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Germany hits two past Ukraine

Jun 122016

World Champions Germany hit two past Ukraine to get their Euro 2016 competition to a winning start. The game was a very intense and physical one but Germany came out on top. According to German coach Joachim Low, Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteger wasnt supposed to be far upfront as he was brought on to calm the game down given the pressure the Ukrainians were mounting on the World Champions. But he came on and was in position to meet Mesut Ozil’s cross for Germany’s second goal of the match. The goal killed any chances of Ukraine coming back into the game and secured thrre points for the Joachim Low’s side.

After a disappointing first season at Manchester United and with no solid place in the German team, Bastian Schweinsteger said he was happy to score a goal for his country side. His celebrations said it all, as he ran the full length of the pitch before finally settling in the middle of the pitch to face the supporters. It felt like a moment of redemption for the veteran midfielder. Joachim Low said in his interview after the match that he was indeed very happy for Bastian Scweinsteger.

Russia draws level with England in their first Euro 2016 match

Manchester United, Tottenham No Responses »

Jun 112016

Russia were able to secure a 1-1 draw with Englandin their first match of the 2016 Euro competition. England started the match on a high tempo, hoping to at least put the match to bed in the first half as they kept on hammering on the Russians but they had to wait until the 79th minute of the game to take the lead. They could not hold on to that lead until the end of the game and the three lions coach Roy Hodgson could be blamed for that draw.

England had a lot of chances to put the game to bed in the first half but they did not make it count. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney came close with a shot on target but it was not good enough to trouble Akinfeev, Russia’s goalkeeper. Liverpool’s Adams Lallana also came close on two occasions but his efforts could not give the three lions the lead they desired. Raheem Sterling was also another England player that made valuable contributions to the team in the first half. As it was both England and Russia could not break the dead lock in the first and the half ended 0-0.

the second half started with both teams now serious to make every effort count, threatening at every chance they had but there wasn’t any magic of the sort until the 79th minute when the referee awarded England a spot kick on the edge of the Russia goal area due to a foul on Harry Kane. Wayne Rooney and Eric dier both stood over the ball but it was the later who shot a thunderous ball past the wall and goalkeeper to give England the lead. Russia came out after this as it was now all or nothing for them. The match ended in a stalemate and both teams would have to wait until their respective second matches to secure a win if they would get any in the competition.

Euro 2016 kicks off today

Euro 2016 No Responses »

Jun 102016

The Euro 2016 kicks off today at the Stade de France, Saint Denis, France. The host nation France meet Romania in the opening game of the tournament, with 51 matches to take place over the next month to crown Europe’s champion. Didier Deschamps’ side are among the favorites and with talented attackers such as Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet and Paul Pogba running the show in midfield, why can’t they go all the way? Romania will plan to be the party poopers but anything other than a convincing home win would be a shock. But isn’t that what football is all about. We are expecting a grand opening ceremony for the competition today. There are other teams who would pose a threat to France lifting the trophy. World champions, Germany have a stand as well as Roy Hodgson’s England team which is made up of a lot of youngsters most notably Manchester United’s break out star, Marcus Rashford.

Else where in the world of football, the COPA america continues with Chile VS. Bolivia and later we would have Argentina VS Panama in Illinois, Chicago. Argentina is expected to progress with a win tonight.

Cristiano Ronaldo dazzles in new Nike ad

Champions league, Cristiano Ronaldo, Everton, FIFA, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier league, Real Madrid No Responses »

Jun 092016

Real Madrid star man Cristiano Ronaldo dazzles in new Nike advert ahead of the 2016 Euros. The captain of Portugal football team has been known for been incredible in his ads for the sports company but this one is just too good to overlook.

