JOSE: SYSTEM CAN ACCOMMODATE DUO
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reaffirmed his belief that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku are capable of playing alongside each other, especially in a 3-5-2 formation.
The Reds manager has often employed a 4-2-3-1 system for much of the season so far, however, he has also set up with a 3-5-2, a formation which would allow the powerful pair to link up directly in attack.
In his pre-match media briefing ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at Old Trafford, Mourinho admitted he foresees Ibrahimovic and Lukaku playing alongside each other in the near future, with the Swedish striker back from injury.
"[Ibrahimovic] can play everywhere and, this season, we’ve played with two strikers many times," the boss told the assembled press. "We’ve played [with two strikers] so many times, especially when we play with three at the back, with wing-backs, it allows us to bring in a second striker.
"We are ready to do it," he added. "We’ve been preparing ourselves since pre-season – when we started playing three at the back – so they can play together, no problem."
Mourinho was also keen to welcome Ibrahimovic back into the fold, and he revealed he was thrilled by the big Swede’s return, because of the extra attacking options he provides.
"I’m excited because I have more options," he said. "I’m excited because the team can be better. I’m excited because I want to have the best players available.
"But, you know, I don’t want to make a situation of Zlatan and Romelu because I can play Zlatan and Romelu, just Zlatan, just Romelu or it can be no-one," he added. "I always want options and now I have more options in attack."
I am the Best Liverpool Manager - Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he is still the best person for the role and believes his squad has made progress during his time in charge of the club. π π
Klopp celebrated his two-year anniversary as Liverpool boss during the recent international break but is yet to claim a piece of silverware with the Reds since arriving at Anfield in 2015.
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| Klopp |
Liverpool faces rivals Manchester United at home on Saturday, and know a defeat would leave them 10 points adrift of Jose Mourinho's side in the race for the title.
While Klopp admits his side are far from the finished article, the former Borussia Dortmund
manager insists the squad have improved under his guidance.
manager insists the squad have improved under his guidance.
If they sack me now I don't think there are a lot of managers who could do the job better than I do," said Klopp.
"I don't think I'm perfect but it is quite difficult to find better options on this. I still think as long as 98 percent of Liverpudlians think we are on the right way, we will succeed. That is how it is."
Both clubs have enjoyed long periods of dominance in previous years - most notably Liverpool's all-conquering teams in the 1970s and 80s and United's trophy-laden spell during the first two decades of the Premier League era.
However, Klopp believes the days of one side dominating English football are now a thing of the past, given the increased competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.
"The good old times, not only from the Derby side of things - jumping into each other, getting red cards, bleeding players - they will not come back, but the good old times of one team dominating the league for 20 years will not come back either," said Klopp.
That is how it is. Our job is to work in this moment and to fight with all we have for each point, which is what we are doing.
"I'm not overly happy. That's why I said, it was not a big party [for my two-year anniversary]. I didn't immediately open a bottle of champagne.
"That's because I feel we are in the middle everything. We're not at the start of course but there's still a long way to go."
Harry Kane tramples Ronaldo
After yet another barren August, Kane scored six goals in just four matches to fire Tottenham Hotspur up the table and move to within just one strike of the division’s top scorer. ππ
Romelu Lukaku. That means he is now level with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie with five awards, behind only Steven Gerrard who took the title on six occasions.
His latest honour means Kane has broken away from the pack of star-studded players who were all tied on four POTM awards, including Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo.
4 players Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to sign in January
Spanish outlet Diario Gol says Messi has told Barca they need reinforcements following the injury to Ousmane Dembele. ππ
The Ballon d’Or nominee is determined to beat rivals Real Madrid to silverware this season and wants new signings to help the Catalan Club achieve that goal.
After Neymar’s exit and the failure to sign Coutinho and Marco Verratti, Messi is desperate for Barca to strengthen.
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| Lionel Messi |
The Argentine superstar wants Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, midfielder Yerry Mina, Jean Michael Seri of Nice and Schalke ace Leon Goretzka.
Negotiations with Liverpool over Coutinho are expected to reopen in December with Barca determined to complete the signing of the Reds talisman.
Seri and Goretska have both impressed this season alerting Messi and Ernesto Valverde to the possibility of adding them to the Barca squad.
Barcelona has made a flying start to the new La Liga season winning their opening seven matches.
Messi has been in sensational form, netting 11 goals and providing three assists.
Next up for Barca is an away trip to Atletico Madrid tomorrow night at 7.45pm.
Tag :
LaLiga
Top 10 facts you never knew about David Silva
David Josue Jimenez Silva was born on 8th January 1986. He is a professional footballer who is capable of playing at multiple positions. πΆπΆ
He is apparently an attacking midfielder but can also play as a Winger or second striker. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation. On the club level, he started his career by playing for Valencia CF playing more than 150 games but later he switched to famous English Premier League Club, Manchester United. On the international level, he represents Spain national team. He started playing for his national side at a very early age of 20.The most amazing fact about him is that he is amongst the top 11 players from Spanish national football squad who have crossed the mark of earning 100 caps. He started playing in international matches at an early age of 20 and since then has proved himself to be an integral part of the team.
- Winner of Medalla de Oro de Canarias Award
A cool fact about David Silva is that in addition to other awards and titles he has the honour of winning a Medalla de Oro de Canarias Award for the year 2010. This award is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards for any Spanish athlete to win. This award has been given to him for his recognition of great services to Spanish football.
- Nicknamed as Merlin and El Mago
The funniest fact about David Silva is that he has been nicknamed as Merlin and El Mago by his teammates. This is because of his speedy passing ability and his outstanding skills of retaining football. He is quite agile on the pitch and once grabs the ball, is absolutely unstoppable.
