Manchester United v FC Kobenhavn – UEFA Europa League Quarter Final | DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Đội trưởng của Manchester United, Harry Maguire vừa chuốc họa vào thân khi gây gỗ tại Hy Lạp
Vì ảnh hưởng từ đại dịch COVID-19, hầu hết những cầu thủ đều không có được một kỳ nghỉ hè dài như ý. Song, trong trường hợp của Harry Maguire, kỳ nghỉ của anh sẽ nhanh chóng kết thúc sau khi anh đã gây họa tại Hy Lạp.
Theo tờ báo địa phương OEMA đưa tin, vào rạng sáng ngày thứ Sáu, đội trưởng của Manchester United đã tham gia vào một cuộc ẩu đả với khách du lịch người Anh bên ngoài một quán Bar. Và khi các sĩ quan cảnh sát đến can thiệp, 3 người trong số họ, dĩ nhiên là bao gồm cả Maguire được cho là đã phản ứng gay gắt bằng lời nói lẫn hành động.
Ngay sau đó, cảnh sát đã can thiệp và bắt giữ Maguire và hai người khác có liên quan đến vụ việc. Trong tuyên bố chính thức về vụ việc này, Manchester United cho biết: “Câu lạc bộ đã biết về một vụ việc được cho là liên quan đến Harry Maguire ở Mykonos vào đêm qua. Chúng tôi đã có liên hệ với Harry, và anh ấy hoàn toàn hợp tác với các nhà chức trách Hy Lạp.”
Dù không liên quan đến bóng đá, nhưng rất có thể vụ việc này sẽ gây ảnh hưởng lớn đến tấm băng đội trưởng của Maguire vào mùa tới. Theo tình hình hiện tại, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes hay David De Gea sẽ là những ứng viên sáng giá cho vị trí thủ quân nếu Maguire bị “phế truất”.
Igor Tudor has agreed to become Juventus’ assistant coach | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images
Former Juventus star Igor Tudor has agreed to join Andrea Pirlo’s backroom staff in Turin, and he has already signed the contract to be part of this exciting new era for the Serie A champions.
Tudor became coach of Hajduk Split at the start of the year, but he officially left that role on Friday, as rumours grew surrounding a potential collaboration with the new Bianconeri boss.
And Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed that the 42-year-old has since arrived in Turin, and signed a two-year contract to become part of Pirlo’s new-look Juve coaching staff ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. The Croatian boss spent nine years as a player with the Italian giants, making more than 150 appearances during his time there.
He now has the opportunity to kickstart this revolutionary Old Lady side, spearheaded by the shock appointment of club legend Pirlo as first team coach. The 41-year-old had already been handed the task of coaching the Under-23 side at the beginning of August, but he was given an instant promotion following the sacking of Maurizio Sarri.
Pirlo is now building his own coaching staff which he believes to possess the right balance and winning mentality to succeed at the Allianz Stadium, and he has selected Tudor as a key figure in their future.
Tudor boasts previous managerial experience in Serie A, twice coaching Udinese and leading them to safety in both his spells in charge. His final appointment with Le Zebrette came in 2019, helping them to avoid relegation at the end of the season, but then receiving the sack in November after a poor start to the new campaign.
Another name linked with a role at Juve is Alessandro Nesta, who came excruciatingly close to taking Frosinone back to Serie A this season. The Canaries were defeated by Spezia in the play-off final, and Pirlo is considering a move to bring his former Italy teammate onto the Juventus bench.
LISBON – Pelatih Bayern Munich, Hansi Flick, menyebut timnya siap untuk melakoni laga final Liga Champions 2019-2020 kontra Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Ia menyebut bahwa timnya telah melakukan analisis permainan jelang bertanding di Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Senin 24 Agustus 2020 dini hari WIB.
Salah satu persiapan yang dilakukan Flick dalam melawan PSG adalah melakukan perbandingan tim. Flick tak menyangkal bahwa ia melakukan perbandingan soal permainan PSG dengan tim-tim lain seperti Olympique Lyon dan Barcelona.
