..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Kovac to be sacked by Bayern Munich regardless of outcome in double bid


Niko Kovac is to be sacked as manager of Bayern Munich this summer regardless of how he fares in an ongoing bid for a domestic double, Goal and Spox understands.The former Croatia international was only handed the reins during the summer of 2018.

Having impressed with his work at Eintracht Frankfurt, the former Bayern midfielder was brought back to familiar surroundings.

A slow start was made to his reign, leading to early questions being asked of his suitability to a high-profile post .Bayern fell off the pace in the Bundesliga, before slipping out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage to Liverpool.

A recovery has been staged domestically, with two trophies still up for grabs.
Kovac only needs to see his side avoid defeat against former club Eintracht on Saturday to wrap up a seventh successive title triumph.There is then a DFB-Pokal final to come against RB Leipzig on May 25.

Major silverware could be secured by Bayern, but it is understood that will not be enough to keep their coach in his current role. That is because Kovac has lost the confidence of club bosses.

A number of players are also believed to have turned against the man in the dugout.

Training is considered to be monotonous, leading to disharmony within the ranks, while Kovac’s tactical nous has also been called into question.A European exit at the hands of Liverpool has been held up as an example of Bayern lacking flexibility in their system.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is believed to have had issues with Kovac for some time, with club president Uli Hoeness now coming around to that way of thinking.A 1-1 draw with Nurnberg on April 29 was the final straw for the board in Bavaria.

A source familiar with Kovac and his current standing has confirmed to Goal and Spox that “damaging behaviour” has led to a head coach being “weakened for weeks”.Bayern have refused to comment on their managerial position when approached.

A change is, however, now in the offing and an alternative option will be sought over the summer.As things stand, former Bayern midfielder Mark van Bommel, who is currently working with PSV in his native Netherlands, is considered to be the favourite to fill a coaching void in Munich.

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is also in the frame after enjoying a memorable 2018-19 campaign with the Dutch double winners.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea can still sign Kovacic & Higuain for next season despite transfer ban


Chelsea can sign both Mateo Kovacic and Gonzalo Higuain despite the club's transfer ban but have only just begun talks with the Croatia midfielder, Goal understands.

The Blues are confident that they have the ability to hold on to both loan stars without contravening their FIFA-imposed embargo on bringing in new players, with football's governing body having turned down the Premier League outfit's appeal to delay the ban.

Chelsea have taken the next step in trying to overturn and suspend the sanction by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and could hear back shortly before the Europa League final in May 29.

They have, however, seen the Premier League transfer window reopen on Thursday without the ability to sign players.Maurizio Sarri wants to retain both Kovacic and Higuain – despite concerns over the latter's form – and the pair are understood to be keen on staying having fallen out of favour at their parent clubs.

Real Madrid are prepared to sell Kovacic to help raise funds for a summer overhaul following a disappointing season by their own high standards, while Juventus see no future for Higuain in Turin.

In Kovacic's case, a move is already being explored and a fee could be agreed to convert his current loan into a permanent deal without a need for Chelsea to re-register the player on the electronic TMS system used to process transfers.

However, Sarri's future at Stamford Bridge is far from secure, slowing the club's operations in the transfer market.Indeed, a third-place finish, Champions League qualification, a Carabao Cup final appearance and a Europa League win still may not be enough to see the 60-year-old remain in west London long term.

Sarri's future would have more of an effect on any deal for Higuain, as many at the club remain unconvinced by the striker, who has bagged only five goals since joining in January.One other positive is Chelsea's ability to recall loanees such as Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham, who have been plying their trade at Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, respectively, even if a ban does end up being fully imposed this summer.

