أعلن مرتضى منصور رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، موعد وصول المدير الفني الجديد البرتغالي جايمي باتشوكا إلى القاهرة لتولي مهام عمله، كما شن هجومًا حادًا على هشام حطب رئيس اللجنة الأولمبية المصرية، بعد إحالة الشكاوى المقدمة ضده إلى لجنة القيم.

طالع | الأولمبية تحيل الشكاوى المقدمة ضد مرتضى منصور إلى لجنة القيم

وقال مرتضى منصور في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “الزمالك”: “أقول لـ هشام حطب إنني أحذره من المؤامرة التي تصنعها أنت وعمرو الجنايني والضابط صديقك، لا تلعبوا معي بالنار (أنا لحمي مر)، وسنكمل بطولة الدوري في مستشفى القصر العيني”.

وأضاف: “لا يهز شعري لجنة أولمبية أو فرعونية ليس لي كبير، فليس انا يا حطب”.

واستكمل: “أقول لوزير الشباب والرياضة استخدم صلاحيتك، الزمالك فريق مصري أم قادم من اسرائيل أو تركيا أو قطر؟ إنه فريق وطني، وهو النادي الوحيد الذي علق صورة السيسي في قلب الدوحة”.

وتطرق منصور للحديث عن المدير الفني الجديد للزمالك: “باتشيكو سيصل صباح يوم السبت المقبل، قدمت الشكر لـ طارق يحيى، وباتشيكو سيقود الفريق أمام الجونة في المباراة المقبلة”.

وأتم: “سيكون مع باتشيكو مدرب حراس مرمى، ولكن مع استمرار مدرب الحراس الحالي، كان مرشحًا أسامة نبيه وسامي الشيشيني وآخرين في الجهاز الفني، ولكن باتشيكو كان يريد أحد بمواصفات مدحت عبد الهادي”.

واختتم معلقًا على بطولة دوري أبطال افريقيا:”الاتحاد المغربي طلب تأجيل مباريات الوداد والرجاء في إفريقيا بسبب كورونا، والفريقين سيتواجهان غدًا في الدوري، وكأن كورونا يختفي محليًا وتظهر إفريقيًا”.

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Arsenal had a nightmare Thursday evening in Belarus, and fans are absolutely fuming at Granit Xhaka’s performance in the 1-0 defeat to BATE Borisov.

Unai Emery suffered yet another setback this week, as the Gunners were beaten 1-0 in Belarus.

BATE, which was originally an acronym for Borisov Automobile and Tractor Electronics, needed just one goal to earn a famous victory, as Stanislav Dragun headed home the winner just before half-time.

Arsenal’s evening then went from bad to worse, as Alexandre Lacazette was sent off late in the second half, the Frenchman swinging his elbow at an opponent in retaliation after a foul. The 27 year-old also had a goal chalked off before his dismissal.

While none of the players covered themselves in glory, fans are crucifying Xhaka, who if truth be told looked out of his depth against the side that are currently nine points clear at the top of the Belarusian Premier League.

The Swiss international made just one key pass, zero tackles or interceptions and also picked up a yellow card.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Granit…

At one point, it seemed destined for Burnley to go down this season. However, Sean Dyche’s side’s resurgence following Christmas has been palpable. After being pitted at the bottom for a prolonged period, Burnley now find themselves two points clear of the relegation zone.

The Clarets are unbeaten in six, having taken full points against West Ham United as well as relegation rivals Fulham and Huddersfield Town. The courageous draw at Old Trafford, in which they displayed some exemplary stubborn defending, proved Burnley had regained last season’s form, exemplified in them having kept two clean sheets and conceded only five in last six games.

With defenders Ben Mee, James Tarkowski and captain Tom Heaton in inspired form and striking duo Wood and Barnes scoring again, Burnley’s survival hopes have been strengthened. Dyche’s brilliant turnaround might’ve earned him a Premier League manager of the month nomination, but he needs to keep strengthening his side’s resolve.

In this final stretch, Burnley host top six sides in Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal while travelling to Merseyside twice. While the victories against relegation rivals were vital, the Clarets need to keep gaining maximum points to assure safety. In a league like the Premier League, this unpredictable relegation battle could soon turn on their heads.

The Clarets have to dig their heels in and bully opponents into surrendering points. While tough times lay await, Burnley’s recent resurgence indicates that they should live to fight another season in the English top-flight.

Dyche has largely turned it around but he’ll know more than anyone not to get too comfortable if those at Turf Moor are going to stay in the Premier League, considering the run in they have.