Seperti diketahui, Lyon dan Barcelona adalah dua tim yang dihadapi Bayern sebelum menyentuh partai puncak. Pada babak perempatfinal, mereka sukses menaklukkan Barcelona, sedangkan di semifinal Bayern menumbangkan Lyon.
Jika berkaca pada dua tim tersebut, Flick ternyata menyebut PSG memiliki permainan seperti Barcelona. Ia menyadari bahwa klub besutan Thomas Tuchel itu memiliki banyak pemain berkualitas seperti Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria, dan Keylor Navas.
Karena itu, Flick menilai Bayern akan memiliki tantangan yang sama seperti melawan Barcelona saat menghadapi PSG. Lalu, apakah PSG akan bernasib sama seperti Barcelona yang dibuat malu oleh Bayern.
Seperti diketahui pada babak perempatfinal, Bayern secara perkasa menaklukkan Barcelona dengan skor telak 8-2. Meski Barcelona memiliki materi pemain yang melimpah, tetapi Bayern mampu menunjukkan performa terbaiknya.
Seville v FC Internazionale – UEFA Europa League Final | Pool/Getty Images
Inter Milan và Sevilla đã cống hiến cho người hâm mộ một trận chung kết cực kỳ sôi nổi với rất nhiều bàn thắng.
Có 1 quả Penalty sớm ngay từ phút thứ 3 của trận đấu, Lukaku đã không bỏ lỡ cơ hội của mình và mở tỷ số cho buổi tiệc bàn thắng. Tuy vậy ngay sau đó Luuk De Jong đã ghi 2 bàn thắng để giúp cho Sevilla dẫn trước. Và kết thúc hiệp 1, Diego Godin đã bàn chuộc tội để tỷ số trở về thế quân bình 2-2.
Tuy vậy, bi kịch của Inter Milan đã đến vào hiện 2, sau khá nhiều cơ hội bị bỏ lỡ bởi Lukaku, họ đã phải nhận bàn thua từ pha móc bóng của Diego Carlos, bóng đập trúng vào chân của Lukaku đi vào lưới trong sự ngỡ ngàng của Handanovic. Và đó cũng là bàn thắng cuối cùng của trận đấu.
Sevilla đã có chức vô địch Europa League thứ 6 trong lịch sử, một trận đấu mà họ đã thi đấu xuất sắc trong mặt trận tấn công nhất là không chiến, chi cả 3 bàn thắng của họ đều được ghi từ những tình huống câu bóng trên cao.
Luuk De Jong đã chứng tỏ được khả năng chơi đầu của mình với 2 tình huống không chiến thành công trong trận đấu này. Còn Lukaku chắc chắn anh phải tự trách mình rất nhiều với những tình huống bỏ lỡ cơ hội và bàn phản lưới nhà đầy tai hại
DALAM keadaan penuh emosi, Julen Lopetegui mendedikasikan kejayaan Sevilla menjuarai Liga Europa selepas menewaskan Inter Milan awal pagi tadi kepada dua legenda kelab itu, Antonio Reyes dan Antonio Puerta.
Sevilla berdepan detik mendebarkan di Cologne, di mana skuad Nervionenses itu terpaksa bangkit daripada ketinggalan selepas Diego Carlos memberikan sepakan penalti buat lawan yang kemudian disudahkan Romelu Lukaku.
Gol berganda Luuk de Jong meletakkan Sevilla di depan tetapi Diego Godin kembali menyamakan kedudukan sebelum waktu rehat hasil sepakan percuma yang juga berpunca daripada Diego Carlos.
Bagaimanapun, pertahanan Sevilla itu menjadi wira pasukannya pada 16 minit terakhir apabila percubaan akrobatiknya terkena lukaku dan menerjah jaring lawan untuk skuad kendalian Lopetegui itu menjulang trofi Liga Europa buat kali keenam.
Kali terakhir Sevilla memenangi gelaran itu adalah pada 2016, di mana Reyes bertindak sebagai kapten.
