Real Madrid face Almeria in La Liga on Friday aiming to extend their record winning run to 20 matches but injuries are beginning to take their toll. . Ancelotti’s side have been in blistering form and a 4-0 victory over Ludogorets in the Champions League on Tuesday set a new Spanish record of 19 wins in all competitions. . Injuries are becoming a concern, however, with James Rodriguez going off against Celta Vigo last weekend to join Luka Modric and Sami Khedira in the treatment room. . Asier Illarramendi has earned a chance to claim a regular place in the…
Author: David F.
When Manchester City arrived at the Stadio Olimpico needing to beat AS Roma to stand any chance of progressing to the Champions League knockout stages, many wondered how they would cope without Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure. . Manager Manuel Pellegrini did not. . Despite boasting an enviable wealth of talent in their ranks, City have often floundered in the Champions League and ahead of kickoff in Rome on Wednesday they sat third in Group E needing a victory and Bayern Munich to beat CSKA Moscow. . With powerhouse midfielder Toure suspended and captain Kompany and talismanic striker…
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is not dreaming of qualifying for the Champions League just yet but that could change in January if his side continue their flying start to the Premier League season. . Fourth-placed West Ham, who have 27 points from 15 games, have surpassed expectations with a string of fine attacking displays and they will be hoping to record their fourth straight win when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday. . “If we’re still here towards the end of January then we’ll reassess our aims,” Allardyce told a news conference on Thursday. . “By that point…
Manchester United have been looking for a midfield dominator for years – many believe that the club has never replaced Roy Keane who left the club nearly a decade ago. . But, if persistent reports are to be believed then Louis van Gaal is certain that he has found just the man. And that is, of course, Roma’s Kevin Strootman. . Strootman will turn out for Roma tomorrow night when they play their make or break Champions League game with Manchester City. Win and Roma will progress to the knockout phase at the expense of Manchester United’s arch rivals. .…
Another day, another Manchester United rumour – this time talkSPORT claim United are in pole position to sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Perez after Spanish side Valencia could not meet the Portuguese giants’ valuation of the Argentina international. . The 28-year-old has been in fine form, helping Benfica rise to the top of Primeira Liga and has scored nine goals in 68 appearances for the club since joining in 2011. . TalkSPORT understands United boss Louis Van Gaal is an admirer of Perez and wants to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford in January after abandoning a move for Roma midfielder Kevin…
FORMER Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan has blamed Louis van Gaal’s fitness regime for the catalogue of injuries at Old Trafford after Chris Smalling became the club’s 43rd casualty of the season. . It is also the third time that Smalling has been sidelined since van Gaal’s arrival last summer after he limped out of Monday’s win at Southampton with a groin strain. . The England defender was to assessed further yesterday but is rated extremely doubtful for Sunday’s game at home to Liverpool. . United are currently also without summer signings Angel di Maria, Daley Blind and Luke…
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has fired a warning to rivals Liverpool to expect him back to top form at Old Trafford on Sunday. . The 31-year-old struck two fine goals as Manchester United defeated Southampton 2-1 to extend a winning run to five games and to lift Louis van Gaal’s side up to third in the Premier League. . Van Persie has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form so far this season but now feels he is back to playing better than ever which will concern a stuttering Liverpool side. . “I’ve been feeling very well over the…
Angel di Maria is set to return for Manchester United against Liverpool this weekend according to reports. . The 26-year-old Argentinian has been missing from United’s last two games and although Louis van Gaal’s side has been able to keep their winning streak going, the performances have been far from convincing. . Di Maria’s absence was particularly apparent in the 2-1 win over Southampton as without him in the team, United’s counter-attacking threat was blunted. Nobody has the pace of Di Maria, apart from Di Maria himself.
Neymar scored a spectacular goal as Barcelona came from behind to beat Paris St Germain 3-1 in their Champions League showdown for top spot in Group F on Wednesday. . Former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic put the French side ahead after 15 minutes with their first threat on goal but Lionel Messi restored parity as he maintained his remarkable scoring form with his eighth goal in Europe this season. . The Argentine slotted in at the far post from a Luis Suarez cross and although they continued to look exposed at the back, Neymar scored with a drive from distance…
Chelsea gave a helping hand to a former hero on Wednesday by rounding off the Champions League group stage with a 3-1 victory over Sporting which sent the Portuguese side packing and opened the door for Schalke 04 to reach the last 16. . The English side finished comfortably clear at the top of Group G after a Cesc Fabregas penalty and a rasping strike from Andre Schuerrle set them on their way and John Obi Mikel rounded off the scoring after Jonathan Silva had given Sporting hope. . The result proved a boon to Chelsea’s former Champions League-winning coach…