₦airaland Forum

The Reds arrived in Budapest reeling after three consecutive domestic defeats but they triumphed thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane

For a team in crisis, this was just what the doctor ordered.

They may be struggling domestically, but Europe has always brought out the best in Liverpool.

And Jurgen Klopp’s side have one foot in the quarter-finals after their 2-0 first leg victory over RB Leipzig in Budapest.

BARCELONA
Barcelona's brutal reality check: Mbappe-inspired PSG show why Messi wanted to quit Camp Nou
Rik Sharma
Spanish Football Writer
Last updated 3 hours ago
Lionel Messi Kylian Mbappe Barcelona PSG GFX
Getty/Goal
BARCELONA

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

MARQUINHOS

MARC-ANDRÉ TER STEGEN

OUSMANE DEMBÉLÉ

MARCO VERRATTI

FRENKIE DE JONG

PSG

LIONEL MESSI

TRINCÃO

BARCELONA V PSG

NEYMAR

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

SAMUEL UMTITI

PIQUÉ

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

FEATURES & OPINIONS

MAURO ICARDI

Á. DI MARÍA

MOISE KEAN
The Blaugrana captain put his side ahead at Camp Nou with a penalty but Ronald Koeman's side capitulated in the second half of a chastening 4-1 defeat

There was enthusiasm, there was spirit, but ultimately there was Kylian Mbappe and a brutal reality check for Barcelona.

Ronald Koeman’s side suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night in the Champions League last 16, and they will need another ‘remontada’ to get out of this one. It doesn’t look likely.

Their whole season is almost over, in terms of potential trophies, but this campaign never seemed promising on that front after last summer’s 8-2 annihilation by Bayern Munich and Lionel Messi’s foiled attempt to flee.

*⚽�SP⭕RT DAILY 07 TOP GOALSCORERS UPDATE*

*�������PREMIER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS*

1 Mohamed Salah
Liverpool 17

2 Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United 14

3 D. Calvert-Lewin
Everton 13

➡️H. Kane
Tottenham Hotspur 13

➡️Son Heung-Min
Tottenham Hotspur
13

6 P. Bamford
Leeds United 12

➡️J. Vardy
Leicester City 12

8 İ. Gündoğan
Manchester City 11

9 O. Watkins
Aston Villa 10

➡️C. Wilson
Newcastle United 10

11 W. Zaha
Crystal Palace 9

�✍️

CHELSEA

TIMO WERNER

PREMIER LEAGUE

FEATURES & OPINIONS

CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Germany striker netted his first Premier League goal after a 14-game drought as the Blues leapfrogged Liverpool with a 2-0 win over Newcastle

Match statistics: Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle

For the first time in 100 days and 1000 minutes of football, Timo Werner has scored a Premier League goal.

Much has been made of the Germany international's drought in front of goal over the winter months, and there is no doubt his struggles played a part in the Blues' slide down the table.

*THE MANGO, COCONUT AND BITTER LEAF*
Listen my Son, your antagonists will increase at every second of your progress. My entrepreneur father said some few years ago.

One day he said, walk with me, I have something to show you.

He went to the *mango tree* at the backyard, and requested I pluck a fruit from the tree. Actually the ripe one.

I looked carefully and replied; dad, I can't see any ripe one here. He stared at me for few seconds, this time, my heartbeat increased.

He had actually warned me to be prudent like King Solomon anytime I come close to him because the race is not for the ignorant anymore.

I adjusted my breath for another few seconds, I said again; dad, I can't find any ripe MANGO. Beautiful, he said, with a confident tone. Then he continued......

Nobody will know you when you are not ripped. Nobody will attack you when your glory isn't showing. At this stage, you are like the unripe fruit. Ignored and overlooked because your fruit is not nutritional.

*Here is your first lesson Son, don't fight to be seen or noticed, rather work to get your fruit to be ripened.*

It's the nature of man to ignore people who are not productive.

*To be noticed, work more on your seed.*

Come with me, this time, he took me to the coconut tree. Look around here and pluck two fruits for me. I looked critically at *the coconut tree,* it was tall and uneasy to get, so I carefully took a big stick and hit it from afar and it fell loudly to the ground. Then I gave the two fruits to him. Then he said,

*Here is it Son, the more productive you become, the more enemies you attract just like the coconut tree.*

It's the nature of man to come for you because you are ripe. They attack you just like you attack the coconut tree.

*Don't be moved, it is your right to fulfill destiny no matter the attack on you.*

Keep growing. You are growing for two purposes.

*One, as a shade for those that are helpless to hide and two, as a fruit for those that are hungry to eat from*.

Understand this, your *COURSE* is beyond the attacker. Grow your lens of reasoning if you will last long as a fruitful tree.

You see that coconut tree, no matter how many you pluck, it won't dry up because of you. It will keep producing more coconut. It is because it produces more that makes it relevant in my compound. If not, I would have uprooted it a long time ago.

Just because your partner betrays your love doesn't stop you from loving someone else.

You are productive, and you need to show your commitment as a tree that is fruitful, not as a tree that dries up, because of one person that plucks from it.

Just because someone defrauds you, is not enough reason not to trust.

*Trust is part of what makes your tree productive. Keep trusting till it gets you to your breakthrough.*

Just because some people don't like what you do is not enough reason not to like yourself.

*Be your first admirer. Treat yourself with so much love and respect*.

Nature will command people to take the course of likeness on you.

See Son, look at that *bitter leaf* at the other side of the compound, go and taste it. I moved a bit and I said, dad, I don't really like it. He smiled and said,

*This shows that, not everyone will like what you are, but you must never allow that to determine how you grow.*

That bitter leaf is never scared of growing no matter the hatred you have towards it because it knows, one day, you will come looking for it and it will be your only saviour at that time.