Bekas bintang Arsenal, Real Madrid dan Sepanyol itu terkorban dalam satu nahas jalan raya tiga tahun kemudian.
Walaupun pada ketika itu dia tidak bersama kelab itu lagi, ia merupakan satu insiden yang memberi kesan buat Sevilla, satu kelab yang masih segar dengan kematian Puerta — penjaring gol yang membawa pasukan itu ke final Piala UEFA pertama pada 2006 dan meninggal dunia selepas mengalami serangan jantung dalam satu perlawanan LaLiga.
Lopetegui mendedikasikan kejuaraan itu buat Reyes dan Puerta dengan berkata: “Saya amat gembira.
“Bagi saya, ia adalah kegembiraan yang tiada tara.
“Saya mahu berterima kasih kepada peminat tetapi mereka boleh meraikannya kerana kemenangan ini untuk mereka dan juga buat Reyes dan Puerta.
“Saya amat gembira, terutama buat pemain. Semua orang membantu, sama ada mereka bermain atau tidak, dalam senario yang amat kompleks.
“Mereka amat hebat berdasarkan usaha dan apa yang mereka pamerkan.
“Mereka amat bertuah untuk melakukannya ke atas pasukan yang amat hebat, dan memberikan lawan tiga penalti daripada tiga perlawanan pertama.
“Ia menunjukkan bahawa pasukan ini tidak pernah mengaku kalah dan kami perlu menjadikannya satu amalan,” katanya.
KOLN – Julen Lopetegui meraih trofi pertama dalam statusnya sebagai pelatih klub profesional. Juru taktik asal Spanyol itu meraih trofi perdananya setelah mengantarkan Sevilla menang 3-2 atas Inter Milan di final Liga Eropa 2019-2020 yang dilangsungkan di RheinEnergieStadion, Koln, Sabtu (22/8/2020) dini hari WIB.
Sebelum sukses seperti sekarang, Lopetegui sebenarnya sempat berjaya saat menangani tim junior Spanyol. Pria yang sewaktu aktif sebagai pemain beroperasi sebagai penjaga gawang itu, membawa Timnas Spanyol juara Piala Eropa U-19 2012 dan U-21 2013.
Kesuksesan bersama tim junior, membuat Lopetegui naik pangkat. Pada musim panas 2016, Lopetegui dipercaya menangani Timnas senior Spanyol.
(Lopetegui (tengah) jelang bawa Spanyol tampil di Piala Dunia 2018)
Hasilnya luar biasa, dalam 20 laga awal bersama La Furia Roja –julukan Timnas Spanyol, Lopetegui membawa Sergio Ramos dan kawan-kawan tidak terkalahkan dengan koleksi 14 menang dan enam imbang. Atas hasil itu, Spanyol lolos ke Piala Dunia 2018.
Kesuksesan bersama Spanyol membuat Lopetegui diburu Real Madrid, tim yang baru saja ditinggalkan sang pelatih, Zinedine Zidane. Ternyata, kesempatan menangani Madrid tidak ditolak Lopetegui.
Ia memutuskan akan menangani Madrid per musim 2018-2019, di tengah-tengah persiapan Timnas Spanyol jelang tampil di Piala Dunia 2018. Ternyata, keputusan yang diambil Lopetegui membuat Federasi Sepakbola Spanyol (RFEF) naik pitam. RFEF memutuskan memecat Lopetegui H-2 sebelum digulirkannya Piala Dunia 2018!
Kemudian, posisi Lopetegui digantikan Fernando Hierro dan langkah Spanyol terhenti di babak 16 besar. Padahal, jika Lopetegui masih duduk di kursi pelatih, Spanyol memiliki kesempatan besar menjadi kampiun di akhir turnamen.
No side has a better Europa League record than Sevilla | FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/Getty Images
Sevilla’s outstanding record in the Europa League continued on Friday as they picked up a 3-2 win over Inter to lift their sixth title, ensuring Inter’s nine-year wait for a trophy will continue.
