Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted his side is under no pressure to secure Champions League qualification in his first season in charge. The Blues are set to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in a round of 16 tie at St. James’ Park — after defeating them 2-1 in Sunday’s League match at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea reached the final of this competition last season, losing in extra time to Liverpool, under former manager Mauricio Pochettino. Since taking over the Argentine, Maresa’s team has lost only on three occasions in 14 games across all competitions, as they sit fifth in the…
Author: Somto Isaac
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been out since September due to an ankle injury and manager Mikel Arteta has revealed the Norwegian has been training on the grass for a few weeks and could return before the November international break. The Gunners have seen their injury list expand recently, with defenders Riccardo Calafiori suffering a knee injury in the Champions League win against Shaktar Donetsk a week ago. The Italian missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool — a game which saw Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes also come off, both of whom could be doubts for Wednesday’s League Cup game…
Table-topping Napoli extended their impressive unbeaten run following their triumph at AC Milan, while manager Antonio Conte is careful not to draw his side into the Scudetto title conversation, he has reiterated the main aim is a return to the Champions League. Napoli have now gone nine games without defeat after their 2-0 win at San Siro, which has seen them launch a seven-point lead at the summit, with Inter Milan set to play Empoli on Wednesday. After their disappointing title defence last season, which left them without European football, Conte admits he wants to create a fine balance of…
The injury situation at Liverpool is of growing concern as manager Arne Slot confirmed he will be without yet another key player ahead of their torrid fixture list. Diogo Jota has netted four goals across 10 games in all competitions for the Reds this season but has not featured since a chest injury in the win against Chelsea. Ahead of the fourth round League Cup clash at Brighton and Hove Albion, Slot was quizzed about the status of the attacker and whether he would return before the November international break and he simply said “no”. Slot also provided an update…
Manchester United confirmed the departure of manager, Erik ten Hag in a statement released on Monday after the club’s 2-1 loss at West Ham United the day before which left them 14th on the Premier League standings. The Red Devils’ assistant manager and ex-striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over on an interim basis as the search for a new manager continues, said the club in a statement. While van Nistelrooy can be considered as a permanent favourite too, names like Xavi Hernandez, Thomas Frank, Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim have all been touted as potential replacements too. Given the…
Inter Milan gaffer Simone Inzaghi cut a frustrated figure after his side’s draw with Juventus, pointing out the defensive mistakes and missed opportunities which contributed to them not getting maximum points. Inter led 4-2 in the derby and were dominating proceedings until the 71st minute when substitute Kenan Yildiz got past the defence to net twice to rescue a 4-4 draw. “There is bitterness but as a coach I must analyse and talk to them tomorrow, as the players looked sad in the dressing room,” Inzaghi said to Sky Sports Italy. “It’s frustrating, as we were facing a Juventus side…
Manchester City rose to the summit of the Premier League after Liverpool and Arsenal settled for a point, while Manchester United’s woeful start to the season continued in contrast to Crystal Palace somewhat ending theirs and in was a goal fest between Brentford and Ipswich Town as the English top flight sailed into the ninth matchday. Liverpool twice came from behind at the Emirates as they denied Arsenal a chance to cut the gap between themselves, retaining their four-point distance as Sunday’s contest ended in a two-all draw. Bukayo Saka returned to the Arsenal line-up and returned with a bang…
Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Barcelona’s form this season is not making him lose sleep, ahead of Saturday’s Clasico. Hansi Flick’s Barca team — who dismantled Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday — travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face second-place Real Madrid, in what will be a tight contest in what seemingly sets up for a close title race this season. Ancelotti’s Madrid side are unbeaten in 42 LaLiga games and could match Barcelona’s all-time record of 43 if they avoid defeat. “The truth is they are doing very well,” Ancelotti said at a news conference. “In…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had special words for his players and their mentality while also stating the bond of his team is as strong as ever. The 53-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season and he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with rumours swirling of him potentially stepping down. The Spaniard had admitted before the start of the season that he would wait until the new campaign to see his new players’ connection. Speaking before Saturday’s game against Southampton, Guardiola who had admitted the above yardstick would be…
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insisted he is convinced his team are progressing in the right direction, despite their unimpressive start to the campaign. The Red Devils ended their run of five games without a win as they defeated Brentford 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday but the pressure is not alleviated yet ahead of a showdown against former manager Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbache in the Europa League on Thursday. United are just with two points from their opening two games against Twente and Porto — and with Mourinho also under pressure after a difficult start to life in…