Category: Soccer

People often like to say that a player or a trainer has had their money once an ejection has become inevitable. Atalanta captain Rafael Tolói had something else.

Things reached a head in the 87th minute of a UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta and Club Brugge on Tuesday. Brugge was finishing a 5-2 total victory over the Italian club, a significant upheaval in the first round of the scene with direct tournament.

While the minutes were on the UCL offer of Atalanta, Tolói received a hard contact from the maximum of Brugge de Cuyper out of the limits. Tolói then completely humiliated.

His first reaction was to take the Ballon and Spike de Cuyper in the head with. However, the ball slipped with Tolói’s hand like a cartoon. The throw also pushed Tolói enough unbalanced so that he then fell directly on his face.

De Cuyper then turned his back and jogging, how Tolói charged him and, after having exceeded a referee, slammed it on the ground. He goes without saying that he received a red card.

The match ended a few minutes later. Brugge, the Belgian Pro League champions last year, will advance to face Lille or Aston Villa in the round of 16, with one from Liverpool or Barcelona in the quarter -finals after that.

The decision of Paris Saint-Germain to separate from Randal Kolo Muani gives the club a chance to find a new n ° 9 to twin with Gonçalo Ramos in attack this summer.

Juventus Dušan Vlahović striker is a potential target. According to a recent report of Taken into accountThe club plans to discuss its future in February, promoting the Serbian striker at around 65 million euros. He has not yet signed new contract.

Arsenal and Manchester United have already expressed their interest, and now PSG has joined the list of clubs monitoring its situation.

What is the last on Dušan Vlahović?

Calciomercato Reports that Vlahović, whose contract with Juventus expires on June 30, 2026, is in a delicate situation.

Negotiations for an extension are stopped, and he could even consider seeing his contract without renewing. This is a scenario that Juventus absolutely cannot afford, which means that n ° 9 will be put on the market from June.

Beyond the transfer fees – where Juventus could be satisfied with a relatively modest amount (at most 40 million euros) – the main concern of the club is to unload the heavy salary of Vlahović a year before the expiration of his contract.

Juventus would otherwise be forced to pay him 12 million euros for the 2025-26 season. During the winter transfer window, Al-Nassr made an offer, but Vlahović would not have considered this decision, According to Gianluca di Marzio.

The Saudi club proposed a lucrative contract, but the talks have never exceeded an initial investigation. Consequently, it seems that a move this summer, if that happens, will be in a European club.

The “Cold Weather Advisory” warns anyone in Kansas City according to which “dangerously cold wind coolants as low as 20 below zero could cause frost on the skin exposed as little as 30 minutes”. And yet, Wednesday evening, with temperatures planned below 4 degrees Fahrenheit, Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami should play a football match.

They were originally ready to open their seasons on Tuesday during the Concacaf Champions Cup, but snow in Kansas City led to a day’s postponement. On Wednesday, however, it could be even colder. At 7 p.m., when the match should start, the planned wind cooling is -9 degrees; At 9 p.m., he could fall to -11.

It will be colder than any match of the 29 years of history of Major League Soccer, and perhaps one of the coldest football matches ever recorded, anywhere.

And that has aroused a series of questions, in particular: Lionel Messi, the starless star of Miami, will she participate?

Inter coach of Inter, Javier Mascherano, assured journalists on Monday that Messi is “100% available”, regardless of the weather. “I can assure you that Leo will play,” said Mascherano.

But, with the game reprogrammed from Tuesday to Wednesday, Inter Miami reorganized its plans and should now go to Kansas City on Wednesday morning, a source familiar with the plans told Yahoo Sports. Naturally, fans are skeptical that Messi joins his teammates. And some wonder if the game should occur at all.

Why Miami against Kansas City will continue despite the cold

The Concacaf, the Director of Northern and Central Football, which led the Champions Cup, made the initial decision to reprogram the match from Tuesday to Wednesday “due to unfavorable weather conditions which should have an impact on the metropolitan region of Kansas City in the next 24 hours, including significant accumulation of snow, “he said in a press release on Monday.

