardian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football | The Guardian. Show all posts

Sunday, 8 November 2020

Mikel Arteta laments worst defeat after Arsenal are thrashed by Aston Villa

  • Manager accepts full responsibility for 3-0 loss
  • ‘I didn’t see my team out there. They wanted it more’

Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa as the worst of his managerial career but was at a loss to explain a performance in which – as he put it – “I didn’t see my team out there”. Arsenal were second best in every department and Arteta was scathing about his team’s attitude as well as their execution.

“They wanted it more than us,” he said. “I’m struggling to find the reason, but obviously there was something there. If you can’t defend your box, it’s a really complicated way to win matches. We haven’t been scoring a lot of goals and today we looked open in transition, and if you don’t put chances away you have no chance to win. I take full responsibility.”

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Thursday, 5 November 2020

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Keane is setting an example for Maguire, Liverpool can expose Manchester City’s vulnerability and will Southampton go top?

The knives are out again for Ole Gunnar Solskjær following Manchester United’s slapdash defeats to Arsenal and Basaksehir. Beating Everton is the only acceptable way to fight back. Solskjær is likely to go with a counterattacking formula that has generally worked well for him, although his job stability could still hinge on Harry Maguire’s ability to subdue Dominic Calvert-Lewin. As Maguire struggles to play his way out of a prolonged wobble, he might do well to seek inspiration from Michael Keane who, Everton’s two recent defeats notwithstanding, has improved hugely this year. One aspect of Keane’s play that has become especially noticeable in silent stadiums is how well he communicates with and guides his teammates. PD

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Saturday, 31 October 2020

Marco van Basten: ‘It was a very big fall and a really dark time’

Dutch great played on until, aged 28, he could stand the pain from his damaged ankle no more. ‘I went from football’s highest level down to the lowest level of personal unhappiness’

In 1994, in the middle of the night, Marco van Basten would often crawl from his bed to the bathroom. The pain in his damaged ankle was so bad that, to divert his attention, he would count the seconds it took him to cover the short but agonising distance. He remembers: “Whispering, I never reach the toilet before I get to 120. The door sills are the most challenging part because my ankle has to go over them without touching them. Even the slightest touch makes me bite my lip to prevent a scream.”

Two years earlier, Van Basten had won the Ballon D’Or for the third time while also being named Fifa’s world player of the year. “It was very difficult because I went from the highest level in football down to the lowest level of personal unhappiness,” he says. “It was a very big fall and a really dark time.”

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34I5l7Q

Ole Gunnar Solskjær unconcerned at Manchester United's league position

  • Club in bottom half of table before Arsenal’s visit
  • Manager believes season will be tight and unpredictable

Ole Gunnar Solskjær is philosophical about Manchester United lying in the bottom half of the table as they prepare for Sunday’s visit of Arsenal. His side have played one game fewer than most of their rivals, but the manager already feels this season is going to be markedly different from recent title campaigns.

“It’s going to be tighter and a lot more unpredictable,” he says. “I don’t think you will see anyone running away with it, quite a few teams are going to be in with a chance. It is going to be a long season, with a lot of games, based on a very short rest after the end of last season.

“Every manager is going on about the same thing, the importance of looking after the players. I don’t want to predict how many points will be necessary to win the title this season, but you can see already that records are unlikely to be broken.”

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/35UQfuO

Thursday, 29 October 2020

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Manchester City and United have found the right formula, Leicester are still looking for it, and Fulham need a win

“Manchester United struggle against a low block” is a criticism trotted out so regularly that it is accepted as fact, but the reality is somewhat different. When any Premier League team defends deep and in numbers, scoring goals against them is difficult. Since signing Bruno Fernandes, United have played 33 games, winning 22, drawing seven and losing four, the defeats linked not by the opponents’ set-up but by United’s poor goalkeeping, defending, finishing and fitness. They look to have resolved those issues, and may also have found the best way of setting up. Though a 4-4-2 diamond means selecting only two of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial – who is suspended for Sunday’s game – the formation makes the strikers extremely difficult to mark. A tight midfield four behind affords the defence greater protection and allows Ole Gunnar Solskjær to pick two playmakers. After a long search, United look to have found the right balance. DH

