La Liga

REAL MADRID players were reportedly left ‘baffled’ by Zinedine Zidane’s team selection for yesterday’s shock 4-1 defeat at Valencia.
An own-goal from Raphael Varane and THREE Carlos Soler penalties wiped out Karim Benzema’s opener to upset the odds and send Real back to the capital with their second loss in LaLiga.

Real Madrid players are not happy with Zinedine Zidane’s tinkeringCredit: Reuters

Real were without key men Eden Hazard and Casemiro for the trip to the Mestalla after they both tested positive for coronavirus.
But Marca claims players were left flummoxed when neither Ferland Mendy or Toni Kroos made the starting XI on match day.
Instead, veteran Marcelo and outcast Isco were thrust into the team after spending most of the season on the bench.
And the move backfired as a disjointed Real side were roundly beaten by their hosts.

It’s reckoned that regulars in the side could not get their heads around Zidane’s reasoning for including Marcelo and Isco while leaving out two of his star players.
And the questioning is sure to put Zidane’s future under even more pressure after he also suffered two defeats from the first three Champions League group stage games.
Indeed, he too was left puzzled by Real’s collapse at Valencia, saying: “We started the first half hour well.
“After the first goal we fell apart and changed the dynamics. Everything happened to us: three penalties, an own goal. It is difficult to understand.

“There is no justification or excuses.
“I don’t think Valencia has been tactically better than us. The only thing is that we started well and everything changed after the goal.
“This is difficult to understand but yes, the one most responsible is me. We must find solutions after the goal they scored.”

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BARCELONA wonderkid Ansu Fati is out for up to FIVE months after having surgery on his knee.
The teenage winger, 18, suffered a ruptured internal meniscus in his left knee in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Real Betis.

Barcelona ace Ansu Fati is out for up to five months after undergoing knee surgeryCredit: Rex Features

Barcelona confirmed Fati would need to go under the knife to fix the problem.
And they have now revealed he will be out for up to five months following the surgery – although they hope to have him back sooner.
Fati only made his Barcelona debut last season but went on to score eight times in 33 games under Quique Setien.
He has since nailed down a regular starting spot with new boss Ronald Koeman, playing ten matches while netting five goals.

Fati became the youngest-ever player to score in El Clasico when he fired home in last month’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.
He was already Barcelona’s youngest goalscorer in their history, as well as being their second youngest debutant at 16 years and 298 days.
And he became Spain’s youngest debutant in 84 years when he won his first cap against Germany in September, shortly before becoming their youngest goalscorer days later against Ukraine.
Nou Camp fans believe Fati can reach the very top, and stats prove he is already outscoring the legendary Lionel Messi at the same age.

Fati hurt himself in Saturday’s 5-2 win against Real BetisCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

Manchester United were linked with a stunning move for Fati over the summer, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly ready to meet his then-£154million release clause.
But Barca moved quickly to tie him down to a new contract, with Fati’s release clause soaring to an eye-watering £367m.
His injury is sure to deal a huge blow to Koeman’s upcoming plans, with Barcelona currently eighth in LaLiga after winning just three of their first seven games.
But Fati’s absence could see outcast Ousmane Dembele get another chance in the side.
He has just 18 months left on his contract and his future looks unclear after Barcelona also signed young wingers Francisco Trincao and Pedri over the summer.
But a run of games in the starting XI could see Dembele force his way back into Koeman’s long-term vision.

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RAPHAEL VARANE has been slammed as a ‘shadow of himself’ by Karim Benzema’s former agent.
Real Madrid slumped to fourth in LaLiga after a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Valencia on Sunday night.

Raphael Varane made a hash of a clearance to allow Valencia the lead on SundayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Not only did Los Blancos concede THREE penalties to their opponents, they let in a cataclysmic own goal thanks to an error from Varane.
A Maxi Gomez cross was meekly intercepted by the French defender, who managed to balloon the ball up into the air from six yards out.
And his weak clearance dropped back down over the goalline, as Varane and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois flapped helplessly at the ball.
The incident prompted Karim Djaziri, who represented Benzema for 15 years earlier in his career, to critique the centre-back’s performances of late.

He tweeted: “Since the Manchester City match, [Varane] has been a shadow of himself.”
Indeed, the Champions League trip to Etihad Stadium saw Varane hand two golden opportunities on a plate to City attackers as Real lost 2-1.

I’m the one responsible. There are no excuses. After the first goal, we dropped our guard. Everything piled up today.
Zinedine Zidane

The 27-year-old signed for Los Blancos as a teenager and boasts one of the most impressive trophy cabinets in football, including a World Cup, four Champions League crowns and three LaLiga titles.
He has played in all-but one of Madrid’s game in 2020-21, with the Spanish giants enjoying a strong defence of their league title until Sunday’s loss.

