Klopp and Guardiola serve up another Premier League classic but Arsenal are the big winners

Klopp and Guardiola serve up another Premier League classic but Arsenal are the big winners
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) and Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola shout instructions to the players from the touchline during their English Premier League football match at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 10, 2024. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 11 March 2024
Follow

Klopp and Guardiola serve up another Premier League classic but Arsenal are the big winners

Klopp and Guardiola serve up another Premier League classic but Arsenal are the big winners
  • Arsenal ended the weekend top of the standings on goal difference, but the Londoners’ 2-1 win at Brentford on Saturday felt like a sub plot in comparison to the latest and possibly last clash between Klopp and Guardiola
  • It is shaping up to be another fiercely contested title race and time will tell how important a point at Anfield was

LIVERPOOL, England: Liverpool and Manchester City showed the Premier League what it will be missing when Jurgen Klopp walks away at the end of the season.

Anfield played host to a typically full-blooded, high octane clash of titans in the last English top-flight encounter between Klopp and Pep Guardiola before the Liverpool manager stands down.

No wonder Guardiola says he will sleep easier when his long-time rival is no longer standing in his way.

He likened Liverpool to a “tsunami” as the defending champions had to dig deep to survive long periods of pressure in the second half.

“Oh my God, they come from everywhere,” Guardiola said after a 1-1 draw on Sunday that kept second-place Liverpool one point ahead of City in third.

Arsenal ended the weekend top of the standings on goal difference, but the Londoners’ 2-1 win at Brentford on Saturday felt like a sub plot in comparison to the latest and possibly last clash between Klopp and Guardiola.

John Stones gave City a first-half lead and Alexis Mac Allister leveled from the penalty spot after the break.

That only told part of the story of a thrilling encounter, which saw Luis Diaz miss a big chance to fire Liverpool ahead and Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku hit the woodwork for City. In stoppage time, Klopp thought Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty for Doku’s chest-high challenge on Mac Allister, only for VAR to dismiss appeals.

“Why would the guy in the VAR studio think that is not clear and obvious? What must you have for lunch if you think that is not clear and obvious?” Klopp said.

Perhaps Klopp is mellowing as he counts down his final days at Liverpool, but he preferred to focus on the performance of his rebuilt and injury-stricken team.

“For us, besides the result, the most important information is we are right there, we go the distance. Let’s see what we get for it, but the boys fought so hard through everything to be there,” he said. “Today I saw the best 53 minutes we had against Manchester City. It was exceptional and important as well that we learned that about ourselves.”

It would be fascinating to see how this team could develop under Klopp, who has so quickly remolded Liverpool following the departure of key players like Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino.

Few expected him to mount a title challenge so soon, let alone compete on four fronts this season, with the League Cup already secured. Against the odds, his team is also still in contention for the Europa League and FA Cup.

A second league title of his reign is the priority and Liverpool showed they can go head-to-head with a City team that is defending last season’s treble of trophies — the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Liverpool’s 2020 title is the only thing that stopped City from completing a clean sweep of six straight triumphs under Guardiola from 2018.

Guardiola has repeatedly described Klopp’s Liverpool as the biggest challenge of his coaching career and has edged him to the title by a single point on two occasions.

“He made us a better team, he made me a better manager. I wish he will be back soon, because football needs personalities like him,” Guardiola said.

It is shaping up to be another fiercely contested title race and time will tell how important a point at Anfield was.

The added factor this year is a third contender in Arsenal and Guardiola is equally aware of the threat coming from Mikel Arteta as from Klopp.

“Arsenal last year came back and will stay for a long time because they are a young team with an exceptional manager,” he said. “Still, there are 10 games to go, 30 points to play for. One point difference. The important thing is still we are there after where we came from in previous seasons, still we are there.”

SON STARS

Once it was Harry Kane who Tottenham fans pinned their hopes to. Now it is Son Heung-min.

The South Korea forward has helped fill the void left by Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich in the offseason and on Sunday he inspired Spurs to a 4-0 rout against top four rival Aston Villa with one goal and two assists.

Fifth-place Spurs are two points behind Villa in fourth with a game in hand.

Son provided assists for Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner either side of scoring his 14th goal of the season in all competitions.

James Maddison had opened the scoring in a game that also saw Villa’s John McGinn sent off in the second half.

FOREST BLOW

Nottingham Forest’s survival hopes were dealt a blow after Andrew Omobamidele’s own-goal consigned the relegation-fighting team to a 1-0 loss at Brighton.

