Month: June 2020

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HAALAND’S DOUBLE HELP DORTMUND SECURE HUGE AWAY WIN AGAINST LEIPZIG.

Borrusia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland gave an unpleasant visit to Leipzig as the Norwegian netted twice to help the yellows claim the second spot on the log. Bundesliga’s most prolific scorers went head-to-head in the game as Timo Werner’s RB Leipzig went almost unnoticed.

Werner, who is playing his final two matches for Leipzig before joining Chelsea, drew blank but the Norwegian prodigy Haaland scored in either half to help Dortmund to a 2-0 away victory which secures second place in the standings behind Bayern.

The 19-year-old Haaland, who has also been linked with a number of Europe’s biggest clubs, has scored 13 goals in 14 games since joining Dortmund from RB Salzburg last December.

Werner stays on 26 for the season in the Bundesliga, second only to Lewandowski.

Consolation for Leipzig, which is through to the last eight of the Champions League, was the 2-0 defeat for Bayer Leverkusen at Hertha Berlin.

It has left Leverkusen three points adrift of Leipzig in the battle for automatic qualifying spots for next season’s Champions League with just one round remaining and a vastly inferior goal difference.

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BRIGHTON STUN ARSENAL IN GUNNERS SECOND DEFEAT SINCE PROJECT RESTART AS WATFORD FORCE A DRAW WITH LEICESTER

Aubameyang’s Arsenal suffered a second chastening defeat in four days as Neal Maupay scored deep into injury time to give Brighton a 2-1 victory over the Gunners.
Nicolas Pepe put Mikel Arteta’s faltering side ahead on the 68th minute at the Amex Stadium with a stunning strike, but home defender Lewis Dunk capitalized on suspect Arsenal defending to level seven minutes later.

It looked set to end all square until Aaron Connolly cleverly helped the ball on to Maupay, who finished neatly.

It sparked an ugly incident as Maupay, who been in an aerial challenge with Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno in a first half clash which saw the German stretchered off in agony, was involved in an altercation with Matteo Guendouzi in a melee of players at the final whistle.

Maupay said after the match that he had not intended to hurt Leno, but had little sympathy for the rest of his teammates, claiming they “got what they deserved” for not showing more humility after the opening goal by Pepe.
Arsenal, which still had hopes of European qualification, lost 3-0 to Manchester City last Wednesday after having defender David Luiz sent off, and the latest defeat has left the north London giants in ninth place.

Earlier, relegation battlers Watford scored a last-gasp equalizer to deny third-placed Leicester City victory in a 1-1 draw at the Vicarage Road.

England full-back Ben Chilwell looked to have given the visitor victory with a stunning left-footed strike on 89 minutes, but Craig Dawson salvaged a precious point for the Hornets with an acrobatic overhead kick goal just a minute later.

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LEWANDOWSKI BREAKS BUNDESLIGA GOAL RECORD IN FREIBURG BASHING.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski broke an existing BundesLiga record on Saturday with a double against Freiburg, seeing him surpass Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s previous best for the most goals scored by a non-German player in a Bundesliga season.

The Polish international helped Bayern, already crowned champion for the eighth straight season, to a 3-1 victory in its penultimate match of the league campaign.

Lewandowski has grabbed 33 goals in just 30 Bundesliga matches this campaign, both his latest coming in the first half at the Allianz Arena as Bayern secured a 3-1 advantage at the break. There was no further scoring in the second half.

Gabon star Aubameyang scored 31 in the 2016/17 season for Borussia Dortmund before he moved to his current club Arsenal in the English Premier League.

With just one round of matches remaining, Lewandowski is still short of the remarkable all-time record of 40 by the legendary Bayern Munich and German striker Gerd Mueller in the 1971-72 season.

But with 48 goals in 41 games in all competitions this season, Lewandowski has plenty of opportunities to improve his overall tally as Bayern is facing Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup final on July 4 before continuing its bid to win the Champions League which resumes in August.

Lewandowski is the top scorer in Europe’s elite competition this season with 11 goals in six games, his latest against Chelsea in the first leg of the last 16 clash which Bayern won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge back in February.

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Goal line technology to be reviewed

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Oliver McBurnie and Jack Robinson of Sheffield United appeal for a goal which is later denied as Orjan Nyland of Aston Villa catches the ball during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sheffield United at Villa Park on June 17, 2020 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Pool via Getty Images)

Premier League referees will review the goalline technology error that denied Sheffield United a goal in their draw at Aston Villa

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said the video assistant referee did not intervene because of the “unique” circumstances.

PGMOL will now discuss how a similar incident in the future can be handled.

It comes as former top-flight referee Mark Clattenburg said the controversy had highlighted a “fundamental flaw”.

The situation occurred in the 42nd minute of Wednesday’s 0-0 draw – the first Premier League match for 100 days, after the competition was halted by the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Sheffield United – who would have moved above Manchester United into fifth place with a win – thought they had scored when Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland carried Oliver Norwood’s free-kick over the line. But referee Michael Oliver did not receive a signal to indicate a goal.

