Sports
Champions League round-up: Madrid in dramatic comeback, lucky 13 for Bayern
There was plenty more late drama on the opening night of UEFA Champions League Match Day 2 (Tuesday 27 October 2020).
Group A
Lokomotiv Moskva 1-2 Bayern
Joshua Kimmich scored 11 minutes from time to give the holders a hard-earned win in the Russian capital. Leon Goretzka’s header had secured Bayern an early lead, but the hosts offered up stubborn resistance and were briefly level again after Anton Miranchuk struck midway through the second half.
Key stat: This was Bayern’s 13th straight UEFA Champions League win.
03/11: Lokomotiv Moskva vs Atlético, Salzburg vs Bayern
Atlético 3-2 Salzburg
João Félix left it late to net Atlético three points and stave off a spirited Salzburg. The Portugal forward linked up with Luis Suárez to round the goalkeeper and score Atlético’s third just five minutes from time.
Dominik Szoboszlai had cancelled out Marcos Llorente’s opener, before Felipe’s own goal put the visitors ahead moments after half-time.
However, João Félix’s subsequent double sealed the win.
Key stat: João Félix has been involved in six goals in his last seven Champions League games for Atlético (five goals, one assist).
03/11: Lokomotiv Moskva vs Atlético, Salzburg vs Bayern
Group B
Shakhtar 0-0 Inter
Shakhtar held a dominant Inter in Kyiv to gain a point. Though it was one-way traffic for much of the contest, Luís Castro’s young side delivered a dogged performance. Lautaro Martínez pulled wide from close range with the best chance of the match, while Romelu Lukaku went close when his free-kick was tipped on to the bar by Anatolii Trubin.
Key stat: This was Shakhtar’s first 0-0 draw in the competition since February 2015.
03/11: Shakhtar vs Mönchengladbach, Real Madrid vs Inter
Mönchengladbach 2-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid staged a dramatic comeback to take their first point. Marcus Thuram’s double – one from Alassane Pléa’s pass and another from his parried shot – had the hosts in command until the last three minutes. Then Karim Benzema hooked in and Casemiro converted a header across goal by Sergio Ramos to prise a draw for Zinédine Zidane’s side.
Key stat: This was Madrid’s first draw in 19 Champions League away games.
03/11: Shakhtar vs Mönchengladbach, Real Madrid vs Inter
Group C
Porto clinched their first win of the campaign as Fábio Vieira capitalised on uncertain defending to notch an early opener with his first Champions League goal on his second outing. Agustín Marchesín saved from Lazar Ranđelović as Olympiacos threatened a share of the spoils, before Sérgio Oliveira’s late header rubber-stamped the victory.
Key stat: Porto have won their last six Champions League group home matches.
03/11: Man. City vs Olympiacos, Porto vs Marseille
Marseille 0-3 Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne starred on his full return to the City starting XI, contributing two assists in a routine win for the Premier League team. Ferrán Torres opened the scoring 18 minutes in, before quick-fire strikes from İlkay Gündoğan and Raheem Sterling late in the second half wrapped up three points for Josep Guardiola’s men.
Key stat: City secured their first European win in France in five attempts.
03/11: Man. City vs Olympiacos, Porto vs Marseille
Group D
Atalanta 2-2 Ajax
Duván Zapata scored twice in seven minutes as Atalanta fought back from two down to draw with Ajax. Dušan Tadić had given the visitors the lead from the spot after Robin Gosens fouled Lassina Traoré in the area.
Traoré then doubled that advantage after Marco Sportiello spilled a cross, but Zapata hit back in style, heading his first before blasting in a second.
Key stat: Zapata is the 2020/21 Champions League top scorer with three goals.
03/11: Midtjylland vs Ajax, Atalanta vs Liverpool
Liverpool 2-0 Midtjylland
Diogo Jota’s close-range strike and Mohamed Salah’s late penalty ensured Liverpool kept up their winning start. Midtjylland’s Anders Dreyer came closest to breaking the first-half deadlock. However, the Reds edged in front soon after the interval, Jota converting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross, with Salah’s spot kick sealing matters.
