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Real Madrid Vs Barcelona: Xavi Confident Of Retaining Super Cup In Sunday’s El Clasico

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Barcelona coach Xavi admitted that “hungry” Real Madrid are in better form but insisted his side can retain the Spanish Super Cup.

The Spanish giants do battle in Sunday’s Clasico final in Saudi Arabia, a repeat of last year’s showdown in which the Catalans excelled to lift the first trophy of Xavi’s reign.

Barcelona went on to win La Liga and although his team trail leaders Madrid by seven points this season, the coach insisted he has a “winning project”.

We will try to dominate the game, impose our personality, our way of playing and dominate the ball,” Xavi told a news conference in Riyadh on Saturday.

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“We arrive in little less form than Real Madrid, but when the ball is rolling there will be no favourites.”

Record 14-time Super Cup champions Barcelona are third in La Liga and suffered surprise defeats by Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp in the Champions League, although they qualified for the knock-out phase top of their group regardless.

Xavi insisted he is calm about the situation after the success Barcelona achieved last season.

“A trophy is at stake, I arrive in a much more comfortable position than last season — we have won, we’ve shown this is a winning project, I’m calmer,” continued Xavi.

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“Real Madrid are always hungry (and) this is a strong Barca, we’re on a stage which is ideal, it gives me so much motivation and we will give everything.”

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said defender Dani Carvajal was fit to play despite not training with his team-mates on Friday ahead of the clash against Barcelona.

The coach would not reveal whether Kepa Arrizabalaga or Andriy Lunin would start in goal.

“I don’t want to give away any clues,” explained Ancelotti ahead of Barcelona clash.

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“At the moment I don’t feel like I can pick one to be starter and one to be substitute, and I think both of them understand that.”

Ancelotti has the chance to match Zinedine Zidane as Madrid’s second most successful coach ever with victory in the final to bring him an 11th trophy at the helm of Los Blancos.

Miguel Munoz won 14 as Real Madrid manager between 1960-1974, including nine La Liga titles and two European Cups.

Ancelotti said he was pleased at the chance to level Zidane but he was always looking forward, hunting for more.

“Trophies stay in the cupboard, you look at them now and again, they are memories, but the important thing is the next day,” added the coach.

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Former Manchester United Striker, Carlos Tevez Rushed To Hospital

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Former Argentina international Carlos Tevez has been admitted to hospital after suffering chest pains.

The former Manchester United and Manchester City striker reportedly spent the night at a clinic in the upmarket Buenos Aires neighbourhood of San Isidro after seeking medical help.

He was due to undergo more tests today at another nearby hospital.

The club he manages, top-flight Argentinian side Independiente, confirmed his hospital admission overnight as it said the initial results had been ‘satisfactory.’

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Local reports have linked the problems to stress. Tevez has yet to make any official comment.

Independente said in an overnight statement on X, formerly Twitter after initially denying the father-of-three had been admitted to the hospital: ‘Our coach, Carlos Tevez, went to the La Trinidad Hospital in San Isidro with chest pain.

‘They carried out the corresponding tests and they were satisfactory.

‘Today he will continue with a series of tests scheduled in advance as part of a general check-up.’

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It added in a subsequent message: ‘Carlos Tevez will be hospitalised as a precaution until the corresponding tests are completed.’

It was not immediately clear whether he would be able to attend a club training session scheduled for later today.

The hospital where he is set to undergo further tests has been named the Finochietto Hospital in Buenos Aires.

Tevez is understood to suffer from high blood pressure and regularly undergoes medical checks.

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Two Premier League Stars Arrested In R@pe Probe, Suspended By Cub’

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Two Premier League stars who were both arrested in a police rape probe have now reportedly been suspended by their football club.

The two unnamed footballers, both 19, are from the same club and were arrested over the weekend after the alleged victim made a report to police.

One player, 19, was reportedly spoken to by police on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape at the club stadium before he was formally arrested after leaving the grounds.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

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The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

Both players have since been released on bail pending further enquiries, police have said.

The alleged rape reportedly took place on Friday night, with the alleged victim contacting police and filing a formal complaint hours later.

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The force said: ‘Officers have arrested two men following a report of a rape.

‘A 19-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (20 April) on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape. A second 19-year-old man was arrested on Sunday (21 April) on suspicion of rape.

‘Both men have since been released on police bail.’

A club spokesman told The Sun yesterday: ‘As the matter is now in the hands of the police, the Football Club will not be making further comment at this stage.’

Police officers arrived at the stadium to speak to the footballer and spoke with him in a private room, a source told the paper.

They said the player left with another person and was arrested that night.

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It is not the first time the Premier League has been at the centre of a police investigation over an alleged rape.

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, 22, was charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour in October 2022.

The case against him was subsequently dropped in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew. Greenwood denied all the allegations against him.

After an internal club investigation, the decision was taken to send Greenwood out on loan to Spanish club Getafe.

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20-year-old English Midfielder, Bellingham Wins 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough Award

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Jude Bellingham has been awarded the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year prize in recognition of his startling season for Real Madrid and England.

The 20-year-old English midfielder established himself as the Spanish giants’ main man since moving to the club from Borussia Dortmund last summer,

Bellingham, who has a tally of 21 goals produced another starring role in Sunday’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona.

He scored the late winner that secured a 3-2 win over Barcelona.

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Jude Bellingham wins 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic and Aitana Bonmati were the other big winners at the ceremony held in the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid on Monday night.

Djokovic was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time after winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open to lead the way with 24 grand slam men’s singles titles.

‘I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award,’ said Djokovic.

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‘I think back to 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.

‘It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months.

‘I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.’

The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards took place on Monday 22 April in Madrid, celebrating the leading names in sport from across the globe.

 

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