Inter had a penalty after just two minutes as Diego Carlos tripped Romelu Lukaku, who stepped up to fire his side ahead. The sides were level after just 11 minutes as Luuk de Jong dove to head Jesús Navas’ cross into the back of the net. De Jong headed Sevilla ahead 20 minutes later, only for Diego Godín to respond with a header of his own almost immediately.
After a slow start to the second half, Carlos brought the game to life with an impressive overhead kick which found its way into the back of the net courtesy of a deflection from Lukaku, and that was enough to guide Sevilla to yet another Europa League title.
Let’s check out some player ratings.
Bono (GK) – 6/10 – Made an outstanding save to deny Lukaku midway through the second half. Probably could have done better for Inter’s second goal.
Jesús Navas (RB) – 9/10 – Put in some outstanding crosses from the right side and could have easily had five or six assists. Was a real force at the back too. Best player on the pitch.
Jules Koundé (CB) – 8/10 – Outshone his partner yet again by keeping Martínez quiet. Looked comfortable in possession and was a dominant force in the air. Made an outstanding clearance off the line.
Diego Carlos (CB) – 5/10 – That’s now three consecutive games in which Carlos has given away a penalty, and he could have easily been sent off. An impressive overhead kick contributed to Sevilla’s winner.
Sergio Reguilón (LB) – 7/10 – Looked dangerous in attack and was constantly flying forward. Showed exactly why so many top sides are keen.
Fernando (DM) – 6/10 – Struggled to contain the threat of Barella and Brozović, but helped keep Sevilla ticking forward with some reliable passing.
Joan Jordán (CM) – 7/10 – Regularly moved out right to combine with Navas, offering constant passing lanes to help torment Young.
Éver Banega (CM) – 8/10 – A typically brilliant showing in his final game for the club. Was at the heart of everything for Sevilla and was even impressive at the back.
Suso (RW) – 5/10 – Struggled to get involved in the game and had to allow Navas to take over the creative role out wide.
Luuk de Jong (ST) – 8/10 – Showcased elite movement for both his headers. Was too powerful for Inter’s centre-backs to handle.
Lucas Ocampos (LW) – 7/10 – Spent a little too much time on the floor, but when he was on his feet, he looked dangerous. Tormented D’Ambrosio with his movement.
Munir – 6/10
Franco Vázquez – 6/10
Nemanja Gudelj – N/A
Youssef En-Nesyri – N/A
Samir Handanović (GK) – 5/10 – Looked uneasy as he struggled to deal with plenty of crosses. Pulled off some great saves but will be disappointed with his performance.
Diego Godín (CB) – 6/10 – Was slow to track De Jong for the first goal but responded with a big header to drag his side level.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) – 6/10 – A real mixed bag. Looked composed on the ball but made a few unforced errors, notably for Sevilla’s second goal.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) – 5/10 – Struggled to cope with Sevilla’s regular crosses. Looked uncomfortable under pressure.
Danilo D’Ambrosio (RM) – 4/10 Had a really rough time against Ocampos. Probably made more cynical fouls than successful passes.
Nicolò Barella (CM) – 7/10 – A real driving force in midfield. Carried the ball forward and looked dangerous throughout, but will probably be remembered more for a few overreactions to tackles.
Marcelo Brozović (CM) – 7/10 – A great free-kick for Godín’s header. Spent the game finding clever pockets of space and orchestrating things from deep.
Roberto Gagliardini (CM) – 4/10 – Again failed to justify why Antonio Conte chooses him over Christian Eriksen. Did very little in attack and was woeful in defence.
Ashley Young (LM) – 6/10 – Looked dangerous on the counter but lacked the required end product.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 8/10 – Showed real speed to win the early penalty and typical composure to covert. Was a proper target man with nice flicks and passing. Unlucky with the own goal.
Lautaro Martínez (ST) – 4/10 – In what could be his final game for the club, he ended up getting marked out of the match by Koundé. You’d be forgiven for forgetting he was even on the pitch before he was hauled off in search of an equaliser.
