Month: March 2023

Martin Odegaard is “pretty sure” he should have won a penalty for Norway against Spain after a fierce challenge from Rodri.

The Norway captain was wiped out inside the area by the Spain midfielder in an incident that sparked debate regarding the ongoing battle for the Premier League title.

There would have undoubtedly been winces at Arsenal having seen the Manchester City man clatter into their skipper, with the two sides going toe-to-toe to finish top of the league this season.

Despite the heavy challenge, no foul was awarded and that left Odegaard confused, though he stopped short of questioning the officials due to concern he would be issued with sanctions.

“I’m pretty sure I should have had a penalty. He’s coming with his studs right on my ankle. But I’m sure I’ll get punished [if I say any more],” he told TV2.

“I don’t bother saying anything else about the referee. It’s better not to say anything.”

While Odegaard held back in his assessment, Norway head coach Stale Solbakken did not hold back on an incident he felt could have changed the course of the game.

“It is a clear penalty. He finishes the shot and you can’t [foul him after],” he said.

“If I knock someone down after the ball is gone, then it’s a penalty. I get a little bored of this.

“What I see here now [on the replay] is exactly what I saw from the bench. There was a bit of arrogance going on. That’s the way it is, but it’s unbelievable.”

– France began Euro 2024 qualifying with 4-0 home win over Netherlands on Friday
– Ireland beat Latvia 3-2 in a friendly on Wednesday
– Recommended bet: France/France in Half Time/Full Time

Republic of Ireland start their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a huge test against World Cup runners-up France, who hammered the Netherlands 4-0 on Friday.

Les Bleus are expected to make it two wins from two in Group B against Stephen Kenny’s side, who beat Latvia 3-2 in a friendly on Wednesday.

France overpowered the Dutch in Paris and Ireland may struggle to keep Kylian Mbappe and co at bay in Dublin.

Team news

Ireland captain Seamus Coleman missed the win over Latvia due to a thigh injury but the Everton defender could be back to face France.

Josh Cullen and Jason Knight are pushing for starts in midfield but Will Smallbone impressed on his senior international bow on Wednesday and will hope to keep his place in Kenny’s side.

Liverpool number two Caoimhin Kelleher’s position in the starting line-up is under threat with Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu tipped to return in goal for the Irish.

Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson marked his first senior start for his country with his first goal against Latvia and should keep his place up front.

William Saliba and Wesley Fofana withdrew from the French squad with injuries last week and are set to miss the trip to the Aviva Stadium.

New captain and talisman Mbappe seems certain to start but coach Didier Deschamps may opt to make some changes with the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Olivier Giroud and Benjamin Pavard under consideration.

The stats

Ireland have won four of their last seven games, beating Scotland, Armenia, Malta and Latvia, while they have also lost to Scotland and Norway and drawn with Ukraine in that run.

France’s eventual defeat to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final in Qatar is their only loss in their last five games.

Les Bleus have won four of the last five meetings between the two countries, the last being a 2-0 friendly victory in Paris in May 2018.

The 1-1 draw in 2009 in a World Cup play-off second leg clash gave France a 2-1 win on aggregate to send them through to the finals in South Africa the following year and knocked Ireland out.

Prediction

France looked at the top of their game against an admittedly under-strength Dutch side, comfortably winning 4-0 after being 2-0 up after just eight minutes.

Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe were both on the scoresheet with the latter notching a brace, while Randal Kolo Muani, despite failing to score, caught the eye in a central role up front.

The visitors have attacking quality in abundance with the vastly-experienced Giroud also in the squad and this clash could follow a similar pattern to their opening qualifier with France expected to dominate both halves.

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Rob Page said Wales hero Nathan Broadhead was in tears after scoring a last-gasp equaliser on his debut against Croatia.

Wales were heading to an opening defeat in Euro 2024 qualifying after Andrej Kramaric had given the World Cup semi-finalists a 28th-minute lead in Split.

But Ipswich striker Broadhead, winning his first cap as a 64th-minute substitute, levelled in the third minute of stoppage time after Chris Mepham had flicked on Connor Roberts’ long throw to secure a 1-1 draw for Wales.

