Sports
Mbappe promises not to change after being handed France captaincy
NEW France skipper Kylian Mbappe said he would not change after being given the armband by coach Didier Deschamps for the Euro 2024 qualifiers as he promised to be “a different captain” to long-term predecessor Hugo Lloris.
“I don’t have great experience of being a captain and we have important players in the team. I don’t want to decide or impose anything on anyone,” the 24-year-old told reporters Thursday on the eve of France’s home clash with the Netherlands.
“We are a united group and we have shown that when we are all pulling together we can do great things. It would be an error for me to shake all that up.”
He added: “I am not going to change. People listen to what I have to say in the dressing room. I just need to use my words in the right way.”
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar has taken on the armband after veteran goalkeeper Lloris, skipper for more than a decade, retired from international duty in the wake of France’s run to the World Cup final in Doha at the end of last year.
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Deschamps chose Mbappe over Antoine Griezmann despite the 117-times capped Atletico Madrid player being more senior at the age of 32.
Griezmann will instead be Mbappe’s deputy.
“I spoke to Antoine because he was disappointed and frankly it is understandable,” Mbappe said.
“I told him that I might have reacted in the same way. What I told him was that as long as I am captain and he is vice captain, I won’t be superior to him.
“He has an experience of playing for France that I don’t have. He is held in high esteem and is liked by the whole squad so it would be a shame for us not benefit from his experience, and his zest for life as well.”
‘Something to enjoy’
Mbappe shunned the media for much of the World Cup, which he ended as the top scorer with eight goals after scoring a breathtaking hat-trick in the final.
He will now be obliged to speak ahead of every game, but he insisted that will not be a problem.
“Putting all the responsibility to one side it is something to enjoy. I was really pleased when I found out,” said Mbappe, who also indicated he would continue to speak out on important issues, unlike the more reserved Lloris.
Mbappe notably spoke out on social media when French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet indicated in January that he wouldn’t have answered the phone to Zinedine Zidane if the France legend had called him to express an interest in taking over as coach from Deschamps.
Mbappe said Le Graet had shown “a lack of respect”. Le Graet recently stepped down after a series of scandals.
“Everyone acts differently as a captain depending on their personality. I am not like Hugo and Hugo is not like me,” Mbappe said.
“I don’t think the coach made me captain thinking I would be the same as Hugo.”
After facing the Netherlands at the Stade de France on Friday, France will visit the Republic of Ireland on Monday.
Their Euro 2024 qualifying group also features Greece and Gibraltar.
The Dutch team are without several players, including Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo and Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, after a virus swept through their camp.
Dutch media reports have suggested food poisoning may have been the cause.
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Sports
Ancelotti says mission accomplished as Real Madrid reach cup final
Ancelotti says mission accomplished as Real Madrid reach cup final
It was mission accomplished, said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti after his side fought back from two-goals behind to snatch a rip-roaring 4-4 draw on Tuesday for a 5-4 aggregate win that put them through against Real Sociedad to the Copa del Rey final.
Ancelotti brushed off questions about a sub-par performance by Real Madrid and praised his players’ effort in what he considered a highly entertaining encounter.
“We have achieved our goal today which was to reach the final and there is not much time to think about it,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“It was an entertaining game with some mistakes and a lot of good things. It was fun and we are in the final.
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“I never saw ourselves out of it because anything can happen at the Bernabeu. When we have to come from behind, we never give up. We never give up, especially at home, with the fans by our side.”
Ancelotti said David Alaba was not to blame after he deflected two balls into his own goal, calling it “bad luck” by the Austrian defender, but urged his defence to play with better focus moving forward.
“It’s not good to concede four goals in a game,” Ancelotti said.
“Right now we are a team that has a lot of effectiveness up-front, but little balance.
“However, we can’t ignore what we did in attack, scoring four goals against Real is not that easy. I think we are doing quite well.”
Real Madrid, who have won the Spanish Cup only once in over a decade, will play either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in a mouth-watering final in Seville next month.
Atletico fought back to hold Barca to a thrilling 4-4 draw ahead of Wednesday’s second-leg in Madrid.
Ancelotti says mission accomplished as Real Madrid reach cup final
Sports
Saka’s stunning return powers Arsenal to victory over Fulham
Saka’s stunning return powers Arsenal to victory over Fulham
Arsenal secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, with Bukayo Saka making a triumphant return from injury to score the decisive goal.
The match saw the Gunners dominate possession, but it was Fulham who came closest to scoring in the opening stages.
Arsenal struggled to break down their resolute defence early on, with Gabriel Martinelli having a goal ruled out for offside and several opportunities narrowly missed.
In the 37th minute, Mikel Merino gave Arsenal the lead, collecting a pass from Ethan Nwaneri to strike a low shot past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The first half ended with Fulham unable to find an equaliser, despite a couple of dangerous moments.
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The turning point came just after the hour mark when Arsenal doubled their advantage. Gabriel Martinelli delivered a perfect cross, and Saka, making his return to action, rose to head home a brilliant goal. The Gunners were cruising with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
However, Fulham responded on added time when Rodrigo Muniz capitalised on a deflected shot to pull one back for the visitors. Despite the late pressure, Arsenal’s defence held firm, and the match finished 2-1 in their favour.
Saka’s return was a key moment, not only for the goal but also for the confidence he brought to the team, sealing another vital three points for Arsenal in their quest for the title.
Saka’s stunning return powers Arsenal to victory over Fulham
Sports
Maguire, Yoro set for Man United return
Maguire, Yoro set for Man United return
Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim has confirmed that defenders, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro are available to play against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday.
The Red Devils boss issued fitness updates on the injured players in the squad including England left-back Luke Shaw, who Amorim says he has returned to training but is still building his fitness before a return to first-team action.
Leny Yoro has suffered repeated injuries this season after arriving at the club from Lille in the summer.
The 19-year-old has been out since March 9 when he picked up a foot injury during United’s draw with Arsenal.
Maguire has been unavailable with a calf injury since the end of February.
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Amorin confirmed that Luke Shaw returned to training on Friday but also noted that the left-back is still working on his fitness before a return to first-team action.
“Luke [Shaw] is not ready yet. We are starting to do some drills with the team but we are building Luke,” Amorim said.
The Red Devils manager also issued injury updates on Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Johnny Evans, and Lisandro Martinez.
“Mason Mount is feeling better but he was on the bench in the last game, Kobbie [Mainoo] is almost ready, Jonny [Evans] is recovering, [Lisandro Martínez] is out. [Harry] Maguire is also ready to go to the game and [Leny] Yoro, yes,” Amorim added.
Maguire, Yoro set for Man United return
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