Μέσι: Ηγέτης 700 αγώνων

Γιορτή για τα 700 παιχνίδια με τη φανέλα της Μπαρτσελόνα, γκολ, ασίστ, ρεκόρ «θυμάτων» στην κορυφαία ευρωπαϊκή διασυλλογική διοργάνωση. Ένα όνομα, μια ιστορία δίχως τέλος. Ο μύθος του Λιονέλ Μέσι, συνεχίζεται...

Μόλις λίγες μέρες πριν από την εκδήλωση για την απονομή της Χρυσής Μπάλας για το 2019 (2 Δεκεμβρίου) και με τις φήμες περί θριάμβου του Λιονέλ Μέσι να έχουν πάρει διαστάσεις, ο Αργεντινός ηγέτης της Μπαρτσελόνα έδωσε ακόμα μια παράσταση το βράδυ της Τετάρτης στην αναμέτρηση με τη Μπορούσια Ντόρτμουντ στο «Καμπ Νόου».

Ήταν σημαδιακή βραδιά για τον μεγαλύτερο αστέρα που έχει δει η Μπαρτσελόνα τα τελευταία 15 χρόνια, αφού, συμπλήρωσε 700 συμμετοχές με τη φανέλα του καταλανικού συλλόγου και δεν θα μπορούσε ν' αφήσει την περίσταση να φύγει δίχως να τη συνοδεύσει με κάτι καλό εντός γηπέδου.

Και τα έκανε όλα. Πρώτα «σέρβιρε» με ένα άγγιγμα τόσο – όσο προς τον Λουίς Σουάρες για το 1-0, έπειτα το πήρε πάνω του από ασίστ του κολλητού του από την Ουρουγουάη και στο δεύτερο ημίχρονο έκανε την κάθετη μπαλιά προς τον Αντουάν Γκριεζμάν, ο οποίος πέτυχε το πρώτο του γκολ στο Champions League ως μέλος της Μπαρτσελόνα.

Η ομάδα του Ερνέστο Βαλβέρδε κατάφερε με τη νίκη απέναντι στους Βεστφαλούς στη Βαρκελώνη να εξασφαλίσει την πρωτιά του γκρουπ στο οποίο συμμετέχει και στο οποίο βρίσκονται επίσης οι Ίντερ και Σλάβια Πράγας, με τους «μπλαουγκράνα» να έχουν πετύχει πλέον κάτι εντυπωσιακό. Για 13η διαδοχική αγωνιστική περίοδο στην κορυφαία ευρωπαϊκή διασυλλογική διοργάνωση, το κλαμπ περνάει στους «16» από την πρώτη θέση του ομίλου στον οποίο έχει κληρωθεί ν' αγωνιστεί στο ξεκίνημα του τουρνουά! Το σερί ξεκίνησε από τη σεζόν 2007-2008 και συνεχίζεται μέχρι και φέτος...

Ο Μέσι, στην 700η του εμφάνιση με τη φανέλα του συλλόγου της Καταλονίας, βρίσκοντας δίχτυα κόντρα στη Ντόρτμουντ, έκανε πλέον 34 τις ομάδες απέναντι στις οποίες έχει σκοράρει όταν... κουνιέται το σεντόνι στο γήπεδο και ο αριθμός των «θυμάτων» του αποτελεί ρεκόρ για ποδοσφαιριστή στον κορυφαίο θεσμό! Από αυτή τη λίστα δεν θα μπορούσαν να λείπουν ο Παναθηναϊκός και ο Ολυμπιακός, ενώ και ο ΑΠΟΕΛ είχε την... τιμή να τον δει να στέλνει τη μπάλα στα δικά του δίχτυα σε αναμέτρηση του Champions League.

Οι μοναδικές ομάδες τις οποίες έχει αντιμετωπίσει ο Αργεντινός και έχει αποτύχει να σκοράρει είναι οι Ρούμπιν Καζάν, Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης, Μπενφίκα, Ουντινέζε και Ίντερ, με τους «νερατζούρι» να έχουν δεχθεί δυο γκολ από τον Λουίς Σουάρες στο πρώτο μεταξύ τους ματς τη φετινή σεζόν και να έχουν πλέον το δεύτερο «ραντεβού» στο Μιλάνο, στην τελευταία αγωνιστική της φάσης των ομίλων. Η Άρσεναλ είναι εκείνη που έχει δεχθεί τα περισσότερα γκολ από τον Μέσι (9) και έπειτα έρχονται οι Μίλαν και Σέλτικ (8)

Ο απόλυτος «βασιλιάς» της Βαρκελώνης, ο άνθρωπος που πραγματικά μεταμορφώνεται όταν φοράει τα μπλαουγκράνα σε αντίθεση με όσα κάνει τις στιγμές που καλείται να προσφέρει τις υπηρεσίες του στην εθνική ομάδα της Αργεντινής, έχει μετρήσει πλέον 613 τέρματα στην ποδοσφαιρική του καριέρα και 237 ασίστ με τις δύο που μοίρασε σε Σουάρες και Γκριεζμάν την Τετάρτη. Έχει σκοράρει 40 χατ-τρικ, πέντε φορές στην μέχρι στιγμής παρουσία του στα γήπεδα έχει πετύχει 4+ γκολ, έχει κατακτήσει 34 τίτλους, έχει αναδειχθεί 6 φορές κορυφαίος σκόρερ στην Ευρώπη και φυσικά έχει και 5 Χρυσές Μπάλες... αναμένοντας την 6η.

Μέσα στο ημερολογιακό έτος 2019 με τη φανέλα της Μπαρτσελόνα χει 40 τέρματα, 15 ασίστ, ξεκίνησε βασικός στα 36 από τα 43 ματς που έχει αγωνιστεί, έχει ολοκληρώσει 198 ντρίμπλες, έχει δημιουργήσει 120 ευκαιρίες για γκολ, του ανήκουν 39 καθαρές φάσεις μπροστά από την αντίπαλη εστία και έχει πραγματοποιήσει 1.821 ακριβείς μεταβιβάσεις της μπάλας.

Και να σκεφτεί κανείς πως η τρέχουσα αγωνιστική περίοδος τον άφησε γι' αρκετό καιρό εκτός δράσης αφού έπρεπε ν' αντιμετωπίσει μυϊκά προβλήματα τραυματισμών...

Τα χρόνια περνούν, τόσο εκείνος όσο και ο Κριστιάνο μεγαλώνουν και προσπαθούν όσο γίνεται να διατηρηθούν στο υψηλότερο επίπεδο από άποψη φυσικής κατάστασης και η αλήθεια είναι ότι τα καταφέρνουν μια χαρά. Ο Μέσι στα 32 του, συνεχίζει να παίρνει τη Μπαρτσελόνα από το χέρι και να προσπαθεί ακόμα και στις πολύ δύσκολες περιόδους, να της χαρίζει νίκες ηρεμίας, προκρίσεων, επιτυχιών και να διανύει τη διαδρομή ως ηγέτης προς την επίτευξη των στόχων που θέτει κάθε χρόνο η ομάδα.

Έπειτα από την περσινή... κατραπακιά με το 4-0 από τη Λίβερπουλ στο «Άνφιλντ», εκεί όπου τα... ανεξήγητα φαινόμενα στο γήπεδο της Λίβερπουλ παρέσυραν τη Μπαρτσελόνα και οι Καταλανοί δεν ήξεραν τι τους συνέβαινε, ο Μέσι δεν ήθελε να πει πολλά στον κόσμο του συλλόγου στην καθιερωμένη ομιλία του στην έναρξη της νέας ποδοσφαιρικής χρονιάς. «Πρέπει να εκτιμήσουμε το γεγονός πως πήραμε το 8ο πρωτάθλημα τα τελευταία 11 χρόνια. Σε μερικά χρόνια θα μπορούμε ν' αντιληφθούμε το μέγεθος της επιτυχίας, αν και τα πράγματα δεν τελείωσαν καθόλου καλά την περασμένη σεζόν. Είμαστε γεμάτοι ενέργεια και δύναμη για να δώσουμε μάχες και φέτος και θέλουμε να είστε έτοιμοι κι εσείς» είπε απευθυνόμενος στον κόσμο... Και αυτή η δύναμη και η ενέργεια, κρατάει σταθερά το «τιμόνι».

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Real Madrid is seeking to be King of Europe

The 50s made Real Madrid the King of the European Cup, the club then chaired by Santiago Bernabeu winning the first five titles; something that, 60 years later, no one has been able to match.

That manita of titles was followed by the sixth in 66, with Paco Gento at one with Alfredo di Stefano. 

Madrid's domination could not be matched by those teams with extended periods of success - Bayern and Ajax added three consecutive titles each - but there would be a passage of 32 years in which Los Blancos wouldn't sit atop the European pile again. 

In fact, by 1994, Milan came to within one cup win of toppling Real from the summit. 

The team that had ruled since 56 was more threatened than ever, by the aforementioned Milan, with five titles, and Liverpool and Ajax, with four European Cups each.The 90s arrived and so did the new format of the tournament, now under the denomination 'Champions League'.

And so it was that the European greatness of Real returned. Amsterdam Arena. 

Taking on Juventus, led by a Zinedine Zidane who ruled the core of a team that came as a big favourite, Madrid, on that May 20, began to write its modern day history.

The eighth arrived against Valencia in 2000 and the ninth, two years later, against Bayer Leverkusen. 

The goal, that unforgettable volley rescued from the sky in Glasgow, was scored by the same player who suffered the rebirth of Los Blancos in the competition four years earlier. 

La Decima and La Undecima have already been conquered in the recent past and the fight for the twelfth will rage in Wales on June 3.

A race to be the King of Europe in the modern era. 

A race in which Barcelona is immersed, first with Johan Cruyff on the bench and later with Lionel Messi on the pitch, has reached five titles.

Despite its current bad situation, it's also a race that Milan has always been in. 

Fifteen of the last 30 titles have been shared by Milan, Barcelona and Madrid. 

The other teams have moved well into the background, even Bayern Munich and Manchester United have added just two. 

Other champions since 1987 have not repeated the feat.With this scenario, Madrid will head to Cardiff looking for a 12th title that would give them total dominance over their rivals, as they had in the 50s.

A sixth title in the modern era to take them ahead of everyone else.

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Messi shows who's in charge at 'clasico' against Madrid

Lionel Messi took off his shirt and lifted it high in front of him, boldly displaying his name and number to the stunned crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

He stood there for a few seconds, staring at the fans, as if making sure they knew who was really in charge.

Messi had just scored a last-minute goal that gave Barcelona a crucial 3-2 come-from-behind victory against Real Madrid, putting the Catalan club back in the Spanish league title race and adding to his dominance in the ''clasico.''

There's been no one better than Messi when the two Spanish powerhouses meet. He now has 23 goals in games between the two clubs, five more than Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano and eight more than Cristiano Ronaldo.

While Ronaldo faltered throughout Sunday's game at the Bernabeu, failing to score goals that could have given his team a commanding lead over its rival in the league standings, Messi came through for Barcelona once again.

He also scored the team's first goal, helped set up the second by Ivan Rakitic and drew the foul that led to a red card for Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, leading Barcelona to a victory that reignited its chances of winning a third straight league trophy.

