La Liga games to take place behind closed doors if Spanish football returns amid coronavirus outbreak

 

 

 

Senior figures at UEFA, La Liga and the RFEF have continued discussions but no specific return date is being targeted at this stage

La Liga matches will be played behind closed doors if a solution can be found to get Spanish football back underway.
As things stand, there is still no date set for any such return, but senior figures at La Liga and the Spanish FA (RFEF) acknowledge that a gradual return to normality would have to be enacted.
Sources close to the situation indicated to Goal that fans would continue to be banned from stadiums to prevent another sharp outbreak of coronavirus in Spain as a result of such large crowds gathering.

In Spain, Valencia’s away game against Atalanta in the Champions League has been labelled as a ‘biological bomb’ which served to accelerate the outbreak of Covid-19 and overwhelm local health services in both areas.
Once the outbreak has been contained to an acceptable degree, football is expected to return, but authorities and clubs will be extremely cautious as to the wider effect of hosting events.
There is some optimism from UEFA that, in a best-case scenario, some continental competitions could be resumed in June.
On Wednesday, UEFA announced a number of further suspensions of fixtures, including the postponement of all international fixtures scheduled for June and the outright cancellation of some youth international tournaments set to take place over the summer.
However, AS reports it is unlikely that stadiums will be allowed to open again until autumn at the very earliest.
There is a strong desire from UEFA to complete the round of 16 in both the Champions League and Europa League, but these matches will certainly be played behind closed doors if they do take place.
A number of European games have already been played without fans, including Valencia’s second leg against Atalanta in Spain, and Paris Saint-Germain’s comeback at home to Borussia Dortmund.


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https://www.goal.com/en/news/la-liga-games-behind-closed-doors-spanish-football-returns/1mlf4rqf27puk11rydllrfr9f8

Stones defends Sterling over World Cup criticism

Manchester City defender John Stones believes Raheem Sterling deserved far more credit for his performances at the World Cup and was upset by the negativity aimed at his team-mate.
The 23-year-old could not reproduce his club form, having scored 23 goals last season, at international level in Russia and became the main target for criticism even though England reached the semi-finals.
Stones saw his displays up close and thinks he made more of a contribution than was appreciated, evidenced by the fact Sterling has resumed normal service on his return to Premier League action.
He scored one and had a hand in Kyle Walker’s winner in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle which got City back to winning ways after last weekend’s draw at Wolves.
“Raz was unbelievable in the World Cup,” he said.
“I know he got a lot of negativity towards him but what he brought to the team. He terrorised defences and it got overshadowed.
“On a personal level I was upset for Raheem because what he brings to his team, as we saw with his goal against Newcastle, is immense.
“And it’s not just about goals, he creates chances, takes on his full-back – he does everything right and more and I hope if we do play for England that one goes in and that is that, and we can put it to bed.
“If that happens, he can go on to show the world how good he is.
“He has such a great mentality, to keep coming out every week and doing what he does, and brush it all aside.”
Stones praised Sterling for the way he has handled himself over the last few months.
That includes not only criticism of his on-field displays but the furore over a tattoo of a gun on Sterling’s leg – which has personal significance for a player after seeing his father was shot dead in Jamaica as a boy – which dominated a significant part of the build-up to Russia.
“There was a lot of stuff going on before the World Cup, non-football related which is ridiculous,” added Stones.
“But you can’t let it get to you and Raz is so focused on his football and wanting to do well for the team – and that is the side people don’t see.
“Its an unbelievable quality for any footballer to have, and it makes him a great lad to play with.”
Sterling has picked up where he left off for City last season, scoring his second goal in three appearances.
He struck after just eight minutes after Bernard Mendy capitalised on Jamaal Lascelles’ careless touch to release his team-mate to cut in from the left and curl a shot across Martin Dubravka.
City should have pressed home their dominance of possession as the visitors fought a determined rearguard action but were stung by a counter-attack on the half-hour which saw DeAndre Yedlin charge 60 yards from the halfway line to convert Salomon Rondon’s low cross into the six-yard area.
The hosts upped the pressure after the break and Walker’s first goal for the club, his last coming almost three years ago as a Tottenham player, was worth waiting for as he drilled home a low shot from 25 yards.
Newcastle had Dubravka to thank for preventing that lead being extended, making one particularly good double save from Fernandinho and David Silva.

source: https://www.football365.com/news/stones-defends-sterling-over-world-cup-criticism

Messi desperate for World Cup success

Lionel Messi is desperate to win the World Cup with Argentina, setting his sights on Russia 2018.

