All posts by n8rngtd.top

Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira was reportedly asked to carry out five separate tasks in return for Barcelona's regular payments.

With the so-called Negreira case ongoing, further allegations have been brought before Barcelona. Although a report concluded that there was no link between the club's over €7.3 million payments and on-field refereeing decisions, the club are not out of the woods yet.

Indeed, as reported, the sum that Barcelona paid is well beyond that of the fee likely required to obtain referee scouting reports — which Barcelona insist was the basis of their deal.

The state-appointed prosecutor's official document highlighted some of the favours Barcelona could have received as part of their confidential verbal agreement with refereeing official Enriquez Negreira. However, there are five things that Negreira conceded he did in return for Barcelona's money.

• Rigging of competition committee judges

  The club requested that certain judges were picked for Spain's "competition committee." The board dictates punishment for player sanctions, and can have an influence in adjusting fixture times.

  Negreira pointed out that the Blaugrana could, for example, request that fewer "Madridistas" are on the board, thus giving the club more favourable decisions at the administrative level.

Advertisement

• Setting up a negotiator with the Spanish football federation

  The club reportedly asked Negreira to set up a club representative to the Spanish football federation to assist the relationship between the two parties.

  Such an individual would also keep the club in the loop about any potential disagreements at the administrative level.

• Advanced warning RFEF or CTA visit

  Negreira was asked to notify the club whenever a representative from the football federation or refereeing committee was to be set up.

  This would Barcelona a theoretical advantage in maintaining a good relationship with the league and its referees.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Behind the scenes knowledge of the Spanish FA

  Negreira also accepted payment in return for informing the club of any disagreements between the Spanish football federation and La Liga.

  He was also asked to leak who the candidates for La Liga president might be.

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former West Ham striker Brian Deane has called for Said Benrahma to be given patience at the London Stadium.

The 25-year-old winger recently grabbed his first league goal for the club after what has been a difficult start to life in east London.

After tearing up the Championship last season, much was expected of Benrahma when he joined West Ham.

However, the Algeria international has been in and out of David Moyes’ starting XI and, as already mentioned, only registered his first Premier League strike this month.

Deane, however, does not believe Benrahma should be written off so quickly and has urged for him to be given time.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the former Brentford man, Deane said:

“He’s like [Emiliano] Buendia. He’s that type of player, isn’t he? But in a wide area. Listen, I mean, sometimes you don’t get somebody on fire straight away, but he’s got all the tools.”

Like Benrahma during his final season at Brentford, Buendia absolutely thrived in the Championship this term.

The Argentinian attacker scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists on Norwich City’s way to the title, so it is a fair comparison, with Benrahma doing similar numbers back in 2019/20.

GOAL celebrates the King of Rome's 46th birthday by showcasing the most significant strikes of his storied career.

Few players spend their entire careers at one club. Fewer still manage to spend 24 years at the highest level. Francesco Totti did both. Simply because he was no ordinary player.

He was a genuine phenomenon, 'The Golden Boy' who became 'The Eighth King of Rome'.

Totti made his Roma debut at just 16 years of age. By the time he retired in 2017, he had scored 307 goals in all competitions for his hometown club. He also netted nine times for Italy, whom he helped win the 2006 World Cup.

Below, GOAL runs through his most significant strikes, from the crucial efforts that decided games to the sublime demonstrations of skill that took our breath away…

Enjoy!

• Getty Images
  

  10A high-pressure penalty

  There had been considerable concern over whether Totti would even make it to the 2006 World Cup, having suffered a broken ankle just three months before the tournament kicked off.

  However, despite the forward's lack of game time, Marcello Lippi was never in any doubt about reserving a place in his squad for the No.10. The coach's faith in Totti was fully vindicated.

  Indeed, while there may have been plates and screws in his ankle that had been yet to be removed, he still contributed four assists during Italy's triumphant campaign.

  Totti also scored one crucial goal, showing nerves of still to convert a penalty five minutes into injury time of Italy's last-16 clash with Australia to send his country through to the quarter-finals.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  9Stunning the Santiago Bernabeu

  Real Madrid spent years trying to convince Totti to move to the Spanish capital, and it was easy to understand why.