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Leeds United maintained pace with the Championship title race with their 4-0 hammering of fellow promotion hopefuls West Brom at Elland Road on Friday night.

The Whites took the lead against the Baggies inside 20 seconds when Pablo Hernandez found the top corner in spectacular fashion from range. Patrick Bamford then struck twice, before left-back Ezgjan Alioski added a well-deserved fourth late on.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

It was deserved as a reward for what was a fine all-round performance. The 27-year-old Leeds man produced an all-action display, seemingly covering every blade of grass as he pressed, harried and chased the opposition relentlessly. It is remarkable that he still had the energy to break into the West Brom penalty area during stoppage time to score his goal.

The Macedonian, who continues to be picked at left-back by Marcelo Bielsa despite the return of Barry Douglas, was persistently willing to join the attack, and got forward repeatedly throughout the match. As well as finding the net, he also tried to create, and delivered two crosses in the game, as per WhoScored’s stats.

More impressive, though, was how comfortable and effective Alioski was in performing his defensive duties. The 25-cap international made two clearances against Darren Moore’s side, and also produced nine tackles – far more than any other player on the pitch. He was also heavily involved throughout, having 72 touches.

With this eye-catching display, Alioski proved that he what it takes to make a real difference at both ends of the pitch for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

[ad_pod ]Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Tuesday night as Bayern Munich visited for the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash, with many players guilty of poor decision making and missing clear cut chances in front of goal.However, there was a different kind of wastefulness on the minds of Reds fans who were perplexed as to why Jurgen Klopp made the substitutions he did when the game was surely theirs for the taking.It seemed the game was crying out for something different, a new source of impetus, and Klopp had exactly that sat on the bench in Xherdan Shaqiri.Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…Instead, though, the former Borussia Dortmund boss opted to bring on James Milner and Divock Origi – substitutions which surely were intended to calm down the game a little rather than take it to the opposition in the final ten minutes.Here’s what the Reds faithful had to say on Twitter…

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Leeds United are currently enjoying a spectacularly entertaining season. Not only are the Whites in the thick of the Championship title hunt, but Marcelo Bielsa has also introduced a scintillating style of football to the club, and the emergence of talented youngsters like Jack Clarke has captured fans’ imaginations.

Are fans being priced out of the Championship as well as the Premier League? The angry Bolton fan in the video below certainly believes so…

Throw in the drama of ‘Spygate’ and it’s not hard to see why Elland Road is being packed to the rafters week in, week out. According to ex-Leeds and England full-back Danny Mills, no less should be expected from the Yorkshire club and their loyal support.

What he said

Speaking on the LS11 podcast on March 6, as quoted by HITC, Mills said of the club’s ground, Elland Road: “Everyone at Leeds and I have been there quite a lot this season, I still say to anybody, it’s still one of the best atmospheres around…It’s genuine fans, old school, getting behind their team, no matter what.”

12th man

The fans can play a huge role for Leeds this season. As the run in approaches, in a title chase likely to go down to the wire, the pressure will begin to grow on the squad. At such times, the support of the fans can give the players a much-needed boost. 

Creating a loud, passionate atmosphere at Elland Road can also help Bielsa’s side turn their ground into something of a fortress. The points they pick up at home between now and the end of the campaign could make all the difference.

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According to Portuguese media outlet Correio de Manha, Leicester City have joined Premier League rivals West Ham United in being keen on FC Porto striker Moussa Marega, who is finally the player capable of displacing Jamie Vardy on a consistent basis.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Correio de Manha report that the Foxes scouted the 27-year-old during his side’s Champions League clash with AS Roma last week, where he scored one and assisted one to help the Portuguese outfit reach the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition.

The Mali international has 17 goals and a further 10 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions in total thus far this term, as he continues to make a huge impression for Porto.

Correio de Manha say that the African centre-forward has a release clause of €40m (£34m) in his contract, which is due to expire in 2021.

Would he be a good signing?

He certainly would be, and is the striker they have been searching for over the last couple of years.

Big-money moves for Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho have failed to work out as the east Midlands outfit have searched for Vardy partners and successors with the England international getting no younger, but it is the 32-year-old who largely continues to be the first-choice option at the King Power Stadium.

The addition of Marega would change that though, with the Malian attacker having the strength, pace and power to lead the line for Brendan Rodgers’ men, as well as having the clinical finishing ability in his locker Leicester are so often crying out for.

Things may not have worked out for Slimani following his move to England from Sporting Lisbon previously, but his fellow African has the quality to make a name for himself in the Premier League.

