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      Pique hits out at booing Barcelona fans and says ‘I am hurt a lot’ by their actions in woeful 3-0 defeat to Bayern

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      GERARD PIQUE says he is ‘hurt a lot’ by the booing Barcelona fans during their 3-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp.A section of the 40,000-strong Barca crowd targeted Sergi Roberto, booing the midfielder for his poor performance.
      Pique and co failed to seal out LewandowskiCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Sergi Roberto was targeted by some fansCredit: EPA
      Bayern – who beat Barcelona 8-2 when they last met – ran riot once again to embarrass the hosts in their own back yard.
      Thomas Muller opened the scoring in the first half before serial goal scorer Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace in the second to seal the win.
      Barcelona meanwhile failed to have a single shot on target.
      The home supporters took their frustration out on Roberto, one of 16 who graced the pitch on Tuesday.
      After the game, vice-captain Pique launched a passionate defence of his team-mate on Spanish TV and hit out at the boo-boys.
      He said: “The whistles towards Sergi Roberto are hurtful.

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      “I would like to remind people that he is a midfielder, not a winger. He has made a sacrifice to adapt to that position on the pitch.
      “People are free to express themselves but I do not like the whistles, they do not help.
      “I know the person, he is a spectacular human being and he wants more than anything for this club to be successful.
      “I am hurt a lot by this.”
      The club legend – who took a pay cut so the club could register summer signings Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia – also admitted that Lionel Messi-less Barca are not favourites to win the competition.
      He added: “Right now we will not be among the favourites for the Champions League, but nothing happens because we are not.

      “Sometimes we have been among the favourites but we have not succeeded. Last year who said would be the favourite?
      “Football changes a lot, they are moods. They are. They have been together for many years, with experience and we are what we are…four or five 18-year-olds have come out.
      “This is our reality. I don’t want to excuse myself. We are Barça. We will see at the end of the season if, we will end up competing.”
      Lionel Messi tipped to return to Barcelona and retire after winning Champions League with PSG by Riquelme More

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      Man Utd ‘asked Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent about signing Barcelona’s ‘new Messi’ Ansu Fati during transfer talks’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED asked Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent about signing Barcelona whizkid Ansu Fati during transfer talks.Fati has just one year remaining on his current Barca deal and was offered to top European clubs – including Manchester City – by agent Jorge Mendes this summer. 
      Barcelona star Ansu Fati is in the final year of his contract at the Nou CampCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo, the 18-year-old’s agent was ‘asked’ about his availability while hashing out Ronaldo’s deal to United last month. 
      Super agent Mendes has represented Ronaldo for over 18 years and also has Jose Mourinho, David De Gea and Ruben Dias on his roster. 
      Fati is widely regarded as the future of Barcelona after the cash strapped Catalans were forced to release Lionel Messi this summer and loan Antoine Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid. 
      The teenage prodigy has been dubbed the ‘new Messi’ by fans after the club entrusted him with the Argentinian’s famous No10 shirt. 
      Spanish papers also reported United had struck an agreement in principle to land Fati for a whopping £133million in 2020. 

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      But their hopes of signing the wonderkid were canned when the La Liga giants halted transfer talks and inserted a £357m release clause into his contract.
      Fati broke into Barca’s team in August  2019 as a 16-year-old and went onto score seven goals in 24 La Liga appearances during his breakout season. 

      He also became the youngest Champions League scorer in the competition’s history when he bagged the winner against Inter Milan the following December.
      Spain boss Luis Enrique also handed Fati his international debut last year and has four caps so far.
      He sustained a serious knee injury last November and only returned at the start of this season.
      Cristiano Ronaldo trains with Manchester United ahead of Young Boys game More

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      Gareth Bale could be forced to wait for 100th Wales cap after suffering hamstring injury in Real Madrid training

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      GARETH BALE could be forced to wait to win his 100th Wales cap next month after suffering a hamstring injury.The Real Madrid superstar, 32, picked up the injury in training with the Spanish giants on Saturday and missed the 5-2 La Liga win over Celta Vigo.
      Test confirmed on Monday Bale has picked up a hamstring injury in training for Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Welshman Bale, who has also been ruled out of Real’s Champions League tie with Inter Milan on Wednesday, had a scan today and is anxiously waiting on the results.
      But both club and country fear he will be out for a number of weeks.
      The Wales captain returned okay from international duty last week but he broke down ahead of Real’s return to the Bernabeu at the weekend and left the final pre-match session with a bandage on his right thigh.
      Bale was set to reach his landmark appearance in the crunch 2022 World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Prague on October 8 but the news will be a major worry for boss Rob Page.
      Wales’ talisman showed his importance to Page and Co when he spared their blushes versus Belarus with a hat-trick, including an injury-time winner earlier this month.
      Bale, who has now scored an all-time record of 36 goals for the Dragons, also played in the goalless draw with Belarus and conceded afterwards the showdown with the Czechs in Group E is now ‘must-win’.
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      Wales are behind the Czechs in third place on goal difference with a game in hand in the race to reach the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar next winter.
      However, Wales still have to play Belgium, the leaders, in November while the Czechs have played Roberto Martinez’s side twice and have an easier run of matches on paper. 
      The injury is also a blow for Carlo Ancelotti and Real as Bale has said he is happy with life in Spain after being reintegrated following his loan spell at Tottenham. 
      After facing Inter Milan, Real are also due to take on Sheriff in the Champions League this month as well as league matches with Valencia, Mallorca, Villarreal and Espanyol.

