Benzema’s France call-up hinges on Madrid derby says Ancelotti - Newstrends
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Benzema’s France call-up hinges on Madrid derby says Ancelotti

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Karim Benzema

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says if the injured Karim Benzema is unable to play in next week’s La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid it will rule the star striker out of contention for France’s Nations League World Cup warm-up games.

Benzema, a hot favourite to pick up next month’s Ballon d’Or, suffered a right thigh injury in Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League win at Celtic.

And Ancelotti said on Saturday: “Karim? We’ll see if he can make the derby. What’s certain is that if he doesn’t play the derby he won’t be joining his national team.”

World Cup winners France continue the preparations for the defence of their 2018 crown against Austria on September 22 and Denmark three days later.

Ancelotti added of the French forward: “These are the sort of things that can happen

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“There’s a minor issue, but last year too he had a physical problem in December and we were able to deal with it.

“This year, it’ll be the same thing.”

The 34-year-old striker hobbled off after half an hour of the game at Parkhead with Real going on to run out impressive winners as they kicked off their title defence in style.

“Without him, the team played really well against Celtic, especially in attack,” Ancelotti observed, ahead of Sunday’s La Liga clash with Real Mallorca.

Eden Hazard will as he did in Glasgow step into Benzema’s role on Sunday.

While praising the Belgian for his performance in Scotland Ancelotti noted: “Benzema doesn’t have a natural replacement.

“He’s the best centre forward in the world, and there’s no substitute for him anywhere on the market.”

Whether Benzema is fit enough to face Atletico will determine in part by tests but mostly by his astute coach.

“We’ve got lots of information, physical and technical. I take them all into account but only to confirm what my own eyes are telling me.

“If my eyes tell me a player is well on the pitch but the data is saying he’s tired, he’ll remain out on the pitch.”

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Manchester City Beat Chelsea 3–0 to Close Gap on Arsenal

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Manchester City Beat Chelsea 3–0 to Close Gap on Arsenal

Manchester City Beat Chelsea 3–0 to Close Gap on Arsenal

Manchester City delivered a commanding second-half performance to defeat Chelsea 3–0 at Stamford Bridge, tightening the pressure on Arsenal in the ongoing Premier League title race.

The match remained goalless at halftime, but City took full control after the break, punishing Chelsea’s errors in possession and defensive lapses with ruthless efficiency.

Chelsea started the game with early intent, creating several openings through Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and João Pedro, but failed to convert their chances. Palmer tested the defence early, Neto forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Cucurella also came close before being flagged offside.

Despite those moments, Chelsea’s overall play was inconsistent, with repeated mistakes in passing, slow transitions, and poor organisation allowing City to gradually take control of the game.

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Manchester City, who needed victory to stay in touch with Arsenal, improved significantly after the restart, increasing their tempo and pressing higher up the pitch.

The breakthrough came when Rayan Cherki delivered a precise cross into the box, which Nico O’Reilly converted with a powerful header past Robert Sánchez to give City a deserved lead.

That goal shifted momentum completely, with Chelsea struggling to respond as City’s attacking movement and midfield control overwhelmed them.

Minutes later, Cherki was again involved, dribbling past defenders before providing a clever assist that led to City’s second goal, further exposing Chelsea’s defensive fragility.

Chelsea’s situation worsened after a costly mistake in their build-up play allowed City to win possession high up the pitch and score a third goal, sealing a comprehensive 3–0 victory.

From that point, Manchester City controlled the game comfortably, managing possession and preventing Chelsea from mounting any meaningful comeback.

The result strengthens City’s position in the Premier League title race, reducing the gap on Arsenal and increasing pressure on the league leaders as the season approaches its decisive stage.

Chelsea, on the other hand, continue to struggle for consistency, with their latest defeat highlighting ongoing issues in defence, structure, and game management.

Manchester City Beat Chelsea 3–0 to Close Gap on Arsenal

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“I’m the Boss” — Anthony Joshua Fires Back at Tyson Fury Amid Fight Tension

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Anthony Joshua

“I’m the Boss” — Anthony Joshua Fires Back at Tyson Fury Amid Fight Tension

British heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have once again reignited speculation over a long-anticipated “Battle of Britain” after a tense post-fight confrontation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.