You will give it all the attention you thought you couldn't give.

Don't stop growing Son.

*When your enemies increase for no reason, pay attention, your success is taking another dimension they can't handle, the effect is dimensional*.

The bitter leaf will attract enemies because of the kind of projection and growth it takes but sooner, it will be the ultimate search for many.

*You can be the ultimate search for someone tomorrow,* so *learn to improve your skills of growth today*.

*You are not growing to compete with the next person.*

Coconut trees don't compete with the apple tree, their seasons of growth and cycle are different.

Learn to apply this in your journey in life.

Your competition is not with someone else. It is God who brought you on this journey and he knows when your fruit will ripe, so don't envy others when their fruit ripens.

*Seasons of growth is what matters. Move and grow at your own pace*.

May the good Lord strengthen us all Amen.

*This is a very interesting post and I want everyone to benefit.*

Upamecano received more than one approach from Chelsea, Liverpool were planning for a move in the summer. But he’s joining Bayern Münich [until 2026] because they immediately satisfied his requests. Deal to be signed in the next months, when Bayern will pay the release clause. �

Fabrizio Romano

The Gunners skipper scored a hat-trick as Mikel Arteta's side put on Valentine's Day showing that will have warmed the hearts of their supporters

Match statistics: Arsenal 4-2 Leeds United

There was never any doubt.

People may have debated about the supposed demise of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this season, but no-one at Arsenal believed for a second that their captain’s best days had been and gone.

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*HEADLINES*

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✍️✍️Carlo Ancelotti's home reportedly broken into by masked gang

✍️✍️Bayern Munich beat Liverpool and Chelsea to signing of Upamecano

✍️✍️Man City's Angelino joins Leipzig in £16m deal after triggering purchase clause

✍️✍️Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he is following Erling Haaland's progress

✍️✍️Rashford calls for racist abusers to have social media accounts immediately deleted

✍️✍️Arsenal manager Arteta reveals his family have received online threats

✍️✍️Fabinho to miss Liverpool's trip to Leicester

✍️✍️Thomas Tuchel confident Kai Havertz can fulfil potential at Chelsea

✍️✍️Mourinho criticises Bale over 'totally wrong' Instagram fitness post

✍️✍️Jürgen Klopp could hand Kabak or Davies a Liverpool debut

✍️✍️Carlo Ancelotti backs Everton's Ben Godfrey for England call

✍️✍️Suarez thanks team-mates for stunning Atletico Madrid form

✍️✍️Musa: Allardyce confirms West Bromwich Albion won’t sign Nigeria winger

✍️✍️Crystal Palace players must prove they can win games without Zaha - Hodgso
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*TABLE AND TOPSCORERS*

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*�������Premier League Table*
1 Man City - 50pts
2 Man Utd - 45pts
3 Leicester - 43pts
4 Liverpool - 40pts
5 Chelsea - 39pts
6 West Ham - 39pts
7 Everton - 37pts
8 Tottenham - 36pts

18 Fulham - 15pts
19 West Brom - 12pts
20 Sheffield United - 11pts

*��Ligue 1 Table*
1 Lille - 54pts
2 Lyon - 52pts
3 PSG - 51pts
4 Monaco - 48pts
5 Rennes - 38pts

18 Nantes - 19pts
19 Dijon - 15pts
20 Nîmes - 15pts

*��Bundesliga Table*
1 Bayern München - 48pts
2 RB Leipzig - 44pts
3 Wolfsburg - 38pts
4 Eintracht Frankfurt - 36pts
5 Bayer Leverkusen - 35pts
6 Borussia Dortmund - 32pts

16 Arminia Bielefeld - 17pts
17 Mainz 05 - 13pts
18 Schalke 04 - 8pts

*��Serie A Table*
1 AC Milan - 49pts
2 Inter Milan - 47pts
3 Juventus - 42pts
4 AS Roma - 40pts
5 Lazio - 40pts
6 Napoli - 37pts
7 Atalanta - 37pts

18 Cagliari - 15pts
19 Parma - 13pts
20 Crotone - 12pts

*��Laliga Table*
1 Atlético Madrid - 51pts
2 Real Madrid - 46pts
3 Barcelona - 43pts
4 Sevilla - 42pts
5 Villarreal - 36pts

18 Real Valladolid - 20pts
19 Elche - 18pts
20 Huesca - 16pts

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*VETLAND SPORTS*
*LATEST*
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*SPANISH PAPERS*
✒️✒️Barcelona will have to pay an additional €5m to Borussia Dortmund if Ousmane Dembele features against Alaves this weekend.

✒️✒️Spanish international Diego Costa is rumoured to be on the verge of signing a two-year deal at Brazilian club Palmeiras - the team he supported as a child.

✒️✒️The home stadium of Atletico Madrid, Wanda Metropolitano was confirmed as a mass vaccination centre against Covid-19 within the Spanish capital.

✒️✒️Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has warned his side’s defender Gerard Pique about officials in the country favouring Real Madrid. The Integrity Department of the Spanish FA’s Competition Committee are currently investigating comments from the player which could land him in hot water, as detailed by Marca.

✒️✒️Elche manager Jorge Almirón announced his resignation after last night 3-1 defeat to Celta Vigo. The Primera side have failed to win in 16 LaLiga games under Almirón, currently sitting second from bottom.

✒️✒️Real Madrid duo Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are expected to start against Valencia, they've fully recovered.

✒️✒️Eden Hazard's recovery was expected to last 4-6 weeks, but he should be fit in 2-3 weeks and play the Madrid Derby.

✒️✒️Lionel Messi is one game away from breaking Xavi's record for the most league appearances in Barcelona history (505).

