Month: September 2019

The Parisians boss admits the club’s fortunes this season rely heavily on their two stars thriving off each other

PSG manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping Kylian Mbappe and Neymar can forge a deadly partnership this season as the club looks to get its campaign back on track. 

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Tuchel confirmed both Mbappe and loanee Mauro Icardi are available again after recent injuries.

The PSG boss is all too aware that if Mbappe and Neymar can combine consistently, the reigning Ligue 1 champions will take some stopping. 

“The relationship between the two is the key for us, they can bring us a lot of possibilities,” Tuchel said. 

“Mbappe has been hurt for weeks, we have to be patient, and tomorrow it’s impossible for Kylian to play 90 minutes.

“We have to adapt to the situation and the opponent. Tomorrow, we will be able to play Mbappe and Icardi.”

Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Reims was PSG’s first home defeat in Ligue 1 since May 2018 – before Tuchel took charge.

The loss leaves the Parisians clinging to top spot, only ahead of Angers on goal difference, with Tuchel eager for his side to set things right on Saturday against Bordeaux. 

“It’s a good thing to play quickly after the loss,” Tuchel said. 

“It’s always hard to find a good mood after a setback – it’s the challenge tomorrow against a good team from Bordeaux, to start winning again.

“It was a lack of intensity. It was a surprise for me because I made some changes to have intensity.

“I hate to lose, it was super hard. We can do better and we’ll improve.”

After a summer of transfer drama, Neymar has attempted to put off-field drama behind him by scoring the winning goal in consecutive games upon his PSG return. 

Unable to secure a return to Barcelona, the Brazilian recently admitted he’s made mistakes but is eager to right any wrongs. 

“I messed up several times and recovering all the confidence I had has a high price, but I think it’s normal for human beings to fail, it’s part of life and due to these errors you grow and learn,” Neymar told The Mirror.  

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Just five of the 24 players called in by Tata Martino have previous international experience, though all have taken part in the coach’s mini-camps

Tata Martino has called in 24 players ahead of a friendly next week against Trinidad and Tobago.

The roster will look familiar to fans keeping up with Martino’s mini-camps. The Argentine manager convened a group of young, domestic-based players together twice so far this season as he looks to prepare for Mexico’s debut in the Concacaf Nations League.

While some players from his strongest team may take part in that competition, the base of the roster will be up-and-comers from Liga MX. The only players with senior-level caps on the roster are Chivas goalkeeper Raul Gudino, Santos Laguna left back Gerardo Arteaga, Atlas defender Jesus Angulo, Pachuca midfielder Erick Aguirre and Monterrey midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez.

The rest of the players on the squad will be looking to earn their first-ever international appearance and also convince Martino and his coaching staff that they’re indispensable for next month’s trip to Bermuda and the home match against Panama. Leon midfielder Ivan Rodriguez, who was called by Martino as part of the provisional Gold Cup roster but missed the tournament because of an injury, is back in the team. So too are his Leon teammates Jose Juan Macias and Jesus Godinez.

In November, Mexico will travel to Panama before closing out CNL group play at home against Bermuda, with the top team in the group advancing to the summer’s Nations League finals.

The friendly against the Soca Warriors will take place at the Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca and follow a Copa MX match between Toluca and Veracruz. Players are set to report to Mexico City to begin training on Sept. 29. They’ll train Monday and Tuesday, traveling to Toluca after their Tuesday training session.

Full roster:

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Goalkeepers: Raul Gudino (Chivas), Jose Hernandez (Atlas), Sebastian Jurado (Veracruz)

Defenders: Luis Romo (Queretaro), Vladmir Lorona (Tijuana), Alan Mozo (Pumas), Johan Vazquez (Monterrey), Ismael Govea (Atlas), Gerardo Arteaga (Santos Laguna), Cristian Calderon (Necaxa), Jesus Angulo (Atlas), Adrian Mora (Toluca), 

Midfielders: Ivan Rodriguez (Leon), Jesus Ricardo Angulo (Necaxa), Jose Esquivel (Juarez), Ian Torres (Atlas), Erick Aguirre (Pachuca), Adrian Lozano (Santos Laguna), Francisco Cordova (America), Francisco Venegas (Tigres), Jonathan Gonzalez (Monterrey)

Forwards: Paolo Yrizar (Queretaro), Jose Juan Macias (Leon), Jesus Godinez (Leon)

The Brazilian is frustrated by his lack of starts at club level but his manager has no problem with that attitude

Pep Guardiola has hailed Gabriel Jesus as “an animal” after the Brazil striker expressed frustration at his number of first-team starts for Manchester City.

