Ex-Chelsea Coach, Sarri admits smoking 60 cigarettes daily

Former Chelsea coach, Maurizio Sarri, has revealed he smokes 60 sticks of cigarette a day.

The 60-year-old averages around four packets of cigarettes a day and he has admitted it’s getting out of control.

“I smoke 60 a day, which is probably a few too many,” he revealed to La Nuova Riviera via Football Italia. That works out at a whopping £1,400 every month.

“I don’t particularly feel the need to smoke during games, but straight afterwards it really is necessary,” he added.

via yabaleftonline

2019 AFCON - Segun Odegbami commends Super Eagles on victory over Guinea

Segun Odegbami, an ex-international, has commended the Super Eagles for their victory over the Guinean team in the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Egypt. 

Odegbami Odegbami gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Ota, Ogun, on Wednesday. 

NAN reports that the Super Eagles defeated the Guinean team 1-0 to place Nigeria on top of Group B with six points. The ex-international congratulated Nigerians and hailed the Super Eagles for being the first team to qualify for the round of 16. “As the competition progresses, the performance of Super Eagles will also get better and improve,” he said. 

Odegbami advised the Super Eagles to remain focused and shun any act that could distract them from winning the competition. He also implored Nigerians to continue to pray for the Super Eagles so that they could achieve their goal of winning the 32nd African Cup of Nations.(NAN)  

via vanguardngr

Kompany decision to join Anderlecht a surprise

On Saturday evening, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany played his last game for the Citizens in a 6-0 pummelling of Watford in the FA Cup final. The victory helped Pep Guardiola’s team to a never achieved treble in English football. The 33-year-old was out of contract this summer and his future with the English champions […]

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FA Cup Final: Man City vs Watford 6-0 [HIGHLIGHTS]

unprecedented domestic treble by winning the FA Cup thanks to a Raheem Sterling-inspired 6-0 hammering of Watford at Wembley, equalling the record for the biggest win in the competition’s final.

Pep Guardiola’s men needed penalties to beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup final and were run extremely close by Liverpool in the Premier League, but Saturday’s triumph was a procession as City rounded off an historic campaign in incredible fashion.

Although the first big chance of the game was created by Watford, a dominant City made them pay just before the half-hour with David Silva’s first goal since December and Raheem Sterling doubled their advantage with 38 minutes on the clock.

Watford’s positive start to the second period was futile and ruthless City swept them away in style, as Jesus set up substitute Kevin De Bruyne and then got in on the act himself.

Sterling rounded off a glorious day for Guardiola’s men by completing his hat-trick with two in the last nine minutes.

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For all of City’s early domination, the first opportunity fell to Watford on the break in the 10th minute. Gerard Deulofeu led the counter down the right and his cross was perfect for Roberto Pereyra but the Argentinian’s shot was blocked by the outrushing Ederson.

City capitalised on that let-off 16 minutes later, as Sterling headed the loose ball into the left side of the box and David Silva fired across Heurelho Gomes into the bottom-right corner.

Watford’s task became even greater late in the half when Jesus nudged Bernardo Silva’s cross past Gomes and Sterling smashed in from inches out.

Gomes was well beaten when City finally extended their lead just past the hour, as Watford were caught on the break by Jesus and he squared to the exceptional De Bruyne, who cleverly sidestepped the goalkeeper and converted six minutes after coming on.

Jesus got the goal his performance deserved in the 68th minute, racing on to De Bruyne’s pass and confidently slotting past Gomes.

Sterling completed the rout and his hat-trick in the latter stages, first meeting Bernardo Silva’s cross and firing in from close range, before then latching on to De Bruyne’s right-wing delivery and finding the net despite Gomes’ best efforts, capping a momentous day for City.

