Real Madrid struggled for long spells in their 1-0 win over Paris Saint Germain and there were whistles from the Bernabeu crowd but coach Rafa Benitez said the most important thing was reaching the Champions League last 16. . Benitez’s side are still unbeaten this season in all competitions but they rode their luck against PSG who dominated especially in the first half and Real scored through Nacho Fernandez from one of their few chances after 35 minutes. . “We have played against a strong side in PSG and I am happy because we have qualified which is what is…
Author: David F.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said the team would have to “reflect on the mistakes we have made” after Tuesday’s fortunate 1-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. . Madrid were outplayed during the first half but still went to the break 1-0 ahead thanks to a surprise goal from reserve defender Nacho Fernandez and a string of misses from PSG frontman Edinson Cavani. Rafa Benitez’s side were better after the break, and came close to a second through midfielders Isco and Toni Kroos, but former Madrid winger Angel Di Maria was inches away from…
PSG president Nasser El-Khelaifi did little to dampen speculation after being asked about the club’s interest in the Real Madrid superstar. . Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser El-Khelaifi has dropped his biggest hint yet that the French champions will make a move for Cristiano Ronaldo. . The Qatari-owned club are known to be long-term admirers of the 30-year-old, and have been linked with a move for him this summer. . And when asked about PSG’s interest in Ronaldo, he did little to dampen speculation. . “Ronaldo has a contract with Real and we respect that,” he said. . “Negotiations would be…
Real Madrid and Manchester City qualified for the Champions League knock-out rounds with victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla respectively on Tuesday. . And there was relief at Old Trafford as Manchester United ended a 400-minute wait for a goal to beat CSKA Moscow 1-0. . A fortuitous goal from Nacho proved decisive for 10-time champions Real to win 1-0 despite being outplayed for the majority of the first half of their Group A game at the Santiago Bernabeu. . PSG were on top throughout the first period with Zlatan Ibrahimovic curling a shot from the left just wide of…
City’s neighbours United laboured for long periods despite near total domination against CSKA at Old Trafford before a late Wayne Rooney header snatched a 1-0 win that puts the Red Devils in control of Group B. . PSV Eindhoven’s 2-0 win at home to Wolfsburg means United lead those two by a point but a victory over the Dutch outfit at Old Trafford in three weeks time will book the three-time winners’ place in the last 16. . United came into the game on the back of three successive 0-0 draws with manager Louis van Gaal’s tactics increasingly coming in…
Memphis Depay missed Manchester United ‘s team bus and had to drive himself to meet up with the rest of the squad at The Lowry Hotel. . While United’s squad turned up on the bus together, former PSV man Depay arrived in his black Mercedes five minutes after his teammates. . The squad are at the hotel ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford. . This latest move is unlikely to endear the 21-year- old, who has also been dropped from the Dutch national squad, to manager Louis van Gaal, who previously defended his £25million…
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said in his press conference on Monday that the team is working on its goal-scoring form after a goal- lacking October. After another disappointing 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace, Louis van Gaal’s side needs to re-group and adjust for an important UEFA Champions League clash against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday. Following a 0-0 draw at home in the Manchester derby, United played 120 goalless minutes at home to Middlesbrough before losing 3-1 in penalty kicks. United did not score single goal at home in the month of October, something that should…
A look at Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay’s performances this season – who should be Manchester United’s left winger and striker? . Manchester United made a shock signing on deadline day when they splashed out a whooping £36 million on 19-year-old striker Anthony Martial from AS Monaco. The deal could rise to as much as a staggering £58 million in time. . The youngster was relatively unheard of at the time before making an impact in his Premier League debut by scoring a fine solo goal to ensure a 3-1 victory over United’s Premier League rivals Liverpool on…
Another game, another goalless draw for Manchester United. This is now becoming a theme for Louis van Gaal’s men, three goalless draws and three unimaginative performances resulting in two points and a knockout in the Capital One Cup. It’s not been a week to remember. . Once again, United were toothless and rigid from start to finish. It’s clear to see that Van Gaal is obsessed with possession, and it’s worked with the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but for now, the Red Devils are dominating the possessional stats, but that’s all they’re doing. . There’s no impetus, no…
Michael Carrick has urged supporters to be patient with Anthony Martial despite the youngster’s solid start to life at Manchester United, as per the Daily Star. Furthermore, the England international has revealed it’s incredible the way the Frenchman has settled following his move. . The Frenchman joined the Red Devils in the summer from Monaco and was named Barclays Premier League Player of the Month for September after impressing from the get-go at Old Trafford. . Martial arrived in England with high expectations on his shoulders after United shelled out what could potentially rise up to £58m to secure his…
