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Xavi demands Barca defensive improvement

Champions League: Xavi names Barca killer squad for Royal Antwerp

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez called on his team to improve defensively in 2024 after a shaky start to the season.

The Spanish champions are fourth ahead of Thursday’s visit to face Las Palmas, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid and Girona.

Barca won La Liga thanks to their excellent defensive displays last season, conceding only 20 goals in 38 league matches, but have already shipped 21 in 18 games in this campaign.

“I’m more worried about the defensive area (than the attack),” Xavi told a news conference Wednesday.

“Last year we were extraordinary in defence and this year we are giving too much away.”

Before the winter break Xavi was critical of his team for missing big chances, but they were also easily carved open by opponents, including in a 4-2 home defeat by Girona and 2-2 draws at Mallorca and Granada.

“It’s true that we’re lacking efficiency (up front), but even scoring two or three goals sometimes we aren’t winning, against Granada, Mallorca, Girona,” continued Xavi.

The coach is hopeful new arrival Vitor Roque would be registered in time to face Las Palmas.

Barcelona agreed a deal to sign the 18-year-old Brazilian striker in July with Athletic Paranaense and he arrived in the winter window.

“He will be in the squad list, we hope he’s available, it’s a question of hours,” said Xavi.

La Liga clubs must meet the league’s stringent financial fair play rules to register signings to play.
“(Roque) is well, he’s got a lot of desire and he has adapted quickly to the group and the training sessions, but we’ll go carefully,” added Xavi.

Las Palmas coach Francisco Garcia Pimienta formerly coached Barcelona’s reserve side and said the reunion with the Catalans would be a “special” occasion for him.

“It’s a special game, I was there for many years,” he told reporters.

“I don’t know how I will feel, but we are preparing for it in exactly the same way we prepare for the rest of the games.”

Garcia Pimienta was sacked from his previous role by Barcelona president Joan Laporta in June 2021 and was diplomatic when asked about their relationship.

“I have not had contact with him since, but I thank him because I am here because of his decision,” said the coach.

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Premier League

Man Utd Player Asked Ruben Amorim To Sell Him In January During Bournemouth Defeat

Man Utd Player Asked Ruben Amorim To Sell Him In January During Bournemouth Defeat

Ruben Amorim will have learnt plenty about his Manchester United squad during Sunday’s woeful Premier League defeat against Bournemouth. Tyrell Malacia – a surprise starter at left-wing-back – was among a handful of players essentially asking to be sold in the January transfer window.

United were beaten for a third time in four league games at Old Trafford – losing 3-0 at home to the Cherries in a second straight season.

Dean Huijsen headed the visitors ahead in the first half before a Justin Kluivert penalty doubled the advantage on the hour mark.

Antoine Semenyo added a third minutes later to inflict the latest in a string of dark days during United’s troublesome season.

Malacia’s first-half struggles summarised the Red Devils’ afternoon and sparked serious debate over his future in M16.

Is the Dutch defender still finding his feet after spending 18 months on the sidelines with multiple knee injuries?

Or is he simply one of many poor signings sanctioned by Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag?

Either way, Malacia looked like a player who won’t be starting games for United next season once Amorim dips into the transfer market.

Express

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Premier League

Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young suffers horror ‘ripped neck’ injury in Everton draw with Chelsea

Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young suffers horror 'ripped neck' injury in Everton draw with Chelsea

Ashley Young suffered a nasty neck injury during Everton’s Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.

The ex-Manchester United star started as a right-back in Everton’s goalless draw against Chelsea on Sunday and was substituted in the 73rd minute as Seamus Coleman replaced him on the pitch. After the game, manager Sean Dyche confirmed that Young ‘ripped his neck’ during the game and was subbed off as a precaution.

Speaking to reporters, the Toffees boss said: “Youngy is suspended anyway but he ripped his neck then he did a brilliant header at the far stick. We had to take him off for both reasons – to make sure he was OK physically and was on a yellow card.”

The 39-year-old was already suspended for the upcoming Boxing Day clash against Manchester City after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against the Blues. The Merseyside club will conduct medical tests to find out the degree of the player’s injury and the exact time he will take to recover.

The former England international will hope that his injury is not too serious so that he can return to action at least before January 9 and take the field against Peterborough United in the FA Cup where his 18-year-old son Tyler plays.

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European Leagues

Kvaratskhelia Or Yunus Akgün? Victor Osimhen Speaks On His Preferred Teammate

Kvaratskhelia Or Yunus Akgün? Victor Osimhen Speaks On His Preferred Teammate

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor James Osimhen, refused to pick a side when he was quizzed about who’s better amongst the players he has been in the same team with, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old joined Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray, on loan from Napoli after he fell out with the club’s hierarchy in a bid to force an exit from the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Since joining Okan Buru’s side, Osimhen has been in brilliant form, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 15 games across all competitions for Galatasaray, and has already been linked with a move Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United due to his efficiency in front of goal.

The Napoli loanee scored a brace at the Enerturk Energy Stadium yesterday evening as Galatasaray downed Kayserispor to go eight points clear at the top of the league summit heading into Christmas.

After the game, Osimhen credited his teammates for a job well done away from home, and urged them to keep building their performances so they can be crowned champions at the end of the season.

Quizzed about who’s the better player between Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Yunus Atgun, Osimhen said;

Osimhen has had a decent relationship with Atgun on the pitch, as they’ve directly combined for three goals since the ex-Lille man moved to RAMS Park. Back in Napoli, Kvara and Osimhen had great chemistry on the pitch as they won the Serie A title together. They directly combined for 15 goals during the Nigerian’s time in Italy.

Osimhen’s response to the question shows his professionalism on and off the pitch and utmost respect to both the players he’s shared the dressing room with.

soccernet

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