Category : Other Sports

TROUBLE IN PARADISE!? Barcelona Coach Hits Back At Lionel Messi For Saying They Can’t Win The Champions League Playing In His Style

Barcelona coach, Quique Setien has hit back at Lionel Messi while defending his tactical philosophy after the superstar footballer said they can’t win Champions League playing in his style. In a recent interview with Sport, the Argentinian star said: ‘It is not possible to win it by playing as we have been playing. My opinion is based on the fact that I was lucky to play the Champions League every year.’ Reacting to Lionel Messi’s comment about his style, Setien who took over from Ernesto Valverde in January and hoping to deliever Barca’s first Champions League since 2015 said: ‘Messi’s words I think have created a big debate.’ ‘We are convinced that we can win the Champions League. We have to improve some things, but without a doubt we are convinced that the team has the potential to win the Champions League. ‘We can win it. We are convinced we can win the Champions League, of course we can,’ Setien told beIN Sports. Lionel Messi and his teammates suffered three consecutive quarter-final defeats before Liverpool inflicted another major blow last term. In the semi-final first leg, Barca defeated Liverpool 3 -0 at Nou Camp, but in the second leg at Anfield, Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks as they hi...

Bundesliga: Awoniyi suffers heavy defeat with Mainz

Timo Werner was the man-of-the-match, scoring a hat-trick against Mainz for the second time this season. The post Bundesliga: Awoniyi suffers heavy defeat with Mainz appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

TRANSFER LATEST!! Bayern Munich Let Option To Make Loan Deal Permanent Expire

Bayern Munich will not be taking up the option of making Philippe Coutinho’s loan deal from Barcelona permanent. The Brazilian is on a season-long loan at the Allianz Arena, but has struggled to find his best form despite scoring nine goals in 32 matches prior to the suspension of the Bundesliga. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German magazine Der Spiegel: “The option expired and we haven’t activated it. “We’re going to plan our squad for next season and we’ll see if he still has a role to play with us or not.” Rummenigge’s comments will alert the Premier League clubs who have been monitoring Coutinho’s loan spell with the German champions. Chelsea are one of the clubs that have been offered the chance to sign the 27-year-old who moved to Barcelona from Liverpool for £145m three years ago. Coutinho came on as a second-half substitute when Bayern won 3-0 win at Chelsea in February year and while he was in London he told his agent Kia Joorabchian he would be interested in returning to the Premier League. Everton and Arsenal are also interested in the playmaker who made 152 appearances for Liverpool from 2013-2018 scoring 41 goals. “The Premier League is something that he has always enjoyed playing in, and loved...

WAWU! Van Persie Reveals The Manager That Slapped Him During His Playing Days

Former Manchester United striker, Robin Van Persie, has revealed that former Netherlands manager,, Louis van Gaal, slapped him when he refused to come off during a crucial game against Costa Rica in the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Van Persie played under Van Gaal at international level with the Netherlands and club level with Man United. “The game went into extra-time, and I got cramp. Louis shouted ‘I am taking you off,’ the former Arsenal striker said in a new book detailing Van Gaal’s career, LVG – The Manager and the Total Person. “I turned around and shouted ‘no, no, we have penalties soon’ but the last 20 minutes were physically really hard for me. “He [Van Gaal] could see that, and steam was coming out of his ears. “When the match was finished, and we gathered near the touchline, he got close to me and suddenly hit me. “With a big flat hand, he dealt me a blow and said angrily ‘don’t ever do that to me again. “I looked at him, absolutely stunned. Louis said, ‘just get on with it and make sure you get it in the net from the spot.’ “I am glad I managed to put the penalty in the corner. When I look back on that incident, it was a weird moment, but that was Louis for you. “Sometimes, he can hug a player – and sometimes he can hit you.” The post WAWU! V...

AC Milan Feared Of Another Istanbul Repeat During 2007 Champions League Final – KAKA

Milan great Kaka has admitted that he and his colleagues feared a repeat of Istanbul during the 2007 Champions League final, in which they claimed a 2-1 win over Liverpool. In the showpiece two years earlier, the Rossoneri had been on the wrong end of one of the all-time great comebacks as the Reds rallied from a 3-0 half-time deficit to draw level and ultimately take the crown after a penalty shoot-out. It was a match that became known as ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ and Kaka, who was the Ballon d’Or winner in 2007, has confessed that there were fears of a repeat when the clubs met in an Athens rematch. Filipo Inzaghi scored twice for the Italian outfit but they were made to endure a nervy conclusion after Dirk Kuyt scored following a corner. “It was terrible, it was terrible when they scored the goal because the memory of 2005 came back: ‘Oh no, not again,’” the Brazilian told Milan’s official website. “It was a battle of wills and we felt the fear, the ‘Oh no, it’s happening again’ feeling. Fortunately, we held out and were able to celebrate at the end.” The deeply religious Kaka, who finished the 2006-07 campaign as the Champions League top scorer after netting 10 goals, admitted that Milan were not after vengeance “It was a sign from God, not a coincidence,” h...