Alvaro Morata, meanwhile, will not be able to be recalled from his loan at Atletico Madrid.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek's recent Achilles injury will likely see the England midfielder out for between five to nine months, leaving the club more in need of securing Kovacic for the long term.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I'll do everything in my power to stay at Atletico' - Morata not interested in Chelsea return


Alvaro Morata has insisted he does not want to be anywhere other than Atletico Madrid next season, resisting any return to Chelsea.The striker endured an up and down career with Chelsea following his move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2017, with injuries contributing to struggles in form.

Morata fell out of favour this season under Maurizio Sarri and was sent on a year and a half loan to Atletico, with Gonzalo Higuain joining the Blues on loan from Juventus.

However, the Spain international rediscovered his scoring touch at the Wanda Metropolitano, finding the next six times in 15 La Liga appearances.

With Higuain struggling to impress at times, Eden Hazard likely departing, and Chelsea facing a transfer ban, there was been some question over whether loanees like Morata or Michy Batshuayi might return to Stamford Bridge for next season.

But Atletico are set to pay €16 million (£13.8 m/$18m) to keep the striker around and Morata is fine with that, saying he wants to spend the rest of his playing days with the club.

"It's clear what I want,” Morata told reporters on Thursday. “I want to be here, I'm going to do everything I can to continue playing here. I did everything in my power to come, and I'll do everything in my power to stay.

"I do not even consider going to another club. I'm delighted and I think I have to do a lot of things here."I do not have anything else in mind, I would like to be at Atletico de Madrid all the years that I have left of my career, to be as important as possible in the future.”

Morata’s ex-team-mate, Hazard, is said to be nearing a move to the striker’s former club Real Madrid.And when asked how the Belgium international would do should he move on, Morata stated he thinks Hazard is capable of being a star on any team in the world.

Morata added: “He is one of the best players in the world and can fit well in any team, the team he wants. [He] is a top player and a top person.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lopetegui: Three weeks of rotten luck ruined my Real Madrid career


Former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui admits that he was disappointed by the rapid end to his tenure at Santiago Bernabeu, affirming that he believes he could have turned things around given more time.Lopetegui caused a stir last summer when he took the Madrid job while preparing for Spain's World Cup challenge in Russia.

That decision led him to be sacked from the Roja post just days before the tournament kicked off, while his time with the Merengue also proved short-lived.

Former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui admits that he was disappointed by the rapid end to his tenure at Santiago Bernabeu, affirming that he believes he could have turned things around given more time. Lopetegui caused a stir last summer when he took the Madrid job while preparing for Spain's World Cup challenge in Russia.

That decision led him to be sacked from the Roja post just days before the tournament kicked off, while his time with the Merengue also proved short-lived.

But he pointed to the results achieved under his tutelage to suggest that the Roja would have fared better had he remained in charge until the end of the tournament."We had gone two years without losing and played against Germany, France, Belgium, England, Italy," he recalled.

"We dominated all of those games. Then, we don't know what would have happened in the World Cup, but we were ready, we had big hopes and the players felt it and made us know it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Paulo needs a change' - Dybala's brother claims Argentine attacker will leave Juventus


Paulo Dybala’s brother Gustavo has suggested that the forward is looking for a move away from Turin this summer, and that several other Juventus players could follow him on his way out.“There is a big chance that Paulo will leave Turin, he needs a change,” Gustavo said in an interview with Radio Impacto show Futbolemico.“He was very comfortable in Italy but he isn't any more – like many other Juventus players.

“He is not the only one who will leave.”The forward has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid to replace Antoine Griezmann, who is also on the verge of leaving his club this summer.

The French forward has announced that he will be leaving the Spanish side after five years, paving the way for a possible switch to Diego Simeone’s side for Dybala.Dybala has met with his fellow Argentinian before, although they have both denied that it had anything to do with a transfer.

Other European clubs - Bayern Munich, Man Utd, PSG and Inter - have also been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, and Juventus could let him go for around €100 million (£87m/$112m).

