Новости за 29.07.2018

Diego Simeone rates Lionel Messi as a superior player to Cristiano Ronaldo despite believing the Juventus star is the better man for a bad situation. A recording of Simeone stating his preference for Ronaldo emerged in the aftermath of Argentina's shock 3-0 loss to Croatia at the World Cup. But the Atletico Madrid head coach has now affirmed his belief that Barcelona ace Messi is the standout of the pair, on the condition he is surrounded by top talent. The Argentina captain, Simeone reasons,... Читать дальше...

Gianluigi Buffon brushed off questions about the hysteria Juventus signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid has caused. Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri voiced concerns that Ronaldo's arrival has stirred up "too much euphoria" ahead of the new Serie A season. But the hype in Turin does not appear to have reached club icon Buffon, who sidestepped the topic of the Portugal superstar in a media conference on Sunday. The 40-year-old goalkeeper left Juve for Paris Saint-Germain over the off-season... Читать дальше...

Nigeria will offer Carl Ikeme a coaching role after the goalkeeper announced his retirement from football. Former Wolves keeper Ikeme said on Friday he was hanging up his boots on the advice of medical experts after spending the last 12 months battling acute leukaemia. The 32-year-old is in remission but opted not to attempt to prolong a playing career that saw him make 274 domestic career appearances in all competitions. Ikeme did not confirm his future plans but he will be given the chance to work with the Super Eagles. Читать дальше...

Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez have left Barcelona's tour of the United States to have their injuries assessed, the LaLiga champions have announced. Both midfielders damaged their hamstrings and had to be replaced in an International Champions Cup game against Tottenham on Saturday.  Gomes is reportedly at risk of being ruled out for up to three months, while Suarez's injury is believed to be less serious. Barcelona are reportedly open to offers for Gomes, who has struggled to settle at Camp Nou... Читать дальше...

Thomas Lemar believes the presence of France team-mates Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez will help him prove a hit at new club Atletico Madrid. The LaLiga side beat out strong competition to sign Liverpool-linked Lemar in a reported €60million deal from Monaco. Part of the Les Bleus squad that prevailed at the World Cup in Russia, the winger passed a medical on Friday, clearing him to train with Diego Simeone's men for the first time. Lemar acknowledged the influence of Griezmann and Hernandez in swaying him to the Spanish capital... Читать дальше...

Nick Pope will see a specialist to examine the extent of a shoulder injury and Robbie Brady has sustained a hamstring concern of his own, Burnley boss Sean Dyche has confirmed. Reports have suggested the goalkeeper, part of England's squad at the World Cup, could be out of action for several months. Pope suffered the injury in the first leg of Burnley's Europa League second qualifying round tie at Aberdeen on Thursday, where substitute Sam Vokes hit a late leveller to secure a 1-1 draw. After... Читать дальше...

Former Germany international Fredi Bobic has branded Mesut Ozil "cowardly" for using social media to air his grievances with the German Football Federation (DFB). Ozil announced his retirement from international football last Sunday citing a "feeling of disrespect" for his Turkish roots as forcing the decision. The 29-year-old slammed the media and was particularly critical of DFB president Reinhard Grindel, accusing him of incompetence and insensitivity toward his heritage. But the manner of... Читать дальше...

Dani Carvajal has high hopes for life under new Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui, who he believes always gets the best out of his teams. Zinedine Zidane led the club to a third consecutive Champions League crown last term and ultimately decided to step down soon after, suggesting he would not be able maintain the team's successes. Lopetegui was announced as Madrid's new coach just prior to the World Cup, a situation which resulted in his sacking by Spain two days before their Russia 2018 campaign started. Читать дальше...

Barcelona's new signing Arthur is reminiscent of club icon Xavi, according to team-mate Rafinha. The Brazilian midfielder shone on his first appearance for the Catalan giants, scoring a fine goal in the International Champions Cup against Tottenham on Saturday. Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde praised Arthur's display and fellow midfielder Rafinha was also impressed by the 21-year-old, who has joined from Gremio. "I don't like to make comparisons usually, but he has a touch of Xavi about him,"... Читать дальше...

Ander Herrera feels Manchester United's pre-season campaign is so busy it is comparable to English football's notoriously tough Christmas schedule. United went down 4-1 to rivals Liverpool in an International Champions Cup clash played in front of over 100,000 fans in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Manager Jose Mourinho subsequently sympathised with supporters at Michigan Stadium who witnessed a makeshift United side outclassed by the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Daniel Sturridge and Xherdan Shaqiri. Читать дальше...

New Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel is wary about discussing Neymar in public as he feels he has to be "careful" following the Brazil star's World Cup criticism. Neymar was consistently at the centre of attention in Russia, with his performances being put under the microscope and his behaviour often commented on too. The former Barcelona star received flak for his theatrics at the tournament, with then Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio calling him an "actor" for his overreactions to challenges and fouls. Читать дальше...

Wayne Rooney marked his first DC United goal by suffering a broken nose. The ex-England captain got off the mark in MLS by firing through the legs of former Manchester United team-mate Tim Howard as DC beat Colorado Rapids 2-1 on Saturday. Rooney's joy was tempered by a challenge that left the striker bloodied on his fourth appearance for DC since leaving Everton. And the 32-year-old, who captained DC for the first time, confirmed the extent of his facial injury in a social media post. "Delighted... Читать дальше...

Diego Simeone hopes Atletico Madrid defender Sime Vrsaljko can be persuaded to reject interest from Inter and stay with the Europa League champions. Inter head coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed Vrsaljko is a transfer target for the Serie A side, the defender having excelled in Croatia's run to the World Cup final. Vrsaljko battled with Juanfran for the right-back spot at Atletico Madrid last term, the 26-year-old featuring in 21 LaLiga matches, while he signed a new contract to 2022 in February. Читать дальше...

