Sportsarena78.com - Defiant Mourinho Boasts: I’m One Of The Greatest Managers In The World

Jose Mourinho has declared that he is one of the greatest managers in the world following wide-scale criticism on the back of Manchester United’s consecutive Premier League defeats. The Red Devils were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Tottenham at Old Trafford having suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brighton in their second fixture of the 2018-19 campaign.“I am the manager of one of the greatest clubs in the world, but I am also one of the greatest managers in the world,” Mourinho told reporters on Friday.

“I had last season great success. I had great success last season, that’s what you probably don’t want to admit. “I analyse my performance myself, and for me it’s more important what I think than what you think. “I repeat that two seasons ago we had a fantastic season by winning the Europa League,

“Everybody thought Atletico Madrid were amazing because they won the Europa League after being knocked out of the Champions League. “We won the Europa League because that was our level. We are the last team in England to win a European trophy. “And, I repeat, I won eight titles. I am the only manager in the world that won in Italy, Spain and England, and by winning eight titles, not small titles or countries.

“My second position last season is one of my greatest achievements in football. I think.” Asked if he could still consider himself one of the greatest managers in the world if he does not win the title with United, Mourinho quoted the German philosopher Hegel. “Did you read any philosopher or in your formation you never spent time reading Hegel,” he added.

“Just as an example, Hegel says the truth is in the whole, is always in the whole. “Did you ask that question to the manager that finished third in the Premier League or fourth [Jurgen Klopp]? Because he never win anything in international, for example. Mourinho also taunted Tottenham fans for chanting “you’re not special anymore” at him during Monday’s galling defeat.

“Yeah, but they didn’t have that song when we beat them at Wembley a couple of months ago,” Mourinho further stated. “That was a cup final they had a big dream to go. They also had a title they had a big dream to win, because they didn’t win many, and of course they were not singing that.”

Sportsarena78.com - Europa League Draw: Moses, Iwobi Get Easy Foes With Chelsea, Arsenal

Nigeria winger Victor Moses and his Chelsea teammates have been handed an easy draw in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.The draw for the group stages of the competition was held in Monaco, France on Friday afternoon.

Chelsea will face Greek club, PAOK FC, Belarusian title holders, BATE Borisov and Hungarian outfit, Vidi FC in Group L.

Alex Iwobi’s Arsenal are in Group E along with Qarabag, Vorskla and Sporting Lisbon.

New Super Eagles invitee, Samuel Kalu, will have his work cut out with his French club, Bordeaux up against tricky oppositions in Group C.

Bordeaux will compete with Zenit St Petersburg of Russia, Danish side, Copenhagen and Sparta Prague of Czech Republic.

Scottish giants, Glasgow Rangers, who have former U-23 Eagles forward, Umar Sadiq in their ranks will face Villarreal of Spain, Austria’s Rapid Vienna and Russian club, Spartak Moscow in Group G.

The first matchday fixture for the campaign is scheduled for September 20 2018.

Sportsarena78.com - Mourinho Leaves Post Match Briefing Angry, Ranting: ‘I Won More Premierships Than Others’

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho left the post match press conference at the Old Trafford Monday night more desconsolate than he was minutes earlier after his Red Devils were disgraced by a ruthless Tottenham Hotspur side with a 3-0 pounding in the Premier League.

A livid Mourinho lashed out at a journalist who asked how he felt about many home fans leaving the stadium before full time after Tottenham had Manchester United under the cosh with Lucas Moura’s brace and Harry kane’s headed effort. “Just to finish, do you know what was the result? 3-0. Do you know what this means?” Mourinho thundered gesticulating with three fingers.

“3-0. But this also means three Premierships and I won more Premierships alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me and two for them. Respect. Respect.” “We lost last season here against Sevilla and we were booed because we deserved (it), because we were not good, because we were not dangerous enough.

“Today the players left the pitch after they were beaten at home and they were applauded because they deserve it. So you keep trying and trying and trying and keep trying.” A calmer Mourinho spoke to Sky Sports just before the post match press conference.

“We worked very well during the week, we prepared well, we played well, the players had a fantastic attitude,” he said. “At half-time the result should be 2-0, 3-1, 3-0, but then something changed the game a bit and the result was 2-0 but the team was in the game. “I think everyone felt one goal could change the direction of game, Tottenham felt it, we did too, but then the third goal changed the game.”

“We worked all week, and by strategy we didn’t lose, tactically we didn’t lose, but we lost the game. “But all our fans don’t read papers, all our fans don’t watch television, all our fans are more intelligent than that and answered in an amazing way. I don’t think it’s normal for a team to lose at home and (the fans) react like that.

