Bayern Munich boss Kovac hails Spurs progress under Pochettino

Published

4 years ago

October 1, 2019

Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac has hailed Mauricio Pochettino for turning Tottenham into a European force as he prepares for Tuesday’s heavyweight Champions League clash in London.

The Bundesliga champions opened their account by beating Red Star Belgrade 3-0 to top Group B ahead of Spurs, who had to settle for a draw against Olympiakos.

Kovac said he was impressed by the job that Pochettino had done, turning Spurs from Europa League also-rans into Champions League finalists.

“It is a very, very positive development,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“In 2016 I was here and they were in the old stadium. I was here to watch Tottenham against Swansea, the flair was different, the stadium was smaller, but the atmosphere was strong.

“You can see what it means when you have a good coach, a good manager.

“In my opinion, Tottenham has a very positive light in European football, they are now able to compete with the very big teams, even if it didn’t look that way seven or eight years ago.

“They have continuity, he was given time and he has done a great job and that is an example for others.”

Kovac said the pressure would be on 2019 Champions League finalists Tottenham on their own ground rather than on the five-time European champions.

Spurs have struggled this season and were dumped out of the League Cup by fourth-tier Colchester last week but a win against Southampton on Saturday lifted them to fifth in the Premier League table.

“They are going to be playing in their own stadium so they are going to be pushed by their fans,” said the Bayern boss.

“They will definitely give it their all from the first minute, they will try and put us under pressure. This is what British teams do when they play at home.”

Kovac picked out forward Harry Kane as the dangerman, saying the England captain and Bayern forward Robert Lewandowski were among the top strikers in the game.

“The quality he shows in the Premier League and with the English national team, he’s just incredibly good. He has amazing statistics. He’s a player who can do anything,” he said.

“He and Lewandowski are at the moment among the top two, three or four strikers in the world because they are so efficient right now.”

Related Topics:Bayern Munich Mauricio Pochettino Niko Kovac

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He reminds me of Lampard – Evra hails Man Utd midfielder

Published

8 hours ago

December 7, 2023

NewsDirect

Former Manchester United vice-captain, Patrice Evra has hailed midfielder Scott McTominay for his impressive display against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Evra said that McTominay reminds him of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, adding that the Scotland international always performs in big matches.

McTominay scored a brace as Man United defeated Chelsea 2-1 in Wednesday’s Premier League tie at Old Trafford.

His brace against Mauricio Pochettino’s side was his sixth goal this season in all competitions for the Red Devils so far.

He is Man United’s top scorer for the season so far and Evra is impressed with him.

“McTominay is always there when it is an important game scoring goals,” Evra told Amazon Prime.

“He reminds me a bit of Frank Lampard. He is doing this for United and the Scottish national team so very well done.

“He could have scored four. After the game he was a little bit disappointed. He had so many chances, he is always in the right place and always running into the box, this is why he reminds me of of Lampard tonight.”

Sports

CAF Awards 2023: Nnadozie, Abiodun, Super Falcons among final top three nominees

Published

9 hours ago

December 7, 2023

NewsDirect

Chiamaka Nnadozie has made the final shortlist for the 2023 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

Nnadozie was outstanding for Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The shot stopper also played a crucial role in her club, FC Paris’ maiden appearance in the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi are the other goalies nominated for the award.

In the Women’s Young Player of the Year category, Deborah Abiodun will slug it out with Comfort Yeboah (Ghana) and Nesryne El Chad (Morocco).

Nigeria was among the final three nominees in the Women’s National Team of the Year category.

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CAF Awards 2023: Oshoala makes final shortlist for Women’s Player of the Year

Published

9 hours ago

December 7, 2023

NewsDirect

Asisat Oshoala remains on course to win a record-extending sixth CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, newsmen reports.

Oshoala was among the three players who made the final shortlist for the Women’s Player of the Year award, as announced by the Confederation of African Football on Thursday.

The Barcelona Femeni star became the first woman to claim the award for a record fifth time in 2022.

The 27-year-old played a key role in Barcelona Femeni’s UEFA Women’s Champions League success last season.

South Africa’s Thembi Klagtlana and Zambia’s Barbara Banda are the other players in contention for the award.

Klagtlana, who plays for the American side Racing Louisville Football Club, won the award in 2018.

The winner will be revealed at the CAF Awards Gala on Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco.