Forza Futbol – European Football News

ARTETA ADMITS ARSENAL NEED TO BE NEARLY PERFECT

November 29, 2024 by Mankowski

Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that Arsenal will need to be near perfect to catch Premier League leaders Liverpool, but he believes momentum is building after a difficult spell. Arsenal, who finished runners-up to Manchester City in the last two seasons, have seen Liverpool surge eight points clear at the top of the table.

Arteta’s side heads into Saturday’s match against West Ham buoyed by a 5-1 thrashing of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League and a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend. The win over Forest ended a four-match winless streak in the league and gave Arsenal hope of climbing back into the title race. A victory at the London Stadium on Saturday would lift the Gunners into second place, ahead of Sunday’s key clash between Liverpool and Manchester City.

UNITED REVEAL COST OF MANAGERIAL CHANGE

November 29, 2024November 24, 2024 by Mankowski

Manchester United has disclosed the financial impact of their recent managerial change, with the total cost of Erik ten Hag’s departure and the appointment of Ruben Amorim amounting to £21.4 million. The move to part ways with Ten Hag, following a disappointing Premier League loss in October, came just months after he had signed a new contract. This financial hit could potentially influence the club’s transfer plans for the upcoming January window.

According to United’s latest financial report, the cost of paying off Ten Hag and his coaching staff totaled £10.4 million. Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who oversaw four matches during the search for a permanent replacement, was also among those to leave with the arrival of Amorim. The Portuguese coach, who was released from his contract at Sporting CP for a €10 million (£8.4m) clause, brings with him additional costs for his backroom staff, pushing the total managerial change cost to £21.4 million.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FORMAT FAILS TO DELIVER MEANINGFUL EARLY DRAMA

October 3, 2024 by Mankowski

It’s still early in the revamped Champions League, but two rounds into the ‘Swiss model,’ it’s clear that the new format is struggling to match the intensity of the old four-team group stage. UEFA had touted this 36-team ‘league phase’ as a means to introduce more “big matches… earlier in the competition” and to eliminate meaningless games before the knockouts. While there are certainly more marquee matchups on paper, the early signs suggest the matches feel less consequential than under the previous format.

The idea of bringing big clubs face-to-face earlier in the competition sounded promising, and so far, it has delivered on that front. We’ve already seen Liverpool face AC Milan, Manchester City clash with Inter Milan, and Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain. Yet, the sense of jeopardy — the feeling that every game truly counts — seems to have been lost.

ODEGAARD STILL ‘FAR’ FROM RETURNING

October 3, 2024October 1, 2024 by Mankowski

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard remains “far” from making his return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since early September. The midfielder picked up the injury while on international duty with Norway, limping off during a match against Austria. Subsequent tests revealed ligament damage, casting doubt on his immediate availability for both club and country.

Arsenal were initially cautious in confirming the extent of the injury, with hopes tentatively set on a mid-October return. However, those expectations have been dashed as Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealed that Odegaard would not be part of the squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Slovenia and Austria.

MAN UNITED TARGET PREMIER LEAGUE GLORY BY 2028

September 27, 2024 by Mankowski

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has laid out an ambitious plan for the club to win the Premier League by 2028, a goal that would coincide with the Red Devils’ 150th anniversary. Berrada outlined the club’s three-year plan to staff last week, despite a challenging start to the season under manager Erik ten Hag, which took another hit with a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League opener.

“It’s not a 10-year plan,” Berrada stated, according to *The Athletic*. “The fans would run out of patience if it was a 10-year plan. But it’s certainly a three-year plan to get there.” Berrada stressed the importance of managing expectations, acknowledging that matching the level of play exhibited by Manchester City against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season would take time. “To think that we’re going to be playing football as good as Manchester City played against Real Madrid last season by next year is not sensible. And if we give people false expectations, then they will get disappointed. So the key thing is our trajectory, so that people can see that we’re making progress.”

ISAK A MAJOR DOUBT FOR MAN CITY CLASH

September 27, 2024September 25, 2024 by Mankowski

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is a major doubt for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City, as confirmed by manager Eddie Howe. The Swedish forward is currently dealing with a broken toe and could miss the visit of the reigning champions. In addition, fellow striker Callum Wilson has also been ruled out, leaving Howe with a selection headache up front.

Isak had a standout season in the Premier League last year, scoring 21 goals in 27 appearances. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer scored more, establishing Isak as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards. However, the 25-year-old has struggled to replicate that form this season, netting just once in an underwhelming start for Newcastle. That lone goal was a crucial winner against Tottenham, but Isak’s dip in form reflects Newcastle’s own inconsistent performances so far this campaign.

CITY ALREADY HAVE KDB SUCCESSOR

September 20, 2024 by Mankowski

Kevin De Bruyne’s latest injury has come at an inopportune time for Manchester City, making him a major doubt for their crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday. The 33-year-old midfielder suffered a suspected groin injury just before half-time during City’s goalless Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday. After receiving treatment, De Bruyne was withdrawn from the game, raising concerns about his availability for the weekend.

Pep Guardiola stated it was too early to fully assess the severity of the injury but hinted that the club may not risk playing De Bruyne to avoid a longer-term setback. Given the tight schedule and the significance of the title race, City’s priority will be ensuring their star midfielder is fully fit before returning to action.

PEP GUARDIOLA FACES ARSENAL WORRY

September 20, 2024September 18, 2024 by Mankowski

Pep Guardiola has admitted that he is particularly wary of Arsenal’s dangerous set-pieces ahead of their Premier League clash this weekend, a threat masterminded by former Manchester City coach Nicolas Jover. Jover, who worked with City from 2019 to 2021, has been instrumental in improving Arsenal’s effectiveness from dead-ball situations since joining the Gunners.

During his time at City, Jover helped the team improve their goal tally from set-pieces, and his influence has continued at Arsenal, where their prowess in this area has become a key strength. Last weekend, Gabriel’s header from a set-piece sealed victory for Arsenal in the North London derby, reinforcing how effective they have become under Jover’s guidance.

UNITED TARGET RABIOT

September 4, 2024 by Mankowski

Adrien Rabiot has hinted at his openness to joining Manchester United, fueling ongoing speculation about a potential move to the Premier League. The 29-year-old midfielder, whose contract with Juventus expired earlier this summer, has been linked with a transfer to England as he searches for a new club following his departure from the Italian giants.

Rabiot played a key role for Juventus last season, making 31 appearances in Serie A, scoring five goals, and providing three assists. His performances helped the club secure a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. However, with Juventus undergoing a rebuild under new head coach Thiago Motta, Rabiot was one of several players to be offloaded as the club looks to reestablish itself at the top of Italian football.

SHEARER SLAMS TEN HAG AFTER RASHFORD CRITICISM

September 4, 2024 by Mankowski

Alan Shearer has hit back at Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman labeled his analysis of Marcus Rashford as “stupid.” United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, featuring goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, was their second loss in three Premier League matches, further fueling criticism of both the team’s performances and Rashford’s form.

Shearer had previously criticised Rashford, stating that the 26-year-old forward hadn’t been “anywhere near good enough in front of goal” this season. Ahead of Sunday’s game, Rashford had failed to score in any of United’s Premier League matches. Shearer pointed out that Rashford hadn’t managed a single shot in his first two appearances this season.