Forest, in 17th, are just three points above the drop zone and 18th-place Luton, who have a game in hand.

Luton drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Saturday thanks to Cauley Woodrow’s equalizer in the sixth minute of stoppage time, which could be crucial in the battle to stay up.

BURNLEY HELD

Danny Ings scored in the first minute of stoppage time to deny Burnley a vital win and secure a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.

Burnley had led 2-0 through David Datro Fofana and an own-goal by Konstantinos Mavropanos.

But thoughts of a first win since Dec. 23 were ended by a second-half fightback from West Ham with Lucas Paqueta scoring just after the break and Ings leveling.

Burnley at least moved off the foot of the table and above Sheffield United on goal difference.

Sheffield United had led 2-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday, but had to settle for a point after Enes Unal’s stoppage time equalizer.


Galatasaray down Spurs to go top in Europa League

Galatasaray down Spurs to go top in Europa League
Updated 45 sec ago
Follow

Galatasaray down Spurs to go top in Europa League

Galatasaray down Spurs to go top in Europa League
  • The Turkish champions have 10 points from four games and have all but secured qualification for at least the knock-out play-off round, while
  • Spurs sit in fifth place after losing their 100-percent record

PARIS: Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray inflicted a first Europa League defeat of the season on Tottenham to move top of the table with a 3-2 victory in Istanbul on Thursday.
The Turkish champions have 10 points from four games and have all but secured qualification for at least the knock-out play-off round, while Spurs sit in fifth place after losing their 100-percent record.
Galatasaray took an early lead when Yunus Akgun smashed a sensational long-range volley into the top corner in the sixth minute.
But the visitors hit back just 12 minutes later as teenage striker Will Lankshear marked just his second first-team appearance with a goal by tapping in Brennan Johnson’s pass across goal.
Galatasaray took control before half-time, though, as Osimhen scored twice in the space of eight minutes.
The Nigerian star fired them back in front just after the half-hour mark, before cleverly volleying Dries Mertens’ cross past Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Osimhen has now scored six goals in eight appearances for Galatasaray since joining on loan from Napoli.
The home side passed up several opportunities to put the game out of sight for their opponents, but Spurs’ hopes of a comeback were hit when Lankshear was sent off for two yellow-card offenses in quick succession in the second half.
Dominic Solanke pulled one back in the 69th minute, shortly after being brought on by Ange Postecoglou, but Galatasaray held on with relative comfort.
Eintracht Frankfurt are second in the standings, behind Galatasaray on goals scored, after Omar Marmoush’s 13th goal of the season clinched a 1-0 win against Slavia Prague.
The Egyptian clipped a superb free-kick in off the crossbar shortly after the break.
Athletic Bilbao are in third, separated from Eintracht also by goals scored, after coming from behind to grab a 2-1 success at Ludogorets.
Inaki Williams and Nico Serrano both scored in a two-minute burst from the Basque club.
Roma’s disappointing form this season continued as Kevin Mac Allister’s goal 13 minutes from time secured Union Saint-Gilloise their second point of the competition with a 1-1 draw in Belgium.


French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions

French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions
Updated 07 November 2024
Follow

French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions

French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions
  • European soccer’s governing body UEFA said the club would not face sanctions
  • Retailleau, asked if he would seek sanctions against PSG, told Sud Radio: “I am not ruling out anything. I will demand explanations from PSG“

PARIS: French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Thursday criticized the unfurling of a giant “Free Palestine” banner at a Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) soccer match, saying it was “unacceptable.”
However, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said the club would not face sanctions.
Retailleau, asked if he would seek sanctions against PSG, told Sud Radio: “I am not ruling out anything. I will demand explanations from PSG.”
The French federation (FFF) president, Philippe Diallo, was summoned for a meeting at 0900 GMT at the interior ministry on Friday, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters, adding it had not yet confirmed its attendance.
The FFF has no power over European club competitions.
French TV channel BFM said PSG director general Victoriano Melero was also summoned. PSG did not respond to a request for comment.
Fans from PSG’s hard-line Auteuil Kop group displayed a huge “Free Palestine” banner before their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, eight days before France play Israel in Paris in a Nations League game.
“In no way was this tifo (banner) intended to convey a message of hatred — quite the contrary,” the group, Collectif Ultras Paris, said in a statement.
“The message that accompanied it is explicit and is a call for peace between peoples,” the group said, adding that the banner was made outside the stadium.
Their action took place as Israel pressed on with a military offensive in Gaza that has killed about 43,400 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023, according to Gaza health ministry figures.
The conflict broke out after Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people.
PSG said after the game they had not been made aware of any plans to display such a message.
“Paris St. Germain recall that the Parc des Princes is — and must remain — a place of communion around a common passion for soccer and firmly opposes any message of a political nature in its stadium,” the club said in a statement.
Minister Retailleau said: “Of course the club president is responsible. I want to know how this tarpaulin arrived, how it was deployed.”
A UEFA spokesperson said that PSG would not face disciplinary proceedings as it only bans political messages deemed insulting or provocative.
Last year, the Scottish club Celtic were fined 17,500 euros ($18,907) for fans’ waving Palestinian flags at a Champions League match.
Questions have been raised about security surrounding the France v Israel Nations League game next Thursday in a country that has the largest Jewish community in Europe as well as its biggest population of Muslims.