''Leo's greatness is that he keeps surprising us,'' Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta said. ''After years and years, he continues to be decisive. For us, it's an honor to play with him. And for the club, it's a blessing. We have to try to keep up with him as much as possible so we can all play well and stay in contention in La Liga, which is wide open.''

Messi's late winner allowed Barcelona to tie Madrid on 75 points at the top of the Spanish league standings with five rounds to go. Barcelona has the lead on the head-to-head tiebreaker, but Madrid still has a game in hand, at Celta Vigo.

''Messi was decisive, as always he always is,'' Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said. ''He makes the difference. There is not a lot to talk about him. He is a very special player.''

Messi is enjoying another remarkable season, with 47 goals in 46 games. He has scored 14 goals in his last 10 Spanish league games, and is the competition's leading scorer with 31 goals, seven more than teammate Luis Suarez and 12 more than Ronaldo.

Messi had been going through a scoring drought in the ''clasico'', unable to find the net in six straight games. The last time he had scored against Madrid was with a hat trick at the Bernabeu in a 4-3 win in the league in 2014.

Playing with a bloodied mouth after a collision with Madrid left back Marcelo, Messi ended the drought by clearing two defenders with a run inside the area before sending a low shot past Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the first half at the Bernabeu.

His second goal decided the game, a left-footed shot from the top of the area with 12 seconds left in stoppage time after a low pass by Jordi Alba.

Messi's celebration, parading his shirt, sparked a fierce reaction from many Madrid fans on the stands behind the goal, where only a few people wearing Barcelona colors could be seen. The visitors' section was behind that same goal, but in the opposite side of where Messi ran to celebrate. Messi eventually was shown a yellow card for taking off his shirt.

The two goals on Sunday gave the 29-year-old Messi a total of 500 for his career with Barcelona, the most of any other player who has ever played for the club.

''Leo's 500th goal had to be special, just like he is,'' Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said. ''I hope he will only retire several years from now.''

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Where will Isco fit in against Bayern Munich?

Injury to Gareth Bale means that Zinedine Zidane will be forced to tinker with his Real Madrid side against Bayern Munich.BBC are without one B and it is expected that, following his impressive two goal haul last time out, Isco will be the man to fill in for him.There are many options available to Zidane but it would appear that the former Malaga man is currently the frontrunner to replace the Welshman.

Without Bale, Real will be much more balanced by including Isco in the side, a player who is capable of filling in at any position Zidane asks of him.The question remains, how will Zidane slot the playmaker in order to make best use of his talents and those of the team as a whole.Of course, he could be used as a direct replacement for Bale but he isn't the same type of player.The most natural position for Isco to take up would perhaps be at the tip of the midfield diamond in a 4-4-2 system for Real.4-4-2 DiamondThis is the most natural solution to the problem for Zidane and is also one which would best suit the qualities of Isco.He would play behind an attacking duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, just in front of the deeper lying Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.There would be more freedom on the ball for the Spain international and more time to unlock the German defence with his bag of tricks.Standard 4-4-2Another option available to Zidane would be to use Isco in a flat midfield quartet and would give more balance to the side, while also eliminating Bayern's attacking threat.Isco would be an active part of Los Blancos' defensive work without the ball, which will be vital, particularly with threats like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery out wide.He could be called upon to plug a gap on the left flank and limit Bayern down the right hand side, a position that would be nothing new for the player who actually played there during Carlo Ancelotti's time in charge at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.4-3-3Zidane may decide not to change system whatsoever and simply deploy Isco as a direct replacement for the injured Bale.Attacking, Isco would take up his role on the right of the front three, dropping into a more defensive wider position in a 4-4-2 when Real are without the ball.

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Bale targeting early winter return

With the January transfer window approaching and clubs urgently targeting reinforcements to their squads, Gareth Bale is hoping to return to action ahead of schedule in a bid to become a different kind of winter addition for Real Madrid.

Out for over a month after having surgery on an ankle injury, it had been feared that the Welshman would miss the majority of the rest of the season as a result of the blow.

But the attacker has been working day in, day out at Valdebebas in an attempt to make himself available sooner for Los Blancos, and is targeting a comeback by February at the latest.

The dislocation of his peroneal tendon forced Bale to miss Real's gruelling December schedule, including games against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, as well as the entirety of the successful Club World Cup campaign.

He will also definitely be absent for the early-January double-header against title rivals Sevilla, although the hope is that he should be back in action in time to face Napoli in the Champions League in February.

Bale's early return would be a huge boost to Zidane's men, who are looking to make history in retaining Europe's premier club competition for the first time in its history.

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Mourinho: I'm too young to go to China

Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho has insisted he has no plans to coach in China and hopes to remain at his current club for the long haul.

Arriving in the summer after leaving Chelsea midway through last season, the Portuguese tactician claimed he has settled well to life at Old Trafford.

In fact, so happy is Mourinho with United that he would instantly sign a contract extension at the club if he was offered one.

"I've had a lot of support here and the feeling that three years [the length of his contract] is not the length of time I'll be here," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"I've always had the feeling that I'll stay for a long time. I'm loving it here, at every single level. I love my job at Manchester United and if the club brought me another contract one day, I'd sign it.

"I don't even need my advisers, I'd sign it because I love it here. The money in China would be attractive to anyone but more than that, I love football at the highest level.

"At 53, I'm too young. I have too many years of football left to go to a place like China. I want to stay at the most difficult place to win so I'm in the right place."

In recent days, the Red Devils have also been heavily linked with a move for Benfica's Swedish defender Victor Lindelof but Mourinho claimed that speculation is a case of stories being made where there are none.

"In Portugal, the front pages say that every player is coming to join Manchester United," continued Mourinho. "It is normal. The same thing happened when I was at Chelsea and Real Madrid.

"But I keep saying the same thing, that I like my squad as it is. I am also happier in the summer transfer market that the winter one.