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3 – Raheem Sterling has now scored a hat-trick in three different competitions in 2018-19, doing so in the Premier League and FA Cup (v Watford), while also doing so for England (v Czech Republic) in a Euro 2020 qualifier. Exemplar. #MCIWAT #facupfinal

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Serena withdraws from Italian Open with knee injury

Serena Williams pulled out of the Italian Open on Tuesday due to a persistent knee injury which casts doubt on her participation in the French Open which begins later this month.

The 37-year-old American world number 11 had been due to face sister Venus in an eagerly-awaited second round clash in Rome.

Venus has …

EUROPA LEAGUE - Valencia vs Arsenal: predictions, likely lineups & team news

Arsenal travel to Spain on Thursday to battle Valencia for a spot in this season's Europa League final, and potentially a spot in next year's Champions League should they win the showpiece game in Baku.

With a 3-1 lead from the first leg, Unai Emery and his players will have to navigate a tricky away tie against a team who scored six goals scored away to Huesca in their La Liga game on Sunday but Gunners drew last time out to lowly Brighton, with their current run being less than spectacular and they will need to be alert to navigate past Los Ches at the Mestalla.

Team News

Valencia will be missing central midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia whilst winger Denis Cheryshev is also unavailable with a ligament injury.

Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck all remain unavailable for selection due to long-term injuries.

However, Aaron Ramsey has already played his last game for the club after suffering a hamstring tear against Napoli which ruled him out for the rest of the reason while Denis Suarez is also sidelined after picking up a groin injury.

Head to Head Record

Thursday's fixture will represent the seventh competitive meeting between the clubs, with Valencia registering three wins in comparison to two victories for Arsenal.

Four of the previous games took place in the Champions League between 2001 and 2003, with Arsenal only prevailing on one of those occasions.

Arsenal have suffered defeat on each of their previous two visits to the Mestalla.

Recent Form

Arsenal have two wins in their last six games, with both of those coming in the Europa League against Valencia and ​Napoli respectively but their away from will be a worry, having conceded nine goals in three games, but their two-goal cushion in this tie should give them an advantage in Spain.

Valencia have three wins in their last six games, with the most recent being a 6-2 thrashing of relegated Huesca in ​La Liga. This result will undoubtedly give Los Ches confidence that they can overturn the two-goal deficit and make it to the final.

Valencia possible starting lineup: Neto; Piccini, Gabriel, Garay, Gaya; Wass, Parejo, Coquelin, Guedes; Mina, Moreno

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Cech; Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny; Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Iwobi; Aubameyang, Lacazette

Prediction: Valencia 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-4)

SPORTS - Luis Suarez slams Barcelona teammates after defeat to Liverpool in the champions League

English Football team, Liverpool reached the Champions League final with a remarkable 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona on Tuesday.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side completed an amazing comeback to secure a 4-0 win and book their place in the final in Madrid on June 1 where they will face either Tottenham or Ajax.

And Suarez is upset as Barcelona have failed once again to reach the Champions League final. He said,

“We are very sad, very hurt, It’s time to do a lot of self-criticism in our team, it is the second time that this has happened. We cannot commit the same mistake two years in a row, we have to think about many things and must be ourselves, tell us things in the face, things that we’ve done wrong. ‘It’s not possible that in one minute we concede two goals. Their fourth goal? We looked like a youth team there. ‘The coach does not have to be reproached, we are the ones who have to ask for forgiveness.” Suarez said after the match.

U-17 AFCON - Golden Eaglets ‘Little Messi’ Akinkunmi Amoo wins Man of the Match

Nigeria’s Akinkunmi Amoo has been declared winner of ‘Man of the Match’ at the ongoing AFCON U-17.

Fondly called ‘Little Messi,’ Akinkunmi, who wears Jersey No. 13 of the Golden Eaglets, was given the award in Dar Es Salam, Tazania, by the tournament sponsors, Total.

 This was disclosed via a congratulatory message posted on the verified Twitter handles of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Confederation of Africa Football.

