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Showing posts from June, 2024

The Role of Home Advantage in the Title Race: Fenerbahçe's Upcoming Challenge.

In every title race, statistics and tactics often dominate the conversation. Analysts debate formations, injuries, squad depth, and goal difference. Yet one intangible factor repeatedly shapes championships across Europe and beyond: home advantage. For Fenerbahçe S.K., a club steeped in history and expectation, the significance of home advantage is magnified tenfold as the season edges toward its decisive stretch. In a tightly contested title race, where margins are thin and nerves are frayed, the atmosphere of Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium may prove as influential as any tactical blueprint. Home advantage is not merely about familiarity with pitch dimensions or avoiding travel fatigue. It is psychological territory. It is rhythm, routine, and resonance between players and supporters. For Fenerbahçe, whose fan base is among the most passionate in Turkish football, the stadium becomes an amplifier of belief. When the title race intensifies, that amplification can tilt the emotional balance of...
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Free agents! 25 top players available for free on July 1.

The summer transfer window is well underway, and July 1 represents a watershed moment in the trading period. Several contracts will legally expire, causing a scramble for the autographs of high-profile free agents. Kylian Mbappe's free transfer to Real Madrid is the most significant trade of the summer. The France captain will join the European champions after Euro 2024, having scored a record-breaking 256 goals in 308 games for PSG. Even considering the cost of his signing-on fee and pay, it's an incredible coup for Carlo Ancelotti's team. Mbappe, however, is not the only free player attracting interest, and there is still plenty of talent available as potential Bosman bargains. The list of players whose contracts expire later today includes a four-time Champions League winner, a driving force in France's current Euro 2024 challenge, and the second-highest goal scorers in Borussia Dortmund and the Netherlands' history. This list also includes a former £72 million...
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Marseille confirms Roberto de Zerbi's appointment.

Olympique Marseille have completed the signing of former Brighton player Roberto de Zerbi. Having been linked with a move away from Brighton all season, the seagulls confirmed that he would leave the AMEX stadium after the season's final game. And Marseille have pounced following Jean-Louis Gasset's exit, with the French club stating that the Italian has signed a three-year contract in the south of France.  The Italian explained: "I am delighted to join Olympique de Marseille; I had a great desire to join this club. The history and prestige of OM, the passion and zeal of its fans, and the seriousness and enthusiasm demonstrated to me by Frank, Pablo, and Medhi influenced my decision to take on this exciting project. I can't wait to sit on the bench at the Orange Vélodrome, this time as OM coach, and assist the team achieve the status it deserves."
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💔 Elation to heartbreak in brutal 2 minutes for Denmark.

Germany may have been denied by VAR in the first half, but they were grateful to those in control in the second following a wild few minutes, while Denmark was left cursing the technology. The tournament hosts were down a goal six minutes into the second half when Joachim Andersen hammered in a loose ball from a set piece, only for VAR to reverse the result due to a very thin offside call. Germany promptly ran down the other end, and VAR intervened once more in their favour when the snickometer revealed a handball by the same player, resulting in a penalty for Julian Nagelsmann's side. That allowed Kai Havertz to put his team ahead from the spot, capping a dreadful few minutes for the Danes. 47’ mins - Andersen scores for Denmark 49’ mins - goal disallowed for offside  51’ mins - Handball by Andersen, penalty to Germany  53’ mins - Havertz scores for Germany What a change of fortune for Germany in the space of 5 mins 😮 With VAR on their side, may Germany finally win the Eu...
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Italy's poor performance resulted to its elimination from the Euro 2024 tournament.

Arrivederci agli Azzurri, campione d'Europa no more. Italy's defence of their European crown ended prematurely and timidly on the same pitch where they won their fourth World Cup. Marcello Lippi's team secured themselves of immortality in Berlin 18 years ago, whereas Luciano Spalletti's side received only ignominy. They were devastated by their setback. Nevertheless, Switzerland triumphed magnificently. They have long been overshadowed by their neighbours, but a first success against Italy in three decades followed their elimination of France in Euro 2020. Switzerland has made the last eight European Championships in a row, after not reaching the quarterfinals since 1954. Now they are on the verge of history. Fresh off coming within a few minutes of defeating Germany, Murat Yakin's team demonstrated why they are one of the tournament's best. They played with the togetherness that Italy lacked, as well as the clear game plan that the Azzurri required. They have t...
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Didier Deschamps, France's head coach, will try out a new formation against Belgium.