"There is more time, more choice. I think that one is better but we'll see what happens."

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Chelsea wins 9 in a row

After the first three wins at the start of the season, Antonio Conte began landing in fact the Island. While Chelsea was ahead in the score Swansea won and followed results with large groups were unsuccessful in Liverpool (1-2) and Arsenal conceding three goals by half-time (3-0). It was that point that allenatore took an important decision, which was to change not only the fate of the group but also the image and feeling of the Premier League. The 47 year old did something that gave him a lot of solutions when the results were dificult for Juventus and the Italian national. Turned the system to 3-4-3.

That's it. The Blue returned directly to the three pointers to double in Hull (0-2) with Diego Costa and Willian and took great victories especially psychologically against the champions, Leicester (3-0) and the alleged contenders, Manchester United ( 4-0). The common denominator in these three successes was that Chelsea's defense had received no goal and this ... Italian was to have a future. Followed the important away win against gritty, Southampton (0-2) and then had the Everton.

The Merseisainters at Stamford Bridge have not passed it away and lost 5-0 in a match in which the keeper, Thibaut Courtois, did not touch the ball and said he did "extra warm up at half-time." The journey to the seat of Middlesbrough was happy return since with another goal from Diego Costa, Chelsea defeated (0-1) for the 6th consecutive games without a clean sheet. This streak was alone omen title for Londoners, since from 7 teams in the past have done something similar in season Premier League, five in the end celebrated the title.

But the stage was and then he wins sometimes give much more than three points. The Tottenham early prior to the visit to Stamford Bridge and looked in complete control for 45 minutes but was enough a moment of magic from Pedro and the best goal for November to turn around the match. Beyond the points victory to dope 2-1 Blue showing and believe that they can succeed even when things go wrong seriously. As that happened the next race, the strongest test once run his winning streak, away against Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's team prior to half time and at the beginning of repetition had crazy chances to finish Chelsea, but they didnt. By Diego Costa scoring goals, gives world-class assist to Willian and Azhar to end the party, the fabulous Blue took victory at Etihad making clear that they are favorites for the title (1-3). Against teams like the Spurs and the creation of Citizens, Conde just pulled passion, and intensity , but the next obstacle was completely different.

After battles against City and Tottenham, Chelsea did not have this luxury in Sunday home games (11/12) with the special defense, West Bromwich Albion, but again Diego Costa was there to clean up. Tony Pioulis team has done exceptionally job,  but the Spaniard made the stage alone stealing ball and ending with goal from difficult angle. It was the 12th goal of top scorer in the league with which the Blue reached nine consecutive wins in the Premier League for the 5th time in their history and became the first team to do something similar.

The Blues reached nine consecutive victories in October 2005 and April 2007, and have put the bar even higher. In January 2006 they went up to 10 consecutive wins, but the record remains in September 2009 when with coach Carlo Ancelotti had risen to 11. 3 of the 4 previous runs were in seasons where at the end, they conquered the championship. Better record is only from Arsenal, who in August 2002 reached 14 consecutive wins and Manchester United had 12 just two years ago.

It is most common image with Conde entering the terrain and congratulates each player separately, either the absolute protagonist or eight minutes subtitutes, just as he did in his first season at Juventus. "I do not care about the streak," he said after the ninth consecutive victory. "What interests me is to get wins in every match." The good thing for Chelsea and their fans is that these two go together ...

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Arda turan is back

Arda Turan scored a hat-trick to help Barcelona cruise past Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night at the Camp Nou to wrap up Champions League organization C movement.

Having already clinched first place, Barcelona completed their group degree campaign with 15 factors way to the Turkey worldwide's 3 desires, which observed an early Lionel Messi score that gave the Argentine a whopping 10 goals inside the group degree, one shy of Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time Champions League organization degree document.

After a run of 3 disappointing attracts, which includes the 1-1 final within the Clasico last Saturday, Barcelona got a comfortable and convincing win as a way to sincerely repair a few self assurance. possibly the biggest takeaway for manager Luis Enrique may be the exceptional performances he were given from fringe players like Aleix Vidal and Denis Suarez, every arguably gambling their pleasant ever fit in a Barcelona shirt.p.c. Alcacer, Vidal and Jasper Cillessen had been the novelties in Barcelona's starting XI, and for Alcacer, it marked the primary healthy that the previous Valencia guy had a risk to play along Lionel Messi. 

Centre-returned Samuel Umtiti and left-returned Lucas Digne have been restored to the line-up, even as Andres Gomes and Suarez additionally were given nods in midfield with Andres Iniesta, who made his first begin in over 5 weeks.Gladbach's intentions were apparent from the begin. 

The Germans settled into a formation which basically consisted of a six-guy returned line, with 3 inside the center after which a lone participant, forward Andre Hahn, to serve as the goal guy up front.Undaunted, Barcelona started to probe and pry and found a manner beyond the Gladbach blockade way to Messi. la Pulga performed a brief one- combination with Turan that ended with Messi firing in a left-footer that whizzed beyond Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer.Barcelona's possession-based football had Gladbach scrambling and pegged of their own half of. 

