أعرب مدرب فريق آرسنال، مايكل أرتيتا، عن غضبه الشديد من نيكولاس بيبي بعد طرده في مباراة اليوم أمام ليدز يونايتد، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وتلاقى الفريقان في الجولة التاسعة من البطولة، حيث تعادلا سلبيًا.
وحصل نيكولاس بيبي على بطاقة حمراء في الدقيقة 51، بعد قيامه بنطح لاعب ليدز يونايتد أليوسكي. طرد نيكولاس بيبي أمام ليدز
وعن ذلك، قال أرتيتا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “الأمر واضح للغاية، إنه غير مقبول”.
وأضاف: “ما حدث أمر غير مقبول، في هذا المستوى لا يمكنك فعل ذلك”.
وواصل: “لقد أحببت حقًا الشخصية التي أظهرناها في المباراة بعدما خذل نيكولاس بيبي الفريق، أحببت كذلك كيف تمسكنا بفعل ما كان علينا القيام به وكان لدينا لحظة أو اثنتين للفوز بالمباراة، ولكن من الواضح أن ما حدث جعل الأمر صعبًا حقًا”.
وتابع: “بالنظر إلى الوقت الذي تم فيه طرد بيبي مبكرًا، كان علينا التعامل مع الأمر، لا أحب التعادل أبدًا، لكن في تلك الظروف، حسنًا إنها نقطة، ولكن كما قلت ما حدث أمر غير مقبول”.
واختتم: “ما سيحدث داخل النادي تجاه بيبي لا يمكن مشاركته علنيًا معكم، هذا هو الحال”.
The last five Championship Play-Off Finals have produced a measly five goals. It doesn’t take a budding Einstein to work out that is a solitary goal per game, a figure that is far below the norm.
By comparison the last five World Cup finals have harvested 12 goals. Hell, the last five Champions League finals have lavished us with 20 goals, exactly four times its Play-Off equivalent.
There is no recently bias here incidentally. Nine from the last fifteen Championship Play-Off Finals have finished 1-0.
As last weekend’s FA Cup Final painfully illustrated, however, goals are not always the most accurate barometer from which to gauge excitement. Even if Aston Villa v Derby this Bank Holiday Monday continues the trend for low-scoring affairs there will still be no doubt in my mind that the Championship Play-Off Final is the greatest one-off game in the world.
To others it is the ‘richest game in the world’, a commonly used and perfectly apt moniker given that even a conservative estimate puts £170m into Villa or Derby’s coffers should they emerge victorious at Wembley. That amount rises to £280m should the team celebrating on Monday afternoon manage to avoid relegation next term.
These are undeniably colossal and transformative sums. Perhaps it is understandable that so much emphasis is placed upon the financial rewards each May as a Premier League season ends and all eyes turn to who will be joining the top flight throng once the summer passes.
For me though personally money is possibly the least interesting aspect to a contest I will be watching entirely as a neutral.
Put it this way, I won’t be sitting on the very edge of my sofa, chewing my nails to the quick, and utterly engrossed by the Shakespearean drama playing out before me because a late deciding strike will mean that Frank Lampard or Dean Smith gets a more substantial transfer kitty in the weeks to come and better yet affords him a shopping spree in an executive store. No, it’s everything else that makes this game so unmissable. The priceless things.
For this year’s participants – just like every year – the Championship Play-Off Final is the summation of ten months of planning, dreaming, toiling, sustained relative success, and travelling to Brentford away on a Tuesday evening. Win and all of this is handsomely validated. Lose and it amounts to nothing at all. It is paradise or purgatory; stakes so extreme as to be perverse, and it is decided over ninety short minutes where a cruel deflection or freak wonder-goal can easily dictate the contrasting Sliding Doors futures for each side.
Win and a bejewelled promised land beckons with an elevation in status that positively impacts upon every facet of a supporter’s life. Your team is on Match of the Day and all round your club is more prominent in the media to the extent where your girlfriend’s folks now know where you go every Saturday. They get it now: you go and watch that household name midfielder so recently signed from La Liga and you do so at Old Trafford or Anfield or the Emirates.
Lose and your beloved heads straight back to go and worse with a hangover that often negatively effects form and a big chunk of next season. Lose and your club’s best player is plausibly signed by the team that has just dashed your long-held aspirations.