Hawk-Eye – the operator of the goalline technology – subsequently apologised but said the system “remained functional throughout”.

The company added it was the first time such an error had occurred in more than 9,000 matches using the system.

However, speaking to BBC Sport, Clattenburg, said it showed technology “can fail at any time”.

Clattenburg, who took charge of almost 300 Premier League games between 2004 and 2017, went on to apportion further blame for the failing to the video assistant referee system.

“I automatically expected the video assistant referee to come in,” he said.

“He’s probably thought: ‘We have the technology in place. Why do we need to make a decision?’ and that is the fundamental flaw. Technology is there to help, it is not there to make the final decision.

“The VAR has let the referee Michael Oliver down. If he had checked the goal, we would not be talking about it now. Referees can make mistakes; the VAR can’t, because he has all the evidence there.

“I have had situations in the Premier League, where the watch would go off and give a goal when the ball did not enter the goal. This can happen sometimes, where it just malfunctions and people would not notice that.

“Overall I think it [VAR] has been letting referees down in the Premier League. The Premier League spend a lot of money on technology but if it is not used correctly, people lose confidence in it and they get frustrated. That’s one of the biggest problems at the moment.

“Sheffield United could miss out on a European place because of two points they lost because of technology.

“It’s not like a [normal] refereeing decision. You can say they balance out over a season – but not when you’re talking about something that was so clearly wrong.”

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CHELSEA READY TO SELL NGOLO KANTE FOR KAI HAVERTZ AND BEN CHILWELL ACQUISITIONS.

Chelsea are reportedly considering letting their central midfielder N’Golo Kante leave this summer in order to raise the fees necessary to sign Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell.

Kante, 29, has been a crucial part of the Blues first-team since moving to the club in 2016, helping them win the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League in that time.

However, with Chelsea having already splashed out close to £100m on the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, manager Frank Lampard has been told he will need to sell if he wants to bring in further players.

And according to reports, Kante is one of those who could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, along with fringe players such as Tiemoue Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi and Baba Rashman.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Havertz, who has had a hugely impressive season in the Bundesliga, is valued at around £75m by his club, and Chelsea are thought to be desperate to try to lure the winger to west London, although he himself is said to prefer a move to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile Lampard is also a huge fan of Leicester full-back Chilwell, and the club are confident that a bid in excess of £50m will tempt the Foxes into letting the England international go.

The squad is certainly shaping up nicely for next season, but owner Roman Abramovich will no doubt be desperate for the team to qualify for the Champions League, especially given the financial incentives being in the competition offers.

The Blues currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League, just three points clear of Manchester United, and they will be desperate for three points when their campaign gets back underway against Aston Villa on Sunday ahead of two tricky-looking games against Manchester City and Leicester.

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WERNER SIGNS FOR CHELSEA

The forward, 24, has agreed personal terms with the Blues and, subject to passing a medical, will join in July after the German league season ends.

Werner, who joined Leipzig from Stuttgart in 2016, has scored 32 goals in all competitions so far this season.

“I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a proud moment for me to be joining this great club,” said the German international.

Werner, who is known for his pace and can also play as a winger, thanked the club and fans at Leipzig and said they would “would always be in my heart”.

His July move also confirms Werner will not play for Leipzig in the Champions League quarter-finals in August.

He added: “I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans.

“Together we have a successful future ahead of us.”

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia says the club is “excited” to have one of Europe’s “most coveted players” heading to Stamford Bridge.

“He has that rare mix of being young and exciting and yet established and proven,” she added.

Werner is Chelsea’s second signing for next season after they completed a £37m deal for Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February

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Uefa to set new transfer market rules

Uefa wants all European leagues to end their summer transfer windows on 5 October.

Windows are currently open on different dates in different countries.

European football’s governing body has asked its member associations to adopt the “harmonised” date, with a player registration deadline on 6 October.

Uefa’s executive committee also announced emergency measures to provide clubs with financial flexibility because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It wants to help clubs “neutralise the adverse impact of the pandemic”.

In a statement, Uefa said the measures aim to:

  • Give clubs more time to quantify and account for unanticipated loss of revenues
  • Allow clubs to adjust the break-even calculation for revenue shortfalls reported in 2020 and 2021
  • Ensure equal treatment of clubs where the impact of coronavirus may be realised in different reporting periods
  • Address revenue shortfall
  • Retain the spirit and intent of financial fair play for football’s long-term viability

Uefa also announced the appointment of new members to its disciplinary bodies “with a view to allow for more diversity in the composition of these bodies”.

Former West Ham, Northampton and Peterborough footballer Bobby Barnes has been appointed to the control, ethics and disciplinary body.