Dybala’s alleged poor relationship with Massimiliano Allegri has been one of the suggested factors impacting his lack of playing time this season, along with the arrival of Ronaldo, but his brother has denied any issues with the latter.“Problem with Ronaldo? No, off the field there is no problem with Cristiano. The problems are on the field: Paulo is young, he has to play."

The attacker has played a supporting role for Cristiano Ronaldo since he joined from Real Madrid last year, starting just 22 matches and scoring five goals in Serie A this season.

Ronaldo meanwhile has 21 goals in his 29 league starts, and has taken over the Bianconeri spotlight this season.Dybala could well be on his way out after a frustrating season in Turin, which may come as a surprise to many considering the Argentine netted 22 goals in 33 Serie A games in 2017/18.

Juventus signed Dybala from Palermo for €32m (£28m/$36m) back in 2015 on a five-year contract, and the attacker has since gone on to score 78 goals in 180 games for the club, winning the league title in each of his four years there.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dybala wa Manchester United ganna puluwan unoth nam patta!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Solskjaer reveals what Man Utd are looking for in summer transfer market


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed what Manchester United will be looking for in the summer transfer market.The Red Devils are expected to spend big in an effort to strengthen a squad that underperformed in 2018-19.

A sixth-place finish in the Premier League has left those at Old Trafford without Champions League football and with much work to do.

Solskjaer is the man charged with the task of rebuilding and is eager to avoid merely throwing money at the club’s problems in the hope that will be enough to solve them.

Instead, the United manager will be looking for the right type of personalities, rather than “ready-made stars”.Solskjaer told the club’s official app on his recruitment plans: “We’ve touched upon it [before].

“We’ve tried to educate our players and our kids to be proper people. In my years, the best players have always been the best people.“You have to have that value system – do you say that? A certain kind of attitude about you to make a Manchester United player.

“You have got to have qualities and our fans want to see exciting players. We want to get up from our seats. You see defenders who defend, like that’s their life, that’s the most important thing.

“When we go to press with Jesse [Lingard] and Marcus [Rashford], in the games against Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea, when we start these games, our fans clap a striker making a tackle.

“That’s the way it’s been and in our culture. You have to have that work ethic and we’re scouting the market trying to find the right ones.”

Solskjaer is looking forward to dipping into the market and trying to acquire players with the potential to star for United.Asked if he is excited by the challenges ahead, the Norwegian said: “Yeah, of course! I’m excited by the whole project.

“I know it’s a great responsibility being in charge of this great club.“And it’s a big responsibility, but the only thing I can promise is I will do it to the best of my ability.”

Solskjaer, who took the reins at Old Trafford on an interim basis in December before landing a three-year contract, has already admitted to having taken important lessons from his time in the dugout and has confirmed that his coaching team will be remaining in place for 2019-20.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo wins Serie A Player of the Year in first season in Italy


Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded the Serie A Player of the Season award, in his first season in Italy.Ronaldo led the Turin giants to their eighth straight Scudetto with his 21 goals in the league leading the team.

The timing of the award is unusual as Serie A individual awards have always been given out all at the same time, after the conclusion of the season, but Ronaldo will be recognised before their game against Atalanta on Sunday.

The other award-winners include Inter’s Samir Handanovic, who wins Goalkeeper of the Year.

Kalidou Koulibaly scoops the Defender of the Year gong, and the Napoli man is joined by Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Fabio Quagliarella of Sampdoria and Nicolo Zaniola, who plays for Roma.The final three players are awarded midfielder, striker and young talent of the year respectively.

Ronaldo has now won domestic player of the year in England, Spain and Italy, an unprecedented feat, to go alongside the league championships in each country, also an achievement unique to the Portugal international.

Ronaldo has also been awarded five Ballons d’Or, which sees him tied with Lionel Messi for the most in history.The 34-year-old joined the Bianconeri in the summer of 2018 in a deal reported to be worth €100m (£88m/$112m) from Real Madrid.