      Bale has regularly been side-lined throughout his career and has missed 102 matches for Real due to injury since moving there in 2013.
      He also suffered from three injury setbacks in the 2020-21 season during his time back on loan with former club Tottenham.
      The forward was out for a total of 40 days with a knee problem, then ten days due to illness and a further 18 days due to another muscle injury.
      Gareth Bale ‘excited’ to watch Cristiano Ronaldo tear it up at Man Utd as he heaps praise on ex-Real Madrid team-mate More

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      Gareth Bale set for ‘long’ spell on sidelines after suffering hamstring injury in Real Madrid training

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      GARETH BALE is reportedly set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a new hamstring injury at Real Madrid.The Wales superstar picked up the problem in his right leg during training for the LaLiga giants, according to Spanish sports radio programme The Great Match of COPE.
      Test confirmed on Monday Bale has picked up a hamstring injury in training for Real MadridCredit: Getty
      It reports that medical tests on Monday revealed the problem, and that it is a “long-term injury, for which no specific time off is specified.”
      Bale suffered his latest setback during Real’s final training session at the Bernabeu on Saturday before their match against Celta Vigo the following day, which ended in a 5-2 victory.
      Pictures emerged on Saturday of Bale limping onto Real’s team bus with strapping around his right thigh.
      The former Tottenham favourite could not bend his leg as he stepped onto the vehicle.
      The 32-year-old looked like he was trying to not aggravate the injury.
      The timing could not be worse for Los Blancos, who have a hectic schedule before the next international break.

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      It means Bale could miss seven crucial games over the next month, including two Champions League fixtures.
      And it is likely he will not be fit enough to feature for Wales in the October international break either.
      Wales play the Czech Republic on October 8, a crucial World Cup qualifier, followed by Estonia on October 11.
      Bale has regularly been side-lined throughout his career and has missed 102 matches for Real due to injury since moving there in 2013.
      He also suffered from three injury setbacks in the 2020-21 season during his time back on loan with former club Tottenham.
      He was out for a total of 40 days with a knee problem, then 10 days due to illness and a further 18 days due to another muscle injury.
      Gareth Bale ‘excited’ to watch Cristiano Ronaldo tear it up at Man Utd as he heaps praise on ex-Real Madrid team-mate More

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      Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has to be rescued by police after jumping into Bernabeu crowd to celebrate goal with fans

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      VINICIUS JR needed police back-up to return to the pitch after wild celebrations with Real Madrid fans.The Brazilian sent supporters into a frenzy as he leapt into the stands after putting Real 3-2 up against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
      Vinicius Jr put Real Madrid 3-2 up against Celta Vigo on SundayCredit: EPA
      His celebrated with fans on Real’s first game back at the Santiago BernabeuCredit: Getty
      Finding the net on 54 minutes, the forward thumped the club crest on his chest before diving into the crowd at the newly-refurbished Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
      Such was the madness among the Bernabeu faithful that police had to wade in to extract the player so the match could resume.
      Ref Sanchez Martinez waited patiently for the star to return to the pitch before showing him a yellow card for the celebration.
      Real eventually swept aside Celta with a 5-2 victory in their first match back at the Bernabeu in 560 days.
      New signing Eduardo Camavinga marked his debut with a goal for Los Blancos, who sit top of La Liga with 10 points from a possible 12.
      Karim Benzema completed the scoring with a hat-trick as Real notched their third win of the season.

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      The Frenchman wrapped up the victory from the penalty spot for his third and Real’s fifth goal of the evening.
      Reports suggest it is increasingly likely Benzema will be joined by countryman Kylian Mbappe in Spain next season.
      The France striker is tipped to wind down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain and join Real on a free transfer next summer.
      Real saw transfer-window bids of around £137million and £145m rejected this year but are understood to be confident of landing their man in 2022.
      Camavinga says fleeing war ‘made me strong’ but credits family for meteoric rise as he is unveiled as Real Madrid player More

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      Chelsea and Tottenham joined by Barcelona in Franck Kessie transfer race with AC Milan ace available for FREE in summer

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      BARCELONA have reportedly joined Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign AC Milan star Franck Kessie.The Ivory Coast midfielder is one of Barca boss Ronald Koeman’s potential midfield targets alongside Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
      AC Milan star Franck Kessie has been linked with a move away from the club in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Kessie, 24, is yet to agree a contract extension with the Serie A giants and could leave the San Siro on a free transfer at the end of the season.
      Koeman is in the process of a major squad rebuild after a number of big departures including captain Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain this summer and has highlighted the midfield as a key area.
      Cash-strapped Barca are also rumoured to be tracking Foxes playmaker Tielemans, 24, but Kessie would represent a cheaper option due to his contract situation.
      Spurs and Chelsea have also been linked with a swoop for Kessie in the January transfer window.
      Kessie rejected Milan’s latest contract offer of £5.5million including bonuses over five years, according to Tutto Sport.
      The Ivorian has established himself as a key player at the Rossoneri following his switch from Atalanta in 2019.

