CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Duran’s Glorious Goal Dents Bayern’s Image In Champions League

Published

2 months ago

October 3, 2024

Duran's Glorious Goal Dents Bayern's Image In Champions League

Jhon Duran’s glorious late goal earned Aston Villa a famous 1-0 win over Bayern Munich as Champions League football came to Villa Park.

The in-form striker came off the bench and swiftly spotted Manuel Neuer off his line, lighting up Villa Park on a special European night that marked a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final famously won by the West Midlands club.

Unai Emery’s side held firm throughout as the German giants were kept at bay, although it required a dramatic save by Emiliano Martinez from Harry Kane in the final moments. The victory maintains Villa’s perfect start to the Champions League season.

Villa thought they had a first-half lead when Pau Torres forced the ball in from close range but the celebrations were short-lived because of a clear offside in the build-up, only spotted after a VAR check. At the other end, Michael Olise had a shot tipped over.

Bayern moved the ball quickly from the start, dominating possession and threatening to trouble Villa with their movement out wide but in Ollie Watkins, the home side always had an outlet. Dayot Upamecano, isolated, struggled to deal with the England striker.

Kane, passed fit for the contest, showed some typically impressive vision in setting up others, but had few opportunities of his own until very late as Villa defended stoutly. Instead, it was Duran who was the hero, spotting Neuer off his line as he ran through.

It was the finish of a confident forward, collecting Torres’ pass and taking the chance early. The noise that greeted it will be remembered long in these parts, particularly because of Martinez’s diving saves from Serge Gnabry’s right foot and Kane’s head.

Villa’s status as one of English football’s grand old clubs was secured before the events of 1982, all seven titles predating that European Cup win, but it is no exaggeration to suggest that much of the mythology revolves around that evening in Rotterdam.

The top of the Doug Ellis Stand has the famous commentary lines from the goal that won that final adorning upon it – ‘Shaw, Williams, prepared to adventure down the left, there’s a good ball played in for Tony Morley… Oh, it must be!… And it is!… Peter Withe!’

Those memories come with added poignancy now following the passing of Gary Shaw just weeks ago, the local lad who helped Villa defeat the German champions that night 42 years ago. The legacy of him and his team-mates was felt keenly inside the stadium.

Duran delivers again for Villa
Incredibly, this was the fifth time already this season that Duran has come off the bench to score for Aston Villa. He is yet to make his first Champions League start and has only started three games for Villa in the Premier League but now looks an elite striker.

His rocket of a winner against Everton was wonderful but this was special in its own way – and not because it is already installed as one of the most famous Villa goals of their modern history. It required good movement, decision-making and execution.

Watkins worked tirelessly but Duran poses a slightly different threat, winning headers against Upamecano as well as testing Bayern in behind. His unpredictability makes in an unusual fit for an Emery team but it is working for both of them right now.

Martinez man for occasion
Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper would have made an unlikely player of the match for the first 90 minutes, well protected by some high-quality Villa defending but there was always a sense that a big occasion like this would involve him having a say.

Kane’s header looked to be arrowing beyond him into the corner and one suspects some goalkeepers would have been on their heels, resigned to the equaliser. Martinez anticipated the ball’s direction and dived to intercept, drinking in the adulation.

Chants from the home support of ‘World’s number one’ greeted him as he left the field as he revelled in the moment. Martinez turned 32 last month, all this is coming to him relatively late in his career. But he has established himself among the world’s very best.

“Europe always is something special, but there is Europe in the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League. In the Champions League, you are playing against the best teams in the world.

“Now Aston Villa, we are facing teams like tonight. It was not the most important to win, it was how we could compete, more or less close or far. We competed very well. We needed to compete defensively more than normal.

“I can feel now proud of our work, proud of how we are here, getting better, increasing our level, increasing our demands. Our demand was to face them and compete, with the possibility of a win, a draw or even lose, if we tried to lose like we lost against Arsenal three weeks ago, playing with our style, our personality.

