Новости за 10.10.2017

Intrigue surrounding Argentina's crucial World Cup qualifier against Ecuador has led to world-famous rock band U2 delaying a scheduled gig in Buenos Aires to allow fans to watch the match. Heading into the final game of CONMEBOL qualifying Jorge Sampaoli's side sit sixth in the group, outside the qualification places and in danger of missing the 2018 finals. A win over Ecuador would be enough to secure at least a play-off place, with Peru and Colombia, the two teams above them, playing each other... Читать дальше...

Manchester United will come unstuck against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday because Jose Mourinho's men are "under pressure" to go "all-out attack", according to John Barnes. United go into the match joint-top of the Premier League with Manchester City on 19 points after an excellent start to the season, while Liverpool trail by seven points already. Saturday's trip to Anfield is expected to be their biggest test of the season so far, as United are yet to face another team from last season's top six. Читать дальше...

As Liverpool head into a potentially do-or-die period in their season, news of Sadio Mane being ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury could hardly have come at a worse time. Opta data lays bare just how quickly Mane became a key figure for Liverpool last season. He has been involved in 25 Premier League goals since his Reds debut, a figure bettered only by Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino (27 each). The 25-year-old's importance is also highlighted by Liverpool's record without him in the starting XI... Читать дальше...

Barcelona have appointed their former player Guillermo Amor as head of institutional relations and sports for first-team football. Amor, a midfielder for Barcelona between 1988 and 1998, was appointed alongside former team-mate Jose Mari Bakero to take joint charge of the club's youth operations in July. The 49-year-old will continue his work in this area, with his new role part of a restructuring at boardroom level that will see technical director Robert Fernandez focus his efforts upon player transfers. Читать дальше...

Oussama Tannane was at the double as Morocco eased to a 3-1 victory over South Korea in Biel, Switzerland. Las Palmas forward Tannane's last goal came in November 2016 for Saint-Etienne against Angers, but he finally ended his drought with two early strikes for Herve Renard's team. Morocco – who face a crunch clash with Ivory Coast next month as they look to secure a first World Cup appearance since 1998 – added a third through Ismail El Haddad early in the second half before Tottenham forward... Читать дальше...

Anton Ferdinand (West Ham – January 2006)The less acclaimed Ferdinand brother was indeed a Premier League Player of the Month. In fact, he's won the same number as his older sibling Rio (one), meaning they’re the only brothers to claim the award.In January 2006, Ferdinand’s dominant performances helped West Ham get two wins fromthree league games. The centre-back also opened the scoring in a 2-1 win over Fulham towards the end of the month – but it was a season that ended in heartbreak, as Ferdinand... Читать дальше...

Gianluigi Buffon has backed the "extraordinary" Gianluigi Donnarumma to follow him as Italy's number one when the Juventus goalkeeper finally hangs up his gloves. AC Milan youngster Donnarumma has firmly established himself as one of the top keepers in Europe since making his club debut in 2015. He was linked with a move away from San Siro during the close season but eventually signed a new deal that will tie him to the Rossoneri until 2021. And Buffon – who has 173 international caps – expects... Читать дальше...

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has returned to light training after suffering a broken rib. Aguero sustained the injury when a taxi he was travelling in crashed into a lamppost in Amsterdam less than 48 hours before the Premier League leaders signed off for the current international break with a 1-0 win at Chelsea. It meant the 29-year-old was ruled out of Argentina's goalless draw with Peru and must watch on as Jorge Sampaoli's side try to salvage their 2018 World Cup qualification hopes in Ecuador. Читать дальше...

Liverpool have ruled Sadio Mane out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, a significant blow ahead of Saturday's clash against Manchester United. Mane picked up the problem on international duty with Senegal and was withdrawn late on in Saturday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying triumph over Cape Verde. It will be Mane's second lengthy spell out of the season, after picking up a three-match ban for a dangerous challenge on Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson in September. The 25-year-old – who has three goals in five Premier League games ... Читать дальше...

Police raided a fight night in Palmeira das Missoes in the state of Rio Grande do Sul on Monday where147 people were arrested and 57 charged.One of those placed under arrest was Rochemback, who made 68 appearances for Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2008.A staggering 89 roosters were seized, as well as roughly £24,000 in cash. Any form of animal fighting is considered an "environmental crime" in Brazil.Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the now 35-year-old has been linked to this murky world. Читать дальше...

Australia boss Ange Postecoglou described Tim Cahill as "a unique and extraordinary individual" after his two goals sealed their place in an intercontinental World Cup play-off. The former Everton star was handed a starting spot in Tuesday's second leg of the AFC play-off against Syria and repaid his coach's faith with both goals in their 2-1 extra-time victory. Cahill cancelled out Omar Al Soma's shock opener before heading in a 109th-minute winner to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory and become... Читать дальше...

Karl-Heinz Riedle says Mesut Ozil should opt for a return to the Bundesliga rather than Manchester United, if he decides to leave Arsenal at the end of the season. The Germany international has yet to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season. United have been linked with a move for the playmaker, which would see Ozil reunited with his former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. Though Riedle believes a return to Germany would be the best for Ozil... Читать дальше...

Less than 24 hours after helping Poland qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Lewandowski was awarded his degree in Physical Education with coaching and management from Warsaw’s School of Education in Sport.The 29-year-old, who currently tops Bayern'sscoring charts with 12 goals in 11 appearances this season, can add his degree to his ever-growing list of achievements.ProfessorMarek Rybinski said that Lewandowski’s answers in his workwere “excellent”, and he was given the highest mark possible.After all... Читать дальше...