Defending has been a particular issue in the Champions League and Real have won just once in that competition having conceded seven goals in three games.
But Varane was far from the only man coming in for criticism after the defeat at Estadio Mestalla.

Karim Benzema’s ex-agent gave his take on the defender

The striker’s early goal had given Real Madrid the lead in ValenciaCredit: Reuters

Zinedine Zidane was cut down by Spanish media for ‘suicidal rotations’ following Ferland Mendy and Toni Kroos’ removal from the line-up.
Replacement left-back Marcelo gave away the second penalty as Valencia went 3-1 up, for a clumsy lunge on Gomez.
Benzema had put Madrid a goal up with a deflected finish from range before Lucas Vazquez’s handball conceded the first spot-kick.
Sergio Ramos got in on the act after the hour mark, handballing in the box to allow Carlos Soler his third penalty and an unlikely hat-trick for the midfielder.

Real Madrid boss Zidane insists club legend Ramos will be with club forever More

ZINEDINE ZIDANE was slammed for his ‘suicidal rotations’ as Real Madrid suffered their third defeat in three weeks.
Los Blancos were thumped 4-1 by Valencia on Sunday despite Karim Benzema’s stunning 23rd-minute opener.

Zinedine Zidane took full responsibility for Real Madrid’s 4-1 defeat to Valencia on SundayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The reigning LaLiga champions suffered shock defeats at home to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donetsk in OctoberCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Carlos Soler equalised with a retaken penalty ten minutes before half-time before a bizarre Raphael Varane own goal sent Real in trailing at the break.
A further two spot kicks from Soler in the second half ensured he completed a bonkers hat-trick.
The result followed back-to-back losses at home to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donetsk’s second-string side in October as pressure mounts on Zidane, whose side are fourth in LaLiga.
Spanish newspaper AS branded the Frenchman’s team selection ‘suicidal’ as he brought in Marcelo and Isco for Ferland Mendy and Toni Kroos – the pair’s first start since the Cadiz game.

Marcelo gave away the second penalty with a clumsy foul while Isco was ineffective in both defence and attack before eventually being substituted after 83 minutes.
Zidane, who did not even turn to his bench until after Valencia’s fourth went in, shouldered the blame for the defeat.
The 48-year-old said: “After the goal, we let our guard down a bit and changed what we were doing.
“Everything happened to us, to be fair. It’s difficult to understand our game.

The Spanish press laid into Zidane after the shock result as pressure mounts on the Frenchman

Carlos Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties to sink Los BlancosCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“I don’t think Valencia were better than us tactically. But I’m the one responsible because I have to find solutions.
“There are no excuses. After the first goal, we dropped our guard. Everything piled up today.
“It’s true that we weren’t how we were before at the back.”
Asked specifically on the decision to start Isco and Marcelo, Zidane added: “They’re all Real Madrid players and that’s why I chose that XI.”

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BARCELONA boss Ronald Koeman has explained why he benched Lionel Messi against Real Betis.
The Argentine superstar was left among the subs for the Catalan giants’ 5-2 win yesterday but came on in the second-half to score twice.

Lionel Messi was left on the bench for Barcelona’s game against Real BetisCredit: EPA

Coach Ronald Koeman was forced to explain why after the gameCredit: AP:Associated Press

Messi was determined to leave the Nou Camp in the summer.
And he was said to have been unimpressed by former-Everton boss Koeman after initial conversations between the pair upon the Dutchman’s August appointment.
However, Koeman confirmed his exclusion – for the first time in a year – had nothing to do with any rift.
The 57-year-old said: “Since yesterday we talked and he had some discomfort from the game against Dynamo Kyiv.

“We decided it was best to leave him on the bench in case we needed him.
“Without discomfort, he would have played.
“We know who he is and I have no doubts about him.
“I watch him work every day.

“He was not a starter today, but in the second half he was very important.”
Ousmane Dembele put Barca one up after 22 minutes before Antonio Sanabria equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half time.
Messi replaced Ansu Fati – who faces months out with a serious knee injury – just a minute into the second period before Antione Griezmann put the Catalans in front again.
And the Argentine converted a penalty before Lorenzo Garcia pulled one back to set up a tense finish.
But Messi’s second on 82 minutes put the game to bed and Pedri struck in the 90th minute to put the icing on the cake.
Barca beat Dynamo Kiev 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
And during the game Messi was criticised for walking.
But Koeman was quick to defend him after the game, telling reporters he is ‘not interested’ in such complaints.

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BARCELONA wonderkid Ansu Fati faces months out after injuring his knee in Saturday’s 5-2 home victory over Real Betis.
Fati’s half-time replacement Lionel Messi transformed a 1-1 stalemate into a romp with a double as Barca won for the first time in five LaLiga games.

