Sports

Aubameyang scores hattrick in Barca win over Valencia

Published

3 years ago

February 20, 2022

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first Barcelona goals as they extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to nine matches with victory at Valencia.

Aubameyang, who joined from Arsenal for free on 2 February, was making his first start in La Liga and he slammed in the opener from Jordi Alba’s pass.

Frenkie de Jong tapped in a second and Aubameyang converted from close range, despite a VAR check for offside.

Carlos Soler pulled one back before Pedri curled home superbly from range.

Substitute Pedri’s strike may yet be given as an Aubameyang goal – that would secure his hat-trick – because the ball flicked off the Gabon international’s back on its way to the net.

Aubameyang could also have achieved a hat-trick late on when a ball fell his way in the box, only for home keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to deny the 32-year-old.

Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets said: “Since Aubameyang arrived, he has been working hard. We know he hasn’t played many minutes this season. He is a fabulous player and having him in the squad, having come here for free, is really positive for us.”

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Barca manager Xavi will be thrilled with his side’s efficiency as they extended their unbeaten run in the league, which now stretches back to 4 December.

In the opening half, their three shots had produced three goals as Valencia paid for a slack 15-minute spell where Barca’s quick passing simply clicked.

Valencia – now seven games without a win in the league – thought they had made it 3-1 before the break but Soler was denied when VAR ruled out a first ever goal in La Liga because the ball had gone out of play for a throw in.

Soler thrust a diving header in after half-time but Pedri’s whipped effort ended any hope of a comeback.

“It’s been an important victory today,” added Busquets. “In the first half we were very efficient. That allowed us to dominate the game. It meant we were calm enough to play in our style. I think it was a good performance.

“In other games we have got ahead but have not been able to dominate and rivals have got back into the game. Today we did the job.”

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Sports

Man United confirm 39-year-old Ruben Amorim as new manager

Published

20 hours ago

November 1, 2024

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Manchester United have appointed Ruben Amorim, Portuguese coach, as the club’s new manager.

The Red Devils announced Amorim’s arrival in a statement on the club’s website on Friday.

The manager joined United from Sporting Lisbon and penned a three-year deal to manage the club with an option of an additional year.

However, the Portuguese coach is not expected to join United immediately due to work visa requirements. He is billed to resume at Old Trafford on November 11.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue as United’s interim manager until Amorim’s arrival.

United sacked Erik Ten Hag as the club’s manager on October 28 following a 2-1 loss to West Ham.

The defeat was the United’s fourth in the English Premier League (EPL) this season, and they slipped to 14th place on the log.

The team also remain winless in the Europa League with three draws from as many games. They are rooted in the 21st position of 36 teams in the Europa League log.

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Amorim is saddled with the responsibility of rejigging and correcting the wrongs in the team that made Ten Hag’s tenure unimpressive.

The 39-year-old is considered one of Europe’s most promising managers. He won the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon — the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.

Sports

Ballon d’Or: Lookman ranked 14th best male footballer in the world

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

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Ademola Lookman, Super Eagles winger, has been named the 14th best male footballer in the world.

The 27-year-old was named among the 15 best players in the world on Monday at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, France.

The winger is the only African to make the 30-player shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or prize. He is the second Nigerian to be nominated for the prize in two years.

In 2023, Victor Osimhen became the first Nigerian to break into the top 10 of the award — finishing eighth overall.

Before that, Kanu Nwankwo was the last Super Eagles player to crack the top 15 of the coveted individual prize, ranking 11th in 1996.

Lookman placed ahead of Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba on the 2024 Ballon d’Or ranking.

The winger scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions last season for Atalanta, which retained its status as one of the best in Serie A.

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He scored a hattrick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, winning Atalanta’s first-ever European title.

Lookman was one of Nigeria’s best players at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. He scored three goals as the Eagles won silver at the tournament. He was also named in the competition’s best XI alongside captain Willian Troost-Ekong.

Sports

UPDATED: Man United sack Ten Hag, name Van Nistelrooy as interim coach

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

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Manchester United have fired Erik ten Hag as the club’s head coach following an uninspiring tenure at the helm of affairs.

In a statement on the club’s website, United said Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over as the team’s interim manager.

Ten Hag’s dismissal comes just a day after a 2-1 defeat at West Ham United on Sunday. The loss was the United’s fourth in the English Premier League (EPL) this season, and they slipped to 14th place on the log.

The team also remain winless in the Europa League with three draws from as many games. They are rooted in the 21st position of 36 teams in the Europa League log.

Ten Hag was appointed as United manager in April 2022. He replaced Ralf Rangnick, who had been working at United in an interim capacity after the club sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.

Although Ten Hag’s tenure in the United dugout was fraught with inconsistent results in the EPL, the Dutchman led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

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Van Nistelrooy will take over on an interim basis alongside the remaining departing coach’s technical team members until a permanent manager is recruited.