Real Madrid risk falling further behind Barcelona in the LaLiga title race after suffering a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Yellow Submarine twice pegged back their hosts, with Samuel Chukwueze the key man as he produced two goals and an assist, including a superb winner.
A Pau Torres own goal had given Madrid the lead before Chukwueze tucked home an equaliser, with substitute Jose Morales then levelling the score again after Vinicius Junior had put Madrid back in front following a fine solo run.
However, Chukwueze struck again in a dramatic final 10 minutes to give Villarreal a famous win, with Madrid seeing a late penalty award overturned by VAR.
2 have benefited from own goals in two of their last three games in (…
Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he would have considered taking the Arsenal job if he had been approached, despite his love for former club Tottenham.
The 47-year-old was sacked by Tottenham on November 19 after a difficult start to the season, with Jose Mourinho brought in as his replacement the following day.
He returned to his native Argentina to unwind but declared earlier this month he is open to making a swift return to the dugout should the right opportunity present itself.
Pochettino was linked with the Arsenal job following Unai Emery s departure, but Mikel Arteta was confirmed as the club s new permanent head coach on Friday.
However, the former Espanyol and Southampton boss has reiterated he would have been open to talking with Arsenal over th…
Things are not quiet at Barcelona at the moment despite their win over Villarreal last weekend. Los Blaugranas were coming off a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid before their huge win at Estadio de la Ceramica, but they still remain four points behind Real Madrid in the title race. It must be acknowledged that Barcelona have also drawn three of their last five league matches, including two disappointing draws against Celta de Vigo and Sevilla. They could’ve easily lost against Celta, but Nolito missed a sitter on stoppage time that could’ve changed the course of the game. The lone thing that is clear is that Barcelona are not playing at a high level right now despite going undefeated in their last eight Liga matches (W5, D3). They need to turn things around before it’s too late. F…
Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as head coach of Valencia on a deal until June 2024.
The Milan great replaces Jose Bordalas, who was dismissed just one season into a two-year contract after a campaign in which Valencia finished ninth and lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Betis.
A short statement from Valencia read: Valencia CF have reached an agreement with Gennaro Gattuso who will become the first-team coach of Valencia CF for the next two seasons until 30th of June 2024.
Gennaro Gattuso (9th of January 1978, Italy) joins the Club following an extensive career both as a player and as a coach. After hanging up the boots, he started his coaching career in 2012 coaching teams like AC Milan and SSC Napoli, with whom he won the Coppa Italia in 2020.
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Jose Mourinho does not believe managers should have disciples , insisting that every coach makes their own way in football.
Mourinho s Tottenham host in-form Leeds United on Saturday, with the Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa having gained plenty of plaudits for his side s play this season.
After managing promotion from the Championship at the second attempt, Bielsa has guided Leeds to 11th place after 16 games.
Leeds have scored 30 goals this season, ranking behind only Liverpool, United and Chelsea, but they have also conceded the same amount – only West Brom have let in more.
After a 6-2 thrashing at Manchester United led to some pundits suggesting Bielsa s all-out attack tactics needed to be altered, Leeds have won their last two fixtures, grinding out a…
Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the top three defenders in the world, according to Antonio Conte, who wanted to sign him during his time at Chelsea.
Conte was keen to take Napoli centre-back Koulibaly to Stamford Bridge during his two seasons at the helm in west London, with a reported €58million offer turned down in 2016.
The 29-year-old has remained a key part of the set-up at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and will hope to lead Napoli to a positive result against Serie A leaders Inter on Sunday.
Since making his Serie A debut in 2014-15, Koulibaly ranks first among defenders in the competition for clean sheets (76), tackles won (315), recoveries (1,526), successful passes (12,852) and successful passes in the opposition half (5,291).
He will need to call …
Lautaro Martinez sees winning the Scudetto as vindication for his decision to stay at Inter, where he has formed a superb partnership with fellow forward Romelu Lukaku.
Martinez was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona throughout the 2019-20 season, with the player even discussing a possible switch to Camp Nou with fellow Argentine Lionel Messi.
However, the 23-year-old instead opted to stick around at San Siro, remaining a key part of Antonio Conte s squad as the Nerazzurri secured a first Serie A title since 2010.
Inter had finished second in the previous season but have kicked on after that disappointment, running away from their rivals since the turn of the year to be crowned champions and end Juventus nine-year dominance in the competition.
I am…
Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez hit doubles as Manchester City thumped derby rivals Manchester United 4-1 to restore their six-point lead over Liverpool at the Premier League summit.
United had won their previous three games at the Etihad Stadium in all competitions but, without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, they were behind inside five minutes to a close-range De Bruyne strike.
After Jadon Sancho temporarily levelled up against his former club, De Bruyne struck a second to put City back in front before half-time, and then teed up Mahrez for a superb City third in the second half.
United were previously unbeaten in 11 games in normal time in all competitions but conceded a fourth when Mahrez doubled his tally late on, seeing City give themselves some breathing …
Everton have appointed Rafael Benitez as their new manager, with the former Liverpool boss replacing Carlo Ancelotti.
The Toffees have been searching for a new manager since Ancelotti s surprise return to Real Madrid at the start of June.
Nuno Espirito Santo was reportedly close to being appointed earlier in the month, with West Ham s David Moyes having also been a mooted option, yet it is one of their main rivals most successful managers of recent times who has been handed the reins instead.
I am delighted to be joining Everton. Throughout this process, I have been greatly impressed by the ambition shown by the senior representatives at the club and their desire to bring success to this historic club, Benitez said.
I believe this is a club that is go…
Stephen Kenny is confident he leaves behind a “great job” for someone else after his contract as Republic of Ireland manager was not renewed.
Kenny’s side finished fourth in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, winning just two of eight matches, and after Tuesday’s 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand the Football Association of Ireland made the swift announcement it would not be extending his stay.
The 52-year-old’s three-and-a-half-year reign brought huge change, but crucially not enough wins, and while opinions will differ on his legacy he firmly believes the squad he has reshaped – Kenny has handed competitive debuts to 26 players during his time in charge – will serve his successor well.
“Listen, I think it’s a very exciting squad. I think it’…