“The team, until the result was over, was playing to change that result. The team was playing for that. I’m not saying with one goal we would win but we were very much in the game and only 3-0 smashed the mentality of the game. “Goals are an amazing vitamin and goals conceded are an overdose of fatigue. When you concede two goals it’s an overdose of fatigue.”

Sportsarena78.com - Strootman Completes €25m Marseille Switch From Roma

French club Olympique Marseille have officially confirmed the signing of AS Roma midfielder, Kevin Strootman for €25m plus €3m in bonuses on their official website. The Italian club accepted a bid for the Dutch international over the weekend, and the 28 year old flew to France yesterday for his medical which he passed.“Holland, Italy and now France for his new challenge with OM,” the statement reads on Marseille’s official website.

“Kevin Strootman has experienced 4 clubs in 12 seasons of his career as a professional. Kevin is Olympien.” AS Roma also confirmed the deal on their official website on Tuesday. “The club can confirm that a deal has been agreed with Olympique Marseille for the transfer of Kevin Strootman, the club stated.

“Strootman, 28, joins the French club for an initial fee of €25 million.” “The deal also includes a number of performance-related add-ons, on the part of both the player and the buying club, worth an additional €3m.” “The club would like to thank Kevin for his service over the years, and wishes him all the best for the future.”

Sportsarena78.com - Sprint Superstar Bolt Set For Football Debut

Eight-time Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt is set to make his football debut for Central Coast Mariners of Australia against an amateur side in a pre-season friendly on Friday.

The Jamaican joined the Australian A-League side for an “indefinite training period” earlier this month. According to Central Coast Mariners’ coach Mike Mulvey Bolt has “rudimentary skills”, and could get some minutes in the encounter.

“The things we are asking him to do are things that he hasn’t done for quite some years,” Mulvey was quoted on Australian website abc.net.

“He has played football as an athlete in between athletic meets, so he has rudimentary skills. It’s about being able to do it at the speed that we do it.”

Bolt, who retired from athletics in 2017, has previously trained with Borussia Dortmund, South African club Mamelodi Sundowns and Norway’s Stromsgodset.

Sportsarena78.com - Brazil Superstar Ronaldo Close To Buying LaLiga Santander Club Real Volladolid

Brazil legend, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, is reportedly close to to taking over the ownership of Spanish LaLiga Santander club, Real Volladolid.‎

Volladolid just earned promotion to stage a comeback to LaLiga Santander after spending four seasons in the Segunda division following their relegation to the Spanish second tier league.
Marca reports that On August 23, Radio MARCA’s T4 programme revealed that the Brazilian was in advanced talks to become the club’s majority shareholder.

This Monday, the El Larguero show reported that a figure of 30 million euros will be agreed and that Ronaldo will become club president, with Carlos Suarez continuing but in a new role of chief executive.

Any successful deal would see an end to months of negotiations for the club, which saw an agreement with Mexican businessman Ernesto Tinajero collapseafter Suarez broke the signed pre-contract.

A complex shareholder dispute between the ex president and businessmen Jose Moro and Jose Luis Losada, vice-presidents last season, complicated the entire operation.

Sportsarena78.com - Ronaldo Bags 2018 UEFA Goal Of The Season Award

Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning overhead kick for Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final clash with Juventus has been voted UEFA’s Goal of the Season for 2018.

Ronaldo’s effort in the first leg of the last-eight encounter in Turin helped Real to establish a 3-0 lead over Juventus.They were to see that lead whittled away on home soil, but ultimately prevailed courtesy of another timely effort from a talismanic presence – with Ronaldo netting a dramatic penalty at the Santiago Bernabeu. He would go on to help the Blancos conquer Europe for a third year in succession, landing him a fifth continental crown, while also finishing as the Champions League’s top scorer.

Ronaldo can now also boast a first UEFA Goal of the Season award, with his strike against Juve claiming almost 200,000 of the 346,915 votes cast on the official website of European football’s governing body. That haul saw him finish well clear of Marseille star Dimitri Payet in second, with the Frenchman claiming the runner-up spot for his effort in a 5-2 Europa League win over RB Leipzig.

Third place went to Eva Navarro for her goal for Spain in their Women’s U17 EURO final victory against Germany. Ronaldo is just the third player to scoop the top prize, which was first handed out in 2015.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi took the award in its first two seasons, before the baton was passed to Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic in 2017.

Sportsarena78.com - 6 Nigeria Players Raring To Take 2018/19 EPL Season By Storm

The 2018 English Premier League kicks off on Friday and Nigerian Players are expected to feature for their respective teams in the most exciting league in the world. The six Nigeria international’s who are raring to take the English Premier League by storm in the 2018/19 season are found below:

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho made a good impact in pre-season with Leicester City scoring four goals in three games. Iheanacho will be out to justify his big money move from Manchester City in his second season at the club after largely playing as a substitute last season for the Foxes.

