Month: March 2023

Ronald Koeman is targeting “as many goals as possible” in Monday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against minnows Gibraltar to get his side’s heavy loss to France out of their system.

The Netherlands were thumped 4-0 by Les Bleus on Friday in their opening Group B match and the first game of Koeman’s second spell in charge of the national side.

Oranje have a quick turnaround in games as they welcome Gibraltar – ranked 200th in the world – to De Kuip three days after such a crushing loss, and Koeman is hoping for a big victory.

“From the first minute until the 97th we must do everything to score as many goals as possible,” he said at Sunday’s pre-match press conference. “We have to keep going.

“We know Gibraltar will defend with a lot of men, but hopefully we can get a quick goal. Our attacking line-up will be very important.”

Koeman opted for a 4-3-3 formation against France and, while not ruling out a switch to 5-3-2 against certain sides, he has faith in the current system.

“The France game was a one-off,” he said. “I have no doubt for a second that we should have done things differently in the last game. It will get better; I am convinced of that.

“It will take time before we see what we want. This is what we have training sessions for.”

The Netherlands’ loss to France was only their second by a four-goal margin against any opponent in the past 60 years, the other also coming against Les Bleus in August 2017.

Defender Nathan Ake, who played a full part at the Stade de France, revealed he and his team-mates spoke openly about the defeat after the match.

“We discussed what needs to be improved,” he said. “We had to reflect and you also have to speak plain language and just tell each other the truth.”

Koeman added: “This group is self-critical and a number of things were said. What we discussed mainly was our build-up play and the intensity of our play – it was too slow.

“That was the biggest disappointment, particularly as we worked on it in training.”

Bayern Munich are adamant they were not at fault as Thomas Tuchel’s appointment was reported before previous head coach Julian Nagelsmann had been sacked.

Nagelsmann was said to have learned of his departure through the media while skiing in Austria this week.

The news first broke on Thursday but was not made official for another 24 hours, by which point Tuchel had formally agreed to take the Bayern job.

However, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic appeared on SPORT1’s STAHLWERK Doppelpass on Sunday and defended the club’s position.

“We met [with Tuchel] on Tuesday, had a very good conversation,” Salihamidzic said. “And on Wednesday and Thursday, we negotiated with Thomas’ managers.

“On Thursday evening, we learned that the information had been leaked by a third party. We really couldn’t help it.

“I don’t know who that was [behind the leak] – certainly from the other side. We behaved fairly. As fair as you can be in this business.

“The first person we called on Thursday was Julian Nagelsmann. You don’t share such a decision on the phone. That’s why we met the next day at Sabener Strasse. We waited until there was a commitment from Thomas Tuchel.”

Indeed, although the leak looked “bad”, the Bayern chief explained why it was not possible to dismiss Nagelsmann before putting a deal in place with Tuchel.

“It came out before Thomas Tuchel agreed, so I wouldn’t have been able to call Julian yet,” Salihamidzic said.

“I couldn’t have told him, ‘we’re talking to Thomas now, but if he doesn’t want to, you’ll go ahead’.

“Of course, it’s bad that this comes out beforehand, but that’s not our fault.”

Now, Bayern are looking forward to a future with Tuchel, even if he has had strained relationships with bosses at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

Disputes have often centred around transfer business, but the Bundesliga champions are ready to back Tuchel.

“With Julian Nagelsmann, we entered the transfer market together and discussed everything. We will do the same with Thomas Tuchel,” Salihamidzic said.

“The coach’s ideas are important, he has to transfer them to the team. We have let Julian be Julian and will also let Thomas Tuchel be Thomas Tuchel.”

Jordon Garrick fired Sky Bet League One bottom side Forest Green to a shock 1-0 win over promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday at the New Lawn.

Garrick poked home a low cross from the right in the 35th minute to give Duncan Ferguson’s men the lead after a dominant first-half display from Rovers.

Second-placed Wednesday came close to equalising in the 67th minute but Lee Gregory was denied by the combined efforts of Ross Doohan and Udoka Godwin-Malife.

Doohan pulled off a fine save to repel Marvin Johnson as time ticked away, with Rovers recording a first win since December and their first under boss Ferguson, who replaced Ian Burchnall in late January. They are, however, 11 points from safety.