According to a report published by L'Equipe on Saturday, France head coach Didier Deschamps is considering deploying a different formation for Les Bleus' upcoming RO16 match against Belgium. Following an uninspiring group stage that included back-to-back draws against the Netherlands (0-0) and Poland (1-1), France has been paired with Domenico Tedesco's Diables Rouges in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final. France and Belgium will play this Monday at 6 p.m. CET in Düsseldorf. According to the publication, Didier Deschamps spoke with his squad the best method to play against Belgium. France is set to deploy a tried-and-true 4-4-2 system, which was the preferred shape in France's two previous World Cup final appearances. In the group stage against the Netherlands, France's head coach used a 4-4-2 formation, with Juventus' Adrien Rabiot playing as a left-sided midfielder to give defensive stability. The experiment proved inconclusive. However, Didier Descham...
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🚨7 Changes! Italy and Switzerland name sides for EURO 2024 knockout clash.

After a brief hiatus, EURO 2024 resumes this weekend with four knockout matches, beginning with Italy and Switzerland facing off in Berlin. Germany's injury-time equaliser guaranteed the Swiss finished second to their opponents in Group A, but they remain unbeaten in their past seven games, winning one and drawing two. Italy also finished second in their group, but needed a 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia to get to the knockout stages. Luciano Spalletti has made six changes since that game, with the excellent Riccardo Calafiori sidelined for being booked twice in three games. Federico DiMarco is also missing due to injury, so Gianluca Mancini and Matteo Darmian take over in defence, while Nicolo Fagioli and Bryan Cristante replace Jorginho and Pellegrini in midfield. Federico Chiesa and Stephan El Shaarawy are flanking Gianluca Scamacca. Switzerland has kept things more simpler, with Silvan Widmer missing due to suspension and being replaced by Ruben Vargas. Who do you ...
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Football transfer rumors: Manchester United offers Sancho to competitors, while Liverpool is interested in Coman.

The 90-minute roundup of the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the world... Manchester United have contacted Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City to find a buyer for winger Jadon Sancho, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanting a £40 million fee to part ways with the 24-year-old. (TEAMtalk) Matthijs de Ligt, a Bayern Munich centre-back, could join Manchester United this summer. (The Athletic.) Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both hoping to persuade striker Julian Alvarez to quit Manchester City this summer. (CaughtOffside) Chelsea has pulled out of the contest to recruit Swedish striker Alexander Isak after learning of Newcastle United's £100 million asking price. (The sun) If Fulham rejects their latest offer of £38 million for midfielder Joao Palhinha, Bayern Munich is willing to walk away from the negotiations. (Sky Sports Deutschland) Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are both interested in signing Adrien Rabiot when his Juventus contract expires at the end of t...
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Napoli has reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.

Napoli has identified Romelu Lukaku as one of their top summer goals, and sources indicate that the Partenopei has reached an agreement with Chelsea for the Belgian international. New manager Antonio Conte is desperate to reunite with the player who helped Inter win the Scudetto in 2021, with the player himself said to be interested in a move. Chelsea are willing to sell Lukaku, who spent last season on loan at Roma, for around €38 million, but according to La Repubblica (via calciomercato.com), an agreement of €30 million has already been reached. The future of two of Napoli's current top stars, Nigerian attacker Victor Osimhen and Georgian superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, is said to be essential to the agreement. The former, who has a €150M release clause, appears to be caught in limbo, with several suitors turned off by the amount. Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's future will be decided after Euro 2024, with Conte anxious to keep him in his side despite approaches from Paris...
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Uruguay leads Group C after defeating Bolivia, but Panama stuns the USA.

Copa América Group C play starts Thursday evening, with the United States facing Panama and Bolivia facing Uruguay. Let's get into what happened that night. Uruguay 5-0 Bolivia Uruguay all but secured their place in the final round with a resounding victory over Group C bottom dwellers Bolivia. Uruguay had a strong start and should have taken the lead after three minutes, but Darwin Núñez missed from close range. However, Marcelo Bielsa's team seemed unconcerned, and they took a well-deserved lead before the 10-minute mark when Facundo Pellistri scored from close range. Núñez scored his second goal of the tournament, doubling Uruguay's lead and effectively ending Bolivia's chances. Uruguay easily defeated Bolivia in the second half, with goals from Maximiliano Araújo, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo Bentancur sealing their victory and propelling them to the knockout stage. Panama 2-1 USA  The United States' Copa América prospects are hanging in the balance follow...
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Chelsea contacted Leicester City about a deal for Kiernan Dewsbury.-Hall