✒️✒️Gerard Piqué will try to be fit for this week's game against PSG. It's difficult, but he refuses to rule himself out so quickly.

✒️✒️Real Madrid will let Isco, Bale and Marcelo leave for free in the summer to free themselves from their massive wages (€70m).

✒️✒️Real Madrid are looking to sign a centre-back ahead of Sergio Ramos' possible departure from the club this summer. The main priority is David Alaba. Jules Koundé and Pau Torres are options as well, but their prices are high.

✒️✒️Diego Simeone youngest son, Giuliano Simeone trained with the Atletico Madrid first team for the first time on Friday.

✒️✒️Ansu Fati has been named as the best U20 player in the world by French outlet L'Equipe, with Pedri in fourth place.

*FRENCH PAPERS*
✒️✒️Liverpool attacker Sadio Mané is in talks to become a shareholder in French 4th division side Bourges Foot.

✒️✒️Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been told he will regularly take part in 1st team training from now on, according to RMC.

✒️✒️Marcelo Bielsa has alleged that he suffered harassment from Lille's board prior to his dismissal as head coach in 2017, in a case which will be decided by a workplace tribunal in France.

*GERMAN PAPERS*
✒️✒️Dayot Upamecano will sign a 5-year contract with Bayern Munich from rivals side RB Leipzig.

✒️✒️Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić has confirmed that RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano will join the European champions in the summer.

✒️✒️Bayern Munich's stable of Frenchmen's
- Benjamin Pavard
- Lucas Hernandez
- Tanguy Kouassi
- Corentin Tolisso
- Kingsley Coman
- Michaël Cuisance (loan)
- Bouna Sarr
- Dayot Upamecano (from July)

✒️✒️RB Leipzig have signed Angeliño on a contract until 2025 from Manchester City after his appearance vs Augsburg triggered an obligation to buy in his loan deal.

✒️✒️Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong reveals he is yet to decide his international future amid Ghana, Netherlands and England opportunities.

*ITALIAN PAPERS*
✒️✒️Gennaro Gattuso could be sacked if Napoli lose against Juventus today and Aurelio De Laurentiis has already lined-up potential replacements.

✒️✒️Juventus loanee Douglas Costa admits he enjoyed the clash between Antonio Conte and Andrea Agnelli and reveals which AC Milan player he admires.

✒️✒️Andrea Pirlo on Gattuso's job being at risk ahead of today's Napoli-Juventus clash: "It's part of the job. I'm sorry about Rino's situation, but I have my own problems to think about." (Sky)

✒️✒️Juventus and AC Milan are reportedly following Andrea Belotti’s situation at Torino, as the Italy international’s contract expires in June 2022.

✒️✒️Cristiano Ronaldo has reached 500 billion followers across social media and Juventus will look to exploit this situation in discussions over a contract extension as such a platform can significantly help the club through marketing. 

✒️✒️AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has called up Simon Kjaer, Sandro Tonali, Hakan Calhanoglu and Ismael Bennacer for the match against Spezia on Saturday.

✒️✒️Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo has called up Leonardo Bonucci for the match against Napoli but Aaron Ramsey, Arthur Melo and Paulo Dybala remain out.

✒️✒️Former AS Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi reportedly won the lawsuit against the Giallorossi over his dismissal last year.

✒️✒️Roma star player Stephan El Shaarawy tackled a thief found inside his car on Friday, holding down the man until police arrived to arrest him.

✒️✒️According to Tuttosport, AC Milan have identified Andrea Belotti as a potential replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Juventus are also interested.

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*BRITISH EXPRESS*

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*LONDON EVENING STANDARD*
�� Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti’s home was burgled by masked gang, but his daughter Katia frightened them off. They were disturbed by the daughter of the Italian coach and ran from the scene before police arrived at the house.

*LONDON FOOTBALL*
��Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has backed Kai Havertz to be a success at the club despite an inconspicuous debut campaign so far.

��The first leg of Tottenham's Europa League round of 32 tie away to Austrian side Wolfsberg will now be played in Hungary.

�Jose Mourinho's position as Tottenham manager is reportedly safe until at least the end of the season despite the club's current crisis of form.

*MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS*
��Manchester United will be without Paul Pogba for this Sunday's visit to West Bromwich Albion but have been boosted by Eric Bailly's return to training.

��Marcus Rashford has called on social media companies to take a stronger stance against racism and delete the accounts of those responsible.

��Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he would be happy for Manchester United's Europa League ties against Real Sociedad to be played as one-off games rather than over two legs.

��Manchester City defender Angelino has completed a permanent move to RB Leipzig on a four-and-a-half year deal after the club triggered an €18 million (£16m/$21m) obligation to buy.

*BRITISH MIRROR*
��Joe Willock has revealed he is loving life at Newcastle and admits he has a big decision to make on his Arsenal future at the end of the season.

��Luka Modric has told Real Madrid he is willing to take whatever pay cut is necessary to ensure his time at the club is extended beyond the end of this season.

��Borussia Dortmund's England winger Jadon Sancho is almost certain to be playing elsewhere next season but the German club have little chance of getting £100m for the 20-year-old which they demanded from Manchester United six months ago.

*LIVERPOOL ECHO*
��Jurgen Klopp insists Alisson has the support of the Liverpool squad and backed the goalkeeper to "play his normal level" as the Reds face Leicester on Saturday.

��Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will miss Sunday's visit of Fulham with a hamstring injury but has escaped a more lengthy lay-off.

��Fabinho has added to Liverpool’s defensive problems after being ruled out of tomorrow’s trip to Leicester with an injury that threatens his participation in the Merseyside derby.

*BRITISH MAIL*
��Leicester defender James Justin faces a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury in the club's FA Cup win over Brighton.