Iheanacho has got a good goal-scoring ratio for the Super Eagles despite not having the best of outing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He will be looking to get back to top form on the goal-scoring fron, for Leicester City. He’s has tipped by many to lead the Foxes’ attack in their opening game against Manchester United on Friday , August 10, at Old Trafford. If he can stay in good form and take his chances in attack, there’s a good possibility he could rival Jamie Vardy as the club’s leading scorer for this season.

Alex Iwobi (Arsenal)

Everyone expected Alex Iwobi to shine at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but he failed to sparkle. He will no doubt be looking to make 2018/19 a stellar season for him having signed a new deal at Arsenal. Iwobi has been in and out of the first team since he made his debut in 2015 and he is condemned to fight for his place in the new look Arsenal side under Unai Emery. The 22 year old Nigerian forward has scored eight league goals and provided 10 assists in 65 appearances for Arsenal.

Victor Moses (Chelsea)

The Nigerian winger had two outstanding seasons under sacked manager Antonio Conte playing as a wing-back, but he will need to prove himself all over again like he does when a new manager arrives at the club. New coach Maurizio Sarri has played him in his original role on the wings in pre-season which could limit his chances of regular action this term as he will be up against Pedro Rodriguez, Willian and Hazard for a place in the starting X1. Moses has scored 20 goals in 218 English Premier League games since he made his debut in the league in 2009. He has won the English Premier League and the English FA Cup.

Isaac Success (Watford)

Isaac Success has all the attributes of a top-class striker, but he is yet to show his prowess in the English Premier League with Watford since joining from Granada two years ago due to injuries and his off the field lifestyles.

In recent pre-season games, he was in good shape for Watford but still, his goal-scoring ratio probably isn’t as good as he would have hoped it to be. He’s yet to replicate his form at Granada with the Hornets. He will no doubt be looking to improve upon his tally this coming season if he stays at the club beyond the transfer deadline day. Success has made 19 appearances and has scored once , which is a far cry from his true abilities.

Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion)

The Nigerian defender joined Brighton Hove Albion on a two year deal after an impressive outing with Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The 30 year old will be out to banish his injury history and prove he can fit into the rigours, pace and physicality of the English game when he makes his EPL debut for the Seagulls this weekend against Watford.

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)

Ndidi has been an integral part of the Leicester City’s midfield since he joined the club. The 21 year old was one of the outstanding players at Leicester City last season and he was rewarded for his hard work winning The Foxes’ young player of the year award for the 2017/18 season.

In his third season at the club, the Nigeria international will be hoping to be Leicester City’s main man this season and also become one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders. He has already made 50 appearances in the EPL for the Foxes.

Sportsarena78.com - Hulk Hogan Confirms Interest To Rejoin WWE, Feels ‘Forever Sorry’ For Racist Rant

Legendary wrestling great Hulk Hogan has hinted that he is interested in returning to the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), but in due course as the deal is not on the table yet . Hogan, 64, real name Terry Gene Bollea, was fired by the WWE in 2015 after several recordings emerged in which he reportedly made racist comments. There was much speculation on whether Hogan would be returning to the WWE, especially when it was reported that the Saudi royal family wanted him to return at the Greatest Royal Rumble PPV that happened last month.

On the wake of the recent speculations, Hogan made it clear during an interview with the The Buffalo News that he was not with WWE yet. He however, claimed he would like to return to the organisation as soon as possible. “Until you hit a home run, it’s not a home run, Hogan said. “All these things say it’s imminent or rumors, that’s like saying ‘maybe, possibly, could be.’ “Until I’m back home with the WWE, I’m not home. Hopefully someday I can go back home and be with my family, the wrestlers and all the people I love. I just really, really hope it happens.”

Hogan also talked about the leaked racist tirade that got him fired years ago in the same interview. He admitted that he made mistakes but that people shouldn’t have judged him on them. “People know me. I’m human being like anybody else, and sometimes, people make mistakes. When they do, you watch that person a little bit more closely than you did before to see what kind of person they really are. I just want people to judge me by my actions, not a few misspoken words. To those few fans who feel (hurt), I’m forever sorry, and I’ll do whatever I can to make them feel comfortable with me.”

Sportsarena78.com - Transfer window shut down in EPL

https://youtu.be/iTldzU6ygIw

After the transfer deadline for Premier League clubs to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season passed on Thursday, below are the highlights about those who enjoyed the best and worst of the transfer window:

– Winners –

Liverpool

In their quest to end a 29-year wait to win the title, Liverpool weren’t just the biggest spenders, but got their business done early and improved the key areas of Jurgen Klopp’s squad that needed strengthening.