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have approached Leicester City about signing midfielder Kieran Dewsbury-Hall. Chelsea wants another midfielder and has set their sights on the 25-year-old, who impressed in the Championship last season with 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 league outings. Dewsbury-Hall is also considering leaving his boyhood club for Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will most certainly have to pay a substantial fee for the midfielder, whose contract runs until 2027. However, the London club has demonstrated that it is willing to pay exorbitant fees for players it wishes to sign. Chelsea believe Dewsbury-Hall is the ideal tactical fit for manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with him last season. The Leicester City Players' Player of the Season might play in Maresca's 4-3-3 formation with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Chelsea fans will be wondering what Dewsbury-Hall's arrival means for Conor Gallagher's future. The club has been attempting to sell the 24-ye...
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Cristiano Ronaldo defended himself following an angry reaction to Portugal's substitution.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez defended an angry Cristiano Ronaldo after he kicked a water bottle after being substituted in the shocking 2-0 loss to Georgia. The Al Nassr striker lasted just over an hour before being hooked by Martinez, who was looking for an answer to goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze when he replaced Ronaldo with Goncalo Ramos. A response was not forthcoming, with Ronaldo watching from the bench as Portugal suffered what was statistically the largest upset in the history of the European Championships against a Georgian team ranked 66 places lower in FIFA's world rankings. Ronaldo was seen kicking a water bottle before taking his position on the bench, expressing his emotions following a tough outing. Ronaldo had been penalized earlier in the game for his outbursts at the referee after colliding with centre-back Luka Lochoshvili, who was obviously pulling the Portugal striker's shirt but managed to avoid a penalty. Martinez maintai...
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3 things we learned as Copa América Group B takes shape.

Copa América Group B continues to heat up, with Venezuela picking up their second win and Ecuador earning their first three points. Here's our take on the happenings in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Referees are the actual stars. The two Group B games were packed with drama, but the majority of it was generated by the guys with the whistles. In the evening's first game, Jamaica felt shortchanged when they were not awarded a penalty kick for what they perceived to be a similar handball to Ecuador's earlier penalty. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, each team was handed a penalty kick following long VAR reviews, but Venezuela was the only team to convert one of the two.  Scuffles erupted in both games, highlighting how badly the referees failed to manage the proceedings, but we've grown to expect this in CONMEBOL and CONCACAF matches. There has been plenty to write and discuss throughout the first 12 games of the tournament, but let us hope that the quality of the players come...
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5 breakout performers who shone in Euro 2024 group stage.

Major international competitions are typically the finest places for wonderkids to play their best football.  Many young players have emerged from the shadows at the World Cup and European Championship in recent years, firmly establishing themselves as household names and frequently putting themselves front and center in the shop window. Euro 2024 is likely to fulfill that function for a number of the continent's most talented young players, many of whom are making their international debuts. While some of players who have shone best are already established pros at major teams, they have undoubtedly improved their profile in Germany. Riccardo Calafiori (Italy) Riccardo Calafiori is well-known among those who follow Serie A. The centre-back has paired Alessandro Bastoni during Italy's three group stage games, helping Bologna defy expectations and qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the league was reformatted. Despite advancing to the round of 16, the Azz...
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🔬 The Debrief: Georgia creates a fairytale story and Belgium sneaks through.

The final set of EURO 2024 groupings was completed on Wednesday. Here's a recap of the action from day 13. What happened? 📝. All four countries started the day with three points apiece, and after a goalless draw between Belgium and Ukraine and a 1-1 tie between Slovakia and Romania, the teams concluded with four points each for the first time in Euros history. As a result, Ukraine was eliminated from the competition based on goal differential. In the evening kick-offs, Georgia upset Portugal with a 2-0 victory, while Turkey advanced to the European Championship knockout rounds for the first time since 2008, defeating Czech Republic 2-1. Player of the day! 🔥 Earlier today, Napoli manager Antonio Conte told reporters that retaining Kvara Kvaratskhelia was a must for him. That mission may be about to get much more difficult, as the Georgian sensation had all eyes on him when he handed his team the most unlikely of leads against Portugal after only 93 seconds. In Naples, the ma...
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How will Group E finish if all four teams are tied on points? 🧠.

With Group E still hanging in the balance, the final day of group matches in EURO 2024 could include an intriguing story twist. Slovakia and Romania are engaged in a 1-1 draw, while Ukraine's match with Belgium remains goalless. With little under 20 minutes left in both games, this is how things are presently expected to end: Group E's current situation at halftime: 1. Romania (4 points)  2. Belgium (4 points). 3. Slovakia (4 points) 4. Ukraine (4 points). Despite having more points than third-placed Hungary, Ukraine was eliminated. 🫠 Another possible wrinkle is that teams could be bumped up or down based on their respective disciplinary histories. Denmark finished second in Group C on Tuesday because they received fewer yellow cards than Slovenia, despite being tied on points and goal difference.
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Kylian Mbappe's attorneys issued a final warning to Paris Saint-Germain ahead of a €100 million court lawsuit.