Buoyant Inter gunning for leaders Napoli and Serie A summit

Buoyant Inter gunning for leaders Napoli and Serie A summit
Updated 07 November 2024
Follow

Buoyant Inter gunning for leaders Napoli and Serie A summit

Buoyant Inter gunning for leaders Napoli and Serie A summit
  • Wednesday’s win came despite Inzaghi dropping five first-choice players with Napoli
  • The defense of the Serie A title his clear priority in the early months of the season

MILAN: Inter Milan have top spot in Serie A in their sights as they host league leaders Napoli this weekend boosted by a gritty win over Arsenal in the Champions League.
Reigning champions Inter are a point behind Napoli and in buoyant mood ahead of Sunday’s clash at the San Siro after showing huge spirit to beat Arsenal 1-0 and continue their unbeaten start in Europe.
Simone Inzaghi’s team are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League and after four matches are two points behind leaders Liverpool in the new single league phase.
Wednesday’s win came despite Inzaghi dropping five first-choice players with Napoli and the defense of the Serie A title his clear priority in the early months of the season.
And Inter had to hold off wave after wave of Arsenal attacks in the second half after Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty in stoppage time of the opening period, claiming the win with the sort dogged defending which has been lacking in Serie A where they have conceded 13 times in 11 matches.
“It was a win earned through sacrifice, the only thing that mattered tonight was the result. I needed minutes, now I’m ready for Napoli,” said Calhanoglu who was excellent in his first start since recovering from a thigh injury and will guide Inter’s midfield on Sunday.
Inter will be at full strength after Nicolo Barella, Federico Dimarco, Marcus Thuram, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Francesco Acerbi all started the Arsenal win on the bench.
That is a daunting prospect for Napoli who have however had a week to prepare for Sunday’s clash and won at the San Siro against AC Milan as recently as last week.
Napoli have impressed by leading the league following last season’s disastrous defense of their first Scudetto since the days of Diego Maradona.
But Napoli were thumped 3-0 at home by dark horses Atalanta last weekend and questions remain over whether Antonio Conte’s side are ready to reclaim the title.
Conte, a practicing Catholic, said ahead of his team’s humbling at the hands of third-placed Atalanta that “football miracles can happen but only one person can make them happen.”
“All we can do is work hard and try to create something beautiful which in football terms translates into more points,” said Conte.
Mario Balotelli is set for more minutes with his new club Genoa who face Como at the unusual time of Thursday night, a rearrangement forced by an important rally race being held in the port city over the weekend.
Former Italy striker Balotelli made his Genoa debut off the bench late in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Parma which lifted Alberto Gilardino’s team out of the relegation zone, but his only contribution was getting booked.
In-form Fiorentina and Lazio, who are level on 22 points with Atalanta, face Verona and Monza respectively and have a chance to move level with Napoli before Sunday’s big match at the San Siro.
Juventus, who sit a point behind that trio in sixth, host local rivals Torino after drawing 1-1 at Lille on Tuesday.

Fresh from another stellar performance in Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Stuttgart, Lookman is in the form of his life as Atalanta host Udinese in Sunday’s lunchtime fixture with talk of a title challenge looking increasingly realistic.
Nigeria forward Lookman, the hat-trick hero of last season’s Europa League triumph, has scored eight goals and set up five more in 12 appearances this term.
His stunning performances, which have helped push Atalanta to within three points of Napoli, come after being dropped at the start of the season after pushing for a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
But the way he and attack partners Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere have been playing suggests that Lookman could just as likely scale new heights staying exactly where he is.