Jesus made it three goals in as many starts this season when City began their EFL Cup defence with a 3-0 win at Preston North End in midweek, but he is likely to find himself back on the bench against Everton on Saturday.

Sergio Aguero has netted in every Premier League game this season and, although Jesus proclaimed his admiration and respect for City’s all-time leading goalscorer in an interview with Esporte Interativo, the 2017 arrival from Palmeiras stated he was “over the ‘I have to wait’ phase” at the Etihad Stadium.

“He’s passionate. I read that interview and it was perfect,” Guardiola told a pre-match news conference.

“It was incredibly respectful, like Gabriel is. No problem at all. Of course he wants to play. He is the number nine for Brazil.

“I said recently, he is maybe the only striker in the world at this level who has to have this mentality, a friendship with Sergio and all the team-mates.

“Every time he is on the pitch, if he plays one second, two minutes or 90 minutes, he plays like an animal. In every action he does his best.

“Not just Gabriel, all the players want to play all the games. It’s normal. It’s not a problem.”

Teenage centre-backs Eric Garcia and Taylor Harwood-Bellis also impressed at Preston – a timely boost for Guardiola.

City are short of specialist cover in the heart of defence, following to injuries to Aymeric Laporte and John Stones on the back of Vincent Kompany’s departure.

“I knew [they were ready], it was not necessary for them to play against Preston to know it,” Guardiola said.

“Of course they are young, they are going to make mistakes like the old players make mistakes.

“Of course they are ready. They can train with us and play with us. If they were not ready they would not have played against Preston.”

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The country’s tourism chief has called reports of the valuation ‘fake news’, while there has been big news on the video game front

Goal rounds up the top business stories of the week from Soccerex, including news that Malta’s tourism minister has denied reports of the valuation of a recent deal between Manchester United and the Malta Tourism Authority, Gianni Infantino’s plans for a Women’s World League gaining momentum and Manchester City creating an in-house esports show…

Malta’s minister for tourism, Konrad Mizzi, has denied reports claiming the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) will pay close to €20 million (£18m/$22m) over three years for its sponsorship deal with Manchester United.

United agreed a deal with the Maltese government and the MTA earlier in September to promote the country as a tourist destination.

The agreement will see the Visit Malta brand given advertising space at Old Trafford and also publicity via the club’s digital marketing channels.

It was first reported by the Times of Malta on 23 September that the contract is valued at €20m over three years.

However, Mizzi has branded the report as “fake news” in a series of posts on social media, while also describing the valuation of the deal as “meaningless and extraordinary.”

The MTA has since released its own statement refuting the Times of Malta report.

“The article is clearly based on the journalist’s own speculation and assumptions, in an attempt to create a negative aura around the partnership agreement concluded between the MTA, Visit Malta, and Manchester United,” the statement read.

“Although the cost of the actual partnership is commercially sensitive, the figure invented by the said journalist is a complete fabrication and nowhere close to the actual committed funding, which is in line with the Malta Tourism Authority’s marketing budget.”

Gianni Infantino pushing ahead with Women’s World League plans

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is continuing to push for the creation of a Women’s World League to help grow the game on the back of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Infantino had his initial attempts to form the new national team tournament blocked inside the organisation but has promised to continue his efforts, arguing that France 2019 highlighted the desire for more elite women’s soccer competitions.

Infantino had first vowed to campaign again for setting up a Women’s World League back in June and reasserted his plans while speaking at a FIFA conference in Milan this week.

“We have to build on the momentum of this fantastic World Cup,” he said.

The FIFA chief added that he first came up with the idea of the new league in 2017 but had seen it rejected within FIFA despite “big, big support” from global soccer officials.

“We then brought it back to the council of FIFA, where it was, how shall I say, put on hold? Or blocked for probably some sports political reasons? I don’t know exactly why,” he added.

“But we will bring it back on the table until it will be approved.”

Infantino has already pushed through an expansion of the Women’s World Cup, increasing the number of teams from 24 to 32 in 2023. Now, along with his wish for a World League, he also wants to see an annual Women’s Club World Cup to boost the game outside of national team competitions.

“We need to create a World Cup for clubs. We cannot think that we can seriously develop women’s football by only having national teams,” he said.