- 8 times winner of Etihad Player of the Month Award
A very surprising yet interesting fact about David Silva is that he is the winner of Etihad Player of the Month Award. This award is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards for any footballer to win. Even impressive fact is that he has won this award not once, not twice but eight times in his career. For the months he grabbed the award include October 2010, November 2010, December 2010, September 2011, March 2014, December 2014, February 2015 and August 2015.
- Winner of FIFA World Cup Title for Spain
Another impressive fact about him is that he has been the winner of FIFA World Cup for his national side, Spain. This title is considered to be the utmost prestigious title in the world of football. For the year he won the FIFA World Cup include 2010. Not limited to this other prestigious awards he won include UEFA Euro Cup Title for the Year 2008 and UEFA Euro Cup Title for the Year 2012.
- Winner of Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit Award
Another cool fact about him is that in addition to other awards and titles he has the honour of winning a Gold medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit Award for the Year 2011. This award is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards for any Spanish athlete to win.
Personal facts About David Silva
Some interesting personal facts about him are that his father named Fernando Jimenez was a Police officer responsible for the security of Valencia CF Stadium. His father is Spanish whereas his mother, Eva Silva is of Japanese descent. He started his career as a goalkeeper but later turned winger.
- Honours and Titles at Club level
An amazing fact about him is that he has been outstanding at club level while playing for Valencia, he won 1 Copa del Rey Title of the Year 2007–08. Whereas playing for Manchester City he grabbed 2 Premier League Titles for the Year 2011–12 and 2013–14, 1 FA Cup Title for the Year 2010–11, 2 Football League Cup Title for the Years 2013–14 and 2015–16 and 1 FA Community Shield Title for the Year 2012.
- Honours and Titles at International level
Another interesting fact about David Silva is that he has been outstanding at international level while playing football for his national side. He won 1 FIFA World Cup Title for the Year 2010, 2 UEFA European Football Championship Title for the Years 2008 and 2012, 1 FIFA Confederations Cup Third Place Title for the Year 2009, 1 FIFA Confederations Cup Runner-up Title for the Year 2013, 1 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Title for the Year 2004, 1 FIFA U-17 World Championship Runner-up Title for the Year 2003.
- Honours and Titles at Individual level
Another amazing fact about David Silva is that he has been outstanding at individual level, while playing football he won 1 Pedro Zaballa Award for the Year 2005, 1 Premier League Player of the Month Award for the Month of September 2011, 1 PFA Premier League Team of the Year Award for the Year 2011–12, 1 Premier League top assists Award for the Year 2011–12, 1 UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament Award for the Year 2012, 1 Etihad Players’ Player of the Year Award for the Year 2011–12, 8 Etihad Player of the Month Award for the Months of October 2010, November 2010, December 2010, September 2011, March 2014, December 2014, February 2015 and August 2015, 1 Medalla de Oro de Canarias Award for the Year 2010, 1 Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit Award for the Year 2011.
Tag :
Football
Cannavaro investigated for match fixing
Tianjin Teda's 4-1 derby win over manager Fabio Cannavaro's Tianjin Quanjian is under investigation regarding possible match-fixing, the Chinese Football Association has confirmedπ«π«
Frank Acheampong scored twice in the space of two first-half minutes as Teda thrashed city rivals Quanjian on Saturday to move out of the relegation zone in the Chinese Super League.
But the result, which leaves Cannavaro's Quanjian two points outside the AFC Champions League play-off round places, is now the subject of a CFA investigation.
"The Chinese Football Association has launched an investigation into the CSL game between Tianjin Teda and Tianjin Quanjian," a statement read.
"A probe panel consisting of CFA's competition and legal departments, Committee for Ethics and Fair Play and a Disciplinary Commission will collect all available facts and evidence related to this game.
"Any violations of fair play would be severely dealt with according to the extant laws."
Quanjian ran out 3-0 winners in the sides' previous meeting in May.
Neither team has publicly commented on the announcement of the investigation.
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CSL
Sydney FC rides 18months winning streak
There's no place like home, particularly when you’re an A-League powerhouse riding an 18-month undefeated streak at Allianz Stadium.π²π²
Sydney FC’s form during that stretch is impressive at every ground and they are one win away from adding the FFA Cup to last season’s premiership and the championship.
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| Captain Alex Brosque |
“It needs to be an intimidating place,” Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque said ahead of tomorrow’s home match against Wellington.
“A really daunting place ... impossible for people to come and get any points.
“In the past, it hasn’t always been that way, so last year it was something we definitely focused on.”
Coach Graham Arnold, who must manage a tricky turnaround following Wednesday’s Cup semi-final victory over South Melbourne, has already reinforced the point.
“He has got it written on the board, ‘fortress Allianz’, every time we come here,” Brosque said.
“It’s very important ... when the fans come here they know we’re going to win.”
Star signing Adrian Mierzejewski, who skipped this week’s clash with South Melbourne, is set to return against the Phoenix. The Polish winger is unlikely to be the only change to the starting line-up.
“The depth we have means we can bring in new players and it doesn’t make a difference to how we play,” Brosque said.
“It (the turnaround) won’t be hard. We’ve done a lot of work in pre-season for this very moment, we knew we’d be at this stage. Everyone’s fit.” Sunday’s game will pit Ali Abbas, formerly a cult hero at Sydney FC, against his former side for the first time.
“It was strange seeing him play for Wellington,” Brosque said.
Meanwhile, Brosque has become the first Australian player to sign up with Common Goal - a global charity initiative that involves footballers around the world donating at least one percent of their salaries.
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A-League