Manchester United could hold a crucial advantage over Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in the race for Pep Guardiola’s signature, according to reports. . Guardiola is set to become the subject of an intense tug-of-war between the Premier League’s big four when he leaves Bayern Munich, although the frenzy for his services may have to wait until the summer of 2017, with the Spaniard reportedly likely to sign a one-year contract extension at the Allianz Arena . And according to the Daily Mail, United could hold an advantage in the battle for Guardiola because of the Spaniard’s closeness to adidas…
Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United team have made a promising start to the new football season. The Red Devils are sitting near the top of the Premier League and have made it to the Champions League group stage after a year without European competition. . United boast Old Trafford, the largest club stadium in England, but each goal that hits the back of the net is not just celebrated by the 75,000 fans at the match – they are also cheered by a community of 659 million followers around the world keeping track of the action online. In September, the…
Manchester United go in to their Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow hoping to put their poor form behind them. . The formerly-famous-for-free-scoring United have failed to notch in their last three games in all competitions, their last goal coming against tonight’s opponents in a 1-1 in Russia. . Three scoreless results in a row has led to criticism from all corners over the supposedly dull football Louis van Gaal gets his side playing and he’ll want to silence these doubters. . However, it won’t be quite so simple against a team who historically enjoy a trip to Manchester. .…
Andrei Kanchelskis says Louis van Gaal is not the right manager for Manchester United. . Andrei Kanchelskis has accused Louis van Gaal of turning his Manchester United players into robots and says he is the wrong manager for the club. . The former United winger, who won two Premier League titles in four years under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 1990s, slammed the Dutchman’s methods and said his “strict” approach to matches was in stark contrast to the Scot’s. . He is the second former player to criticise Van Gaal recently, after Paul Scholes labelled his style of play as…
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has addressed the media ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League group stage match against Dynamo Kiev. . Jose Mourinho has said he is convinced that his side will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, and believes they will finish in first place. . Chelsea currently sit third in Group G, one point behind Wednesday’s opponents Dynamo Kiev and three adrift of Porto, who currently top the standings. . The match coincides with an alarming run of form which has seen Chelsea win only one of their last eight games in all competitions, leaving…
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has addressed the media ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League group stage match against Dynamo Kiev. . Jose Mourinho has said he is convinced that his side will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, and believes they will finish in first place. . Chelsea currently sit third in Group G, one point behind Wednesday’s opponents Dynamo Kiev and three adrift of Porto, who currently top the standings. . The match coincides with an alarming run of form which has seen Chelsea win only one of their last eight games in all competitions, leaving…
Jose Mourinho takes training at Cobham the day before Chelsea’s game against Dynamo kiev Jose Mourinho has rubbished “a very sad accusation” that some Chelsea players are not trying for him. . Cesc Fabregas on Tuesday responded to suggestions he is at the heart of a revolt against Mourinho , blaming “individuals on the outside trying to destabilise the club”. . And on the eve of his side’s Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev, the Chelsea manager said his players were “giving their best in every minute of every session” to turn around a run of one win in eight…
On the eve of an important Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev, John Terry has spoken about the togetherness within the squad and insisted the players are united, fully behind Jose Mourinho and determined to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible. . The captain, addressing the media at Cobham ahead of tomorrow’s match against the Ukrainian side, spoke openly and honestly about our current situation, and said it’s the players who must shoulder the blame. . ‘First and foremost the players will stand up. I’ve not been good enough and performances haven’t either. .We realise where we…
Jose Mourinho admits Chelsea have no margin for error as the pressure mounts on the beleaguered Blues boss ahead of Wednesday’s (Thursday in Manila) crucial Champions League clash against Dynamo Kiev. . Mourinho faces one of the most significant moments in his long and illustrious career when Kiev visits Stamford Bridge for a match he cannot afford to lose. . The 52-year-old is hanging onto his job by a slender thread after a turbulent season took another turn for the worse with a 3-1 home defeat against Liverpool on Saturday. . That lackluster loss left Chelsea languishing in 15th place…
Insiders at Chelsea believe Jose Mourinho’s irrational behaviour in recent weeks is not being helped by the void between the dressing room and the club’s hierarchy, the Daily Mail reports. . The Blues have a slightly unusual set-up off the field — they have had no chief executive in place since Ron Gourlay left the club in 2014. There is therefore no one to take the heat off Mourinho, or to keep him in check. . Chelsea have picked up three red cards this season. . Chelsea have picked up three red cards this season. . During Mourinho’s first spell…