FOOTBALL

World Cup Predictions: Netherlands vs Senegal

Published

2 years ago

November 21, 2022

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A Sadio Mané-less Senegal will kickstart their World Cup mission in Al Thumama by facing the tournament’s dark horses, the Netherlands.

The reigning African champions were hopeful that Mané would be able to recover from the injury he had sustained and return for the final group match.

But Bayern Munich have confirmed that the forward will need surgery and must stay on the sidelines for the next three months.

Undoubtedly, this came as a big blow for Senegal.

Sadio Mané is one of the best forwards in the world, so his absence will certainly be felt in the Senegalese attack. But the Teranga Lions will have to make do without their talisman.

Senegal’s impressive legacy

Senegal stunned the world when they made their World Cupp debut in 2002.

They saw off defending champions France in their opener and went all the way to the quarterfinals. They returned to the World Cup in 2018, but this time, they had to pack their bags for home after the group stages.

Aliou Cissé was part of the Senegal team that made history in 2002.

The 46-year-old is now the manager of his nation and led them to African supremacy earlier this year. He now faces the uphill battle of progressing to the World Cup knockout stages without his best player.

Cissé should feel confident about his team’s defensive prowess, though, as they have managed to keep the opposition attack at bay in six of their last eight outings.

The return of Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal left the Netherlands to join Manchester United, retired and then came back to manage the Dutch national team for the third time in his career. But, he will feel a sense of continuity when Oranje play Senegal on Monday evening as he oversaw Netherland’s last match in the competition.

The Netherlands finished third in the 2014 World Cup under Van Gaal but went in a downward spiral afterwards as they failed to qualify for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.

They did make it to the Euro 2020, but their journey ended in the Round of 16.

Van Gaal came out of retirement to steady the ship and oversee a return to the grandest stage of world football.

There is a genuine belief among the Netherlands supporters that their current crop of players can pull off what many golden generations could not.

Van Gaal has created a cohesive unit that could punch above their weights to upset the biggest names. The Dutch camp will eye a statement win over Senegal to make their mark.

Team News

Aliou Cissé has to choose from Iliman Ndiaye, Krépin Diatta, Bamba Dieng and Nicolas Jackson to deputise for Sadio Mané on the left wing.

He could settkle on Monaco’s Krépin Diatta for his pace and dribbling skills.

RB Leipzig centre-back Abdou Diallo is likely to sit out of action as he is struggling with a knee problem.

Memphis Depay did not play since picking up a hamstring injury in September while playing against Poland. So, the Netherlands will be without their highest goalscorer in the qualifiers.

Denzel Dumfries limped off the pitch during Inter Milan’s Serie A clash against Atalanta.

The fullback is likely to be sidelined as well.

Atalanta star Marten de Roon is another player the Dutch medical team has marked doubtful as he is trying to recover from a back injury.

Our Prediction

Both teams will miss their best attacking assets, but that should not stop them from testing each other’s defensive resilience.

The three time runner-ups should be able to squeeze out a win because of their superior squad strength. We are expecting a 1-0 win for the Netherlands.

FOOTBALL

WATCH: Georgina Rodriguez makes huge claim on Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement in Football

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

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Georgina Rodriguez made a huge claim on the future of her husband and star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in Football. In a brief interaction with a host recently, Rodriguez was asked about the time left for Cristiano to make an impact at the highest level. Georgina looked honest in her approach to the question of the host and claimed something the fans would not love to hear.

Georgina claimed that the Portugal star has maybe one year more from him at the highest level. She felt that Ronaldo might play two more years before retiring and not more than that. She was however not sure if he would play for just one or two years and added that the Al Nassr star could also play more than that.

Watch the video of Georgina Rodriguez here –

🚨🎙️| Georgina Rodriguez on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Paris Fashion Week yesterday:

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”

(via @ArobaseGiovanny)pic.twitter.com/4dxw2j5DuC

— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) March 3, 2024

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know,” said Rodriguez in the little chat she had with the host. The video has gone viral on X and the fans have started sharing it on different platforms. Some of the fans feel that Georgina might be right, while others feel that she could be wrong, given the fitness and longevity of the star player.

Legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo

On the 5th of February, Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday. He is currently one of the oldest players in the world. In the past, players at this age would have retired way back. But the fitness and consistency of Ronaldo make him play the sport as long as he wishes. In his career so far, Ronaldo has won many major leagues for Portugal and league teams like Real Madrid, Al Nassr, and Manchester United.

With United, Portugal won some major leagues like the FA Cup and the Champions League. With Real Madrid, the 39-year-old won the leagues like the UCL, Copa Del Rey and La Liga. He won it three consecutive times for Real Madrid. For Portugal, Cristiano had a huge contribution to Portugal. He has the most number of appearances and goals for an international team and won the Euro 2016 with Portugal.

FOOTBALL

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham slapped with Red Card as he argued with referee

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

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Jude Bellingham shown Red Card (Image Credit: Twitter)

England and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham was slapped with a Red Card during the La Liga game against Valencia. In the game, the home team, Valencia was leading by 2-0 after 30 minutes before Madrid scored in the injury time of the first half. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Madrid while Hugo Duro (27′) and Roman Yaremchuk (30′) scored a goal each.

In the 76th minute, Junior scored an equalizer to keep the team in the game. However, in the injury time of the second half, Bellingham was given a red card as he argued with the referee against calling it a full-time before he could score. In reply, the match official decided to slap the England international with a Red Card. The team coach Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t happy with the verdict as the Three Lions player was making a pass at the time.

Jude Bellingham verbally abusing officials and other footballers at the slightest provocation needs to be talked about more. It’s embarrassing he gets applauded by Real Madrid Fans.

Mason Greenwood should’ve allowed La Liga to deal with this simp. pic.twitter.com/ixYSw6YxaC

— Herman Facundo© (@hermanfacundo_7) March 3, 2024

“I think what’s just happened is unprecedented. It’s never happened to me,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“We had possession of the ball and the match should have been finished when Valencia had the ball.

“What bothers us is the red card for Bellingham because he didn’t say anything insulting. He was frustrated of course,” said Ancelotti, adding that Bellingham had used a common English swearword when telling the referee it was a goal.

We are annoyed with Jude Bellingham’s Red Card: Carlo Ancelotti

“We were annoyed with Bellingham’s red card. He didn’t say any insults. He said in English ‘it’s a f—ing goal,’ but he was just saying what we were all thinking … [The referee] allowed play to continue. I think he made a mistake.”

“[Bellingham] was clear in what he said,” Ancelotti added. “He was quite vehement [in his reaction] but that’s normal, after what happened. It wasn’t an insult, not at all.”

FOOTBALL

PL 2023-24: MCFC vs MUFC Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Fantasy League Today’s Captain, Vice-Captain, and more for Manchester derby

Published

9 months ago

March 2, 2024

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Super Sunday is set to witness the Manchester Derby in the Premier League 2023-24. The match between Manchester City (MCFC) and Manchester United (MUFC) is set to take place in Etihad Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City. The two teams have had a contrasting journey in the league till now. The fortunes of City changed ever since Pep Guardiola took over the club as the manager.

While the home side are placed in the second position in the points table currently, United are in the sixth place in the points table. In their previous encounter, City hammered Luton Town by 6-2 in the FA Cup. United have shown massive improvements in the last few weeks after not having a good start to their campaign. United were involved in a thrilling game where they beat Nottingham Forrest by 1-0 in their last game.

Both teams feature some of the best players in the world. The likes of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and others would be taking part in the match. Manchester City will start the match as the favourites, given their record in the ongoing league so far and the match taking place in their home. United with their improved record can challenge the home side.

MCFC vs MUFC – Match Details

Match – Manchester City (MCFC) vs Manchester United (MUFC), Premier League 2023-24

Venue – Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Date and Time – 3^rd March 2024, 21:00 IST

Live Coverage – Star Sports Network and Disney plus Hot Star

MCFC vs MUFC – Head-to-Head

Both the teams from Manchester have a rich history in the sport. they have been up against each other in 191 instances. In as many games, Manchester United have been historically the better side with 78 wins to their name. City have managed to win 60 wins, as 53 games ended in a draw. In the last five games between the two sides in the Premier League, City have won four of the five games.