sports
NNL Chairman Sarma Pledges Fairness And Firmness In Second Leg Fixtures
NNL Chairman Sarma Pledges Fairness And Firmness In Second Leg Fixtures....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has promised to help Phil Foden rediscover his best form after the midfielder scored four goals in two matches, ending a lengthy goal drought.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Foden had gone 10 months without finding the net before scoring in City’s 3-2 victory over Ipswich last weekend. The England international followed up that performance with a hat-trick in Tuesday’s 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens.
The 26-year-old enjoyed the most prolific season of his career in 2023/24, scoring 27 goals across all competitions and winning the Premier League Player of the Season award.
However, he has struggled to maintain that level over the past two seasons and has previously spoken publicly about his mental health challenges.
Maresca, who took charge of City in June, revealed that he had held several discussions with Foden to reassure the midfielder of his importance to the team.
“Since we started, I sat down with Phil two or three times, especially at the beginning. Just to show him, I don’t know if love is the right word to use, but just to show him how important he is,” Maresca said.
The Italian manager added that he had known Foden for years and understood that the midfielder had experienced difficulties over the past few seasons.
He stressed that helping players improve was a crucial part of his responsibility, noting that a stronger individual performance would ultimately benefit the entire team.
“So for me, I think it’s my duty to try to help Phil to be again one of the best players in England,” Maresca stated.
Maresca has enjoyed an impressive start at the Etihad Stadium, winning his first seven Premier League matches in charge of a new club. City’s only defeat under the Italian came against reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in a 4-2 Champions League loss.
Despite their positive results, City continue to face uncertainty over their financial future as they challenge a guilty verdict relating to more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. Potential sanctions could include a points deduction or relegation if the club fails to overturn the verdict.
Nevertheless, Maresca insisted that the squad remained focused on its performances despite the uncertainty surrounding the club.
“In any club, when you lose important players, many important players, and you lose the manager after 10 years, it always takes time to compete again,” he said on October 22.
“But this organisation last summer changed many important players, changed the manager after 10 years, and we are competing at the moment.”
Manchester City are scheduled to travel to Aston Villa on Saturday, with striker Erling Haaland expected to return after missing the AEK Athens match because of a foot injury sustained against Ipswich.
Haaland has scored 12 goals in nine appearances this season, while Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nico O’Reilly remain injury doubts ahead of the trip.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has brushed aside criticism of his recent performances for Galatasaray, insisting that negative comments will neither undermine his confidence nor change his approach to the game.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Super Eagles forward responded emphatically on Wednesday night, scoring in Galatasaray’s 4-2 victory over his former club, Lille, before earning the Man of the Match award.
Osimhen had come under scrutiny following Galatasaray’s previous two matches, including a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona and a narrow 1-0 victory over Gençlerbirliği.
However, the 27-year-old delivered an impressive display against Lille, helping the Turkish champions secure a convincing win.
Speaking to journalists after the match, Osimhen said he was accustomed to overcoming challenges and remained confident in his abilities despite the criticism surrounding his performances.
“I come from a place where I’m not afraid. I don’t fear difficulties. No one can tell me how to sprint, play, or score goals. I already do these things, and that’s why I’m one of the world’s best strikers,” he said.
The Nigerian international added that he was unfazed by the negative comments, insisting that his critics did not fully understand him.
“They don’t really know me, and nothing they say affects me. They want to drag me into that, but I’ve approached all the talk with indifference. I have other things to deal with; I’m not bothering with these,” he added.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray will turn their attention to the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe as they seek to maintain their position at the top of the Turkish Super Lig.
The clash will present another challenge for Okan Buruk’s side, with Osimhen expected to play a significant role as the reigning champions look to build on their victory over Lille.
Galatasaray currently sit atop the league table with 19 points from eight matches, three points ahead of third-placed Fenerbahçe.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes have expressed contrasting views on the team’s tactical approach following their humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como on Wednesday night, October 22.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The loss at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium marked United’s fifth defeat in 11 matches this season and extended their winless streak to seven games across all competitions.
According to ESPN, Fernandes questioned the team’s pressing strategy after being substituted in the 67th minute, suggesting that the decision not to deploy a man-to-man pressing system contributed to their disappointing performance.
“It was a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind,” the Portuguese midfielder said.
However, Carrick appeared to challenge his captain’s assessment, arguing that the players’ work rate and failure to track opponents were significant factors behind the defeat.
“We actually were half-pressed man-to-man in the second half and then conceded a goal from that,” the United manager explained.
He added that no tactical system could deliver results if players failed to put in the necessary effort both offensively and defensively.
“And whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run, and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you aren’t going to win,” Carrick said.
The apparent disagreement between the manager and his captain has further intensified the pressure on Carrick, who signed a two-year contract in May after leading United to a third-place finish in the Premier League.
The latest defeat has also renewed concerns about the team’s inconsistency and Carrick’s ability to reverse their declining fortunes.
Despite growing speculation about his future at Old Trafford, the manager insisted that he had not considered the possibility of being sacked. Instead, he focused on the team’s poor display and the frustration experienced by supporters.
“Listen, I’ve not given my own position any thought. This is for the supporters; I was one of them watching that, and I wasn’t happy at all,” he said.
Carrick admitted that he was angry about the performance, stressing that although victories and defeats are part of football, the manner in which United approached the game was unacceptable.
“I’m really angry, to be honest. We might win, we might lose, but the way we went about it tonight wasn’t acceptable. I just wanted to let the fans know that I feel for them, for sure,” he added.
Following the final whistle, Carrick also apologised to the travelling supporters, acknowledging their disappointment over United’s lacklustre performance.
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