The drama unfolded after Fury, who secured a comfortable win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in a one-sided bout, shifted attention to Joshua—who was seated ringside—and publicly demanded an immediate in-ring face-off to push forward long-standing negotiations for a potential blockbuster clash.

Fury used his post-fight interview and in-ring moment to directly call out Joshua, urging him to accept the challenge and stop delaying what he described as the fight fans have been waiting for. He pressed Joshua for a clear yes-or-no response on whether the heavyweight showdown would finally happen.

British heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

British heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

The call-out created a charged atmosphere inside the stadium, with many fans expecting Joshua to step into the ring and respond face-to-face. However, Joshua chose not to enter the ring, a decision that drew mixed reactions, including jeers from parts of the crowd.

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Joshua later responded firmly to Fury’s challenge, dismissing the need for a staged in-ring confrontation. He accused Fury of seeking attention and insisted that public call-outs were not necessary for serious fight negotiations, stressing that discussions should remain professional and behind closed doors.

He also referenced their long-running rivalry, insisting that he has never avoided a fight with Fury and remains open to the matchup, but only when proper contractual negotiations are completed.

Joshua further stated that he would not be pressured into making public decisions on demand, emphasizing that he has control over his career direction and fight choices. He maintained that he has been pursuing major fights for years and will continue to do so on his own terms.

Despite the strong words, Joshua reiterated that he is still willing to face Fury in the future, but insisted that any agreement must come through official negotiations rather than public confrontation.

He also revealed uncertainty about his immediate boxing return, noting that he is currently managing personal matters and assessing his physical condition before committing to his next fight. Joshua added that while an interim bout remains an option, his priority is ensuring he is fully ready before stepping back into the ring.

The rivalry between the two British heavyweights has stretched for over a decade, with multiple attempts to finalize a deal repeatedly collapsing at negotiation stages. Despite renewed public exchanges and continued fan demand, the long-awaited fight remains unsigned and uncertain.

“I’m the Boss” — Anthony Joshua Fires Back at Tyson Fury Amid Fight Tension

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Osimhen Returns to Galatasaray Training After Arm Injury Layoff

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Victor Osimhen

Osimhen Returns to Galatasaray Training After Arm Injury Layoff

Victor Osimhen has returned to full training with Galatasaray, boosting hopes that the Nigerian striker could make an earlier-than-expected return to competitive action following an arm injury that initially ruled him out for several weeks.

The Turkish club confirmed in an official update that Osimhen has resumed group training while continuing a specialised rehabilitation programme supervised by the club’s medical and physiotherapy staff. The striker had earlier been expected to miss up to six weeks, but his recovery has progressed faster than initially projected.

Club sources say Osimhen has been gradually reintegrated into team drills after completing individual recovery sessions, with coaches carefully monitoring his workload to avoid any setback. His return to the training pitch is being treated as a significant positive development within the squad.

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The injury, which affected his arm, forced the 27-year-old forward to miss key preparations, but medical assessments now suggest he is responding well to treatment and rehabilitation protocols. His improved condition has raised optimism within the club that he could return to match action sooner than expected.

Osimhen’s availability is now being closely assessed ahead of Galatasaray’s upcoming league fixture against Gençlerbirliği vs Galatasaray, with reports indicating he could be in contention for selection if he continues his recovery trajectory without complications.

His return is a major boost for Galatasaray, who rely heavily on his goal-scoring ability and physical presence in attack. Since joining the club, Osimhen has become a key figure in their domestic campaign, contributing significantly to their offensive output.

Fans have welcomed the news of his return to training, with many expressing optimism on social media about his potential early comeback as the club enters a crucial phase of the season.

While no official date has been confirmed for his full return to competitive matches, Galatasaray are expected to take a cautious approach, ensuring he reaches full match fitness before being cleared for regular action.

For now, Osimhen’s return to team training marks an important step forward in his recovery and provides a timely boost for both Galatasaray and Nigerian football supporters ahead of a busy run of fixtures.

Osimhen Returns to Galatasaray Training After Arm Injury Layoff

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