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      Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal sent off after moment of madness as defender gets two yellow cards within two minutes

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      DANI CARVAJAL was sent off for two yellow cards in just two minutes.The Real Madrid star saw red in the LaLiga clash against Rayo Vallecano.

      Dani Carvajal was sent off for Real Madrid
      Los Blancos raced into the lead in the match as former Newcastle and Stoke City flop Joselu netted the opener inside four minutes.
      However, the hosts fired themselves level as Raul de Tomas converted from the spot in the 27th minute.
      Carvajal, 32, was sent on as a substitute in the 76th minute to replace Lucas Vazquez as manager Carlo Ancelotti freshened up his team.
      The defender did not have the desired impact as he received his marching orders in the 95th minute.
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      The Spaniard was first booked in the 93rd minute before he then lashed out.
      While trying to win the ball back from Kike, the defender threw his elbow backwards catching his opponent.
      Referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz was left with no choice but to give Carvajal his marching orders.
      The game ended in a 1-1 draw as Madrid dropped two points in the title race.
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      Madrid are six points clear of 2nd placed Girona and eight clear of Barcelona.
      Girona can cut the gap to just three should they win their game in hand.
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      Carvajal will now miss Madrid’s clash against Sevilla along with Eduardo Camavinga who has also been suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
      After the game, Ancelotti claimed that his team got “nervous” after conceding the penalty in the first half.
      He said: “We’re not happy after this draw. We were good until the penalty, our game changed after it and we got nervous.
      “Playing here is always difficult. There were a lot of duels and fights. Rayo were good.
      “We got a point, we’re not satisfied. But maybe in the future this could be a good point.” More

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      Petr Cech’s spooky ‘mind-reading’ powers revealed by ex-Bayern ace who faced Chelsea in Champions League final

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      PETR CECH was able to read Mario Gomez’s mind in the 2012 Champions League final, claims the former Bayern Munich star.The star came head-to-head in a famous penalty shoot-out Chelsea won to seal their first Champions League title.
      Mario Gomez revealed Petr Cech read his mind the the 2012 Champions League finalCredit: Amazin Prime Video
      Cech faced Gomez in the penalty shoot-outCredit: Getty
      The match ended 1-1 after extra-time and after Juan Mata missed Chelsea’s first penalty, Gomez had the chance to put Bayern 2-0 up in the shoot-out, as Philip Lahmn had already found the net from 12 yards.
      Reflecting on his spot-kick, the striker revealed he changed his mind on which corner he would aim for.
      It ended up working as he fired past Cech, but later discovered the goalkeeper knew his entire thought process leading up to the penalty, including the fact he changed his mind.
      Gomez told Prime Video: “I put the ball down and look at Petr Cech, who’s standing there, he was a monster.
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      “I put the ball down and it was clear to me, I’m going to hit it into one corner, powerfully. I have to hit powerfully otherwise he will get to it.
      “I walk back, turn around and think ‘no, he’ll save it’.
      “On the way to the ball I changed my mind and went for the other corner.
      “The mad thing about this story is afterwards I have doping control. Petr Cech is sitting with me in doping control.
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      “He’s completely shy, reserved, and eventually he says to me ‘Hey, what was with the penalty?’
      “I look at him and say ‘eh?’ Then he says to me ‘you wanted to shoot towards the other corner first. You totally confused me. I knew you were going for the other corner.’
      “He pretty much said what happened in me. That’s brutal. That made me realise again what a great goalkeeper he is, who also read the players and the players’ body language.”
      Cech, 41, appeared on Sky Sports Monday Night Football club this week where he claimed Chelsea will have to wait at least two years until becoming title contenders again.
      He also spoke about Jose Mournho’s media nous and his ability to keep his team focused on winning trophies by misleading the press and making them focus on the issues he wanted.
      Chelsea fans beg Petr Cech to return to club after spotting what he did in Sky Sports studio during Crystal Palace clash More

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      Harry Kane unhappy at Bayern Munich as fuming boss Thomas Tuchel blames England captain’s team-mates