Two calamitous errors from Loris Karius in losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid in May made it clear an upgrade was needed in goal and 72.5 million euros ($84 million, £65.2 million) were splashed on Alisson Becker from Roma in a short-lived world-record fee for a goalkeeper.

Fabinho and Naby Keita will add extra dynamism and depth to the midfield, while Xherdan Shaqiri offers better back-up to the prolific front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Even more importantly, Salah and Firmino also signed extended contracts rather than being lured away as Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho have been in recent seasons.

Wolves

Wolves’ connections to Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes were a source of complaint for their competitors as they romped to the Championship title last season.

And the Midlands club appear to have higher ambitions than merely staying up after signing another two high-profile Mendes clients in Euro 2016 winners Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho.

A club-record fee of £20 million was also splashed on powerful Spanish winger Adama Traore and versatile Belgian international Leander Dendoncker was snapped up from Anderlecht.

Another promoted side Fulham have made a mockery of the suggestion it is harder for teams going up via the playoffs to get deals in place as the other 19 Premier League teams have a two-week head start in the market.

Not only have Fulham seen off interest from Spurs in England under-21 international Ryan Sessegnon, but have spent over £70 million on some stellar signings.

Jean Michael Seri was a transfer target for Barcelona just 12 months ago, but will now be lining up at Craven Cottage rather than the Camp Nou along with former Nice team-mate Maxime Le Marchand, German World Cup winner Andre Schurrle and Alfie Mawson, who earned an England call-up earlier in the year.

Fulham’s promotion was in large part thanks to Aleksandr Mitrovic’s 12 goals and his loan move from Newcastle was also made permanent for a reported £27 million.

– Losers –

The Premier League

The decision to bring the transfer deadline forward to before the start of the season for the first time in England was designed to alleviate disruption.

Last season Alexis Sanchez, Philippe Coutinho and Virgil van Dijk were among those to miss the start of the campaign due to transfer speculation.

Yet, a shortened window allied to the tight turnaround from the final stages of the World Cup just four weeks ago, left English clubs in a rush against time to get deals done and facing inflated fees when buying from Europe’s other top leagues, where the window doesn’t close till later this month.

Newcastle

At a time of the season when all football fans dare to dream, there has again been little to set pulses racing in Newcastle as owner Mike Ashley refuses to join in the Premier League arms race, much to the chagrin of manager Rafael Benitez.

Newcastle have again made a profit from player trading thanks to the sales of Mitrovic and Mikel Merino, with Benitez expressing his concern for the Magpies’ prospects this season after a 4-0 friendly thrashing by Braga earlier this month.

Jose Mourinho

The Manchester United manager consistently cried foul on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States about the state of his squad to try and provoke a reaction from the United hierarchy.

Instead, Mourinho was left empty-handed from the final days of the window despite warning that the Red Devils face a difficult season by not delivering his targets in the transfer market.

Sportsarena78.com - Nadal reaches Toronto quarters with win over Wawrinka

A 45-minute rain interruption did little to stop the progress of Rafael Nadal on Thursday at the Toronto Masters as he defeated Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) to reach the quarter-finals. The halt in proceedings came 63 minutes into the opening set, after Wawrinka saved a Nadal set point for 5-all, with the Spaniard then holding serve for 6-5.

When the weather passed, the pair returned, with Nadal wrapping up the set on his second chance. The second set was a battle as the Swiss, a three-time Grand Slam champion, fought back from an early break down, took a 2-1 lead, with the pair again trading breaks in the fifth and tenth games.

Nadal came from a mini-break down in the tiebreaker and secured victory on his second match point. “It was a good match, a very positive victory for me over a tough opponent,” Nadal said. “I’m happy to see Stan playing well again. We had a good quality of tennis. “I’m very pleased, I needed a match like this. It does much for the confidence.” Nadal’s win was his 17th from 20 played against Wawrinka.

Second seed Alexander Zverev, the holder, lined up a re-run of last week’s Washington semi-final as he again takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek who turns 20 on Sunday knocked out his second seed in as many matches, stunning Wimbledon champion Novak  Djokovic 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 to reach

Sportsarena78.com - Salah, Ronaldo and Messi on UEFA Champions League awards’ shortlist

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah joined regulars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on UEFA’s shortlist for the best forwards who played in its Champions League last season, UEFA announced on Thursday. Ronaldo, who won the award last year, topped the goalscoring charts with 15 goals in the competition as Real Madrid won a third consecutive European crown.

Egypt’s Salah led Liverpool’s remarkable run to the final with 10 goals and four assists, while FC Barcelona’s Messi netted six goals. The best defender is sure to be from Real Madrid with their trio of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane the only names shortlisted for the award.

