Real Madrid are the 2016 UEFA Champions League winners

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May 282016
 

Real Madrid are the winners of the UEFA Champions League competition for a record 11th time. The Spanish club has now won it two times in three years by beating the same opponents but this time they had to wait till the penalty shoot out before the game was decided.

The encounter started quite thrilling as expected with both sides going hard at each other. The referee of the day, Mark Clattenburg had to calm the players down in the opening ten minutes of the game due to the high tension of the game. Real came close in the first quarter of the game when Gareth Bale’s cross was met by Caseimero in the area but Oblak was fast to keep it out of the goal. In the 15th minute from the same spot kick Madrid took the lead when Toni Kroos cross into the area was deflected by Bale before Sergio Ramos kicked it past the Atletico goal keeper.

The first half ended with Real Madrid in front but just 5 minutes into the second half, Atletico Madrid had a golden opportunity to draw level when they were awarded a penalty but their star man Antionne Griezman saw his shot bounced back after hitting the top of the goal post.

It wasn’t going to end like that, Atletico Madrid finally drew level through Yannick in the 79th minute and the game went into extra time. During the extra time, none for the Spanish teams could spring up any surprises and the game was later decided by a penalty shoot out. Both teams scored their first three spot kicks but Atletico’s fourth which was taken by Juanfran was saved. Cristiano Ronaldo who was Real Madrid’s final spot taker scored the fifth and that buried what was a thrilling encounter between the two sides.

Zinedine Zidane who won the competition as a player for Real Madrid has now won it with the Spanish club as a coach too. What a night it is for the Frenchman.

Manchester United wonderkid Marcus Rashford marks debut with a goal

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May 272016
 

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford who broke into the senior team this season marked his national team debut with a stunning strike just 140 seconds into the game. The young striker got his chance to start for the three lions when Daniel Sturridge was ruled out due to an injury scare he had during training. He then rewarded his coach Roy Hodgson with a goal just two minutes into the game.

England was hosting Australia at home at the stadium of light. The first half of the game went on smoothly and ended 1-0 in favor of England thanks to Marcus Rashford. Fellow United Wayne Rooney came on in the second half to double England’s lead in the second half of the game but Australia were able to pull one back and the game ended 2-1. Roy Hodgson had a tough choice to make when he finally gets tp select his top 23 from the 26 pretty selection but with Rashford proving he could be relied upon, the senior players would have to step up their game if they are to stay in contention for a spot.

Messi is my best player says Brazilian legend

 Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Champions league, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Real Madrid  No Responses »
May 262016
 

Brazilian legend Pele has named Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi as his best player of all time. This is ahead of the Argentine fellow country man Diego Maradona who is sometime painted as the best all time best. Pele made this declaration while also admitting that Brazil’s World Cup defeat to Germany two years ago brought his to tears. Pele was in Milan to promote a movie about his life and he spoke to Italian La Gazzetta della Sport about his favorite players at every point with the Barcelona Lionel Messi topping the list.

The legend is quoted as saying that; “It’s very difficult because there have always been players who have been compared with me [as the best player ever].First there was [Alfredo] Di Stefano, then [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer, Bobby Charlton, Maradona and now there is Messi. Leo is the one I like the most — he’s the most complete. Messi is my favourite player, but Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are also good. They have different styles in a football which has changed.” Pele also mentioned that calling Italian legend Francesco Totti the Italian Pele was correct.

The 75 years old said watching his country beaten by Germany in the World Cup was humiliating, also stating that his son would have seen him cry that day. It is OK to lose but to concede seven goals in the World Cup at that stage is nothing less than humiliating. He said football is a hard game and predicting who would win is a difficult thing. Ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final Pele said he would prefer Madrid wins it ahead of Atletico because of their style of play also adding that the game of football is diminishing because winning is now more important than the beauty of the game.

 

 

 

Cristiano Ronaldo rules out possible United return

 Champions league, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Real Madrid  No Responses »
May 252016
 

Former Manchester United forward and Real Madrid star man Cristiano Ronaldo has once again ruled out a possible return to his former club. This is in the light of Manchester United’s possible appointment of his fellow Portuguese, Jose Mourinho. Ronaldo believes that his country man is the best person to bring United back to their glorious days. Mourinho is gradually closing in on a deal to become Manchester United’s next coach as the red devils relieved Louis van Gaal of his duty as coach. The deal is being worked on and Press Association Sports understands that image rights of the Portuguese is currently being worked on. The Red Devils won a record 12th FA Cup trophy under Louis van Gaal but that was not enough to convince the United board that he deserved to stay. Missing out on the Champions League for a second season now is not doing well to the club’s finances and reputation though their revenue statement shows they are still cashing in.

Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview by a Spanish television “He’s already signed, hasn’t he? I think it’s good. If it’s something United wanted I think it’s good. I hope Manchester United get back to being what they were because it’s an impressive club but in the last years they lacked an identity a bit. And it hurts me seeing United like that because it’s a club that I carry in my heart. I wish Mourinho can carry them back to the top.” The Madrid star has told other clubs to forget about trying to lure him because he is happy to be at the best club in the world. He added: “Right now, yes I am happy and I want to stay at this club. I don’t see any other club that is better than Real Madrid. If you weigh things up there is no better club.

“So all other clubs can forget about me because Real Madrid is the best.”

 

 

Mourinho To Sign Five-Year Contract

 Premier league  No Responses »
May 242016
 

The football world has been dominated with Manchester United sacking their coach Louis Van Gaal and who his possible replacement would be. Mourinho has been taunted as the likely replacement for the Dutch man. Easily the most controversial but achieving manager of the beautiful game, Jose Mourinho was paid a staggering £4 million by Manchester united not to take a job elsewhere while they decide the future of Louis Van Gaal, with words rife that the portuguese would sign a whopping £75 million five year deal to handle the red devils from next season.

it has also been revealed that Mourinho refused to accept a ‘behavioral clause’ in his five year £75 million deal despite growing concerns among the United hierarchy over his eccentric touchline behaviour. However, Mourinho refused to agree during negotiations in January, highlighting his strong bargaining position as United’s season unraveled. Unlike Manchester City’s pre-contract deal with Pep Guardiola, the unique arrangement with Mourinho was merely to ensure he would be available if required.

As it stands now, the former Chelsea manager would have £200 million to spend on new players as United, who lifted the FA cup on Saturday plot a route back to the top of the English game after missing out on a top four spot for the second time in three seasons. The club wanted to keep the agreement with Mourinho secret from Van Gaal, who was his boss at Barcelona, but by Sunday afternoon the United hierarchy were left embarrassed by another PR own goal. Had Van Gaal been deemed to have been a success, by whatever criteria United laid down, he would have stayed for the last year of his contract.

Louis Van Gaal Writes to United Fans

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May 232016
 

Louis Van Gaal issued the following statement this evening;

It has been an honor to manage such a magnificent club as Manchester United FC, and in doing so, I have fulfilled a long held ambition. I am immensely proud to have helped United win the FA Cup, for the 12th time in the club’s history. I have been privileged during my management career to have won 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup, which is steeped in so much history, will always be one of the most special achievements of my career.

I am very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three year plan. I believe that the foundations are firmly in place to enable the club move forward and achieve even greater success. I hope that winning the FA Cup will give the club a platform to build upon next season to restore the success that this passionate set of fans desire.Having managed in Holland, Spain and Germany, I had always hoped for the opportunity to manage in English football and be part of English culture. Both of these experiences have have lived up to expectations and had been fantastic. I thank my players and wish them well for next season. It has been a pleasure to work with them and it has been particularly rewarding to see so many young players take their chance to break into the first team and excel. I look forward to watching the continued development of these young players next season.

Thank you to the owners and board of Manchester United for giving me the opportunity to manage this great club. I would also like to express my gratitude to the amazing United supporter, they are truly the best fans in the world. I am indebted to my support and coaching staff, who have given me their all during their time at the club. I am deeply grateful to each and every member of the club’s staff, the medical team, kit and laundry department, club administration, the press office, the manager’s team, ground staff and the catering team, both at the Old Trafford stadium and Carrington training ground, all of whom have given me their unwavering support in my time at United. Never in my 25 years as a manager have I been so well supported in my role.

Finally, my special thanks goes to Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton for always making me and my family feel so welcomed all through my time as Manchester United manager.

It’s Over for Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United

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May 222016
 

Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal said his deal with the club was over. He was quizzed by the media when leaving the clubs hotel after the FA cup celebrations if he would remain as coach at the club and his reply was “it’s over”. Whether this means that his deal with the club is over or not is yet to be confirmed but it seems like the dutch man has seen his last game as United’s coach and is happy that months of speculations are now done with.