Argentina star Lionel Messi dreams of winning the 2018 World Cup and warned his international team-mates it could be their last chance.

A senior trophy with the national team is all that is missing from Messi's incredible career, which has included a record five Ballon d'Or crowns.

Since Messi made his debut in 2005, Argentina have been three-time Copa America runners-up and also lost the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil.

The 30-year-old Barcelona star is desperate to go one better in Russia, with his team having been beaten by Germany in extra time in Rio de Janeiro four years ago.

"We feel that, if we won't win the World Cup in Russia, the only way will be to give up the national team," Messi told La Cornisa on Sunday.

"I dream of winning the trophy in Russia. My wish is to live something similar to Brazil 2014.

"You can do everything OK and fail, like Argentina in Brazil."

Largely thanks to Messi, Argentina are considered a chance of success in Russia, where they face Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.

Read more: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-desperate-world-cup-success

La Liga Wk29: Bottom three drift away

Las Palmas, Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga all drifted further away of safety in La Liga Week 29 as Levante moved six points clear of their relegation rivals.

Levante made a winning start under Paco Lopez last weekend, and they followed that up with a 2-1 victory over Europe-chasing Eibar on Friday.

Roger Marti, Levante’s top scorer in Segunda last season, got the ball rolling on 25 minutes, before Charles pulled one back for Eibar.

However, Emmanuel Boateng popped up on the hour mark to consolidate Levante’s grip on 17th place and leave the Basques 10th, five points behind a Europa League spot.

That made Saturday a must-win for Deportivo La Coruna and Las Palmas, yet the two teams were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Riazor.

Alen Halilovic put the islanders, without as many as six first-teamers, ahead after just three minutes, but Raul Albentosa equalised midway through the first half.

The defender’s goal did no favours for either side, with Clarence Seedorf still looking for a first victory – seven games into his reign – and Las Palmas stuck in 19th.

Real Sociedad’s season, meanwhile, continued to spiral out of control after they were beaten 2-1 at home by surprise packages Getafe.

Willian Jose showed why he was called up by Brazil for the upcoming international break with the opener at Anoeta, but a six-minute smash-and-grab saw Djene Dakonam and talisman Angel Rodriguez score either side of the break.

With that, La Real fell to their second successive defeat and left them languishing in 14th, while Geta snuck into the top half.

Saturday’s best performance was saved for last, when Real Betis enjoyed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Espanyol.

Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez has been heavily linked with Betis, but the former Tottenham Hotspur loanee could do little about any of the Andalusians’ efforts from Junior Firpo, Ryad Boudebouz and Francis Guerrero.

Quique Setien’s side are now just two points off fifth-placed neighbours Sevilla, whereas the Catalans’ hopes of a top-10 finish took a blow.

Read more: https://www.football-espana.net/70532/la-liga-wk29-bottom-three-drift-away

CHELSEA HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT TO SALVAGE THEIR SEASON

Chelsea went out of the Champions League on Wednesday as they lost to Barcelona at the Nou Camp. The 3-0 score-line was perhaps unfair on the Premier League champions, but it underlined the difference in quality between the two sides. The Blues managed to get into promising positions throughout the match and managed to have more attempts than their hosts. They managed 14 shots on goal, while they only conceded eight. However, their final ball was lacking, as they regularly wasted good opportunities to score. Meanwhile, Los Cules were clinical with Lionel Messi at his influential best.

It was always going to be a difficult task for Chelsea considering their recent form in the Premier League and losing an early goal didn’t help. Thibaut Courtois is regularly talked about as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, but he was one of the worst performers on Wednesday. The Belgian could have done better for the first and third goals, as he was twice beaten through his legs by Messi. The first in particular was poor as the Argentine had a tight angle to shoot from, but he still managed to beat the goalkeeper at his near post. In the second-half, the Belgian keeper nearly gifted Barcelona another goal, when he coughed up possession to Luis Suarez and had to make a stop to spare his blushes.

