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      Fuming Xavi tells players they are NOT Barcelona from 2010 as he demands flops ‘run like animals’ to have a chance

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      XAVI has told his Barcelona flops to “run like animals” to have a chance of emulating the club’s former glories.The Barca manager was left fuming after his side’s 3-2 victory over Almeria on Wednesday.
      Xavi told his Barcelona flops to ‘run like animals’ after their win over AlmeriaCredit: Reuters
      Barcelona were twice pegged back by La Liga’s bottom club, who are yet to win a league match this season.
      Only Sergi Roberto’s 83rd minute winner was enough to rescue all three points for the Spanish champions.
      Speaking after the match, an enraged Xavi exclaimed: “I can’t accept our first half, it’s my fault and it won’t happen again.
      “We were not aggressive. It’s unacceptable.
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      “We are NOT Barça 2010 here. Run like animals or no chance. Fight on every ball or we won’t win any title.
      “We need to fight. I wanna see passion.”
      Xavi’s dissatisfaction with the first half display saw him drag off both Andreas Christensen and Joao Felix at the break.
      His changes would ultimately pay off late on as Roberto scored his second of the match with seven minutes remaining.
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      The victory ended a three match winless run for the Blaugrana, who remain third in La Liga.
      However, the six point gap to surprise leaders Girona could be extended once more when they play on Thursday night.
      Xavi returned to Barca in 2021 after winning 25 trophies and making 767 appearances for the club as a player.
      He added to that haul by winning the title by 10 points from Real Madrid last term.
      His side are not in league action again now until January 4, when they visit Las Palmas.
      Sergi Roberto scored an 83rd minute winner against Almeria on Wednesday nightCredit: Alamy More

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      My dad is legendary football manager of Champions League giants – now I’m following in his footsteps as his assistant

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      DAVIDE ANCELOTTI is following in his father’s footsteps in football management.Carlo Ancelotti, 64, is one of the most decorated managers currently working in football.
      Davide Ancelotti is the assistant coach for his father CarloCredit: Getty
      He is on his way to becoming a manager in his own rightCredit: Alamy
      The Italian boasts an incredible trophy cabinet, including titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
      Ancelotti has also won a host of domestic cup competitions as well as the Champions League on four occasions.
      He keeps his family close however as his son, Davide, is currently his assistant at Real Madrid.
      The retired midfielder had a short playing career having been at AC Milan and Borgomanero.
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      However, he hung up is boots at just 22 in 2009 in order to pursue a career in management.
      The now 34-year-old first foray into coaching came in 2012 as he started working at PSG as a fitness coach.
      His work coincided with his dad working as the first-team manager at the club.
      He earned his Uefa A licence in 2016 and became his father’s assistant for the first time at Bayern.
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      Davide followed his dad to jobs at Napoli, Everton and now Madrid.
      While at the Toffees the Italian would take sessions with club legend Duncan Ferguson.
      Davide has taken charge on the touchline for Madrid already in his career.
      However, he was not able to give instructions as he did not have his Uefa pro licence during the match against Celta Vigo in 2022.
      He has since been awarded the licence after completing a coaching course in Wales earlier this year.
      Davide has been hailed as Madrid’s “bad cop” in the past.
      He was credited with a plan to beat Chelsea in last season’s Champions League in which he wanted his team to use the “dark arts”.
      He has already started to attract interest from clubs keen to give him the top job.
      In April, Swiss side FC Basel were linked with a move.
      He was also tipped as a replacement for Frank Lampard after he was aced at Everton.
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      There has also been international interest.
      Father Carlo has been heavily linked to the Brazil job and the rumours have also suggested that Davide could follow suit.
      The pair often exchange tactical ideasCredit: Getty
      Davide has worked with his dad at many of Europe’s top clubsCredit: Getty More

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      La Liga stadium undergoes stunning transformation with running track demolished and capacity increased

