babbelfootball.blogspot.com: 02/16/20

domingo, 16 de fevereiro de 2020

Síntese: Benfica volta a perder e Sporting de Braga faz história

O líder Benfica sofreu hoje a segunda derrota consecutiva na I Liga de futebol, ao cair perante o Sporting de Braga, por 1-0, e pode ficar apenas com um ponto de vantagem sobre o FC Porto, na 21.ª jornada.

Após o desaire no Dragão (3-2), os campeões nacionais voltaram a tropeçar, desta vez perante o surpreendente Sporting de Braga, que não vencia no Estádio da Luz desde a temporada de 1954/1955.

A equipa de Rúben Amorim, que regressou ao terceiro lugar, chegou à vitória com um golo de João Palhinha, aos 45+1 minutos, na sequência de um canto. O médio, emprestado pelo Sporting, saltou mais alto entre os centrais ‘encarnados’ e acabou por ser decisivo na partida.

Para já, o Benfica continua com quatro pontos de vantagem sobre o FC Porto, que no domingo, no campo do Vitória de Guimarães, pode colar-se ainda mais aos lisboetas, numa prova em que já estiveram com sete pontos de desvantagem.

Além do triunfo histórico (foi apenas o segundo na Luz), o Sporting de Braga recuperou o terceiro lugar, graças ao empate do Sporting no terreno do Rio Ave, num encontro em que a formação de Carlos Carvalhal teve tudo para garantir a vitória.

Os vila-condenses adiantaram-se no marcador logo aos dois minutos, por Lucas Piazón, e criaram inúmeras oportunidades para aumentar a diferença, acabando o Sporting por empatar aos 84, por Jovane Cabral, na marcação de uma grande penalidade, quando já atuava com menos uma unidade, por expulsão de Coates (71).

Na estreia do técnico Paulo Sérgio, o Portimonense empatou na receção Moreirense, somando o nono jogo seguido sem vencer, e manteve-se 17.º e penúltimo lugar, com 15 pontos.

Os algarvios até estiveram em vantagem, com um golo apontando pelo defesa Jadson, aos 25 minutos, mas a equipa do Moreirense empatou ainda antes do intervalo, aos 36, por intermédio de Fábio Abreu.

Em crescendo continua o Santa Clara, que subiu provisoriamente ao sétimo lugar ao somar o quarto encontro consecutivo a vencer, com um triunfo sobre o Tondela.

Em Ponta Delgada, João Afonso marcou o único golo do encontro, aos 73 minutos.

O Tondela, que vinha de dois jogos sem perder, segue na 12.ª posição, com 24 pontos.

Programa da jornada:

Sexta-feira, 14 de Fevereiro de 2020

V. Setúbal - Gil Vicente, 1 - 2

Sábado, 15 de Fevereiro de 2020

Portimonense - Moreirense, 1 - 1

Santa Clara - Tondela, 1 - 0

Benfica - Sp. Braga, 0 - 1

Rio Ave - Sporting, 1 - 1

Domingo, 16 de Fevereiro de 2020

Boavista - Belenenses SAD, 1 - 2

Marítimo - Paços Ferreira, 3 - 0

V. Guimarães - FC Porto, 1 - 2

Famalicão - Desp. Aves, 1 - 1

22. Bundesliga-Spieltag: Die 90min-Elf der Woche

Die Topteams marschierten am 22. Bundesliga-Spieltag im Gleichschritt, der Meisterschaftskampf bleibt spannend. Spannend bleibt es auch im Keller, wo das Trio um Düsseldorf, Bremen und Paderborn den Anschluss zu verlieren droht. Diese Elf hat uns am Wochenende am meisten überzeugt:

In der 90min-Elf der Woche gibt es ein Novum für die laufende Saison 19/20: Gleich vier Dortmunder Defensivspieler haben es ins Team geschafft. Es ist Zeugnis einer hochkonzentrierten Leistung von Schwarz-Gelb zum Spieltagsauftakt gegen Frankfurt. Komplettiert wird die Abwehr von Leipzigs Defensiv-Allrounder Lukas Klostermann. Teamkollege Nordi Mukiele hat die Elf dagegen knapp verpasst.

