Sports

Mbappe On Target As Real Madrid Cruise To Leganes Win

Published

7 months ago

November 24, 2024

Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal in five games for Real Madrid as the champions beat Leganes 3-0 on Sunday in La Liga.

Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham also struck as Madrid moved second, four points behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand.

Los Blancos capitalised after Barcelona slipped to a draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday with a straightforward win against 14th-placed Leganes.

Madrid face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday in the Champions League in a crucial game for the Spanish side after two defeats in their first four European matches and warmed up with a solid performance.

“The team managed the good feelings that we had in the (previous 4-0 win) against Osasuna well, and we confirmed them today,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian lined up with young centre-back Raul Asencio as well as Dani Ceballos, who was afforded a rare start and Turkish playmaker Arda Guler.

Ancelotti was missing long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao among others, but was able to bring goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois back in for the visit to Butarque, in the Madrid suburbs.

Mbappe started in his favoured left wing position, a change of strategy from Ancelotti after using Vinicius Junior there until now.

It paid dividends as the forward netted his second goal in his last eight games, although he had a strike ruled out for offside beforehand.

“We changed the position of the forwards, with Mbappe outside and he did well, like Vinicius inside,” said Ancelotti.

Mbappe was left out of France’s squad for the second time in as many months during the recent international break and has been struggling with off-field problems, possibly affecting his start to life at Madrid following his move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Guler had Madrid’s first real chance but Marko Dmitrovic parried his effort after the midfielder cut in from the right.

Mbappe broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, teed up at the back post by Vinicius, who nipped in to capitalise on some Leganes defensive confusion.

– Sealing the win –

Valverde, captaining Madrid for the first time and playing out of position at right-back, drilled home his team’s second in the 66th minute from a free-kick.

Dmitrovic thwarted a powerful Mbappe strike as the French forward looked to grab a second and seal Madrid’s win.

In the end it was England star Bellingham, netting his second goal of the season, heading home a rebound from close range after Brahim Diaz’s deflected shot hit the crossbar.

“We were very comfortable in the first half, playing the game we wanted to, but (to concede) after a mistake… hurts more, it got away from us because of our errors,” admitted Leganes defender Sergio Gonzalez.

“The team gave everything, and with the smallest opportunities, they punished us.”

Ancelotti was happy with 21-year-old centre-back Asencio’s performance on his first start for the club.

“It surprised me in that he’s a player with maturity, always well positioned, very well positioned, and it means the youth academy has done a good job with him,” said the coach.

AFP

Sports

Pogba Signs For Monaco, Hoping To Revive Career

Published

10 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Editor

Paul Pogba has signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco to return to football after a near two-year absence, the club announced on Saturday.

The 2018 World Cup winner has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, an 18-month doping ban and an extortion case in which he was the victim.

Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and has been free to return to football since March, although his contract at the Italian giants had been terminated last year.

The midfielder will now play club football in Ligue 1 for the first time in his professional career.

“I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time,” the 32-year-old told French television last weekend.

Pogba played in the Le Havre youth team before signing for Manchester United in 2009.

He made only a handful of first-team appearances for the three-time European champions before signing for Juventus in 2012.

Pogba won four consecutive Serie A titles in Turin before rejoining United for a then-world record 105 million euros ($123 million).

He moved back to Juventus three years ago but struggled with a series of injuries.

In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros from Pogba in 2022.

Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for the France national team, playing a starring role and scoring in their World Cup final victory over Croatia seven years ago.

His new club Monaco will play in the Champions League next season after finishing third in Ligue 1 last term.

Sports

Chelsea Set To Offload Jackson, Madueke, 8 Others [See list]

Published

2 days ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

Chelsea are reportedly planning a major squad overhaul this summer, with as many as 10 players facing the exit door, according to The Athletic.

Among those who could be sold are Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku, as the club aims to raise funds for new signings and streamline their squad ahead of the new season.

Also on the list of potential departures are Djordje Petrovic, Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka, and newly signed Renato Veiga.

Many of these Chelsea players spent last season out on loan and may now be moved on permanently.

The club’s transfer strategy is geared towards meeting key summer objectives, with player sales expected to provide the financial muscle needed to reinforce specific areas of the squad.

Chelsea have already made moves in the transfer market, including the €35.5 million acquisition of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

His arrival could push Jackson further down the pecking order, with the striker now being considered for a potential sale.

One of the top targets for the Blues is Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who is seen as a potential replacement for Madueke on the wing.

While Chelsea are keen to trim their squad and raise funds, the departures of Jackson, Madueke, and Nkunku will largely depend on the calibre of offers they receive from interested clubs.

As the Blues prepare for a demanding new season, the coming weeks could see a flurry of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge.

Sports

Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

Published

2 days ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of Nigerian international goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on a free transfer from Paris FC.

The 24-year-old will officially join the club on 1 July, following the expiration of her contract with the French side.

Nnadozie brings a wealth of experience to the Seagulls, having earned 55 caps for Nigeria since making her senior debut in 2018.

She also boasts significant European pedigree, having featured in 16 UEFA Women’s Champions League matches for Paris FC between 2022 and 2025.

Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic praised the new arrival, saying: “She’s a talented and commanding goalkeeper who will bring consistency and confidence to our defensive line.”

He added: “We’re confident she’ll add both depth and drive to a squad already full of ambition as we continue to build for next season.”