Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo, currently on loan from Manchester City, asserts that City is the favored team to secure this season’s Champions League title. “Man City are the favorites to win the Champions League. I think so because of the squad, the style of playing, and the manager. They can win two Champions League in a row, I’m sure,” he conveyed to Gazzetta dello Sport. Pep Guardiola’s squad has progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition after a 6-2 aggregate victory over FC Copenhagen. Meanwhile, Barcelona hosted Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie following a 1-1 draw…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms that Gabriel Martinelli will be unavailable for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 match against FC Porto. Martinelli sustained a foot injury during their 6-0 victory over Sheffield United last Monday, causing him to miss the subsequent 2-1 win against Brentford. After the match, he was spotted wearing a protective boot and using crutches in the mixed zone. It is anticipated that Martinelli will be sidelined for the upcoming clash against Porto on Tuesday night. When asked about the possibility of Martinelli playing, Arteta responded to reporters, “Percentage you want [of him to…
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has openly expressed his admiration for Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, revealing his keenness to witness the player in Barcelona’s colors. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg encounter with Napoli, Xavi’s preference for a Napoli player to join Barcelona was promptly directed at Lobotka. “I would say Lobotka, I like him a lot,” commented the Spaniard. “The way he builds from the back and doesn’t lose the ball. I would like to see him in a club like Barca. I think he has the quality to play for…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms that Gabriel Martinelli will be unavailable for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 match against FC Porto. Martinelli sustained a foot injury during their 6-0 victory over Sheffield United last Monday, causing him to miss the subsequent 2-1 win against Brentford. After the match, he was spotted wearing a protective boot and using crutches in the mixed zone. It is anticipated that Martinelli will be sidelined for the upcoming clash against Porto on Tuesday night. When asked about the possibility of Martinelli playing, Arteta responded to reporters, “Percentage you want [of him to…
Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo Nazario praises Jude Bellingham, likening the young talent to his former teammate Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldo expressed his admiration for Bellingham’s playing style at Real Madrid, stating, “I was watching a few matches at the Bernabéu, and I was looking for Bellingham. He reminds me a little bit of Zidane with his quality. I love the way Jude Bellingham plays. I love to watch him play; he goes forward all the time.” Bellingham made the move to Real Madrid from Dortmund last summer and has impressed with 20 goals and nine assists in 31 games under…
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has initiated plans to broadcast its matches on local television. According to NNL Chairman George Aluo, these plans are set to be implemented in the 2025 NNL season. Currently, NNL matches are streamed online on Global TV. Aluo sees this as a gradual process, expressing optimism for improvement. He stated, “It is a gradual process. Now that we have started with ‘Global TV,’ it can only get better. Even the NPFL found it difficult to put the games on StarTimes. But now that we have started with Global TV, we have begun from somewhere, and…
Real Madrid winger Vinicius sheds light on why opposing defenders struggle to cope with him on the field. Vinicius has established himself as a formidable force in La Liga, causing headaches for opponents with his remarkable speed. The Brazilian international effortlessly eludes defenders with his smooth skills and adept dribbling. Having made a significant impact this season, Vinicius has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 27 games across various competitions under the management of Carlo Ancelotti. In an interview with the club’s website, the 23-year-old attributes defenders’ difficulties in handling him to his versatility, asserting that he becomes…
Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, bids farewell to Brahim Diaz, who has chosen to switch allegiance from the Spain national team to Morocco. Diaz, a former Spain U21 star, has opted to represent Morocco at the senior level, relinquishing his ties with his country of birth. The Real Madrid attacking midfielder will now don the jersey of the African nation. Born in Spain to a Spanish mother and a Moroccan father, Brahim is eligible to play for Morocco. Regarding the player’s decision, Fuente commented, “I have not spoken with Brahim. I call or I do not call, and…
Mauricio Pochettino has once again called on Chelsea fans to support him, asserting that they wouldn’t find another manager more devoted to the team in their current circumstances. Amidst ongoing speculations about a disconnect between Pochettino and the supporters, particularly evident in chants for former manager Jose Mourinho, the Argentine emphasized the importance of winning matches to win over the fans. He urged them to grasp the long-term vision of the Chelsea project. “This is a different project,” Pochettino explained. “It’s a different Chelsea. If you judge us by comparing it to the club’s past, no one will succeed. Fans…
Liverpool’s striker, Darwin Nunez, faced challenges staying onside in the first half of the intense encounter against Manchester City. In the highly anticipated Premier League clash at Anfield, Nunez unexpectedly carved out a record, albeit not one to celebrate. The Uruguayan forward set some unwelcome milestones in terms of being caught offside. Unprecedented Offside Figures Emerge After First-Half Offside Spree SquawkaLive data reveals that Darwin Nunez now holds the record for the most offside instances in the current Premier League season, with a remarkable 25 offside occurrences. This statistic becomes more striking when juxtaposed with the collective offside count of…
