Football Blog (Page 96)

[ad_1] There were plenty of contenders for 90min‘s ‘Premier League crisis club of the week’. Southampton are imploding, Liverpool have fully fallen apart, Leeds United have sacked the hilariously nicknamed ‘Yank Lampard’ following another dreadful defeat, but really this week’s ‘crisis club’ could only ever be Man City. The Citizens are on the brink, and here’s why. What’s the crisis? There are two real crises unfolding at Man City right now. One is on the pitch where Pep Guardiola’s side have somewhat malfunctioned in recent weeks. They’ve lost their last three consecutive Premier League away games and have looked so disjointed in and out ofRead More →

[ad_1] Jesse Marsch has been sacked as Leeds United manager after the disastrous defeat to Nottingham Forest, 90min understands. The American took charge of Leeds in February 2022 and narrowly steered them clear of relegation last season thanks to a final day win over Brentford at the GTech Community Stadium. Improved performances were expected during the 2022/23 season, with the club having spent big in the summer to strengthen the squad. Those improvements, however, haven’t come to fruition. Leeds accumulated a win percentage of just 29.73% during Marsch’s tenure, and the club now sit just outside of the relegation zone on goal difference. The finalRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona face the prospect of tackling their busy upcoming schedule without key midfielder and captain Sergio Busquets. The 34-year-old was forced out of the Blaugrana’s 3-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday in the eighth minute after sustaining an ankle injury. Barça were able to cope, finally breaking their opponents down in the second half, but with a busy couple of months ahead with key La Liga fixtures, a Europa League double-header against Manchester United and a Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid, Xavi needs every player possible at his disposal. However, it doesn’t look good for Busquets, with Barcelona revealingRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona manager Xavi has made the strange claim that Real Madrid remain the favourites to win the La Liga title, despite now being eight points ahead of Los Blancos in the table. The Blaugrana’s lead over their arch-rivals was extended on Sunday as they comfortably beat Sevilla 3-0 at the Camp Nou, while Real Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 defeat away at mid-table Mallorca. With just one defeat and seven goals conceded in 20 games so far, it’s hard to see Barca surrendering their commanding position. However, with just under half the season to go, there’s no time for complacency and Xavi believes Madrid’sRead More →

[ad_1] Pep Guardiola has lamented Manchester City’s commute down to London, labelling it ‘exhausting’ after his side’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. City lost their third consecutive Premier League away game on Sunday thanks to a record-breaking goal from Harry Kane at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After the defeat, Guardiola was quick to point the blame for the defeat at the club’s travel plans, comparing the travel to London to travelling to ‘northern Europe’. “Coming to London is like going to northern Europe,” the Catalan boss said, whose team had not played in nine days before making their 200-mile trip. “It is four and a halfRead More →

[ad_1] 90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world… Arsenal are ready to move for another Brighton forward in the summer, with Kaoru Mitoma identified as a key transfer target for the Gunners after January’s acquisition of Leandro Trossard. (The Sun) Liverpool are ready to go head-to-head with Aston Villa over Athletic Club winger Nico Williams and midfielder Oihan Sancet. (AS) Leaving Anfield could be backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who wants a move to play regular first-team football. (The Sun) Chelsea are keen to hire former Spain manager Luis Enrique if they choose to offload Graham Potter in the coming months.Read More →

[ad_1] Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the league table to eight points thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over Sevilla at Camp Nou. Second half goals from Jordi Alba, Gavi and Raphinha secured the win for Barca, who capitalised on Real Madrid’s defeat to Mallorca to take a stranglehold on the La Liga title race. As expected, Barcelona dominated the opening exchanges but it would take them until the 17th minute to carve Sevilla open for the first time. That chance would fall to Ronald Aruajo, who rose highest from a corner kick but headed his resulting effort on goal just wideRead More →

[ad_1] From the Chigwell Construction Stadium: Arsenal lost pace with WSL leaders Chelsea after being held to a 0-0 draw by a resilient West Ham on Sunday evening. The Gunners saw a selection of opportunities go begging and spent much of the second period camped in the Hammers half, but were left frustrated by a heroic West Ham defensive effort. The result leaves Arsenal five points behind Chelsea, but Jonas Eidevall’s side have a game in hand over the WSL champions. Despite the absence of goals, it was an entertaining, end to end first half affair. Frida Maanum and Caitlin Foord were in the thickRead More →

[ad_1] Chelsea were immensely busy in the January transfer window, bringing in eight new players, but can they use their new signings in the Champions League this season? With the season not going well for the club, owner Todd Boehly decided to give Graham Potter his full backing and splash the cash at the start of 2023, spending just under £300m. Malo Gusto has immediately returned to Lyon on loan while Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana are very much signings for the future, but the other five players – Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Nono Madueke and Benoit Badiashile – have been broughtRead More →

[ad_1] Try as hard as you might, but it’s impossible to remove the grin from Vinicius Junior’s lips for any extended period of time. Even when he has been bumped, barged and battered all over the pitch, the effervescent Brazilian invariably laughs off the extra attention he receives. Vinicius’ patience was pushed right to the limit after a particularly aggressive approach from Mallorca on Sunday afternoon. Vinicius was fouled ten times at Son Moix – the most of any Madrid player in a La Liga match since 2013 (per Opta) – as Los Blancos slumped to a 1-0 defeat away from home which dented theRead More →