Sports

Injury Crisis ‘Can Motivate Us’, Says Real Madrid Boss Ancelotti

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2024

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Monday his side’s injury crisis could motivate them in Tuesday’s last 16 Champions League match at RB Leipzig.

Star midfielder Jude Bellingham became the latest addition to the list, injuring his ankle in Saturday’s 4-0 league win over Girona.

Bellingham joins an injury list which includes goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, centre-backs David Alaba, Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao, but Ancelotti said “this is something that can motivate us.”

“Bellingham is an important player for us, like Cortois, like Militao” Ancelotti told reporters.

“To play without Bellingham is difficult of course, but we have (Brahim) Diaz and other players that can replace him.”

Madrid sit five clear after Saturday’s win, having lost just once in 24 league games all season.

Midfielder Toni Kroos, who has won four Champions Leagues with Real, said “I don’t know if we are the favourites, but we are in a good position to win the title.”

“But as we’ve seen in previous years, a bad day is enough to be booted out. It’s a difficult title to win.”

Not outsiders

Earlier on Monday, RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose shut down suggestions the hosts would be outsiders in Tuesday’s match, saying his side were “not afraid” of Real Madrid.

“The topic of us being outsiders wasn’t worth considering for me at all, because football games need to actually be played,” Rose told reporters on Monday ahead of the first leg of the last-16 tie.

“Incredible things have happened in football.”

Leipzig are struggling for form ahead of the visit of La Liga leaders Madrid, having won just one of five games since Christmas to slide to fifth in the Bundesliga.

Despite this, Rose said his side had “no fear” against the 14-time European champions.

“We are not afraid at all, we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s what we want. It’s what we worked hard for last season and what we fought for in the group stage.”

Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi said Real still had “incredible quality, even if Jude (Bellingham) is injured”.

“I could name their entire midfield.”

Rose, who coached Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund during the 2021-22 season, did not rule out the England international making a surprise appearance despite the injury.

“I’ll only believe that Jude is ruled out when I don’t see him in the stadium tomorrow.

“I know Jude, I know he’ll do everything to play a Champions League game, even if it means that today he’s searching around to try and be treated by a doctor here.

“I’ve read plenty (about his absence), but we’ll see.”

Bellingham moved from Dortmund to Madrid in the summer and has become a crucial part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, topping the scoring charts with 16 goals so far in the league.

“The way Jude is playing at the moment, at the 10 position, makes him one of the best in the world,” said Rose.

“Jude is at the right club… I’m not surprised he’s hit the ground running like he has in Madrid, I am maybe a little surprised by how many goals he scored.

“I had him for one year, a great lad, unbelievable mentality, classy footballer who is now making more steps forward.”

Sports

[FULL LIST] U-17 W’ World Cup: Nigeria Face Italy As Knockout Stage Begins

Published

21 hours ago

October 26, 2025

Editor

The knockout phase of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to kick off in Morocco, with Nigeria’s Flamingos drawn against Italy in one of the standout Round of 16 fixtures.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Nigeria.

Their qualification follows an emphatic 4–0 victory over Samoa in Rabat on Saturday.

The Flamingos will now aim to build on their impressive group-stage campaign as they continue their push for a historic first world title.

Host nation Morocco will also be in action the same evening, taking on South Korea at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2 in Sale, where home fans are expected to create a charged atmosphere in support of the Atlas Lionesses.

Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil will battle China PR, while the United States square off against the Netherlands, both matches slated for 4:30 p.m. in Sale.

The game continues on Wednesday, October 29, with Mexico facing Paraguay at 4:30 p.m., while defending champions Spain meet France in a mouthwatering all-European clash at the same time and venue.

Later that night, Canada will take on Zambia, and Japan, one of the tournament’s top contenders, will lock horns with Colombia to round off the Round of 16 fixtures.

All matches will be staged across venues in Rabat and Sale, with global coverage available via major sports networks and FIFA’s digital platforms.

As the competition enters its decisive stage, only four wins now separate the remaining 16 teams from lifting the prestigious U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

Eight winning teams in the round of 16 will move to the quarter-final stage starting Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Full Round of 16 Fixtures
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Brazil U17 vs China PR U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

United States U17 vs Netherlands U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Italy U17 vs Nigeria U17 – 8:00 PM (Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat)

South Korea U17 vs Morocco U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2, Sale)

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Mexico U17 vs Paraguay U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

Spain U17 vs France U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Canada U17 vs Zambia U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Japan U17 vs Colombia U17 – 8:00 PM (Venue TBC)

Sports

SWAN Kicks Off 60th Anniversary/Awards With Religious Services

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2025

Editor

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is set to hold its 60th anniversary with Jumat Prayer and Thanksgiving on Friday October 24, 2025.

A statement by the Media and Publicity Committee of the anniversary said the special prayer and thanksgiving will be held in all the state chapters and FCT at the venues which would be determined by the leadership of the various chapters.

According to the statement, the SWAN Diamond Jubilee and Award Ceremony will also feature the full council which is a meeting of the National Executive Council, zonal vice presidents and secretaries and state chairmen and secretaries.

The committee, while inviting “government functionaries, lovers of sports, members of the association and the general public to join SWAN members at the services to thank God for a successful 60-year journey,” added: “All activities at the event will hold at the National Stadium, Abuja between Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.”

“It will also be an opportunity for us to collectively pray for protection of members, better sports fortuneNigeria’s sports men and women and a more prosperous sports sector,” it said.

Sports

EPL: Trossard Strike As Arsenal Beat Fulham 1-0

Published

1 week ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

Arsenal edged past Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage, climbing three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The result marked another composed and professional display from Mikel Arteta’s side, who continue to show their title credentials.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Leandro Trossard calmly finished after a clever set-piece routine.

Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous corner that was flicked on by Gabriel, setting up Trossard to slot home the winner.

Arteta’s side dominated possession throughout, limiting Fulham to very few chances in front of goal.

The hosts struggled to create any real threat, with Arsenal’s defence staying compact and composed.

With the victory, Arsenal overtake Manchester City to sit three points clear at the summit after another disciplined away performance.

More to follow…