Sports

La Liga: Bellingham delivers again as Madrid teach Girona lesson

Published

8 months ago

October 1, 2023

NewsDirect

Inspired by Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid showed both steel and class to beat high-flying Girona 3-0 on Saturday and move back top of La Liga.

Girona headed into the weekend as unlikely leaders but champions Barcelona usurped them by beating Sevilla on Friday, with Real then deposing their rivals at the league’s summit with a solid triumph on Catalan soil.

Joselu and Aurelien Tchouameni’s first-half goals were enough to burst Girona’s bubble and after that the record 35-time La Liga winners kept the plucky upstarts at arm’s length.

The stylish Bellingham netted with 20 minutes remaining to seal Madrid’s victory and continue his own sparkling run of goalscoring form.

Madrid defender Nacho was sent off late in the match for an ugly high tackle on Portu, who went off injured.

Michel’s side beat Real Madrid 4-2 at home last season and their fans believed they could repeat the trick, but they found a determined side in their path.

In only their fourth season in the Spanish top flight and unbeaten in their first seven games, the City Football Group owned side are flourishing, but their illustrious visitors arrived with a point to prove about the natural order of things, and snapped that run.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti brought in Eduardo Camavinga at left-back to bolster the defence after Atletico Madrid found too much joy down the flanks in Los Blancos’ derby defeat last weekend.

The coach also handed Vinicius Junior his first start after injury, following his cameo in the win over Las

Girona came out with their tails up, looking to capitalise on the boisterous home atmosphere at their small but fired-up Montilivi stadium.

They almost did, with Yangel Herrera heading narrowly over and Viktor Tsygankov hitting the post in an early onslaught inside the opening five minutes.

However Madrid took the lead against the run of play to stop the hosts in their tracks.

Joselu converted from close range after Bellingham found the Spain striker with a sublime outside-of-the-boot cross.

The on-loan forward’s effort was straight at goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, but he did not have the reflexes to keep it out.

Four minutes later the visitors netted their second, with Aurelien Tchouameni given a free header from Toni Kroos’ corner, gratefully accepting his first goal for Madrid since joining in 2022.

Bellingham was not so clinical when played in on goal, with Gazzaniga denying him well and then tipping over a Kroos volley.

Related Topics:Bellingham Girona La Liga

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Sports

Transfer: Akpom tipped to leave Ajax this summer

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2024

NewsDirect

Chuba Akpom is expected to leave Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam at the end of the season.

Akpom joined the former European champions from Sky Bet Championship club, Middlesbrough last summer.

The 28-year-old has, however, struggled for regular time at the club and has been linked with a return to England.

According to Ajax insider, Lentin Goodijk, the Nigerian-born striker could leave the club before the start of next season.

“I don’t think he will accept sitting on the bench. Certainly not if serious clubs come for him, which I expect,” Goodijk was quoted as saying by Soccernews.

“It could easily take until August when the Premier League clubs start to panic a bit. Then they all have it on the list. If he can be picked up for €15m.

“That is absolutely nothing for Premier League clubs.”

Sports

Juventus sack Allegri after Italian Cup triumph

Published

15 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Massimiliano Allegri has been dismissed by Juventus just two days after steering the team to victory in the Italian Cup.

Recall that the Turin club triumphed over Atalanta 1-0 in Rome, with Dusan Vlahovic securing an early goal.

However, Allegri’s behaviour marred the celebrations as he was ejected for ranting at match officials and dismissing the sporting director.

The Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary tribunal has since opened an investigation into Allegri’s conduct.

On Friday, Juventus officially announced Allegri’s departure in a statement via their website.

“Juventus announces that it has relieved Massimiliano Allegri of his position as head coach of the men’s first team,” Juventus’ statement partly read.

“The club wishes Massimiliano Allegri good luck in his future endeavours.”

Sports

LaLiga Awards: Full list of nominees out as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Girona dominate

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

LaLiga has revealed the shortlist for their upcoming end-of-season awards ceremony, which includes four categories and the team of the season.

The winners will be announced on May 28 at the KAFD Globe Soccer European Awards in Sardinia.

Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are among the favourites for the Player of the Year award, but Girona also has two nominees, with Artem Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia in the running.

Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid are also shortlisted for the prestigious award, with Takefusa Kubo, Kirian Rodriguez, Isco, and Alexander Sorloth in the mix.

The Young Player of the Year award has nominees under the age of 23 and is dominated by Girona and Barcelona. Among the candidates are newcomers Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, along with Miguel Gutierrez, Savio, and Yan Couto from Barcelona. Kubo and Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, Javi Guerra from Valencia, and Nico Williams from Athletic Club are also named.

For Goal of the Season, there are eight nominees, including Vinicius, Joao Cancelo, Saul Coco, Aitor Ruibal, Jesus Areso, Lamine Yamal, Joao Felix, and Memphis Depay.

The Coach of the Year award is the final category, with Carlo Ancelotti, Michel Sanchez, Diego Simeone, Ernesto Valverde, and Marcelino Garcia Toral all nominated.