He left the Santiago Bernebeu as the club’s all-time top goalscorer, and after having won three consecutive Champions League titles.He also won Europe’s premier club competition as a member of Manchester United in 2008.

His capture by Juve was seen as an attempt for the club to return to European glory themselves, as they looked to ally success at the highest level to their domestic domination.In that goal, Ronaldo and his team fell short. They were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Ajax.

Despite that setback the Old Lady swept to the Serie A title with ease, and it’s for his performances in that competition that Ronaldo will be honoured.

They will receive the Scudetto before the game on Sunday as well, which will be the last in front of the home support for outgoing head coach Massimiliano Allegri.Allegri confirmed his departure from the Allianz Stadium earlier this week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Ronaldo!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Paris Saint-Germain 4 Dijon 0: Mbappe closes on Messi with brace



Kylian Mbappe moved two behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Shoe as his brace helped Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain to a 4-0 victory over Dijon.

World Cup winner Mbappe, back from a three-match ban following his red card in the Coupe de France final, scored in either half to move onto 32 goals for the season, two adrift of Barcelona striker Messi's haul of 34 in LaLiga, ahead of their respective teams' final fixtures.

PSG passed the 90-point barrier in their final home fixture of the campaign, Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani both netting inside the opening four minutes.


Mbappe then struck either side of the interval to become the first Frenchman to score 32 league goals in a Ligue 1 season since Philippe Gondet did so for Nantes in 1965-66.
PSG's form since being confirmed as champions had been patchy, and their win over Angers last time out was just their second in seven Ligue 1 games, but their rapid start ensured they could coast to three points at the Parc des Princes.

Di Maria's third-minute effort deflected off Wesley Lautoa to leave Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson stranded as the ball hit the net.The goalscorer then turned provider a minute later, crossing the ball to the back post for Cavani to head in from close range.

Teenager Loic Mbe Soh was denied a first senior goal by the post when he nodded Thomas Meunier's cross against the woodwork before Mbappe stabbed in his first from virtually on the line after Cavani had almost turned in Layvin Kurzawa's cross.

Nine minutes after half-time, Mbappe displayed his ruthless streak again, racing onto Leandro Paredes' throughball and dinking over Runarsson to make it 4-0.On an otherwise flawless night, the 20-year-old then squandered a chance to score his hat-trick, heading wide from a corner when unmarked before Runarsson denied him again late on.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 6 Watford 0: Sterling double helps secure unprecedented domestic treble

Manchester City clinched an unprecedented domestic treble by winning the FA Cup thanks to a Raheem Sterling-inspired 6-0 hammering of Watford at Wembley, equalling the record for the biggest win in the competition's final.

Pep Guardiola's men needed penalties to beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup final and were run extremely close by Liverpool in the Premier League, but Saturday's triumph was a procession as City rounded off an historic campaign in incredible fashion.

Although the first big chance of the game was created by Watford, a dominant City made them pay just before the half-hour with David Silva's first goal since December and Gabriel Jesus doubled their advantage with 38 minutes on the clock.


Watford's positive start to the second period was futile and ruthless City swept them away in style, as Jesus set up substitute Kevin De Bruyne and then added his second of the afternoon.Sterling rounded off a glorious day for Guardiola's men by scoring twice in the last nine minutes.

For all of City's early domination, the first opportunity fell to Watford on the break in the 10th minute. Gerard Deulofeu led the counter down the right and his cross was perfect for Roberto Pereyra but the Argentinian's shot was blocked by the outrushing Ederson.City capitalised on that let-off 16 minutes later, as Sterling headed the loose ball into the left side of the box and David Silva fired across Heurelho Gomes into the bottom-right corner.

Watford's task became even greater late in the half when Jesus nudged Bernardo Silva's cross past Gomes, the goal belatedly given to the Brazil striker despite Sterling appearing to nudge it over the line.