Concerning the hangover that routinely occurs it should be stated that Aston Villa deserve a huge amount of credit for bucking that trend. Last May their players lay desolate on the Wembley turf having endured a final-fence fall to Fulham and it is rare fortitude indeed to reach that fence again at the first time of asking. Still though, it is indisputable how devastating a Play-Off Final defeat can be, to an individual, club, and town. When Sunderland’s Michael Gray missed a critical penalty in the 1998 shoot-out he was taken in by manager Peter Reid while elsewhere there are pitch-side tears that lead to summer-long depressions.
Are fans being priced out of the Championship as well as the Premier League? The angry Bolton fan in the video below certainly believes so…
It is, in short reality TV at its most horrific and manifesting itself via the medium of sport. It is agony or ecstasy; a heightened drama that reveals the very pinnacle of what we as supporters and they as players are prepared to withstand for a shot at glory. And it is for precisely these reasons why the fixture has a history of low-scoring contests and it is precisely for these reasons why the game is uniformly intoxicating and completely compelling.
It is the magnitude of what is at stake that is the spectacle.
An easy argument could be made that the World Cup final trumps its Play-Off nephew for all of the above. After all history is on the line there; a page for a country to own forever in the record books.
Such thinking though is disingenuous as it discounts the all-or-nothing ethos of a single battle to win a much larger war. Last year Croatia lost 4-2 to France in the most high-profile sporting encounter on the planet. They didn’t seem substantially upset a mere few days later during their homecoming. Pride at their accomplishment rightfully was the over-riding emotion.
There will be no parade for the losers this Monday. Their long, hard and brilliant campaign will ultimately count for nothing at all.
[ad_pod ]A second consecutive Champions League final looms after a record 97-point haul in the Premier League, where most Reds fans have been cursing their luck that this Liverpool team exists at the same time as Pep Guardiola’s juggernauts.They will feel that a team as good as the one Jurgen Klopp has at his disposal deserve a trophy after such a phenomenal season, and will feel genuinely gutted if one of the best campaigns in the club’s history ends without silverware.In that respect, next week’s final in Madrid is bigger for Liverpool than it is for Tottenham.If they win, it will end this consistent ‘bottler’ tag that the club and Klopp have picked up in recent years after losing the Carabao Cup final, the Europa League final and the Champions League final.Luis Suarez certainly had no qualms about celebrating against his former employers in the video below…With huge responsibility and huge expectations comes nervousness for most, of course.The Liverpool fanbase will undoubtedly be behind their team and do all they can to spur them on to glory, but I’m sure that some of Klopp’s men will be jittery with that knowledge stowed away inside them.Or I was, at least.A number of images have been flying around of the team’s warm weather training camp in Marbella with the lads looking in good spirits, but one image has emphasised just how relaxed the squad are ahead of the tie against Spurs.
James Milner uploaded the above image to his official Twitter account, showing Andy Robertson loving life whilst messing around in a big inflatable unicorn.
Of course, if the team were showing a massive amount of nerves they wouldn’t be sat around the pool looking shell shocked and mortified, but the Scottish left-back’s playfulness around the pool with his new inflatable friend proves that there are little nerves in the Merseysiders’ camp.
وضع الجهاز الفني للزمالك بقيادة البرتغالي جايمي باتشيكو برنامج خاص لإعداد وتجهيز مصطفى فتحي صانع ألعاب الأبيض للمشاركة أمام الأهلي.
ويلتقي الأهلي والزمالك في التاسعة من مساء غد الجمعة في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، المقرر إقامته على استاد القاهرة، حيث سيكون النهائي الأول الذي يجمع بين فريقين من نفس البلد، في نهائي البطولة الإفريقية عبر تاريخها.
اقرأ أيضًا.. حكم مباراة الأهلي والزمالك.. مصطفى غربال “وش السعد” على القطبين في إفريقيا
وعلم “بطولات” أن باتشيكو وضع برنامج إعداد خاص لـ مصطفى فتحي لرفع الحمل البدني وزيادة معدلات اللياقة البدنية للاعب، ليكون في حالة جاهزية أكبر.
ويأتي قرار الزمالك في ظل رغبة المدرب البرتغالي أن يكون فتحي أحد الأوراق الرابحة والاستراتيجية في هجوم الفريق بلقاء القمة.