The main problem in attack for Chelsea was the poor final ball. Eden Hazard and Willian both carried a threat with their direct approach in transition completing ten dribbles between, but they couldn’t create the opening that the team needed. That was a fault of the whole team, as the movement in the final third was predictable at best. Marcos Alonso attempted four shots, which was more than any other player on the pitch. The Spaniard has provided a goal threat since joining the club, but it isn’t great if he is your most productive attacker in a huge Champions League match such as this one.

Antonio Conte will know that 2018 hasn’t been good enough for his team as this was their sixth defeat in the last 11 matches across all competitions. The Champions League would have been a priority for the Italian at the beginning of the season as his track record in the competition is patchy, but to drop out at this stage will be regarded as a failure.

The focus now has to be on the Premier League and FA Cup. They could somewhat salvage their season with a top-four finish and an FA Cup triumph, but it would only be papering over the cracks. After a superb first campaign under Antonio Conte, Chelsea have gone backwards over the last nine months. This is due to poor tactical decisions, terrible recruitment and the improvement of their rivals. Manchester City are now a million miles ahead of them and the gap would have been inconceivable a year ago.

It will be interesting to see how this defeat affects the team for the rest of the season. Their performance levels certainly increased during the two matches against Barcelona and it may be that there is little motivation for the domestic campaign within the squad and coaching staff. Conte is unlikely to be the manager of the club at the start of next season, which is a worry for Chelsea, as he may not care about finishing in the Champions League places. They are currently four points behind Liverpool with little room for error.

If the squad can’t pull together and pick up the majority of points that are available to them, they won’t be in the competition next season and that will provide them with another setback, both on and off the pitch. Their run-in looks kind as they only have to face two top-six rivals, both at home, but they need to improve to get the results required.

Read More: http://eplindex.com/82019/chelsea-work-cut-salvage-season.html

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has classy message for Chelsea boss Antonio Conte

Lionel Messi and Antonio Conte left the pitch together

Barca dumped the Blues out of the Champions League after a 3-0 win at the Nou Camp.

Messi led the way after scoring twice and setting another up for Ousmane Dembele to score his first goal for the Catalan club.

Both the 30-year-old’s goals came through Thibaut Courtois’ legs after a series of mistakes from the Chelsea defence.

But despite the result, Italian boss Conte could be seen hugging Messi as they both left the pitch.

And as pressure mounts on the 48-year-old’s job, Messi and some words of encouragement.

"I didn't hear him, but they told me what he said and I thank him for his words," Messi said.

“I am happy for how this night has ended and for reaching the quarter-finals, which is what we wanted."

The Argentinean’s brace took his Champions League total to 100 goals - 17 behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi scored twice against Chelsea

And the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was delighted which his latest achievement.

“I’m happy to have reached 100 goals in such a beautiful competition,” he added.

“But the important thing was to move forward in a difficult match against a team with lots of really good players.

"I'm happy with how it all happened.

"This was a tough match and we were strong as a team.

"When we scored the third then the tie was practically ours."

Read more: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/689006/Barcelona-Chelsea-Lionel-Messi-Champions-League-Antonio-Conte-Nou-Camp-Ernesto-Valverde

Man City put £177m ‘on the table’ to sign Kane

According to Don Balon, Manchester City want ‘the best striker in the Premier League’ to join Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in their attack next season.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been linked with Real Madrid but City may have stolen a march as Real can’t afford the English international.

The 24-year-old has become one of the best strikers in Europe, scoring 134 goals in 204 games for Spurs. He’s netted 12 in 23 games for the national team too.

Kane’s form has led to increased interest in his signature, but Tottenham reportedly won’t accept less than £177m for the centre-forward.

Don Balon say City are ‘willing to pay’, but Real Madrid aren’t and may opt for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski as a result.

Despite the Sky Blues having won the EFL Cup and being on course to win the Premier League, manager Pep Guardiola still wants to ‘blow up the market’ this summer with the best players possible.

The Citizens are ahead of Real in the race for Kane, but the £110k-per-week star has shown no desire to leave Tottenham which may prove a stumbling block in their pursuit.

He’s recently admitted that he “can’t wait to be out there (at Tottenham’s new stadium next season) scoring some goals”, which is a good sign he’s staying for at least another year.

Read more: http://sportslens.com/man-city-put-177m-on-the-table-to-sign-kane/227097/