FOOTBALL
BVB respond To Haaland transfer rumours
Erling Haaland has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain in recent days, but Borussia Dortmund director Michael Zorc has dismissed the claim.
The BVB chief had previously made it clear that the Norwegian striker is not for sale, and he insisted that the club’s position didn’t change regarding the matter.
PSG is not the only European superpower who is eager to bring in Haaland.
The striker has also drawn attention from the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Manchester City.
The Parisians are the latest to join the race regardless of Borussia Dortmund’s explicit reluctance to part with its premium attacking asset.
The Ligue 1 giants are reportedly convinced they can still make the deal happen before the August 31 deadline.
Any potential deal involving Haaland is expected to cost around €200 million, but Zorc insists even such enormous sums of money would not tempt the Dortmund outfit to sell Haaland.
‘’We are a football club, not a bank! Our position is very clear and did not change. I assume that we will now be confronted with wild rumors for another two days. Our position is clear, I don’t need to play the parrot all the time.’’
Micheal Zorc on PSG’s reported interest in Haaland.
PSG is thought to be on the lookout for a premium striker because of Kylian Mbappe’s potential departure before the summer transfer window ends.
The 22-year-old is currently in the final year of his contract and can leave for free next season.
PSG’s first preference is to extend Mbappe’s stay.
So, the club hierarchy sanctioned a lucrative compensation package for the French wonderkid that would see him earn €25 million per year after taxes.
Real Madrid is ready to splash the cash for the World Cup winner.
Los Blancos didn’t spend a dime on transfers since January, 2020 but they are willing to break the bank to secure the signing of MBappe.
Mbappe is reportedly keen on moving to the Spanish capital. Real Madrid’s rich European heritage and the prospect of continuing his childhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid legacy excites him.
PSG, however, is not bulging from its €200m valuation of Mbappe, which makes the deal problematic.
Real wants to pay as much as €160m, which is rather generous for a player who has less than 12 months left on his contract.
As the transfer window deadline looms nearer, Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid seems more and more unlikely.
Madrid might decide to wait for one more season and sign Mbappe as a free agent.
But, PSG is still lining up contingency plans and its number one target to fill in Mbappe’s shoes is Haaland.
The Norway international has an incredible return of 63 goals from 64 outings for the Dortmund outfit.
Therefore, he is a natural candidate to replace a high-scoring forward like Mbappe.
FOOTBALL
Pep Guardiola Shoulders Responsibility for Manchester City Loss to United
Pep Guardiola blames himself! Pep Guardiola took full responsibility for Manchester City’s disappointing 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, admitting he “was not good enough.” The loss came in a closely contested derby that saw United capitalize on critical moments, leaving City to rue missed opportunities. Guardiola’s tactical decisions have come under scrutiny, with some analysts suggesting changes in formation or lineup may have been necessary to counter United’s gameplay.
Speaking to the press, Guardiola emphasized that the blame for the defeat lies with him. “I’m not good enough. I didn’t make the right decisions today,” he said, reflecting on the team’s performance. City started strongly, controlling possession and creating early chances, but United’s resilience and counterattacking strategy ultimately sealed the match in their favor. Pep Guardiola blames himself!
The result leaves Manchester City trailing in the league standings, with increasing pressure to secure consistent wins to stay competitive in the title race. Guardiola, however, remained optimistic, urging his squad to learn from the loss and focus on upcoming matches. Meanwhile, United celebrated a crucial victory that solidified their standing as strong contenders this season.
Fans and pundits alike are debating Guardiola’s admission, as City look to bounce back in their next fixture.
FOOTBALL
Bengaluru FC Aim to Leverage Home Advantage to End FC Goa’s Winning Streak
In the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) fixture, Bengaluru FC is set to host FC Goa at the Kanteerava Stadium, hoping to end Goa’s impressive unbeaten streak and claim a crucial three points. With Bengaluru’s strong home record, they look to exploit the advantage of playing in front of their passionate supporters to halt Goa’s momentum.
Bengaluru FC, who have been inconsistent this season, will be aiming to regroup and put their best foot forward in this clash. Their attacking options, led by the experienced Sunil Chhetri, will be key as they face one of the most solid sides in the league. Despite their inconsistency, Bengaluru will be looking to ride the wave of support from their home crowd and create the chances needed to break down Goa’s defense.
On the other hand, FC Goa comes into this match riding high on confidence, having remained unbeaten for a considerable stretch. Their well-balanced squad, with notable players like Edu Bedia and Jorge Ortiz, have been a force to reckon with. Goa’s fluid passing game and lethal counter-attacks have made them a tough opponent this season, and they will be keen to extend their winning run.
Bengaluru FC’s defense will be tested as FC Goa’s potent attack looks to exploit any gaps in the backline. Bengaluru’s defense, led by the experienced Juanan and the dynamic Sandesh Jhingan, will need to remain sharp and organized to limit Goa’s chances. If Bengaluru can shut down the creative outlets of Goa, they stand a good chance of taking the upper hand in this high-stakes encounter.
With both teams needing points for different reasons, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. Bengaluru FC is looking to put their recent struggles behind them, while FC Goa is keen on extending their unbeaten run. As the match approaches, the battle between Bengaluru FC’s home advantage and FC Goa’s unstoppable momentum is sure to capture the imagination of fans.
FOOTBALL
‘They have to be favourites’ – Liverpool ‘perfect’ in Champions League
Liverpool’s impeccable start to the season has made them strong contenders for the Champions League. After securing a place in the knockout rounds with a win over Girona, they’ve maintained a perfect European record.
Rio Ferdinand praised their momentum, highlighting their position as favorites based on form, though he cautioned that freshness, particularly for key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, will be crucial. Stephen Warnock echoed this sentiment, noting that Liverpool is a formidable opponent in both the Premier League and Champions League.
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