Bayern Munich secured a 3-0 victory over Lazio in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night, overturning a one-goal deficit from the first leg. The match at the Allianz Arena witnessed a strong response from the hosts, with Harry Kane and Thomas Muller’s well-timed headers putting Bayern in control of the tie. In the opening moments, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala tested Lazio’s goalkeeper, Ivan Provedel. Harry Kane’s deflected attempt narrowly missed the target, as Lazio players made desperate defensive efforts. Lazio had a chance to take the lead before the break when Ciro Immobile failed to redirect his…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Chelsea icon Petr Cech has disclosed that he found training under former manager Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge less enjoyable. The ex-goalkeeper expressed his belief that Ancelotti’s training sessions were excessively intense, resembling a match and leaving the players fatigued. Cech shared these insights on the Obi One Podcast. “When a new manager arrived, Carlo Ancelotti, he was like ‘wow, this training is so intense, it’s like a match.’ I was like, ‘no boss, it is the worst’ because I felt everyone looked tired and wasn’t training well. Carlo didn’t understand this because he wasn’t used to that,” explained Cech.…
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain effortlessly secured their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, eliminating Real Sociedad. After a 2-0 victory in the first leg, PSG sealed a 2-1 win in this encounter with a highly impressive performance. Mbappe ignited the match with a splendid opener, and early in the second half, he calmly finished to dash any hopes of a Sociedad comeback. Mikel Merino’s late goal served as little more than a consolation for the Spanish side. In the opening minutes, Bradley Barcola’s close-range attempt was denied after Mbappe skillfully eluded his defender and delivered a cut-back…
Chelsea has reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon’s manager, Ruben Amorim, and Brighton and Hove Albion’s boss, Roberto De Zerbi, as potential candidates to replace Mauricio Pochettino. The pressure on the Argentine increased following Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday, with discontented supporters expressing their frustration through X-rated chants directed at Pochettino and co-owner Todd Boehly. When asked about the chants at full-time, Pochettino commented, “Yes, I’ve been told but I did not hear, to be honest. That is why it is difficult for me to understand. I don’t know. I need to believe what you are telling me, but it…
Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker, emphasized the notion that Lionel Messi of Inter Miami would need to retire from the game for someone else to be recognized as the best. Speaking to the media on Tuesday ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League round of 16 second leg clash with FC Copenhagen, Haaland stated, “Maybe he [Messi] has to retire for someone else to be regarded as the best,” as reported by Barca Universal. Widely acknowledged as the greatest footballer globally, Messi recently triumphed over Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to claim the 2023 Ballon d’Or. Additionally, the Argentina captain boasts…
Table tennis sensation Offiong Edem clinched Nigeria’s inaugural medal at the 13th edition of the African Games in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday. Edem secured a bronze medal in the women’s singles category, succumbing to a 4-0 defeat against Egypt’s Dino Meshref in the semi-final. This achievement marks Edem’s second bronze medal in the same event, having previously secured a podium finish four years ago in Congo, Brazzaville. Reflecting on her performance, Edem expressed her joy and attributed her improved game to participating in the recent World Championships in Korea. She extended her gratitude to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF)…
Erling Haaland has expressed confidence in Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund’s potential for further improvement following his recent resurgence. Despite a challenging start in his initial six months at Old Trafford, Hojlund showcased exceptional form at the beginning of 2024, scoring seven goals in six Premier League games before sustaining an injury—a performance reminiscent of Haaland’s own goal-scoring prowess. Haaland, representing Manchester City, has urged the 21-year-old Hojlund to maintain his positive momentum upon his return from injury and continue proving his value to Manchester United. Reflecting on Hojlund’s progress, Haaland remarked, “His start was a bit hard, but then…
Harry Kane bears no responsibility for Bayern Munich’s struggles this season; however, the decision to invest heavily in him is now viewed as a regrettable mistake by the German giants. European football expert Andy Brassell has raised questions about Bayern’s transfer strategy, emphasizing that while Kane’s impact is not to blame, the significant expenditure on the English captain has left noticeable gaps in other areas of the team. Bayern Munich, currently trailing league leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 10 points, experienced another setback with a 2-2 draw against SC Freiburg, further dampening their underwhelming season. Manager Thomas Tuchel is set to…
Real Madrid is planning to appeal the red card issued to Jude Bellingham during the controversial 2-2 draw against Valencia on Saturday. Despite falling two goals behind, Los Blancos managed to secure a draw with Vinicius Junior’s double. However, chaos ensued at the final whistle when Bellingham, who believed he had scored the winning goal, was sent off for protesting the referee’s decision to end the match just before Brahim Diaz’s final cross. Referee Jesus Gil Manzano cited Bellingham’s ‘aggressive attitude’ and his repeated shouts of ‘it’s a f*****g goal’ as reasons for the red card. Real Madrid, as reported…
Chelsea is unlikely to bring Jose Mourinho back for a third term at the club, as reported by the Daily Mail. The current head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, is facing scrutiny after a challenging debut season at Stamford Bridge. Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit finds the prospect of Mourinho’s return intriguing, suggesting that it could inject the team with “character and personality.” Despite speculation, Mourinho’s inner circle has not confirmed his interest in the position, noting that there is currently no inclination from Chelsea to appoint him. Mourinho, renowned for his successful spells at Chelsea, secured back-to-back Premier League titles, along…
