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      Watch Ronald Koeman read three-minute statement at press-conference then LEAVE as pressure mounts on Barcelona manager

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      RONALD KOEMAN read a defiant three-minute statement and then left the ROOM at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.The under-fire Barcelona boss refused to take questions from the media and asked for ‘patience’ from fans as the club is ‘rebuilding’.
      Koeman is under huge pressure at BarcelonaCredit: EPA
      He refused to take questions at a pre-match press conference
      Speaking before Barcelona’s LaLiga match against Cadiz on Thursday, Koeman said: “The club is with me as a coach in a rebuilding situation.
      “The financial situation of the club is linked to sports performances and vice versa.
      “That means that we, as a squad, have to rebuild the football team without being able to make large financial investments. That takes time.
      “Today’s young talents can become the new world stars in a couple of years.
      “The good thing about rebuilding the team is that young players will have opportunities like Xavi and Iniesta had in their day.
      “But patience is required.”

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      Barcelona have endured a tricky start to the season after picking up just eight points from their opening four LaLiga games.
      Koeman’s side needed a late equaliser against Granada on Monday and were thrashed 3-0 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
      Barca lost key players in Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann during the summer and are reportedly more than £1BILLION in debt.
      And the Dutchman has doubts over how competitive they will be this term, adding: “To be in a high ranking in the league would be a success.
      “European football is a good school for these great talents and miracles can await us in the Champions League.
      “The defeat against Bayern Munich last week has to be approached from that perspective.

      “The process in which the staff and our team find ourselves deserves to be unconditionally supported in word and deed.
      “Support the technical policy and the process that we are carrying out. I know that the press recognises this process.
      “It is not the first time in the history of FC Barcelona that this happens. We count on your support in these difficult times.
      “We as a squad and as players are very very happy with the great support of the fans like the one we had in the home game against Granada.
      “Visit Barca, thank you very much for coming.”
      Barcelona boss Koeman refuses to comment about his future at the club More

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      Arsenal on red alert over Marco Asensio transfer as Real Madrid outcast ‘set for showdown talks with Carlo Ancelotti’

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      ARSENAL have been put on red alert with Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio set to hold showdown talks with Carlo Ancelotti.The Gunners have been linked with the Spaniard for some time and could finally land their man in January.
      Marco Asensio is set for showdown talks with Real Madrid boss Carlo AncelottiCredit: Getty
      Long-tipped to become a star at the Bernabeu, Asensio, 25, returned from a long spell out injured to feature 48 times last season, scoring seven times.
      But he has only featured five times this term – for a grand total of 69 minutes.
      And he will hold talks with Ancelotti over his future soon, according to Spanish journalist Antón Meana.
      He told El Larguero: “If Marco Asensio continues to have a completely residual role as if he were Isco or Marcelo, the season will be long and the club-coach, coach-footballer, footballer-club talks will be repeated.
      “It is a situation that is already beginning to be complicated and we are in the middle of September.”
      Real Madrid are also building funds to bid for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, meaning Asensio is reportedly seen as a prime candidate for a January sale.

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      Leeds, Leicester and Everton have all been named by Spanish reports as Arsenal’s main competition for Asensio.
      Meana added: “There is the Marco Asensio case – this week seems key.
      “Marco is not Isco, Marco is not Marcelo. Marco has offers, Marco is not finished and, therefore, neither he nor his representatives understand the role Ancelotti gives him.
      “His strange obsession of seeing him in the game at 4-3-3 when he has never played there.
      “Although they don’t blame anyone for now, least of all Ancelotti, this week seems key.
      “He was untouchable since he returned from Espanyol on loan.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      “He was the player who had the most offers from all over Europe and Zinedine Zidane asked him to stay and play 40 games with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema or Gareth Bale.
      “Before the summer, Asensio’s representatives said the future of the Balearic footballer depended on Ancelotti.
      “But Ancelotti has not given him much ball. It seems like a difficult year for Asensio.”