“The decision,” he added, was “made to prioritize the safety of players and fans, and in close coordination with the two participating clubs and local authorities.”

Wednesday, snow is less worrying. We expect that we expect it on Tuesday evening. And the underground heating system of Children’s Mercy Park is expected to make the Sporting KC playable field.

The concern, instead, is hypothermia, or frostbite, or other health problems – from disease to standard injuries – which could arise from extreme cold.

FifPro, an umbrella group representing players’ unions in the football globe “, recommends that training and matches be canceled and reprogrammed when air temperature is less than -15 ° C [5 degrees Fahrenheit] and when the temperature of the wind cooling is less than -27 ° C [-16.6 degrees Fahrenheit]. “”

But there are no Concacaf or FIFA rules that explain cold temperatures. In Kansas City, we expect the game to continue as planned (re) – in part because there is no room for an additional postponement on the calendar. This is the first step in a two -leg Knockout match. The second floor is scheduled for next Tuesday. And the first step in the next round is the following week. On weekends, from Saturday, there are MLS matches. (The first match of the Miami League, originally for Saturday at 2:30 p.m., was postponed at 7:30 am to host the 24 -hour postponement of the Concacaf.)

The only viable bypass solution would have been that Inter Miami agrees to welcome the first leg and go to Kansas City for the second stage next week – when KC temperatures will return to normal, until the 1950s. But Now it’s too late to turn your legs over. (When asked to confirm that the club was offered this option and explain why this change did not occur, the spokespersons of Inter Miami did not respond to messages. Concacaf did not respond to emails asking for comments.)

When is it too cold for football?

There are no rules in part because there are very little preceding for football in so cold weather. Most leagues in countries with icy winters, such as those in Scandinavia and Russia, break for January and February. The MLS seasons end in early December and start at the end of February, thus avoiding the worst winter months.

The coldest MLS match ever recorded was a match of March 3, 2019 in Colorado, which succeeded at 18 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest match between the MLS teams was the shock of February 20, 2018 between Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC in the Concacaf Champions League – which traditionally started a week or two before the regular MLS season.

This Colorado -Toronto match was around 5 degrees Fahrenheit at the start, and 3 degrees per conclusion, the cooling of the wind plunges well below -10 degrees.

It was then exceeded as the coldest high level game on the United States’s soil in January 2022, when the United States Male Male team played Honduras during a qualifying for the World Cup at Minnesota. The temperature of this day was 2 degrees Fahrenheit at kick -off, with wind cooling of -14. Honduras had to replace several players due to “extreme climatic conditions”.

Most of the controversies linked to weather conditions, however, focused on snow. The match on March 2 of last year between Real Salt Lake and Lafc, played on a snowy field in Utah, was described as “absolute joke” of the Lafc coach, Steve Cherundolo.

Generally, however, the clubs of cities in cold weather adopt unfavorable conditions. While Snow fell into Colorado before the Tuesday Champions Cup match between the rapids and the LAFC, the rapids seemed underlying the concern of Inter Miami concerning the conditions in Kansas City. (The nickname Inter is the herons.)

Globally, games are sometimes reported due to snow or heavy rains, but rarely because of the cold. In Siberia, a Russian Premier League match in 2018 was played in the midst of wind cooling -13 degrees Fahrenheit. The Russian football rules said that the teams could refuse to play if the temperatures fell below -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees fahrenheit), but this temperature that day at the start was -13.9 celsius (6.98 Fahrenheit). There is not such a rule in the Concacaf.

Thus, the Kansas City-Miami match will probably take place. Messi’s participation – which could compromise his health in the short and medium term, for the 2025 to come – is a decision for him and Inter Miami.

Newcastle United has turned their attention to the Spanish market in recent years, and they almost seem to sign the signing of a talented young – who being Antonio Cordero.