  He had, after all, masterminded Roma's first ever victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, in the first group stage of the 2002-03 Champions League.

  After Candela had pounced on a loose ball inside his own half, Totti surged forward before waiting until the right moment to release his full-back, who had continued on running down the left flank.

  Candela reached by by-line after dummying one defender and then produced the perfect cut-back for the supporting Totti, who swept the ball home and ran off celebrating with his shirt pulled over his head.

• Getty
  

  8Totti humbles Hart

  On September 30, 2014, Totti became the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history – and he did it in fitting fashion.

  Midway through the first half of a group-stage clash with Manchester City, and Roma trailing to an early penalty from Sergio Aguero, Radja Nainggolan put his captain in on goal.

  Joe Hart came rushing out to narrow the angle but Totti being Totti, he simply dinked the ball over the English goalkeeper to level the game.

  The Italian, who was 38 at the time, then broke his own record just a few weeks later when he struck in a 1-1 draw at CSKA Moscow.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  7'I have purged you again'

  Totti just didn't score memorable goals, he also produced iconic celebrations. Certainly, Roma fans will forever remember the way in which he marked his late goal in a 3-1 win over Lazio in April 1999.

  Totti was still only 22 but he had already become the scourge of Roma's city rivals, so when he sealed a derby win for his side with a thumping finish, he revealed a tee-shirt which famously read, "I have purged you again."

The Uruguayan's moment of madness cost his side dearly as their slow start to the season continued against Crystal Palace at Anfield

Darwin Nunez was sent off on his first Premier League start as Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at Anfield.

The Uruguayan was shown a straight red card after shoving his head into Joachim Andersen, the Palace defender, following a clash 12 minutes into the second half.

Liverpool trailed 1-0 at the time, Wilfried Zaha having given the visitors the lead with a clinical finish from Eberechi Eze’s superb pass after 32 minutes.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side rallied with 10 men and levelled when Luis Diaz cut inside to lash an unstoppable 25-yard strike home in front of the Kop.

Liverpool pushed for a winner, but it was Palace who came closest when Zaha hit the post sliding in to meet Odsonne Edouard’s cross. 

The result means Klopp’s men have now failed to win their first two games of the campaign for the first time since 2012-13, and they head to Old Trafford next to face Manchester United.

• Getty Images
  

  The Winners

  Luis Diaz

  Talk about stepping up in the hour of need. Liverpool were in danger of collapsing completely, 1-0 down and reduced to 10 men after Nunez’s moment of madness. How would they respond?

  The answer was provided by Diaz, who collected the ball on the left and danced his way between three Palace defenders, then cut inside another before smashing a quite brilliant 25-yard strike past Vicente Guaita.

  It was a moment of pure brilliance from the Colombian, and it ignited the crowd, who had been stunned by Nunez’s dismissal and their side’s low-key start to the second half. Diaz is a winner, and his attitude makes him an ideal player for this Liverpool side. 

  They needed all of his spirit and belief here. 

  Eberechi Eze

  The best player on the field was wearing white. Eze put in an outstanding display as Palace left with a point and nearly headed home with three.

  His slide-rule pass created the Eagles' goal for Zaha, and his ability to evade challenges allowed him to glide through midfield and threaten Liverpool's backline throughout.

  Having seen last season ruined by injury, this is a big campaign for the 24-year-old, and he looks ready to seize his opportunity.

  Liverpool’s medical department

  Well, at least they’ll be getting paid plenty of overtime at the moment. We can add Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino to a lengthening absentee list, and Joe Gomez wasn’t deemed fit enough to start the game either.

  A boost is badly needed, whether from Matip or Firmino, Diogo Jota or Ibrahima Konate or Thiago Alcantara. 

  At least they have a full week before their next game, against Manchester United.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  The Losers

  Darwin Nunez

  Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What was the Uruguayan thinking?

  With Liverpool 1-0 down, Anfield edgy and cool heads needed, Nunez did exactly what his side didn’t need him to do. He reacted to a bit of provocation from Joachim Andersen and left the Palace defender in a heap.