Van Gaal who was brought in by the club to rejuvenate it after former coach David Moyes was relieved of his duty has had it rough since taking over from the club. His first competitive game as united’s coach ended with the team loosing by two goals at Old Trafford. The following games were not any better and he would consider himself lucky to have even qualified for the Champions League. Fast forward to his second term, the team lost out in the Champions League, Europa League and even failed to qualify for next seasons Champions League.

After the amount of money that he has been given to spend it is really a disappointment that the team could not qualify for the elite competition.. Van Gaal could at least be happy that he has one trophy to his name at the club if it is confirmed that he is leaving the club.

Wayne Rooney finally lifts the FA cup trophy

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May 212016
 

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney finally lifted his most desired trophy, the English FA cup trophy. Before today, the trophy was the only one the Manchester United striker didn’t have in his personal trophy record.

Manchester United started the match well against Crystal Palace with determination to make the trophy theirs. Crystal Palace took the lead through Jason Puncheon in the 78th minute of the game but it took the reds just 3 minutes to draw level through midfielder Juan Mata. The match continued and ended in a stalemate leading to extra time. United defender Chris Small was sent out after a second yellow card during the first half of added time for a foul on Yanni Boulasie reducing the reds to just 10 men. This lessen the chances of United coming out victorious. But just like he did with goalkeepers during the just concluded World Cup, United coach Louis Van Gaal made a substitution who came on and gave them the victory. Jesse Lingard turned out to be just what United needed to end their FA cup drought as he came on and scored the winner in the second period of extra time.

After that goal, United held on and ended the game with a 2-1 victory over palace. While Louis Van Gaal celebrated his first trophy during his two years spell at United Alan Pardew, Crystal Palace coach was left to rue their missed chances. Whether or not this would save Van Gaal’s job at United is something we would wait to find out.

 

Sevilla Scores A Hat-Trick Of Europa Trophies

 Champions league, Europa League, La Liga, Liverpool, Premier league, Sevilla  No Responses »
May 192016
 

Spanish La Liga club, Sevilla has made history by carrying the Europa League trophy for three Consecutive times with an astounding victory over Liverpool. The match started out as expected with both sides testing each other at the opening stages but it was Liverpool who opened the scoring first through a wonderful curl in the edge of the area by striker Daniel Sturridge. After that goal the game almost looked far fetched for the Spanish side with Liverpool hitting them with everything they had. The English Premier League side also had three penalty claims denied by the referee and ended the first half of the game leading Sevilla by 1-0.

Sevilla, obviously outplayed in the first half of the game came back impressively in the second half and restored parity with just seconds into the game with a goal from Kevin Gameiro. The game continued balanced until Sevilla took control and a fine team play ended up with Coke driving a curling effort far into the Liverpool. Liverpool looked to come back into the game but with just 20 minutes left to play, Coke guided another ball past the goalkeeper in the eighteen yard box. There were initial misconceptions that the Sevilla player was in an offside position but replays showed that although in an offside position he got the ball from a back pass from one of the red’s defenders. At this point, Liverpool’s chances of a silverware and possible Champions League qualification were lost.

Jurgen Kloop’s men put up a good fight for the trophy, but Sevilla proved to be the Champions of the night.

Liverpool Looking to Win First Trophy Under Jurgen Kloop

 Europa League, Liverpool, Manchester United, Sevilla  No Responses »
May 182016
 

Liverpool are on course to winning their first title under new coach Jurgen Kloop. The reds have improved drastically since the German took over in August/September last year. The road to the final of the competition has not been an easy ride for the reds as they have eliminated notable teams such as Manchester United, Borrusia Dortmund and Villareal. Since taking over the reds last year, Jurgen Kloop has gone on to rebuild the confidence of the fans in the team. Liverpool has now grown to become a threat like it use to be in the last decade, a resilient team at that. That characteristics was on display in their second match against favorites Borrusia Dortmund as they came from two goals down to end the match with a 4-3 victory and 5-4 victory on aggregate thereby eliminating the German side from the competition. It can be said that the players and the coach (the club) has done well for themselves by reaching the finals of the competition.

On the other side of the pitch is Sevilla who have won the competition three times in the last five years and would be looking to win in for three consecutive seasons with a win over Liverpool. Sevilla have always been outstanding in the Europa League and have even made it their maiden trophy with the way they have been winning it. From the start of the competition they have been tipped as the favorites and here we are at the finals.

We would have to wait for tonight to see who emerges victories after what i presume would be an exciting 90 minutes or 120 minutes (extra time inclusive). So here it is people, the Europa League finals and its Liverpool Vs Sevilla.

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