The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed an interest in appointing Carlo Ancelotti as the next head coach of the national side.

Brazil are yet to name a permanent successor to Tite, who left following a quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Qatar, with the role likely to be filled at the end of the season.

Ancelotti remains contracted with Real Madrid until the completion of the 2023-24 season, but the Italian has been heavily touted to take the reins of the South American giants, with players among those talking up the possibility.

Ednaldo Rodrigues admitted he was the favourite among supporters and players, while acknowledging he was the confederation’s main target.

“Ancelotti is unanimously respected among players. Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr but all those that have played for him,” he told Reuters.

“I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how constant his work is. He needs no introductions. He is really a top coach who he has several achievements, and we hope he can have even more.

“Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite, but it seems the fans’ too. Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about.

“They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career.

“Let’s have faith in God, wait for the appropriate time and we’ll see if we can make it happen as we look for the new coach of the Brazilian national team.”

However, despite the abundance of praise and appeal of hiring Ancelotti, Rodrigues made it clear no formal approach has taken place and called for patience in the hunt for a new boss.

“We will be very ethical in our approach and respect the contracts that are in place. We also greatly respect the work that is done by any coach and his club to get there and make any kind of approach, it would be a lack of respect for the president of the clubs in question,” he added.

“Therefore, we have the patience to wait for the right moment so that we can hold these conversations.

“Nothing is really defined yet to say the name [of the next coach] for sure, but it’s within this line, you understand? We need a coach who has the players’ respect and admiration.”

Manchester City handed Chelsea only their second Women’s Super League defeat of the season to draw level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table. 

Fine first-half finishes from Filippa Angeldahl and Lauren Hemp in the first half earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory for City as the defending champions offered little in front of goal. 

Emma Hayes’ Blues, who claimed a big Champions League victory over Lyon in midweek, now sit in third place.

But while the Londoners are a point behind the two Manchester sides, they do have a game in hand on both.

With the momentum in the title race shifting once again, former England midfielder Fara Williams was impressed by what she saw from City. 

Speaking on BBC One, she said: “It leaves the WSL title race wide open. Man City have moved themselves from fourth into second.

“It’s a massive three points. They’re on a roll, this Manchester City team. 

“After the opening two games, they have gone unbeaten. They know nobody is talking about them so they are just doing the work on the ground here.”

Everton and England midfielder Izzy Christiansen was equally impressed. 

She told BBC Radio Five Live: “City completely outclassed Chelsea in the first half. 

“They have capitalised after Chelsea spent midweek travelling to Lyon in the Champions League. This is a massive win in the WSL title race.”

A poor clearance from Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger paved the way for the opener in the 21st minute as Hemp found Angeldahl, who picked out the top corner for her first WSL goal. 

Nine minutes later it was two, Hemp applying the finishing touch with a volley lashed into the corner with the outside of her left foot after Chelsea failed to clear a cross. 

The visitors tried to apply pressure after the break but were unable to create a real chance until stoppage time, when Melanie Leupolz volleyed over. 

And their miserable day was compounded by an injury to Erin Cuthbert, who limped off the pitch in tears.

Manchester City attacker Phil Foden has undergone surgery to remove his appendix.

England confirmed the news on Sunday, ruling Foden out of the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine.

City subsequently announced that Foden would definitely miss next Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Foden, who came on as a substitute in England’s win over Italy on Thursday but lasted only 12 minutes, had been suffering from acute appendicitis.

No firm timescale has been given for the 22-year-old’s return, though the UK National Health Service (NHS) guidance recommends at least a two-week recovery period.

Foden has scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 36 appearances for City this season.

Nicolo Zaniolo hit out at Roma for “unfulfilled promises” and treating him as a “capital gain” after he joined Galatasaray last month.

Zaniolo left the Eternal City giants to join the Turkish Super Lig leaders for a fee €16.5million early in February.

The Italy midfielder had been expected to move on during the January transfer window, but he turned down a move to Premier League strugglers Bournemouth.

Zaniolo signed a four-year deal with Galatasaray after being left out on in the cold at Roma and the 23-year-old has pointed the finger at his former club over the way he was treated.

He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: “I could talk for hours about unfulfilled promises. They [Roma] told me I was a spearhead, instead I’ve always been considered just a capital gain.