Real Madrid’s duo of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will compete with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne for the midfielder award.

New Liverpool signing Alisson’s performances for AS Roma earned him a place on the goalkeeper shortlist. He will compete for the honour with Real Madrid’s Costa Rica international Keylor Navas and Italian Gianluigi Buffon, who completed a switch from Juventus to Paris St Germain (PSG) last month.

The winners will be announced during the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Aug. 30. The nominees were selected by a jury of 32 coaches from last year’s UEFA Champions League participants and 55 journalists chosen by the European Sports Media group.

Sportsarena78.com - Women World Cup 2018: Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie emerges ‘Player of the Match’

Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, emerged the Player of the Match after Nigeria beat Haiti at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France on Thursday. Nnadozie, who proved to be equal to every challenge that came her way by stopping the Haiti girls from scoring an equaliser was recognised at the end of the match. FIFA’s Twitter handle shared a photo of Nnadozie with her Player of the Match certificate.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-half penalty kick helped Nigeria to beat Haiti 1-0 on Thursday at Stade de Marville in the French city of Saint-Malo. The victory in Group D of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup tagged “France 2018’’ helped Nigeria to secure a crucial three points and keep their knockout round qualification hopes alive.

The match, according to reports, started at a furious pace but neither side were able to put up any real goalscoring threat. It took until the 36th minute to see the breakthrough, with Nigeria being awarded a penalty kick after Anam Imo was fouled in the box 18 area by Haiti’s Dougenie Joseph.

Ajibade, who is Africa’s top scorer in qualifying for France 2018, made no mistake when presented with the opportunity and converted what turned out to be the winning goal from 12 yards. Haiti responded by going behind almost immediately but Nerilia Mondesir was denied the post after a swift counter-attack.

The Caribbean side continued to push for the equaliser but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie proved equal to every challenge. Mondesir and Melchie Dumonay took much of the initiative going forward, looking dangerous at times, but the Nigerian backline, marshalled by Nnadozie, held on for the victory.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the win pushed Nigeria up the group’s table from fourth place after Monday’s opening matches to second place after Thursday’s matches. Germany, 1-0 winners over Nigeria on Monday, remained firm as Group D leaders after beating China PR 2-0 in the group’s other MatchDay 2 fixture earlier at the same venue.

Nigeria now needs at least a draw in their final group phase match on Monday against China PR to be able to finish second and pick the group’s other quarter-final ticket. Germany face Haiti on Monday at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes in their final group phase game and look sure bets to emerge group leaders, even after a slim loss.

The Falconets can be sure of emerging group runners-up with at least a draw against China PR at Clos Gastel Stadium in Lehon, at Dinan-Lehon, even if Haiti beat Germany.

Sportsarena78.com - La Liga: Bale hit brace to move Madrid five points clear

Gareth Bale hit both goals as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to five points with a 3-0 win over Leganes on Sunday. Bale signed one of the most lucrative deals in football history on Monday to keep him at the European champions until 2021.

And the Welshman earned his bumper new wage as he struck twice in seven minutes just before half-time, whilst Alvaro Morata added a third 14 minutes from time. Barcelona can close to within two points at the top, but face a huge challenge when they travel to fourth-placed Sevilla later on Sunday.

Bale also scored Real’s fastest ever Champions League goal in midweek against Legia Warsaw, but his fine strike in the Polish capital was forgotten as Real blew a two-goal lead to draw 3-3. There was to no such comeback from La Liga newcomers Leganes on their first ever league visit to the Santiago Bernabeu after Bale had awoken Madrid from their slumber in the first 30 minutes.

Bale outsprinted the Leganes defence as he latched onto Isco’s through ball and rounded Jon Ander Serantes before slotting home from a narrow angle. His second was a scrappier finish as Bale pounced on a loose ball inside the area from Toni Kroos’s free-kick to bundle home from close range.

Serantes prevented Bale completing his hat-trick twice within a minute at the start of the second period. Bale’s decision to go alone with his first effort infuriated the off-colour Cristiano Ronaldo, who was waiting for the ball to be squared.

Ronaldo endured another frustrating afternoon as he was kept scoreless for the fifth time in eight La Liga appearances this season. The Portuguese was also booked early on for taking his protests towards referee Miguel Mateu Lahoz too far.

Real received a huge boost ahead of a hugely demanding two-month stretch after the upcoming international break as Luka Modric made his return as a second-half substitute after a month out due to knee surgery. Morata rounded off a comfortable afternoon for Zinedine Zidane’s men when he collected Kroos’s pass before firing home at the near post.

And Madrid even kept their first clean sheet in 11 matches as victory stretches their unbeaten run in all competitions to 28 games.