At the beginning of the video, Ronaldo appears to beat an England player before dashing down the wing with the ball. Just before the ball goes out of play, he crosses it into the penalty area before stumbling right into the spectators. The clash with one of the spectators see him swap personalities with a young boy. In the next scene of the ad, Ronaldo wakes up in the boy’s place and the boy in his place. After a difficult time accepting their new status, they both go on to prove themselves on the pitch. Little by little, the real Ronaldo in the boy’s body begins to prove himself. Then he is given the opportunity to meet the his body on the pitch in the person of Ronaldo.

They clash on the pitch and their personalities switches back. This is just one of those fantastic ads from Nike that is a must see for all football fans. The ad also features Everton’s John Stones, Barkley, Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and about 13 other football stars. Fellow Portuguese Nuno Gomes was also featured in the ad.

Click on the link below to watch the full ad.

ronaldo new nike ad

Jose Mourinho signs first player as Manchester United’s coach

Chelsea, La Liga, Manchester United, Premier league, Real Madrid No Responses »

Jun 082016

Jose Mourinho made his first signing as Manchester United’s coach by bringing in Ivorian defender Eric Bailly from Spanish side Villareal. The central defender joined the Red Devils from the Spanish side on a four-years contract which could be extended further for two more years.

Bailly who has appeared 15 times for his country Ivory Coast joined the Yellow Submarines just 18 months back. he has been pipped by the Portuguese coach as the next Sergio Ramos and that is probably why United went for him since they could not get the Real Madrid captain. Although Ramos is the more experienced one of the pair but what Bailly lacks in experience he makes up for in strength and toughness.

“Eric is a young central defender with great natural talent. He has progressed well to date and has the potential to become one of the best around,” former Chelsea manager who took over from Louis van Gaal in May, said.

The young Ivorian has played 47 times for Villareal since joining from Espanyol back in 2015. He was part of Villareal’s defence line that conceded only 35 goals in 38 La Liga matches last season. The signing of Eric Bailly is a good one for Manchester United as they look to build up a good team and challenge for the Premier League title next season. The player believes that working with the current United coach would help him develop in the right way, at the right club. He would most likely mount the central defence position along side Chris Smalling in the coming season.

Where would Jamie Vardy be playing next season

Arsenal, Leicester City, Premier league No Responses »

Jun 072016

Leicester City’s top striker Jamie Vardy who sparked the interest of a lot of top English clubs after leading the club to the Premier League title last season has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while now. Speculations have been flying around as to whether the English man would remain put with his current club or if the Gunners would be able to lure him away.

The talk about where he would be is hotting up while the striker is away at the Euro’s in France performing his national duty. Arsenal were hoping to tie up the deal for the England striker before the flew to France after triggering his £20million release clause in his contract. On the other hand, England coach Roy Hodgson doesn’t want any of his players distracted by transfer business while they are in France so the fact that the squad has jetted off is a setback for the gunners. The coach has even asked the player to forget about his potential Arsenal move and focus on being the best he can for the Three Lions.

Leicester City as a club doesn’t want the English man to leave as they have offered him an improved contract in a bid to keep him at the club. Vardy’s teammates have also made an emotional plea with him to stop him from leaving the foxes this summer. Jamie Vardy had earlier promised to give the Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger a reply by Monday but he ended up not contacting the french man and this has left Arsenal in the dark about their position. Arsene Wenger believes that the English man would have accepted Arsenal’s offer after they met his buy out clause that is,if indeed he was keen on joining the Gunners.

so whether the English man would remain at Leicester City or not is what we would have to wait to find out.

Dortmund complete signing of Rodes from Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich, Bundesliga No Responses »

Jun 062016

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Sebastian Rode from rivals Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee.

Rode, 25, arrived in Dortmund on Monday to complete a medical and put the finishing touches to a four-year deal at Signal Iduna Park. Speaking after BVB confirmed the deal, the former Eintracht Frankfurt man said: “I am a childhood BVB fan and therefore am really looking forward to playing for my favourite club.

“Thomas Tuchel is a top-class coach. I am looking forward to the new challenge and my first home game in black and yellow in the Signal Iduna Park.” Rode had been heavily linked with a move away from Bayern this summer after falling out of favour at the Allianz Arena, starting just 11 league games over two seasons.