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      HARRY KANE is unhappy at ­Bayern Munich — and boss Thomas Tuchel says his team-mates are to blame.England captain Kane’s dream of winning team silverware is threatening to turn into a nightmare.
      Harry Kane joined Bayern Munich from Tottenham to get his hands on silverwareCredit: AFP
      The England skipper has bagged a whopping 28 goals for the Bavarians so farCredit: GETTY
      But Bayern are in danger of ending the season without a trophyCredit: GETTY
      Bayern are being eclipsed in the Bundesliga by Bayer Leverkusen and also in danger of being turfed out of the Champions League.
      Kane’s personal contributions have also diminished rapidly.
      At the start of the month, he celebrated his 28th Bayern goal since leaving Tottenham last summer.
      But he failed to register a single shot on target in his last two games.
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      Tuchel said: “Harry takes care of himself. He doesn’t need me.
      “He’s not happy with the connection in games.
      “Neither are we. I’ve rarely seen such a discrepancy between training and matches.
      “The way he scores in training, the way he puts his chances away — it’s incredible.
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      Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is under mounting pressure at the Allianz ArenaCredit: GETTY
      “It’s world class. But then we rarely find him in matches.”
      A 3-0 league loss at Leverkusen and a 1-0 first-leg reverse in the Champions League against Lazio have put Tuchel in danger of the sack.
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      And Leverkusen’s 2-1 win at Heidenheim yesterday moved Xabi Alonso’s side eight points clear at the top.
      “Tuchel cannot afford another setback at struggling Bochum tomorrow.
      The former Chelsea boss added: “Maybe the current state of things will give us that decisive kick.
      “The atmosphere is obviously a little gloomy. That being said, we aren’t out of the Champions League just yet. We’re all committed to turning things around.
      “We’ll give it our all to muster up the energy we need to reverse our fortunes.
      “At Bayern it’s about always getting back up and putting your neck on the line.
      “We’re still in second place. We don’t need to be ashamed of that. We don’t need any sympathy.
      “I’m not expecting a walk in the park in Bochum. It’ll be a tough pitch, tough opponent, who’s got good results lately.
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      “We’ve also adapted our training but that’s normal.
      “After two defeats in a week it doesn’t make sense to just keep trotting along.” More

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      Micah Richards reveals he lied to CBS bosses after wild Super Bowl night out ‘like never, ever before’

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      MICAH RICHARDS has revealed he lied to CBS Sports bosses after a wild night out in Las Vegas earlier this month.Former Manchester City and England man Richards, 35, is a part of CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage alongside presenter Kate Abdo, Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
      Micah Richards kept his partying antics secret while in Las VegasCredit: Getty
      And the ex-full-back enjoyed a flying visit to Las Vegas earlier this month as he made the trip across the Atlantic with Abdo and Henry ahead of Super Bowl LVIII – which was won by the Kansas City Chiefs.
      While in the US, Richards was due to fulfil media obligations discussing both the Champions League and Super Bowl.
      But he ended up having to conduct those duties after getting in just a few hours earlier from “one of the best nights” of his life.
      Speaking to Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football, he said: “I am with [Thierry] Henry, [Kate] Abdo, the [CBS] producers, and everyone knows what Big Meeks is like. I like to get into a little bit of trouble every now and again.
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      “I just thought, ‘Do I keep it professional and stay in, or do I go for a little wander?’
      “So it’s about 1am in the morning, I go for a little wander down the strip. We’re staying in the Virgin Hotels. One of my old mates is staying at the Wynn. I go there and have a few drinks.
      “It’s then 4 or 5am in the morning, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘We’ve got media at 11am. What do I do here?’ It’s only light stuff, we’re talking about the Champions League, promoting that and then the Super Bowl.
      “Then we went to a place, I’m not naming no places but wowsers. Gary, do you want me to spell it out for you? The scenery was like never, ever before.”
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      Richards then went on to describe how he lied to his CBS bosses the following day to avoid getting in trouble.
      He added: “So I get there in the morning and everyone was like, ‘How was your night’, this that and the other, ‘good sleep?’
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      “I was like, ‘Yeah, I went to sleep really early, I couldn’t find anything to do, I went downstairs to get a drink’, and they all thought I stayed in.
      “But they don’t know I had one of the best nights of my life.
      “Everyone thought I had jet lag. It had nothing to do with jet lag, it’s because I was out until eight o’clock in the morning.
      “Oh my God. God bless America.” More

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      Kylian Mbappe set to take legend’s shirt at Real Madrid and be forced to give up No7 jersey because of Vinicius Jr