  Paul Tierney had no hesitation in showing the red card, and Nunez had to be escorted from the field by James Milner. 

  It cost his side here, and it will cost them in the coming weeks. There will be no Nunez at Old Trafford next week, nor against Bournemouth or Newcastle after that. With resources already stretched, Klopp could well have done without a moment of sheer stupidity from his new big-money centre-forward.

  Hopes for a title race

  Two games in, four points dropped. It feels almost absurd to say, but that looks a long way back, given the standards set at the top of the Premier League in recent years. More worrying, however, is the fact that Liverpool don’t look anything like the team we’ve become so used to seeing, and the fact their injury list is longer than any other side in the league. Without the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate, they are a far weaker proposition – and Manchester City will be delighted by what they’ve seen so far. 

  Joe Gomez

  How’s your luck? Having waited so long for an opportunity to play centre-back in the Premier League, Gomez’s chance looked to have arrived when both Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip were struck down with ill-timed injuries. 

  But a training-ground knock meant Gomez was deemed fit enough only for the bench, and Nat Phillips got the nod instead. 

  Costly for the England international, and for Liverpool too perhaps. A fit Gomez would certainly have been more useful against Palace’s counter-attacking threat, as he showed after replacing Phillips in the second half here.

• Getty Images
  

  Liverpool Ratings: Defence

  Alisson Becker (6/10):

  Well beaten by Zaha for the goal, but denied the same player soon after. Solid after the break.

  Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

  Crisp and incisive with his passing, and carried the fight to Palace with his side down to 10 men, albeit without success.

  Andy Robertson (5/10):

  Unable to make his usual impact and was replaced early by Tsimikas.

  Nat Phillips (5/10):

  Making his first Premier League start since May 2021, he was confident and front-footed but undone by a perfectly-timed Eze pass and Zaha run for Palace’s opener. His passing was a bit too predictable. 

  Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

  Caught a little square for the Palace goal, and mis-kicked a good chance right before half time. Some lovely passes but always kept busy by Zaha.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Midfield

  Fabinho (6/10):

  Was caught out by Eze’s trickery for Palace’s opener and struggled to lock down the midfield. Played some swift forward passes but has had better games than this.

  James Milner (6/10):

  Missed a good early chance but faded after a bright start.

  Harvey Elliott (7/10):

  Bright, fearless and competitive, he was among Liverpool's better players.

The goalkeeper kept Tottenham in it against the Premier League champions though Manchester City still produced three standouts this week

• Getty Images
  

  1Sadio Mane | Liverpool

  Mane was directly involved in both of Liverpool's goals against Southampton, scoring the opener and assisting on the winner delivered by Roberto Firmino.

Advertisement

• 2Teemu Pukki | Norwich City

  Last year's Championship Golden Boot winner Pukki scored a hat-trick for Norwich, netting with three of his six shots on target in the game.

• Getty Images
  

  3Raheem Sterling | Manchester City

  Sterling opened the scoring for Manchester City and also created two chances for his team-mates in the draw against Tottenham.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  4Dani Ceballos | Arsenal

  Ceballos enjoyed his first Arsenal start, assisting on both Gunners' goals against Burnley, having created four chances in the game overall.

Neymar and Dybala lead our Champions League Team of the Round for matchday two after scoring hat-tricks for Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus

• Roman Burki | GK | Borussia Dortmund

  Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund carried their domestic form into Europe on Wednesday, crushing Ligue 1 outfit Monaco 3-0 at Westfalenstadion.

  Burki made five saves during the tie, including a remarkable stop from a long-range Youri Tielemans strike, and was crucial to his side's shut-out.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Joe Gomez | CB | Liverpool

  Virgil van Dijk was singled out as the man to transform Liverpool's defensive problems and Anfield chiefs were forced to fork out £75 million at the start of the year. Over the last handful of fixtures, however, Joe Gomez has been the standout centre-back in Jurgen Klopp's backline.

  The 21-year-old put in another impressive performance away at Napoli in a particularly spiky atmosphere, dampened slightly only by a 90th-minute winner from Lorenzo Insigne.

