The managerial merry-go-round is in full swing, with some high-profile exits and appointments reportedly close to coming to fruition. One of those involves Zinedine Zidane, who has stepped down from his role at Real Madrid. It was rather uncharacteristic of Los Blancos to finish the season without any trophies. However, with Atletico Madrid beating them to the league title and Chelsea knocking them out of the UEFA Champions League, they did achieve that grim feat. As it happened, it was the first time in eleven years that the Madrid-based club had ended the season without any silverware. As if witnessing their rivals win trophies wasn’t bad enough,…
Author: 1X Team
A Zlatan Ibrahimovic-less side will take on Finland in their penultimate friendly match before the Euros. Both Sweden and Finland will take part in this summer’s competition and will be hoping to make it through to the knockout stage, at least. No Ibra, no problem? Much fanfare followed the announcement that Zlatan was to return to the national team set up in April. Sweden called their talisman back to the senior squad after leaving him out for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Ibrahimovic’s return, and the subsequent joy, was short-lived as the veteran was ruled out of the Euros with an…
The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League final will be an all-blue affair with England’s Manchester City taking on Chelsea. Pep Guardiola-led City are looking to win the first UCL trophy in their history. Chelsea, in turn, are hoping to win it the second time, after laying their hands on the prize in 2012 initially. City come into the match as the champions of England. They won the league for the third time in four years earlier this month, beating rivals Manchester United to the crown. Guardiola has overseen one of the most successful modern spells at any English club over the last five…
Chelsea allowed the Brazilian to leave the club last summer on a free transfer, following which he signed for their rivals Arsenal. However, a far from a productive season at the Emirates could push him back to Chelsea. According to a report by Sky Sports, Willian is keen on a return to Chelsea, less than a year after leaving them for Arsenal. The Brazilian was released by the Blues after a contract deadlock, and the Gunners, subsequently, signed him on a free transfer. However, he is expected to leave the Emirates after just one year into his three-year deal. The…
Nine of the twelve clubs withdrew their names from the Super League due to the widespread criticism that followed. Only three remained firm – Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus – who could now pay the price for their insubordination. UEFA has begun proceedings against the three rebellious Super League clubs, the organization announced. Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus – the only clubs still standing after the Super League fiasco – are now at risk of a two-year ban from UEFA competitions, including the Champions League. “Following an investigation conducted by UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspectors in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project, disciplinary…
Real Madrid winger is considering retiring from football after the conclusion of the Euros – a report suggests. The Welshman enjoyed a productive return to Tottenham last season, but is due to return to the Spanish capital on loan expiry. As the dust settled on the final matchday of the 2020/21 Premier League season, it came to notice that Bale had saved the season for both Spurs and Chelsea. His late brace against Leicester on the final day of the campaign helped Ryan Mason’s team beat the Foxes and subsequently finish seventh in the league – enough to secure a…
The DFB has announced former Bayern head coach will take over from Joachim Low as the head coach of the men’s after the 2020 UEFA Euro. Low had announced his decision to step down from his role earlier this year, with his former assistant now confirmed as his successor. Flick was previously involved with the national team from 2006 till 2014, during which time he served as the assistant to Joachim Low. He helped Low and Co to win the World Cup in his final year with the national team. “Everything happened very quickly, especially signing the contract, but I’m…
Gareth Southgate revealed his provisional squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro. Seven players will get cut from the final squad, although the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ollie Watkins have been called up for now. Alexander-Arnold makes the England squad ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 – for now. The Liverpool star was included in the expanded 33 man squad after Southgate decided to delay the final announcement to a later date. Apart from Alexander-Arnold, the biggest surprise of the squad announcement was the inclusion of Brighton’s Ben White and Everton’s Ben Godfrey. The center-back pairing was picked over some of their more experienced positional peers, such as Lewis…
Turkey will take on Azerbaijan in their first preparation match for the 2020 UEFA Euro. They are drawn in Group A of the competition alongside Italy, Switzerland, and Wales. As part of their training camp, Turkey will take on Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland, and Moldova in friendly matches. Turkish players across Europe’s top leagues had a good end to their respective seasons. Burak Yilmaz, Mehmet Zeki Çelik, and Yusuf Yazici won the league title in France. Hakan Calhanoglu qualified for the Champions League with Milan, Caglar Soyuncu lifted the FA Cup with Leicester for the first time in their history. The Turkish national team stock has been boosted consequently, with some even seeing the team as one…
Lille’s title triumph in France did not go unnoticed. As expected, top European clubs have taken an interest in signing several of their key players. Barcelona and AC Milan have already made their moves to bring in a couple of their stars. According to Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan are close to signing Lille’s title-winning goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The Frenchman is marked to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal for the Rossoneri, who is expected to depart this summer on contract expiry. Juventus target the young goalkeeper who has been playing professional football since the age of 16. Donnarumma made his 250th appearance for Milan in the penultimate game…