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      Watch Balotelli taunt rival boss who said he had ‘no brain’ with cheeky celebration after scoring in fiery clash More

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      Barcelona draw up five-man managerial shortlist to replace Koeman including Pirlo, Xavi and Conte

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      ANTONIO CONTE and Andrea Pirlo are rumoured to be on a target list to replace Barcelona gaffer Ronald Koeman, according to reports. The under-fire Nou Camp boss, 58, has come under pressure following his side’s 1-1 home draw against Granada with club great Xavi also linked with his job.
      Barcelona are reported to be considering replacements for Ronald KoemanCredit: Rex
      Ex-Inter Milan chief Antonio Conte is thought to be a managerial target for BarcaCredit: Getty
      And the points dropped against their struggling league rivals has left Barcelona seventh after four games with an away clash with Cadiz up next. 
      Newspapers in Spain claim ex-Juventus manager Pirlo and former Chelsea and Inter chief Conte are being eyed as potential alternatives to Koeman. 
      Pirlo, 42, was axed by Juventus after sealing Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana trophy wins last season. 
      And Conte, 52, parted company with Inter after leading the Serie A giants to a Scudetto in the 2020-21 season and the Europa League in 2020. 
      However, some pundits believe Conte could end up being deterred by the current state of Barcelona’s squad. 

      The club has struggled with financial issues with debts reportedly around the £1.15billion mark. 
      And they brought two of their four summer player swoops (Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero) in on free transfers. 
      In addition, Mundo Deportivo reports the Catalan giants are not looking for temporary cover. 

      And Football Italia claims the 26-time LaLiga champs hope to find a permanent long-term coach to steer them back to their trophy-winning glory days. 
      Barcelona-based journalist Gerard Romero reckons ex-Germany coach Joachim Low is another name under consideration for the Barca hot seat.  
      And it is thought the Nou Camp outfit’s former midfield maestro Xavi is also being looked at as a possible option.
      The former playmaker currently manages Qatari club Al Sadd and led them to the semi-finals of Asia’s Champions League in 2019.

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      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman defends his team after 3-0 loss to Bayern in the Champions League More

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      Barcelona fans demand Koeman is sacked after he plays Pique as STRIKER vs Granada and rules out ‘tiki-taka’ football

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      BARCELONA fans are calling for boss and club legend Ronald Koeman to be sacked after playing Gerard Pique as a STRIKER.The Spanish club are struggling for goals after allowing star forwards Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to leave in the summer.
      Pressure is mounting on Barca boss Ronald KoemanCredit: Getty
      Barca needed a 90th-minute equaliser against Granada on Monday evening to secure a 1-1 draw and maintain their unbeaten start in LaLiga.
      A late goal from defender Ronald Araujo spared Koeman’s blushes but the manager was still heavily criticised for the team’s woeful performance.
      #KoemanOUT was trending on Twitter throughout Monday evening and many were perplexed as to why Pique was playing up front.
      The Spanish defender was brought on in the 75th minute and did make an impact, controlling the ball in the box for Gavi, 17, to assist the goal.
      And Pique has played as a striker before, with Pep Guardiola shoving him up front in Barca’s Champions League defeat to Inter Milan in 2010.
      But fans were still furious with Barca’s display, leaving Koeman to defend his players and their prospects for this season.

