Новости за 06.03.2019

Rennes coach Julien Stephan has backed Hatem Ben Arfa to shine in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Arsenal as he comes up against his former boss Unai Emery.Ben Arfa endured a tough time under the Spaniard when the pair worked together at Paris Saint Germain and did not feature in a single competitive game for the Ligue 1 side last season.The 31-year-old left PSG at the end of his contract and moved to Rennes, where he has starred as part of a team which has gone further in the Europa League than... Читать дальше...

Bolton’s home game against Millwall on Saturday will go ahead after the club satisfied the local council they could meet their ground safety obligations.The Sky Bet Championship fixture at the University of Bolton Stadium had been in doubt after the club failed to pay any staff their February wage, while they also owed money to Greater Manchester Police.Part-time matchday staff, including safety stewards and turnstile operators, had considered not working on Saturday because of the issue, but Bolton... Читать дальше...

Long before the advent of social media and rolling 24-hour news coverage, Premier League footballers were only too happy to lend their names and faces to an array of bizarre and brilliant kids' TV shows.It was a different time. A simpler time. A time when Blue Peter constituted essential viewing for most young folk. There was no Instagram or YouTube to turn to, with kids instead left to their television sets.With that in mind, it’s perhaps understandable that footballers past and present would be... Читать дальше...

It never promised to be the happiest of reunions, even before one of the participants was ruled out. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez could have compared pay cheques and their impressions of the Premier League’s various dugouts.Yet if the Chilean seemedlikelier to play when Arsenal host Manchester United on Sunday, it was only due to injuries. Then he was sidelined himself. Half of his goals this season have come at the Emirates Stadium, but he won't take to the field he graced in his days as the most coveted footballer in England.Ozil... Читать дальше...

Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld knows how important it is to have a marksman like Harry Kane in their side.Kane became the club’s leading European goalscorer when he scored in the second half to hand Spurs a 1-0 Champions League win at Borussia Dortmund, sealing a 4-0 aggregate success.Dortmund may well have gone through with someone like Kane in their ranks, having failed to take their chances over two legs.Alderweireld helped keep Dortmund out in both legs (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)Coming... Читать дальше...

The 2008/09 season ended in European heartache for Manchester United, as Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in Rome. Michael Carrick recently told FourFourTwo that it was "one of the lowest moments I’ve had in football...we really let ourselves down."Since then, United have faced 48opponents in European competition, reaching two finalsand winning one of them.On Wednesday nightthey face a tough task to continue this season’s Champions League journey, as they aim to overturn... Читать дальше...

The young striker had failed to make the breakthrough at Norwich but proved a hit at the Abbey Stadium, firing the U’s to consecutive promotions – scoring the first ever goal in a Wembley play-off final – and successive FA Cup quarter-final appearances.After narrowly missing out on a third straight promotion, and a place in the inaugural Premier League campaign, Dublin was put up for sale and wasn’t short of suitors.Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United were all keen to recruit the goal-getter,... Читать дальше...

Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff is to see a specialist on Tuesday over the knee injury which forced him off the pitch at West Ham at the weekend.The 21-year-old, whose form has seen him tipped to receive an England Under-21 call-up this month, failed to re-appear for the second half during Saturday evening’s 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium.Press Association Sport understands Longstaff is to consult a specialist as both he and manager Rafael Benitez wait anxiously to discover the extent of the... Читать дальше...

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £10,000 by the Football Association.Pochettino has been punished for his improper conduct charge and will have to sit in the stands when Spurs return to his former club Southampton on Saturday as well as their trip to Anfield.SEE ALSOWhy the FA will always struggle to find the right punishmentThe Argentinian, whose side reached the Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday... Читать дальше...

What the papers sayManchester United are looking to make a £120 million move for Paulo Dybala if Romelu Lukaku leaves in the summer, The Sun reports. The Argentine Juventus star has impressed Old Trafford scoutsand been identified as a player who could help United challenge for the Premier League title, the paper claims. Juventus are reportedly reluctant to sell the 25-year-old but could be tempted if an offer around £120 million came in.Manchester City could be in for a £15 million windfall if Borussia... Читать дальше...

Online gambling is the biggest cause of mental health-related issues for young footballers, former Manchester City and Northern Ireland star Jeff Whitley has told Press Association Sport.Now a member of the welfare team at the Professional Footballers’ Association, Whitley has witnessed a huge increase in the number of current and former players asking for help with addictions, anxiety and depression.But the 40-year-old, who wrecked his own career with drink and drugs, has also seen a change in the... Читать дальше...

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fuelled speculation about his future by confirming he is no longer contracted to Molde.The fan favourite joined on a deal until the end of the season 2018-19 season, after the sacking ofJose Mourinho in December.The intention was for Solskjaer to return to his role at the Molde helm in May, with the Norwegian club’s chief executive Oystein Neerland saying they are happy to “lend” their manager to United.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has improved... Читать дальше...

PGigi Buffon is quite tickled by the prospect of becoming extinct. “Let’s start by saying that soon there won’t be goalkeepers at all,” he suggests, uncorking a bellyful of laughter. “The way football is going right now, I may be one of the last!”We’re discussing how football has evolved in the long time – almost a quarter of a century – since he made his professional debut. Buffon was 17 years old when he announced himself to the world with a clean sheet in his first ever appearance for Parma, denying... Читать дальше...

A flash of brilliance from Mason Bennett revived Derbys play-off hopes as they came from behind to beat Wigan 2-1 at Pride Park.The visitors had led through Gavin Masseys first half breakaway goal but Bennetts acrobatic finish turned the game, with Scott Malone providing the finish that ended a run of four defeats.Malone had provided the cross which set up Bennett as the left back went from villain to hero after his mistake led to Wigans goal.He also cleared a Nick Powell header off the line and... Читать дальше...