“For two years I was told that the new contract was ready. In January of last year I would have signed for slightly more than what I was earning, because I was fine in Rome and I knew there were problems with Financial Fair Play. After much talk I’m bored. If I have to reflect on my farewell, I think others must do it too.”

Zaniolo was hurt by being called a traitor.

He added: “It’s something I’m very sorry about. Roma gave me everything, thanks to Roma I won and I made my debut for the national team, my son was born there. Being labelled that way was a big blow.”

Zaniolo continued: “The truth will come out. I’m just saying that I’ve always trained, even if not with the others.”

Much was made of a supposed fall-out between Zaniolo and Jose Mourinho, but the playmaker has no problem with the Roma head coach.

“He’s a great coach and a great person,” Zaniolo said of his old boss. “He made me play almost always. Sure, he’s used to managing star players and I wasn’t [one]. I would have liked to have him in four or five years, but he gave me so much anyway.”

Christian Eriksen is set to step up his recovery from injury as he attempts to at least play some role in Manchester United sealing a potential treble.

The Manchester United midfielder suffered an ankle injury during the FA Cup victory over Reading in January, sparking fears that it would result in a premature end to his maiden campaign at Old Trafford.

However, the Denmark international is optimistic that he can return before United’s season – which could result in further honours in the FA Cup and Europa League following their EFL Cup triumph – comes to a close

“Yeah, it is going well. I have just started being outside as you saw [on Instagram] with football boots on,” he told the club website.

“And then we take it from there, that is the next step. I have been in the gym for some weeks now and now it is time to do the next rehab session outside.”

“I think earlier in my career I would have taken it a lot harder than I do now.

“You learn later on that it’s just part of your career. Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are not.

“With this one particularly, when I can’t do anything myself, when somebody came on to me, the mindset is just getting back as soon as possible in a healthy, strong way and not to get any setbacks.”

Interim boss Vicky Jepson is confident she can steer Tottenham to Women’s Super League safety but remains in the dark about her future. 

Spurs suffered a 5-1 defeat to rivals Arsenal yesterday in Jepson’s second match since she was asked to step up from her role as assistant to replace the sacked Rehanne Skinner. 

A 1-0 win over Leicester in her debut in charge significantly boosted Tottenham’s hopes of avoiding relegation but their latest result kept them in the mix down at the bottom ahead of next weekend’s trip to Everton. 

Former Liverpool boss Jepson, 36, said: “We win and lose together, we concede together, we score together, it is no one’s fault. 

“We’ll review this and make sure these next six games we put the lessons from the second half right. 

“They’re a resilient bunch. They’ve been through a lot. This [result] won’t define us. We can’t let our heads drop. 

“We have to push our shoulders back, keep our heads high and focus on the next game. 

“I am here as long as the club want me here but I am not going anywhere from the girls’ point of view. I am with them through thick and thin. 

“I’ll give 110 per cent, just as the girls will, and we’ll battle right until the very end. Hopefully that is enough to keep us in the WSL.”

Bethany England was on target again for Tottenham with her sixth goal since a big-money move from Chelsea in January. 

A strong start to life at Spurs was unable to help the forward get back in Sarina Wiegman’s England group for last month’s SheBelieves Cup. 

But the in-form attacker has been backed to return to the national team set-up when the latest squad is announced next week. 

Jepson added: “I think she’s just a born leader. You can see how she didn’t give up right until the final whistle, regardless of the scoreline. 

“She genuinely wants to run through a brick wall for everybody here. I couldn’t ask for more from her. 

“If she continues scoring goals for us like she did against Leicester, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t be getting called up for England.” 

Thibaut Courtois will miss Belgium’s friendly against Germany on Tuesday due to an adductor injury.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper withdrew from the Red Devils squad on Sunday after sustaining a minor strain.

Courtois played in the Red Devils’ 3-0 victory over Sweden in their opening Euro 2024 Group F qualifying match at Friends Arena on Friday.

The former Chelsea keeper will not face Germany in Cologne, though, after returning to Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping Courtois is fit when Los Blancos return to action against Real Valladolid in LaLiga next Sunday.

Romelu Lukaku’s hat-trick ensured Belgium started Domenico Tedesco’s reign as head coach with a resounding victory over Sweden in Solna.