Football Blog (Page 184)

[ad_1] Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confessed that La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules would currently prevent them from making any signings in the January transfer window. The club activated a number of controversial ‘levers’ during the summer, selling off club assets to raise significant sums of money and fund a hefty transfer spree, with salary cap issues and other restrictions still very much a problem for Barcelona. Speaking to EFE, Laporta admitted that he is trying to find a way to work inside the rules but acknowledged that things are looking tough. Harry Symeou hosts Scott Saunders & Toby Cudworth to look back onRead More →

[ad_1] France have been dealt a World Cup blow with the news that striker Christopher Nkunku will miss the tournament through injury. The RB Leipzig star, who has been linked with a January move to Chelsea, had already hooked up with Didier Deschamps’ squad ahead of the tournament. However, he came off worse in a 50-50 with Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at Les Blues’ Clairefontaine training base. While initial reports suggested he was hopeful that the injury was not serious, subsequent scans have proven otherwise and he will now miss out on France’s World Cup defence. “Injured in training, Christopher Nkunku must give upRead More →

[ad_1] Wales winger Daniel James is relishing the prospect of competing in his country’s first World Cup in 64 years – but is under no illusions about the difficulty of his side’s opening test against the United States. The two teams face off in World Cup Group B at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday, with both teams hopeful and confident they will get their respective campaigns off to a flying start with three points in a group which also contains Iran and England. Speaking as Wales prepare for their campaign in Qatar, James admitted he knows that USMNT in particular have a numberRead More →

[ad_1] England ensured they ended a memorable 2022 undefeated over the entirety of the year, but could only register a frustrating 1-1 draw against 10-player Norway at the Pinatar Arena on Tuesday evening. Rachel Daly had given England a first half lead with her second goal in as many matches, before Frida Maanum capitalised on an Ellie Roebuck mistake 10 minutes from time to level the scores. Norway had played the final 18 minutes with 10 players after Anja Sonstevold was given her marching orders for two bookable offences. The hard fought draw will be a real source of satisfaction for Norway, having been beatenRead More →

[ad_1] Lionel Messi says he has ‘no doubts’ that Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world, and he says he wished he appreciated his time playing for him more. Messi and Guardiola had four trophy-laden years together at Barcelona before Guardiola quit citing exhaustion. Last week, Messi said Guardiola’s impact on football has been so great that it has actually done a lot of ‘harm’ to the game due to the amount of people now trying to replicate his methods. He, though, has now put a much more positive gloss on those comments, saying the Man City boss was so good that heRead More →

[ad_1] The timing of the tournament is inconsequential. The 2022 World Cup will be nothing short of a winter festival in England. Well over a third of the nation watched the Three Lions’ semi-final defeat to Croatia in Russia four years ago, and a thrilling Euro 2020 campaign means viewership is poised to be sky-high for the World Cup in Qatar. Supporters that won’t be making the trip out to the Middle East will be able to watch England’s matches on BBC and ITV this winter with these channels also providing streaming services. The BBC have been a long-time broadcaster of the World Cup inRead More →

[ad_1] No nation has had more World Cup success than Brazil. The Selecao have won the competition five times and Tite’s side are the pre-tournament favourites to go all the way in Qatar. Only a brave man would bet against them this winter. However, Brazil have underachieved on the grandest stage since they last claimed World Cup glory in 2002 and the expectations placed on this exciting iteration of the Selecao means there’s always a chance they could crash and burn. Here’s what to expect from Brazil at the World Cup. Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras) Defenders: Dani Alves (UNAM), ThiagoRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester United midfielder Vilde Boe Risa has admitted she is considering leaving the club due to a lack of playing time, which is threatening her prospects with the Norway national team ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Boe Risa joined United in July 2021, and had been a transfer target during Casey Stoney’s tenure. But by the time a deal was eventually arranged, Stoney had resigned and the club was in the process of appointing Marc Skinner, who has since implemented a different playing style. The midfielder subsequently saw limited minutes during her debut season in Manchester. The issue of a lack of playingRead More →

[ad_1] Wales captain Gareth Bale has declared himself ‘100% fit’ for the World Cup after a minor injury limited him to just a substitute appearance in the recent MLS Cup final win for LAFC. Bale came off the bench in that triumph over Philadelphia Union and scored an equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time in extra time to force a penalty shootout that LAFC then won 3-0. It also continued Bale’s incredible run of scoring vital goals in finals or big games. But the Welshman, who turned 33 during the summer, had missed early playoff games against LA Galaxy and Austin FC. HeRead More →

[ad_1] Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi has opened up on the difficulties he faced adjusting to life at Barcelona earlier in his career. Messi joined the Blaugrana at 13 back in 2000 and, after being promoted to the senior side four years later, went on to become the greatest player in the club’s history, racking up 672 goals in 778 games before his eventual departure in 2021. Barcelona are interested in re-signing Messi this summer – 90min understands the Argentine is prepared to take his time to decide his next move – and if they do manage to bring Messi back, they’ll hope his secondRead More →