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      MALLORCA’S ground is undergoing a stunning makeover shortly after its renovation began.The LaLiga giants’ Son Moix Stadium has been undergoing a redevelopment since May of last year.
      Mallorca’s Son Moix Stadium is undergoing a stunning makeoverCredit: Getty
      The running track has been removed at Mallorca’s redeveloped groundCredit: Getty
      The stands have also come closer to the goal postsCredit: Getty
      Last season, the Spanish venue looked dated as it still had a running track around it, which didn’t really impress the fans.
      However, the club have put together an £18million project that includes the stadium’s transformation.
      The running track is already gone, with stands behind the goals now much closer to the pitch.
      A canopy has also been built over the upper part of the eastern stand, while arches were removed and replaced by additional usable space.
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      However, the redevelopment is not expected to be completed until mid-2024.
      And when the new and improved Son Moix Stadium opens its doors it will host a capacity of around 23,000.
      Mallorca announced at the start of the project: “Our home will be remodelled with the aim of adapting the current stadium to the needs of both the city of Palma de Mallorca and fans in collaboration with the city council.
      “Plans to transform the Visit Mallorca Estadi into a modern, inclusive stadium will include further transport, culture, welfare, sporting, social and leisure services to its local community.”
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      However, Mallorca are facing the prospect of playing in their redeveloped ground in the Segunda Division next season.
      That is because Javier Aguirre’s side are 15th in the LaLiga table, with only two points separating them from the relegation zone.
      Therefore, the Spanish outfit will have to improve if they hope to have the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona visiting next term. More

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      Man Utd ‘want controversial swap transfer for former Leeds star’ in bid to offload Jadon Sancho

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing a shock swap deal with Barcelona involving Jadon Sancho, according to reports.The Red Devils are open to sending the exiled winger to Spain in order to sweeten a deal for Raphinha.
      Jadon Sancho is looking for a Man Utd escape routeCredit: Alamy
      Man Utd are supposedly open to replacing him with Barcelona’s RaphinhaCredit: Getty
      Man Utd want to sell Sancho in January with him yet to feature since his public fall out with Erik ten Hag.
      The England star has not played since claiming the manager treats him like a “scapegoat” after being left out a matchday squad on September 3.
      And having refusing to apologise to Ten Hag, Sancho is currently banned from first-team training.
      There was interest in the 23-year-old from Juventus, who have since reportedly pulled out the race.
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      RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Saudi Arabian clubs remain possible destinations.
      But speculation from Spanish outlet SPORT says that Barcelona could join the battle for him.
      The Catalan giants want to offload Raphinha with Man Utd keen and they are willing to offer Sancho and cash in a deal for the ex-Leeds star.
      However, the Brazilian currently does not want to leave the Nou Camp despite struggling for form this season.
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      Raphinha has scored just two goals in 16 matches this season.
      Claims also suggest that a Saudi Arabian club could tempt him to the Middle East if a return to the Premier League does not materialise.
      The 27-year-old has previously been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham. More

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      Watch Jude Bellingham and his stunned mum get mobbed by fans as Real Madrid ace tries to go on shopping trip in Spain

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM was surrounded by adoring fans as he took to the streets of Madrid for a shopping trip with his mum.The Real Madrid and England superstar, 20, has made a breathtaking start to life at the Bernabeu, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 20 matches.
      Jude Bellingham was surrounded by fans as he shopped with his mumCredit: tiktok: javibridgee3
      Bellingham posed for selfies as mom, Denise, looked on in disbelief at the attention he receivedCredit: tiktok: javibridgee3
      (L-R) Jobe, Denise, Jude and Mark Bellingham pose for photos after the England international joined Real MadridCredit: X
      His instant impact has seen the Los Blancos faithful take to him with open arms as their new talisman.
      And the adoration for Bellingham was there for all to see in the Spanish capital this week as the England star tried to do a spot of Christmas shopping.
      As the midfielder prepared to cross the street, he was met by a host of fans who wanted selfies with the footballer.
      Bellingham obliged to some of their requests as his mum, Denise, looked on stunned at the response her son was receiving.
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      Bellingham’s mum moved to Madrid with her son when he completed his £115million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
      Meanwhile, his dad, Mark, stayed in England and made the switch from Birmingham to Sunderland after his younger son, Jobe, joined the Black Cats in June.
      Earlier this month, Jobe, 18, was linked with joining Jude at Real Madrid as rumours of the Spaniards eyeing him up began to surface.
      Meanwhile, Jude won the Golden Boy award two weeks ago.
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      Bellingham’s stunning stats in LaLiga so far this season
      After collecting the award, he lovingly embraced his father who had flown over to attend the ceremony in Italy.
      In his speech, Bellingham said: “I’m proud to win the Golden Boy Award. My secret is the responsibility since I was a kid in the Academy. I love that.
      “I want to get better every day and help Real Madrid. My focus is on that.
      “Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I’m proud to play for Madrid. I want to win all the trophies with my club and [the] England national team.” More