Cordero, who is without a contract with Malaga at the end of the season, has become very demanding in the past few months. Barcelona and Real Madrid were both recognized for interested the talented 18 -year -old winger, while Arsenal recently joined the race alongside the Premier League Rivals Newcastle.

Despite all this interest, Newcastle seems to be the big favorite to win the signing of Cordero on a free transfer. According to the journalist for the transfer Graeme Bailey (via captivated captivates), the Magpies think that an agreement is almost concluded.

“Newcastle firmly thinks that an agreement is almost there. But obviously, you cannot say to define until it has this black and white shirt.

“This is a brilliant perspective. Newcastle did not immediately be a first team player. You never know how fast these players can progress. Does he stay with the U21 or do they lend it? Obviously, they will assess all these options once it has arrived. »»

Cordero has made a name for himself in the Segunda this season, and he was one of Malaga’s most remarkable artists despite such a young age. It will be a huge loss for Andalusians when it goes there, especially since they will not receive transfer costs within the framework of the operation.

For Newcastle’s prospect, this is a very exciting matter if they can bring Cordeo to the club. It may not be considered immediately for the first team, but it will not be far in the next 12 months. For the moment, the case remains open, but the Premier League team hopes that it will be closed as soon as possible.

Chido Obi -Martin did not leave Arsenal for lack of money – it was rather the time for play, according to reports.

The youngster defected between the competitors of the Premier League last year, but that had nothing to do with the obtaining of a larger package of remuneration.

The Daily Mail reports that “the feeling he had a better shot to crack the first team”.

Now Arsenal has seen two of their promising young talents, Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven, go to Man United in a few months.

Obi has already made his senior debut for Manchester United, in a match against Tottenham, while Heaven was included on the bench for the last two games of United under Ruben Amorim.

What Fabrizio Romano said about the two starts for Arsenal

Despite the initial disappointment, Arsenal does not dwell on departures, according to Fabrizio Romano, the club made serious efforts to keep the two players, offering them competitive contracts, but finally respected their decisions to pass.

Writing for Givemesport, Romano explained: “Arsenal was disappointed when Chido Obi left in summer and Ayden Heaven followed in January, while they were trying to keep both and offered important contracts. But no one loses sleep.

“The club did everything they could, and ultimately, Arsenal always produces the best talents. Mikel Arteta trusts the long-term academy, as we see with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. »»

While Arsenal wanted to keep the two players, they were much less concerned with losing the sky compared to Obi.

Four links in playoffs of the Champions League will arrive at their conclusion this evening, with eight teams hoping to embark on direct elimination towers.

Follow all the action live with us.

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Bayern Munich against Celtic

Bayern started the match with a lot of possession, but it was Celtic that threatened the goal the most, without being able to find a breakthrough.

More to follow …

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Atalanta V Club Brugge

Scorers: Talbi 3 ‘

Brugge moved away from a goal in front of the house within three minutes of kick -off, a quick break when he saw Atalanta rush to the back, and a right shot inside the box of Chemsdine Talbi gave the Belgian part an advantage of 3-1 in the link overall.

More to follow …

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Benfica V Monaco

Scorers: Aktürkoğlu 22 ‘

Benfica took the lead when Vangelis Pavlidis crossed the ball through the goal, just like Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu arrived without a distant post and was able to slip the ball into the house.

More to follow …

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Earlier …

Milan does to pay by Feyenoord in San Siro

Scorers: Giménez 1 ‘; Carranza 73 ‘

Red card: Hernández 51 ‘

Feyenoord obtained a 1-1 draw with Milan in San Siro in their draw in playoffs, going to the stadiums with direct elimination with a global 2-1 victory.

Milan took a flying start when Santiago Giménez – playing against the club he left in January – headed for a corner after only 36 seconds.

The Rossoneri continued to support for a second throughout the first half, João Félix sending his just wide shot and Theo Hernández hitting the post with his attempt.

