Maldini and Boban return to AC Milan

After parting with Leonardo and coach Gennaro Gattuso, Ivan Gazidis began to rebuild AC Milan’s leadership and the two most famous names were invited: Paolo Maldini as Technical Director, and Zvonimir Boban as the club’s football commission head.

The icon of AC Milan, Paolo Maldini replaced Leonardo’s role, when the Brazilian legend will return to former club Paris Saint-Germain.

Zvonimir Boban, who played for AC Milan from 1991 to 2001, left FIFA when he gave up his position as Deputy Secretary General to return to AC Milan.

Maldini used to be Milan’s development manager and sports strategy but CEO Ivan Gazidis felt Maldini was the right man to replace Leonardo. “Paolo is the embodiment of quality and value to build a foundation for Milan club. I am very happy to have him lead the club’s sports field,” he said on the club’s website.

“For him, we will be able to build a modern club, founded by the highest quality professionals. It will be a journey we will pursue together to achieve a full project which is challenging and engaging, a project that requires great energy and dedication ”.

“I believe Paolo will show his experience, vision and leadership. Paolo is an integral part of AC Milan and knows how to succeed. He will be a reference point who is important for everyone “.

Boban and Maldini will work closely together, with former teammates reuniting as the Rossoneri coach.

Boban expressed: “I am very happy to be able to return to my beloved Milan and I will contribute to bringing it back to the right place. Milan must be a top club and a winning team, because this is unique in the history of the club and that is the nature of the fans and their passion, I will devote myself to this reason and the color of the Rossoneri.

Abandoning the position of FIFA Deputy Secretary-General to become the club’s “manager of football” is a step back and unacceptable, but Boban said: “When Paolo called me to ask if I could play the role or not, I jumped into the car and rushed to his house in Milan in the middle of the night. ”

“After talking to Ivan and the club, everything is clear. And I am here, in my city, in my club, I love and in a land that has given me a lot. I hope I can repay the place where I trust “.

Milan are still looking for Gennaro Gattuso‘s successor as coach, but they are expected to appoint coach Marco Giampaolo from Sampdoria.

By famous players , , Leave a Comment

Amazing stories from Copa America (part 1)

Since being established in 1916, Copa America has become one of the world’s most remarkable football tournaments. Besides the fierce competition of the top teams, Copa America has witnessed some interesting events over the century.

Here are five amazing stories from the Copa America.

1. Hatred Argentina – Uruguay

The most famous competition in international football is between Brazil and Argentina. But when it comes to Copa America, Argentina considers Uruguay as their biggest rivals for several reasons. These are the two most successful teams in Copa America (Argentina has 14 tittles and Uruguay, 15). However, their rivalry in the tournament started in 1930.

In the first FIFA World Cup, Uruguay defeated Argentina in the final 4-2. The Argentinians were annoyed that the referee favored the host team. The rage was so high that in Argentina, the crowd of extremist fans threw stones at the Uruguayan consulate.

The enmity between the two football federations grew, causing Copa America to be suspended for 6 years. It was not until 1935 that the new Copa America was reorganized. And once again, the Argentinians hated when they lost 0-3 to Uruguay in the final match. The encounter between Uruguay and Argentina always become the focal point of the tournament, where the fans screamed loudly while the players rolled into each other like beasts. In the 15 times Uruguay became the champion, there are up to 10 times the runner up was Argentina. Therefore, in the eyes of Argentina, Uruguay is their first rival.

2. The shock named Honduras at the Copa America 2001

Argentina’s withdrawal from the 2001 edition due to security threats helped Brazil be considered as an absolute power in the tournament held in Colombia. But the biggest shock in Copa America history happened when Felipe Scolari’s men were eliminated by guest team Honduras.

Brazil was the current World Cup runner-up. Although they did not bring the strongest team to the Copa America 2001, they still had many stars like Juninho Pernambucano, Emerson, Denilson, Mario Jardel, Juliano Belletti. Whereas, Honduras is just considered a “road team”.

After suddenly passing the group stage, Honduras confronted Brazil in the quarter-finals. The team in CONCACAF region made Selecao stunned with the speed-up shots. Honduras took the lead through a deflected goal after a goalless first half. The Brazilians’ misery was complete when Honduras scored again at the death. This match has been always remembered as the greatest upset in the tournament’s history.