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      Central midfielder Kessie had previously spent two seasons on loan at Milan had bagged 30 goals in 185 club appearances.
      He has been heavily linked with a move to one of the two London-based Premier League giants this summer.
      It was suggested Spurs would be keen to do a swap deal for Kessie with Milan involving their unsettled French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, 24.

      Spurs are believed to have already held talks with Kessie’s agent but Chelsea are reportedly ready to match any offer on the table.
      And big-spending PSG are also said to be considering a swap deal for Kessie.
      The Ligue 1 giants are reportedly willing to exchange either Mauro Icardi or Leandro Paredes.
      Lionel Messi tipped to return to Barcelona and retire after winning Champions League with PSG by Riquelme More

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      Real Madrid 5 Celta Vigo 2: Wonderkid Camavinga nets on debut and Benzema gets hat-trick as Los Blancos come from behind

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      EDUARDO CAMAVINGA marked his Real Madrid debut with a goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s men battled back to beat Celta Vigo 5-2.Karim Benzema also scored a hat-trick as Real played at a newly-refurbished Bernabeu stadium for the first time in 560 days.

      Eduardo Camavinga came off the bench to score on his Real Madrid debutCredit: Reuters
      It was the visitors who drew first blood in the Spanish capital when Santi Mina fired Vigo ahead after just four minutes.
      But Benzema got Real back on level terms with his first of the night in the 24th minute.
      Vigo then went in front again on the half-hour mark thanks to Franco Cervi.
      And they went in at the half-time break 2-1 up.
      There must have been some angry words from Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti in the changing room.
      That’s because Real came out of the tunnel with renewed purpose as Benzema immediately restored parity.

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      Vinicius Jr finally put the hosts ahead for the first time when he hit the target in the 54th minute.
      And Camavinga, a £27million summer arrival from Rennes, came off the bench to open his account in the 72nd minute.
      Benzema then ensured he went off with the match ball by completing his hat-trick with an 87th minute penalty.
      And the result kept Real joint-top of the table with city rivals Atletico and a resurgent Valencia.

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      Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick as Real came back to beat Celta Vigo 5-2Credit: Getty
      Real take on Jose Bordalas’ men next weekend.
      But they first face a tough trip to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.
      The two sides met in last season’s group stage, with Real winning on both occasions to nick the last knockout spot.
      Camavinga says fleeing war ‘made me strong’ but credits family for meteoric rise as he is unveiled as Real Madrid player More

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      Antoine Griezmann hooked after just 58 minutes of Atletico Madrid return – and he won’t want to see his stats

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      ANTOINE GRIEZMANN lasted just 58 minutes on his return to Atletico Madrid.And the striker’s stats from his second debut do not make for pleasant viewing.
      Antoine Griezmann had a horror second debut for Atletico Madrid as he was subbed before the hour markCredit: AP
      Griezmann, 30, returned to the Wanda Metropolitano on deadline day after Barcelona agreed to a loan deal.
      The deal will be made permanent for £34million next summer should Griezmann play in 50 per cent of matches he’s eligible for.
      And Atletico fans will be hoping Griezmann can add to the 133 goals from his first spell, while also helping to deliver another LaLiga title.
      However, judging by today’s performance in the 2-1 win against Espanyol, the France international may need some time to adjust to his ‘new’ surroundings.
      Espanyol took the lead in the 40th minute thanks to Raul de Tomas’ strike.
      And Atletico needed two goals in the last ten minutes from Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Lemar to secure victory.

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      Lasting just 58 minutes as strike partner to Luis Suarez before being hooked, Squawka reports Griezmann only had two shots all game – with neither one on target.
      The forward also failed to complete zero of his take-ons, and created just three chances.
      Griezmann’s passing wasn’t much better, completing just 24 while recording an accuracy of 71 per cent.
      And fans were quick to pass judgement online.
      One tweeted: “Griezmann and Suarez starting? Never again. Felix added so much more than Griezmann, he was basically non existent.”

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      Another said: “The team is way more fluid without Griezmann and Suarez. The whole team play is more effective now than when he was there before.”
      One noted: “Everyone looked more comfortable with Griezmann off the pitch.”
      Another added: “Thought Griezmann would be better back at Atleti, but he’s really bad.”
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