Real Madrid - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Talking points from European soccer

TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY INTER AIM TO SEAL TITLE IN MILAN DERBY Inter Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Cagliari on Sunday but can still claim the Serie A title with five games to spare if they beat second-placed AC Milan in their next match and recent meetings between the sides suggest that is likely. Inter have won the last five Milan derbies in all competitions, thrashing Stefano Pioli's side 5-1 in their most recent encounter in September., They beat Milan 3-0 on aggregate in the 2022-23 Champions League semi-finals and won 3-0…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Mallorca investigating alleged racist gesture towards Real’s Tchouameni

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MALLORCA are working with the police to investigate an alleged racist gesture made during a 1-0 home defeat by Real Madrid, the LaLiga club said. Videos on social media appeared to show a fan at the Son Moix Stadium making a racist gesture towards Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who scored the only goal of the match. In the same fixture last year, Mallorca fans were filmed racially abusing Real's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr., with Mallorca revoking a fan's membership card for three years. "In yesterday's match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid, images have been identified in which a person made racist gestures," Mallorca said in…

Mar

2024

By The African Mirror

Real Madrid’s Diaz to represent Morocco

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REAL Madrid winger Brahim Diaz was named in Morocco's squad after deciding to represent the North African team rather than Spain. Diaz was included in Walid Regragui's 24-man roster for the matches against Angola and Mauritania this month, the Moroccan Football Federation said in a statement. The 24-year-old represented Spain in one game and scored against Lithuania in 2021. FIFA rules say players can switch international allegiance as long as they have made fewer than three appearances for a country before the age of 21 and have not played for that nation for at least three years. Former AC Milan…

Mar

2024

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: FRANCE NICE IN A RUT Nice's promising start to the season feels like a distant memory as they extended their winless streak to six league matches with a 2-1 loss to Montpellier on Friday. Manager Francesco Farioli admitted it was a difficult time for the club, which seemed unstoppable just four months ago. "The efforts the players put in to keep the team at the top of the table for six months required a lot of physical and mental energy," he said. With Nice in sixth place and 16 points behind…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Napoli’s Osimhen still in doubt for Champions League, says Mazzarri

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KEY striker Victor Osimhen is not guaranteed to start Napoli's Champions League match against Real Madrid, despite his return to Serie A at the weekend, new coach Walter Mazzarri said. Osimhen made his comeback in Saturday's 2-1 win at Atalanta after a month out with a thigh injury but Mazzarri, who returned to the club for his second spell in charge this month, replacing Rudi Garcia, said he was still concerned about the Nigerian. "Tomorrow I will talk to the doctors and Osimhen," Mazzarri told a press conference. "We will see if he will be able to do a quarter…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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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…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Lewandowski double gives Barca comeback win over Alaves

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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…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Vinicius vows to continue fight against racism as he wins Socrates Award

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REAL Madrid winger Vinicius Jr will keep speaking out against racism in world soccer after receiving the Socrates Award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony for his contribution off the field. Vinicius, who has been racially abused regularly in LaLiga games for the last two seasons, was recognised for starting a foundation that is building schools in impoverished areas and investing in education in Brazil. "I will remain strong in the fight against racism," said the Brazilian, who received the award from the Prince of Monaco. "It is a very sad thing to talk about racism nowadays, but we have to…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

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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…

Oct

2023

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Ancelotti praises “stupendous” Bellingham after Clasico double

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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…