Europa League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa Team of the Year nominees revealed with 15 Premier League players making cut – but who gets in ultimate XI?

      by

      BRUNO FERNANDES and Erling Haaland are on Uefa’s shortlist for the 2020 Team of the Year.
      Fans will vote for the top XI from the 50 players selected in Tuesday’s announcement.

      Bruno Fernandes make the cut after scoring twice for Manchester United in the Europa League mini-tournamentCredit: EPA

      Erling Haaland has made a big splash in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Last season’s pandemic-affected Champions League and Europa League campaigns saw the last-eight in both competitions battle in a unique mini-tournament.
      Atalanta and RB Leipzig were the surprise packages in the premier competition, the Germans even reaching the semi-final.
      But Bayern Munich won the crown and are well-represented on this year’s shortlist.
      Manuel Neuer, David Alaba, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, Robert Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, final goalscorer Kingsley Coman and recent Liverpool signing Thiago Alcantara all feature.

      Eight Liverpool players make the cut, including Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      The right-back is joined by Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane as the four Englishmen on the shortlist.

      Chelsea have Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz in the running but both players only signed for the club midway through the year.
      Bruno Fernandes is the only Manchester United star selected having netted penalties in both of his side’s games in the Germany run-off.

      Kevin De Bruyne completes the 15-man Premier League contingent after Manchester City’s disappointing defeat to Lyon in the quarter-finals.
      Pep Guardiola’s conquerors have two men nominated in Houssem Aouar and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
      Two other sides exiting earlier than many expected, Barcelona and Real Madrid, have just one man featured apiece in Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.

      Paris Saint-Germain follow Bayern in boasting the most nominations.
      Seven stars of the Ligue 1 champions make the cut, including Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, following their first-ever appearance in a final.
      Europa League champions Sevilla have just Ever Banega on the list, the Argentine now plying his trade with Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia.
      Beaten finalists Inter Milan earn two more nominations with Romelu Lukaku, whose own goal gave Sevilla the trophy, in alongside Nico Barella and Stefan de Vrij.

      Josip Ilicic leads Atalanta’s trio of nominations after banging an amazing four goals in the last-16 dismissal of Valencia.
      There are also places for Matthijs de Ligt, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ciro Immobile to complete the Serie A selection.
      They will compete with Borussia Dortmund hotshot Haaland who took to the Champions League like a duck to water.
      After impressing for RB Salzburg, the Norwegian switched to Germany in January and racked up a total of ten goals in the Champions League.

      UEFA TEAM OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

      GK: Alisson Becker, Keylor Navas, Jan Oblak, Anthony Lopes, Manuel Neuer
      DEF: Thiago Silva, Virgil van Dijk, Angelino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dayot Upamecano, Sergio Ramos, Andrew Robertson, Presnel Kimpembe, Joshua Kimmich, Hans Hateboer, Stefan de Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt, Alphonso Davies, Juan Bernat, David Alaba
      MID: Thiago Alcantara, Kevin De Bruyne, Houssem Aouar, Ever Banega, Bruno Fernandes, Nico Barella, Kingsley Coman, Papu Gomez, Leon Goretzka, Kai Havertz, Jordan Henderson, Josip Ilicic, Marquinhos, Thomas Muller, Marcel Sabitzer
      ATT: Raheem Sterling, Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Sadio Mane, Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Joao Felix, Serge Gnabry, Ciro Immobile, Robert Lewandowski

      Gerard Piqué says he is ‘first to offer to go’ if Barcelona need ‘new blood’ following 8-2 battering by Bayern Munich in Champions League quarter-final More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal fans rage as ticket website crashes with thousands of fans desperate to watch Rapid Vienna clash next week

      by

      ARSENAL fans raged on social media this morning after the club’s ticket website crashed under the weight of demand.
      Gunners supporters were desperate to secure one of just 2,000 tickets for Thursday’s clash against Rapid Vienna.

