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World Cup 2022: Brazil’s squad analysed
Brazil head coach Tite has announced the 26-man Brazil squad he will take to Qatar for the World Cup.
The most notable omissions from the team are Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães.
Veterans Dani Alves and Thiago Silva will board the flight.
While Silva still continues to perform at the top level despite nearing 40, the inclusion of Dani Alves has raised quite a few eyebrows.
The 39-year-old has not been playing much football lately. Perhaps, Tite felt his experience would prove valuable for the Canarihno.
It’s certain that Alves will not be Tite’s first choice at right-back.
The defence
Juventus star Danilo will be the primary RB for the five-time world champions.
Thiago Silva is only one year younger than Alves, but he should expect to start at the left-centre position.
The Chelsea man has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League. His experience and tenacity will be crucial for the Brazil backline. PSG star Marquinhos will accompany him at the heart of Brazil’s rearguard.
Éder Militão has been selected as a centre-back, but Tite could have used him as a contingency right-back and dropped Alves to address another position.
The centre-forward department could have used more options.
The forward line
Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, and local boy Pedro are the candidates to lead the line for Brazil. Neymar is injury prone and also gets booked frequently.
Jesus has been excellent for Arsenal with his link-up qualities, but he has been far from clinical for the Gunners.
Richarlison has scored seven times in the last six matches for Brazil, but he is still nursing a calf injury. It’s not sure that he will be on the bench when Brazil takes on Serbia on November 24.
Pedro has been scoring goals for fun in the Brasileiro Série A and Copa Libertadores. But he is yet unproven at more competitive levels. So, having someone of Roberto Firmino’s calibre would have been assuring for Tite.
Gabriel Martinelli forced himself into Tite’s plans with his fantastic performances for Arsenal.
However, he will have to stay content with a bench role as Vinícius Jr will be ahead of the pecking order.
Man United’s new summer signing, Antony, is also available as one of the wide-forward options for Brazil.
The midfield
Casemiro will be the anchor at midfield, but who plays alongside him?
Fred has struggled for consistency at Man United. But Tite might favour the duo because both play in the same club and have been developing chemistry. Lucas Paqueta would be an interesting pick, as he would make the formation more attacking.
Bruno Guimarães will also warrant a place in the starting XI because of his strong performances with Newcastle United.
Fred’s profile is the closest that fits that of a classic central midfielder who operates beside a holding mid. So, he might start eventually.
Brazil World Cup Squad 2022
Goalkeepers
Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras).
Defenders
Gleison Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Dani Alves (Club Universidad Nacional), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla).
Midfielders
Casemiro (Manchester United), Fred (Manchester United), Fabinho (Liverpool), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United), Lucas Paquetá (Brazil), Éverton Ribeiro (Flamengo).
Forwards
Raphinha (Barcelona), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedro (Flamengo), Antony (Manchester United).
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WATCH: Georgina Rodriguez makes huge claim on Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement in Football
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.
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Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham slapped with Red Card as he argued with referee
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.”
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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)
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
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