Am Sonntag hat dann Manuel Neuer mal wieder gezeigt, dass er ganz der Alte ist. Jerome Boateng schwärmte nicht zu unrecht im Anschluss an den 4:1-Sieg in Köln, dass der Bayern-Kapitän ohne Zweifel der beste Keeper der Welt sei. Vom Rekordmeister hat es auch Doppelpacker Serge Gnabry bei seinem 50. Bundesliga-Einsatz für den FCB in die Elf der Woche geschafft. Thomas Müller, der Vorbereiter vom Dienst, schrammte dagegen knapp vorbei.

Denn offensiv machten einige Spieler auf sich aufmerksam. Allen voran Wolfsburgs Sturmriese Wout Weghorst, der seine Torflaute von 579 Minuten gleich mit einem Dreierpack wegballerte. Fohlen-Kapitän Lars Stindl darf mit seinem Doppelpack ebensowenig fehlen wie Teamkollege Marcus Thuram.

In der Zentrale reichte Emre Can eine Stunde gegen die Eintracht, um sich in den Vordergrund zu spielen (Stichwörter: Mentalität und Aggressivität), daneben schaffte es Gladbachs "Feingeist" Florian Neuhaus ins Topteam.

Die 90min-Elf der Woche vom 22. Bundesliga-Spieltag im Überblick:

Folge 90min auch in den sozialen Netzwerken:

"Зенит" обыграл "Аланию" в товарищеском матче, Ригони и Ерохин отметились дублями

В Турции завершился очередной товарищеский матч "Зенита". Питерцы встречались с владикавказской "Аланией".

Представитель ПФЛ ничуть не испугался именитого соперника и открыл счёт в дебюте встречи. Но ещё до перерыва Эмилиано Ригони и Александр Ерохин вывели "Зенит" вперёд.

"Зенит" проводит товарищеский матч с "Аланией". Прямая видеотрансляция

Во втором тайме они же отметились ещё по одному забитому мячу. Уйти от крупного поражения владикавказцам помог пенальти. Его реализовал Давид Кобесов.

Товарищеский матч
"Зенит" - "Алания" - 4:2 (2:1)

Rio de Janeiro: Maracanã capacity again close to 100,000?

Things are looking well for Flamengo. The club wants to take over management of the legendary stadium for 35 years. If that happens, removal of seats could bring capacity to significantly over 90,000 once more.

South America's most celebrated stadium will turn 70 later this year. The occasion could be marked by symbolic change in management but in order to explain that we have to go back to March of 2019.

That's when Rio de Janeiro governor Wilson Witzel unilaterally terminated the contract with Maracanã Consortium led by construction giant Odebrecht. Among many reasons were the stadium's deteriorating standard and serious payment backlog, in excess of a year.

A few weeks later a new interim management contract was signed with Fla and Flu, that is Flamengo and Fluminense (although Flamengo was the only signatary, Fluminense could not officially participate for procedural reasons). Maintenance cost was cut significantly, renewable energy was activated and repairs carried out.

The contract was signed for 180 days with an option to extend it by 180 more. More or less a year, which will end in two months. It's likely that one more extension will be necessary because proceedings to determine the future operator are ongoing. This time for the long term, that is 35 years.

Rio authorities had issued an expression of interest plan back in September. Of all entries there's only one from a football club and that's Flamengo's. The Rubro-Negro are seriously thinking of taking over at the stadium for good, as confirmed in a fresh interview with president Rodolfo Landim.

“From the moment I started running as a candidate, I'm thinking about this [stadium] issue. The crowd sings 'Maraca is ours', so we have to serve it. In addition, Maracanã is very well located, with very good public transport, sports tradition, history” Landim went on to list during Brasil TV's No Mundo da Bola.

He further explained that building a private stadium isn't in the club's interest at this time. A 60,000-seater would cost no less than R$12,500 per seat (R$800 million). Together with land it would reach a billion ($230m) easily. And that land would be in a far worse location, while repaying debt and interest would burden the club for decades.

That's why Urubu are keen on holding on to their historical nest, which would finally be theirs. And if Flamengo get the concession, Landim promises something more. Seats behind goal(s) would be dismantled, creating vast standing sections, which are legal in Brazil.

This would increase capacity from current 79,000 to roughly 94,000, adding 15,000 more affordable places. According to the president, a clause including such measure is already part of the proceedings. Of course such change could occur no sooner than after the 2020 Copa Libertadores final in November.