Andre Schubert's guys have been truly unable to hold the ball; they both gave away ownership in a panic or ran out of alternatives. It left Gladbach chasing the Barcelona gamers, and at the same time as they managed to maintain up the rest of the half of, there was still every other full 45 minutes to move for the fatigued traffic.meanwhile, Luis Enrique became getting a efficient night out of his reserves. Vidal impressed at proper-back and blended properly with Suarez right before halftime thatalmost led to Barcelona's 2nd. Suarez performed an notable back-heel again to Vidal, whose move for Messi turned into blocked out for a corner kick.It changed into more of the equal to begin the second one half and soon sufficient the hosts made it 2-0. Vidal performed a ball down the proper to Suarez, who despatched in a move that became deflected. and prefer a Rafa Nadal topspin lob, the ball fell right to the charging Turan, who had a fairly clean header in at the a ways put up for the purpose.The Turkey worldwide struck again simply mins later. Messi filtered in a perfectly weighted skip to Vidal on the proper, and the cross observed an unmarked Turan who swept in past Sommer to increase the lead to a few-0.approximately the most effective hassle at the day for Barcelona turned into Javier Mascherano getting stuck out midway through the second one half to provide Gladbach a unprecedented scoring risk, however Umtiti did well to cowl for the Argentine and won the ball off the falling Hahn.

The cozy 3-purpose lead and the heavy Gladbach legs made created the right event for Alcacer to attempt to get his first Barcelona goal of the season. but as an alternative Alcacer unselfishly installation Turan for Barcelona's fourth with a deep move that the former Atletico guy slammed in past Sommer to make it a 4-0 affair.even as Sommer continued a miserable night time in goal for Gladbach, he did also make a superb store whilst he denied Messi's factor-blank variety header with a diving left-exceeded keep. 

Gladbach have been keen on scoring a comfort intention and nearly did so through Fabian Johnson inside the very last minutes, however the u.s. international failed to complete after rounding Cillessen.

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Zidane sets trends

With a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup, and an impressive unbeaten run to his name, it still took a statement win in the Madrid derby for Zinedine Zidane to finally prove himself as an elite coach.

Like his fashion sense, his managerial style is understated. Everything fits together but he lets the pieces do the talking. His approach and persona may seem cool at times, perhaps distant, but it is far more confident and put together than people give him credit for.

Even with just one defeat in 32 LaLiga matches, the accepted opinion is that his Real Madrid side are, as a team at least, playing below their capabilities, stringing together results while waiting for a collective improvement in play to arrive.

And here lies the biggest difference between Zidane and his contemporaries.

For Zidane, the easiest way to improve a team is to bring out the best in his players, not create an intricate tactical system that'll look to dominate an encounter. This is rooted in a central truth that Zidane has internalised since his days as a galactico: in the history of football, the team with the most talented players often wins. It is about the individual.

Meanwhile, the Pep Guardiola revolution has supporters talking formations, repeated patterns of play, group pressing, or novel ways of playing out from the back. But in his early career as coach thus far, the man who has most influenced Zinedine Zidane is Guardiola's opposite, Carlo Ancelotti.

It is not only that the two shared a touchline, but more importantly when they did, since it came right when Zidane was just starting out. When making the transition from superstar player to coach, the first thing Zizou picked up on was the Italian's man management, his greatest skill.

So in this sense, the French boss is not following the dominant trend in modern coaching, and frustrating many who expect a symphony not a collection of solos.

This, of course, is not to say that the Frenchman's tactical knowledge isn't well developed, which it most certainly is, but rather that it isn't a central part of his strategy or philosophy. Advantages are developed elsewhere. His systems are simple so that his players have the freedom needed to prove their superiority.

For instance, at the start of the 2016/17 season, Zidane has sometimes employed a 4-2-3-1 formation (derby included), a decision that was made to get the best out of Isco or James Rodriguez, not with another, more collective intent in mind. By improving the individual only then do you improve the team.

This is Zidane's secret. Even with minimal playing time, and with both players almost leaving the squad in the summer, each felt important. The coach changed the system for players that aren't even usual starters! They still have a role to play, and the change in formation made their contribution feel even more significant.

Zidane isn't aloof, but rather very personal. His one on one coaching is some of the best in the game, precisely because he can draw on his past as a player, and what he's learned from Ancelotti.

The Champions League was won because Real Madrid outlasted their opponents. The sense of history, and inevitability was palpable, which Zidane was able to channel astutely. Some detractors absurdly credited the trophy down to luck (as if that were why a team who has won the competition ten times did so again), whereas Zidane pointed to the badge. To Real, the Champions League feels like a divine right, not something earned through hard work or tactical innovation.

So, the inevitable comparisons with Pep Guardiola, so fervently pushed in the Spanish capital and so despised in Barcelona, are quite difficult to interpret either way. Zidane is not only at another stage of his coaching career, but both approach the game very differently.

Isco roaming freely against the once elite defensive system of Atleti, Cristiano Ronaldo hat-tricks (vs. Wolfsburg and his most recent over the weekend), or Lucas Vazquez nonchalantly spinning the ball on his finger before the Champions League final penalty shoot out... these are all instances of individual brilliance that serve as testaments to Zidane's success as coach.

Vazquez especially comes to mind, as he has taken his coach's trust to become a more established squad player than perhaps his ability alone would have allowed him.

The derby was likely the first overwhelming tactical masterclass, but the real work was forged starting in January.

Zidane's style is classic. It is under-emphasised. What he has set out to do isn't a new phenomenon, but it is different from the norm right now, which has meant that he has been criticised for things he hasn't really focused on.

His Real Madrid have seen a re-Galacticoization, where the talent precedes the system. With charm and wit, this process is one of seduction and it is being led by the greatest Galactico of them all.

It is time we credit the individual.

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Man City ready to pay 233m euros for Messi

In news that will shock Barcelona supporters, reports in England suggest that Manchester City are preparing to submit an offer of 233 million euros to acquire the services of Lionel Messi.

Playing for Pep Guardiola in an emerging City side, along with the presence of sporting director Txiki Begiristain and executive director Ferran Soriano, is an undoubted incentive for the Argentinian who is yet to sign a new contract with the Catalans.

According to The Mirror, the Citizens are willing to put 200 million pounds (233m euros) on the table.

This breaks down to 116 million euros for the transfer, while Messi himself would want 30m euros a year (about 600,000 euros per week) for four seasons - an astronomical outlay.

