Новости за 02.02.2019

Ernesto Valverde has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be assessed by Barcelona's medical staff after taking a knock in the 2-2 draw against Valencia. Barca trailed to goals from Kevin Gameiro and Daniel Parejo until Messi intervened, scoring twice to earn the champions a point at Camp Nou. But Messi appeared to suffer with a thigh issue in the second half, receiving treatment on the touchline before returning to the action as Valencia held on. There was obvious concern for the Barca captain with... Читать дальше...

Marek Hamsik is on the verge of leaving Napoli, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed, with a move to China seemingly on the horizon. Napoli captain Hamsik, who is the club's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance maker, has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League for some time, with Dalian Yifang reportedly favourites to secure his signature. And a move now looks to be edging closer, with Ancelotti confirming that Hamsik – who played 74 minutes of Napoli's 3-0 win over Sampdoria in Serie A on Saturday ... Читать дальше...

Mauricio Pochettino insists he will not be cheering on Arsenal when Tottenham's bitter rivals travel to Manchester City on Sunday. Son Heung-min's late winner against Newcastle United lifted Spurs above reigning champions City and into second place in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's men will regain that position if they are able to beat the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium and close to within two points of leaders Liverpool, who are four better off than Spurs ahead of facing West Ham on Monday. Читать дальше...

Leeds United relinquished their grip on top spot in the Championship as Mario Vrancic scored a double to help Norwich City claim an impressive 3-1 win at Elland Road. Marcelo Bielsa's side relied on a late comeback against Rotherham United to secure the points in their last outing, but Leeds had no such luck against a rugged Norwich on Saturday, with Vrancic and Teemu Pukki doing the damage. Vrancic got things started with a wicked free-kick five minutes in, and the midfielder played a crucial role in Norwich's second 30 minutes later. Читать дальше...

Veteran Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella's bid to set a new record of scoring in 12 consecutive appearances within the same Serie A season ended in a 3-0 defeat at former club Napoli on Saturday. Quagliarella equalled Gabriel Batistuta's mark of 11 straight goalscoring outings when he netted the first of two penalties in last weekend's 4-0 win over Udinese. The 36-year-old's exploits saw him recalled to Italy's international set-up this week but all good things must come to an end. Here, with the help of Opta data... Читать дальше...

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was impressed by what he saw from Michy Batshuayi in the striker's brief debut cameo in the victory over Fulham. Batshuayi, who signed from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, only played eight minutes from the substitutes' bench in his side's 2-0 home Premier League win on Saturday. But that still gave him enough time to force a stunning save from Sergio Rico, with the rebound converted by Jeffrey Schlupp after 87 minutes to seal the victory. Captain Luka Milivojevic... Читать дальше...

Niko Kovac felt Bayern Munich were hard done by in their 3-1 defeat at Bayern Leverkusen as his side lost further ground on leaders Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race. Leon Goretzka gave Bayern a half-time lead, but goals after the interval from Leon Bailey, Kevin Volland and substitute Lucas Alario means the champions were unable to capitalise on rivals Dortmund being held to a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. Speaking to Sky after the match, Kovac was left to lament a VAR offside... Читать дальше...

Leon Bailey called on previous success against Sven Ulreich to spark Bayern Leverkusen's superb 3-1 win over Bayern Munich. Leon Goretzka put the reigning Bundesliga champions ahead in the 41st minute but Bailey equalised with a stunning free-kick early in the second half. Leverkusen proceeded to carve their opponents apart as Kevin Volland and substitute Lucas Alario sealed victory, meaning Bayern are now seven points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Bailey also scored a free-kick in his team's... Читать дальше...

Middlesbrough gave their Premier League promotion hopes a big boost with a thrilling 3-2 victory at West Brom. With the Championship's top two, Leeds United and Norwich City, not playing until later on Saturday, Boro earned an impressive victory in the match between the sides sitting fourth and fifth courtesy of a late double from substitute Britt Assombalonga. Third-placed Sheffield United also won, beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 at home to move above Norwich into second, at least temporarily. ... Читать дальше...

Chelsea star Eden Hazard hopes they impressed head coach Maurizio Sarri with their 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town. Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain, making his Stamford Bridge debut, scored two goals each as the Blues eased to three points that moves them back into fourth in the Premier League table. David Luiz's late fifth added gloss to the scoreline and helped to banish memories of Wednesday's humbling 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth. Sarri was far from pleased with his side's efforts on the south coast... Читать дальше...

St Mirren certainly paid the penalty at Ibrox on Saturday as they gave away four spot-kicks in a 4-0 defeat to Rangers. James Tavernier twice converted from 12 yards and struck the post with another attempt as Steven Gerrard's men seized control of the Scottish Premiership clash. Rangers were then awarded a fourth penalty with 10 minutes remaining, which Jermain Defoe converted. A goal from open play finally arrived in the 81st minute, Defoe setting up Ryan Kent to round off an emphatic win. ... Читать дальше...

Luka Milivojevic and Jeffrey Schlupp struck as Crystal Palace comfortably defeated Fulham 2-0 at Selhurst Park on Michy Batshuayi's debut, handing the visitors their fourth loss in five Premier League games. Captain Milivojevic netted his seventh top-flight goal of the season from the penalty spot midway through the first half. Even though Palace had to wait for a second, they were in control throughout as Fulham fell to their eighth straight loss in a Premier League London derby and failed build... Читать дальше...