Antony: Profile of Brazilian winger and Sao Paulo prospect

2019 has been a breakout season for the Sao Paulo academy product. After coming through their fabled youth system, he made his Brazilian league debut last year, making 3 appearances for the side. But this year with regular first team football, he’s impressed with 4 goals and 6 assists in 29 appearances. Good enough returns for the Ajax scouts to give the green light.

So why have Europe’s best talent spotters picked the Brazilian as their next attacking star? We’ll give you the run down:

Antony – Style of Play

At 5ft 9. Antony is everything you would expect from a Brazilian winger. Quick, skilful, a natural dribbler and of course, exciting to watch. The video really showcases his excellent ability with the ball. The way he brings it down or flicks it on effortlessly into space is a joy to watch. But more importantly, a nightmare for defenders to deal with.

The clip where he toys with the defender feinting left and right before beating him down the byline just epitomises an exciting South American attacker. It’s no wonder he gets fouled 2.8 times a game. The only way defenders can deal with his fast feet and immense close control. The Brazilian U23 international runs at defenders with his blistering pace before often cutting in on his left foot. The speed at which he can turn his man and accelerate is breathtaking. Not to mention, how quickly he makes decisions. Whether that be releasing the ball to a teammate he’s spotted, or testing the keeper from range. That quick instinct is essential at the top level of football.

Antony is an able goal scorer, averaging 2.2 shots per game in 2019. But perhaps more so a natural creator as shown by his 6 assists and 1.3 key passes per game. The Brazilian is technically gifted, having the vision to make intelligent passes to play his teammates through on goal. Also, the numerous times he delivers devastating crosses in the video really highlights the end product that he has. Something that isn’t always apparent in young wingers.

It’s clear though that like Ziyech, he’s perhaps slightly one footed. Very few of Antony’s goals are with his right and cutting in on his left could become predictable over time. In one of the clips, he prefers to open up his body and use his left foot to side foot it in, rather than drilling it into the far corner with his right. A limitation potentially, but we’ve seen plenty of one-footed players thrive. Arjen Robben of course the most notable. It just means his left foot and decision making has to be even better.

Ajax – The transfer policy kings

I’m excited by this signing. You can see the parallels between Ziyech and Antony in terms of their play style as well as technical ability. You would expect the Sao Paulo winger to fit seamlessly into their system.

If Ajax believe someone is the next big thing, you tend to trust them. The track record of their transfers speaks for itself. Not high risk either, considering they’re only reinvesting half of the Ziyech transfer fee into this 19 year old prospect. Definitely worth watching this space…

Van Basten blasts Ajax for Antony signing

Marco van Basten thinks it is ridiculous that Ajax is set to break their transfer record to sign Brazilian attacker Antony from Sao Paulo.

Saturday morning brought news from the Dutch media that Ajax had reached a deal to sign the 19-year-old winger for a fee that could reach higher than €25 million. That makes it the most expensive deal in Ajax history.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Marco van Basten blasted Ajax for spending that much on a youth player and believes they should use their money in a better way.
He said, “At Ajax they have a very big mouth: our youth education is so great. And then you are going to buy a youth player for a mega amount. Something is wrong then. If you hit yourself so terribly in the chest that the youth education is so great, then of course it is ridiculous that you are going to buy a youth player from Brazil for 25 million.
“The youth academy is the jewel of Ajax and then you have to spend your money on boys who guide the younger players. Guys of a certain level and a certain age, such as Daley Blind and Dusan Tadic. That is the balance that you have to find between youth and other players. “

LOSC/OM (1-2) – Pour Villas-Boas, l’OM est la meilleure équipe de L1 derrière le PSG

Ce dimanche soir en clôture de la 25ème journée de Ligue 1, l’Olympique de Marseille s’est imposé face au LOSC (2-1). L’entraîneur olympien André Villas-Boas est revenu sur cette rencontre rocambolesque.

L’Olympique de Marseille s’est imposé à Lille (2-1) au stade Pierre-Mauroy. Alors que les marseillais ont vécu une première mi-temps compliquée jusqu’à l’ouverture du score lillois. Après la 60ème minutes de jeu, la tendance s’est clairement inversé jusqu’à ce que les olympiens égalisent et prennent l’avantage en l’espace de deux minutes. André Villas-Boas s’est confié suite à cette rencontre étonnant de rebondissement.