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3kFSJ6x

Tuesday, 27 October 2020

Champions League round-up: Real rally to snatch 2-2 draw at Mönchengladbach

  • Real Madrid avoid fourth straight European loss in Germany
  • Inter held by Shakhtar as João Félix shines for Atlético

Real Madrid scored two goals in the final minutes with Karim Benzema and Casemiro to rescue a 2-2 draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach in their Champions League Group B match to avoid a fourth successive defeat in the competition.

Related: Liverpool maintain perfect start against Midtjylland but lose Fabinho to injury

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Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Klopp thrilled with Fabinho's display in defence as Liverpool shut Ajax out

  • Midfielder forced to fill void left by Virgil van Dijk
  • Fabinho’s acrobatic clearance off the line seals win

Jürgen Klopp believes Fabinho’s ­confidence and stature in the heart of Liverpool’s defence will continue to grow after the Brazilian produced a dominant display in the Champions League victory at Ajax.

Related: Liverpool edge out Ajax in Champions League after Nicolás Tagliafico own goal

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3obfFge

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

US judge will hear arguments over Cristiano Ronaldo hush money allegations

Cristiano Ronaldo’s legal fight against a woman who accuses the Juventus star of raping her in his suite at a Las Vegas resort more than 10 years ago is heading toward a trial before a federal judge in Nevada.

No date was immediately set, but US district judge Jennifer Dorsey said she will hear arguments and decide herself whether Kathryn Mayorga was mentally fit to enter a 2010 hush-money agreement with Ronaldo’s representatives that paid Mayorga $375,000.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3jE0gSS

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

Premier League 2020-21 preview No 10: Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers’ team can be brilliant but could go backwards if they do not adequately address shortcomings

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 7th (NB: this is not necessarily Paul Doyle’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 5th

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/356DWNo

Premier League 2020-21 preview No 9: Leeds United

Will Marcelo Bielsa’s team be another Sheffield United or more like Norwich? Much may depend on record signing Rodrigo

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 10th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 1st in the Championship

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3bofFn4

Premier League 2020-21 preview No 8: Fulham

As ever, much depends on Aleksandar Mitrovic. More than anything, though, Fulham need to trust in the collective

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 19th (NB: this is not necessarily Jacob Steinberg’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 4th in Championship

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Tuesday, 11 August 2020

MLS is Back Tournament final: Portland Timbers v Orlando City – live!

And at last, ESPN turns its attention to Disney World, and perhaps we’ll find out when we’ll actually be kicking off.

But first, Tim Howard narrates a piece about the bubble.

Officiating news

The center ref is Ismail Elfath, but the story here is Kathryn Nesbitt, the AR who will be the first woman to officiate an MLS final.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3aoh5O4

Sunday, 26 July 2020

Jan Vertonghen heads for Tottenham exit, Ledley King joins backroom team

  • Defender has not been offered new deal by José Mourinho
  • Roy Hodgson pessimistic over hopes of keeping Wilfried Zaha

Jan Vertonghen is set to leave Tottenham after his teammates paid emotional tributes following the final game of the season at Crystal Palace.

The Belgium defender has not been offered a new deal and will leave after eight years service during which he made more than 300 appearances and was one of the most reliable centre-backs in the Premier League. The goalkeeper Michel Vorm is also departing with the club set to confirm their exits on Monday.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2En0tu4

Wednesday, 15 July 2020

Juventus held by Sassuolo in thriller, Porto win Primeira Liga title

  • Juve edge seven points clear after dramatic 3-3 draw
  • Porto beat Sporting 2-0 to claim their 29th title

Juventus are slowly closing in on another Serie A title, but the league leaders were unconvincing again as they drew 3-3 at Sassuolo to go seven points clear.