CAF had tweeted: ‘Congratulations to @Total Man of the Match, Akinkunmi Amoo #13 from Nigeria.’

The Sidos FC star was recognised for his outstanding performance in the Golden Eaglets 5-4 win over Tanzania in the opening match of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

Akinkunmi took the accolade ahead of Giant Brillers FC striker Wisdom Ubani, who scored either side of half-time, and Tanzania U-17s golden boy Kevin John ‘Mbappe,’ allnigeriasoccer notes.

The star had a hand in all the three goals scored by the five-time world champions in the first half.

While fellow Golden Eaglet player Olatomi Alfred Olaniyan pounced on a rebounded shot from the Number 13 to open the scoring in the 21st minute, Wisdom Ubani benefited from his assist when he restored the lead on the half-hour mark.

Eight minutes before half-time, Akinkunmi showed off his skills, beat the goalkeeper and tapped the ball into an empty net.

He was replaced by Divine Nwachukwu in second-half injury time with the outcome of the game all but decided, allnigeriasoccer says.

Akinkunmi’s career had attracted Premier League club Arsenal, which was locked in a chase for the Golden Eaglets star, according to media reports.

Akinkunmi is one of the Golden Eaglets trio who had attracted the attention of European football clubs. The two others are,  skipper Samson Tijani and Olatomi Alfred Olaniyan,

Akinkunmi, who featured for 3SC in the LaLiga U15 Promises, had also enhanced his market value with a ‘Man of the Match’ display against the Junior Elephants in their September 6, 2018 encounter, where he also crowned his outing with a well-taken goal from the penalty spot.

In addition to Arsenal, Ajax Amsterdam and RSC Anderlecht are some of the clubs monitoring the performances of Akinkunmi Ayobami Amoo and those of his fellow rising stars Samson Okikiola Tijani, and Olatomi Alfred Olaniyan, with a view to signing them when they attain the age of majority, reports say.

via Punchng

EPL - Man Utd offer Marseille keeper four-year contract

Manchester United have offered Marseille goalkeeper Ahmadou Dia a four-year contract, according to reports in France.

The 20-year-old is not in the first team squad with Ligue 1 giant but has caught the eye of the Red Devils who are looking to add him to their ranks.

According to L’Equipe, United are set to offer Dia a four-year deal as they look to bring the promising keeper into their ranks as Marseille sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is aware of the offer but the keeper is yet to agree on any terms.

Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation could undergo a seismic change this summer if David De Gea does not sign a new contract and is sold as the Spaniard’s current deal at Old Trafford expires end of next season and he is demanding increased wages of £350,000-a-week, which the club have not agreed to.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are battling for the signature of De Gea if Red Devil decides to cash in on him this summer but the 20 times Premier League Champions have been linked with potential replacements including Everton and England keeper Jordan Pickford, and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak.

via fcnaija

TRANSFER - Man Utd have spent £700m to stand still & have 12 deals to do - Gary Neville

The former Red Devils defender admits little progress has been made in the transfer market up until Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being handed the reins

Manchester United have spent £700 million ($914m) to stand still, says Gary Neville, with there now 12 deals for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to oversee as the Red Devils prepare for another transfer refresh.

The Red Devils have invested heavily in fresh faces since Sir Alex Ferguson headed into retirement, with the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku among those snapped up.

Big-money additions have failed to push the club back into Premier League title contention, with a top-four finish representing the height of domestic ambition once again in 2018-19.

Solskjaer, fresh from penning a three-year contract, is the latest manager to be charged with the task of delivering on expectation and piecing together challenges for major honours.

Neville admits there is a lot of work to be done at Old Trafford, both in and out of a star-studded squad, with it easy to argue that the new man at the helm would benefit from the presence of a director of football to help carry the load.

The former Red Devils defender told Sky Sports: “Over the last six or seven years, United have put £700m into that squad, and they're still falling well short of where Liverpool and Manchester City are at the moment - they're 16-18 points behind.