Gomes was well beaten when City finally extended their lead just past the hour, as Watford were caught on the break by Jesus and he squared to the exceptional De Bruyne, who cleverly sidestepped the goalkeeper and converted six minutes after coming on.Jesus got a second goal in the 68th minute, racing on to De Bruyne's pass and confidently slotting past Gomes.

Sterling completed the rout and his double in the latter stages, first meeting Bernardo Silva's cross and firing in from close range, before then latching on to De Bruyne's right-wing delivery and finding the net despite Gomes' best efforts, capping a momentous day for City.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Monchengladbach 0 Borussia Dortmund 2: Three points not enough for runners-up


Borussia Dortmund fell frustratingly short of a sixth Bundesliga title despite winning 2-0 at Borussia Monchengladbach on the final day of the season.Bayern Munich's resounding 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt sent the silverware to Bavaria and left Lucien Favre's men to count the cost of a poor second half to a once promising campaign.

The nine-point lead Dortmund held in January evaporated the following month and an improvement on last term's fourth-place finish will serve as hollow consolation.


But, having collapsed to a damaging 4-2 defeat to rivals Schalke in April, the youthful runners-up can take some pride in keeping Bayern honest on Saturday.
Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus scored either side of half-time to keep the margin to two points and end Gladbach's hopes of edging Bayer Leverkusen in the battle for fourth.

Ibrahima Traore rattled the crossbar with a fine curling attempt for the hosts in the early exchanges before England winger Sancho made the breakthrough in controversial circumstances.



The teenager coolly volleyed home towards the end of the first half and VAR rubber stamped the goal despite the ball appearing to have run out of play prior to Reus' cross.Sancho was also involved in the second as he and Mario Gotze combined to move the ball right to Christian Pulisic, who provided his captain with a straightforward tap-in.

Gladbach defender Nico Elvedi almost diverted a third into his own net moments later but the damage was done for both clubs as they failed to achieve their respective ambitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 5-1 Eintracht Frankfurt: Robben and Ribery strike to seal seventh consecutive Bundesliga title

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben scored on their final league appearances for Bayern Munich as they wrapped up a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title with a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Niko Kovac's side had been locked in a pulsating race for the title with Borussia Dortmund but went into the final game of the season knowing a point would almost certainly see them retain their title.Kingsley Coman set them on their way after just four minutes, although the visitors levelled entirely against the run of play in the 50th minute through Sebastien Haller.

Parity did not last long, however, as David Alaba and Renato Sanches scored in quick succession before Ribery and Robben came off the bench to wrap up the title in style in the final 20 minutes.
Coman ran onto Thomas Muller's pass and slotted past Kevin Trapp from 12 yards for his sixth Bundesliga goal of the campaign, and Bayern could have been out of sight within the opening 15 minutes had Trapp not produced a hat-trick of excellent saves to deny Serge Gnabry, Alaba and Robert Lewandowski.

Gnabry had a strike ruled out by VAR after Lewandowski had strayed into an offside position in the build-up, while Jonathan de Guzman crashed against his own crossbar as Bayern continued to pile forward at every opportunity.

Those missed chances came back to haunt them five minutes after the restart, when half-time substitute Haller prodded home from after David Abraham's effort had bounced back off the crossbar.Normal service was resumed just three minutes later, however, when Alaba raced in to tap home after Trapp had kept out Muller's effort from distance.

Sanches – who had replaced the injured Leon Goretzka in the first half – then put the result beyond doubt after 58 minutes, cutting in from the left and firing through Trapp for his first Bundesliga goal.Ribery then signed off from the Allianz Arena in trademark fashion in the 72nd minute, jinking between two defenders and clipping superbly over Trapp for an emotional fourth.

Not to be outdone, though, Robben tapped in from Alaba's cross 12 minutes from time to kick-start the celebrations.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Bayern!

​

 

[Arthur Curry]

Ribery and Robben
congratz brayen...