Danilo opened the scoring for Juventus in the sixth minute when a corner found him unmarked on the edge of the box, and the defender drilled a powerful shot through a cluster of bodies into the net.

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Wednesday, 8 July 2020

Championship roundup: Pep Clotet leaves Birmingham after Swansea loss

  • ‘It was mutually agreed that he should relinquish the role’
  • Wigan and Middlesbrough both win to boost survival hopes

Pep Clotet has left his position as Birmingham City head coach after the club’s 3-1 home defeat to Swansea City.

The 43-year-old was due to step down at the end of the season, but a 10th Championship match without a win brought his departure forward. Birmingham are 17th in the table, four points above the relegation zone with four matches to play. Clotet did not speak to the media after Wednesday’s defeat and his exit was announced just after 11pm BST.

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Monday, 6 July 2020

Everton assisting police with inquiries after lit flare is left on Dixie Dean statue

  • Club release statement over ‘disrespectful’ incident
  • Everton say statue has not suffered permanent damage

Everton have confirmed they are “assisting Merseyside Police with their inquiries” after a red flare was ignited and left on the Dixie Dean statue outside Goodison Park.

Footage of the incident was widely shared on social media and prompted outrage from Everton fans, with flowers and tributes to loved ones surrounding the bottom of the statue.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2O7cFk1

Ralf Rangnick agrees to become Milan manager for start of 2020-21 season

  • Former RB Leipzig manager to take over from Stefano Pioli
  • German may also become club’s sporting director

Milan have reached a deal with Ralf Rangnick to become the club’s new manager for the 2020-21 season. The German will replace Stefano Pioli, who has been in charge since October last year.

The 62-year-old Rangnick has already agreed to become the club’s new manager but will also hold discussions with the Milan hierarchy to combine that role with that of sporting director, a position currently held by Paolo Maldini.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/38Cfnrh

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

José Mourinho hails 'fundamental' Harry Kane as Moyes hits out at VAR

  • Kane scored second goal in 2-0 victory over the Hammers
  • David Moyes unhappy Spurs’ first goal was not ruled out

José Mourinho emphasised that Harry Kane is “fundamental” to his Tottenham side after watching the England striker score his first Premier League goal of 2020 in the 2-0 home win against struggling West Ham.

Related: Tottenham's Harry Kane back on target to deepen West Ham's misery

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Friday, 19 June 2020

José Mourinho 'really upset' at penalty incidents after Spurs' draw with United

  • Tottenham manager wanted diving Bruno Fernandes ‘exposed’
  • Mourinho also suggests five subs rule favours ‘powerful squads’

José Mourinho said he was “really upset” at how Tottenham were pegged back late on for a 1-1 draw by Manchester United, complaining at the nature of the equalising penalty and an even later incident when VAR overruled what would have been a second spot-kick against his team, before making a point about how the new five substitutes rule favours clubs with greater resources.

Paul Pogba, on as a second-half substitute for United, won the penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted, getting in front of Eric Dier with a piece of skill and then going to ground. United almost had another spot-kick when Fernandes went down under another Dier challenge only for VAR replays to show that the Portuguese had dived and make the overrule.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Chnz46

Monday, 8 June 2020

Australia and New Zealand Women's World Cup bid boosted as Brazil withdraw

  • Just three bids remain ahead of June 25 decision
  • Economic impact of Covid-19 behind Brazil’s decision

Australia and New Zealand are now in a three-horse race to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup after Brazil withdrew their bid. The South American giants announced on Tuesday their withdrawal after it was deemed economic support from government and private entities could not be guaranteed.

In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said economic concerns related to the Covid-19 crisis were a primary factor in the bid being withdrawn.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/37bAJuQ

Watch: Blood donors get a Halloween fright in Thailand

Thai Red Cross workers dressed up as part of a Halloween-themed blood drive in the country's capital Bangkok. from BBC News https://if...