Winning Goal In 2010 World Cup Saved Me From Depression – Iniesta Speaks Out

Andres Iniesta says scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final helped him recover from depression and move on from the hardest time in his life. Iniesta had suffered terribly following the death of his close friend Dani Jarque in 2009. The former Espanyol midfielder died at the age of just 26 following a heart attack. When the Barcelona icon, now playing in Japan with Vissel Kobe, scored the decisive goal in South Africa, he revealed an undershirt reading “Dani Jarque: siempre con nosotros”, meaning ‘always with us’. “Unfortunately, I had to experience several misfortunes in a row, even though I was really successful at the time,” Iniesta told Bild am Sonntag. “But then my friend Dani Jarque died in August 2009, which really put me in such a fragile situation that I needed professional help. “It was certainly the hardest phase of my life. It was very good for me to have the support of Anna, my then girlfriend and current wife, and of course that of my parents.” Iniesta said his goal against the Netherlands was “the beginning of the improvement.” “Fortunately, this phase is a thing of the past,” he added. “A phase that made me stronger and better.” As one of the most successful players in Barca’s history – and arguably Spain’s greatest ever – his story...

MUST READ!! Casillas Reveals Real Madrid Exit Regret As He Marks Anniversary Of Bernabeu Farewell

Iker Casillas has revealed regrets about the way he said goodbye to Real Madrid as he promised to eventually return. The great Spanish goalkeeper played his final match for Madrid five years ago this weekend, leaving the club to join Porto. He left at the age of 34 after a 16-year first-team career at the Santiago Bernabeu, but to this day Casillas is sorry for the solitary nature of his exit. “I’ve rarely spoken about my departure from Real Madrid,” Casillas wrote on Instagram. “I gave a press conference alone, a mistake, and I left. 5 years have passed since then. 5 years since I crossed the border that took me to our neighbouring country: Portugal. “I needed to feel something different again. Having a new environment, giving up being so exposed to criticism and wanting to improve. “So friends, all players (whether good or bad) want to improve. And for this you have to improve the physical and the mental side. The latter was important. In Porto I felt it again. Let them not tell you other things.” Casillas posted his message in the early hours of Sunday, accompanied by a picture of himself from his final match for Madrid, a 7-3 victory against Getafe on May 23, 2015. His message added: “I already knew it was going to be my last ga...

SAD NEWS! Nigeria Striker Osimhen Loses His Father

Lille striker Victor Osimhen has been thrown into mourning after announcing the sudden death of his father. The Super Eagles star took to social media on Sunday morning to disclose the sad news backed with a broken heart emoji. “RIP Dad. No words to describe this feeling,” he tweeted. The 21-year-old is now an orphan having previously lost his mother at a young age. Prior Sunday’s tragedy, Osimhen recalled how his father helped him and his siblings despite the difficult situation of things as a youngster. “I lost my mom in October, I do not even remember the year. I was small. Three months later, my father lost his job. It was very hard for our family,” he said while recounting his journey to stardom. “My brother sold sports newspapers, my sister, oranges in the street and me, bottled water in Lagos in the middle of the traffic. We have to survive so we stick together. “In the evening, we were all together and we gathered the money on the table. We gave everything to our big sister and she made food and organized everything. “Part of my life has been a struggle to survive. But that’s all I am today in the end. It’s hard to classify all but each event has created my personality. “ The post SAD NEWS! Nigeria Striker...

Arsene Wenger Reveals Why He Will Never Return To Arsenal

Legendary Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has said he will never return to the club. Wenger left the Emirates Stadium in 2018 after 22 years in charge of the Gunners. The 70-year-old remains the longest-serving manager in Premier League history, beating Sir Alex Ferguson by nine months. During his time at Arsenal, Wenger won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups. The Frenchman has now said his decision to retire, means removing himself entirely from his former team. Speaking on beIN Sports, Wenger said: “Would I return to the Emirates Stadium? “I always said to myself that I would be leaving Arsenal completely. That’s the decision I made.” The post Arsene Wenger Reveals Why He Will Never Return To Arsenal appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

I will encourage my children to play for Nigeria – Odemwingie

Aside from Nigeria, Odemwingie’s Children also have Russian and British roots. The post I will encourage my children to play for Nigeria – Odemwingie appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

‘Arsenal’s Winning Culture Was Falling Apart’ – Cole Says

Ashley Cole says he could feel Arsenal’s winning culture falling apart before he left the Emirates Stadium for Chelsea. The former England left-back, who retired from football in 2019, made the controversial switch from north to west London in 2006. Cole won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups at Arsenal and went on to enjoy more success in blue, winning another league title, four FA Cups and the Champions League among other honours. He left in controversial circumstances and remains an unpopular figure at Arsenal, but Cole says he had his reasons for wanting to leave. “The transition in terms of being in a different group, environment and players was easy because at the time when I first started at Arsenal, we had a core – the Keowns, the Seamans, the Vieiras, the Henrys, the Adams’,” Cole told BBC Sport. “When they started to leave, I felt there were holes in the culture of what it was that brought success. I just felt it was falling apart a bit, or there were gaps missing and they weren’t filled. “So that transition in terms of finding myself in a different culture and the willingness and want to win, I went to Chelsea and I had that.” The post ‘Arsenal’s Winning Culture Was Falling Apart’ – Cole Says appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Mos...

