La Liga

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Cadiz 0 Barcelona 0: Pressure grows on Ronald Koeman after 10-man Catalans are held by La Liga minnows

      by

      STRUGGLING Barcelona could only manage a draw as Frenkie de Jong was sent off at Cadiz.The result leaves boss Ronald Koeman under yet more pressure and already seven points adrift of league-leading rivals Real Madrid.
      Memphis Depay came close to scoring for Barcelona early in the second halfCredit: Reuters
      Ronald Koeman’s team are yet to win a game in Spain’s top-flight this monthCredit: AP
      And the Catalan side, who have come under huge scrutiny following their mixed start to the season, will be hoping for maximum points against Levante on Sunday. 
      Ronald Koeman’s aces struggled to break their hosts in the early stages with Cadiz striker Ruben Sobrino forcing a shot block from Gerard Pique around the tenth minute. 
      But the visitors began to ease their way into the game with Sergino Dest prompting Jeremias Ledesma to punch his cross away. 
      The first-half finished goalless with Alvaro Cevera’s players managing to frustrate the visitors’ passing play. 
      However the Pirates had to continue the second period without their centre-back Fali who was carried off on a stretcher after falling to the turf clutching his knee. 
      The opening minutes of the second-half saw ex-Man City ace Alvaro Negredo come close to putting Cadiz ahead with a thumping shot on the edge of the box. 

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      The former City striker wallopped the ball with the outside of his boot forcing an impressive one-handed save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen. 
      And Barca had a couple of decent opportunities to score themselves moments later. 
      Chances include Memphis Depay getting on the end of a low De Jong cross. 
      But the forward was unable to get the ball under control and the Dutchman saw a low shot turned away by Ledesma. 
      Frenkie de Jong’s red card saw Barcelona reduced to ten menCredit: Rex
      Koeman’s aces were reduced to ten men after De Jong picked up a second yellow for a foul on Alfonso Espino 
      The hosts came close to capitalising on their extra player advantage with Sobrino sending a shot wide after Ter Stegen saved an earlier Salvi Sanchez strike. 
      The 0-0 finish leaves Cadiz in fourteenth place and Barcelona in seventh.
      Barcelona boss Koeman refuses to comment about his future at the club More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal joined by Liverpool in Marco Asensio transfer race after Real Madrid star’s hat-trick against Mallorca

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE giants Liverpool are interested in signing Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to reports.The winger, 25, is struggling for minutes under Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and it’s believed he may be available in the near future.
      Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keen on AsensioCredit: Getty
      According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.Net, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wants to rebuild his team and believes Asensio could be the perfect signing.
      The Spaniard hasn’t been an automatic pick under Ancelotti this term but scored a hat-trick in their 6-1 win against Mallorca on Wednesday.
      Rumours suggest the international will hold talks with his gaffer over his future and could be allowed to leave the Bernabeu if they turn sour.
      Ancelotti has plenty of attacking options to choose from, including Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
      Real are also hoping to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer next summer, further restricting Asensio’s playing time.
      Reports in August claimed Arsenal were leading the race for Asensio’s signature but Liverpool can offer the player Champions League football.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      But the Gunners do appear to have a good relationship with Real following the signings of Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard.
      Asensio has played 134 LaLiga games for Real since his making his debut in 2016, winning two Spanish titles and two Champions Leagues.
      At international level, he’s picked up 25 senior caps to date and helped Spain win a Silver medal at the Toyko Olympics in the summer.
      Premier League clubs Leeds, Leicester and Everton have also been linked with the Real ace in recent months.
      AC Milan and Serie A rivals are also reportedly interested in the player as they continue to rebuild their squads in pursuit of European glory.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Barcelona star Aleix Vidal left with bloodied BONE poking out of his leg before having gash stitched up

      by

      ALEIX VIDAL suffered a gruesome injury for Espanyol in their 2-2 draw against LaLiga rivals Real Betis- – and coudl have his shin pads to blame.The ex-Barcelona ace, 32, was left with a bone-exposing gash on his shin after appearing to wear micro pads that were no thicker than cardboard.
      Vidal noticed his gruesome injury in the 81st minuteCredit: Getty
      Vidal’s bone was exposed after his shinpads failed to stop the injury
      Vidal needed 15 stitches – but at least his tattoo wasn’t ruined!
      Vidal, a winger who can also be deployed at right-back, was forced off in the 81st minute after noticing his bone was visible.
      According to Spanish outlet Diari de Tarragona, he wanted to continue playing and needed 15 stitches to heal the wound.
      Vidal appeared to be wearing cardboard shinpads and, even if they were the correct material, they were not big enough to protect his legs.
      The Spaniard’s injury on Sunday ruled him out of Espanyol’s 1-0 home win against Alaves on Wednesday and its unclear when he’ll return to fitness.
      Vidal made 30 LaLiga appearances for Barcelona between 2015 and 2018, helping them win two league titles and three Spanish Cups.
      Many current Premier League players wear small shinpads, including Manchester City’s £100million man Jack Grealish.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      He told GQ in June: “People have suggested a lot of different reasons as to why I wear them like that.
      “It began during one season when I was 15 or 16 and the socks in training kept shrinking.
      “I had to wear them underneath my calves and that season I ended up playing really well.
      “So I ended up keeping them like that and to this day I’ve still got them. My shin pads are kids size, seven to eight, so that’s why they’re so small.”
      And in March, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin joked he uses CUSTARD CREAMS as shinpads after England’s 5-0 win against San Marino.
      Sevilla sign Aleix Vidal for the second time from rivals Barcelona More

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      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

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      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.”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

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

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

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

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      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