• Getty
  

  Leonardo Bonucci | CB | Juventus

  Since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, Juventus have kept 23 clean sheets in the Champions League – only Atletico Madrid have kept more in the competition during this period (24).

  A major part of their success at the back on Tuesday during their 3-0 victory over Young Boys was the performance of Leonardo Bonucci. 

  The Italian had 97 touches of the ball during the game and completed more passes than any other player on the pitch (83), while claiming the assist for Paulo Dybala's early strike.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Mats Hummels | CB | Bayern Munich

  Mats Hummels scored his second Champions League goal for Bayern Munich on Tuesday, another header from an Arjen Robben cross, as the Bundesliga title holders were held by Ajax.

  The Germany international was the standout figure in the Bayern backline, completing 92 per cent of his passes – the most of any outfield player to play more than 45 minutes of the game.

The 64-match tournament will be held across 11 cities and 12 stadiums from June 14 to July 15. Goal has the full lowdown on every location…

• Getty
  

  Luzhniki Stadium – Moscow

  Capacity: 80,000

  The Luzhniki Stadium is home to the first game of the tournament on Thursday June 14 between host nation Russia and Saudi Arabia and will ultimately play host to the final on Sunday July 15. It has the largest capacity of all the World Cup 2018 stadia.

  It first opened in 1956 and began refurbishment works to increase its capacity in 2013, with the athletics track removed, stands moved closer to the pitch, and two extra tiers added. The historical outer facade has been kept and incorporated into the new structure.

  After the World Cup, the Luzhniki Stadium will continue to be the home ground for all Russia national team games. 

  Getty

  What games are being played at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow?

  Russia vs Saudi Arabia (June 14)

  Germany vs Mexico (June 17)

  Portugal vs Morocco (June 20)

  Denmark vs France (June 26)

  Round of 16 match 3 (July 1)

  Semi-final 2 (July 11)

  Final (July 15)

Advertisement

• Laurence Griffiths Getty Images
  

  Spartak Stadium – Moscow

  Capacity: 45,000

  Built in 2014, the Spartak Stadium is home to Russian Premier League side Spartak Moscow and was one of four stadiums used in the 2017 Confederations Cup, which was won by Germany.

  The stadium's facade is made up of hundreds of small diamonds representing the Spartak logo and can also be changed depending on whichever team is playing. After the 2018 World Cup, the stadium will be the centre of a new residential development that will be built around it. 

  Getty

  What games are being played at Spartak Stadium in Moscow?

  Argentina vs Iceland (June 16)

  Poland vs Senegal(June 19)

  Belgium vs Tunisia(June 23)

  Serbia vs Brazil(June 27)

  Round of 16 match 8 (July 3)

• Getty Images
  

  St Petersburg Stadium – St Petersburg

  Capacity: 67,000

  Built on the site of the former Kirov Stadium on Krestovsky Island, the St Petersburg Stadium hosted the opening match and final of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

  The seven-storey stadium is one of Russia's most modern arenas. It includes a retractable roof and sliding pitch to be able to host other sporting events.

  Following the World Cup it will continue to be the home of Zenit St Petersburg, as well as hosting concerts and a variety of other sports events. It will also be one of the grounds used in the Euro 2020 finals.

  Getty

  What games are being played at St Petersburg Stadium?

  Morocco vs Iran (June 15)

  Russia vs Egypt (June 19)

  Brazil vs Costa Rica (June 22)

  Nigeria vs Argentina (June 26)

  Round of 16 match 7 (July 3)

  Semi-final 1 (July 10)

  Third-place play-off (July 14)

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Fisht Stadium – Sochi

  Capacity: 48,000

  The Fisht Stadium was originally built for the 2014 Winter Olympics as an indoor arena hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies, before being reconstructed specifically for this year's World Cup. 

  Named after Mount Fisht, the exterior resembles a snow-capped peak and hosted matches during last summer's Confederations Cup.

  During the 2018 World Cup, Sochi will be the Russia national team's training camp and where they've played some of their competitive and friendly matches. 

  Getty

  What games are being played at Fisht Stadium in Sochi?