The Bundesliga champions’ chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge explained: “Sebastian Rode asked us free him from his contract because he sees the opportunity to play regularly for Dortmund.”

Rode is the latest transfer involving Dortmund and Bayern to take place, with Mats Hummels having swapped the former to join Carlo Ancelotti’s side last month.

Jose Mourinho appoints new backroom staff at Manchester United

Manchester United No Responses »

Jun 052016

Manchester United coach, Jose Mourinho has started performing his duties at the English club as he looks to shore up his team for the coming season. He brought in Ricardo Formosinho, who is the new technical scout.

Although not a player as many are watching out for, Formosinho’s job in the backroom of the team is as critical as those of the players and the manager for a Manchester United that seeks glory in the new season after erstwhile manager of the club, Louis Van Gaal’s poor market choices in the previous one.

According to The Sun UK, 59-year-old Formosinho worked with the Special One at Porto in 2003-04, the season which ended in Mourinho’s first Champions League triumph. He was also with Mourinho at Real Madrid although his own managerial career has been less successful, lasting just three months at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in 2014.

Formosinho, who will join Rui Faria and Silvinho Louro on Mourinho’s backroom team, will be in charge of tactical scouting as well as targeting future potential signings.

Meanwhile, on the players’ front, Mourinho is hoping to link up once more with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the Swede looks to take his first crack at life in the Premier League. United also has its eye on Villarreal centre-back Eric Bailly as the Special One looks to sure up leaky defence.

Diego Simeone staying put at Athletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Champions league, La Liga, Manchester City, Real Madrid No Responses »

Jun 042016

Athletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has rejected approaches from French club Paris Saint Germain. According to Sky Italia the Argentine is keen on remaining at the Vicente Calderon even after his second European defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Diego Simeone has earned the respect and admiration of many for turning the Spanish side into serious European contenders even though they dont spend big in the transfer market. He seems to know what to do to get the players ticking for him. Athletico has come up to challenge the dominance of both city rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona at the helm of the La Liga. Paris Saint Germain in particular are keen on bringing the Argentine coach to Paris in the coming months.

PSG’s owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi revealed his disappointment at the current state of the club in European competitions although they came close this time but were knocked out in the semi-finals and that raises suggestions that current coach Laurent Blanc would be replaced this summer.

Diego Simeone has called on Athletico’s board to support their rise with more funds to spend in the transfer market. It is unlikely that PSG would let him go without a tough battle but we would see to that in the coming days.

Is Pogba heading to Manchester United

Barcelona, Champions league, Juventus, Manchester United, Premier league No Responses »

Jun 032016

Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of former player Paul Pogba, offering a British transfer record fee of £60m to Juventus. This is according to the Sun newspaper at least, with the tabloid claiming United’s new manager Jose Mourinho has sanctioned the bid in the hope fellow suitors Barcelona may be caught cold so early in the transfer window.

The Spanish champions are also known admirers of the French international midfielder who left Old Trafford under something of a cloud in 2012, having become frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities. It remains to be seen whether Italian champions Juventus hold out for a rival bid from Barcelona or another interested party, but should they accept United’s advances, then the Premier League club’s position will be in a position of real strength.

Having won four successive Serie A titles with 23-year-old Pogba in their ranks, the general consensus is that Juventus are reticent, yet realistic, about their man seeking a fresh challenge this summer.

Although he may have felt unloved under Sir Alex Ferguson in his brief stay at Old Trafford as a teenager, rumours suggest the midfield maestro is not hung up about past indiscretions, especially with a new era launching at Old Trafford under Mourinho.

Manchester United supporters will desperately be hoping bygones are just that, as the youngster who forced his way out of the club four years ago has gone on to become a midfield maestro.

Pogba is set for an instrumental role at his home Euros with France, where Les Bleus are contenders to lift the trophy.

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