JUST IN!! Rohr Reaches Agreement With NFF To Continue As Super Eagles Coach

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed he has agreed on a two-and-half-year contract extension with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The 66-year-old’s current deal ends next month and has been in discussion with the federation over a renewal since January. The delay to reach an agreement generated speculation that the governing body is looking to do away with the services of the Franco-German tactician and former internationals had been linked to the job. The rumours have now been laid to rest after Rohr revealed he has been handed an opportunity by the federation to continue in his role. “Yes, I can confirm that we found an agreement with NFF to continue our collaboration for two and half years,” Rohr told the Cable. “I am proud of the confidence shown by NFF, it is rare to work in the same national team for more than six years. “Our team has a good future, our players have discipline and the staff is working in the same spirit.” Rohr has been in charge of the Super Eagles since 2016 and qualified the team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with ease. The post JUST IN!! Rohr Reaches Agreement With NFF To Continue As Super Eagles Coach appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

They Called Me A Small Boy – Ndidi Speaks Out

Wilfred Ndidi has revealed how he overcame a barrage of intimidation en route to making Nigeria’s squad for the 2013 Fifa U20 World Cup. Having been dropped from the Golden Eaglets’ team for the 2013 African U17 Championship staged in Morocco owing to an MRI controversy alongside Ibrahim Abdullahi and Emmanuel Asadu, Ndidi was promoted into the U20 team thanks to his superlative talent. At that time John Obuh’s Flying Eagles were preparing for the global showpiece in Turkey, and the 16-year-old had to prove his worth to make the final list. “When I got to the U20 team, I was seeing these guys. They were professionals who were already playing in the league. They were strong when compared to myself, a skinny boy coming from an academy to the U17’s and now to the U20’s,” Ndidi said. “Immediately they saw me, they were like ‘Who is this small boy?’ It was just all over my face that who is this small boy. It was so tough that my roommate would sleep on the bed and I would sleep on the ground. “I wasn’t intimidated because I knew what I was there to do and not to make friends. Everything worked in my favour because I trained with older people growing up in the barracks. “I only started training with my age mates when I was in the Nath Academy, so I was already used to...

Zaha Has A Neymar Kind Of Ability – Bolasie

Wilfried Zaha has “a Neymar kind of ability”, according to his former Crystal Palace team-mate Yannick Bolasie. Zaha and Bolasie formed a formidable attacking partnership at Selhurst Park, their skilful dribbling providing no end of headaches for opposition defenders. Zaha has frequently been linked with a move away from Palace, with Unai Emery recently admitting he wanted to sign him for Arsenal instead of Nicolas Pepe, and Bolasie seemingly believes his old partner in crime has the ability to play at the top level. “I think I would have taught him some things, to be honest, some little things he would have taken from my book,” Bolasie told Palace’s official website. “When I said Wilf has a Neymar kind of ability, people were like: ‘Nah, nah, nah,’ but then they started looking and saying: ‘Actually, he does.’ “Every season for me, he’s come out and proved he’s got better. Just in different types of ways. He’s setting up teammates, setting up people to score, he’s releasing passes quicker than I’ve seen him release passes before. “I’m seeing an improvement in his whole game, he’s not just this dribbler that everyone thinks he is; he can see a pass and a through ball.” The post Zaha Has A Neymar Kind Of Ability – Bolasie appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most...

Giggs Was An Unbelievably Overrated Man Utd Player – Woodhouse Speaks Out

Ryan Giggs was an “unbelievably overrated Manchester United player”, according to former Premier League midfielder Curtis Woodhouse. Woodhouse, who is now a manager at Northern Premier League outfit Gainsborough Trinity, spent several seasons in England’s top-flight playing for Sheffield United and Birmingham City. While he admittedly never reached Giggs’ level, Woodhouse believes the current Wales coach was overhyped at Old Trafford. In a series of tweets, the ex-midfielder took aim at Giggs’s record, claiming his individual output wasn’t sufficient considering his position and the team he was a part of. “Ryan Giggs another unbelievably overrated Manchester United player,” Woodhouse posted on Twitter. “Outstanding longevity but in a team that dominated for years and were a free scoring machine his statistics for goals and assists is awful. Another Manchester United myth, good player, never anything more “Giggs has 162 assists in the PL over 22 years to go with his 109 goals, again over 22 years. His team dominated them 22 years of football breaking scoring records as they went. Ryan Giggs was a left winger, looking at his stats you may confuse him with a left back. “Giggs didn’t even have a good left foot!! He was...