However, the tide turned in the second half and with the match, it is delicately ready for 1-1 on aggregat, Hernández was sent for his second yellow card, this time for simulation.

Feyenoord then struck, while Hugo Bueno floated in a superb cross towards the rear post, which encountered a strong head of Julián Carranza to advance the Dutch side overall in the tie.

The side based in Rotterdam will now be confronted in Intern or arsenal in the round of 16.

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On Wednesday evening, there will be four other UCL links, including the dramatic conclusion of the Real Madrid and Manchester City eliminatory series match.

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📸 Isabella Bonotto – AFP or conceders

Arsene Wenger thinks that Ethan Nwaneri has a mental strength similar to a young Cesc Fabregas, the two players entering the first Arsenal team at a young age.

After his star performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory against Leicester City this weekend, Ethan Nwaneri praised the wider football world.

Among his supporters, the former director of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, spoke in BeIN Sports of similarities between Nwaneri and a young Cesc Fabregas.

“Nwaneri is more a creator of a final ball through his dribbling and the quality of his death,” started Wenger. “Fabregas was very mentally strong, but this boy looks [strong] Also.

“When I look at him and his maturity, it is difficult to think that it is 17 years old. The sign of a special talent is that they are ready early. »»

Nwaneri would obviously like to have a similar impact to Arsenal to that of Fabregas, given the fantastic beginning of the Spanish with the Gunners.

As he left Arsenal at the age of 24, Fabregas was already club captain for almost three seasons. He was the engine of the team’s midfielder, and he was even top scorer in 2009/10.

Although it is worth emphasizing that, in terms of pure goals and assistance, Nwaneri has already exceeded the first full season of Fabregas. Fabregas scored seven goals or assists in 3,097 minutes in 2004/05, Nwaneri was eight in 790.

It is a strong start, but Fabregas kept its shape during the following six seasons before leaving for Barcelona. This kind of consistency and continuous development is now the challenge of Nwaneri.

Referee Jose Manuel Munuera Montero caused all kinds of controversies in Spanish football recently after his questionable referee in the Real Madrid VS Osasuna match.

Manuel Montero notably ignored a potential penalty on Vinicius Junior, but more importantly, gave Jude Bellingham a straight red in the first half after a supposed dissent – a decision which had a considerable impact on the result of the game.

Real Madrid has remained furious with Montero’s arbitration, double their attacks on the association of arbitrators.

RFEF Survey on Manuel Montero

In the wake of the recent controversy, RFEF decided to investigate the referee Manuel Montero, reports AS.

It seems that the Director Body has launched an official survey on Montero on conflicts of potential interests linked to its out -of -range commercial activities.

The survey is centered on the property of Munuera Montero of Talentis Sports, a consulting and management company of sports which would have links with the main football institutions, including Laliga, UEFA, the RFEF itself.

He also has links with clubs like Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Aston Villa and PSG.

The Federation’s compliance committee assesses if these associations violate article 9.1 of the regulatory code, which prohibits arbitrators from having secondary interests which could interfere with their professional functions.

Possible sanctions on cards?

The report adds that Munuera Montero could face serious consequences if it is found guilty of violation regulations.

According to the RFEF Ethics Code, all the referees, club officials and members of the director must avoid conflicts of interest.

If Munuera Montero has not disclosed its external commercial activities, it could be in violation of these regulations.

Sanctions could include a fine of up to € 100,000 and a refereeing ban that can go up to five years. That said, the investigation is still at the start of the stadiums and there remains a lot to do.

The Borussia Dortmund season collapses. A 2-0 humiliating defeat against Bochum let them blocked in the middle of the table, eight points from the champions League squares and with little recovery sign. As indicated by Bild, the consequences could be serious. If Dortmund fails to qualify for Europe, a major summer exodus is on the cards and a player attracts a particularly strong interest.