Key stat: Jota’s opener was Liverpool’s 10,000th goal in all competitions.
03/11: Midtjylland vs Ajax, Atalanta vs Liverpool
Sports
Paris 2024: Brazil beat the Super Falcons in opening game
Paris 2024: Brazil beat the Super Falcons in opening game
The Super Falcons began their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on a shaky footing, losing 0-1 to Brazil in their first match.
Nigeria came into the game on the back of an impressive showing at the 2023 FIFA World Cup and an eight-game unbeaten run.
They started the match well, missing a couple of chances to have taken the lead in the French city of Bordeaux.
Many thought the team would go into the tunnel with the lead or at least all square with the South Americans. But Gabi Nunez finished off finely with about eight minutes to the end of the first half to give Coach Randy Waldrum’s side a mountain to climb in the second half.
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Upon the resumption of the second half, the Nigerians rallied to get back into the game. But their final balls were rarely threatening the Brazilian defence.
Despite running some changes and bringing in fresh legs to push for an equaliser, the Brazilians defended gallantly to deny the Super Falcons the leveller.
Nigeria’s next game is against world champions Spain. That match is on the 28th of July before the team take on Japan on the 31st.
In the other Group C game, Spain saw off Japan 2-1 while the US defeated Zambia 3-0 in a Group B tie. France mauled Colombia 3-0 in a Group A encounter on the same day.
Paris 2024: Brazil beat the Super Falcons in opening game
Sports
PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price
PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price
Paris Saint-Germain is still negotiating a lower transfer fee for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as they pursue the Nigeria international this summer.
According to transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, PSG are poised to retake the lead in their pursuit of the Napoli striker.
In contrast, Italian sports news outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the French champions are still dissatisfied with Napoli’s reduced asking price of £100 million.
“The Parisian club would in fact have decided to take a step back. President Al-Khelaifi considers the 100 million euros excessive, believing that with De Laurentiis he is making the same mistake as last summer,” the report stated.
Napoli had initially demanded the full payment of Osimhen’s £130m release clause, a figure that has deterred many potential suitors. PSG, however, have refused to meet this valuation and are hoping for a further reduction in the price.
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The prolonged negotiations have reportedly left Osimhen frustrated, with Italian publication Tutto Napoli suggesting that the striker is now open to considering offers from Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal.
“Osimhen is fed up, a prisoner of his golden contract. De Laurentiis will probably grant discounts on the clause but not sales,” Tutto Napoli wrote.
As the transfer saga continues, PSG may need to offload either Goncalo Ramos or Randal Kolo-Muani to make room for Osimhen.
Interestingly, Chelsea have reportedly been offered the chance to sign these two PSG forwards, potentially holding the key to Osimhen’s move to the French capital.
Osimhen, who joined Napoli in 2020 for a club-record fee, has been in impressive form, scoring 41 league goals in the past two seasons and helping the club secure their first Scudetto in over three decades.
PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price
Sports
Two Saudi clubs eye Osimhen amid PSG stalled deal
Two Saudi clubs eye Osimhen amid PSG stalled deal
With options fast drying up for Victor Osimhen, it has now been reported that top Saudi Arabian clubs Al Ahli and Al Hilal are now pulling all the stops to sign the Napoli striker.
Osimhen continues the pre-season with Napoli and will join the team in Castel Di Sangro for the second part of preparation while waiting for a move to PSG.
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Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta claimed that a move to the French capital is now a priority for Osimhen. Tuttosport reported last week that the striker has already agreed personal terms with the club.
However, the French giants must sell Gonçalo Ramos or Randal Kolo Muani before sending an official offer to Napoli. PSG are unlikely to pay the entire €130m clause, but Napoli will look for at least €100m.
Two clubs who can surely match Napoli’s demands are Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. According to Il Corriere dello Sport, both sides are waiting for the developments of PSG talks with Osimhen before making a formal bid.
Two Saudi clubs eye Osimhen amid PSG stalled deal
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