Messi's current contract ends contract in 2018 and has a 250m euro release clause, and as MARCA already announced, the No.10 told Barcelona in July that - for the moment - he didn't want to renew with the club.

If he does decide to leave, City is the club that has the best chances of signing him, and Soriano only stoked the fires in a recent interview.

"It would be natural for Messi to finish his career at Barcelona," he said to RAC1.

"He will decide, but if he calls us one day we will open the door for him immediately."

In fact, the Mirror believes that the presence of Guardiola on the bench is the deciding factor and what would seal the deal.

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Key absences for French boss ahead of derby

With more injuries than usual, Zinedine Zidane's job is both easier and simultaneously a lot harder in terms of his team selection, rotation policy, and how he approaches such an important game.

The midfield is almost certain to be made up of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Isco, but the trio up front is still up in the air, mainly depending on Karim Benzema's fitness.

"The system and players can be different, but the style of play will be the same," Zidane promised in his pre-match press conference on Friday. "We arrive at the Calderon in good condition, having reincorporated a few key players to the squad.

"There can always be problems, but we are focused on the important match at hand and are ready."

The latest surrounding Benzema's recovery was a key talking point, as his presence in the starting XI or off the bench could signal Zidane's approach and tip his hand.

"Benzema has made the squad, which means he can play as a starter," Zidane said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow."

The French striker's presence is so important precisely because of Alvaro Morata's injury, though the coach didn't seek to fuel the fires and blame the Spanish national team for playing him against England after already having received a knock.

"I'm not going to blame anyone," Zidane stated, referring to the Spanish federation, who insisted Morata's knock came during the match at Wembley and not before. "We're upset at Alvaro's [Morata] injury but these things happen."

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Coaching a Soccer match, Basketball s way

By the time Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola were thinking to become coaches, and shared their thoughts and ideas in the room they shared as players in Barcelona, ​​in the late 90s, probably not ourselves imagine the influence that could bring the current football season. Quite possibly that is what we saw yesterday in Etihad Stadium has greatly surpassed their imagination 15 years ago. Because it is difficult at this time to imagine that today you can behave as basketball coach, with regard to participation that have a match from the bench. Nine or ten years ago, when both of them started in coaching, not on planet football coaches who teased so much and so often the game of the group against the development. And so it counted as both innovative coaches, trying to pierce the ceiling and walls of coaching football and put the nature of coaching in another dimension. And as such the attempt and led to excesses and innovations, so we enjoy the privilege of fortune that we are contemporaries of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, and tasting football experience like the one we experienced as viewers Tuesday night.
The second game was a continuation of the first, that was done 15 days ago in Barcelona. And to assess the audience yesterday as the need should have seen the first part, that of the Camp Nou. In the first quarter gladiators resembled beasts, after a strong fight, looking at each other waiting for one to attack the other, and this was because of the choice made by both coaches to leave each other initiative and keep everyone for himself the option to surprise the opponent. Guardiola did not asked City with aggressive defense in the defensive third of Barcelona, ​​as it was launched in Barcelona. And Enrique, who had announced that it would give time to himself to read the game and tactics of Pep, did not tried anything different from usual, the careful passing game of Barcelona.

After 11 minutes in the game, the scene changed. City suddenly began to make aggressive defenses when they didnot have the ball, but also revealed a surprise to Enrique. Caballero and Otamenti - Stones began to lift it up and carry it with big passes to strikers and not the midfield. It was the first sign that Guardiola took the lessons that gave him the Barcelona match. "We played with long balls because we are not yet ready to continuously hold the ball and build attacks with many passes," he explained after the game. So simple, so naturally, Pep proved that he is more flexible than we thought, less obsessive with slow development game.
When City started pushing up, Enrique began to show the terrain his own surprise to Guardiola:Oumtiti,  Mastserano, Ter Stegken started searching with diagonal balls to Neymar, Messi, Rakitits and Andre Gomez who waited skirmished in the middle third of the field and forwards to get the pass to attack. Something that had not been tried in the Camp Nou. "This change surprised us and put us in big trouble," he admitted after the game Guardiola. Because yes, two coaches who know eachother so well, can still be surprised by each other, just because they are changing strategies and generate new data with great frequency during a game.

From 21' minute, Messi and Neymar effectively exhibited such a quick counter attack by displaying the greater development and enlargement sign of the offensive repertoire of Barcelona in the time of Luis Enrique, and Barcelona began to dominate, as shown by the ball possession percentage in 39' minute: 28% -72%. "At this time we saw the best team in the world," said Guardiola said. "This 40' was probably our best of the season," Enrique said.