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE will be handed Real Madrid’s legendary No10 jersey if he completes a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.Mbappe, 25, has informed Paris Saint-Germain he won’t trigger an option to extend his contract by another year and will thus leave in June as a free agent.
      Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe will get Real Madrid’s No10 shirtCredit: Rex
      Vinicius Jr currently occupies Mbappe’s signature No7 shirt at Real MadridCredit: Rex
      Mbappe will take Luka Modric’s shirt number at Real MadridCredit: Rex
      Europe’s elite has taken notice with Premier League giants, such as Arsenal and Liverpool, monitoring the situation but the star striker is reportedly “leaning towards” Real.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, Los Blancos are trying to sweeten the deal by offering him the same shirt number wore by past legends, such as Ferenc Puskas, Luis Figo and Clarence Seedorf.
      That means the France international will have to give up his signature No7 shirt, which he currently wears at PSG.
      That is because Vinicius Jr has proven he can wear it with the same class as legendary predecessors, like Raul, Emilio Butragueno and of course Cristiano Ronaldo.
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      Luka Modric currently occupies the No10 shirt but is expected to put an end to his glittering 12-year career in Madrid once his contract expires in the summer.
      The same report claims Real are planning to officially announce Mbappe’s arrival before he links up with France for Euro 2024.
      However, there are still several formalities that need to be ironed out before the ex-Monaco star puts pen to paper.
      One major issue that stands in the way is the Frenchman’s staggering wages.
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      However, reports suggest Mbappe is willing to accept a huge pay cut to finally move to Real.
      The La Liga giants are hoping to pay the forward less than his £42.8million – around £827,000 a week – starting point.
      ‘We have to be in the conversation’, says Mikel Arteta as Arsenal boss has his say on Kylian Mbappe transfer saga
      However, he is still expected to become the club’s highest-paid player, surpassing England star Jude Bellingham by a significant margin. More

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      My dad’s a legendary Champions League winner – I’m making my own way and will beat his Premier League goal tally

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      JUSTIN KLUIVERT is eyeing up his dad’s Prem goal tally — and a bit of dosh.Patrick Kluivert, 47, was one of the great forwards of his generation, scoring a Champions League winner for Ajax in 1995.
      Justin Kluivert is eyeing his dad Patrick’s Premier League goal tallyCredit: Instagram @patrickkluivert9
      The Bournemouth forward has scored three league goals this seasonCredit: AFP
      He also forged a fearsome partnership with Rivaldo at Barcelona while also netting 40 times in 79 appearances for Holland.
      But he found it tough at Newcastle, scoring only six goals back in 2004-05.
      Bournemouth winger Kluivert Jr has bagged three already this term in the league, and fancies his chances of overtaking his dad this season — starting with today’s trip to Toon to face pa’s old club. And he is ready to strike a wager as motivation.
      The Cherries star, 24, said: “I need to go over him, I need to! Why not?
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      “I don’t have an ongoing bet with my father but I will make one.
      “The second part of the season just started. I think last season at Valencia where I was, I scored two before Christmas.
      “And after I scored in total something like eight.
      “I want to do here the same, for sure! I think that it’s possible already this season, I will give my 100 per cent.
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      “I just need to enjoy the game — and then my qualities will take care of the rest. I played in six countries and scored goals everywhere . . . ”
      Having had to live up to such high expectations and carry such a heavy name on your back from an early age would have put most children off.
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      But not Justin. He has embraced the pressure and  said: “Having Patrick  Kluivert as a father made me and motivated me.
      “It was no pressure but built the person I am today. It just motivated me to fill up these big boots.”
      Justin admits he is currently getting more stick than carrot from his dad.
      The former Ajax, Roma, RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia ace  says that  the Dutch legend is his most devoted supporter  but at  the same time his fiercest critic.
      When things go well on the pitch, his father hardly takes any notice but one mistake and he is straight on his back.
      It is this tough love  that ensures he does not get too big for his boots and keeps evolving.
      Kluivert Jr said: “Dad is my biggest fan and my biggest critic. But he’d tell me first what I did wrong, you know?
      Justin is ready to strike a wager with his dad for motivationCredit: Instagram @patrickkluivert9
      “Because what I did good, I know I did good.
      “But what I did wrong, he’ll tell me.
      “Then, course, as a dad he also tells me what I did right but especially what I did wrong!
      “And I listen to what he has to say.”
      Bournemouth chief Andoni Iraola has certainly made people listen after a horror start.
      He failed to win any of his first nine league games in charge.
      But with the Cherries now sitting pretty in 13th position, Kluivert has hailed the Spaniard’s “crazy” turnaround.
      Patrick Kluivert spent a season in England with NewcastleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He said: “He means a lot for us players.
      “When he came we lost a lot at the beginning but we just stayed focused, we knew what he wanted from the team.
      “And we didn’t change game plans but kept believing in ourselves and eventually it turned out quite good!
      “I have the feeling we’re still improving and we can do much greater things with him as a coach.
      “I am looking forward to that.”
      Iraola is ready to meet fire-with-fire against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle today.
      He is poised to throw his new Turkish striker Enes Unal into battle alongside Dominic Solanke.
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      Iraola said: “We need goals because Newcastle are an offensive power and it’s going to be a very open game.
      “We will press them and they will press us and there will be spaces.” More

