Sports

Barca thrash Betis to stay ahead of rampant Madrid

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2023

Barca thrash Betis

Barcelona thrashed 10-man Real Betis 4-0 on Saturday to move a step closer to winning La Liga for the first time since 2019.

Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-2 to cut the gap to eight points earlier on but Barcelona triumphed to restore their 11 point advantage.

Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha struck for Barca at Camp Nou with Guido Rodriguez netting a late own goal to round off the rout.

Edgar Gonzalez’s early dismissal made it an easy night for Xavi Hernandez’s side to protect their lead with six games remaining.

With his side comfortably winning, Xavi brought on 15-year-old forward Lamine Yamal to become the club’s youngest ever player to debut in La Liga.

Betis also brought on veteran Joaquin Sanchez, 41, for his final appearance at Camp Nou before he retires at the end of the season, and he was afforded a standing ovation by Barcelona supporters.

READ ALSO:

The Catalans bounced back from a 2-1 defeat by Rayo Vallecano in midweek.

“We generated a reaction,” said Xavi. “We improved a lot, it was a very good reaction from the whole team.

“We went 1-0 up and after the red card, it was in our favour.”

Xavi brought Christensen into the starting line-up after injury and he made a quick impact on his return.

Raphinha whipped in a vicious ball which Ronald Araujo narrowly missed but Christensen followed in behind to power a header home.

Betis were set back further when defender Edgar was dismissed for two bookings after half-an-hour.

Lewandowski pounced soon after to net his 19th league goal of the season after Jules Kounde set him up with a low cross.

The Pole, La Liga’s top scorer, reacted after Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema earlier netted a hat-trick to move within one of his tally.

Three minutes later Raphinha struck the third, making a clever run in behind the defence and finishing from Sergio Busquets’ chipped pass.

Xavi brought on Ousmane Dembele with little over 15 minutes to go, with Camp Nou delighted to see the winger back.

Rodriguez deflected in Ansu Fati’s cross as Barcelona added a fourth goal in the 82nd minute. ;

Almost 90,000 home supporters were also treated to 15-year-old Yamal’s debut in the final stages, and the winger came close to scoring with a shot repelled by Rui Silva.

“We were talking about this on the bench, when I was at 15 I think I was playing for my neighbourhood team,” added Raphinha.

READ ALSO:

“And seeing him come on in this stadium, with all these people, is incredible.”

– Stylish Madrid –

Benzema climbed to 17 goals in La Liga this season with his treble, now two behind Lewandowski.

Benzema netted his treble in the first half and Rodrygo added the fourth early in the second for Madrid, while Lazaro and Lucas Robertone struck for the visitors, 15th.

Almeria coach Rubi made several changes to his regular side, clearly unconvinced his team could take points from the Santiago Bernabeu — the visit of Elche on Tuesday should be more profitable in their survival bid.

Madrid played with freedom in attack during an entertaining game, albeit one low on tension with their hopes of retaining the title minimal.

“In attack the team is very dangerous, with the quality of Karim, Vini, Rodrygo, with the ball we play very well,” coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“There are games where the offensive level looks very good, like today.”

Vinicius Junior teed up Benzema for a tap-in to break the deadlock early on.

Rodrygo’s assist for Benzema’s second goal was one of the highlights of the game, with the forward backheeling the ball to himself to escape Samuel Costa.

“I think it was a pass to myself, I didn’t have anywhere to go, it was a nice pass to myself with my heel,” Rodrygo told DAZN.

The 35-year-old Benzema completed his hat-trick after 42 minutes from the penalty spot after Largie Ramazani clumsily fouled Lucas Vazquez.

Benzema’s strikes helped him move two goals ahead of former Madrid attacker Hugo Sanchez to become the fourth top scorer in La Liga of all time, on 236 goals.

Vinicius made way in the final stages after taking a knock but Ancelotti said the winger would be fit to play in the Copa del Rey final next weekend.

Bottom side Elche survived relegation for the time being with a 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Sports

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

Published

12 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Kylian Mbappe

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

A former Liverpool striker, Stan Collymore, has issued a warning to Kylian Mbappe as the French star joins Real Madrid.

Drawing from his own experience as a high-profile signing at Liverpool, Collymore advised Mbappe to approach his new role with humility.

Collymore, who was once a British record transfer to Liverpool, shared his insights with CaughtOffside on Thursday.