“We need clubs as well and to give them more reason to invest and to give them a stage where they can perform. So I will propose a Club World Cup. Every year, starting next year or the year after next. I don’t think it takes us a long time to organise it.”

The proposed tournament would see 16 or 24 teams competing over a three to four-week period, with a different host nation each year.

Infantino’s proposals reaffirm a commitment made by FIFA last year to double worldwide participation in women’s soccer to 60 million by 2026.

EA Sports has become the official gaming partner of Manchester City as part of a new expanded global partnership with City Football Group (CFG).

The arrangement, which also includes City’s CFG-owned sister clubs New York City FC and Melbourne City FC, builds on EA Sports’ existing partnership with Manchester City to include a monthly lifestyle gaming show.

The programme, created by the club’s in-house channel CityTV, will debate the latest trends in soccer and gaming, focusing on individual players and teams involved in the FIFA franchise.

Damian Willoughby, CFG’s Senior Vice president of Partnerships, said: “This partnership is significant for City Football Group. By enhancing our existing Manchester City partnership and becoming a global partner for the group, we’re excited to break into new ground within the gaming industry.

“We know that playing EA Sports FIFA entices gamers to become lifelong football supporters so having all three clubs represented in FIFA 20 provides us with a unique opportunity.

“Our presence in esports has grown significantly over the past three years with each club having a selection of esports players, an exciting content strategy in place and hosting a series of events including tournaments for fans to participate in. 

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“We look forward to working with EA Sports in what continues to be a very innovative and exciting area.”

Each club will develop its own strategy for fan engagement and will continue to have esports players representing the club at big tournaments globally. The deal also adds to EA Sports’ portfolio of team name and branding rights.

EA’s UK Manager Samantha Ebelthite said: “We always aim to blur the lines between the virtual and real worlds of football. Through working with City Football Group on esports, content and fan engagement initiatives, we are delighted to do this by bringing fans closer to the clubs that they love.

“It’s fantastic to become the group’s Official Football Action Simulation Gaming Partner and we’re looking forward to a successful partnership.”

The MLS side will bring a commanding lead back to New York, while Liga MX’s Santos Laguna made easy work of Marathon

Following a night of surprises in the Concacaf Champions League on Tuesday, things held closer to the norm with Wednesday’s action, with MLS and Liga MX clubs going unbeaten in the away legs of their last-16 ties.  

The New York Red Bulls were aided by an own goal in claiming a 2-0 win over Atletico Pantoja.  

A scramble in front of goal saw a shot from Bradley Wright-Phillips saved by goalkeeper Odalis Baez, only to see his fine reaction stop come off defender Jean Innocent and trickle into the net for the game’s opening goal.  

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Daniel Royer added a second for the Red Bulls in the second half, finishing from a narrow angle after having been picked out at the back post by a Kaku cross.  

The win leaves the Red Bulls, who made a run to the CCL semifinals last season, in great position heading into the home leg of the tie.  

Mexico’s Santos Laguna earned an even more impressive victory, storming to a 6-2 win over Honduran giants Marathon.  

Javier Marcelo Correa scored the first three goals of the night, rounding out his hat trick with a deflected finish just before halftime.  

Brazilian Doria made it 4-0 before Marathon could muster a response through Marlon Ramírez, but Marlos Moreno had Santos back up four 11 minutes later.  

Julio Furch made it 6-1 before Justin Arboleda netted a second for Marathon that is likely to matter little as the clubs head back to Mexico for the second leg.  

The only underdog to earn a result on the night was El Salvador’s Alianza , which held Mexican giant Monterrey to a 0-0 draw.  

The match was not devoid of chances, with the two sides combining for 20 shots, but neither team could find the target.  

New York and the two Liga MX sides will all host the second legs of their respective ties next Wednesday, with the winners from the Red Bulls and Santos Laguna fixtures set to square off in the quarterfinals.  

The winner of Monterrey’s tie will face the winner of the last-16 clash between Atlanta United and Herediano, which is set to see its first leg played on Thursday.

The two Manchester clubs headline the teams remaining in the final eight of the competition

Manchester United will face Wolves while Manchester City will take on Swansea City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

The draw was held on Monday following the conclusion of the fifth round of FA Cup play as Manchester United beat Chelsea to complete the set of eight matches.

Quarter-final matches will be played on the weekend of March 16 with the winners booking a date in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium on April 6.

Manchester United advanced to the quarter-final after taking down reigning champions Chelsea by a 2-0 scoreline on Monday thanks to goals from Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba.