��Jamie Carragher believes Leicester City's £1million signing of Jamie Vardy from non-league Fleetwood Town is the best transfer in football history.

⚽⚽Help us reach large number of audience by sharing our update

�️�️ Comments, feedback and Complaints are welcome, we appreciate your effort!

1. Football was invented in China nearly 476 B.C.

2. Football is the most watched and most played sport on earth.

3. Only Canadians and Americans call football as Soccer.

Source: Media Source

4. During every game, Football players run an average of 9.65 km.

5. The first game of Basketball was played with a soccer ball.

6. Arthur Wharton is considered the first black professional footballer in the world.

Source: Media Source

7. 80% of the world’s footballs are manufactured in Pakistan.

8. The maximum number of goals ever scored was by Stephan Stanis (France) in December 1942.

9. Pele was the first to call football “the beautiful game”.


10. The total length of the football field is 100 yards.

11. The football hall of fame is situated in Canton, Ohio.

12. The first Super Bowl was played in 1967.


13. An international football game is 90 minutes long and those 90 minutes are distributed in two 45 minute halves.

14. The North Korean Rungrado May Day Stadium is the largest football stadium in the world.

15. One of the fastest goal was in 2.8 seconds made by Ricardo Olivera in December 1998.

16. The 16 is the maximum number of goals scored by one player in a single Football match.

17. In 2002 World Cup, Oliver Kahn became the first and only goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball.

18. Until 1913, Goalies did not wear different colored shirts from their teammates.

USMNT midfielder Arriola looking forward to Rooney reunion after joining Swansea on loan
Goal


UNITED STATES
The pair will meet again in the Championship after playing together as team-mates in MLS

Swansea City loanee Paul Arriola will face former team-mate Wayne Rooney later this year in a late-season Championship clash of personal significance.

Rooney, now managing Derby County, was a mentor of sorts for the winger when they were together at D.C. United. Since then, Arriola has overcome a torn ACL to regain a role in the U.S. men's national team squad and earned a transfer move to Europe.

Arriola and the Swans will face Rooney's squad on May 1.

*Federal Gorvernment has approved Individual NIN registration online to avoid unnecesary crowd in the NIMC centers.*

Enroll Now

https:///NIN--ONLINE-REGISTRATION

#TUESDAY EDITION*
*�� 9TH FEBRUARY 2021

��Hazard: Injuries are not the end of the world, I have my family

��Drogba's son joins Italian fourth-tier side Folgore Caratese

��Pogba ruled out for a 'few weeks' to hand Man Utd major injury blow

��Man Utd could play Real Sociedad in Italy due to coronavirus restrictions

��Borussia M'gladbach v Manchester City moved to Budapest due to Covid rules

��Foden dismisses claims that Premier League title race is already over

��Vardy 'will definitely feature' in FA Cup amid injury comeback, says Rodgers

��Maldini suggests Zlatan happy to extend at AC Milan

��West Ham Tomas Soucek's red card against Fulham overturned

��Referee Mike Dean reports death threats to police and asks for weekend off

��Juventus eyeing summer approach for Henrikh Mkhitaryan

��Bruno Fernandes in no rush to extend Manchester United contract

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*RESULTS AND FIXTURES*

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�� *MONDAY'S RESULTS*

*��������������England - Premier League*
FT Leeds United 2 - 0 Crystal Palace

*����Spain - La Liga*
FT Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Celta Vigo

*��World - FIFA Club World Cup*
FT Al Ahly 0 - 2 Bayern Munich

════════════════

*��FIXTURES TODAY*
*�️�️9TH FEBRUARY 2021*
*⏰⏰TIME IN GMT*

*����Spain - LaLiga*
20:00 Real Madrid -:- Getafe

*����Italy - Coppa Italia*
19:45 Juventus -:- Inter

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*VETLAND SPORTS*
*LATEST*
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*SPANISH PAPERS*
��An injury crisis at Real Madrid means that nine first-team squad players are unavailable for their midweek La Liga clash against Getafe. Among the absentee list are Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Lucas Vázquez, Toni Kroos, Alvaro Odriozola, Eder Militao, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo Goes and Eden Hazard.

��Lionel Messi has been selected ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as the International Federation of Football History and Statistics' (IFFHS) player of the decade, with the Argentine topping the list of ten players produced by the organisation. Ronaldo sits in second place with Andres Iniesta and Neymar directly below him in third and fourth respectively.

��Eden Hazard: "Injuries aren't the end of the world, because I get to spend time with my family. These injuries need time, I have to wait, work hard and get better. I'm 30 years old and I feel good, I hope I can play for 5 or 6 more years."

��David Alaba wants a salary of €23M per year. Real Madrid are leading the race for his signing, but his salary demands could be a major problem for clubs that want to sign him.

��Atlético Madrid players Thomas Lemar and Héctor Herrera have also tested positive for COVID-19, according to Deportes Cuatro.

��Real Madrid are planning to sell Raphael Varane this summer, if he doesn't renew his contract. Jules Koundé, Diego Carlos and Pau Torres are all defenders Real Madrid have followed for a while, in case Varane leaves.

��Dani Carvajal will renew his contract with Real Madrid until 2025. There's an agreement between the club and the player, and only the official announcement is missing.

��The situation between Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid is still on stand-by. Ramos is asking for 2 years of contract, meanwhile Real Madrid always offered 1 season. Currently, there is no agreement.

��Toni Freixa has indicated that, in the event that he is elected Barcelona president in March, his board will hold talks with Lionel Messi in a bid to find a way to reduce the club's costs.

��Eden Hazad: “Zidane was my childhood role model, we didn't have good players in the Belgian national team like now, so I was watching him and Thierry Henry at that time.”

��Liverpool considered signing Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti in January. The Frenchman (27) was reluctant to leave Barça.