By Football news , ,

Arsenal is about to lose Sampdoria star to AC Milan

With a limited budget, Arsenal will likely have to give up the pursuit of the Danish center-back this summer.

In an effort to strengthen the defense, Arsenal have targeted Joachim Andersen. The 23-year-old midfielder made great progress this season, when he made 34 appearances in Serie A, making a big contribution to Sampdoria’s time to compete for a European ticket. Knowing the interest of The Gunners and many other “big men” across Europe, President Massimo Ferrero made a bid for the Danish midfielder. Accordingly, the team who wants to own Andersen will have to spend 22 million euros.

Although he really wants to own a 23-year-old boy, but Unai Emery coach does not have too much money to spend in the summer market. The Arsenal leadership also transferred to Genoa for a € 42 million offer but not only for Joachim Andersen but also Dennis Praet. Of course, Sampdoria refused straightaway.

The Gunners’ hesitation will most likely cost them. AC Milan is also ready to jump into the race to sign the Danish midfielder. The Rossoneri are still looking for at least one midfielder after saying goodbye to Cristian Zapata, Mattia Caldara is still in serious injury and Mateo Musacchio’s form is not stable.

Besides the money factor, the coach Marco Giampaolo is expected to move to lead AC Milan also makes Joachim Andersen’s psychology disturbed. Recently, in an interview with EkstraBladet, the 23-year-old said:

“I know that Giampaolo left for media and was happy to have worked with him. However, I was also a little disappointed. Reuniting with Marco? I can’t say anything about my future. but AC Milan is a great team. “

Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck and Stephan Lichtsteiner have announced their farewell to Arsenal this summer. Therefore, the team is led by Unai Emery coach who is planning to buy in order to strengthen the force next season. However, being unable to attend the Champions League will make this team unable to violate UEFA’s financial justice laws. Under that circumstance, selecting Sampdoria’s couple is considered suitable for the club’s budget.

By football clubs , , Leave a Comment

Liverpool and the most memorable Champions League season in history

The final match between Liverpool and Tottenham cannot change the truth when the 2018/19 Champions League is the most attractive in the history flow of this prestigious tournament.

After 10 years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are no longer taking over the Champions League. Liverpool is a game changer with Juergen Klopp’s unrelenting boom. However, that is not the only imprint of the UEFA Champions League 2018/19.

Liverpool va mua giai Champions League dang nho nhat lich su hinh anh 4

It is impossible to talk about the Champions League in 2018/19 but ignore the incredible comeback. This is the season that deserves to go down in history with many memorable emotions. Choking scenarios take place continuously, directly pushing the world into a real roller coaster in the knockout round.

On March 6, 2019, no one imagined Ole Solskjaer’s Manchester United could turn against PSG after losing 0-2 at the eighth round in the table to determine Marcus’s 90 and 3 minute score. Rashford. What is the most dramatic thing here?

The answer is that Rashford has never scored 11m before in a professional career. So the number 10 of MU dare to perform and defeat goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Stress, daring, arguing and risking the match at the Parc des Princes became the undeniable highlight of the Champions League 2018/19.

Nearly a week after the wonderful night at the Parc des Princes, the whole European stage moved to Juventus’ Allianz Stadium, where Cristiano Ronaldo showed himself to be the king of Europe’s most prestigious arena with a hat-trick to help Juventus going upstream, thereby knocking Atletico Madrid 3-0 to continue after losing 0-2 in the first leg.

Liverpool va mua giai Champions League dang nho nhat lich su hinh anh 5

The semi-finals continue to be climbing climbers not for the faint of heart. Liverpool was destroyed at the Camp Nou after Leo Messi’s perfect night with a score of 3-0. Leave it at Anfield, where defender Andrew Robertson wrote on They Player’s Tribune that he “felt sorry for those who had to go there”, Liverpool crushed Barca 4-0 to advance to the final.

Spurs need 45 minutes of the second half of the second leg in the Netherlands to turn every effort and advantage of Ajax’s three goals into a cup. A hat-trick with Moura’s goal in the final minute of the second half brought Tottenham into the first Champions League final in history.

By Football news, Main , ,

Lionel Messi’s middle son cheers for Real Madrid to annoy his brother



Lionel Messi has confessed that his three-year-old son Mateo cheers for Real Madrid to annoy his brother Tiago. When it comes to his football allegiance, he chooses to take a contrarian position.