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      As quoted by the Daily Mail, Koeman said: “If you see the squad list today do you really think we can play tiki-taka?
      “Barca right now is not the Barca of eight years ago.
      “We play the Barca way but we don’t have the speed in wide areas because we have Coutinho who cuts inside and Demir who doesn’t reach the byline much.
      “When Ansu Fati and [Ousmane] Dembele come back then we will be different but they are not fit so we have to find alternatives.”
      Monday evening’s result leaves Barcelona seventh in LaLiga, five points behind leaders and rivals Real Madrid with a game in hand.
      It also comes just six days after Koeman’s team were thrashed 3-0 at home by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman defends his team after 3-0 loss to Bayern in the Champions League More

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      Atletico Madrid ‘REJECTED chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo’ in summer transfer window overs fears of epic fan backlash

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      ATLETICO MADRID reportedly rejected the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.Spanish radio station Cadena Ser claims super agent Jorge Mendes offered the then-Juventus star to Diego Simeone’s newly crowned Spanish champions.
      Atletico Madrid reportedly snubbed the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summerCredit: Reuters
      But Atletico rejected the opportunity over fears of a furious fan backlash, with Ronaldo a legend at rivals Real Madrid.
      The Portugal star, 36, instead found his way back to Manchester United on deadline day, despite being linked with Real and Man City.
      And Atleti instead ended up bolstering their attack by re-signing Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona.
      Ronaldo has been a smash hit since returning to England, scoring four goals in just three games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      The veteran was on target as United beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium on Sunday.
      And Ronnie showed his delight at the result with an Instagram post.

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      It read: “Every game in the Premier League is always an amazing fight for the three points.
      “Today we got to see a glimpse of all the obstacles that we will find on our way, but we have to keep our mind set on our goals.
      “Together! Strong! Focused! Let’s go, Devils!”
      But despite Ronaldo’s second Old Trafford dance, boss Solskjaer is refusing to entertain talk of winning the title.
      He said: “You’re not going to get me on that one now.

      “It’s five games into the season. I was probably down and out and lost my job yesterday. That’s the way it is at Man United.
      “We deserved three points. It’s a hard place to come, here. Hopefully these points can make a difference.
      “Let’s see [about the title] when we get towards April and May.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Cristiano Ronaldo sends support to coma-stricken Danny Hodgson as Man Utd star invites him to game when better More

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      Barcelona ‘to make Raheem Sterling transfer move in January window after having bid turned down over summer’

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      BARCELONA are keen to reignite their interest in Raheem Sterling when the transfer window re-opens in January.The Catalan club tried to sign the 26-year-old in the last transfer window according to Sport, but a deal never materialised.
      Sterling has scored one goal so far this seasonCredit: Getty
      But has found game time hard to come byCredit: Getty
      And now Nou Camp chiefs are ready to test Manchester City’s resolve once again in the New Year.
      Sterling has started just two out of City’s six games so far this season, with Sport naming Barcelona as an ‘ideal destination’ for the 70-cap England international.
      The winger has even given the thumbs up for a move to go ahead, according to reports.
      But any potential move won’t come cheap.
      Sterling is valued in excess of £80million and earns around £300,000-a-week at the Etihad.
      Cash-strapped Barca have more funds to play with than they did in the summer but money is still tight at the Nou Camp.

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      Despite the club’s dire financial situation the Spanish giants sent Director of Football Mateu Alemany to Manchester in the summer to discuss a possible transfer for Sterling.
      Barca’s summer proposal reportedly included a swap deal including Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele or Sergi Roberto.
      A loan move was also discussed between the clubs.
      Sterling has played 298 times for Manchester City since his move from Liverpool in 2015, scoring 115 times so far for the Cityzens.
      But he appears to have fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola this season.

      Pep Guardiola offers to quit Man City if he is a ‘problem with fans’ and refuses to apologise for supporters plea More

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      Barcelona hope to land Man Utd ace Paul Pogba on free transfer in summer but face competition from three European giants

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      BARCELONA hope to sign Manchester United ace Paul Pogba for free next summer but will be rivalled by top clubs, reports say.The Catalan giants are eyeing a rebuild after losing mega star Lionel Messi.
      Pogba is enjoying his football this season, registering seven assists in the league in just four games playedCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      And Pogba – who has less than a year left on his contract – is someone who they feel would be a star at Barca.
      According to Fichajes.net, Pogba’s name came up in conversations between his agent Mino Raiola and Barca club president Joan Laporta.
      The super agent informed Laporta that Pogba is certain be subject to a bidding war.
      But should Barca put an offer forward, he will try and convince the Frenchman to decide on Barca’s offer before other proposals.
      Barca will have to see off challenges from rivals Real Madrid, super wealthy Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
      But Barca and Juve’s financial problems put them in a trickier position than the Parisians and even Real.

