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.

Nolito and Alvaro Morata both hit doubles as Spain cruise past Korea Republic

 Chelsea, FIFA, Juventus, Manchester City, Premier league  No Responses »
Jun 012016
 

European Champions Spain, scored six past Korea Republic in their last friendly before their kick off in this year’s competition. Spain made light of the match with the goal tally while Korea Republic were only able to pull one back late in the second half of the game.

Manchester City midfielder, David Silva opened the scoring for the Spaniards in the 30th minute of the game with a stunning free kick. just two minutes after, another Premier League midfielder, Cesc Fabregas doubled Spain’s lead. Celta Vigo star Nolito is beginning to cement his position in the team by showing his prowess in front of goal. He scored the third and fifth goal of the match. Juventus striker Alvaro Morata also got a double, his last coming in the 89th minute to round off the match.

Spain’s national team coach, Vincente Del Bosque made just four changes to the team that beat Bosnia 3-1 by including legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Alvaro Morata. surely Alvaro Morata showed the coach what he could do in front of goal. at half time, spain also made four changes and this was to give some playing time to Jordi Alba, Thiago Alcantara, Sergio Busquets and Pedro.

Spain would be hoping to have this kind of performance in their opening game against Czech Republic in the Euro’s unlike what happened during the last World Cup in Brazil against Netherlands.

 

Tuesday Champions League Round-Up

 Atletico Madrid, Champions league, Juventus, La Liga, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier league, PSG, Real Madrid  No Responses »
Nov 032015
 

champions leagueTuesday night was the first night of match day 4 in the UEFA Champions League. The night started out with Astana hosting Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid. After thrashing them an astounding 4-0 in Madrid two weeks back, Diego Simeone’s men just couldn’t cracking down a rather spirit Astana side and that saw the match end in goalless draw. Manchester City displayed a first class first half performance to qualify for the knock out stages of the competition with a 3-1 victory over Sevilla. The Premier League club had to wait till the dying minutes to grab a winner the last time the two met but the case was different this time as the tie was decided in the first half with goals from Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Wilfred Bony was enough to give them a deserved win.

Wayne Rooney ended what could have been a third straight goalless draw for the red devils with a header in the 79 minute at Old Trafford. The coach’s trust in his captain finally paid off when the England international nodded in from close range to give Manchester United a 1-0 victory over a rather defensive CSKA Moscow. The game between Real Madrid and French champions PSG was also decided in the first half. The only goal came from the substitute Nacho Fernández who had come on to replace Marcelo as the later could not seem to shake off the injury he picked up. PSG playmaker Marco Veratti was also taken off in the early minutes of the game due to an injury.

The biggest winners of the night were Shaktar Donetsk who thrashed Malton an astounding 4-0. The first came in the first half with the remaining three coming in the second half. Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw against Borrusia M’Gladbach while PSV pulled a surprised 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg. Benfica also got a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray on the night. The events of match day 4 continues tomorrow and some of the teams would join City and Madrid in qualifying for the next round.

Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling not yet up to par

 Champions league, Juventus, Manchester City, Premier league  1 Response »
Sep 162015
 

Nights like Tuesday night were the reason for Raheem Sterling’s switch from Liverpool to Manchester city during the last transfer window. Sterling joined city amid the controversial circumstances with his proposed move but he has impressed his new coach with his performances as he helped his side win all five of their opening fixtures in the premier league this season. But he has come under five after missing two clear cut chances that would have won the game for them in their 2-1 defeat to last year’s Champions League finalist Juventus. He was eventually replaced later in the game by fellow summer signing Kevin de Bruyne.

On a night when city so desperately wanted to win as was seen by their attacking play, Raheem Sterling failed to deliver. He had two clear chances to dash the hopes of Juventus with his first coming just two minutes into the game after being played through by Fernandinho. But his low effort was saved brilliantly by veteran Italian goal keeper, Buffon. City later took the lead in the 57th minute through an own goal by Chiellini when Vincent Kompany’s header was deflected off the defender. Although the Juventus center-back was furious that the goal was allowed to stand because he felt he was fouled by Kompany. Raheem sterling had a chance to all but bury the game just three minutes later and again Buffon did well top deny him the goal. That would prove to be his last chance of the night as was replaced few minutes later. Juventus got back in the game through a wonderful goal by Mandzukic in the 70th minute and took the lead when Alvaro Morata’s left footed shot was too strong for Joe Hart to stop.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pelligrini speaking at the post match conference, refused to blame the defeat on Sterling stating that the though they controlled the game, they should have buried their chances. Manchester City still has 5 more games to play and they would be hoping to grab the points they need to qualify from those games.