Page said: “I’m really pleased for him. He’s not going to like me saying this, but it’s an emotional game and he was in tears at the end with the supporters.

“It means the world to him. I’ve worked with Nathan in the Under-21s in Toulon six or seven years ago.

“I’ve watched his development and he’s earned the right to be part of the squad now. I’ve known all about him before this camp and we’ve been itching to get him involved.”

Wales had not managed a single shot on target until Broadhead’s late intervention at the far post.

But, after being outplayed for the entire first half, they appeared to be building momentum before Page made a contentious triple substitution.

Skipper Aaron Ramsey, Daniel James — who had just volleyed wide from close range — and Harry Wilson were all withdrawn with Broadhead among the replacements.

Page admitted that Tuesday’s must-win home game against Latvia was in his thoughts at that point.

He said: “We’d planned it [the subs] last week. The four forwards we had on the pitch are not playing at club level.

“We had a target for the points we wanted to get, it’s all about the home game for us.

“That was the winnable game and we always knew that on the hour we were going to make those substitutions.

“It’s beneficial to keep them fresh now for Tuesday, but when you get the equaliser like we did late on in the game it feels like a win.

“I think the lads deserved it for the effort they put in, they put a right shift in.

“We knew we were going to have to suffer without the ball and it came true. They’re a very good team and we had to be disciplined in our shape.

“I knew that, as the game went on, we’d create chances. We thought DJ’s might be the one, but Nathan popped up at the end and took his chance well.”

Anthony Elanga has expressed his frustration over a lack of playing time with Manchester United and suggested he could have joined Barcelona in January.

The Sweden winger has made only seven starts for the Red Devils this season, while he has been introduced as a substitute on 17 occasions.

Elanga was linked with the likes of LaLiga leaders Barca and Premier League strugglers Everton during the last transfer window, but a move did not materialise.

Asked about a potential switch to Camp Nou at the start of the year, he told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet: “That was in January, I can’t focus on that now.

“The best thing I can do is focus on the rest of the season and then I will get to talk to the club.

“I love the club, but it’s important for me to play. I’m still young. We have spoken to the club and they know what is required and I know what is required.”

The 20-year-old hopes United boss Erik ten Hag gives him more opportunities and is determined to take his chances when they come along.

He added: “It is frustrating. You want to play, it’s important. But whether you play or not, it’s up to the coach not me. I have spoken to Erik [ten Hag] and it is private between the two of us. I know what he wants me to do and I just keep training hard.

“When the opportunity comes, I just have to be ready to take it. We have a lot of conversations, not only about [his lack of opportunities] but also what is happening around. That’s the good thing about the club, we talk a lot and they help me a lot.”

Republic of Ireland and Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has caught the attention of Manchester United.

Teenage sensation Ferguson notched his first international goal against Latvia on Wednesday night.

That followed a strong run of form for the Seagulls, which has seen the 18-year-old net seven goals in 16 outings.

The County Meath native is contracted to the South Coast outfit until 2026, but could offer United a cut-price reinforcement according to Football Insider.

Old Trafford chiefs are also monitoring the progress of Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund, 20, bagged a hat-trick against Finland on Thursday in only his third international cap.

Local media report the Red Devils are impressed by his recent performances, scoring eight goals in 25 games for Atalanta since a summer switch from Austrian side Sturm Graz.

Both Ferguson and Hojlund are seen as long-term investments, but Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen remain the priority targets for the summer.

In other news

The Daily Star say English midfielder Kalvin Phillips may return to Leeds after only one year at Manchester City.

Football Insider understand Tottenham will aim to sign Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse should the Saints be relegated.

Italian media suggest Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could join Inter Milan at the end of the season.

Gareth Southgate urged Folarin Balogun to be patient for an England call-up.

The 21-year-old striker has excelled on loan with Reims this season from Arsenal, scoring 17 Ligue 1 goals – only Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David (both 19) having netted more.

Balogun’s international allegiances are up for grabs, with the New York-born striker eligible for the United States, as well as Nigeria, and visiting the US during the international break.

Southgate is not prepared to issue him a call-up in order to seal his international future, however, citing his lack of Premier League experience as a reason for him being overlooked.

“It is up to the player to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit for an opportunity if he backs himself and feels he can push his way into our squad?” he said.