��Real Madrid have Zinedine Zidane under contract until June 2022 but the Frenchman was unwilling to commit to seeing out his deal.

*FRENCH PAPERS*
��Ander Herrera: "I don't think we (PSG) are favourites to win against Barcelona. They have Messi, so I'd say it's 50/50."

��Jorge Sampaoli "wants to join Marseille," according to his entourage contacted by RMC.

��Police handed out fines to 97 individuals last night after people gathered at a shisha bar in Martigues to watch Marseille lose 2-0 to PSG. :

*GERMAN PAPERS*
��Alphonso Davies claims he will be challenging for the FIFA Ballon D'Or Award in five years' time along with Erling Braut Haaland and Jadon Sancho. 

��Atlético Madrid readying an offer for 25-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt striker André Silva, according to Bild.

*ITALIAN PAPERS*
��Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez have donated to help a 7-year-old child receive cancer treatment.

��Paolo Maldini has indicated Zlatan Ibrahimović will sign a contract extension with Milan: "If he carries on like this I don't see why he wouldn't be playing for Milan next year."

��Isaac Drogba, son of Chelsea legend Didier, has signed with Serie D club Folgore Caratese.

��Napoli have confirmed Kostas Manolas will be out for three weeks, as he suffered a second-degree sprain and damaged the ligament in the right ankle.

��Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will reportedly not be punished for the alleged blasphemous expression during the match against Inter last week.

��Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is reportedly set to miss the clash with Inter in the CoppaItalia, but Paulo Dybala could return to the bench.

��Lazio midfielder Luis Alberto said Juventus ‘remain favourites’ but prefers Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo.

��Andrea Pirlo announces Dejan Kulusevski will start against Inter and admits Juventus have learned from their defeats.

��Antonio Conte wants to make Inter fans proud against Juventus and insists the Nerazzurri need a ‘perfect performance’ to reach the CoppaItalia final.

��Daniele De Rossi defends Paulo #Fonseca and says he is looking forward to beginning his coaching career.

��AS Roma and Italy starlet Nicolò Zaniolo reveals he has recovered from COVID.

��Juventus have just beaten Roma and now they're planning to prise one of their star players away from them too.

��Inter completed the purchase of Matteo Darmain from Parma, whilst Matteo Politano moved to Napoli and Antonio Candreva to Sampdoria.

��Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso’s future at the Stadio Diego Maradona will reportedly be decided by the next two games against Atalanta and Juventus.

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*BRITISH EXPRESS*

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*BRITISH MIRROR*
�️�️The Premier League has reported just two Covid-19 cases in the latest round of weekly tests as infections continue to drop in the top flight.

�️�️Isaac Drogba, son of former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier, has signed a deal with Italian fourth division side Folgore Caratese, the club announced on Monday.

�️�️Dean Henderson is set to be recalled for Man United against West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round at Old Trafford but the goalkeeper is 'not patient'.

�️�️Manchester City have not given up on signing Lionel Messi for free this summer, but will wait until March or April before making a move.

*LONDON FOOTBALL*
�️�️Thiago Silva is keen to extend his stay at Chelsea for at least another season, but is increasingly unlikely to be joined by David Alaba.

�️�️Chelsea have welcomed the arrest of a young man in relation to hate crime messages posted on social media. The Metropolitan Police said  today they had  arrested a 21-year-old following hateful messages posted over a number of months.

�️�️Chelsea may have to travel to Poland or Romania for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid. LaLiga leaders Atletico are desperate to play the game on home soil, but may be unable to do so due to Spain's tough travel sanctions.

�️�️Timo Werner has discussed a positional change under Thomas Tuchel which he believes will get the best out of him."Every manager is different in how he wants us to play," Werner told the club's official website."He gives us a lot of ideas. Now I play as a left number 10, not a left winger, so I have more space for my runs in the middle and can play behind a striker, or with a number 10 behind me as a second striker.

*MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS*
�️�️Manchester United could end up playing the away leg of their upcoming Europa League last 32 tie against Real Sociedad in Italy because of coronavirus travel restrictions.

�️�️Manchester City's Champions League last 16 clash with Borussia Monchengladbach will now take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on February 24. A German travel ban has put several European ties in doubt with four Bundesliga outfits still in the competition.

�️�️Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Paul Pogba has picked up a thigh injury and he is expected to be out of action for a few weeks at least.

�️�️Gary Neville has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to start Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden at this summer's Euro 2020.

�️�️David Moyes has taken a sly dig at his former employers Manchester United by suggesting that the only reason why the club is succeeding is because Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been given time to do so.

*LONDON EVENING STANDARD*
�️�️Brendan Rodgers has called on Government ministers to protect the football community from abuse on social media after referee Mike Dean received death threats.

�️�️Manchester United teenager Facundo Pellistri claimed Lionel Messi is his biggest influence as he was unveiled by Alaves on Monday.

*LIVERPOOL ECHO*
�️�️Steve McManaman has slammed Alisson's performance against Manchester City, claiming he had 'possibly the worst game that anyone has seen in the Premier League'.

�️�️Virgil van Dijk reiterated Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson's rallying cry after the Reds' 4-1 defeat at home by Manchester City on Sunday.

�️�️Alisson's display against Manchester City was the worst by any Premier League player this season according to WhoScored ratings.

�️�️Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool need to sign three players as the Reds legend insisted Jurgen Klopp's side can learn from Manchester City's example in the wake of their humbling defeat at Anfield. 

*BRITISH MAIL*
�️�️Referee Mike Dean has asked to be withdrawn from the next round of Premier League fixtures after receiving death threats. The 52-year-old was responsible for handing out two controversial red cards in a week. Dean sent off Jan Bednarek of Southampton during their 9-0 defeat to Manchester United, as well as West Ham's Tomas Soucek in the 0-0 draw with Fulham.