      Arsenal fans have been struggling to secure tickets for the clash against Rapid ViennaCredit: Getty – Pool

      Trying to buy @Arsenal tickets this morning was an especially maddening experience. This is a club that specialises in undermining the good will of fans
      — Robert Peston (@Peston) November 28, 2020

      So gutted – I’ve waited 9 months to watch @Arsenal at the Emirates – I get my chance to get tickets and the website crashes so I can’t get in. Finally get in and all tickets gone 😢 #Arsenal
      — Kim Swead (@kimswead) November 28, 2020

      Hey @Arsenal @TicketmasterUK got to the front of the queue for tickets and then the system crashed multiple times and booted me out of the queue…what do I do now?
      — Rob Gevertz (@robgevertz) November 28, 2020

      Arsenal supporters haven’t seen their club in action since March but will be allowed up to 2,000 fans per match from Wednesday as part of London’s Tier 2 restrictions.
      But eager Gunners were left frustrated as Arsenal’s website went down.
      One fan said: “So gutted – I’ve waited 9 months to watch Arsenal at the Emirates – I get my chance to get tickets and the website crashes so I can’t get in. Finally get in and all tickets gone.”
      Another wrote: “Hey Arsenal, TicketmasterUK got to the front of the queue for tickets and then the system crashed multiple times and booted me out of the queue…what do I do now?”

      And even ITV political editor Robert Peston tweeted: “Trying to buy Arsenal tickets this morning was an especially maddening experience.
      “This is a club that specialises in undermining the good will of fans.”

      Arsenal announced earlier this week that there would be no fan ballot and that the Rapid Vienna tickets would only be available to top members.
      But the system still meant a mad scramble among desperate Gooners.

      A statement read: “We will not be running a ticketing ballot for the match against Rapid Vienna.
      “For this match only, we will be running a ‘first come, first served’ priority sale to gold and premium Members who made their initial payment and registered for the ballot in September.”
      Fans are able to return to stadiums from Wednesday under new government guidelines.

      Up to 4,000 can attend in Tier 1 areas – but there are none in the country – and 2,000 in Tier 2 regions.
      Clubs located in Tier 3 places, like Manchester United, will still be forced to play behind closed doors.
      Arsenal are preparing to travel to north London rivals Tottenham next weekend in a game that will be played in front of 2,000 Spurs fans.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta looks at player headaches ahead of Wolves match More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham 4 Ludogorets 0 LIVE REACTION: Winks nets stunning goal from 56-yards as Spurs cruise to Europa League win

      by

      TOTTENHAM cruised past Ludogorets as Carlos Vinicius, Harry Winks and Lucas Moura got on the scoresheet.
      Final score: Tottenham 4-0 Ludogorets
      Follow all the reaction with our live blog below…

      THANKS FOR JOINING US
      That’s all for tonight, as Spurs eased to victory over Ludogorets.
      Next up for Jose Mourinho’s side is a mouthwatering clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, before a trip to Austria to face LASK in the Europa League next Thursday.
      Ludogorets make the trip to Antwerp on the same day, still in search of their first points of the group stage.
      That’s all for tonight though.
      Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.

      MATCH REPORT
      Plenty to talk about from tonight’s game, as Spurs cruised to victory over Ludogorets to go joint top with Antwerp on nine points at the top of Group J.
      Carlos Vinicius bagged his first two goals for the club, as well as a FIFTY-SIX yard effort from Harry Winks and a fine Lucas Moura finish to seal the win for the home side.
      CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MATCH REPORT FROM TODAY’S GAME.

      DELE’S BACK
      Dele Alli was impressive on his return to the Spurs side, providing two assists before being replaced with ten minutes left to play.

      Credit: Getty Images

      HISTORY MADE
      Tonight Dane Scarlett became the youngest player in Spurs history to play a competitive game for the club.
      What a moment for the youngster.

      ON WINKS’ GOAL
      “He’s too honest I’m not happy with him.
      “I told him, a goal like that you have to say that you wanted to do it, but you know, a good kid, [he’s] honest, and he told you the truth.”

      JOSE’S THOUGHTS
      These are the post match thoughts of Spurs boss Jose Mourinho:
      “There is I was saying, there is a risk of every team getting six points against them [Ludogorets] .
      “And if that happens to qualify you need a lot of points of course.
      “Normally nine points would be job done, but it’s not done.
      “So as I say you need a result, but if you can also finish first [then] we are going to try, but today was important.
      “We made lots of changes, it was important to take it seriously and it was good.”

      FULL TIME STATS
      Here’s a look at the full time action areas.
      It was a game of utter domination from Spurs, who managed 24 shots with eight on target.
      In comparison Ludogorets couldn’t muster an entire shot for the entire game.
      It was one of the most one sides games you are ever likely to see.

      STANDINGS
      Here’s a look at the Group J standings after tonight’s games.
      Spurs are in a strong position to qualify from the group, and are only second due to an inferior head to head record against Antwerp.
      The Belgian side do still have to make the trip to North London though.