A trip away to Wolves will be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s next task after the fellow Premier League side edged Bristol City 1-0 to advance to the quarters.

The Red Devils have lost just once since the former Norway forward took charge, coming in a 2-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 battle. 

Manchester United’s crosstown rivals, Manchester City, had little problem with League Two side Newport County, as the Premier League title contenders picked up a 4-1 victory away from home.

With that victory, Pep Guardiola’s side has now won four straight since a stunning Premier League loss to Newcastle, with the aggregate score of those matches coming to 15-2.

Now, they will take on Swansea, who cruised past Brentford 4-1 in Wales in their fifth-round matchup. The reigning Premier League champions face a visit to the Liberty Stadium for the tie.

Swansea, along with Millwall, are the lowest-ranking remaining sides in the competition as the six other teams remaining are all representing the Premier League.

Millwall, currently sitting 20th in the Championship, will play host to Brighton & Hove Albion after edging AFC Wimbledon in their fifth-round match. Brighton, meanwhile, held on for a tight 2-1 victory over Derby County in their last match.

The final tie will pit two Premier League sides against one another as Watford are set to host Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road.

Watford currently sit eighth in the Premier League and are fresh off a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers while Palace are 13th in the league with a 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers pushing them to the quarter-final round.

FA Cup fifth round draw in full:

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The Bayern winger says the Arsenal midfielder was his favourite player to play alongside after stepping out of a famed academy system in north London

Serge Gnabry has pointed to Mesut Ozil as his favourite team-mate, adding that it was “amazing” to play alongside the Arsenal midfielder.

Gnabry was on the books at Arsenal from 2011-16, while fellow German Ozil made the move to London to join the club in 2013 after a three-year stint with Real Madrid.

Ozil’s future with Arsenal, however, remains a mystery as he has regularly been confined to the bench under current Gunners manager Unai Emery.

Gnabry, however, has been quick to talk up his former team-mate’s quality and put him ahead of some other highly-regarded players he has played alongside in his career at Arsenal, Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim and Bayern.

“I’ve already played with many good guys. But, if I have to highlight one, I take Mesut Ozil,” Gnabry told Goal.

“The kind of quality I have seen in his training and in the games at that time was amazing.”

Another team-mate that Gnabry has got on well with is Joshua Kimmich, who has a unique combination of humour and ambition, according to the Bayern winger.

“He has a great sense of humour that is contagious,” Gnabry said of the Bayern full-back.

“He is also extremely ambitious. Not only in the game, also in everyday life. We have known each other since we were 12 years old and played together in the youth of Stuttgart.

“We are good friends. That we are playing together is just great.”

Gnabry is one of several stars representing the new generation of Bayern as players like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery move closer to their final days with the club.

In their stead, Gnabry, Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman look set to become the club’s standout wingers more young players are ushered into the fold.

Gnabry has made 26 appearances, scoring seven goals, in his first season as a regular at the Allianz Arena and has great respect for players like Robben and Ribery who have helped to deliver a remarkable era of success with Bayern.

“The respect is definitely there, especially off the field,” he said.

“On the pitch, Franck and Arjen give their best as I do, Kingsley Coman or Alphonso Davies. They also help us with their experience. This is important for young players.

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“In the end, it’s up to the coach who plays on the weekend. Of course you can see why Franck and Arjen have been at this level for so long and have developed the club.”

A World Cup winner from France’s past has hailed one of the present, with Paris Saint-Germain’s star forward being tipped to become a modern day icon

Kylian Mbappe only sits behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the global pecking order, says Bixente Lizarazu, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward boasting the potential to be “the next genuine superstar in football”.

At just 20 years of age, one of the most exciting talents on the planet has already collected two Ligue 1 titles and helped France to World Cup glory.

Big things are expected of Mbappe, who continues to shine for club and country, with his name expected to figure prominently in Ballon d’Or votes of the future.

If he does scale those heights, then he will be following in the illustrious footsteps of global icons currently turning out for Barcelona and Juventus.

Lizarazu, a World Cup winner himself with France in 1998, believes Mbappe is destined for the top, telling Goal at the Bayern Youth Cup in Delhi: “Yes, I think he can be the next genuine superstar in football and I think he already is one.

“He is the best young footballer in the world and after Ronaldo and Messi, there is no reason why he cannot become the best in the world.”

Mbappe starred for France as Les Bleus captured a second world crown at Russia 2018 – 20 years after Lizarazu and Co had landed a first on home soil.