All changedby the mistake of Serge Roberto, which caused by the City with the aggressive defense. The Spaniard, a midfielder who plays back, functioned as midfielder and attempted to play horizontal and not to remove the ball. And like this 1-1 happened, which proved to be the turning point in this match. This goal of psychology, stimulated the City so that she was able to rejoin the game. 45 'percentages possession of the ball had been 40% -60%. "After the 1-1 we felt and realized that difficult time had passed," said Pep said.
The larger and ultimately more decisive surprise in the match was made by Guardiola to Luis Enrique. He worked with the team counter attacks and showed essentially for the first time against Barcelona. This created the foul - goal of De Broine, thanks to the very fast transition of City from defense to attack, which brought the free kick won by David Silva from Busquets. The same way happened the third goal on 74, in yet another display of intellectual flexibility of Guardiola, who previously gave the impression that he hates counter attacks. "I learned things about the abilities of my players tonight. I saw how well we can play against the attacks and realized that we can use as an additional weapon in the future, "he said after the game. The glow on his face revealed enthusiastic coach who just discovered the "suddenness" of basketball coaches. This solution of counter attacks came from Camp Nou lesson, when City had a hard time, and the conclusion that the team is not ready yet to serve his own passing game. He had to pay dearly this course, with the heaviest defeat of City in Champions League. These, however, the Spanish courses perceives as necessary for the maturation of the group. And he has the courage to put his team in such trials. Where it draws this courage? "We want time, the City was not living in the Champions League over the last 30 years, is not easy to go up and stabilize at this level. People do not give us time, but the club gives us, "he said after the match. And this is the explanation. Unlike the English media and perhaps the rest of planet football, thrilled with the first samples of City of Pep and raped believe that has been transformed with the magic wand, and therefore begin with the same high intensity of post questioning the compatibility of the methods of the English football just wrong the first results came, the club shows how trusts. And so here it is enough to keep him calm.
In order to effectively manage the new situation after the game, 2-1, the Guardiola proceeded to change formation. He left the 4-1-4-1 after 60 minutes and went 4-2-3-1 with a view to do in Barcelona that he had done at the Camp Nou after 60 ': use two central midfielders, Fernando and Gkintogkan to push very Barca in the first contacts with the ball out of the big area, ie each attack event start to steal the ball and give the City the right to play on the counter. The frustration of the Barcelona players grew, and like this they failed to react after 74 ', in a match which could comfortably be clear from the first half.

The end of this game gave Guardiola a statistical illustration - lesson. His team beat Barcelona although only held by 41% the ball at her feet (the Camp Nou had to keep 48% of the time). With less time occupation, the City expressed large number of attacks (33 versus 39 FCB) and had more final effort (13) of the opponent (9). Although about half succeeded accurate passes (240) than actually Barcelona (498), and had fewer passes in critical piece of terrain, in attack (84 vs. 123 FCB) the City with the ball. Not beat the classic way of Guardiola. Win a new way of Guardiola.
The larger and ultimately more decisive surprise in the match was made by Guardiola to Luis Enrique. He worked with the team at the event against attacks and showed essentially for the first time against Barcelona. Thus created the foul - finish De Broine, thanks to the very fast transition of City from defense to attack, which brought the free kick won by David Silva from Busquets. In the same way and made the third goal on 74, in yet another display of intellectual flexibility of Guardiola, who previously gave the impression that the cashier counter attacks. "I learned things about the abilities of my players tonight. I saw how well we can play against the attacks and realized that we can use as an additional weapon in the future, "he said after the game Guardiola.
The glow on his face revealed enthusiastic coach who just discovered the "suddenness" of basketball coaches. This change has confirmed the main conclusion has been exporting watching him closely about the last four years coaching the biographer, Marty Penarnaou that you lived in Germany and those already living in England change him and make better and more versatile coach. This solution of the Pep attacks against the used precisely because he learned the Camp Nou, as his team a hard time, that the City is not yet ready to serve his own passing game. He had to pay dearly this course, with the heaviest defeat of City in the Champions League. These, however, the Spanish courses perceives as necessary for the maturation of the group makes. And he has the courage to put his team in such trials. Where it draws this courage? "We want time, the City was not living in the Champions League over the last 30 years, is not easy to go up and stabilize at this level. People do not give us time, but the club gives us, "he said after the match. And this is enough to keep him calm.

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Guardiola the pragmatist

The idea that a Pep Guardiola side will finish a game with just 40 percent of possession is rather obscene given the Catalan's ruthless approach to the game, and yet it proved enough to claim a stunning victory against Barcelona, of all sides.

Controlling the game for large parts of the first-half, the Blaugrana looked to be at their best against a haphazard Manchester City side devoid of penetrative threat.

Their 4-0 defeat at the Camp Nou appeared to be vivid in the Citizens' minds, and yet they hauled themselves out of the mire to win 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Luis Enrique's men bossed the possession statistics, making 519 passes to City's 315, with goalkeeper Willy Caballero even instructed to kick the ball long as part of Guardiola's counter-attacking plans.

Having stated his desire to stick to his guns when arriving in Manchester, it appears that a topsy-turvy spell in the English side's dugout has inspired Guardiola to dare to add some variety to his game.

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Guardiola has used 24 different tactical systems!

In order to find the formula to win football matches Pep Guardiola will leave no stone unturned, and that includes utilising an incredible 24 different tactical systems so far during his coaching career.

At Barcelona everything was much easier.

Guardiola himself recognised this in a phrase that appears in the book by Marti Perarnau: The Metamorphosis - "My only tactic was for Barcelona to get the ball Messi," he said.

The importance of Argentinian in the whole game, meant that deployment of other systems was not necessary.

In Munich however, the reality was very different.

There were technical systems and formations that were forced upon Pep's Bayern side by rivals and the large number of variants, but not all, are also being used at Manchester City.

"These systems or modules, were used in 160 matches in Munich and are still being used," Perarnau notes in his book.

"In a game, Guardiola can use two or three and some in a very timely manner.

"The 5-3-2, for example, has been used only twice and both against Dortmund - to counter the approach of Klopp.

"So I want to see the City-Liverpool match because, for me, this is like a chess game now.

"It's exciting learning how coaches such as Koeman, Luis Enrique, Pochettino and Rogders want to play against Guardiola."

The variety of options that Guardiola is willing to employ shows him as a coach who is open to learning new ideas and someone who won't stick with the 4-3-3 that he was used to playing and coaching in Barcelona.

Pep has been typecast many times as to being someone who plays a very particular system, but his evolution has been constant.

Changing things up has often seen unforgettable games such as the 7-1 win against Roma, where he used an unusual 3-1-4-2 formation.