  Portugal vs Spain (June 15)

  Belgium vs Panama (June 18)

  Germany vs Sweden (June 23)

  Australia vs Peru (June 26)

  Round of 16 match 2 (June 30)

  Quarter-final 4 (July 7)

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane believes his old side should be considering Slavisa Jokanovic for the job in the Bramall Lane dugout.

In their search to replace Chris Wilder, Sheffield United have narrowed down their shortlist to five names, but Jokanovic, 52, is not thought to be included despite being linked to the role.

Current caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom, however, is one name that is currently being considered.

Deane, though, thinks overlooking the former Fulham and Watford boss could be a mistake.

When asked by FFC if Sheffield United have missed a trick by not considering someone who has won Premier League promotion before, the retired Premier League footballer said:

“Yeah, possibly. I think that they needed to react before they have done because it’s like the club is just drifting now.

“I just hope they’ve got a plan in place, to be honest, but there just seems to be a lack of direction right now.”

Given that Jokanovic has taken both Fulham and Watford from the Championship to the Premier League in the past, he certainly looked like a safe bet for Sheffield United.

It seems, however, that the Blades want to go down another route in their quest to make a quick return to English football’s top division.

Many Everton fans have been left to laud an injury update given by Abdoulaye Doucoure before they play Brighton and Hove Albion away on Monday night.

Writing on his official Twitter page, the former Watford ace has revealed that his rehabilitation is going ‘very well’ and added that he is ‘confident’ that he can play again before the end of the 2020/21 term.

Doucoure has missed the Goodison Park faithful’s last four games in total over all competitions, in where the Merseyside club have been knocked out of the FA Cup to Manchester City and have picked up just one point from their last three matches in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, the central midfield player is clearly very important to Carlo Ancelotti’s team, and so it has come as a much welcome relief that he should be back before the end of the season.

Everton fans on Doucoure injury update

These Toffees supporters lauded the injury update on Twitter, with one Blues fan even going as far as to claim that it was ‘fantastic’:

“Get in Abdoulaye. We miss you and you are needed. Get fit soon!!!”

Credit: @ChrisG01

“Great news. We miss you lad, you’ve quickly become a key part of the first team”

Credit: @sunscreemer

“Is right lad”

Credit: @PaulBrownEFC

“Fantastic news”

Credit: @keithsweeney5

“Excellent news, stay strong”

Credit: @1965_donna

“What a day”

Credit: @tombest94

In other news, find out which EFC loanee was slammed for his recent display here!

Many Manchester United fans were left to slam the display of Dan James despite their 1-0 win in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team had it all to do in the second leg after only managing a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the first, but Paul Pogba came up trumps just a couple of minutes after coming on for Marcus Rashford to give his side the win and thus put them safely through into the quarter-final stage.

However, although there were some very good performances in a Red Devils shirt, James flattered to deceive several MUFC supporters.

The former Swansea City man lost out on six of his duels and also failed to record a single shot on target or long ball, while losing possession on no fewer than on 14 separate occasions, the third-most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch (Sofascore).

Manchester United fan reaction to James display

These Man Utd fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far as to compare the Wales international to a ‘Sunday league’ player:

“Man, Dan James made me bald last night. Pulled out a lot of my hair after every stupid decision he made, or pass he didn’t make. #MUFC”

Credit: @OnFaaya

“Daniel James, not United quality! #mufc”

Credit: @ThorsethFillip

“Pogba class when he came on, Fred brilliant 2nd half. Bruno and Dan James awful. But job done, that’s the main thing, and probably just knocked out the best side left in this comp. #MUFC”

Credit: @dink2k5

“Dan James must be bribing someone. How is he playing? #MUFC”

Credit: @Jamewalte

“What is Dan James and what is it’s purpose? #MUFC”

Credit: @lsr1988

“James and Fred are definitely Sunday league players – they don’t appreciate the shirt, the club and @ManUtd. They are both lucky to be playing for #MUFC. Pogba showed he is class! Still poor game management from Ole. Ole is right Cup can cover the cracks.”

Credit: @Sauba_Oumesh

In other news, find out which Premier League ace United are interested in signing here!