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Apr
02
2024
By The African Mirror
Talking points from European soccer

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL
TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY ALLEGRI UNDER PRESSURE The season has changed quickly for Juventus and manager Massimiliano Allegri. After their loss against Lazio on Saturday, Juve have only one win in the last nine Serie A matches from which they have gained seven points. What had looked like shaping up to be a title battle with leaders Inter Milan before Christmas, has transformed into a struggle to achieve a top-four spot, a goal clearly stated by Allegri on several occasions. If Bologna and AS Roma win their respective matches on Monday, they will be…
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Dec
05
2023
By The African Mirror
Talking points from European soccer

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL
Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: NETHERLANDS IT'S NOT OVER BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION Victory for PSV Eindhoven away at Dutch champions Feyenoord on Sunday extended their 100% start to the season to 14 games and increased their lead to 10 points. But for those pundits, supporters and even players who think the title race is close to being settled, PSV coach Peter Bosz issued a rebuttal: “Nonsense. We’ve played 14 games but there are another 20 to come. We’re not even halfway. You can lose three games in a row and suddenly your lead…
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Nov
28
2023
By The African Mirror
Talking points from European soccer

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL
ITALY NAPOLI'S MAZZARRI FACES DEFENSIVE CHALLENGES Walter Mazzarri's spell as Napoli manager got off to a fine start with a 2-1 win at Atalanta on Sunday but he must now address defensive issues ahead of crucial matches. Defender Mathias Olivera was taken off on a stretcher after slipping and is set for an extended period on the sidelines. The injury to the Uruguay international has put Mazzarri in a difficult position as the Napoli squad currently lacks any available left-backs, with Mario Rui also sidelined. First-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret could bring some relief as his recovery from a calf injury…
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Nov
13
2023
By The African Mirror
Lewandowski double gives Barca comeback win over Alaves

Lewandowski double gives Barca comeback win over Alaves

FOOTBALL
ROBERT Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona fought back after conceding an early goal to beat lowly Alaves 2-1 in LaLiga, rescuing the Spanish giants after two losses in their last three games in all competitions. Barca are in third place on 30 points, two behind Real Madrid in second and four off surprise leaders Girona. Alaves' 19-year-old striker Samu Omorodion shocked Barca when he opened the scoring 18 seconds after kickoff with a close-range strike following a quick counter-attack. The goal came after a mistake by Ilkay Gundogan who lost the ball in the midfield and the hosts were lucky…
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Oct
31
2023
By The African Mirror
Talking points from European soccer

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL
TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: SPAIN GIRONA KEEP IMPRESSING IN BELLINGHAM'S LALIGA Real Madrid's England midfielder Jude Bellingham has dominated headlines again after another magnificent performance, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 win at Barcelona on Saturday. But Real do not have LaLiga's title race all their own way as Girona are level on 28 points with the Spanish giants after beating Celta Vigo 1-0 on Friday, their ninth win in 11 games. The surprise package of the season so far, Girona's 3-0 defeat at home to Real in late September are the only points dropped…
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Oct
30
2023
By FERNANDO KALLAS
Ancelotti praises “stupendous” Bellingham after Clasico double

Ancelotti praises “stupendous” Bellingham after Clasico double

FOOTBALL
REAL Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti hailed Jude Bellingham as 'stupendous' after the midfielder scored twice to earn his side a 2-1 fightback win at Barcelona in Saturday's LaLiga 'El Clasico'. Ancelotti said the 20-year-old Englishman kept surprising him with his maturity and that he gave Real the spark they needed to recover against a Barcelona side who dominated proceedings before succumbing due to two late stunners. "(Bellingham) looks like a veteran out there because of his attitude. His first goal changed the dynamic completely of what was a difficult game for us," Ancelotti told a press conference. "I can't deny…
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Oct
27
2023
By FERNANDO KALLAS
Injury doubts haunt Barcelona ahead of Saturday’s Clasico against Real Madrid

Injury doubts haunt Barcelona ahead of Saturday’s Clasico against Real Madrid

FOOTBALL
BARCELONA manager Xavi Hernandez is facing serious injury concerns as his team prepares to host rivals Real Madrid in the LaLiga 'El Clasico' on Saturday. Xavi had to call up eight academy players for their Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, as the Catalonian side grappled with injuries to eight key players, including Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. Barca secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against Shakhtar thanks to a brilliant display by 20-year-old Fermin Lopez, who is becoming a regular in the first team. Despite earlier reports suggesting that last year's LaLiga top scorer Lewandowski and midfielder Frenkie De…
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Oct
12
2023
By The African Mirror
Morocco not trying to lure Yamal – federation statement

Morocco not trying to lure Yamal – federation statement

FOOTBALL
MOROCCO are not still trying to persuade Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to play for them and they respect his decision to represent Spain, the Moroccan football federation said on Tuesday. Yamal, who has a Moroccan father, was born and raised in Spain and has become a key part of Barca's forward line and made his senior debut for Spain last month. Spanish newspaper AS reported on Tuesday that Morocco, who will stage the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal, are trying to convince Yamal to switch allegiance. The report said he had previously rejected a financial offer to play…
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Oct
09
2023
By GRAHAM KEELEY
Tens of thousands protest against possible Catalan amnesty deal

Tens of thousands protest against possible Catalan amnesty deal

WORLD
WAVING Spanish and Catalan flags, tens of thousands of people marched through Barcelona to protest against a potential amnesty deal that Spain's Socialists must strike over Catalonia's 2017 separatist bid if they want to form a government. The protest, organised by the anti-separatist organisation Societat Civil Catalana, took place five days after Spain's acting Socialist prime minister was nominated to seek the backing of other political parties for a new mandate. Pedro Sanchez needs the support of Catalan separatist parties Junts and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, which want the unpopular amnesty in exchange for votes in parliament. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of…
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Apr
30
2023
By The African Mirror
Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen delight Barcelona restaurant staff

Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen delight Barcelona restaurant staff

WORLD
PEOPLE in Barcelona had to do a double take when former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and film-maker Steven Spielberg joined the throngs of tourists to visit some of the city's main sites - albeit with added security. The trio were in Barcelona to attend a concert by pal Bruce Springsteen at Barcelona's Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on Friday night. Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen dined at the Amar restaurant in the Palace Hotel on Thursday. Staff member Pol Perello uploaded a photo of them posing with wait staff and chefs to Instagram with the comment "the pleasure this job brings…
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