Premier League clubs line up for Bynoe-Gittens

In a season filled with frustration, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens was one of the rare light points. The 20 -year -old winger recorded seven goals and four assists, presenting his offensive prowess in one side in difficulty. His performance did not go unnoticed, especially in England.

According to Bild, Tottenham is desperate to bring him back to the Premier League, which would have been willing to break his financial limits to sign him. However, their task will not be easy. Arsenal and Chelsea, both financially stronger, also entered the race. This could trigger an auction war, the Spurs potentially need to match or exceed an offer of 100 million euros to have a chance.

Dortmund financial dilemma

For Dortmund, the situation is simple: miss European football, and at least a better player must be sold. With Bynoe-Gittens their most precious asset, a move to England seems the most likely result.

Adding to uncertainty is the fractured relationship between the player and some Dortmund fans. After being replaced against Bochum, he would have been insulted by supporters, leaving him visibly furious. His reaction suggests that a summer outing may not be unwanted.

While the Dortmund season continues to collapse, the best clubs in the Premier League are waiting behind the scenes, ready to jump.

Our point of view – Analysis of the EPP index

For fans of Arsenal and Chelsea, this transfer saga is an enticing perspective. Bynoe-Gittens represents the ideal mixture of youth, talent and potential, and whatever the club, its signature could win a future superstar.

From Arsenal’s point of view, the addition of Bynoe-Gittens to an already dynamic attack featuring Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard would raise their team more. Its dribbling capacity, its rapid acceleration and its threat of lens make it a perfect adjustment for the high intensity system of Mikel Arteta.

Chelsea, on the other hand, has invested aggressively in young talents, and Bynoe-Gittens aligns perfectly with their long-term strategy. A move to Stamford Bridge would see him develop alongside other rising stars like Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke. Its versatility could also be a crucial asset in the evolutionary tactical approach of Enzo Maresca.

The key battle will be financial. Tottenham is passionate, but Arsenal and Chelsea have the resources to overcome them. If Dortmund is indeed forced to sell, expect an auction war with high issues, the winner obtaining one of the most exciting young wingers in England.

For fans of the two clubs, this is a transfer race that is worth watching closely.

Julen Lopetegui spoke of his talks to take over in Milan, admitting that he still did not know why the discussions ended if `abruptly ”, and gave his prediction before the next match of the eliminations of the League of Champions between the Rossoneri. and Feyenoord.

Lopetegui, who was recently in charge of West Ham United, had been in talks to replace Stefano Pioli in Milan at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Although an agreement was close, Milan finally decided to turn to Paulo Fonseca instead. The Portuguese was appointed on May 24, one day after Lopetegui’s announcement as the new West Ham head coach.

The two had lost their job in January 2025. Fonseca was the first to leave, put its walking orders on December 29, while Lopetegui left West Ham on January 8.

Lopetegui is still at the head of the Serie A despite Milan Fall-Through

Discussing his talks with Milan before his appointment of West Ham, Lopetegui said: “Milan presents himself and I am very happy. It is a historic and attractive team, and I have always liked the Italian league – I have always followed it and I was attracted by the way they understand football as a collective game.

“Arrigo (Sacchi) strongly encouraged my football curiosity. He inspired me. I studied him and I was lucky to know him.

“Negotiation has progressed well, then stopped suddenly. It is not for me to reveal or comment on the reasons why they stopped. »»

It was not the first time that Lopetegui was discussed with an opportunity in Serie A, however.

“It had also happened in the past, at times when I had other ideas. But the discussion with Serie A is not closed. Sooner or later, I would like to come and honestly, I think I would be able to measure myself in what I consider a stimulating league from a tactical point of view. »»

Lopetegui thinks that Milan always has what it takes to overthrow Feyenoord at their meeting of the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

“Feyenoord changed the coach and saw Gimenez moving to Milan, two serious strokes, but clearly the structure was solid. We saw it in the first step. But it is clear that Milan has the qualities necessary to retaliate. »»