Florian Lejeune has suffered a cruciate ligament injury that means the Newcastle United defender will need surgery. Lejeune was absent for Saturday's pre-season friendly away to Porto and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines. The centre-back confirmed the news in a social media post, vowing to return to action as soon as he can. "During my last training session, I left the field due to an injury," Lejeune wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "After further medical examination, the doctor told me I have a cruciate ligament injury. Читать дальше...

Gareth Bale making a shock return to Tottenham is "not realistic", according to manager Mauricio Pochettino. Bale made no secret of his frustration with a lack of starts for Real Madrid at the end of last season, suggesting he could leave the club after scoring twice in the Champions League final defeat of Liverpool in May. The 29-year-old has long been linked with a return to Spurs, although the club would appear unlikely to be willing or able to meet the Wales star's wage demands. Cristiano... Читать дальше...

Werder Bremen have confirmed Claudio Pizarro has returned to the club for a fifth spell ahead of what is expected to be the final season of his career. The 39-year-old striker has signed a one-year deal with Werder, who first brought him to European football back in 1999. "I am delighted to have the chance to be part of this team again in order to hang up my boots at the club where it all began in Europe," Pizarro told the club's official website. "I am looking forward to the challenge, to passing on my experience... Читать дальше...

Lucas Moura was sad to leave "brother" Neymar in January, but believes he joined a bigger club when he moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Tottenham. The Brazil international spent five years in Paris and, although he enjoyed a great relationship with Neymar, it was arguably his signing from Barcelona that resulted in Lucas having to leave. Neymar joined PSG during the same transfer window as Kylian Mbappe and the pair instantly became fixtures in the team, meaning Lucas was restricted to just five Ligue 1 appearances before heading to Spurs. Читать дальше...

Alexandre Lacazette insists he sees Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a friend rather than a rival despite losing his place in the Arsenal team to the Gabon striker in the second half of last season. Lacazette became Arsenal's record signing in July last year when they paid Lyon €53million for him, with the striker initially appearing to settle quite well, scoring four in his first six Premier League games. But his performances did not continue to improve and the goals dried up, resulting in the Gunners... Читать дальше...

Keylor Navas is relaxed about his Real Madrid future after speaking with new coach Julen Lopetegui despite speculation constantly linking the club with other goalkeepers. The Costa Rican has had to contend with Madrid reportedly chasing other players in his position ever since Navas' move from Levante in 2014 David de Gea has been the most frequent apparent target, but Manchester United have managed to resist Madrid's advances several times. This year, Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois seems to be their primary target between the posts... Читать дальше...

David Silva is pondering bringing his remarkable international career with Spain to a close and plans to seek advice from his Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola. Silva's exploits with Spain have coincided with the most successful period in the country's history, winning the 2010 World Cup between back-to-back successes in the European Championship. But, at 32 and coming off the back of a disappointing campaign at Russia 2018 where Spain were eliminated in the last 16 by the hosts, Silva is contemplating concentrating his focuses elsewhere. Читать дальше...

Ernesto Valverde is excited about what Arthur can add to Barcelona after the Brazilian midfielder scored on debut for the LaLiga champions. It was a memorable debut for Arthur, who netted a stunning first-half goal as Barca defeated Tottenham 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the International Champions Cup on Saturday. Making his maiden appearance since arriving from Gremio in a €40million deal earlier this month, 21-year-old Arthur added to Munir El Haddadi' 15th-minute opener 14 minutes... Читать дальше...

Wayne Rooney marked his first match as DC United captain with a maiden MLS goal, while Bayern Munich-bound Alphonso Davies scored twice for Vancouver Whitecaps. Former Manchester United and England captain Rooney, 32, opened his MLS account in DC's last-gasp 2-1 win over Colorado Rapids on Saturday. United and England's all-time leading scorer, Rooney found the back of the net in the 33rd minute after receiving a pass from Luciano Acosta and guiding the ball through the legs of Rapids goalkeeper and former Red Devils team-mate Tim Howard. Читать дальше...

Luciano Spalletti insists Inter need to make further signings before the transfer window closes following their loss to Chelsea. Inter went down 5-4 on penalties against Chelsea after Saturday's International Champions Cup clash ended 1-1 in Nice. The Serie A side have been busy in the transfer market, signing Radja Nainggolan, Lautaro Martinez, Stefan de Vrij, Kwadwo Asamoah and Matteo Politano. However, Inter head coach Spalletti said the Scudetto hopefuls – who are reportedly closing in on... Читать дальше...

Former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney opened his account for DC United in MLS. Rooney scored his first DC goal as the MLS side defeated Colorado Rapids 2-1 on Saturday. United and England's all-time leading scorer, Rooney found the back of the net in the 33rd minute after receiving a pass from Luciano Acosta and guiding the ball through the legs of Rapids goalkeeper and former Red Devils team-mate Tim Howard. The 32-year-old Rooney has made four appearances for DC since arriving from Premier League outfit Everton. Читать дальше...

Pep Guardiola is waiting to discover the severity of Riyad Mahrez's ankle injury after the Manchester City attacker hobbled off against Bayern Munich. Club-record signing Mahrez was substituted in the 28th minute due to ankle problem in City's 3-2 win over Bayern at the International Champions Cup on Saturday. Mahrez, who arrived from Leicester City in a £60million deal, went down early under a challenge and the Algeria star failed to shake off the problem before the half-hour mark in Miami. "I don't know [the extent]. Читать дальше...