football news

Champions League: Thibaut Courtois to start for Real Madrid in final, says Carlo Ancelotti

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti announced on Friday that Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will start in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday. This announcement ends weeks of speculation regarding the team’s goalkeeping position. Courtois, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, has made a remarkable comeback after a lengthy injury absence due to a torn ACL suffered last August. Since his return, he has started in five matches, demonstrating his exceptional skills and form. The Belgian’s return presented Ancelotti with a difficult decision, as Andriy Lunin, who stepped in during Courtois’s absence, performed admirably. The Ukrainian goalkeeper was instrumental in Real Madrid’s LaLiga title campaign and played a crucial role in their dramatic penalty shootout victory against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals. “Lunin has had the flu and will travel from Madrid tomorrow. He is fine, but tomorrow he will be on the bench. Courtois will play,” Ancelotti told a press conference at Wembley on Friday. Ancelotti admitted that his club is aware that they are considered heavy favourites against a Dortmund team that finished fifth in the Bundesliga this season. However, the Italian stated that he and his players were experienced enough not to fall into the trap of being overconfident. “A final is the most important match, but also the most dangerous. You have to enjoy being here, and we’re going to do that, but then there’s the worry that something could go wrong,” Ancelotti added. “You feel that winning the Champions League is very close and you’re afraid that it might slip away. The important thing is that we know that we have to do everything very well, have a bit of luck and never give up.” Modric agreed, stating that the Spanish team, which includes himself, Toni Kroos, Nacho, and Dani Carvajal, is focused and has shut out the clamour on Saturday as they attempt to equal Real Madrid great Paco Gento’s record six European Cup triumphs. “Everyone is saying that we’re the favourites, but it’s not like that, I see a 50-50,” Modric said. “Dortmund are a big club, they have had a great season in the Champions League and they will make it very difficult for us. We need concentration and to demonstrate on the field that we are capable of beating them.” Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: May 31, 2024

Italy great Leonardo Bonucci retires from professional football

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

World Cup-winner Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci retired from professional football at the age of 37 on Wednesday. The defender, who joined Fenerbahçe in the January transfer window following an ill-fated transfer to Union Berlin last summer, played his last match against Istanbulspor, which his team won 6-0. “It was a pleasure for me to be a part of this wonderful family. I tried to show my best on and off the field, but most importantly, we will fight our last battle tomorrow. I want to finish my career with a cup, and we have a chance to become champions tomorrow,” Bonucci told Fenerbahce in its official statement. He concluded his words by saying, “I thank everyone.” “I have personally seen in him many times what a leader should be like. I thank him very much for always being there for the team on and off the field, said Hakan Yandas, one of Fenerbahce’s captains. BONUCCI’s GLORIOUS CAREER Bonucci began his professional journey with Inter Milan in 2005. Despite limited appearances for the Nerazzurri, he demonstrated significant potential, leading to loan spells at Treviso and Pisa, where he honed his skills. It was his move to Bari in 2009 that truly marked the beginning of his rise. Partnering with Andrea Ranocchia, Bonucci’s performances under the tutelage of coach Gian Piero Ventura caught the attention of Juventus, who secured his services in 2010. ðèð®ð¹ Leonardo Bonucci retires from professional football, decision made. Former Juventus and Italian NT defender leaves after last season at Fenerbahçe. “Bonucci and Chiellini… they could go to Harvard University to give classes about how to be a CB”, Mourinho said in 2018. pic.twitter.com/e6g1IVFo6B — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2024 Bonucci’s tenure at Juventus stands as the cornerstone of his career. Over 12 seasons with the Bianconeri, he made over 400 appearances and won a staggering array of titles, including nine Serie A championships, four Coppa Italia trophies, and five Supercoppa Italiana titles. His partnership with Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli in Juventus’ defense, famously known as the “BBC,” became legendary, forming one of the most formidable defensive units in football history. His time at Juventus was briefly interrupted by a high-profile transfer to AC Milan in 2017, where he was appointed captain. However, Bonucci returned to Juventus just a year later, reaffirming his commitment to the club where he achieved his greatest successes. Bonucci’s contributions to the Italian national team are equally noteworthy. Earning his first cap in 2010, he amassed over 100 appearances for the Azzurri. He played a crucial role in Italy’s journey to the UEFA Euro 2012 final and was instrumental in their triumph at UEFA Euro 2020. His performance in the Euro 2020 final, including a crucial equalizing goal and a successful penalty in the shootout against England, exemplified his tenacity and composure under pressure. Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: May 30, 2024

Bayern Munich unveil Vincent Kompany as new head coach after horrid 2023-24 season – India TV

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

Image Source : GETTY Vincent Kompany during Burnley’s EPL 2023-24 game against Tottenham Hotspur in London on May 11, 2024 Bayern Munich ended their brief search for a new head coach by signing the Belgian legend Vincent Kompany as the manager on Wednesday, May 29. The German giants suffered one of their worst seasons in the Bundesliga in 2023-24 and are set to revive their form with a new coach for the 2024-25 season. Kompany’s appointment came as a shock as the Belgian suffered an embarrassing relegation with Burnley in the English Premier League. Burnley managed to win just five matches in 38 games this season to finish 19th in the points table. The former Manchester City and Belgium captain will replace Thomas Tuchel at Allianz Arena. According to an ESPN report, Kompany has penned a three-year contract with 33-time Bundesliga winners in a total deal of $12.7 million. “We’re delighted to have brought in Vincent Kompany to FC Bayern,” Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director said. “We were immediately on the same page in our discussions with him. He clearly showed us how much the job at FC Bayern appeals to him and that he is keen to take it on. Vincent Kompany is hungry and brings everything to the table: as a player, he was already a leading figure in top international football and is also leading the way as a coach.” The Bavarian club decided to part ways with Thomas Tuchel in February this year as they suffered a dreadful 2023-24 season. Bayern’s nine-season winning streak ended as they finished third in the Bundesliga points table with 23 wins in 34 matches, 18 points behind new champions Bayer Leverkusen who went unbeaten. Bayern Munich ended their 2023-24 season with a shock 4-2 away defeat against Hoffenheim and were knocked out by Real Madrid in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Bayern were left embarrassed by the third-tier side FC Saarbrucken in the second round of the German Cup in November last year.