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Southampton full-back Cedric Soares has been labelled as an Inter Milan flop by Italian media outlet Calciomercato despite only making four appearances for them following his loan move during the January transfer window, which doesn’t bode well for the summer for his parent club.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Saints offloaded the Portugal international to the Serie A giants last month with the 27-year-old among the high-profile such as like Manolo Gabbiadini and Wesley Hoedt to go through the exit door.

However, Tuttomercatoweb only reported on February 5 that the Euro 2016 winner was simply a stop-gap addition until the summer, and Calciomercato’s latest thoughts only go to back that idea up even further.

Cedric was largely left on the sidelines by Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl following his arrival at St Mary’s, with youngster Yan Valery often preferred at right-back or right wing-back instead of his experienced teammate.

Bad news for the summer

The south coast outfit’s first priority in the next few weeks will be to stay in the Premier League – something that looks in doubt right now given they are in the relegation zone and face Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their next four top flight matches.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Whether they survive or not there will surely be a huge squad overhaul in the summer after two successive relegation battles, and it looked as though Cedric might be one of the players they could get rid of easily for a reasonable transfer fee.

However, the fact that he has supposedly been written off at Inter already suggests that a summer exit to them is off the cards, and that could make what is already shaping up to be a tough summer for Southampton even tougher.

Manchester United are doing as well as can be expected this season following the miserable start to the campaign under Jose Mourinho.

The appointment of Ole Solskjaer has done wonders for the club, and they sit right in the mix for a Champions League spot as it stands.

However, the January window passed them by with nothing to show in terms of additions, and United really do need to go out in the summer and show they can still compete with signing the better players from around the world.

That’s why we here in the Tavern think the club need to start planning for the summer, and one man we feel would be a superb signing is PSV winger Hirving Lozano.

The Mexican winger, has been in quite superb form over in Holland this term and has become a standout performer for his club.

Lozano, who predominantly operates down the left, would add raw pace and power down the flanks, and would suitably allow the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to concentrate on their roles down the middle.

United are blessed with excellent attacking options, but with the likes of Lukaku and Sanchez likely to be on the chopping block this summer, Lozano would be a more than suitable replacement.

He’s bound to be a wanted man come the summer if he continues to perform as is, and United need to have their wits about them to ensure they sign the 23-year-old ahead of the competition.

United fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

هاجم مدافع نادي مانشستر يونايتد السابق وظهير أيمن الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي باشاك شهير في الدوري التركي، رفائيل دا سيلفا، مديره الفني الأسبق بالشياطين الحمر، لويس فان جال.

وتدرب رفائيل تحت قيادة فان جال في موسم 2014/2015، قبل رحيله إلى أولمبيك ليون في الدوري الفرنسي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أسطورة آرسنال: على مانشستر يونايتد إقالة وودوارد والتعاقد مع مدير رياضي

وعبر البرازيلي عن رأيه في المدرب الهولندي في حواره مع شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” البريطانية، وقال: “هناك بعض الناس الذين أتحدث عنهم بشكل سيء مثل فان جال”.

وتابع: “لا أحبه، عندما أخبروني بأنه سيكون المدرب، اتصل بي العديد من الأصدقاء وأبلغوني بأنه لا يحب اللاعبين البرازيليين، وحذروني بأنه سيفعل كل شيء ليخرجني من مانشستر يونايتد”.

وأضاف: “في اليوم الأول، لم يتحدث معي فان جال مطلقًا، وفي اليوم الثاني أبلغني بأنني يمكنني الرحيل عن الفريق لم يكن قد درب اللاعبين بعد ويخبرني بذلك، لم أصدق ما يحدث”.

وواصل تصريحاته: “لم أستسلم، حاولت أن أقاتل من أجل مكاني في التشكيل وكنت معه لمدة موسم رغم صعوبة الأمر، لذلك اعتبره أحد أسوأ الأشخاص الذين عملت معهم على الإطلاق”.

واستمر: “كان يعتمد على نظام سيء في التعامل مع اللاعبين، بعد الفطار أو الغداء أو العشاء، كان يتحدث لمدة 15 دقيقة عن التدريب والحياة، لذلك فأنت تشعر بعدم رغبتك في الاستماع إليه لأنه يحب الظهور والتفاخر بنفسه دائمًا والحديث بدون أدنى سبب طوال اليوم وكل ما كان يتحدث عنه هو مجرد هراء”.

وأتم تصريحاته: “كان يفكر بنفسه فقط ولا يهتم بمن حوله من لاعبين وما يشعرون به، يريد أن يحترمه الجميع وينفذون ما يطلبه وهو ما سئم منه الجميع، لا داعي للتحدث طوال الوقت”.