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Sportsarena78.com - Ronaldo deserves Ballon d’Or – Zidane

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane backed Cristiano Ronaldo’s case for a fourth Ballon d’Or on Friday despite the Portuguese superstar’s current struggles in front of goal. Ronaldo won both the Champions League with Real and Portugal’s first ever major tournament at Euro 2016 to make him the favourite to land the award for the world’s best player on January 9 next year.

“He clearly deserves the Ballon d’Or,” said Zidane ahead of Saturday’s trip to Alaves in La Liga. “Not just at an individual level, but above all on a collective level…he knows everything he is achieving is thanks to his hard work and the work of those around him.”

Ronaldo is expected to face competition from five-time winner Lionel Messi, Madrid teammate Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid and France forward Antoine Griezmann for the award. However, his form has slumped since his return from a two-month injury layoff after suffering knee ligament damage in the Euro 2016 final.

“What Cristiano has done is raise the bar so high that every time he doesn’t score it is a problem,” added Zidane. Ronaldo has netted just four times in nine appearances for Madrid so far this season, by a distance his worst return at this stage of the campaign in seven seasons with the European champions.

“He is angry (about not scoring), but there is no bigger worry than that,” continued Zidane. “Every time he doesn’t score there is a furore, but he has to live with these things. He is a phenom.” Ronaldo is expected to be partnered by Bale and Karim Benzema once more in the Madrid front line despite the fine form of Alvaro Morata.

The Spanish international came off the bench to score the winner against Athletic Bilbao last weekend and bagged a double in a 7-1 rout of Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. However, captain Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Casemiro remain out injured.

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Sportsarena78.com - Real Madrid end US tour with 2-1 win over Roma

Gareth Bale is serving notice that he is ready to shine without Cristiano Ronaldo, factoring in both goals as Real Madrid wrapped up their US tour with a 2-1 win over Roma on Tuesday. Bale and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid who put on a strong performance especially in the first half of the International Champions Cup friendly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Real Madrid is hoping Bale is ready to fully evolve into the player they signed for a world record fee in 2013. The 33-year-old Ronaldo ended a nine-year spell at Real Madrid by recently signing with Italian champions Juventus.

“We’re scoring goals and we’re winning matches, so we’re doing well,” Bale said. “We have to keep improving and we’re really looking forward to starting the new season.” Asensio, with his third goal of the preseason, opened the scoring just two minutes into the contest. Bale delivered a brilliant pass to the foot of Asensio and he found the back of the net.

Real Madrid struck again in the 15th minute as Bale would score this time, taking an equally superb pass from Dani Carvajal. Bale walked in and beat goalkeeper Robin Olsen to make it 2-0. Real Madrid wasn’t nearly as dominant in the second half as most of their starting squad was subbed off.

Kevin Strootman made it interesting by scoring in the 83rd minute for Roma. Strootman was left wide open off a throw-in and headed pass and all he had to do was hammer it past the startled Real Madrid goalkeeper.

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Sportsarena78.com - Modric returns to Real Madrid training amid Inter transfer rumours

Luka Modric returned to training at Real Madrid on Wednesday along with five other World Cup players, against a background of contradictory rumours about his future. One Spanish sports daily, AS, reported that the midfielder who led Croatia to the World Cup final was subject to a big bid from Inter Milan, while a competing newspaper, Marca said the 32-year old was about to accept a pay rise from Real and sign a contract extension.

Modric, awarded the Golden Ball as best player at the World Cup, was given a break rather than join Real’s pre-season tour of the United States, as were another Croatian World Cup finalist, Mateo Kovacic, who was reported to have travelled to London to join Chelsea, French World Cup winner Raphael Varane and Brazilian duo Marcelo and Casemiro.

On Wednesday, as the Real first team flew back to Madrid after beating Roma in New Jersey on Tuesday night, the club said the World Cup players were in training. “The Croatian midfielder joined Marcelo, Varane, Casemiro and  Kovacic, who did individual work in the gym. The four players trained with nine players from the under-18s,” Real Madrid said on their web site.

Among the conflicting reports, Marca said that Modric, who joined Real in 2012, “did not consider his current salary matched the level of his performances” and that the player, who turns 33 early in September, was about to sign the best contract of his career.

AS said Modric, who has not commented publicly, “foresaw joining Inter.” Marca said “he would stay at Madrid” because “the club intended to increase his salary.”

Sportsarena78.com - Real, La Liga must look for another Ronaldo – FIFA boss

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Real Madrid must look to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and predicted a three-way La Liga title race this season between Madrid, reigning champions Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Soccernet reports. Infantino, who attended La Liga’s fixtures draw on Tuesday, told Cadena Ser’s “El Larguero” radio show that the league would be weaker without Ronaldo but new  Real  coach Julen Lopetegui still has a spectacular squad to work with.

