NAPLES, Italy: Victor Osimhen made a special return to action for Napoli on Wednesday as his goal gave the Italian champions a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Nigeria forward Osimhen rolled home the leveller with 15 minutes left of the first leg at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in his first match since returning from the African Cup of Nations.
The 25-year-old equalized Robert Lewandowski’s 60th-minute opener, which seemed likely to be the decisive goal as Barca were for long periods the better team, with Napoli’s first and only shot on target.
Osimhen had last played for Napoli in a 2-0 defeat at Roma just before Christmas, when he was one of two players from his team to be sent off.
His ninth club goal of the season came at a crucial time, not just in the match but in Napoli’s campaign as they play under their third manager of the season in Francesco Calzona.
Calzona had less than 48 hours to prepare for his first match in charge after replacing Walter Mazzarri on Monday night, and Osimhen gave Napoli a chance of progressing despite a disjointed performance by his team.
Napoli head into next month’s second leg in the Catalan capital knowing that they with Osimhen in the team there is always a chance of a goal regardless of the overall team display.
For Barca meanwhile it was the latest misstep of a complicated campaign at the end of which coach Xavi will leave, assuming president Joan Laporta doesn’t sack the coach before then.
The away side had the better chances but couldn’t put Napoli away and could yet pay for their wastefulness.
Barca showed why they were pre-match favorites in the opening exchanges, dominating the ball and creating shooting opportunities which dulled an initially raucous crowd.
Teen sensation Lamine Yamal come close to becoming the Champions League’s youngest ever scorer when his ninth-minute effort was well-saved by Alex Meret.
In the 23rd minute, the away side twice went close to taking the lead, Lewandowski’s flicked finish kept out by Meret who then tipped away Ilkay Gundogan’s long-range rocket.
From that point on Napoli’s presence in the game grew, but the hosts failed to let off a single effort on goal before the break despite pushing their opponents on back.
Gundogan forced another smart save from Meret shortly after the restart after being put through by Yamal before blasting over another presentable chance.
Barca had the lead their performance deserved on the hour when Lewandowski collected Pedri’s pass and drilled a perfect low finish past Meret.
With the away side looking like they would push home their advantage, Osimhen pounced as Inigo Martinez slipped on the edge of the area to level the scores and transform the atmosphere in the stadium.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and substitute Giovanni Simeone both had efforts off target with the home side’s tails up, but it was Barca who went inches away from snatching a late win.
Gundogan’s frustrating night in front of goal continued deep into stoppage time as his low effort flew just wide.
Returning hero Osimhen snatches Champions League draw with Barca
https://arab.news/9sjcr
Returning hero Osimhen snatches Champions League draw with Barca
- Nigeria forward Osimhen rolled home the leveller with 15 minutes left of the first leg at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Liverpool to unveil new Heysel memorial marking 40th anniversary of disaster
- "Titled 'Forever Bound', the new memorial will replace the existing plaque
- The memorial will be unveiled later in the English summer
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will unveil a new memorial at Anfield to mark the 40th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster where 39 supporters were killed, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
The fans, mainly Italian Juventus supporters, were killed when a wall collapsed after Liverpool fans charged them before the European Cup final in Brussels in 1985.
More than 600 were also injured in one of the worst disasters in soccer stadiums, leading to a five-year ban for English clubs from European competition.
"Titled 'Forever Bound', the new memorial will replace the existing plaque currently situated on the wall of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and will move to a new location at the stadium," Liverpool said in a statement.
"The newly designed memorial will feature two scarves knotted together and gently tied - symbolising the unity and solidarity between the two clubs and the bond formed through shared grief and mutual respect in the aftermath of the disaster."
Liverpool said the plans for the new memorial were shared with Juventus and the families who lost loved ones.
The memorial will be unveiled later in the English summer. Juventus are unveiling their own near their Allianz Stadium on May 29, the anniversary of the disaster.
"To see a new memorial created with such care means a lot and it's incredibly important to have a fitting tribute to remember the 39 fans who lost their lives," the Liverpool statement cited Ian Rush, who played for both clubs and also witnessed the tragedy in 1985, as saying.