      WATCHING ON
      Harry Kane’s services were not required tonight, as Spurs cruised to a routine 4-0 victory over visitors Ludogorets.

      Credit: Getty Images

      DID HE MEAN IT?
      Harry Winks has this to say on whether he meant his goal:
      “I’d love to sit here and say that I did, I’d love to say I did but I’ve got to be honest no I didn’t mean it no.
      “I saw Gaz running, making that run, just overhit it but I’ll take it, it’s a goal at the end of the day and yeah, really happy to get on the scoresheet.”

      “I’d love to say that I did but I’ve got to be honest… I just overhit it.” 😂
      Harry Winks on whether he meant 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 ridiculous long-range goal 👏
      🎙️ @ReshminTV pic.twitter.com/FJ2Nvwca9g
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 26, 2020

      CLASSIC JOSE
      Jose Mourinho decided to take off Joe Hart with ten minutes left of the game, to give Alfie Whiteman a taste of European football.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      Full time in North London, and Spurs cruise to a 4-0 victory over Ludogorets.
      The visitors never once looked like threatening, and Spurs had the luxury of bringing on the youngsters with ten minutes left in the game for some valuable first team experience.

      FULL TIME: SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      94. Spurs yellow card.
      Hojbjerg is booked with less than thirty seconds left of the game.
      There isn’t much need for that, it’s a silly booking to pick up.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      93. Doherty looks to slide the ball into the path of Clarke, but there’s too much on it and the ball trickles out for a Ludogorets goal kick.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      91. CLOSE!
      Vinicius pokes the ball into the path of Scarlett, who can’t decide whether to go for goal or pull the ball back across the goal and setup Harvey White.
      In the end he does neither, and the ball trickles agonisingly wide of the far post.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      90. Four minutes of added time have been signalled in North London.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      89. Ludogorets substitutions.
      Yordanov and Mitkov are coming on, with Yankov and Badji coming off.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      88. Vinicius goes down in the box under a challenge from Grigore, but is only greeted by a shake of the head by the referee.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      87. Davies teases a ball into the box, that Moti volleys away for the visitors.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      86. We’re into the final five minutes in North London, with Spurs looking to add to their lead.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      84. CLOSE!
      Scarlett collects the ball after a pass over the top to him by Winks.
      His touch lets him down though and he can’t get an effort away.
      He does well to win the ball back though and tee up White, who fires wide of the goal from the edge of the box.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      84. Harvey Whiteman gratefully watches the corner into his arms for his first contribution of the game.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      83. Ludogorets force a corner, their first of the game.

      SPURS 4-0 LUDOGORETS
      81. Spurs substitutions.
      Mourinho is having a bit of fun here.
      Joe Hart is coming off for Alfie Whiteman, Dele Alli is off for Harvey White, and Lucas Moura is off for Dane Scarlett.

      Load more entries… More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Dele Alli rack up two assists in vibrant display vs Ludogorets as Crouch says Spurs star has ‘nasty streak’ back

      by

      DELE ALLI bagged two assists in Tottenham’s 4-0 win against Ludogorets as Peter Crouch declared: He’s got his ‘nasty streak’ back.
      The midfielder has falling down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, with the likes of Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg preferred.

      Dele Alli bagged two assists as Spurs beat Ludogorets 4-0Credit: Reuters

      But Alli took his opportunity on Thursday night with both hands as he pulled the strings for Spurs.
      Both of Alli’s assists teed up on-loan Benfica striker Carlos Vinicius, who tucked both efforts away with aplomb.
      Harry Winks’ fluked effort from near 56 yards out and a strike from Lucas Moura secured the points in north London.
      But it was Alli who caught the eye as he looks to work his way back into the starting XI, as well as the England set-up.

      And former Tottenham man Crouch believes the former MK Dons youngster is starting to show signs he is ready to impress again.
      Crouch told BT Sport: “His reaction has been first class. He’s looked like the old Dele when he first got into the Tottenham side.
      “He looks at it, that little nasty streak is back. And he’s been involved in everything good that’s come from Tottenham.
      “When you haven’t played for that long, it’s so easy to think about the headlines.

      “It shows that he’s a team player because nine times out of ten a striker who hasn’t been playing is thinking about the goals, and the presence of mind to pull that back to Vinicius was fantastic.”
      “He’s a confidence player. This is the nastiness, when he first got into the Spurs team and there was a bit of an edge about him.
      “That’s when he was at his best. That’s what he’s about.”

      Mourinho slams managers who tell stars to skip internationals More