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European Leagues

Injuries no excuse against Napoli, says Barca coach Xavi

Barcelona are poised to sack coach Xavi Hernandez just weeks after he made a U-turn and decided to stay at the club, Spanish

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said his team’s injury woes are no excuse ahead of the clash with Napoli on Tuesday night in the Champions League.

The Catalans are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the competition they last won in 2015, with the tie level at 1-1 after the first leg in Italy.

Xavi is missing three key midfielders in Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, as well as Ferran Torres and Alejandro Balde.

However the coach said his team could not use that as mitigation for failure and demanded a “magic night” at the club’s temporary Olympic Stadium home on the city’s Montjuic hill.

“It’s the moment to be able to reach the quarter-finals, for four years we haven’t got to the last eight of the Champions League, I see it as an opportunity,” said the coach.

“It’s true that we have players out, but it’s not an excuse. It’s an opportunity.”

The coach announced in January that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season, and the Champions League is a final chance to go out on a high.

Despite leading Barcelona to the Spanish title last season, Barca are off the pace in third in La Liga, out of the Copa del Rey and were thrashed by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.

“I am not the important thing here, the club is the important thing — I have an expiry date,” continued Xavi.

“With Barcelona united, with the stadium full, we have to live a magic night.”

Xavi said there were no favourites in the tie and that he thought it was “50-50”, although home advantage could tilt the match Barcelona’s way.

“It has to be a pressure cooker,” added Xavi.

“The players have to feel the support of the fans.”

The team have struggled badly in defence for the majority of the season but have now kept three clean sheets in a row.

Young centre-back Pau Cubarsi, 17, has become a fixture in defence for Xavi and could start against Napoli.

“We all hope he continues like this,” said Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

“Imagine how much he can improve still, it’s time for him to keep racking up the minutes … he’s in spectacular form and we have to take advantage of it.”

Another change Xavi has made in recent weeks is using defender Andreas Christensen in defensive midfield.

“Now there is a good balance between the lines,” added Ter Stegen.

“With Andreas as a pivot we are more balanced in defence and attack, he gives us a lot and I’m happy for him — he’s calm and confident.”

 

 

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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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