Didukung Petinggi Klub, Xavi Yakin Bangkitkan Barcelona
Xavi Hernandez mengaku masih dipercaya penuh oleh petinggi Barcelona. Maka dari itu, Xavi yakin bisa membangkitkan Los Cules.
Xavi Hernandez Sport News
Laporta: Xavi Selalu Punya Solusi di Tengah Badai Cedera
Joan Laporta percaya penuh dengan Xavi Hernandez dalam mengatasi badai cedera Barcelona. Pelatih Barcelona itu disebutnya selalu punya solusi.
Liverpool hit back to hold Man City, end Etihad winning streak
MANCHESTER, UK: Liverpool snapped Manchester City’s 23-match winning run at the Etihad as a clash between the Premier League’s top two ended 1-1 on Saturday. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fine strike 10 minutes from time salvaged a point for the visitors after Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal put City in front. A share of the spoils means there remains just one point between the sides and that Arsenal can now take top spot from City if they win at Brentford later on Saturday. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made his displeasure clear at the early kick-off time on the back of an international break where both sides had players in World Cup qualifying action in South America little over 72 hours ago. Fatigue appeared a factor as the expected fireworks failed to materialize. “Preparing for the most difficult game of the season with one (training) session is really a challenge,” said Klopp. “We’re still in a process. If we’d played really well today, we could have won — we didn’t.
‘Adorable’ Havertz ends goal drought to fire Arsenal into top spot
LONDON: Mikel Arteta saluted “adorable” Kai Havertz after the German sent Arsenal to the top of the Premier League with the last-gasp goal that clinched a 1-0 win at Brentford on Saturday. Havertz was a Champions League final hero for Chelsea in 2021, but he has endured a torrid time since crossing London to join Arsenal in the close-season. The 24-year-old midfielder finally gave a glimpse of why Arteta splashed out £65 million ($80 million) to sign him when he headed home in the closing minutes. Havertz’s second goal for Arsenal was his first in his last 10 appearances, moving his team one point clear of second placed Manchester City, who were held to a 1-1 draw by third placed Liverpool earlier in the day. “That is the beautiful thing about life. When you have challenges and you have to overcome them, it makes these moments much better,” Arteta said. “That is the reason the people reacted to him like that today.
Union Berlin's Marie-Louise Eta makes history as first female assistant coach in Bundesliga
BERLIN: When Kevin Volland scored a late equalizer for Union Berlin, assistant coach Marie-Louise Eta pushed the team for more. Eta had already made history on Saturday by becoming the first female assistant coach in the 60-year history of the Bundesliga, as well as in the other top divisions of Europe’s “big five” soccer leagues. With Union bidding to end a nine-game run of German league defeats, Volland scored two minutes before the end of regulation time against Augsburg to set off celebrations of joy and relief around Union’s Stadion An der Alten Försterei. It was Union’s first goal in five games and the match ended 1-1. Eta didn’t celebrate the goal for long, but instead encouraged her players to go for the win.
Albon, Sargeant confident of strong finish to season for Williams in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
ABU DHABI: Alex Albon is well aware that Yas Marina Circuit has not been a happy hunting ground for Williams, but the Thai-British driver is hoping his team can finish the season on a high and secure seventh place in the constructors’ championship this weekend.
FIFA investigating crowd disruption in Brazil-Argentina clash
RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil: FIFA has started disciplinary proceedings over the crowd disturbances that caused a delay in the World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium on Thursday, according to media reports. Brazil and Argentina fans started fighting behind one of the goals during the national anthems, prompting police to charge at the traveling contingent with batons drawn. The visiting world champions, led by captain Lionel Messi, went over to the terraces to try and calm the situation before leaving the pitch for more than 10 minutes. “FIFA can confirm that its Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) and the Argentinian Football Association (AFA),” said a statement reported by the BBC. Argentina face disciplinary action from soccer’s world governing body for the “crowd disturbance” and delayed kick-off. FIFA added that Brazil are under investigation for potential violations of ‘Article 17’ of the disciplinary code, which relates to maintaining order and security during matches. The game started after the long delay and Argentina won 1-0 with a 63rd-minute header from defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Flat Barca claim late draw at Rayo
MADRID: Spanish champions Barcelona slipped up in a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday in La Liga, continuing a worrying run of underwhelming performances. Surprise leaders Girona and rivals Real Madrid in second now have the chance to extend their lead on the third-place Catalans over the next two days. Unai Lopez drove Rayo ahead from long range in the first half but Barca levelled through Florian Lejeune’s own goal in the 82nd minute. The draw adds to the doubts around Barcelona, who have not been at their best for several weeks and face Porto on Tuesday seeking Champions League knock-out round qualification. Inaki Pena started in goal for Barca with Marc-Andre ter Stegen out with a back problem, while Xavi turned to the fit-again Frenkie de Jong to replace the injured Gavi in midfield. The 19-year-old’s cruciate ligament tear will keep him out for the season, with Barcelona losing a player the coach has described as the “soul” of the team. Barcelona players wore shirts before kick off with his name on the back, and a message saying “we are with you, Gavi.” Pena spilled the ball the first time he was called into action but recovered quickly to clear up the danger. The goalkeeper then denied Oscar Valentin after De Jong lost the ball on the edge of his own box. Hosts Rayo started well, encouraged by having beaten Barca on three of their four previous clashes, including twice at their ramshackle Vallecas stadium. They took the lead after 39 minutes when Lopez hammered a superb effort into the bottom right corner from around 30 yards out after the ball was cleared into his path. Rayo came close to adding a second in stoppage time but Alejandro Balde was alert to cut Jorge de Frutos’ low cross out with two Rayo