Sports
Why Haaland is harder to stop than Ronaldo – Pochettino
Why Haaland is harder to stop than Ronaldo – Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino says forwards now have an easier time in their offensive endeavours thanks to VAR, as he prepares Chelsea’s attempts to keep Erling Haaland off of the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge.
The Norwegian international has made life in the Premier League look easy and scored 52 goals in his first term with Manchester City, and has already netted 15 goals in 17 appearances in 2023/24.
Only City, Liverpool and Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than Chelsea in the Premier League. Despite some pivotal errors that have led to goals, Pochettino will be hoping to equip his side with all the tools to deny Haaland at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The 51-year-old head coach is no stranger to taking on the world’s top forwards both in management and during his playing career. In 1997, Pochettino was part of the Espanyol side that kept a clean sheet against Barcelona and a Ronaldo who scored 34 goals that season.
The former central-defender was quick to acknowledge his success was born out of nefarious means however. Simply put, he believes the Brazilian legend would be unstoppable if he had more protection.
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Pochettino said: “And today, it’s impossible with VAR to stop Ronaldo. It’s difficult for the defensive line for the defender to stop the player. Before we were naughty, we were, you know, yes. You know, the camera IS there and you can, you know, use different strategies. I don’t say it was easy but now it’s really difficult to be a defender.”
He added: It’s easier for the offensive player like Haaland or like Ronaldo now to be successful because of the advantage of VAR. The defender is always cautious to not foul, not take from the shirt but before it was like a war, it was a battle in every single action.
When setting out the task to keep Haaland quiet, it certainly appears formidable. The Blues boss will have a big role to play in preparing his backline.
Pochettino explained: “You need to run faster, concentrate, focus and try to anticipate him. You have to be clear in how you are going to defend in the box because he is tall. You need to jump before him. You need to teach people things but you also need them to feel really good. You have to give them good tools, before we used good tools and not-so-good tools to stop the offensive players.”
Why Haaland is harder to stop than Ronaldo – Pochettino
(FOOTBALL LONDON)
Sports
Tyson Fury arrives S’Arabia for Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight title fight (photos/video)
Tyson Fury arrives S’Arabia for Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight title fight (photos/video)
WBC Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has landed in Saudi Arabia ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury takes on bitter rival Usyk in a heavyweight division unifier on May 18 in the Middle East.
He touched down in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, May 4, with a massive entourage featuring his family, friends and trainer SugarHill Steward.Fury and Co looked thrilled as they posed for photos in Riyadh.
The group were presented with incredible bouquets of flowers and given hot drinks after a seven-hour flight from the UK.
Neither fighter has tasted defeat in their respective careers meaning fans would have a good time in what is going to be the fight of the century.
Fury has had three months to recover after pulling out of the original February 17 fight with an eye injury.
Sports
Haaland four goals propel Man City to 5-1 victory against Wolves
Haaland four goals propel Man City to 5-1 victory against Wolves
Erling Haaland showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting four times as Manchester City secured a dominant 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, keeping their hopes alive for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Responding to Arsenal’s earlier victory over Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola’s side delivered a commanding performance, closing the gap to just one point behind the league leaders with a game in hand.
Haaland’s goal-scoring exhibition began in the 12th minute when he calmly converted a penalty after a late challenge in the box. He then doubled City’s lead in the 35th minute with a towering header from Rodri’s cross.
Speaking after the match, Haaland expressed his delight, acknowledging his father’s legacy at the club and celebrating his remarkable tally of 25 goals for the season.
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The Norwegian striker added two more goals from the penalty spot, completing his first-ever four-goal haul and extinguishing any hopes of a Wolves comeback.
Guardiola praised Haaland’s performance, highlighting his journey back to form after a foot injury earlier in the season. Substitute Julian Alvarez sealed City’s victory with a late goal.
Despite a consolation goal from Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan, the visitors struggled to match City’s clinical finishing and made too many errors, according to manager Gary O’Neil.
With the title race heating up, City now sits just one point behind Arsenal, with three games left to play. Guardiola remains focused on securing the necessary points to clinch the title, while Arsenal looks ahead to challenging fixtures against Manchester United and Everton in their final two games.
Haaland four goals propel Man City to 5-1 victory against Wolves
Sports
Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda
Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda
In a stunning display of dominance, Al Nassr secured a resounding 6-0 victory against Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 clash on Wednesday at the Al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh, with Cristiano Ronaldo stealing the spotlight by scoring a hat-trick.
The match started with Ronaldo narrowly missing an opportunity to open the scoring in the second minute, but he quickly made amends by capitalizing on a defensive error from the Al Wehda goalkeeper to give his team the lead.
Just seven minutes later, Ronaldo showcased his aerial prowess by nodding in a delightful cross from Brozovic, notching his 40th club goal of the season and doubling Al Nassr’s advantage.
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Although Al Wehda thought they had pulled one back through Odion Ighalo, the goal was disallowed for offside, maintaining Al Nassr’s lead. Otavio extended the lead further with a composed finish, courtesy of a precise through ball from Mane.
Mane himself got on the scoresheet just before halftime, courtesy of a clever assist from Otavio, rounding off a sensational first-half performance for Al Nassr.
The second half saw no respite for Al Wehda as Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish after being set up by Mane. Al Nassr’s dominance was further highlighted by substitute Al Fatil, who sealed the victory with a late goal, hammering the ball into an empty net.
With this emphatic win, Al Nassr maintains its position as the second-placed team in the league table, trailing leader Al Hilal by nine points. Meanwhile, Al Wehda finds themselves in 12th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda
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