Top 10 Football Transfers That Didn’t Live Up to Expectations In the dynamic world of football, transfers often ignite excitement and high hopes. Clubs invest significant sums to secure top players, aiming to strengthen their squads and achieve success on the pitch. However, not every transfer unfolds as anticipated, and some players fall short of the lofty expectations placed upon them. These transfers, marked by underwhelming performances, unmet expectations, and disappointing outcomes, are commonly referred to as “flops.” While some transfers capture headlines for success stories, others linger in the shadows as reminders of the unpredictable nature of the beautiful…
Francis Ngannou suffered his inaugural professional knockout at the hands of Anthony Joshua in a captivating showdown in Saudi Arabia. The Cameroonian UFC star, transitioning to boxing, conceded to being unable to perceive the punch that concluded the bout, highlighting the formidable power of Joshua’s strikes. Ngannou acknowledged the uniqueness of Joshua’s performance, stating in a post-fight interview reported by the Mirror, “[Joshua] was quite special because he stopped me. He did what Tyson couldn’t do. In fact, I didn’t feel the punch. I think that’s what a knockout is about. I don’t feel any pain. That’s how I know…
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has bid farewell to star player Kylian Mbappe from the club. The Frenchman is set to leave Parc des Princes in the upcoming summer, and Enrique has gradually reduced his playing time. Real Madrid is reportedly one of the top clubs expressing interest in the 25-year-old. Mbappe failed to score as Paris Saint-Germain played to a 2-2 draw with Reims on Sunday. Speaking after the match, Enrique stated, “I wish all the best to Kylian Mbappe for his future. He’s a fantastic player and an even better person. I genuinely wish him all the best,”…
Former head coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Antonio Conceicao, has officially applied for the role of leading the Super Eagles of Nigeria. As reported by SCORENigeria, the Portuguese coach is among the prominent candidates who have shown interest in managing the three-time African champions. Conceicao previously managed Cameroon from 2019 to 2022, achieving a commendable third position with the Indomitable Lions at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. With a coaching background that includes stints in Portugal, Romania, and Saudi Arabia, the 62-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the table. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently declared…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has clarified the reasoning behind substituting Kevin De Bruyne in his team’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. De Bruyne was replaced with just over 20 minutes remaining at Anfield, visibly expressing his discontent with the decision as he discussed the matter with Guardiola while seated on the bench. However, Guardiola explained that he brought on Mateo Kovacic to enhance the team’s ability to maintain possession. Addressing De Bruyne’s frustration, Guardiola told Sky Sports, “That is good. Have a chance next game to prove it. We need a player who keeps…
Real Madrid asserted their dominance with a commanding 4-0 triumph over RC Celta de Vigo, maintaining a seven-point lead at the summit of La Liga. The game commenced with Eduardo Camavinga posing a threat to Celta’s defense, keeping Vicente Guaita on alert. Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a rebound from Antonio Rüdiger’s header to give Real Madrid the lead just over 20 minutes in. Despite Rafa Benítez’s attacking approach for Celta, Iago Aspas and Luca de la Torre failed to convert opportunities. In the second half, Celta adopted a cautious approach, resulting in fewer chances. Real Madrid continued their dominance, and…
Jadon Sancho Unwilling to Return to Manchester United, Blames Erik ten Hag for Stalled Career Jadon Sancho reportedly has no inclination to make a comeback at Manchester United, holding manager Erik ten Hag responsible for the stagnation of his career, as per a recent report. The 23-year-old winger publicly refuted Ten Hag’s claims about his exclusion from United’s matchday squad earlier in the season, leading to a four-month exile and ultimately a loan return to Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window. While Sancho’s loan agreement doesn’t involve a permanent transfer clause, indicating his return to Old Trafford in the…
Real Madrid extended their lead at the summit of La Liga by defeating Rafa Benitez’s struggling Celta Vigo 4-0 on Sunday. The Santiago Bernabeu witnessed goals from Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, and two own goals from Vicente Guaita and Carlos Dominguez, securing a comprehensive victory for Los Blancos. Game Highlights: As anticipated, Real Madrid dominated the early proceedings, earning four corners within the first six minutes. A corner nearly led to the opening goal, with Eduardo Camavinga’s headed effort from 12 yards forcing Vicente Guaita into a fingertip save. The breakthrough came as Luka Modric’s well-placed corner found Antonio Rudiger,…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed a desire to coach Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, acknowledging that despite an illustrious managerial career, having the opportunity to manage or play alongside Zidane is a wish he harbors. Guardiola, renowned for coaching footballing icons such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, and Xavi, admitted his admiration for Zidane. Reflecting on players he wishes he could have coached, Guardiola stated, “One player I wish I could have coached? Zidane. I would have loved to manage him or play alongside him.” Zidane, who played for prominent clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus…
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has shared his perspective on a contentious late incident in the 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Liverpool. According to Dean, Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku was “very fortunate” not to concede a penalty in the dying moments of the match at Anfield. The incident involved Doku making contact with Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in the chest. Despite strong protests from Liverpool players, referee Michael Oliver dismissed the appeals, and VAR upheld the decision. Dean emphasized the need for closer scrutiny of Doku’s challenge on Mac Allister, suggesting that upon initial observation, it appeared Doku…