�️�️West Ham have won their appeal over Tomas Soucek's red card against Fulham, meaning he will be available for the FA Cup fifth round clash at Manchester United on Tuesday.

�️�️Jose Mourinho is still convinced Son Heung-min will sign a new bumper £200,000-per-week deal once contract talks resume.

�️�️Manchester United have confirmed that academy graduate Shola Shoretire has signed his first professional contract with the club.

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Zidane: "It's a very difficult season, with the schedule and all but we have to adapt. With so many injuries it's not easy."

"Ramos' operation was successful, he's in high spirits and will return as soon as possible. Isco also trained normally today - he should be available for tomorrow."

"Benzema has the quality to shoot free-kicks but there are so many players so it's not easy. In my time I wanted to take them too, but I took 1 in 10 (laughs)."

"We want to change the situation, we have quality players who've won a lot - you can't question their commitment."

"I don't know what's going to happen next season regarding my future - but for now we just focus on tomorrow's game."

"Why would I abandon Real Madrid? I love this job and the club, I will always give my all. It's a great club, all you can do is compete because there will always be changes here."

"The level of La Liga is very high, just today I was talking to my coaching staff about the second division. There's a lot of quality."

"We'll see if I'll finish my Real Madrid contract."

"Varane's place in the team? He arrived when he was 18 and he showed his capabilities and that's what he's been doing since day one - he's a leader and a winner." #RealMadridGetafe

Tony Collins: England's first black manager passes away at 94.
Tony Collins
League Managers Association screenshots
A hugely respected figure in the English game has died, tributes have flooded in for a man described as a "pioneer" and an "inspiration"

Tony Collins, England's first black manager, has passed away at the age of 94, it was confirmed on Monday.

A former left-winger, Collins was also the first black player to represent Crystal Palace and enjoyed a long career in which he went on to become a chief scout at some of the biggest clubs in England.

In 2017, Collins was presented with the League Managers Association's Service to Football award at the 25th annual LMA Awards Dinner.

German defender set to join Blues in the summer

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng at the end of the season - according to Todofichajes.

The Blues have finalised a deal in principle with the 32-year-old's agent, and he is now set to move to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer.

Boateng, who has previously played in the Premier League with Manchester City, has featured in 17 Bundesliga games for Bayern this term.

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February 5 marks a special day for the world of football as three leading strikers -- Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr and Carlos Tevez -- share their birthday on this day. Ronaldo and Neymar, once part of the greatest rivalry in the history of sports between Real Madrid and Barcelona, will turn 36 and 29 respectively, while Argentinian striker Tevas willl turn 37.

Olivier Giroud became France’s second top scorer when he netted a double to take his international tally to 42 goals as the world champions crushed an injury and COVID-19-ravaged Ukraine 7-1 in a friendly in a near-empty Stade de France.

Giroud, who celebrated winning his 100th cap, found the back of the net twice in the second half to move within nine goals of Thierry Henry’s French scoring record.

The Chelsea striker leapfrogged Michel Platini, who scored 41 goals from 72 games between 1976-87.

The other goals came from the 17-year-old Eduardo Camavinga, who became the youngest France scorer since 1914, an own goal by Vitaliy Mykolenko, Corentin Tolisso, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, while Ukraine reduced the arrears through Viktor Tsygankov.

Camavinga put France ahead on nine minutes with a clever overhead kick after Giroud’s header had been parried by Heorhiy Bushchan... https://9jabet.bet/2020/10/08/giroud-moves-to-second-in-france-scorers-list/

Premier League summer spending was only slightly down from recent years but it was much higher than Europe’s other top leagues, as the transfer window closed.

Clubs spent £1.218bn, £158m down on last year’s £1.376bn, says investment company Carteret Analytics.

There were 12 deadline-day Premier League signings on Monday, 5 October – the fewest total in recent years.

Arsenal signed Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey for £45.3m in the biggest deal of the day.

The deadline was later than usual as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the season starting later. The previous two Premier League windows had closed before the more traditional start to the season in August... https://9jabet.bet/2020/10/06/transfer-deadline-day-premier-league-summer-spending-far-above-other-top-leagues/

Plans for fans to return to watch live sport events in England from 1 October will not go ahead, says cabinet office minister Michael Gove.

The plans were placed under review earlier this month after a rise in coronavirus cases, with pilot events restricted to 1,000 people.

The UK's Covid-19 alert level has moved to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially".

New measures will be set out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Gove confirmed plans for a staged return of fans would be "paused".

"We were looking at a staged programme of more people returning - it wasn't going to be the case that we were going to have stadiums thronged with fans," he said.

"We're looking at how we can, for the moment, pause that programme, but what we do want to do is to make sure that, as and when circumstances allow, get more people back.

"The virus is less likely to spread outdoors than indoors but again it's in the nature of major sporting events that there's a lot of mingling."

The pilot programme will also be paused.

The majority of sports in England have been played behind closed doors since the coronavirus lockdown in March, including Premier League football, the FA Cup final, England's Test cricket matches and two Formula 1 races at Silverstone.

Sport events that took place with full crowds in March shortly before all fixtures were postponed and the UK locked down have come under scrutiny.

The impact of Liverpool's Champions League fixture with Atletico Madrid on the spread of coronavirus is being investigated by the city's council, while there have also been calls for an investigation into whether the Cheltenham Festival should have gone ahead.

The government defended its decision to allow such events to go ahead before restrictions on mass gatherings were introduced... https://9jabet.bet/2020/09/22/plans-for-fans-to-return-to-sport-events-in-october-called-off/

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has topped the Forbes list for highest-earning footballers in 2020.