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid's blockbuster signing, will be officially released from Paris Saint-Germain next week, but the French phenom will not have a clean split. His conflict with PSG appears to be headed toward court. According to ESPN, Mbappe's attorneys have sent a last warning to PSG over unpaid payments from April, May, and June, as well as a February signing bonus worth over €100 million. PSG claims that Mbappe agreed to forgo some of that money, but Mbappe's legal team claims that there is no legal or written record of the arrangement. It appears that it could wind up in court. The French champions will have to rely on an alleged verbal agreement with Mbappe, which is being held up in court, but it is a nuance with significant significance. While it was never going to be easy for PSG to move on from Mbappe, a possible legal fight would exacerbate the bitterness of his departure.
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Phil Foden departs England's EURO 2024 camp due to a family situation.

England have revealed that Phil Foden has temporarily departed the EURO 2024 camp. Foden played in all three group games for Gareth Southgate's side, including Tuesday's stalemate with Slovenia. However, the Manchester City playmaker has returned home owing to what the Football Association describes as a 'urgent family problem'. Foden has recently announced that he will return to the United Kingdom to attend the birth of his third child. The Three Lions will find out who their last-16 opponents are after the group stages end on Wednesday evening.
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Arsenal and Tottenham are both interested in signing Italy's Calafiori.

Riccardo Calafiori shone on the international scene at Euro 2024, forcing Arsenal and Tottenham to pursue the Italian defender. The 22-year-old left-footed centre back was a key member of Thiago Motta's Bologna side this season, helping the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six decades. His work piqued the interest of Juventus, who attempted to outbid their competitors for his services. Juventus negotiated personal terms with Calafiori on a five-year contract for approximately €2.5 million net per season, but their €25 million offer to Bologna was rejected in May. The Rossoblu directors expected his value to rise after the European Championship, and their patience has paid off. North London Derby for Calafiori   Calafiori has swiftly emerged as a major target for both Arsenal and Tottenham ahead of the summer transfer window, with the two Premier League teams already making bids. Spurs have been in communication with Bologna and are preparing to make a ...
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🔬 Austria emerges victorious, as England falls short.

Another round of EURO 2024 groupings was completed on Tuesday. Here's a recap of the action from day 12. What happened? 📝. Tuesday began with a bang as Austria won Group D 3-2 over the Netherlands, while France had to settle for second place after a 1-1 draw with Poland. However, things slowed in Group C, where England's 0-0 draw with Slovenia was enough to send both teams through, while Denmark also advanced after generating an identical score line with Serbia. Player of the day! 🔥 Austria has officially reached the last 16 phases of the European Championship, and Marcel Sabitzer has played a vital role in their unlikely Group D success. It wasn't just the Borussia Dortmund midfielder's near-post finish that helped Ralf Rangnick's team defeat the Netherlands in Berlin. Sabitzer was omnipresent on the Olympiastadion pitch and earned his crowning moment in the 80th minute, propelling Das Team ahead of favourites France. Moment of the day! 😍  Slovenia's...
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Jamaica aims for its first Copa America win against Ecuador.

Jamaica will face Ecuador on the second matchday of Group B at the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America on Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last Saturday, the Reggae Boyz dropped their first encounter of the tournament, 1–0, to neighboring Concacaf nation Mexico in Houston. Goalkeeper Jahmali Waite was particularly impressive, making eight saves during the game. Dexter Lembikisa had some of the greatest opportunities of the day against Mexico, including a last-ditch effort in second-half stoppage time. Despite the defeat, Michail Antonio and Kasey Palmer stood out on the offensive side. Michael Hector made history by becoming the first Jamaican player to have made the most appearances in the competition. He can improve his record by playing against Ecuador. Jamaica is still looking for their first goal, point, and victory in the Copa America after three appearances. A victory would keep the squad in contention for one of the top two slots, allowing them to make their maid...
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Southgate criticizes England players for 'creating an issue' at Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate claims that England fans' booing and jeering of him is "causing an issue" for his players, who he adds will need their backing at Euro 2024. When the head coach and his assistant, Steve Holland, entered the pitch following Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne, they were welcomed with a harsh reception. Despite the fact that the outcome secured top spot in Group C as they prepare for the knockout stage, the pair were booed by the travelling fans, and cups were thrown on the field after another lackluster performance by the Three Lions. "I understand it," Southgate said in his post-match press conference. "I won't back down from it. The most essential thing is that supporters stick with the team. "I understand the narrative toward me, which is better for the squad than it is toward them. However, it creates an odd operating environment. I have never seen another squad qualify and obtain similar results. "I understa...
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