“Because anybody who has followed us will know that we will give young players a chance. So, we cannot go and give first-team call-ups to someone just because we don’t want them to go somewhere else.

“We like Flo. He has obviously not had an opportunity in the Premier League yet, so we have to weigh up those goals to Ivan [Toney], for example, or Ollie Watkins. Or Eddie Nketiah, who has done really well with the opportunity he has had at Arsenal.

“I know there are going to be offers as 80 per cent of our players can play for more than one country now, and we are not arrogant expecting everybody to want to come to play for England. We have to make them feel wanted and feel part of that.

“Ultimately, it does not matter what you say. If you cannot give them the opportunity now, then some people are patient and want to see it through and are prepared to wait a bit and others want it now and I can totally understand that.”

Ivan Toney is in the form of his life and is ready to make his mark for England.

But Gareth Southgate’s decision to call up the forward is not without controversy, with a potential ban on the horizon for Brentford’s star man.

However, the 27-year-old’s impressive goalscoring displays have been impossible to ignore, after firing the Bees into continental contention this season.

We consider how Toney can have an impact on the international stage, as the Three Lions prepare to face Ukraine in this evening’s European Championship qualifier.

Potential ban

Toney is facing 262 FA charges relating to breaches of betting rules but Southgate was not deterred from selecting him for this England squad.

Explaining his decision, he said: “He [Toney] is playing for his club and available for them, there hasn’t been a trial or any judgement, so I don’t know on what basis we wouldn’t pick him.

“Ivan has been consistent across the season. He is playing really well. I like his presence in games.

“I saw his game against Arsenal where he was outstanding and he deserves his opportunity.”

Buzzing with the Bees

Toney has bagged 16 Premier League goals this season, with only Erling Haaland (28) and Harry Kane (21) outscoring the Northampton native.

That record is even more impressive when you consider that he ranks just seventh for shots on target (32), illustrating how clinical he has been for the Bees.

Another consideration for the Three Lions must be his prowess when taking penalties, after costly misses against France in the World Cup and Italy at Euro 2020.

No top-flight player has been more efficient from the spot than Toney, with the marksman scoring 10 from 10 attempts — five of which have come in the current campaign.

A team player

Toney is undoubtedly a combative presence in the final third.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (93) is the only Premier League striker to have won more aerial duels than Brentford’s talisman (86).

He also consistently brings other players into the fold, with the Bees’ frontman ranking joint-third in the league for completed lay-offs (28).

Additionally, Toney has registered four assists, created 20 chances and conjured an impressive 10 big goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates.

Southgate should be able to maximise this skill set for England, with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden — who have 21 league goals between them — potentially playing off the ex-Peterborough forward.

Carragher’s call

Former England defender Jamie Carragher has touted Toney as one of the Premier League’s best and believes he can be an influential figure for the Three Lions.

Carragher, 45, said: “He [Toney] is one of the best attacking players in the league.

“I don’t say that lightly because I know there are a lot of great players in the league but when I see some of the things he does, he’s an all-round footballer.

“I still can’t believe he didn’t go to the World Cup. I understand England have a lot of top players but I’d have certainly taken him.

“It’s not because of how many goals he scores but because of how big an influence he is on a game, especially for Brentford. His hold-up play and bringing players in, he is very reminiscent of Kane in some ways.”

Ukraine test

Toney could now have a chance to prove himself on the international stage against Ukraine if he is handed his first cap by Southgate.

But the visitors will provide a tough test for England, with an array of elite-level talents in their ranks.

Though he is arguably most likely to appear as a substitute, the former Newcastle striker may be key to breaking down tonight’s opponents at Wembley — with his intelligent hold-up play helping the hosts up the pitch, where their attacking stars can do most damage.

He also offers first-class finishing and composure in offensive areas, so expect the Brentford ace to seize on any opportunities he is handed.

Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at Bayern Munich has already resulted in fresh transfer links with the Bundesliga giants.

One player said to be of interest to Bayern’s new boss is one of his former Chelsea regulars.

However, Bayern could face competition from several Premier League clubs.