“Cristiano is a ‘crack’, one of those players who make us dream,” Infantino said. “That he is not playing in Spain any more means that Spanish football will have to look for someone to replace him. But I am convinced that Madrid have great players, champions.“A team that loses Cristiano Ronaldo is weaker than a team with Ronaldo, but those white shirts have a phenomenal force. Madrid still have a spectacular team and a very strong coach in Lopetegui … so I believe this will be another good year for Real Madrid.”

Ronaldo joined Juventus for €100m  earlier this month after nine seasons at Real, and club president Florentino Perez then saw longtime targets Neymar and Kylian Mbappe commit their futures to Paris Saint-Germain while potential moves for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi have not progressed.

Infantino also predicted a three-way race in La Liga, with Barca’s Lionel Messi and Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann likely to stand out.“We will have a very hard season after the World Cup, where Griezmann was champion,” Infantino said. “(Atletico coach Diego) Simeone knows how to motivate his team. Barca have Messi.”

Also on Tuesday, Real  were presented with La Liga’s fair play award for the fewest bookings last season, even though Ronaldo missed the first five games for pushing the referee during the Supercopa and captain Sergio Ramos set a league record in December with his 19th red card. Real, who also won the award in 2016-17, topped the table with 76 points, with Real Sociedad on 77 points and Barcelona on 90 points.

Sportsarena78.com - Today's games 8/8/18

Z7B73LHX
Z7B73GWP
Z7B73CDB
Z7B72RJ2

Sportsarena78.com - Today's game

Booking Number:Z7B927NV

Booking Number:Z7B8ZYWP

Sportsarena78.com - Today's game 6/8/2018

Z7BDS5K6
Z7BDRDHF
Z7BDQ3ZP
Z7BDPWHW
Z7BDPRT9

Sportsarena78.com - Today's game

Z7BHKKT3
Z7BHG3LR

Sportsarena78.com - Today's game 04/08/2018

Games for The Day

1. Botafogo - Santos - 1X or un1.5 2HT

2. Gremio - Flamengo - un3.5 or un1.5HT

3. Ponte Preta - Avai - X2 or un3.5

4. Oeste - Boa - 1X

5. Fortaleza - GG or over2.5

6. Ludogorets - 1/1

7. Cherno more - 1DNB

8. Vejle - Midityland - X2

9. Esbjerg - x2

10. Zamalek - over 0.5 2HT or 1

11. PSG - Monaco - 1/1 or 1

12. Aktobe - Astana - 2

13. Ranheim - Rosenborg - GG or x2

14. CFR Cluj - 1x

15. Astra - 1

Correct scores are

1. Zamalek  2:1

2. Astra - Sepsi - 1:0 

Pick the games for combination at most 5games per ticket. Wishing u best of luck.

Sportsarena78.com - Iwobi Commits Future To Arsenal, Signs New Long-Term Deal

Nigeria winger, Alex Iwobi, has committed his future to Arsenal by signing a new long-term deal.Iwobi, 22, has been at the club since he was a schoolboy and has progressed to the first team.The player was linked with a move to Lazio few weeks ago, but he has put an end to speculation over his future by signing the deal.

“It’s always been my childhood dream to represent Arsenal, from young,” he told the club’s official website after penning the deal.“To get an extended contract is an amazing feeling.”

Arsenal boss Unai Emery also expressed delight at seeing Iwobi commit his future to the Gunners.

“I’m very pleased Alex has signed a new contract with us. He is a great example of a player who can succeed from the Academy through hard work and I look forward to working with him and our other talented young players in the squad,” Emery stated.

Sportsarena78.com - Todays game 3/8/2018

1. Reading - Derby   GGover2.5
2. Bohemias - Limerick - 1X
3. St. Patrick - Shamrock - 1X
4. Waterford - Cork city - X2
5. Liefrien - 1X
6. Waasland Beveren - St Liege - GGover2.5
7. Botev Plovdiv - 1X
8. Vereya - X2
9. Rijeka - 1
10. Din. Zagreb - un 3.5
11. Slavia Prague - 1/1
12. Aarhus - Sonedyke - un3.5
13. SJK - 1x or un3.5
14. Dynamo Kiev - un 1.5HT or un2.5
15. Keila- over 3.5
16. Maardu 1 over2.5
17. Tulevik - 1xGG
18. U. craivio - un3.5

These are the codes:
Z7BRF6BW
Z7BRCK6T

Sportsarena78.com - Messi dependence hurting Argentina – Veron

Juan Sebastian Veron says Argentina must stop relying heavily upon Lionel Messi in order to develop the rest of their squad and backed Tottenham  coach Mauricio Pochettino to take over as coach. Messi has yet to discuss his international future after competing in his fourth World Cup, in which Argentina were knocked out in the round of 16 by eventual winners France.

The runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, Argentina also finished second at the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, leaving Messi with only an Olympic gold medal from 2008 to show for his international accomplishments. “It’s time to build a group,” Veron, the former Argentina international, told ESPN Argentina. “Obviously, if Leo is eager (to be part of the national team), they would need to involve him little by little.

“I think we have to prepare the base and once and for all think about a team and not think about someone who can save us. Even more at this time, watching other national teams and how they faced the World Cup, it seems essential to think about a group.” Argentina would not have reached the World Cup had it not been for a hat-trick Messi scored in their final qualifier, a 3-1 win at Ecuador on October 10. Messi said in March that Argentina would have to win the competition “now or never.”

Argentina also face questions regarding who will be their coach going forward after they reached an agreement to part ways with coach Jorge Sampoli three weeks ago. Pochettino is reportedly Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia’s top choice for the vacant post, and Veron said he would back that decision.

“Obviously, Pochettino’s name is seductive any way you look at it,” Veron said. “But I think that to offer him something, you have to have something well-armed. Present him a platform and see how he can fit into that.” Pochettino signed a new five-year contract with Spurs in May, and another reported candidate, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, signed a contract through the 2019-20 season in September.

“The candidates are those who we are all thinking about,” Veron said. “But we have to see those who are available because I don’t see it as something simple. … I think the best are Pochettino and Simeone.” Argentina, who are seeking their fourth coach in four years, will face Guatemala and Colombia in friendlies in the United States in September.

Sportsarena78.com - Today's games

1 .Ujpest - Sevilla - Away wins (2)
2. Burnley - 1/1
3. Bordeaux - 1/1
4. Sarajevo - Atalanta - BTS yes GG
5. Besiktas - 1/1
6. Copenhangen-1
7. Rio Ave - under 3.5
8. Crusaders - x2
9. Alhaly - BTS - No
10. Bahia - x2

11. Bahia - x/2
12. Bahia - 2
 codes are
Z7BWMSNH
Z7BWLXCX

You can also do your combination as you wish. All the best!

Sportsarena78.com -Neymar rejoins PSG on China tour

Dozens of screaming fans welcomed Brazil star Neymar on Thursday as he flew in to China to rejoin Paris Saint-Germain after his disappointing World Cup.

The world’s most expensive player, wearing a canary-yellow hoodie, posed for pictures with airport staff before his noisy welcome in the arrivals hall.

Footage on Neymar’s Twitter account showed him signing Barcelona, Brazil and PSG shirts before being guided through the crowd by minders and security staff.

Neymar’s arrival, ahead of Saturday’s French Super Cup game against Monaco in Shenzhen, comes more than five months after his last appearance for PSG following a foot injury in late February.

The flamboyant forward then endured a turbulent World Cup as Brazil were stunned by Belgium in the quarter-finals and he was widely lampooned for his play-acting.

“I didn’t want to see a ball, or to see any more football played,” the 26-year-old told AFP last month in an interview, describing his World Cup disappointment.

However, Thursday’s enthusiastic welcome indicated that his popularity in China remains very much intact.

Sportsarena78.com - Lukaku Cutting short Holiday to return for Man Utd Opener

Romelu Lukaku will cut his post-season break short to join up with the Manchester United squad ahead of schedule, Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

Lukaku reached the latter stages of this summer’s World Cup with Belgium, only flying home from Russia after his national side’s third-place play-off victory over England on 14 July.The 25-year-old is entitled to three consecutive weeks of holiday at the end of the season but, like team-mates Marcus Rashford and Phil Jones, will report back early. Man United prepare to host Leicester City in their first league game on Aug. 10.

“We will have (Victor) Lindelof who started training two days ago,” Mourinho said after United’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the pre-season International Champions Cup on Wednesday. “Marcus Rashford, Jones and Lukaku are coming back three days early to try to be available for the team.”

The Portuguese boss praised his senior players for the intensity they showed in United’s pre-season tour but insisted the fixtures did not reveal anything new strategically.“I didn’t learn anything (tactically). I know what (Ander) Herrera is, I know what (Juan) Mata is, I know what (Alexis) Sanchez is, I know what they are… “I know the kids need time to grow up,” Mourinho said.

“The boys tried everything, they gave everything, they know we have to try to fight for the best result but tactically it means nothing.” United have won two of their five pre-season fixtures so far and will be keen to make a quick start in their quest to win silverware this season. Mourinho was unsure, however, if Anthony Martial would return in time to play Sunday’s final friendly against Bayern Munich.

The Frenchman left the team’s pre-season tour early to attend the birth of his daughter.