FOOTBALL

La Liga: Why Sevilla are genuine title contenders

Published

3 years ago

January 8, 2022

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Real Madrid were considered the only legitimate contender for the La Liga crown this season, following the lacklustre league campaigns Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are experiencing.

Even though the usual suspects are apparently out of the title race, Sevilla can mount a formidable challenge to Los Blancos for the La Liga title.

Thanks to their 1-0 away win at Cadiz, the Andalusians now stand only five points away from Real Madrid and have a match in hand.

Any team would regard that gap surmountable.

But, you would feel there is a sense of humility around the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Seville needs European football

Whether you ask the manager Julen Lopetegui or the director of football Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, better known as Rodri, you would be reminded that Sevilla can’t compete with the top brass of Spanish football and the only way to stay competitive is to ensure Champions League football every season.

Sevilla don’t have the financial means to challenge for the title.

While it’s true that Sevilla can’t match the glamour and finances of the La Liga big three, they have bridged the gap significantly over the past few years.

The club have won several Europa Cups in recent years, been regular in the Champions League, and also had a fair shot at the title last season, when they finally finished fourth.

Monchi the talent hunter

Monchi, who devoted his entire playing career to Sevilla, has earned a great reputation for spotting future superstars.

The former goalkeeper unearthed the likes of Jesus Navas, Sergio Ramos, and the late Jose Antonio Reyes.

After 16 years at Sevilla as the club’s director of football, Monchi left for AS Roma in 2017, but he came back to his roots two years later and continues to work his magic.

Monchi and Lopetegui have assembled a fantastic team at Sevilla, who are capable to give Real Madrid a run for their money.

They have two dynamic strikers in the form of Youssef En-Nesyri and Rafa Mir.

📸 𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐍 😈 pic.twitter.com/uHSJJXcdg3
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) January 6, 2022

They also have Ivan Rakitic, an experienced midfield warrior who continues to prove he has a few more good years remaining on him.

In addition, the centre-back pairing of Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos, who can take the credit for Sevilla’s impressive defensive record, which happens to be the best in La Liga.

🇫🇷 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗦 ⚡ pic.twitter.com/5C6lrH0Prb
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) January 6, 2022

The right mix

Sevilla have the right mix of youth and experience that can propel them all the way to the top.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona’s struggles have paved the way for them to become Spanish champions for the first time since 1946.

Real Madrid have also shown that they can be vulnerable as they have recently dropped points against teams like Cadiz and Getafe.

Lopetegui has to instil the belief in his players that Sevilla have a genuine shot at the title. If they can keep on their momentum for the next few months, this year can be theirs!

Los Nervionenses have progressed remarkably over the last couple of years, now it is time to take a big step and create a landmark moment in their history.

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.