TOP STORY – FOUR-WAY TUSSLE FOR KOVACIC

Mateo Kovacic is said to be attracting interest from Bayern, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Calciomercato report that Bayern’s new boss Tuchel, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann in a shock move on Friday, wants to bring in the Croatia international, who he coached at Chelsea.

However, according to 90min, Liverpool, City and United are also monitoring the situation, with Kovacic heading into the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

ROUND UP

– According to Calciomercato, Bayern could also look to sign Edouard Mendy from Chelsea.

– Fabrizio Romano has claimed Newcastle United are keen on signing Scott McTominay.

– Romano also says that Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in Southampton’s  Romeo Lavia.

– GiveMeSport’s Dean Jones reports that Tottenham will look to sound out ex-Bayern boss Nagelsmann should they sack Antonio Conte.

Germany coach Hansi Flick credited Niclas Fullkrug with having the ability to “pull the team along” after the striker’s double against Peru.

Fullkrug’s two first-half goals ensured Euro 2024 hosts Germany claimed a routine 2-0 victory in their opening match of 2023.

Germany dominated Saturday’s friendly in Mainz, and only a twist of the rules prevented Kai Havertz making it 3-0 in the second half, with the Chelsea forward’s first-time finish on the rebound after he hit the post with a penalty disallowed as no other player had touched the ball.

Flick reserved special praise for Fullkrug, who has netted five goals in as many international games, and became the first Werder Bremen player to start for Germany since Serge Gnabry in 2016.

“Niclas is a player who is special, he is very confident, he wants to win and can pull the team along. He also gives the team a lot of positive energy,” Flick told Sky Sport.

Sandro Wagner is the only other player this century to have scored five goals across his first five appearances for Germany.

However, there are elements for Fullkrug to work on, with Flick noting: “There were a few situations that I wasn’t happy with today.

“If we play forward, we have to have a certain seriousness about it.

“Niclas has also had one or two situations where he can be better, but he’s still there for goals and he scored them.”

Germany’s game was their first since their disappointing showing at the World Cup, where they suffered a group-stage exit.

However, Germany are on a 13-game unbeaten run in friendlies (W8 D5) equalling their record, which was set between 1994 and 1996.

“I think you could see that the team played with a lot of dynamism, especially when it came to attacking,” Flick said.

“A lot of things were good, but not yet at 100 per cent, although you couldn’t expect because we didn’t train very much.

“The team has never played together in this formation, but there were still a few situations that we played out well, where the last pass was missing.

“We scored two nice goals and kept a clean sheet, which was a focus for us this week.”

Joselu was in dreamland after scoring twice on his Spain debut to help La Roja beat Norway 3-0 in Malaga on Saturday.

New head coach Luis de la Fuente named a somewhat unfamiliar squad ahead of their two opening Euro 2024 qualifiers as he began his tenure after replacing Luis Enrique.

Joselu’s call-up was long overdue in the eyes of many, given he had reached double figures for LaLiga goals in each of the previous three seasons.

He was introduced at La Rosaleda in the second half with Spain stuttering unconvincingly towards a 1-0 win, but he scored twice to put the game to bed.

As such, he became the oldest debutant to score for Spain since September 2006, two days before his 33rd birthday, and he was left in disbelief.

“The truth is that I still don’t believe it,” he told TVE. “This is everything a player can have and in the end, the daily work has had its reward.

“I think I would especially like to thank my wife and my children, and my mother, who have come here today.

“The truth is that I am not believing it.”

Joselu was also Spain’s oldest debutant since 2006, with De la Fuente opting to pick a few somewhat unfashionable options who were largely neglected by his predecessor.

The striker subsequently paid tribute to De la Fuente for giving him the opportunity.

“I thank him for everything, being here, trusting me, being on the first list,” he said.

“I think I have responded more than enough.

“Age doesn’t matter to me because I feel like a kid, I feel like an 18-year-old kid. I want to enjoy this; I want to hug my family because today is an incredible day.”

Joselu may feel he has done enough to earn a maiden start next time out, when Spain are set to face Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

“Knowing the players and giving them confidence is our job, but all the credit belongs to him,” De la Fuente said of Joselu. 

“We have recognised the great work he does every day at his club and I am happy for him and for everyone else.”