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Coutinho - Firminio: The perfect duo

In 2014 Coutinho had come in at 78' of Liverpool's match against Crystal Palace. The Reds were 3-0 ahead in the score and in the title hunt, but within 1' from entering in the Palace cut the score. By the end he had managed to tie the score at 3-3. All dreams shattered.Although that collapse had nothing to do with the Brazilian, he still seems trying to atone. The stunning appearance at 4-2 on the Palace at Selhurst Park brings alive again the dream of the Premier League champion. Liverpool had 20 points in the first 10 games of the 2013-14 season. This time has 23.

 

In that season Coutinho was amazing alongside Suarez and Staritz, with Firminio being the best supporter of the year. First he put his hand in the first three goals, while the Brazilian scored the fourth. Coutinho has already reached 6 assists in the league performance, only demonstrated by De Broine.

 

 "He is a good player," will say Klopp with a broad smile. When pressed to say something more about the Brazilian, just smiled again and said: "very good player!". The Coutinho created four chances and made 23 passes in the third attack, more than any other player. He had four shots on hearth, same like Firminio.

Liverpool has at the back still enormous problems, so their cooperation is very important. All understand that you need to score a lot of goals in order to find the red at the top.

 

The presence of Alberto Moreno in the Liverpool lineup was a surprise. The last time the Spaniard was basic had come to the premiere with Arsenal. In the end, it was no coincidence that his return even brought a game full of goals. Moreno, however, helped a lot in attack, especially in the first half, providing support to Coutinho, who fed 10 times.

 

Coutinho and Firminio offer many defenses in Klopp's system. The first made eight tackles, with 13 out of a total of 26 tackles red had at half court of the attack. The two of them seem ideal for the "gegenpressing".

 

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Conte believes Ferguson shouldnt have written off Chelsea

Antonio Conte believes it is too soon for Sir Alex Ferguson or anyone else to write off Chelsea’s Premier League title chances.
Chelsea beat Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United 4-0 last Sunday, but former United boss Ferguson suggested the 2014-15 champions were not one of five teams in title contention this term.
The Blues have played nine games, which included losses to Arsenal and Liverpool, and Conte believes he needs eight to 10 more games before setting a goal for the end of the season in a competitive top flight.

“It’s very difficult to tell now our target,” the Chelsea head coach said.

“Because it’s early and in these games, we had difficulty against Arsenal and Liverpool.

“For this reason it’s important not to look at the table. It’s important to understand this type of work we’re doing now is good to improve and to become a strong team.

“A bit of time in the future, yes, after I think eight, 10 (more) games, I can tell our target.”

Conte insisted he respects Ferguson’s opinion, but refused to put limitations on what his squad can achieve with hard work.

“I respect a lot what he said, but I know that we are working very well,” the former Juventus and Italy boss added.

“I think now we are now in a good way to improve a lot and to become a team that can stay (in contention) till the end to get something.

“Our ambition must be always to play to win every game. Always. It’s important.

“I try to transfer this to my players in every moment, in every day, every week, in every game.

“We must be ambitious. But to be ambitious you must work a lot.”

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Gareth Bale renews until 2022

Real Madrid will start the week with another renewal, this time Gareth Bale putting pen to paper on a deal with Los Blancos until 2022.

The Welshman will appear at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu at 13.30 CET on Monday to complete the formalities and talk to the press.

It's the fourth consecutive week that Real has extended the contract of one of its players, following those of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez.

Bale will become the highest paid player in the world earning £600,000 a week before tax, resulting in £350,000 after tax.

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Neymar s new Rio de Janeiro mansion

With a helipad, a swimming pool, a tennis court, six suites and a pier, Neymar's new Rio de Janeiro mansion appears to have it all.
Located in Portobello, roughly an hour outside the city, the property covers an area of 6,265 squared metres .
 As reported by O Globo, this is simply the latest property to be added to the Barcelona player's impressive collection, which already includes a 25-metre-long yacht - which cost 3.5 million euros - and a 4m euro private jet.

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Guardiola: I need time to adapt

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted he still needs time to adapt to English football after overseeing the worst run of his managerial career.
The Spaniard, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad in the summer, enjoyed a sensational start to life at City, winning his first 10 matches in charge.
But Guardiola has watched his new side's form nosedive in recent weeks and City are now without a win in their last six matches in all competitions.
Prior to joining City, Guardiola had never gone more than five matches without a win during his trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
And ahead of City's trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, Guardiola has admitted that he is still trying to get to grips with the rigours of the English game.
"Many things have changed in the last six games," he said. "In the beginning we were winning and now we're not.
"But, we are fighting, like we were in the beginning. I need time to learn, improve...I am still in that process.
"Maybe this situation will make us stronger for the future. I'm pretty sure of that. For the next period, not just this season but the next season as well.
"Maybe we will learn from that and be stronger."

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Modric ready for El Classico

The intense work done on the training pitch by Luka Modric is about to bear fruit, his recovery quicker than initially planned with Real Madrid feeling like they'll have a new signing on the pitch against Leganes on November 6.
The idea is for the midfielder to be at 100% by the Madrid derby on November 19, and all signs currently point to that being the case.
In Madrid they are certainly excited about the player's imminent return and there doesn't appear to be any concern that this will be before, rather than after, the international break.
Recovery times for injuries are always an estimate in any event, so if Modric is fine, he will play as soon as practicable, there's little point in delaying things until after Croatia's game against Iceland.
Modric had surgery last October 2 and although in principle a month was suggested as the amount of time out, prudence was required to keep to such a margin.
That's why derby at the Estadio Vicente Calderon was penciled in as the most appropriate date for his comeback.
Since the operation however, the process of recovery has been helped by the key role of the physical and the mental therapists at the club.
There were those who argued for conservative treatment but the wishes of the medical services team at Real finally prevailed.
As a result, they'll shortly have a player back in their ranks who is as good as new.

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