“You can win or lose, it depends on the saves of Martinez, the action of Duran, but I am very proud of everything around Aston Villa.”

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

‘We Know Who Deserved This’ – Vinicius Receives Widespread Support After Ballon d’Or Robbery

Published

4 weeks ago

October 29, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Vinicius Junior Told Ballon d'Or Triumph Would Be 'Biggest Crime In History'

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony was expected to bring a moment of redemption for Real Madrid, especially after their tough loss to Barcelona in the recent El Clasico.

Many Madrid fans and the club itself saw the event as an opportunity for some positive recognition, with high hopes for Vinicius Jr. to claim the award for the best player in the world.

However, hours before the ceremony, it was revealed that Vinicius would not be receiving the prestigious honour.

In response, Real Madrid decided that no representative would attend the gala on his behalf, a decision that has intensified the disappointment among the club’s supporters.

Support for Vinicius

Real Madrid fans have expressed their frustration over the Ballon d’Or voting results, feeling Vinicius’ performances were deserving of greater recognition.

Notably, former Madrid star Toni Kroos stepped forward to show his support, posting two photos of himself with Vinicius on social media, accompanied by a message celebrating Vinicius as “The Best.”

Following Kroos’ lead, several of Vinicius’ teammates expressed their support on social media. Arda Guler posted a photo of himself embracing Vinicius, while teammates like Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo also shared images and messages of encouragement.

“And so our world goes on, we keep going. I love you,” said the Brazil forward about his teammate.

Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde joined the wave of support, with Valverde emphasising that no award could adequately represent Vinicius’ talent and contributions on the pitch.

“You don’t need that (the Ballon d’Or). You’re already the best,” said Camavinga.

“No one will take away what you have achieved. We all know that. They are not prepared for what you are going to give them,” wrote Tchouameni

Vinicius’ national teammates from Brazil showed solidarity as well, with players like Richarlison, Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Emerson Royal, Gabriel Magalhaes, Lucas Paqueta, and Serge Aurier sending him words of encouragement.

“We all know who really deserved to win this Ballon d’Or. We are all with you brother, we will do everything so that you can win that it. I love you. BEST IN THE WORLD. Nothing against Rodri but my congratulations,” wrote Douglas Luiz

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Ambrose Ijeh

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Rodri Becomes First Man City Player To Win Ballon d’Or; Vinicius Reacts

Published

4 weeks ago

October 29, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been awarded the Ballon d’Or after a stellar season that saw him pick up silverware with both club and country.

Rodri was handed the award at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, organised by the French magazine France Football in collaboration with UEFA.

“A very special day, for me, my family and my country,” Rodri said.

“I understand that because I have no social media, people don’t know me much. I am just a normal guy. I enjoy the sport, I enjoy my profession. And I try to be a good person. I am a very calm person.”

The 28-year-old won his fourth straight Premier League with City in May as Pep Guardiola’s side held off Arsenal’s challenge, winning their last nine games to clinch the title. He is the first player from England’s top tier to be crowned since Cristiano Ronaldo won in 2008 during his first stint with Manchester United.

Rodri’s stiffest competition for the Ballon d’Or came from Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who refused to travel to Paris for the ceremony after discovering that he would not take home the trophy. Jude Bellingham finished third in the voting.

Vinícius, 24, had been a leading contender to win the 2024 men’s prize after leading Madrid to a LaLiga and Champions League double last season, but sources told ESPN earlier on Monday that neither he nor his fellow Madrid nominees — eight in total across the various awards — would attend the event.

Madrid had been honoured earlier in the ceremony as the men’s team of the year, and Carlo Ancelotti received the coach of the year award, though no representatives of the last Champions League winners were present to accept it.

“I’ll do it 10x if needed. They are not ready,” Vini Jr. posted in Portuguese on X.

Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga made it clear what he thought of the vote, calling it “football politics.”