« On a fait soixante-dix minutes défensives et les vingt dernières offensives. On avait évoqué à la pause l’éventualité d’un but encaissé et on s’était demandé que faire dans ces conditions. On a avancé la position de Sanson et cela a fonctionné. On a mis plus de pression et on a été plus agressifs. Ake est entré et il a été décisif pour obtenir ce résultat. On a fait un match correct. On attendait un peu pour avoir des espaces mais on a trop perdu le ballon en première période où on n’a pas fait grand-chose.

En deuxième, on a été plus agressifs physiquement et mentalement. Les gars ont pris plus de risques. La sortie de Rémy nous a aidés. On a moins été sous pression et on a pu mieux construire. Félicitations à toute l’équipe. Si on enlève les Galacticos du PSG, l’OM est la meilleure équipe de L1. On écarte un adversaire de plus qui est à douze points et Rennes à onze. C’est considérable. Mais on doit assurer mathématiquement notre place. Rester dans une position de contrôle. J’espère que l’on va y parvenir »

Malgré l’ouverture du score lilloise, les marseillais ont su inverser la tendance en seconde période et confirmer leur seconde place avec une avance de 12 points sur le LOSC.

Minnesota Draws 2-2 With New England In A Preseason Tournament Matchup

Minnesota United kicked off the first game of a three-game preseason tournament with a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution on Sunday.

Head Coach Adrian Heath had a new-look lineup with new striker Luis Amarilla upfront and new goalkeeper Tyler Miller between the pipes. Here was the lineup for the match:

*One notable absence was midfielder Osvaldo Alonso. He made the trip to Portland, trained the past few days with the team but left Sunday to fly back to Minnesota for personal reasons.

From the start, striker Luis Amarilla and Jan Gregus were out to prove a point early. Jan Gregus recorded the first two shots on goal and just missed a goal with his second shot.

For the first 15mins of the match, United spent most of it in the Revolution end, forcing Revolution keeper Matt Turner to make several close-range saves early, but at the 23min mark, Amarilla snuck a beautiful mid-air volley past the keeper to record his second goal in two preseason matches.

New England quickly recovered and at the 28-minute mark were able to pull one back with Adam Buska bouncing one off the post, past Miller to even the match at 1-1

At the 34min mark, Robin Lod was the first to a long ball but was taken down by New England defender Andrew Farrell and the ref wasted no time in awarding a penalty kick to the Loons.

Stepping up to the spot was Amarilla who confidently showed the form that could get him 25 goals as he promised, going top shelf for his 2nd goal of the match.

At halftime, the score was 2-1 Minnesota

The second half was a completely different half for New England. The Revolution came out shooting with Miller forced to stop back to back shots and without the help of defender Michael Boxall, the score would have been tied 53 mins into the second half.

After the flurry of New England shots calmed down, the next part of 15 minutes the play was back and forth but a miscue at the 71-minute mark tied the score up at 2-2 after New England’s Gustavo Bou was able to intercept a sloppy back pass and score.

With the match at 2-2, New England didn’t let off the gas and forced Miller to make a save at the 74 min mark that pushed away a sure goal for New England.

The dept of the Minnesota bench was shown at the 76 min mark with a mass substitution that saw newly acquired Aaron Schoenfeld and Raheem Edwards coming on. James Musa, Brent Kallman, Andrew Booth, Batista, Thomas Chacon, Marlon Hairston, Jacori Hayes, and Mason Toye all entered the game as well.

At the 84-minute mark, the new guys, Edward and Schoenfeld had a great 1-2 combination that Schoenfeld sent wide of the post. Great sign for the new guys!

Both sides exchanged volleys in the final minutes but nothing came of them and with no additional time added, the match ended at a 2-2 draw.

The United goals came from the person that was signed to do so, Luis Amarilla so that has to be reassuring for Adrian Heath. At times, especially the game-tying goal for New England, the defense was a bit sloppy and without some great saves by Miller, the score could have been a lot worse.

Minnesota United be back in action Wednesday against the Portland Timbers at 9:30 p.m. CT for the second game of the preseason tournament.