“So what you have to look at is how United bridge that gap, and yes they will do that through the spirit that Solskjaer has created, but they have to get better players on the pitch that can compete with Liverpool and City to go along with some of the very good players they've already got.

“United have a big, big job. There are four or five players that Solskjaer will want to keep that are out of contract and he needs to tie down. There are four or five players he will need to bring in, and there are probably four or five players that he needs to get out.

“If you think about that in terms of the job over the next two or three months, you've got probably 12 live situations; four players to sign new contracts, four players to get into the club, four players to get out for the most money possible.

“That needs a good 'wheeler-dealer' behind the scenes, someone who can manage that situation. United haven't been brilliant at that in the last few years.

“I think that's the big job. That's not Solskjaer's job, but it will determine the outcome of his success in terms of the future.”

The likes of Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar have been linked with potential directorial roles, with United continuing to look to familiar faces for inspiration after handing the managerial reins to Solskjaer.

They are expected to be busy again in the next transfer window, but it remains to be seen who will be involved in that process and how many voices will have an input before final decisions are taken.

via 

TRANSFER: Eden Hazard 'not working' on Real Madrid move, but still open to Chelsea exit

The Belgium international continues to be heavily linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu and remains cryptic in discussions over his future

Eden Hazard maintains that he is “not working” on a move to Real Madrid, amid talk of an offer being tabled, but has not closed the door to a transfer away from Chelsea.

Speculation regarding a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu for the Belgium international has raged for some time now.

Hazard has helped to keep the rumour mill ticking over with admissions of wanting to test himself in La Liga and his admiration for those in the Spanish capital.

source - via goal.com

#Everton 2-0 #Chelsea, Toffess stun Chelsea at the Goodison Park

A brilliant second-half display from Everton earned the Toffees 2-0 victory against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
Chelsea pushed for attack from the start of the game with away team wasting many chances in the game, with the likes Gonzalo Higuain, Eden Hazard and Pedro failed to give Chelsea the lead.

Chelsea dominated the game but they were unable to convert their chances t with Everton looking solid defensively despite missing Kourt Zouma in the defence.
The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate at the Goodison Park.
Everton was more dominant in the opening minute of the second half as Richarlison capitalised on a poor clearance from Chelsea defence to break the deadlock with just four minutes into the second half.

Everton had four attempts in the opening stage of the second half.
Higuain's long-range effort was saved by Jordan Pickford in the 59th minute, Rudiger was booked for a foul on Everton player in the 60th minute.
Maurizio Sarri made a double substitute as Ross Barkley was withdrawn for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Higuain made way for Olivier Giroud in the 62nd minute.
Morgan Schneiderlin was brought in for Andre Gomes in the 67th minute. Gylif Sigurdsson made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Everton player was fouled in the box with 18 minutes to go.

Jorginho was substituted as Callum Hudson Odoi was brought in the 74th minute.
Bernard was substituted for Theo Walcott in the 77th minute in a bid to add a fresh leg to the attack.
The game ended 2-0 in favour of Everton.

JUVENTUS: Ronaldo-less Juventus Record First Defeat of Season At Genoa

Juventus, without their talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo, recorded their first Italian Serie A defeat of the season, losing 2-0 to home side, Genoa, at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium on Sunday.

Massimiliano Allegri rested his Portuguese superstar following his energy-sapping man-of-the.match performance in the for the Bianconeri Champions League win against Atletico Madrid in midweek.

Juve clearly missed the service of Ronaldo in the Serie A clash as they they put up an uninspiring performance. And Stefano Sturaro and Goran Pandev sealed a memorable 2-0 win for Genoa .

Genoa activated their obligation to buy Sturaro from Juventus for €16.5million in February, less than two weeks after he joined on loan and he marked his first Serie A appearance of his second spell with the opener after 72 minutes.