He stressed the importance of Mbappe navigating the dressing room dynamics carefully, stating, “They (Real Madrid players) won’t really care that he (Mbappe) was a Real Madrid fan as a kid or that he had Cristiano Ronaldo posters on his wall.”

The former striker recalled his experiences at Liverpool, where he faced challenges integrating with the team.

READ ALSO:

“When I went to Liverpool, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that within two or three weeks of signing and after all the happy, clapping, ‘hey, how you doing, do you want to come out with us for a beer and be our friend?’ kind of thing, that my team-mates thought I was some big-time Charlie,” Collymore revealed.

He warned Mbappe about the potential pitfalls of being perceived as arrogant or entitled.

“Kylian Mbappe, who has been top dog and massively overindulged for so long, will have to fall in line fairly quickly, be humble and say the right things. If he doesn’t, there’ll only be problems down the road,” Collymore said.

Collymore highlighted the challenges faced by high-profile signings in adapting to new team environments. He suggested that despite Mbappe’s status as a World Cup winner and global superstar, he need to earn respect within the Real Madrid squad.

“Players like Dani Carvajal have been there, seen it, got the t-shirt, and so there’ll be two or three that will be looking at him and seeing how he is in the dressing room,” Collymore said.

Be humble in Madrid, former Liverpool striker tells Mbappe

Sports

PSG snub Osimhen, table €60m for Rennes Doue

Published

19 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

PSG snub Osimhen, table €60m for Rennes Doue

Paris Saint Germaine have reportedly tabled a €60 million offer for Desire Doue, which could invariably likely end their pursuit of Napoli’s Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen.

The Rennes’ winger has been subject of intense interest to PSG , Bayern Munich as well as Premier League duo of Chelsea and Arsenal but Football Transfers, yesterday reported that the French giants have tabled a whopping €60m for the 19-year-old youngster.

The news outlet claimed that the offer for Doue may scuttle PSG’s interest in the Nigerian ace striker since the €60m offer for the Rennes’ youngster is a far cry from the €130m release clause planted on Napoli by the Partenopei.

French tabloid, L’Equipe, also reported that PSG have agreed to match Rennes’ valuation of Doue, offering a financial package worth €60m.

“This development could have massive implications for the future of Victor Osimhen,” noted.

READ ALSO:

Tom Weber of Football Transfers. “The Nigerian wants to leave Napoli and the Serie A side are keen on cashing in on him, with Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku already waiting in the wings to replace him.”

But in what was a positive development , Football Italia claimed yesterday that PSG have not lost hope in their pursuit of Osimhen as they only await a price drop.

Transfer expert, Gianluca Di Marzio, was quoted as saying that PSG are set to return to the forefront in their charge for Osimhen soon.

“The Ligue 1 giants were dealt a blow recently when they failed to convince the Partenopei to agree on a transfer fee lower than the release clause which is set at around €130 million,” the Italian outfit stated. “PSG are now contemplating restarting negotiations with Napoli CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis who is personally dealing with the high-value player.

“The Nigerian has expressed his desire to move away from Naples this summer and his wish will be granted as soon as a considerable offer arrives.”

With Napoli reportedly finalizing a deal for Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku who is seen as a capable replacement for Osimhen by new coach Antonio Conte, the Neapolitans might be forced to drop their asking price by a resounding margin for PSG to snap up Osimhen.

PSG snub Osimhen, table €60m for Rennes Doue

Sports

PSG to complete ‘discounted’ Osimhen’s deal Thursday

Published

4 days ago

July 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

PSG to complete ‘discounted’ Osimhen’s deal Thursday

Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen is expected to complete his transfer from Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain on or before Thursday, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.

Speculations were rife over the weekend that the French Champions are ‘close to unblocking the deal’ for Osimhen with Napoli reportedly ready to give a slight discount on Osimhen’s €130m release clause.

According to Football Italia, the Parisian giants have decided to fully focus on a deal for the 25-year-old Nigerian striker and have been in close contact with Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis and the player’s agent Roberto Calenda in recent days.

READ ALSO:

On Saturday, Osimhen missed the club’s second pre-season friendly as the coach Antonio Conte-led side beat Mantova 3-0, following their earlier 4-0 win against Anaune Val di Non in the first pre-season game.

But yesterday, Football Italia reported that Corriere dello Sport detailed how Napoli are hoping to sell Osimhen to PSG by Thursday next week, allowing them to finally pull the trigger on the deal with Chelsea for Lukaku, who is waiting to be reunited with Antonio Conte.