More is expected of a golden generation which also includes the likes of Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, with Dider Deschamps having turned struggles of the recent past into a distant memory.

Asked to compare the class of 2018 with that of 1998, Lizarazu said: “I think more than anything, the spirit in the two teams was the same.

“Didier Deschamps brought the same spirit to the 2018 squad to the one we had during our time.

“This France squad did not go for the big individual names but ones who would fit in well in the system.

“Comparing both teams, I think ours was older and hence we were able to exert more control on the game.

“The 2018 squad had a lot of young players and relied more on counter-attacks.

“It was a fantastic achievement for France in Russia and I must say that Deschamps has done a brilliant job with the team.”

While Lizarazu was a star turn at left-back for France during a previous era of dominance, it was at Bayern Munich that he enjoyed the greatest success at club level.

Having taken in two spells with the German giants, he is now an ambassador for the Bundesliga outfit.

The 2018-19 campaign has been a testing one for those at the Allianz Arena, but they are back in a domestic title race and readying themselves for a crunch clash with Liverpool in the Champions League.

Lizarazu said of that encounter, with the first leg of a last-16 tie due to be staged at Anfield on Tuesday: “Liverpool are in amazing form in the Premier League. They were the Champions League finalists last year and they are even stronger this year.

“I think this is the toughest test Bayern could get because I believe Liverpool are one of the three favourites for the title this season.

“They are playing very well at the moment while Bayern are not at their best currently. They have not been playing well in the league and are second, which you know is not good enough.

“So I think this will be a very exciting and difficult tie for Bayern.”

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Juventus expect the German midfielder to be ready to return to football in a month after he had treatment following an irregular heartbeat

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Sami Khedira will be out of action for a month after undergoing treatment on a heart problem, Juventus have confirmed.

The midfielder withdrew from the squad to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League after the detection of an irregular heartbeat.

Khedira is not expected to return until late March after Juve confirmed he had been treated successfully.

“Today in the morning the player Sami Khedira underwent electrophysiological study and successful interventional therapy with ablation of an arrhythmogenic atrial focus, performed by Prof. Fiorenzo Gaita, JM cardiologist consultant for Juventus,” the club said in a statement.

“After a short period of convalescence the player will be able to resume his activity approximately within one month.”

Khedira, who joined from Real Madrid in 2015, has made 15 appearances in all competitions for Juve this season.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side face Atletico in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.

The Gunners have a specialist at their helm in the form of Unai Emery, while the Blues are seeking major silverware in Maurizio Sarri’s debut campaign

Arsenal will take on Rennes in the last-16 of the Europa League, while Chelsea have been paired with Dynamo Kiev. 

The Gunners, who overcame BATE on Thursday, boast a competition specialist at their helm in the form of Unai Emery.

The Spaniard has lifted this particular trophy on three previous occasions, with a hat-trick of successes enjoyed while in charge of Sevilla.

His former employers in La Liga are also still in the hunt this season and will be taking on Slavia Prague at the next stage.

Sevilla disposed of Lazio in the last 32 and boast the attacking threat to trouble any opponent.

Premier League sides are considered to be favourites, though, with Arsenal competing alongside London rivals Chelsea.

The Blues must negotiate a testing trip to the Ukraine if their challenge is to continue, but Maurizio Sarri will be hoping to see his side edge out Dynamo Kiev and remain on course for major silverware.

Among the other sides fancied by many to go deep into the tournament are Serie A heavyweights Inter.

A team boasting the likes of Mauro Icardi and Lautaro Martinez within its ranks will be locking horns with Eintracht Frankfurt in the last 16.

Another of the Italian hopefuls, Napoli, are set to see their claims to a continental crown tested by Red Bull Salzburg.

Meanwhile, Valencia – who disposed of Scottish champions Celtic in the last round – will take on Krasnodar.

Their La Liga rivals Villarreal will see a trip to Russia to take on Zenit form part of their next two-legged tie.

The final fixture in the round of 16 has pitted Portuguese giants Benfica against Dinamo Zagreb.

The first legs of all eight matches will be staged on March 7, with the return dates taking place a week later.

All of those involved are hoping to a plot a course to the final which will be held in Baku on May 29.

Europa League last-16 draw in full:

Chelsea vs Dynamo Kiev

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Inter

Dinamo Zagreb vs Benfica

Napoli vs Red Bull Salzburg

Valencia vs Krasnodar

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Sevilla vs Slavia Prague

Arsenal vs Rennes

Zenit vs Villarreal