Kylian Mbappe revealed his elation to reunite with the France national team after six months, ahead of the Nations League quarter finals against Croatia. “I feel good, I feel happy to be playing football, I feel happy to be here,” Mbappe said at a news conference. The Real Madrid forward missed two games in October due to injury and another pair of games in November, following the decision by coach Didier Deschamps to rest him during a difficult period as he adapted to life a his new club. However, with Thursday’s first leg contest in Croatia in view, Mbappe admitted…
Author: Somto Isaac
Spain head coach Luis De La Fuente maintained his side will retain their attacking mantra when they trade tackles with Netherlands in the first leg of their Nations League quarter final game, a match which he believes can be a European Championship final. Spain finished top of their Nations League A Group Four with 16 points, winning five of their games and drawing just one while Netherlands finished second in Group Three. “We have to get the best out of the players, and our players want to enjoy the ball and attack a lot,” De la Fuente said in a…
The Premier League stated the racial abuse suffered by Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana on social media following the 1-0 loss at Arsenal was appalling. The Frenchman posted the screenshots of the racist messages he received on his Instagram story, saying; “stupidity and cruelty can no longer hide”. “The Premier League is appalled by the abuse suffered by Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana after their match against Arsenal. We will offer our full support to Wesley and the club,” the Premier League said in a statement. “We work with the social media platforms and the authorities to ensure any individuals found guilty of…
Barcelona’s LaLiga contest against Osasuna, which was postponed earlier this month due to the death of the club doctor of the Catalan side Carles Miñarro Garcia has been fixed for March 27, as announced by the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF]. The line-up of both teams had been announced and the players began their warmup – until the hosts Barcelona stated the postponement of the game through the stadium speakers on March 8. Osasuna are to visit Athletic Bilbao on March 28, just a day after the rescheduled game — although it could be moved to March 30 — and leaders…
Mikel Arteta is not looking past rivals Chelsea ahead of Sunday’s London derby, despite being paired in an intriguing European battle against Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Gunners are yet to pick up a win in their last three games, which has left them 15 points behind leaders Liverpool – with fellow top four rivals Nottingham Forest and Chelsea catching up. The Blues sit fourth, six points behind Arsenal — and ahead of the derby at the Emirates Stadium, where Chelsea lost 5-0 last season, Arteta insists times have changed following the initial 1-1 result at Stamford Bridge…
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has stated his side must learn from their last two games against Atletico Madrid if they stand a chance to win in Sunday’s game which could be key in the title race. Real Madrid sit three points above Flick’s team – who have a game in hand – following their win against Villarreal on Saturday, meanwhile Atleti sit four points behind the summit. The Catalan giants were defeated 2-1 at home to Atletico and were also held to a 4-4 draw in the Copa del Rey semi final first leg with Alexander Sorloth netting an injury…
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is adamant his side will still qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League despite increased pressure following their 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The outgoing league champions squandered a chance to move into the top four after surrendering their lead twice against fellow Champions League chasers Brighton. Guardiola’s side now sit fifth on the log, as fourth placed Chelsea face Arsenal on Sunday – and with fans and players alike in an unfamiliar position, the Spaniard understands there could be nervousness around the club. “Yes, definitely. Everybody feels the pressure. But…
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone hit out at the decision to cancel Julian Alvarez’s penalty in the UEFA Champions League last 16 penalty shootout loss to rivals Real Madrid. The record winners of the competition triumphed 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate scoreline – as Alvarez slipped while taking his own and VAR ruled it out for a judged double touch. “The referee said when Julian got to the penalty spot he touched the ball with his standing foot, but the ball did not move,” Simeone said to reporters. “But beyond that, which now just serves to argue about…
Despite fans and players celebrating qualification to the UEFA Champions League quarter finals following a hard fought win against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was more concerned with his side’s performance than the result. Los Blancos wrapped up a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate. Ancelotti was however disappointed that his side let in a goal inside the first minute that brought the contest at level matters as he insisted on more sharpness as they gear up to face Arsenal for a spot in the last four of Europe’s premiere competition.…
Arne Slot pointed to the fact his Liverpool team were unlucky in the “best game” he has ever been involved in, following their Champions League exit on Tuesday against Paris Saint-Germain. The French giants were the dominant team in last week’s first leg but Harvey Elliott’s late goal snatched a win for the Reds at Parc des Princes. However, it was a reverse case as Slot watched some poor conversion of chances on display as Ousmane Dembele’s goal on 12 minutes proved decisive. PSG then triumphed on penalties after spot kicks from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones was saved by…