Rafael Benitez downplayed the severity of Tottenham's injury crisis after Newcastle United slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Mauricio Pochettino's men despite the absences of Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Son Heung-min's low drive in the 83rd minute found a route under Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to clinch a narrow win from a game in which Spurs were frustrated for long periods. Injuries left Newcastle without Ki Sung-yueng, Jonjo Shelvey, Paul Dummett and Mohamed Diame for the trip to Wembley, and... Читать дальше...

Diego Simeone believes Alvaro Morata will be crucial to Atletico Madrid's fight for honours at home and abroad for the rest of this season. Spain striker Morata is in line to make his Atletico debut when Simeone's men travel to Real Betis on Sunday, having joined on loan from Chelsea. The 26-year-old's arrival has received a cold reception from sections of Atletico's fanbase given his prior association with Real Madrid, while the past 12 months in the Premier League have proved something of an ordeal. Читать дальше...

Adelaide United came from 3-0 down to defeat Brisbane Roar 4-3 in a remarkable A-League match that saw three players sent off. Marco Kurz's side saw a positive start to the match halted when Ken Ilso was controversially sent off after only nine minutes for a foul on Matt McKay. The visitors took the lead at Coopers Stadium 10 minutes later, with Henrique finishing in style from Adam Taggart's fine throughball, before Dylan Wenzel-Halls doubled the lead with a half-volley. Taggart scored his 50th A-League from 25 yards out to make it 3-0... Читать дальше...

Santiago Solari believes Gareth Bale looks ready to shine for Real Madrid amid further speculation over the Wales international's future. Bale marked his return from a calf injury in last Sunday's 4-2 win over Espanyol with his fifth LaLiga goal of the season, while he managed 23 minutes of the 3-1 Copa del Rey win at Girona on Thursday. The forward's agent, Jonathan Barnett, told fan site Madridista Real this week Bale has never wanted to leave Madrid and he is tired of the "stupid lie stories" surrounding his future... Читать дальше...

Sardar Azmoun has joined Zenit from Rubin Kazan for a reported fee of €12million. The forward, who rejoined Rubin for a second spell in 2017, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal. Known as the 'Iranian Messi' by some fans in his native Iran, Azmoun had been heavily linked with a move to Premier League side Wolves in January. Nuno Espirito Santo's side had reportedly agreed to sign him on loan from Rubin, but the move fell through when Wolves refused to allow a compulsory purchase option included in the deal. Читать дальше...

Lecce midfielder Manuel Scavone appears to be out of danger following a head injury that forced his side's Serie B match with Ascoli to be abandoned in the opening seconds. The 31-year-old, on loan from Parma, collided with Ascoli's Giacomo Beretta when jumping for a high ball after the start of Friday's game and hit his head on the pitch as he landed heavily. Scavone received urgent treatment on the pitch before players moved advertising boards to allow an ambulance to take him to the Vito Fazzi hospital. Читать дальше...

Jurgen Klopp admits Joe Gomez could require surgery to repair his leg fracture in what could be a substantial blow to Liverpool's Premier League title challenge. Defender Gomez was initially expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after sustaining the injury to his lower left leg in the Reds' 3-1 win at Burnley on December 5. However, the England international is yet to resume training and is expected at least to miss the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich on February 19. Читать дальше...

Cristiano Ronaldo's departure has been keenly felt by Real Madrid, according to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room is not lamenting the loss of their former talisman. Ronaldo left as Madrid's all-time record goalscorer when he joined Italian champions Juventus in July and Los Blancos' form has faltered this season. Julen Lopetegui was sacked as head coach after a 5-1 Clasico thrashing at the hands of Barcelona and, although matters have improved marginally of late under Santiago Solari... Читать дальше...

Thibaut Courtois would choose Eden Hazard ahead of Neymar as a blockbusting signing for Real Madrid this year. Courtois played alongside his Belgium international team-mate for four seasons at Chelsea before moving to the Santiago Bernabeu last August. The Spanish capital has frequently been touted as a future destination for Hazard, who is yet to commit to the Premier League club beyond the end of next season. Madrid's market activity has been somewhat at odds with the Galacticos era over recent... Читать дальше...

Arsenal boss Unai Emery labelled Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the world. Emery will go head-to-head with Guardiola when Arsenal visit Premier League champions City on Sunday, having never beaten his countryman. Former Valencia and Sevilla head coach Emery suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Guardiola's City in the pair's last clash in August. And Emery heaped praise on Guardiola, who has delivered silverware at City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona in an illustrious career. Читать дальше...

Mauricio Pochettino insisted it is difficult to succeed without the right tools as he compared Premier League hopefuls Tottenham to Formula One team McLaren. Tottenham did not sign a player in January – the second successive window without reinforcements having failed to bring in new faces at the start of the season. Spurs – who are preparing for the Champions League last 16 against Borussia Dortmund – are also without star duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli as they try to keep pace with Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League. Читать дальше...

Cristhian Stuani signed a new contract at Girona, having been linked with LaLiga champions Barcelona. Stuani emerged as a target for Spanish leaders Barca in January, however, a move did not materialise. Now, veteran forward Stuani has signed a deal until June 2022, Girona announced on Friday. The 32-year-old Uruguay international has scored 12 goals in LaLiga this season – the best return from a player outside of Barca pair Lionel Messi (19) and Luis Suarez (15).  @CristhianStuani “M’identifico amb els valors del club... Читать дальше...

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ability to click and get the best out of Manchester United's squad is behind the club's resurgence, according to midfielder Ander Herrera. Solskjaer has led a revival since replacing Jose Mourinho until the end of the season, with United yet to lose a match having won eight games and drawn once following the Norwegian's arrival in December. Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are thriving under Solskjaer, in contrast to when Mourinho was in charge at Old Trafford. Читать дальше...