Carlo Ancelotti felt Real Madrid played the perfect match after a 4-0 thumping of Barcelona at Camp Nou secured their place in the Copa del Rey final with a 4-1 aggregate win.
Madrid faced a daunting task heading to the home of their Clasico rivals, who hold a 12-point lead over Ancelotti s men at LaLiga s summit, facing a one-goal deficit after Eder Militao s own goal gave Barca a 1-0 first-leg victory at the Bernabeu.
But Vinicius Junior levelled the tie just before the break, before Karim Benzema fired in a second-half hat-trick to lead Madrid to a superb triumph and clinch their place in the final against Osasuna on May 6.
Ancelotti was delighted with his side s second-leg heroics, telling reporters at his post-match news conference: It was a complete game. W…
Manuel Neuer is working his way back to full fitness with Bayern following almost a year in recovery after breaking his leg while skiing.
Nagelsmann feels the 37-year-old should be allowed all the time he needs to get fully match fit and not face any extra pressure of a swift recall back to the national team.
“Anyone who listened to the reasons explaining the decision (not to call him up) can answer the question itself, why it has made sense not to nominate him (for the current squad),” Nagelsmann told a press conference.
“There are reasons that he has stayed at home and that is why a call-up now makes no sense.
“Manu has played a top role since his return and he should be allowed to continue.
“Afterwards, then at the Euros, the players …
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker:
Desperate to make up some ground in the La Liga title chase, Barcelona will travel to the Mestalla on Saturday night when they meet Valencia.
Valencia
Starting with the hosts, while Valencia might have found themselves enjoying a major La Liga flurry prior to November’s international break, the Bats have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen putting in another downbeat display as they eventually slumped to a 1-0 loss away at Getafe, Ruben Baraja’s side have the feel of a squad seeking a recent boost. Continuing to slip down the standings and opening Saturday’s showdown in the bottom-half, Los Ches have collected just a single point from their previous four La Liga appearances. Marking their return fr…
With the Champions League qualifiers drawing to a close on Tuesday night, we are certainly treated to a stacked schedule from across Europe in midweek.
Watching the EFL Cup also make its return as the likes of Tottenham look to extend on their adventure, we have found a couple of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.
20:00 Galatasaray vs Molde
Making real Super Lig history last season as they got their hands on a first domestic crown since 2013, Galatasaray are certainly in the midst of what has quickly become an extended purple patch. Eventually snatching a remarkable last-gasp winner while out in Norway last week, Tuesday’s hosts know that they are now just 90 minutes away from booking their Champions League group stage ticket.
Only c…
Brazil became the first country to qualify for next year s World Cup in Russia thanks to some help from fellow South Americans Peru.
Neymar starred with his 52nd international goal as high-flying Brazil overcame Paraguay 3-0 on Tuesday but the CONMEBOL leaders still needed a favourable result in Peru.
And Tite s men amid a nine-game winning streak since last year s Copa America Centenario benefited from Peru s 2-1 win at home to struggling Uruguay as the five-time world champions are assured of at least a fourth-place finish, officially stamping their ticket to Russia 2018.
Peru s victory, while keeping their own qualification hopes alive, left third-placed Uruguay 10 points adrift.
Do nosso jeito, com um futebol que tem a cara da , chegamos lá! Classifi…
He would go on to spend 12 years at Goodison Park and became club captain in 2013, but returned to the Blades after being released by the Toffees in 2019.
Jagielka spent two seasons back at Bramall Lane following the club’s promotion to the Premier League before spending six months at Derby, while he finished his career with Stoke.
Jagielka won 40 caps for England between 2008 and 2016 and featured at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Announcing his retirement on Instagram, Jagielka wrote: “All good things come to an end and after just over 800 appearances my playing career is done.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would get to play football at the highest level for some amazing clubs as well as my country.
“It’s bee…
Best odds: 10/17
Bookmaker:
Bournemouth will face Southampton in Monday s Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, closing round six of the season in the English top flight.
The Cherries come into the game after being outplayed by Liverpool last weekend, while Southampton are still searching for their first win of the season. Russell Martin s side were close to victory against Ipswich Town but were denied late on.
Bournemouth
Returning to action after missing the Chelsea game due to loan restrictions, Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga initially impressed at Anfield with several key saves. However, he misjudged a long ball over the top, allowing Luis Diaz to open the scoring for Liverpool, who went on to win 3-0, with Darwin Nunez adding a sp…
West Ham United are interested in signing Reiss Nelson from London and Premier League rivals Arsenal in the summer transfer window, according to The Telegraph journalist Sam Dean. The well-known and well-respected reporter has claimed that Arsenal could sell Nelson for between £15 million and £20 million.
Dean wrote on : “Also in this: my understanding is that Reiss Nelson is attracting interest from West Ham and could be available for a fee in the region of £15m-£20m .
Nelson has been on the books of Arsenal since 2008 and has established himself in the first-team squad after coming through the youth academy. The 24-year-old winger has been out on loan at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord in recent years.
The 24-year-old made one start and 14 substitute appeara…
Yussuf Poulsen has signed a new contract with RB Leipzig, committing his future to the Bundesliga club through to 2022.
Poulsen has hit 12 Bundesliga goals this season, helping Leipzig sit third in the table behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Denmark international Poulsen, whose 209 appearances is a Leipzig record, played a key role in two promotions for the club.
I m very pleased about the agreement and the opportunity to continue my time at the club, Poulsen said.
I have grown here together with RB Leipzig. Therefore, I m even more pleased that we can continue side by side in the future.
Very happy to have extended my contract with until 2022!
— Yussuf Y. Poulsen (@YussufYurary)
Poulsen signing a new deal is a…
Venezuela are savouring a famous win after defeating Mexico 1-0 to reach the Copa America quarter-finals.
Mexico s hopes of progression from Group B will now rest on the final matchday, with Ecuador still in the mix to advance after defeating Jamaica 3-1 in Wednesday s other game.
Jamaica are now the first team to be eliminated from the tournament, as Venezuela celebrate joining defending champions Argentina in the last eight with a game to spare.
Salomon Rondon converted a second-half penalty to secure the crucial victory, sending Mexico goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez the wrong way.
It was the veteran striker s 42nd international goal, extending his record tally for the country having also hit the post earlier in the contest.
Mexico had a huge opportu…