Rangers won’t be making a move for out-of-contract defender Leighton Baines this summer, according to The Daily Record.
What’s the story?
The paper say there has been substantial chatter over the last week that the Gers could be set to sign the Everton veteran, with his deal at Goodison Park set to expire this summer.
The 34-year-old has yet to reveal what his future holds or what club he will be playing for next season but The Record are adamant it won’t be Rangers despite the club potentially still signing a player in his position over the coming months.
The report states that the departure of Lee Wallace coupled with middling form for current regulars in the position, Gerrard could look to strengthen at left-back.
Watch the video below to find out which derbies the Pl>ymaker squad have picked as the most entertaining, fierce and passionate in the world…
Would Baines have been a good Rangers choice?
With over 400 appearances in the English Premier League for Everton and Wigan Athletic, Baines has had an excellent career at the top level but simply doesn’t fit into the project Gerrard is currently trying to build at Ibrox.
The Gers boss is assembling a team of young, hungry British-based talent that can forge a unit capable to go up against the might of Celtic and having the mental fortitude to credibly challenge for trophies in multiple competitions.
Key experience in the team is part of that too, but having already signed players such as Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe, Gerrard already has a spine in his team made up of veteran professionals and the addition of Baines would just be one too many.
An old pals act is the last thing Rangers fans want to see ahead of the new season.
A move for a former international teammate of Gerrard, who is now well into his 30s, would raise serious eyebrows and this is a transfer the club are better off passing on.
If there was a saying to sum up Leeds’ season, it would be “so close yet so far away”.
The Yorkshire side looked certain to gain promotion to the Premier League, with the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa bringing his breathless style of football to English shores for the first time in his career. Yet when the dust settled, Leeds just couldn’t get the job done.
But all is not lost. The Whites managed to reclaim the services of Bielsa for a second season and with rumours of a Qatari takeover on the horizon the future could be well and truly prosperous for Leeds, who many neutrals are keen to see back in the Premier League.
Heading into the transfer window, Bielsa will need to be certain that every new face brought in has what it takes to push Leeds over the finish line and return them to the promised land of top-flight football. So out of all the names reported so far, who will actually help the Whites to this goal?
[snack_break title=”Jamal Lowe”]
Signing from the lower leagues might not be the ideal move when looking for players that can fire you to the Premier League, but Jamal Lowe is a rare exception, and according to Sky Sports News, Leeds are set to duke it out for the Portsmouth winger this summer.
Blessed with rapid pace and deadly finishing, Lowe has been one of League One’s most impressive players, raking up 15 goals and nine assists in the league this season, and under Bielsa, the 24-year-old could be a great secret weapon to have.
Lowe wouldn’t be involved with the first-team straight away, but there is no doubt the Pompey man will work his way up the pecking order over time and make the wings his own at Leeds.
[snack_break title=”Luke Freeman”]
Midfielder Luke freeman celebrating for QPR
Bielsa’s style of football limits the options Leeds can go for this summer, but for Luke Freeman, the QPR man would be a perfect signing for the club as London Football News report that Leeds are interested in the playmaker.
Freeman’s versatility to play in both midfield and on the wings make him an ideal player for Bielsa’s squad, and 27-years-old, the former Arsenal academy product will add good experience to a side brimming with young talent that can learn a thing or two from the experienced midfielder.
Nine goals and eight assists last season is also a good indicator that Freeman is heading into the prime years of his career, and Leeds need to pounce on this before it is too late.
[snack_break title=”Callum O’Dowda”]
Another player from the Championship who is reportedly on Leeds’ radar is Bristol City winger Callum O’Dowda, who according to the Times is ready for a fresh start, and that the Whites are one of the sides in the running.
The Ireland international has been out of action since March with a knee injury and was previously rumoured with a move to Leeds back in the January transfer window by Leeds Live. With five goals and five assists to his name last season, Leeds should consider making a move for the Bristol speedster this summer.
With Jack Harrison unlikely to return next season, Leeds are in need of a left-sided winger who is able to contribute to the score sheet, and O’Dowda fits the bill.
[snack_break title=”Florian Aye”]
It’s safe to say Leeds wouldn’t have made it as far had it not been for the goal scoring heroics of Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford, but heading into the next season it could be wise to stock up more on reliable strikers, which is why Florian Aye would be a smart signing.
