Football Blog (Page 144)

[ad_1] Every now and then, Barcelona get really excited about an academy prospect. The next player to have captivated the Camp Nou officials is 15-year-old forward Lamine Yamal, who has already caught Xavi’s eye and is a regular feature in first-team training sessions despite his tender age. Before he becomes a household name, however, here’s a little cheat sheet for you to get to know Yamal. Born in Catalonia, Yamal was snapped up by the Barcelona academy before his fifth birthday and has gone on to astound every coach he has worked with. Club officials devised a plan to put him out of his comfortRead More →

[ad_1] Celtic will spend Christmas Day nine points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership after an emphatic 4-1 victory over St. Johnstone at Celtic Park. Ange Postecoglou’s side have been imperious in the league this season, winning 17 of their 18 matches and losing just once, and they carried that form into today’s match despite facing a St. Johnstone side in good form. Reo Hatate gave the Bhoys the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour and from then onwards it was essentially a procession, with Kyogo Furuhashi doubling the advantage only four minutes later. It was a great day at theRead More →

[ad_1] Southampton welcome Brighton to St Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League on Boxing Day. Ralph Hasenhuttl survived plenty of lows during his near four years in charge of the Saints but was let go after one win from his final nine matches in November. Nathan Jones lost his first game at the helm despite an encouraging display against Liverpool, leaving Southampton in 19th during the winter hiatus. Brighton are nine points and 12 places better off than their south coast rivals. Although, it took Roberto De Zerbi the best part of a month to record his first victory after replacing Graham Potter – which,Read More →

[ad_1] Eden Hazard is thought to have impressed Real Madrid coaching staff since returning to training at Valdebebas following his participation at the World Cup for Belgium. The 31-year-old attacker has struggled for form and fitness since his €100m transfer to the Bernabeu from Chelsea in 2019, making just 72 appearances and scoring seven times. With Hazard’s time as one of the world’s best players fading into the distance, many have accused the Belgian of lacking the requisite work ethic to remain at the highest levels, citing his perceived weight gain and lack of effort on the pitch. However, according to AS, Hazard has returnedRead More →

[ad_1] Szymon Marciniak, the referee who officiated the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, has hit back at claims that Argentina’s third goal scored by Lionel Messi should have been disallowed. Having thrown away a two-goal lead and allowed the game to go to extra time, La Albiceleste found themselves back in front after Messi struck from close range to score his second of the game. While it was a moment of euphoria for the South Americans, French supporters were enraged, claiming the goal should not have stood as several of Argentina’s substitutes were encroaching on the pitch when the goal was scored. This wouldRead More →

[ad_1] Isn’t it fun when those 1963 Boxing Day results get circulated and find themselves in every corner of every social media feed across the land? Okay, it might get a bit boring year after year, but it is a reminder of a special tradition that breathes romance into football in the birthplace of the beautiful game. Whether it’s an enraptured child heading to their first match on a cold Boxing Day afternoon after unwrapping football tickets the day before, only to witness a dreary 1-0 defeat (personal experience? Maybe) or a worse-for-wear 20-something-year-old trudging through the turnstiles on a damp New Year’s Day (personalRead More →

[ad_1] Liverpool travel to the second city to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday evening. Boxing Day will serve as an opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to renew rivalries with Unai Emery. Klopp described the former Villarreal manager as “detail-obsessed” and “world class” ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final with Emery’s previous employers last season. Here’s the XI Klopp may deploy against a respected foe in a bid to achieve the same success as that European tie. Watch 90min’s TFP on YouTube as Harry Symeou, Scott Saunders, Grizz Khan, Lawrence Bury and Daniel Childs look ahead to the Premier League’s return. Subscribe to the channel here!Read More →

[ad_1] Rangers maintained their 100% start to life under new manager Michael Beale with a 1-0 win away to Ross County on Friday evening. Despite The Staggies bringing the game to their visitors in the opening exchanges, Rangers settled into a rhythm at Dingwall and pulled ahead after half an hour following patient play. They worked hard to look after the ball once they had pulled ahead, limiting Ross County’s chances to attack throughout the evening and seeing out the game for three points. Rangers started the brightest but never managed to worry the hosts too significantly. In fact, it was Ross County who cameRead More →

[ad_1] Liverpool’s return to action didn’t go quite to plan on Thursday. The Reds’ defence of their Carabao Cup crown came to an end in the last 16 as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, but attention will quickly turn to the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp and his men resume their league campaign on Boxing Day, travelling to Aston Villa. With varying levels of fitness and different preparation times as a result of the World Cup, players’ involvement in the immediate future isn’t a certain topic. Two players who fans will be desperate to see play as Liverpool look to get backRead More →

[ad_1] Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he is ‘not against investment’ in the January transfer window, with the club seemingly prepared to spend. The Reds have found themselves light in several positions this season, largely as a result of injury. Thiago was sidelined earlier in the campaign, with Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones also missing games. Arthur was signed on loan from Juventus to boost numbers, only to suffer a long-term injury himself. Further forward, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have been absent for substantial periods. Liverpool have their sights on Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham, who is not expected to beRead More →