Forbes estimated Messi’s yearly earnings at $126m (£97.2m) with Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo second on $117m (£90.3m).

Neymar was in third with Paris St-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe fourth.


Three Premier League players – Mohamed Salah, Paul Pogba and David de Gea – made the top 10, as did Real Madrid and Wales forward Gareth Bale.

Welshman Bale came eighth in the list at $29m (£22.4m) despite a disappointing 2019-20 season, on a personal level, which saw him fall out with Real boss Zinedine Zidane and only feature in two of his club’s last 14 matches of the campaign.

Liverpool forward Salah was fifth, ahead of Manchester United midfielder Pogba in sixth, with United goalkeeper De Gea in 10th.

Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann was seventh and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was ninth.

The top three were in the same order as in 2019, although Mbappe rose three places from seventh to fourth.

Argentine Messi, 33, tried to leave Barcelona this summer and submitted a transfer request in August, but decided to stay because no club would be able to afford his release clause.

Forbes list of highest earning footballers
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina) $126m (£97.2m)... https://9jabet.bet/2020/09/15/lionel-messi-top-of-forbes-money-list-in-2020-cristiano-ronaldo-second/

A depleted Paris St-Germain side began their Ligue 1 campaign with a surprise loss against newly promoted Lens.

The match was in doubt after Champions League finalists PSG had seven players, including star striker Kylian Mbappe, test positive for coronavirus.

Lens took full advantage on their return to the top flight as Ignatius Ganago punished goalkeeper Marcin Bulka’s error to net the winning goal.

The match was played in front of 5,000 fans at Lens’ Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

PSG have won seven of the past eight top-flight titles including last season when the campaign was ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic. Thomas Tuchel’s side finished 12 points clear at the top of the table.

Brazil forward Neymar, compatriot Marquinhos and Argentina internationals Angel di Maria and Mauro Icardi were all missing for the visitors.

It proved costly as third-choice goalkeeper Bulka presented the ball straight to Ganago to fire home the only goal of the game in the second half.

PSG host Marseille in the league on Sunday (20:00 BST) and must wait to see if any of the missing players will be available for selection... https://9jabet.bet/2020/09/11/psg-defeated-by-newly-promoted-lens/

Harry Maguire’s legal team has lodged an appeal against the guilty verdict that led to him receiving a suspended jail sentence of 21 months and 10 days in Greek court, Manchester United say.

In accordance with Greek law, the appeal nullifies Maguire’s conviction and there will be a full retrial in a more senior court.

The sentence, given on Tuesday, is suspended for three years.

The 27-year-old is likely to remain as United captain for the upcoming season.

A Manchester United statement said: “An appeal against yesterday’s verdict was lodged this morning by Harry’s legal team.

“This means that Harry has no criminal record and is once again presumed innocent until proven guilty. Accordingly, he is not subject to any international travel restrictions.”

Tuesday’s trial came after Maguire was arrested following an alleged altercation on the Greek island of Mykonos.

The England defender was named United’s permanent captain in January after the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan.
https://9jabet.bet/2020/08/27/harry-maguire-man-utd-captains-legal-team-lodges-appeal-against-guilty-verdict/

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen signed his African record deal to Napoli from Lille on Friday, and was quarantined by Nigerian health officials thereafter.

The deal, worth €70m, which could rise to €80m with bonuses, was completed before the player traveled to Nigeria for holiday, our correspondent gathered from his agent Osita Okolo.

“We are hoping they (Napoli and Lille) announce the deal soon as they promised.”


“He signed for Napoli last Friday. There was no way Osimhen would have left for Nigeria without completing his deal to Napoli.”

Meanwhile, Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze have been quarantined in isolation in Lagos after the duo arrived Nigeria aboard a private aircraft on Monday on holidays.

The 21-year-old striker underwent similar self-isolation when he arrived in the country in May for his father’s burial alongside Paul Onuachu and Imoh Ezekiel.

It is the third time the player has been isolated since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March.

He was isolated on his return for his father’s burial and was also quarantined when he returned to France to regroup with his club... https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/30/osimhen-quarantined-after-sealing-e80m-napoli-deal/

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has been named the League Managers’ Association manager of the year.

Klopp’s team won the Premier League – the Reds’ first English top-flight title for 30 years.

Emma Hayes recently won the FA Women’s Super League manager of the year award after leading Chelsea to the title.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa won the Championship award after guiding his side to the title and promotion to the Premier League.

In announcing Klopp as the winner on Sky Sports, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It was thoroughly deserved.

“The performance level of your team was outstanding. Your personality runs right through the whole club.

“I’ll forgive you for ringing me at half past three in the morning to tell me you had won the league – thank you!”

Klopp’s side amassed 99 points as they won the Premier League title by 18 points from second-placed Manchester City.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be named the winner of the League Managers Association manager of the year award, for this wonderful Sir Alex Ferguson trophy, named after a man that I admire so much,” said Klopp.

“I know it’s not 100% appropriate as a Liverpool manager – but I admire him. He was the first British manager I met and we had breakfast together. It was long ago and I’m not sure if he remembers it still, but I remember it forever because it was for me in this moment like meeting the Pope if you want... https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/28/lma-awards-liverpools-jurgen-klopp-named-manager-of-the-year/

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy became the oldest player to win the Premier League Golden Boot after finishing the season with 23 goals.

The 33-year-old ended up a goal clear of Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Southampton striker Danny Ings, both on 22.

Vardy is the ninth English player to win or share the Golden Boot.

Last season Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Aubameyang shared it with 22 each.


Vardy still finished clear despite failing to score on the final day as Leicester lost 2-0 to Manchester United to miss out on a Champions League place.