Messi said that sometimes the television was on and his son Mateo cheered Madrid’s goals to make his brother Tiago get annoyed.

Maeo enjoys winding up several of his family members, not only his brother Tiago. Messi’s middle son has even made fun of him over recent collapse of Barcelona against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. He also said with a laugh that when he was playing at home and was going for a kick-about with Mateo, his son said to him that “You’re Barca and I’m Liverpool, because I’ll beat you’. He’s got a lot to learn,” .

Messi has played down his country’s chances of winning the tournament and is getting ready to represent Argentina at the Copa America in Brazil.

The 31-year-old football star has twice reached the final of the competition, in 2015 and in 2016, however, they were beaten by Chile on penalties on both occasions.

 Having contested four of the past five finals, however, Argentina have lost all of them and their last continental triumph came back in 1993 in Ecuador. And Messi is not convinced that they will be challenging in 2019 because  he believes that the squad is undergoing a transition. He said that Argentina was going through a process of change, but they went with the same excitement as always.

Messi admits he is still feeling the frustration with Barcelona’s treble dreams having dashed in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Despite their victory at La Liga, a shock 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the UEFa Champions League semi-final’s second leg saw them crash out of Europe, while they were beaten by Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.

In spite of those disappointments, Messi has felt good in the Argentina camp with Nicaragua on Saturday.

By famous players , ,

The UEFA Champions League final overview


Who is in the final?

Tottenham booked their place with a famous comeback against Ajax on Wednesday, and Liverpool did likewise with Barcelona on the day before.

When does it take place?

The final match will be held on Saturday 1st June, kicking off at 21:00CET. This is the 10th successive season of the UEFA Champions League that the final has taken place at the weekend.

Where is it being played?

The Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, the capital of Spain, will stage the fixture. The venue was officially opened in September 2017 and is the home of Atlético Madrid, replacing the former home of the club, the Estadio Vicente Calderón.

Can I get tickets?

The first 4,000 tickets have been sold to fans all around the world via the website UEFA.com. Each of the two clubs through to the final receives 17,000 tickets and the remaining ones are allocated to the UEFA and national associations, local organizing committee, commercial partners and broadcasters.

How can I watch the final?

The list of all global UEFA Champions League broadcast partners is available here.

What about the Champions Festival?

The UEFA Champions Festival will take place from Thursday 30 May until Sunday 2 June in central Madrid.

It is free to attend the festival, which will be the place for entertainment around the final, including the UEFA Ultimate Champions Tournament with a host of UEFA Champions League greats; as well as freestylers, bands, DJs, autograph signing sessions, and the chance to take your photo with the trophy.

Who is the final referee?

Referee Damir Skominab from Slovenia will take charge of the final and will be assisted by his countrymen Robert Vukan and Jure Praprotnik.

Who will be performing at the opening ceremony?

Imagine Dragons will live perform at the opening ceremony of the final, presented by Pepsi. Well-known for smash hits like Radioactive, Believer, and Thunder, the Grammy Award-winning group will perform at the stage minutes before kick-off. The 2019 opening ceremony will offer a level of production that has never been seen before at a UEFA Champions League final.

By Football news , ,

Frank Lampard Claims Derby’s Overturned Penalty Was Like ‘Human VAR’


Frank Lampard, Derby boss, described the decision of referee Craig Pawson to overturn a penalty awarded to his side in their playoff defeat against Leeds as ‘like human VAR’.

After the play-off semi-final first leg between Derby County and Leeds United, this is an advantage to Marcelo Bielsa’s men. With a goal from Kemar Roofe enough to secure the win, Leeds came away from Pride Park with a 1-0 advantage.

Inside the final 15 minutes of the match, under the challenge of winger Jack Harrison, Rams full-back Jayden Bogle went to ground, with Craig Pawson immediately pointing to the spot. However, amid Leeds’ incensed appeals, after consulting with linesman Eddie Smart Pawson overturned his decision and instead awarded a free-kick in favor of Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

It was a moment which could have quite clearly changed the result of the game. Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle at Pride Park, Frank Lampard aired his frustrations at the conclusion of the officials.

He said: “I’m not sure if it’s a penalty – I think it’s one of those you can get or not get. The referee gave it, but the linesman has decided it was clear enough to not be a penalty. It’s like human VAR, but with the actual VAR, the only way they turn decisions, as you hear from the rules, is if it’s a clear and obvious challenge. It wasn’t – I can’t understand it.”