"We must never forget why this matters and why we continue to stand together in solidarity, all these years later."
Manchester City’s Guardiola demands slimmer squad for next season
- City have 28 players in the first team, not counting four who are out on loan, and have one of the most valuable squads in the world
- Guardiola, who extended his contract with City until 2027 in November, will lead the club as they defend their Club World Cup title next month
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told the club he wants to work with a tighter squad next season as it troubles his “soul” to leave so many players in the stands when everyone is fit.
Regular internationals Savinho, Abdukodir Khusanov and Claudio Echeverri were all unable to find a place in the squad on Tuesday as City beat Bournemouth 3-1. England’s James McAtee and Rico Lewis also missed out.
City have 28 players in the first team, not counting four who are out on loan, and have one of the most valuable squads in the world with some media reports valuing it at over 1.3 billion euros ($1.47 billion).
“I said to the club ... I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer,” Guardiola told reporters after City moved up to third with one match left in the campaign.
“I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.”
Despite their huge squad City faced an injury crisis late last year, with the side going on a five-match losing streak in all competitions between October-November.
They brought in Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez at a cost of more than $224 million in the January transfer window to help address the problem.
But with defenders John Stones and Nathan Ake the only two players currently out with injury, Guardiola said it was “impossible” for his “soul” to keep telling so many players they would be watching the match from the stands.
“It is a question for the club. I don’t want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit. If I have injuries, unlucky, we have some players (from) the academy and we do it,” the manager added.
Guardiola, who extended his contract with City until 2027 in November, will lead the club as they defend their Club World Cup title next month.
Omar Marmoush scores stunning goal as Kevin De Bruyne says goodbye to Man City
- The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left Champions League qualification in their own hands
- De Bruyne was fighting back tears as he addressed the crowd after the match and watched a video montage of tributes from club greats on the stadium’s big screen
MANCHESTER, England: Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike upstaged Kevin De Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell.
Marmoush let fly from around 30 yards (meters) to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday.
The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left Champions League qualification in their own hands heading into the last round of the season.
“It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened (this season) will be really nice,” the City manager said.
De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before leaving the club as a free agent at the end of the season.
After a trophy-laden 10 years, the Belgium international was greeted with a huge banner declaring him “King Kev” and given a standing ovation when he was substituted off in the second half.
But it was Marmoush’s goal after 14 minutes that lit up the match as his dipping shot clipped the post before crashing into the top corner.
It was the type of goal that De Bruyne would have been proud of in a career that has seen him score numerous spectacular strikes of his own.
De Bruyne missed a glorious chance to cap his farewell with a goal when missing an open net from close range — shooting against the bar.
“Terrible, terrible,” De Bruyne said of his miss. “There’s no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today.”
Bernardo Silva doubled City’s lead in the 38th and substitute Nico Gonzalez added a third in the 89th. Deniel Jebbison pulled one back for Bournemouth in added time in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
The win saw City bounce back from its FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday. It also means City needs a point in its final game against Fulham on Sunday to all but guarantee Champions League soccer next season, given its superior goal difference to top-five rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa.
After ending the season trophyless for the first time in eight years, City can at least secure the consolation of a place in European club soccer’s top competition.
The loss, however, ended Bournemouth’s slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.
De Bruyne tribute
De Bruyne was fighting back tears as he addressed the crowd after the match and watched a video montage of tributes from club greats on the stadium’s big screen.
He was given a guard of honor by his teammates as he walked to the middle of the field with his wife and three children.
City said it would erect a statue in his honor outside the stadium.
“It means I will always be part of this club,” De Bruyne said. “Whenever I come back with family and friends, I will be able to see myself so I will always be here.”
City also unveiled a mosaic of De Bruyne at the club’s academy and named a road on its campus after him.
The 33-year-old De Bruyne was part of a period of unprecedented success for City, which saw it win 16 major trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He waved to the crowd and City fans serenaded him as he left the field in the second half before embracing Guardiola on the touchline.