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      Barca could offer Pogba star man status, but PSG’s economic power allows them to put forward a bigger, more lucrative offer.
      Real appear to be in a better financial position than Barca too.
      Los Blancos are plotting two huge free transfers next summer: Pogba and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe, whose contract also expires next summer.
      Despite both potentially being available for free, they will still cost Real a fortune in agent and signing on fees.

      Despite the reported tug of war that is set to commence should Pogba not sign a new contract at Man Utd, Mathias has stated his younger brother is fully focused and ‘feeling very good’ at the Red Devils.
      He told El Chiringuito TV: “Paul has not decided yet whether to stay or not next summer.
      “It’s his decision – he’s feeling very good at Man United now, this season… then let’s see. Let’s see when will be time to decide.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Mathias Pogba says Pogba’s brother says Man Utd star will decide on future at ‘right time’ amid Real Madrid and PSG transfer links More

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      Joao Felix clashes with ‘disrespectful’ Atletico Madrid fan after being told to INJURE Antoinne Griezmann in training

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      ATLETICO MADRID star Joao Felix has clashed with a fan after being told to INJURE team-mate Antoine Griezmann.A number of the club’s supporters remain unhappy with the 30-year-old’s arrival back at the Wanda Metropolitano on deadline day.
      Joao Felix clashed with an Atletico Madrid fan after he was told to injure team-mate Antoine GriezmannCredit: Directo GOL
      Felix told the support he should show more respect to Griezmann during the conversationCredit: Directo GOL
      Griezmann left Atletico in 2019 to join rivals Barcelona, but he has returned to his former stomping ground on an initial loan deal.
      The 2018 World Cup winner was jeered by supporters during their Champions League clash against Porto on Wednesday night.
      And now one of the team’s fans have urged Felix to inflict damage on Griezmann as he left their training ground on Thursday.
      Footage from El Golazo de Gol shows Felix speaking to one fan, with Felix then stating he should have more ‘respect’ for the ex-Real Sociedad star.
      According to journalist Javi Gomez, the supporter said: “Joao, step on Griezmann, you have to injure him, it can’t be that he starts before you.”
      To which Felix replied by saying: “You should have more respect for Griezmann.”

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      The individual then remarked: “Don’t forget to go for Griezmann’s shin, Joao.”
      Atletico boss Diego Simeone has defended Griezmann following his return after his controversial departure.
      He told Sport: “They (the media) are making a movie and a morbid situation that clearly gives us the importance of having recovered an extraordinary footballer like him and that we can enjoy.
      “We hope that he gets better and can respond to the people that criticise him.
      “He has a challenge to move forward and consequences for what happened in the past.”
      Meanwhile, the president of one of Atletico’s supporters’ groups believes Griezmann has a long way to go before he wins back the fans.
      Quoted by Tribal Footbal via L’Equipe, Eduardo Fernandez said: “A part of the public will whistle and insult him, that’s for sure.
      “When his name is announced and as soon as he touches the ball. There is a disenchantment. Before, he was our idol. Now he’s just a player like any other.

      “He doesn’t represent much anymore. His image has seriously deteriorated. We’re all still hurt by what he did. Time is going to see our pain heal. He will have to regain our trust and our love.
      “It is up to him to be forgiven and to redeem himself. When he sets important goals, little by little things will get back to normal.
      “Because he can once again become the great player he was, I am convinced.”
      Antoine Griezmann ditches ponytail for his old look as he returns to Atletico Madrid More