 

[Frosty]

Manchester City 6 Watford 0: Sterling double helps secure unprecedented domestic treble

Bayern Munich 5-1 Eintracht Frankfurt: Robben and Ribery strike to seal seventh consecutive Bundesliga title

Ribery and Robben
congratz brayen...

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 1 Atalanta 1: Mandzukic spares Allegri from defeat in home finale

Mario Mandzukic rescued a draw in Massimiliano Allegri's final home game as Juventus head coach, coming off the bench to score the equaliser as the champions drew 1-1 with Atalanta.

Mandzukic slid in at the far post to meet Juan Cuadrado's cross and send the ball through the legs of visiting goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, denying Atalanta a victory that would have left them on the brink of qualification for next season's Champions League.

What was billed as Allegri's farewell party, and also featured a final appearance at Allianz Stadium for the retiring Andrea Barzagli, failed to provide the home crowd with too many reasons to celebrate, their team failing to win for a fourth consecutive match.


They also ended the game down to 10 men after substitute Federico Bernardeschi was shown a straight red card late in the second half for a dangerous sliding challenge on Musa Barrow.

While a disappointing result in his home farewell will not tarnish Allegri's legacy, the way Juventus' form has dipped at the end of this campaign will make his departure easier to swallow for supporters after five trophy-laden years with him at the helm.

After the stadium rose in unison to say farewell to Barzagli prior to kick-off, Cristiano Ronaldo blazed over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy inside the first minute.Wojciech Szczesny made a fine save from Remo Freuler's raking drive before Hans Hateboer hit the crossbar as Atalanta probed for an opener, Duvan Zapata also firing narrowly wide.

The goal the visitors deserved for their first-half endeavour finally arrived when Andrea Masiello's near-post flick towards Alejandro Gomez's corner towards Josip Ilicic, who sent a side-footed finish into the net from close range.Joao Cancelo thumped a long-range effort just wide in the second half before an emotional Barzagli was embraced by his team-mates and hugged by his departing boss when replaced on the hour mark.

Szczesny made a superb save to send Ilicic's deflected free-kick over to keep Juve in the hunt and Mandzukic, who had replaced Barzagli, timed his run to perfection to poke Cuadrado's delivery from deep beyond Gollini.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Juventus

Serie A Champions 2018/19

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG forward Mbappe wins Ligue 1 Player and Young Player of the Year awards


Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe scooped both major prizes at the UNFP Awards on Sunday.

The 20-year-old, who hinted his future may lie away from Paris this summer, collected both the UNFP Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year gongs to cap a fine individual season.

In doing so Mbappe becomes the first player to be named Young Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons. He is also the first player to win both in the same season after succeeding teammate Neymar to the senior prize.

Mbappe was also named in the Team of the Season alongside five of his PSG teammates - Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti and Neymar.

The France forward scored two goals against Dijon on Saturday to take his tally to 32 this season – 10 clear of his nearest rival Nicolas Pepe - with one game still to play.

That brace ensures he remains in contention for the European Golden Shoe, though he would need to score four times in PSG’s final game against Reims next weekend to draw level with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.Though Mbappe’s goals have helped PSG comfortably retain their Ligue 1 title for sixth time in seven seasons, the capital side have not quite been as dominant than in recent years.

Thomas Tuchel’s side failed to win the French League Cup for the first time since 2013 when they were beaten by Guingamp in the quarter-finals in January.They then lost their grip on the French Cup for the first time since 2014 after a penalty shootout defeat in the final against Rennes last month.

It was also another year of failure in the Champions League, with a stoppage-time penalty from Marcus Rashford helping Manchester United to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit and dump PSG out of the last-16.Other winners on the night include Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, who was named top overseas Frenchman after scoring 30 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions this season, his best tally since 2012.

Lille boss Christophe Galtier was named Ligue 1 Coach of the Year after guiding Les Dogues to second place and a spot in next season’s Champions League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Mbappe!​