“There are players that are unique,” Guardiola said. “In 10 years there are a lot of games, a lot of titles, a lot of moments. Today summarized how much love was there (for him).”
He is the latest City great to have a mural made in his honor, joining Yaya Toure, Joe Hart, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan.
Rodri returns
Rodri returned to action eight months after having surgery on an ACL injury that ruled him out for the majority of the season.
The Ballon d’Or winner came on as a second-half substitute to make his first appearance since being injured against Arsenal on Sept. 22.
His return means he is likely to be available for the Club World Cup in the United States in June and July.
Palace party
There was no hangover for Crystal Palace after Saturday’s FA Cup victory over City.
Eddie Nketiah scored twice in a 4-2 win against Wolves.
Just days after Palace’s win at Wembley secured their first major trophy, the team kept the party going in front of its home fans at Selhurst Park.
Wolves went ahead through Emmanuel Agbadou, but two goals from Nketiah in the space of five minutes in the first half put the home side in front.
Eberechi Eze — who scored the winning goal in the final — was on target again late on.
Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return
- All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes
- Amorim said: “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game”
BILBAO, Spain: Manchester United will have a trio of players back from injury for the Europa League final against Tottenham, coach Ruben Amorim said Tuesday, with Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee all available to come off the bench.
All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes if needed.
“Very good for us,” Amorim said. “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game.”
Matthijs de Ligt will not be available but traveled to Bilbao to support his teammates. Lisandro Martinez is the only other first-team player not available as he remains out with a serious knee injury.
The return of Zirkzee was the biggest surprise as he had initially been ruled out for the season because of a hamstring injury he picked up in April.
“Me neither,” Amorim said when told nobody expected the forward’s return. “They recover quite well. They push, of course, and we have to respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit, as they wanted to be part of the team. That is a very good sign.”
Dalot was nursing a calf injury since April, and Yoro had been out since earlier this month.
United have had a dismal season but are hoping to finish it with a European title. The club are in 16th place in the league standings after 18 defeats, their most in a single campaign since the Premier League began in 1992. They are also certain to register their worst-ever points total in that era, as well as their lowest finish.
Tottenham injuries
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou said midfielder Lucas Bergvall has not recovered from an ankle injury in time for the final. He was with the squad in Bilbao but won’t play.
Midfielder Pape Sarr will be available despite not finishing the league match against Aston Villa on Friday because of a back issue.
Tottenham are in 17th place in the Premier League, having lost 21 times — also a club record in the modern era. The Champions League runner-up in 2019, Tottenham are seeking their first trophy since the 2008 English League Cup.
Klopp to Roma could be a rumor created by amateur sleuths
- The rumor of his imminent arrival stems from a social media post
- Roma owner the Friedkin Group posted a video on Friday celebrating the capital club and its legacy
ROME: Roma fans have been driven into a frenzy by Italian media reports that Jürgen Klopp has agreed to be the team coach from next season.
However, the rumor of his imminent arrival stems from a social media post that some may be reading far too much into.
Roma owner the Friedkin Group posted a video on Friday celebrating the capital club and their legacy.
The video included images of iconic Rome sites: Colosseum (Kolosseum in German), Lupa Capitolina, Olimpico, (St.) Peter’s and Pantheon in that order.
Someone pointed out the starting letters of those words — some in Italian, some in German, some omitting part of the name — spell Klopp. And it spiralled from there.
In the past two days, people on social media have been saying they have spotted former Liverpool coach Klopp, his agent and even his dog in Rome.
Italian newspaper La Stampa proclaimed that Klopp accepted Roma’s offer shortly after the Giallorossi’s final home match of the season on Sunday, when a packed Stadio Olimpico paid tribute to current coach Claudio Ranieri, who is set to depart at the end of the season.
Other media outlets picked up La Stampa’s story, but the same newspaper said on Tuesday that Roma have “categorically denied” the news.
Klopp, who is Red Bull’s head of global soccer, left Liverpool in 2024 after steering the team to seven major trophies over nearly nine years.
The Friedkin Group also owns Liverpool’s city rival, Everton.
