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Italy avoid old tormentors: the draw for the European play-offs
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the European play-offs for the four remaining World Cup spots. This was determined by Thursday afternoon’s draw.
Playing at Camp Nou is very different
Barcelona thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on their return to Camp Nou, almost three years later. When the stadium first opened in 1957, it was against a Polish team. Yesterday, it was a Polish forward, Lewandowski, who scored the first goal in the new version of the ground.
Marseille thrash Nice and move into provisional first place in France
Marseille crushed Nice 5-1 at the Allianz Riviera, delivering a dominant performance that temporarily put them at the top of Ligue 1. Aubameyang and Greenwood shone in attack, with Greenwood scoring twice to reach 10 league goals, while Weah and Igor Paixão also added to the tally.
Furious Mourinho tears into Benfica players
José Mourinho is not at all pleased with Benfica’s squad. The coach of the Portuguese giants faces Ajax on Tuesday in the Champions League and has fired up his players with a heated tirade. And that after a victory.
Palmer was close to returning for Chelsea
Cole Palmer will miss at least the next three Chelsea games, including the Champions League clash with Barcelona, after suffering a toe injury in a domestic accident just as he was about to return from a groin problem. The 23 year old has already been out for two months and missed 11 matches, and is now expected to be sidelined for a further two weeks.
Amorim hopes to see more of the player De Ligt was at Ajax
Rúben Amorim is very happy with how Matthijs de Ligt has been asserting himself lately as Manchester United’s defensive leader. Still, there is one aspect in the 26-year-old defender’s game where there is plenty of room for improvement, according to the Portuguese manager.
Luis Díaz apparently suspended for one Champions League match
Next Wednesday, Luis Díaz will not be available for Bayern in London. After that, he will be again.
Haaland one goal away from smashing the Premier League record
Erling Haaland can shoot himself into the Premier League history books on Saturday. The Norwegian superstar needs only one more goal to become the fastest player to reach one hundred Premier League goals. The current record held by Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer could be shattered at St James’ Park.
Criticism for Gravenberch as Liverpool struggle
In Liverpool’s current slump, attention is falling on key figures such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, while manager Arne Slot is also facing criticism. Analysts have noted that Ryan Gravenberch is likewise a shadow of his usual self.
The grand return of Gerard Moreno
The striker has now scored in four consecutive matches after returning to action two months later.