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Jose Mourinho says Tottenham wont spend much in transfer window

Jose Mourinho says Tottenham are not going to be “in the same league” as other Premier League clubs in this summer’s transfer market.

Spurs spent over £100m last year but Mourinho does not expect to get the same budget this summer.

Tottenham currently sit eighth in the Premier League table.

“I think we are going always to be very balanced, which is what Tottenham normally is,” said Mourinho.

Tottenham resume their season, after football’s suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic, with a home match against Mourinho’s old club Manchester United on Friday.

On Thursday, Chelsea confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner on a five-year deal.

He is Chelsea’s second signing for next season after they completed a £37m deal for Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February.

Elsewhere, Manchester United signed Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes for £47m in January.

“You have now examples already of clubs investing and making important movements in the market and we are still nine matches away from the end of the season,” said Mourinho.

“We know that we are not going to be in the same league, in the same world, as clubs that are going to do completely different to us.

“But would I expect us not to do anything and to stay exactly with the same squad that we have in this moment? My answer is no.

“I expect us to do some little important things and if we do our little important things and we improve in two, three positions that we need to improve in the squad, I am completely open to the challenge

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OLE WANTS LEADERSHIP FROM POGBA

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to see some leadership on the pitch from Paul Pogba.

The club record signing, 27, has made just two appearances since September because of a fractured foot.

But despite speculation about his future, Pogba’s chances of staying at United have increased – with the transfer market expected to collapse because of Covid-19’s financial impact.

“Paul is one of the best midfielders in the world,” said Solskjaer.

“He is a World Cup winner and we want to have that leadership on the pitch.”

Pogba last played for United on 26 December as he attempted a comeback from his injury, but suffered a setback and required surgery on his foot in January.

With United set to resume their Premier League campaign at Tottenham on Friday – more than three months after the campaign was halted by the coronavirus pandemic – Solskjaer wants to see the France midfielder make a bigger impact.

“Now that he is fit and training and available, I can see from his mentality and focus, that he is ready to play again,” Solskjaer said.

“Whether that is for 45 minutes this time, or 60 I don’t know but gradually, over these next few months, we hope to work him back up to his best.”

BBC Sport understands United’s coaching staff were encouraged by the pairing of Pogba and January signing Bruno Fernandes in the same team during last week’s friendly defeat by West Brom at Old Trafford.

With Scotland international Scott McTominay one of United’s best performers of the season and both Fred and Nemanja Matic improving as the campaign went along, the midfield area – once a weakness – has become a strength.

“Any of them would be capable of playing a full season as a regular at Manchester United so it’s given me a nice challenge to pick the right ones against the right opponents,” said Solskjaer.

By the time they take to the field at Tottenham, 103 days will have elapsed since United beat Manchester City at Old Trafford in their last Premier League match.

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REAL MADRID PUT THE PRESSURE ON BARCELONA

Karim Benzema became Real Madrid’s fifth all-time leading goalscorer with a double in a victory over Valencia, which closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to two points.

Benzema, 32, has now netted 243 goals in all competitions for Real, overtaking Ferenc Puskas’ tally.

Ex-Chelsea forward Eden Hazard set up his first goal on the hour before Benzema scored a stunning late volley.

Substitute Marco Asensio scored Real’s second with his first touch.

Benzema’s second goal, which came deep into the second half, was a superb piece of skill, involving a flick and volley which caused manager Zinedine Zidane to put his head in his hands in disbelief.

The Frenchman’s goal, assisted by substitute Asensio, capped off a brilliant second-half performance from Real.

Spaniard Asensio, who suffered a knee injury last summer and has missed almost the entirety of this season, came on in the 73rd minute and guided a volley from Ferland Mendy’s cross into the net 30 seconds later to make it 2-0.

Real Madrid’s all-time top scorers in all competitions
1) Cristiano Ronaldo – 4504) Santillana – 290
2) Raul – 3235) Karim Benzema – 243
3) Alfredo Di Stefano – 3086) Ferenc Puskas – 242

But Benzema’s volley was a contender for goal of the season and confirmed his place among some of the greatest strikers in Real’s history.

There was plenty of positives for Hazard too – his partnership with Benzema is blossoming and his assist for the Frenchman’s first set Real on their way.

Hazard, who joined from Chelsea for £150m in June 2019, had several shots on target in the first half but could not get the better of Valencia keeper Jasper Cillessen, who was in good form all evening.

And it was Valencia who thought they had struck first at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium – Real’s training ground – when Rodrigo had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR.

That decision, which saw referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez go over to the VAR screen at the side of the pitch, came moments after Rodrigo struck the outside of the right post.

But Real dominated after the break and it went from bad to worse for Valencia when substitute Lee Kang-In was shown a straight red card for several kicks at Sergio Ramos.

The result means Real Madrid sit two points behind Barcelona in second place ahead of their next game on Sunday away to Real Sociedad, while Barcelona travel to Sevilla on Friday