Connect with us

Sports

Cech: Premier League record-breaker

Published

on

The Czech shot-stopper has made high profile errors this season but reminded every one of his qualities with his 200th clean sheet on Saturday.

Arsenal proved that their win over AC Milan at the San Siro was by no means a fluke after comprehensively beating Watford at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with Petr Cech responding to his critics by securing his 200th clean sheet and denying Troy Deeney from the penalty spot.

The 3-0 win signified the Gunners intentions to do as much as they can to secure a highest possible finish in the Premier League, even though manager Arsene Wenger has already admitted that their chances of overtaking their arch-rivals Tottenham are slim, to say the least.

The impressive victory in Milan was down to a committed team performance which features disciplined midfield position from the triumvirate of Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere. While the latter two weren’t involved against the Hornets, Xhaka’s ability to play between the lines and Mohamed Elneny’s equally positive range of passing helped the Gunners overcome a Watford side who had chances of their own throughout the match in north London.

Shkodran Mustafi has come in for vast amounts of criticism in recent weeks but his performance at the back showcased a solid, composed defender who isn’t shy of going up for set pieces. The German international headed Arsenal in front within 10 minutes and looked strong in one on one duels until he came off injured in the second half.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his third goal in four games while the Gabon forward linked up with his old Dortmund team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan to make it 3-0 and seal the points for Arsenal.

Watford captain Troy Deeney famously criticised Wenger’s side after their 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road in October, claiming that the Frenchman’s team “lacked cojones”. On 62 minutes the striker stepped up to take a penalty against Cech with the majority of the north London faithful waiting with bated breath for Deeney to pull a goal back for Javi Gracia’s side.

Stunningly, the 35-year-old denied the Watford striker and in turn made his first ever penalty save for Arsenal – which was also his first in the league since 2011.

“Sometimes that [criticism] can motivate you, but what we want to do on a longer term is make sure that the substance of your game is how you want it to be,” Wenger wrote in his programme notes.

“You can not only respond to exterior stimulation because that can’t happen every week. What we want to do is win football games, and win them in the way we want to play.”

While Deeney’s comments undoubtedly served as inspiration to an Arsenal team who have been inconsistent in the league this season, Cech deserves full praise for putting in an excellent performance to make Premier League history.

Admittedly, many of his best games were during his spell with Chelsea but the Czech shot stopper has had his fair share of good games for the Gunners, with Saturday’s match culminating in a record that he has been desperate to secure for months.

The much talked about changes on the playing side are still needed in the summer and while Cech made several astute saves against Watford he has also been guilty of high-profile errors, including a miskick against Brighton last weekend.

However, Sunday was all about a Premier League great who has put in top level performances for several years – and he will be hoping that he gets further opportunities to showcase that goalkeeping talent with rumoured replacements lined up this summer.

Comments

Sports

German Coach, Labbadia Named New Head Coach of Super Eagles

Published

on

By

German tactician Bruno Labbadia

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.

This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.

Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.

Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.

With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.

Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.

Continue Reading

Sports

Finidi George Appointed as Technical Manager for Rivers United

Published

on

By

 

Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.

During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.

South Africa vs Nigeria: Why we failed to defeat Super Eagles – Percy Tau

Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.

“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.

Kanu advocates for establishment of standard soccer academies

 

Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”

Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”

 

Continue Reading

Sports

US Fund Oaktree ‘Takes Over Ownership’ Of Inter Milan

Published

on

By

Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez lifts the trophy with teammates during a ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.

In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.

Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.

Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.

“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.

Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.

Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.

Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.

Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.

Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.

 

Continue Reading

Trending