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      Jubilant Arsenal fans beg ‘inject it into my veins’ as Gunners make massive signing from Real Madrid

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      JUBILANT Arsenal fans rejoiced as they landed a massive signing from Real Madrid.And Mikel Arteta will be desperately hoping he can hit the ground running in North London.
      Mikel Arteta has got Paulo Xavier as his new South America scout from Real MadridCredit: Alamy

      According to The Athletic, the Gunners have managed to snap up Paulo Xavier.
      Xavier was Los Blancos’ Latin America scout.
      But after taking the job in September 2017, it is understood he has already left the 14-time European champions and started in his new role – although it is yet to be formally confirmed.
      The report adds that Xavier will operate in South America alongside two other Arsenal scouts.
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      He was a key member of the scouting team headed up by Juni Calafat with Real Madrid.
      And he played an important role in the Spanish giants securing the transfers for youngsters Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and the £60million Endrick – dubbed the heir to Neymar’s throne.
      So Gunners supporters are very excited about the new recruit and the gems he could unearth in South America.
      One said: “Inject it in my veins. We are massive.”
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      Another wrote: “Waooo great move.”
      A third added: “We are cooking on and off the pitch.”
      And a final user replied: “This team has finally brought joy in my heart.”
      Before his Bernabeu gig, Xavier had a short stint with Manchester United which followed two years with the Brazilian Football Confederation.
      Arsenal’s sporting director Edu was also with the CBF at the time and oversaw the new appointment at the Emirates.
      And the Emirates chief has plenty of his own intel in the market Xavier will be working in thanks to his Brazilian connections.
      The Gunners found compatriots Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos as teenagers.
      Brazilian Edu is sporting director at ArsenalCredit: Reuters More

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      Forgotten Premier League flop named third Sevilla boss of the season as fans say ‘he should be used to it’

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      QUIQUE SANCHEZ FLORES has been named as the new manager of Sevilla.He is the club’s third manager of the season already.
      Flores is the club’s third coach already this seasonCredit: EPA
      The LaLiga side started the season with José Luis Mendilibar in charge before appointing Diego Alonso.
      Flores has not managed since he was in charge of Getafe in LaLiga.
      He resigned in February with the club in the relegation zone, citing personal reasons.
      Flores is known in England for his two stints as Watford coach.
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      He first managed the club between 2015 and 2016, guiding the team to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and achieving a mid-table finish.
      Despite this, he was dismissed in May 2016.
      He returned to the club in September 2019 but his ill-fated spell lasted only until November after achieving just a single victory.
      One fan on Twitter said “Sevilla three coaches a season” ,alongside a laughing emoji.
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      That led one to reply: “He should be used to it!” after Flores’ spell in charge of trigger-happy Watford.
      Another fan wrote: “The Sevilla hot seat is getting plenty of action! Can’t wait to see what Quique brings to the table. Exciting times ahead for the team!”
      While another wrote: “Getting sacked in February.”
      Sevilla are having a disastrous season so far.
      The club are completely out of Europe and skirting around the edges of the relegation zone. More

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      Ex-Barcelona star’s mum locked in a room as three masked burglars raid family home and make off with luxury watches

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      LALIGA star Keita Balde has had his home plundered by burglars – who locked his MUM in a room during the raid.Senegal international Balde currently plays for Barcelona-based Espanyol on loan from Spartak Moscow.
      Keita Balde plays for Espanyol in SpainCredit: Rex
      The Catalan-born winger’s past clubs include Lazio, Monaco, Inter Milan, Sampdoria and Cagliari.
      He was awarded a knighthood in Senegal for his part in the country’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations success.
      But the 28-year-old suffered a terrifying blow last week when three masked raiders broke into his home at Arenys de Mar, near Barcelona.
      Catalan police sources told local media that thugs terrorised Balde’s mother, who was alone at the time, and forced her into a room.
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      They then used an angle grinder to open a safe, stealing designer watches and other valuables, before escaping via a concealed rear exit.
      The player’s mum was left shocked but unharmed, and managed to alert police.
      Balde, capped 40 times by Senegal, spent six years in Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before making his senior debut with Lazio in 2013.
      He has launched an official complaint, and Catalonia’s Mossos d’Esquadra police have opened an inquiry.
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      The robbery took place last Monday, but details took the best part of a week to emerge.
      Balde made a substitute appearance in Espanyol’s 1-1 Segunda Division draw at Andorra on Saturday.
      He instantly helped them go ahead with an own goal, but was booked during added time. More