“FOOTBALL POLITICS X. My brother, you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise. Love you my bro,” the France international wrote on X along with a photo of him and Vinicius celebrating together.

The awards are based on voting by a panel of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries.

Rodri was part of the Spain team that won Euro 2024, starting every game except the third group stage match against Albania, and claimed the player of the tournament prize.

He went a world-record 74 games unbeaten for club and country from March 2023 to May 2024, avoiding defeat (other than via penalties) until City’s loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

Rodri becomes the second men’s player born in Spain to win the sport’s most prestigious individual prize, and the first since former Barcelona star Luis Suárez claimed it in 1960.

Real Madrid’s legendary striker Alfredo di Stefano won the award twice, in 1957 and 1959, though he was born in Argentina. The past four Ballons d’Or Féminin have been won by Spanish women (Alexia Putellas in 2021 and 2022 and Aitana Bonmatí in 2023 and 2024).

“Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi [Hernandez], Iker [Casillas], Sergio Busquets, so many others. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder,” Rodri said on stage at the ceremony.

“Today many friends have written to me and have told me that football has won, for giving visibility to so many midfielders who have a job in the shadows and today it is coming to light.”

Rodri is likely to miss the rest of the 2024-25 campaign after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sept. 22. He collected the prize on crutches on Monday.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ballon d’Or 2024 – Vinicius Battles Rodri, Bellingham For Award

Published

4 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Vinicius Junior stands as a firm favourite for the men’s award while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati is tipped to win the women’s trophy.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed one of his own players to be the next recipient of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award – midfielder Rodri.

Guardiola insists that his compatriot is simply “the best”, and believes that the former Atletico Madrid man can succeed Lionel Messi as the world’s best men’s player.

“Rodri. If I could decide, I would say that,” He told us in an exclusive chat recently. “I understand that there are other players that can win it. I think the other way is being nominated and being there is already nice.”

WHAT OTHER AWARDS ARE UP FOR GRABS TONIGHT?

Yashin Trophy (for the best goalkeeper)
Diogo Costa (Portugal, Porto)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain)
Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund)
Andriy Lunin (Ukraine, Real Madrid)
Mike Maignan (France, Milan)
Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia, Valencia)
Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club)
Yann Sommer (Switzerland, Inter)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

Kopa Trophy (for the best player under the age of 21 as of 31 July 2024)
Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)
Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina, Manchester United)
Arda Güler (Türkiye, Real Madrid)
Karim Konaté (Ivory Coast, Salzburg)
Kobbie Mainoo (England, Manchester United)
João Neves (Portugal, Benfica / Paris Saint-Germain)
Savinho (Brazil, Girona / Manchester City)
Mathys Tel (France, Bayern München)
Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
Warren Zaïre-Emery (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

Men’s Coach of the Year Trophy (best coach of a men’s club or national team)
Xabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid)
Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain)
Gian Piero Gasperini (Italy, Atalanta)
Pep Guardiola (Spain, Manchester City)
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina, Argentina)
Women’s Coach of the Year Trophy (best coach of a women’s club or national team)
Sonia Bompastor (France, Lyon / Chelsea)
Arthur Elias (Brazil, Corinthians / Brazil)
Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, Barcelona / Washington Spirit)
Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea / USA)
Filipa Patão (Portugal, Benfica)
Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands, England)
Men’s Club of the Year Trophy
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Girona (Spain)
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Manchester City (England)
Real Madrid (Spain)

Glodis Viggosdottir (Bayern Munich and Iceland)
Mariona Caldentey (Barca/Arsenal and Spain)
Lauren James (Chelsea and England)
Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona and Spain)
Lea Schuller (Bayern Munich and Germany)
Gabi Portilho (Corinthians and Brazil)
Tabitha Chawinga (Paris Saint-Germain/Lyon and Malawi)
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona and Norway)
Lindsey Horan (Lyon and USA)
Lucy Bronze (Barcelona/Chelsea and England)
Sjoeke Nusken (Chelsea and Germany).