FOOTBALL
Dack on track for Rovers return
With just 17 games remaining of their 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship campaign, Blackburn Rovers are well and truly in the race for promotion back to the Premier League, 10 years on from losing their place in the top-flight.
Tony Mowbray’s side sit second in the standings at the time of writing and, on the back of a successful January transfer window which has seen them keep hold of some key players, may well have another ace up their sleeve for the run-in.
Bradley Dack – the man described by Mowbray as “the best player in the Championship” prior to successive long-term injuries – is nearing his eagerly anticipated return, and at a crucial time of the season.
The attacker has been building up match fitness with the Club’s Under-23 side in recent weeks following a return to first-team training, and could provide a welcome boost as Rovers look to continue their promotion charge.
“It’s been tough,” he says, when asked about his recovery from the two ACL injuries. “But, the way I see it, the quicker you get over it, the quicker you can get back. That’s the mentality I’ve taken – just work hard every day, because every day is a step closer to getting back. There have been moments when I’ve been down but I’ve got the right people around me, I’m at the right club and I’m taking it all in my stride. There’s a long time left in my career.
“Last time, it took me six or seven weeks to really get going and I’d imagine it will be the same this time. The boys are doing well enough without me so hopefully I can find my feet and add to what’s already going on.
“I haven’t played in front of fans since December 2019. I’ll get goosebumps when I run back out onto that pitch. I can’t wait for that feeling, and I can’t wait to find the net again in front of the fans.”
Dack joined Blackburn from Gillingham in June 2017 and spearheaded the Club’s Sky Bet League One promotion-winning campaign, contributing 18 goals as Rovers finished second in the final standings.
With the Club in the same position five years on, this time in the division above, the 28-year-old says it’s easy to draw parallels.
“It’s got that League One vibe about it now, definitely,” he adds. “You can see the fans are believing and I think the whole club is believing. It definitely feels a bit like that season we had in League One. I’m not going to get back in the team at this rate!
“We didn’t expect it at the start of the season and so to have put ourselves in this position is incredible. I’m really proud to be part of this group and hope I can add something to it when I come back. It’s nice to see, and everyone just feels great. There’s a long way to go still but hopefully we can build on the platform we’ve made for ourselves – who knows what could happen.
“I’ll help as much as I can; I know what I can bring and hopefully that includes a bit of experience to help some of the younger players. It will take time for me to get back to where I want to be, but I’ll try to help the team as much as I can.”
And while the players deserve plenty of credit for Rovers’ current fortunes, Dack says it’s those behind the scenes – including his long-serving manager – who have brought everyone together in the hope of achieving a collective goal.
“This is a brilliant club,” he concludes. “I’ve been here almost five years now and you get to know a lot of people. It’s run in the right way and the people behind the scenes are brilliant; the staff have been amazing to me and everyone is together as a group. The whole club has been together since I arrived, and we’re now in the position I wanted us to be in when I joined.
“The gaffer has given me confidence from the day I walked through the door. He wanted me to play as if I was in the local park and that’s what I’ve based my game on. It’s nice to hear that praise from him, and my aim is to get back to that level. I fully expect myself to do that.”
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.
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
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 – 3rd 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.
MCFC vs MUFC – Likely XI
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Akanji, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Alvarez, Haaland, Foden
Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Amrabat, Casemiro, Manioo, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho
MCFC vs MUFC – Fantasy XI
Grand League Team
Goal Keeper – E Moraes
Defenders – M Akanji, K Walker, H Maguire
Mid Fielders – Kevin De Bruyne, B Fernandes, R Hernandez, Casemiro
Forwards – E Haaland (VC), J Alvarez, M Rashford (C)
MCFC vs MUFC, PL 2024 Dream11, Grand League (Source: X)
Head-to-Head Team
Goal Keeper – S Ortega
Defenders – M Akanji, K Walker, R Varane
Mid Fielders – K De Bruyne (C), B Fernandes (VC), B Silva, Casemiro
Forwards – E Haaland, J Alvarez, M Rashford
MCFC vs MUFC, PL 2024 Dream11, Head to Head (Source: X)
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