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      Arsenal are the only team that can stop Man City winning the Champions League, they’d beat Bayern or PSG, says Carragher

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER has sensationally claimed that Arsenal could win the Champions League this season.The Gunners kick off their knockout campaign against Porto next Wednesday.
      Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal are the only team that could stop Man City winning the Champions League againCredit: Getty
      Arsenal are one of the few teams to beat City this seasonCredit: Alamy
      A win will see them take control of the tie ahead of the home leg in London, which is scheduled to take place on March 12.
      Arsenal have not reached the Champions League quarter-final stage since 2010 but Carragher is convinced they can go all the way this season.
      The Liverpool legend believes Arsenal are the only team that could compete with current holders Manchester City.
      Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher said: “I don’t think there is anyone close to them in the Champions League.
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      “I actually think the team that could maybe have a chance against them is Arsenal.
      “When you look at it, because Arsenal haven’t actually won anything big yet, this team, we’re still thinking how good are they? Can they get across the line in a big one?
      “But then you go and watch the Champions League and I’m watching Bayern Munich, a massive team. Arsenal are a better team.
      “Arsenal would beat Bayern Munich. I think Arsenal would beat Paris Saint-Germain.
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      “So I actually look at the Champions League and I’m thinking, who could actually stop City? Probably Arsenal.
      “Even if they met each other we know City would be massive favourites. But I actually think Arsenal.
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      “Inter Milan are obviously top of Serie A and they were in the final last season, but no I don’t think…”
      He went on to add: “I think if Arsenal play Real Madrid which, to be fair, are a massive team, psychologically in the Champions League that could stop Arsenal because they haven’t been there.
      “We’ve spoken about Liverpool in the past doing well in the Champions League because they just feel like they belong there.
      “But Arsenal, I think they’ve got a chance.”
      Man City took control of their last-16 clash with Copenhagen this week.
      Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to a 3-1 win over the Danish side on Tuesday thanks to goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden. More

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      Kylian Mbappe set to FORFEIT more than Jude Bellingham’s eye-watering wages to seal Real Madrid transfer

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE will accept a huge pay cut to join Real Madrid, according to reports.The Frenchman is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season.
      Kylian Mbappe is set to leave PSG at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Mbappe has set his wage demands highCredit: Getty
      Several clubs have already expressed an interest in signing him on a free transfer, including Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool.
      However, Mbappe is reportedly “leaning towards” joining Real Madrid.
      Los Blancos have been pushing to sign the 25-year-old since his Monaco days.
      Mbappe came close to making the move in 2022, but shocked the football world by announcing a two-year extension with PSG instead.
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      He caused a stir among the PSG camp last summer after refusing to sign a new contract.
      The Parisians subsequently accepted a huge £259million offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for him, but Mbappe rejected the move.
      He was axed from the squad for a brief period and sent to train with PSG’s “undesirables” – a group of players not wanted by the club.
      However, he made a return at the start of the Ligue 1 campaign and has since scored 31 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions.
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      Mbappe has scored 20 goals in 19 Ligue 1 games this season
      Real Madrid have already proposed a deal to Mbappe ahead of the summer, but his representatives have reportedly been left unimpressed.
      The Frenchman is set to receive a total of £62m plus bonuses from PSG for the 2023-24 campaign, but Real Madrid are unable to match that.
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      According to Spanish outlet AS, the La Liga giants are hoping to pay Mbappe less than his £42.8m – around £827,000-a-week – starting point.
      However, he is still set to become the club’s highest-paid player, surpassing Jude Bellingham by a significant margin.
      The England international currently rakes in around £220,000-a-week – £11.4m-a-year – at the Santiago Bernabeu, much less that what Mbappe is demanding.
      In fact, the difference between the two players’ weekly wages would be around £358,000, roughly £138,000 MORE than Bellingham’s standard weekly earnings.
      Mbappe reportedly also wants several bonuses added into his contract.
      The World Cup winner joined PSG in a £154m transfer from Monaco in 2018 and has since scored 243 goals and provided 105 assists in 290 appearances.
      Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund last summer and has since scored 20 goals in 29 appearancesCredit: Getty More