Barca and Spain teenager Ansu Fati feels the pain with a rupture that seems sure to rule him out until the new yearCredit: Rex Features

Record-breaking starlet Ansu Fati was replaced by match-turner Lionel Messi at half-time after this knee injury against Real BetisCredit: AP:Associated Press

But that inspirational intervention failed to overshadow 18-year-old Spain winger Fati rupturing the internal meniscus on his left knee.
Barca soon confirmed the injury, with LaLiga’s player of the month for September likely to be out until the new year.
That’s a major blow for club and country in a sensational breakthrough season for the four-cap starlet.

Fati has already hit five goals in ten matches this term, including becoming the youngest El Clasico scorer, at 17 years and 359 days old.

And he is certainly an expert at lowering the age mark for records at the highest level.
Last term he became the youngest scorer for Barcelona in LaLiga and also for any team in the Champions League.
And two months ago he set a new low age mark for Spain when he struck against Ukraine in the Nations League.
Now, though, Fati is tipped to sit out Barca’s huge league trip to leaders Atletico Madrid later in November and is doubtful for the Spanish Super Cup, set for January in Saudi Arabia. 

Meanwhile, the maestro he is backed to eventually succeed as a Nou Camp legend showed he is still the main man.
Messi, 33, took his season’s tally to seven, albeit his second strike of the night was the first goal he has scored NOT from the penalty spot.
Ousmane Dembele had fired Barca in front and Antoine Griezmann had a penalty saved, but Antonio Sanabria rifled Betis level.

Messi then helped provide Griezmann’s goal and netted twice himself, with Pedri bagging a late fifth.
Betis defender Aissa Mandi saw red for handling Dembele’s shot on the line, giving Messi his sixth successful penalty of the campaign.  
And although Moron briefly made it 4-2, Messi had a hat-trick goal ruled out for a Roberto offside before Pedro’s clincher.

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THIERRY HENRY has hit back at ‘ludicrous’ criticism of Lionel Messi that he “walked back to defend” during the Champions League win against Dynamo Kiev.
The Argentine six-time Ballon d’Or winner was criticised after footage emerged of him walking back as the Ukrainians looked for a late equaliser in the 2-1 midweek Champions League win for Barcelona.

Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry during their time at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images Sport Classic – Getty

Lionel Messi walks back as Kiev look for a last-minute equaliser

Messi also had his commitment and desire questioned in the 8-2 demolition job in the quarter-final win for Bayern Munich last season.
But Henry, a former team-mate of Messi’s at Barcelona, said: “Yeah maybe in one game he’s tired, and so what?
“We’re talking about a guy that scored more goals than he played games. People forget that we’re not machines.
“In the Clasico, five or six times he went to tackle someone by the corner flag, but that doesn’t make the news – that’s when I just don’t get it. We’re still talking about that.

“If you want to find some stuff, there is one guy you have to leave alone. Leave him alone. Because when he is not going to be on the field, we’re all going to cry.
“I understand that you need to sell stuff and you need to make stories, but not this guy. Seriously. I played with Leo, this is not the guy you need to attack.
“This is what I don’t understand – and he gets his credit, don’t get me wrong – but sometimes picking on the guy just for the sake of picking on the guy.
“What he has done for football, what he has done for Barcelona, it’s second to none.

“So I don’t understand when people question his desire. This is what bothers me. Sometimes guys pushed the ball by me and I walked!
“It wasn’t because of desire, sometimes I was tired, sometimes I just couldn’t do it, my brain wasn’t following me, it can happen or not happen.

“But how can you question the desire of Leo Messi? Really!? It’s just, for me, ludicrous. When I hear that I’m like, ‘What? Are we questioning his desire?!’
“You can be bad, yes he can do better – well, I don’t even know if he can do more than he does – but questioning his desire? Please. Leo Messi is just an animal. Assists, passes, forget about it, we can stay all day.
“It’s pretty simple for me: just enjoy the guy while he’s there and stop complaining about stuff that he doesn’t do. It doesn’t happen often, let’s be honest, but like I said, if there is a guy that deserves a pass, it’s him.”
Henry was being interviewed on CBS Sports podcast Que Golazo.
Messi and Henry were team-mates at the Nou Camp for three years after the France World Cup winner joined Barca from Arsenal in 2007.
The Argentine is set to leave Barcelona next summer, with Manchester City favourites to sign him.
Barca boss Ronald Koeman has also defended Messi.
He said: “You can get an image of a player when he walks. I haven’t seen it and I’m not interested.
“My thoughts on his attitude are very good. I don’t agree with the idea of creating controversy.
“If with a 2-1 lead and in the 93rd minute you get an image of him walking – you cannot be more attentive to the images than to the work.”

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