Arsenal showcased the stark contrast in quality between the upper and lower echelons of the Premier League, securing another emphatic away victory, this time against Sheffield United on Monday night. Eager to respond to victories from title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City over the weekend, the Gunners exhibited devastating attacking prowess, capitalizing on porous home defending to establish a commanding 5-0 lead at Bramall Lane by halftime. The opening 45 minutes saw Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Declan Rice finding the net, alongside Jayden Bogle’s unfortunate own goal. Ben White added the finishing touch with a goal in…
Wayne Rooney’s profile as a television pundit is on the rise, with TNT Sports enlisting him for this Saturday’s Premier League clash between his former teams, Manchester United and Everton. The former England forward recently served as a pundit for the BBC during United’s 1-0 triumph away at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup’s fifth round. Reports from The Daily Mirror indicate his growing popularity among TV networks, with TNT Sports confirming his inclusion for the upcoming lunchtime kickoff at Old Trafford. Despite expressing a desire to return to management after his dismissal from Birmingham City in January, where he…
According to a report, members of Manchester United’s first-team squad anticipate the likelihood of manager Erik ten Hag being sacked this summer. Ten Hag is facing escalating pressure in the Old Trafford managerial position, particularly after a disappointing 2023/24 season so far. Despite guiding the Red Devils to success in the Carabao Cup and a third-place finish in the Premier League in his inaugural 2022/23 campaign, this season has seen United struggle. The team has grappled with 47 instances of injury and illness among the first-team players, coupled with lackluster on-field performances and diminishing prospects of securing Champions League qualification.…
Reports from Germany suggest that Bayern Munich is confident of being Xabi Alonso’s preferred destination if he decides to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Alonso is a top candidate on the managerial shortlists for both Bayern Munich and Liverpool ahead of the 2024/25 season, following his successful two-year tenure with Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool has been in search of a successor for Jurgen Klopp since he announced his decision to leave the club in November. However, Bayern Munich is believed to be in a more advantageous position in the race for Alonso. Sources from Bayern, as reported by Sky Sport Germany,…
Former Super Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, has disclosed how Manchester United turned down the opportunity to play a friendly match at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria. Odegbami revealed that the proposal to face an undisclosed team at the stadium was declined by the Red Devils. He brought attention to this incident while advocating for improvements in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to elevate it to a higher standard. The football legend emphasized the need for upgrading playing surfaces to natural grass, similar to those found in European football stadiums. Odegbami pointed out that Manchester United’s refusal was…
William Troost-Ekong opens up about a turbulent period in his relationship with Jose Peseiro that almost jeopardized his participation in AFCON 2023. Strained Relationship with Peseiro Revealing the details of the challenging phase, Super Eagles stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong discloses a tumultuous episode that nearly disrupted his AFCON 2023 aspirations. The source of the turmoil was a rift with coach Jose Peseiro. Tension Unveiled During World Cup Qualifiers The cracks in Troost-Ekong’s relationship with Peseiro came to light during the preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The defender’s exclusion from Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe…
Referee Paul Tierney has been excluded from officiating in the upcoming round of Premier League fixtures following a contentious moment in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Tierney’s mistake occurred when he incorrectly returned the ball to Liverpool after a stoppage for a head injury in the closing minutes. Subsequently, in the ensuing passage of play, the Reds scored the winning goal through Darwin Nunez’s header. The incident provoked frustration from Nottingham Forest, with their manager pursuing Tierney to the referees’ room. As a consequence of the controversy, Tierney will not be assigned a refereeing role in the Premier League…
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has unveiled a new format for the Champions League, set to be implemented starting from the 2024-2025 season onward. In a release video by UEFA (via Fabrizio Romano), the modifications to the competition format were outlined. The existing 32-team group stage will be replaced by a unified 36-team league phase in both the Champions League and the Europa and Europa Conference League. Under this format, each team will be drawn against eight different opponents, with two from each of the four seeding pots, leading to a schedule of four home and four away…
Man United Required to Pay £30 Million for Gutierrez Signing Manchester United is reportedly eyeing a move for 22-year-old Girona defender Miguel Gutierrez, and the potential transfer is expected to cost the club around £30 million. According to The Sun’s report, Manchester United will need to shell out £30 million to secure the services of Miguel Gutierrez from La Liga side Girona. Arsenal Set to Revive Interest in Luiz Arsenal is poised to renew its interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz. The Gunners have been longstanding admirers of the Brazilian international, having been heavily linked with a move during…
Manchester United endured a disheartening 3-1 defeat against rivals Manchester City, relinquishing a lead and squandering crucial points in the pursuit of a top-four finish. Despite a spirited performance by the Red Devils, questions arise regarding manager Erik ten Hag’s decisions that may have influenced the game’s outcome. MNC 3-1 MUN: Two Choices by Ten Hag That Hindered Man United’s Charge at the Etihad Yesterday 1. Defensive Approach Throughout the Match: Erik ten Hag opted for a defensive strategy, aiming to counter City’s attacks from the onset. However, this approach resulted in Pep Guardiola’s team dominating possession and creating clear-cut…