“I’m not standing here and saying it was a clear penalty; I’ve looked at it and it’s probably right in the middle. Bogle has got his leg across, there’s not huge contact, but enough that he’s in front of him before he gets there.”

“But for the linesman to decide by himself and for the referee to accept that decision, making him completely wrong, is really difficult to understand. The linesman will say he thought it wasn’t [clear], but the referee gave it, so work that one out.”

The Rams didn’t succeed in registering a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. Naturally, Lampard felt there was room for improvement ahead of the second leg on Wednesday, which is live on Sky Sports Football.

He added: “I don’t think we did enough. I thought, in the early parts of the game, we were good, created a couple of chances and we were positive. When I spoke before the game, I said that Leeds were favorites because of where they are in the league and because they are experienced.”

“Their team has been building for a few years, they have players that have been here in this league for years and, for the majority of our players, it’s their first proper season in this league.”

By Football news , ,

The fairy tale ends not behind with Ajax

True fate of fate with Ajax. After Greece, Leicester City, Iceland, thought Ajax had created a fairy tale. If the matches are only decided after 45 minutes, Ajax has done the same thing as Leicester City once shocked the world.

The young Ajax players collapsed on the Johan Cruyff Arena. Red eyes appeared on the stands. People do not believe in what is on the field. The army was led boy coach Erik ten Hag with score 3-0 in the match, but was removed with score 3-3 and officially stopped playing.

Ten Hag is dumbfounded outside the border. Frankie de Jong stared blankly at the celebrating Tottenham Hotspur players. Captain Matthijs de Ligt collapsed on the field. Ajax lost many matches, but this defeat was too bitter. No one swallowed this result.

Ajax played very well in the first 45 minutes. Their football is still devoted, vibrant and makes people love this team, even if it is a neutral fan. When Hakim Ziyech raised the score to 2-0 for homeowners, dreams came to Ajax. All thought of Madrid, where the final met Liverpool.

But the Champions League has no place for dreams, this is a game of faith. Spurs exploded to create a spectacular upstream. Ajax shot himself. Robert Alberts analyzed: “Ajax has forgotten about football as its brand. They are too reckless. This is what happened to Barca.”

When Dele Alli threatened the homeowner’s goal with a close-range finish at the beginning of the second half, the English team began to see opportunities flashed. Ajax crafts are not solid walls. They hit the gap of the midfield pair and the squad was constantly rising.

Lucas Moura’s goal was shortened to the nightmare for Ajax. The mentality of young players becomes shaky. Goalkeeper André Onana caught the ball with uncertain and assertive hands. The second goal came as usual. At this time, Ajax clearly revealed the nature of a young football team and lacked the bravery to solve the match.

By Main

Casillas may have to retire after a heart attack

Doctors warn Iker Casillas may never play top football again because of the severity of the incident.

In Mid-week, in Porto’s training session, the famous goalkeeper that’s Casillas veteran had to go to emergency at the hospital because of heart failure. After the surgeon and care, the legendary Spanish goalkeeper returned to a stable state and gradually recovered.

However, the time to Casillas back to the yard is still a big question mark, but Porto goalkeeper needs at least 3 months of rest. Even some doctors call for Casillas to be cautious and give advice that he should hang shoes to ensure safety for his life.

“We have to wait and see how Casillas regained his body and then study the strict medical tests he has to go through. If his heart returns to normal activities he can continue to play football, ”said Dr. Jose Gonzalez, one of the participants for Casillas.

Meanwhile, cardiologist Jose Calabuig is more optimistic: “If there is no sequelae, Casillas’s high heart will return to normal activities in about 3-6 months. If everything is fine, He can be returned to play ball “.

However, Dr. Calabuig also warned that if Casillas had to set up a pacemaker, this Spanish goalkeeper would not be able to continue playing.

Topping the list of players with the most handsome appearance in the world is Iker Casillas – a talented goalkeeper who has been pushed by Real Madrid to Porto after 25 years of devoting himself to “White Vulture”. “Saint Iker” was born on May 20, 1981.

Although Casillas is 39 years old, he still retains his youthful face and his eyes are elegant and friendly but still full of masculinity, so it is not difficult to understand when he was voted as the world’s most charming player.

By Main , ,