That was followed nine minutes from time by Pandev’s fine strike past Mattia Perin to secure a deserved victory for the hosts.

Genoa came close to taking a surprise lead after 15 minutes but Perin showed superb reactions to paw away Antonio Sanabria’s powerful drive from 12 yards.

The hosts then had a penalty award overturned by VAR on the half-hour mark after Christian Kouame was deemed to have handled the ball before it struck Joao Cancelo’s wrist.

Juve thought they had taken the lead with their first shot on target after 55 minutes through Paulo Dybala. Referee Marco Di Bello was instructed by VAR, however, that there had been an offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.

The hosts took full advantage of that reprieve in a dramatic final 20 minutes.

Just moments after replacing Darko Lazovic, Sturaro sent a curling effort into Perin’s bottom corner from 20 yards, which the Juve goalkeeper will feel he should have done better with.

Things got even better for the hosts in the 81st minute when Pandev collected Kouame’s pass and fizzed a low strike past Perin.

Allegri’s side scarcely looked like clawing their way back into the game in the closing stages and could end the weekend with their lead at the summit of Serie A table cut to 15 points if Napoli overcome Udinese later today (Sunday).

via Complete sports

LALIGA - Zidane list six players he wants out of Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has listed six players that he would sell ahead of next season, according to report in Spain.

Real Madrid is prepared for massive signing next season but must be sensitive in a bid not to fall into breaching the FFP rules, according to El Confidential.
Zidane is will to sell some players to raise €150m for the Los Blancos.

The likes of James Rodriguez and Mateo Kovacic, who are currently out on loan at Bayern Munich and Chelsea respectively and they are considered for sale for €100.
A further €50m could come from Theo Hernandez, Martin Odegaard, Lucas Silva and Borja Mayoral leaving the club, but it remains to be seen if there is enough interest to get them off the books to raise fund to cover for the new signings.

Zidane is planning for some arrivals and it is necessary to create space for the incoming players
Real Madrid was dumped in the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League and they are 12 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga, a massive buy is arguable expected next season.

SERIE A - Napoli suffer triple blow ahead of UEL clash with Arsenal

Napoli has suffered a triple injury blow of Lorenzo Insigne, Vlad Chiriches, and Amadou Diawara ahead of Europa League first-leg clash with Arsenal.

The Partenopei manage to scale through to the last eight of the second tier of European competition after a 4-3 aggregate over Red Salzburg as the Serie A side will travel to London April 11 for first leg encounter with Italy forward is one of three players who may struggle to feature along centre-back Romanian and Guinea holding midfielder due to injury.

Napoli confirmed on their official website that Insigne and Chiriches suffered thigh injuries, while Diawara picked up a problem in his right foot during Thursday defeat at Red Bull Arena.

Furthermore, Insigne and Chiriches need ‘approximately three weeks of recovery time’, whereas Diawara ‘will be checked again in three weeks’.
The trio out of the Partenopei’s next four Serie A games against Udinese, Roma, Empoli and Genoa.

Whoever progresses from their quarter-final will play either Villarreal or Valencia in the semi-finals.

After scoring hat-trick for Juventus against Atletico Madrid, Ronaldo Speaks

Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that the magical hat-trick he scored to help secure a quarter final spot for Juventus in the Champions League is the reason why the club bought him.

Ronaldo score the goals against Atletico Madrid after his side suffered a 2-0 loss away at Madrid.

Thegame ended 3-2 on aggregates.

“It is a special night, not only because of my goals but because of the incredible attitude of the team,” he said afterwards.

“This is the Champions League mentality.

“We haven’t won anything yet, but this is a source of pride and shows we are on the right track.

”Juventus brought me here for this, to help and do my job, so I’m happy that we enjoyed a magical night.”

He also had praise for Los Rojiblancos.

“They are a great team and a very difficult opponent, but we are too and we showed that tonight,” he concluded.

“We certainly deserved to qualify.”