Thursday
Genoa v Como (1945)
Friday
Lecce v Empoli (1945)
Saturday
Venezia v Parma (1400), Cagliari v AC Milan (1700), Juventus v Torino (1945)
Sunday
Atalanta v Udinese (1130), Roma v Bologna, Fiorentina v Verona (1400), Monza v Lazio (1700), Inter Milan v Napoli (1945)


Mbappe left out of France squad for November internationals

Mbappe left out of France squad for November internationals
Updated 07 November 2024
Follow

Mbappe left out of France squad for November internationals

Mbappe left out of France squad for November internationals
  • It is the second successive France squad from which the national team captain has been absent
  • Mbappe was absent for France’s 4-1 win over Israel in Budapest and a 2-1 win in Belgium

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the France squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Italy after coach Didier Deschamps omitted the Real Madrid superstar from his list of players named on Thursday.
It is the second successive France squad from which the national team captain has been absent after he also missed the October double-header against Israel and Belgium.
The 25-year-old was rested for last month’s matches in order to help him recover from a minor thigh injury suffered playing for Real.
However, that quickly became a source of controversy when he returned to action for Real days later, before France had even played.
Mbappe was absent for France’s 4-1 win over Israel in Budapest and a 2-1 win in Belgium, and instead traveled to Stockholm for a short break with members of his entourage.
It was following that trip that Swedish media reported he was being investigated for an alleged rape. Mbappe himself said those reports were “fake news” while his lawyer said the player would take action for libel.
A Swedish prosecutor confirmed that an investigation had been opened, without naming Mbappe.
Since then, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward has made four appearances for his club, scoring one goal. However, he remains short of his explosive best form.


Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen struggling to maintain heights of last season

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen struggling to maintain heights of last season
Updated 07 November 2024
Follow

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen struggling to maintain heights of last season

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen struggling to maintain heights of last season
  • The aura of invincibility that Alonso built around the team have evaporated. But it’s not for want of trying
  • “To win against top, top teams, you need to go through tough moments and suffer. We need to learn from this,” Alonso said after the loss in Liverpool

BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen are struggling to reach the high standards they set for themselves last season.
Xabi Alonso’s team have already dropped points in five of their nine Bundesliga games, while Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Liverpool in the Champions League was already their second defeat of the season.
The late goals that characterized last season’s remarkable Bundesliga and German Cup campaigns — Leverkusen won both without losing a game — seem to have dried up.
Leverkusen have already conceded 15 goals in the Bundesliga. That’s only nine goals fewer than they conceded in the league over the whole of last season.
Though Leverkusen drew with Bayern Munich 1-1 away, they also failed to beat relegation candidates Holstein Kiel and Werder Bremen.
The aura of invincibility that Alonso built around the team have evaporated. But it’s not for want of trying. Before the Liverpool game, Leverkusen had 19 shots at goal in a scoreless draw against Stuttgart, which were second in the Bundesliga last season.
Missed chances have replaced late goals as the recurring issue, while defense is also a concern.
Granit Xhaka was scathing in his criticism of the last three goals his team conceded against Liverpool, suggesting the side’s intensity dropped after conceding the first, though the Swiss midfielder remained confident the team can recover.
“If we keep doing our thing, we’ll start winning games again,” Xhaka said.
Alonso, likewise, does not seem too worried by his team’s results.
“To win against top, top teams, you need to go through tough moments and suffer. We need to learn from this,” Alonso said after the loss in Liverpool.
Alonso opted to stay at Leverkusen despite a host of suitors reportedly keen on acquiring his services in the summer – including former clubs Bayern and Liverpool – and the Spanish coach hasn’t tinkered with or changed his title-winning approach.
The squad from last season remained largely intact over the summer. Central defender Odilon Kossounou left for Atalanta, with Leverkusen bringing Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain as his replacement. Mukiele hasn’t played much so far.
It had looked like defensive chief Jonathan Tah was going to join Bayern, but the clubs failed to agree a transfer fee for a player whose Leverkusen contract is up at the end of this season. Tah has played every minute for the team so far.
Leverkusen are already seven points behind unbeaten Bayern in the Bundesliga. They next face a short trip to Bochum on Saturday, when new Bochum coach Dieter Hecking will hope to coax some improvement from a team that have lost eight of their nine games. Bochum have a point after a draw with Kiel in September.