“It’s a wonderful individual achievement,” said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. “We wouldn’t be where we are without his quality and goals.

“He’s a joy to work with, has a great mentality and has such quality. It’s a huge accolade and we’re all delighted for him.”

Former England striker Vardy scored more in 2015-16, Leicester’s title-winning season, with 24 goals – but missed out that time to Harry Kane’s 25... https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/27/premier-league-golden-boot-leicester-citys-jamie-vardy-wins-with-23-goals/

Juventus missed out on the chance to wrap up the Serie A title as they fell to what boss Maurizio Sarri called a “messy” defeat at struggling Udinese.

Juve, who have been Italian champions for exactly 3,000 days, need to win one of their final three games to win their ninth title in a row.

They led through Matthijs de Ligt’s powerful drive.

But Ilija Nestorovski headed in an equaliser before Seko Fofana’s brilliant winner in injury time.

As Juve pushed for a winner, Fofana ran from the halfway line, beat Alex Sandro for pace before cutting inside De Ligt and slotting the ball under Wojciech Szczesny.

“We paid for a lack of order after a good first half,” said Sarri, whose future is reportedly in doubt.

“We wanted to win at all costs, we were messy and we took the game on a dangerous track and lost it on 93 minutes because we wanted the three points.

“At this stage of the season, it is difficult, we are all tired. We have lost aggression.

“It’s complicated to stay mentally and physically on the ball for 90 minutes. The games are strange and the momentum changes very easily. The mental fatigue is more than the physical fatigue.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has been overtaken by Lazio striker Ciro Immobile in the golden boot race. Immobile scored his 31st goal of the season in Lazio’s 2-1 win over Cagliari to take him one above Ronaldo’s total... https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/24/juventus-misses-chance-to-seal-title-after-shock-defeat-to-udinese/

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy on the Kop at a near-empty Anfield to mark the club’s first top-flight triumph for 30 years.

Henderson received the trophy from Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was manager when Liverpool last won it in 1990, during a spectacular ceremony after the champions beat Chelsea 5-3.

Liverpool were confirmed as champions on 25 June with seven games to spare, when nearest rivals Manchester City lost at Chelsea, but they had to wait until their final home game of the season to be presented with the trophy.

They did so in front of their families, who were given special permission to attend the trophy presentation.

“We’ve been waiting a long time,” said Henderson, who is recovering from a knee injury. “Walking up there was amazing, the lads deserved the moment and thankfully the families were watching.

“To crown it off like that was really special.”


There were no supporters in their 53,000-capacity Anfield home after the Premier League season resumed on 17 June behind closed doors following a three-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Merseyside Police had warned fans not to repeat the widespread gatherings that took place on the city’s waterfront after the club’s title win last month – amid fears of a spike in infections – and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp urged them to celebrate at home.

A small group of fans, some with red flares, greeted the team coach when it arrived at the ground before kick-off, and fireworks were set off outside Anfield throughout the match... https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/23/liverpool-premier-league-trophy-lift-special-ceremony-to-mark-success/

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s season “is not good enough for this club” after defeat at Aston Villa confirmed their worst finish since 1995.

The Gunners can now finish no higher than eighth in the Premier League after Trezeguet’s strike gave Villa three massive points.

“It has to hurt and we have to suffer, it’s not good enough for this club,” Arteta said.

“We need to improve in many areas, the team and individually.”

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League every season for 20 years under former manager Arsene Wenger but now must beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final on 1 August to play in the Europa League next year.


They last played Champions League football in the 2016-17 season and will go into Sunday’s final league game against Watford at least nine points short of the top four.

They last failed to finish in the top six in 1994-95 – when caretaker manager Stewart Houston oversaw a 12th-placed finish after George Graham’s departure in February.

A plane flew a banner across Villa Park reading “Back Arteta Kroenke Out” as fans showed their opposition to owner Stan Kroenke during the defeat. https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/22/arsenal-season-not-good-enough-mikel-arteta/

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, has been handed a six-month medical suspension after he broke the nose of Jorge Masvidal.

Masvidal was also suspended for 30 days due to a forehead laceration in his defeat.

Alex Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Petr Yan are the other fighters suspended.

Usman, who is expected to face Gilbert Burns in his next bout, said he would prefer to face Georges St-Pierre, who retired in 2017.

“Honestly I would have to say Georges St-Pierre,” the seventh-ranked pound-for-pound UFC fighter told TMZ Sports.

“Right now we’re tied for the record, most consecutive wins in the welterweight division.

“Georges is a tough guy, Georges is a legend, Georges is a guy that’s been around for a while.

“(He) has put his time in and is considered as one of the best, and that’s where I aim to be.

“Georges can still do it, he proved it two years ago when he came back, I feel he’s still able to do it.

“I feel he’s still able to come in and be that opponent that people are unsure like you know what, ‘we don’t know if Usman has got this one,’ and I think that Georges St-Pierre can be that guy.

“If Georges wants to do it, Georges can get it too.” ... https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/20/usman-gets-six-month-medical-ban/

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez described Zinedine Zidane as a “blessing from heaven” after he delivered the club their 34th La Liga title on Thursday.

Perez also said he believes Sergio Ramos will end his career at Madrid, despite uncertainty over the 34-year-old’s future, with his contract due to expire next year.

Madrid defeated Villarreal 2-1 at the empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium to secure the victory they needed to clinch the title from Barcelona with one game left to play.

The trophy is Zidane’s 11th after 209 games in charge of Real Madrid.

“He has won a trophy every 19 games,” said Perez. “He is a blessing from heaven and hopefully he will be with us for a long time. People can criticise him as much as they want as long as he continues to win titles.” https://9jabet.bet/2020/07/17/real-madrid-president-says-zidane-is-a-blessing-from-heaven/