Claudio Ranieri understands the frustrations Antonio Conte may have at Chelsea but he does not expect the Italian to depart Stamford Bridge early. Conte's future at Chelsea appeared in doubt during the close season, despite lifting the Premier League trophy last term, but he signed a new deal with the club – albeit only an improvement in pay and not an extension. The transfer window was difficult for Conte as Chelsea saw targets Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Llorente and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move elsewhere... Читать дальше...

Such was Alex Ferguson's determination to "knock Liverpool off their perch", Anfield was often the scene of the Scot's angriest moments as Manchester United manager, according to Gary Neville. Ferguson famously described his biggest challenge as eclipsing Liverpool's 18 top-flight titles, something he achieved before retiring in 2013 as United moved onto 20. Throughout his Old Trafford tenure, Ferguson was renowned for dishing out the 'hairdryer' treatment when unhappy with United performances. Читать дальше...

The UEFA play-offs draw will be held in Zurich on Tuesday, October 17 (time TBC) – and the Republic of Ireland will be among eight teams in the mix after winning on their do-or-die trip to Wales on Monday night.The four teams with the highest FIFA rankings will be seeded.UEFAAlready qualified automatically (7 of 9): Germany, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, IcelandAssured of play-off (5 of 8):Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Italy, CroatiaThat leaves only two more automatic berths up for grabs. Читать дальше...

In a dead-rubber contest lackingentertainment on Monday night, Illarramendi provided a bright spark in the 75th minute.The 27-year-old broke the deadlock when he met an Israeliclearance on the edge of the penalty area before driving a venomous half-volley towards goal.Such was the technique of Illaramendi's strike that the ball ended up nestling inside the side netting.Spain's 1-0 victory ensured they topped Group G by five points ahead of second-placed Italy.Illarramendi is currently atReal Sociedad... Читать дальше...

New Zealand grabbed two goals in their 4-2 defeat against Paraguay in the Group B clash on Monday –and both arrived courtesy of poor Paraguay centre-back Duarte.First, the stopper clumsily flicked in Leon van den Hoven's free-kick to cancel out Paraguay's opening goal in Mumbai.Hewas at it again less than 15 minutes later,slicing a clearance straight into the back of his own net past a bemused goalkeeper.Own goalno.1:Then for his next trick:Luckily for Duarte, his team-mates bailed him out... eventually.Anibal Vega's second-half brace ... Читать дальше...

Lionel Messi can be Argentina's saviour in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, according to former coach Cesar Luis Menotti. Jorge Sampaoli's side head into their final match in the South American section with their chances of reaching next year's finals in Russia hanging in the balance. A win would guarantee at least a place in next month's intercontinental play-off, while it would be enough to claim an automatic spot if Peru beat Colombia or if that match ends in a draw. Ecuador... Читать дальше...

Former AC Milan star Kaka has admitted he is close to calling time on his playing career. The 35-year-old is approaching the end of his contract with Orlando City but is said to have held talks with the MLS side over an extension. However, the 2007 Ballon d'Or-winner says he no longer enjoys playing as he used to, claiming his body is unable to withstand the rigours of the game. "It will come soon," he told Globo Esporte when asked about his retirement. "It's not a pleasure to play anymore because... Читать дальше...

The World Cup is the ultimate stage on which the game's brightest stars get to shine every four years. Famous names have cemented their legacies by starring in previous editions, seizing the opportunity to leave a mark that will forever remain in the competition's history. Lionel Messi and Argentina are in serious danger of watching Russia 2018 from afar. After a 0-0 draw with Peru last time out, they need a win in Ecuador on Tuesday to have a chance of qualifying automatically. Here, we take... Читать дальше...

Nchalopaid the officials $20 to ensure they would win the match, according to Inside World Football,but the game finished 1-1 and their opponents Chitipa United won the contest on penalties.Butwhen the referees could only cobble together $15 to return to Nchalo, the fixers had the bright idea of taking their grievancesto the authorities.All four officials have since been banned for life, and there is now a case pending over Nchalo's conduct.If only they'd... like, thought about it.Peter Crouch earns... Читать дальше...

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos says the row between Neymar and Edinson Cavani was something to be expected in a team of star players. The attacking duo became embroiled in an on-pitch spat when they argued about who should take a penalty during the 2-0 Ligue 1 win over Lyon last month. There were reports the argument spilled over into the dressing room and that PSG even offered Cavani a €1million bonus to give up penalty duties to avoid the incident happening again. The Uruguay international insisted last week... Читать дальше...

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli praised the "incredible" Lionel Messi, challenging his team to reach the star's level when they face Ecuador. Sampaoli's men need a win in the World Cup qualifier in Quito on Tuesday as they look to salvage a place at Russia 2018. Messi has scored four goals in nine qualifiers this campaign, but the last of those came in March, when Edgardo Bauza was still in charge. However, Sampaoli praised the Barcelona star and said it was up to the 30-year-old's team-mates to reach his level. Читать дальше...

Brazil head coach Tite believes Argentina must be having trouble sleeping as they face the possibility of missing the World Cup for the first time since 1970. Lionel Messi's Argentina are outside the CONMEBOL qualifying places and in danger of failing to book a spot at Russia 2018 heading into Tuesday's do-or-die clash against Ecuador at altitude in Quito. The two-time world champions, runners-up three years ago, have been a mainstay in the showpiece tournament since missing the 1970 edition in Mexico... Читать дальше...