The 22-year-old striker has been reported by Turkish outlet Haberturk as a target for Leeds after an impressive season in Ligue 2, hitting 18 goals for Clermont Foot, and Aye’s reliable form in front of goal will be a much-needed boost for Bielsa.
Being rotated with Roofe and Bamford will ensure goals galore at Elland Road next season, and at 22, Aye could be the man to lead the line for the foreseeable future at Leeds if he finds his feet in England.
[snack_break title=”Dino Islamovic”]
Another story from overseas has seen Swedish outlet FotbollDirekt link Ostersunds striker Dino Islamovic with a move to Leeds this summer, and just like Aye, the attacker could be a great addition to the squad.
Currently on four goals this season, Islamovic will add more attacking depth to Leeds and a useful option waiting in the wings. The target man’s ability to hold up play and allow wingers to sneak in behind has made the 25-year-old a vital player for the Swedish side.
Power, height and the ability to bring wide players into the attack sounds like the profile of a striker that could thrive at Leeds, and Islamovic may be the man just for the job.
The busy festive period is something teams in English football just have to get on with.
Even with the winter break this year, the run towards the end of December and the start of January is relentless for any team in this country.
For Sheffield United though, they have it that much harder. The Premier League fixtures, which came out on Thursday, have put the trickiest spell of matches in this period of congestion.
Tough games
In the back end of December the Blades have to travel away to Manchester City and Liverpool within three days of one another. The fixture immediately following that is a grudge match with West Ham which will have a lot of bad blood as no United fan has forgotten the Carlos Tevez debacle which saw them relegated back in 2007.
Following the game against the Hammers, Chris Wilder’s side travel to the Emirates Stadium, and to round things off, just three days after that they have to play the reigning champions once again.
Squad depth is key
During this vital run of games, United will have to rotate heavily to make sure their team is fully fit before each match. Therefore, making sure that there is enough depth in the squad will be vital for Chris Wilder.
To make sure all bases are covered, the Blades probably need to sign a few new players as they currently look light in a few positions.
For example, Enda Stevens doesn’t currently have a proper understudy, and beyond John Fleck and Ollie Norwood, the Yorkshire side aren’t well-equipped in the midfield.
Which Sheffield United players won’t cut it in the top-flight next season? Ingood Nick discusses in the video below…
Christmas and New Year is hard enough as it is for a Premier League side, but United’s task is made that much harder due to the fact that they have to play so many top teams during that period. If they want to pick up points during this time they need to have adequate depth throughout the team.
ادعى المدعي العام في سان إيسيدرو أن دييجو أرماندو مارادونا لم يتلق العلاج المناسب، في ظل الحديث عن وفاته بسبب إهمال.
وتوفي أسطورة كرة القدم الأرجنتيني مارادونا من سكتة قلبية عن عمر يناهز 60 عامًا في 25 نوفمبر الماضي.
ويستمر التحقيق لمعرفة ما إذا كان الأطباء الذين عالجوا مارادونا يتحملون أي مسؤولية في وفاته.
ونُشرت النتائج الأولى للتحقيقات على الملأ اليوم، حسب صحيفة “لا ريبوبليكا” الإيطالية.
وقال المدعي العام في سان إيسيدرو: “لم يعتن أحد بالمريض، فنحن أمام سلوك مذنب من الأطباء في حالة الإهمال الخطير”.
وأضاف: “لم يخضع المريض للمراقبة الطبية المستمرة كما تتطلب حالته الصحية ولم يتناول أي دواء لمرضه القلبي”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. رسميًا.. نابولي يطلق اسم مارادونا على ملعبه
وأكد المدعي العام: “بدون أدنى شك، كان طبيبه هو الدكتور ليوبولدو لوكي، لقد نسق مثل هذه الرعاية المنزلية الناقصة التي كانت غير منظمة تمامًا، وقد وثق به المريض ثقة عمياء”.
ويوصف لوكي بأنه “الرجل الذي أراد أن يسجله التاريخ كالطبيب الذي أنقذ مارادونا”.
وفقًا لـ “لا ريبوبليكا”، يعتقد المحققون أن لوكي كان جزءًا من الفريق الذي أجرى جراحة مارادونا في الدماغ قبل 20 يومًا من وفاته.