Sports
FC Barcelona unconvincing In third win in a row
FC Barcelona earned a far from convincing 2-1 win at home to a depleted Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi scored a penalty kick for the third UEFA Champions League game in a row, in a victory which ensured they maintained their winning start to the group stage.
The Argentine, who had also scored penalty kicks in wins over Group G opponents Ferencvaros and Juventus, tucked away a penalty kick in the fifth minute.
Gerard Pique netted in the second half, glancing in a fine cross from Ansu Fati.
Dynamo Kyiv, who were missing six players due to COVID-19 positive tests, which also afflicted five members of staff, gave a decent account of themselves.
The visitors spurned a couple of chances to equalise, as well as having a goal from a corner-kick ruled out due to the ball going out of play.
They deservedly pulled a late goal back in the 75th minute.
This was when Viktor Tsygankov slid the ball into the net after pouncing on a rebound.
FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had only been able to parry a shot from Benjamin Verbic.
The victory put FC Barcelona on the verge of a place in the knockout stages, leaving them top on nine points after three games.
Juventus are second on six points and Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvaros are with a point each.
FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman was visibly anxious on the sidelines and did not attempt to gloss over the sloppy performance.
“We suffered more today than in any other game so far. We need to improve a lot when we don’t have the ball,” said the Dutchman.
“I’m happy with the result but not with certain aspects of our game and luckily we had Ter Stegen around.
“I think we started well and got the goal early and had some clear chances. But, after that, we lost control and they created a lot of danger. Thanks to Marc, who was phenomenal, we held on.”
FC Barcelona went into the match after a disappointing 1-1 draw at Alaves, the fourth game in a row in La Liga which they had failed to win.
They however got off to an ideal start at an empty Camp Nou when Messi converted from the penalty kick spot after being hauled down.
The Catalan side made a blistering start and almost immediately built on their advantage when teenager Pedri clanged the crossbar.
Antoine Griezmann then bungled a simple chance to score a tap-in, inexplicably finding the side-netting when the ball bounced into his path from close range after Fati saw his shot parried.
Dynamo Kyiv should have levelled before half-time when Vitaliy Buyalskyi powered a header at goal.
But he was denied by the strong hand of Ter Stegen, who was making his first appearance of the season after recovering from knee surgery.
“The opponents had too many clear chances and we need to improve in that respect. We need to talk about that,” said Ter Stegen.
His opposite number Ruslan Neshcheret, 18, produced an even more impressive display.
He pulled off an outstanding save from a Messi free-kick while also keeping out later efforts from Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto.
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club this summer, with Italian side Napoli reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward.
According to Sky Italia, Napoli’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is a long-term admirer of Jesus and is keen to explore the possibility of bringing him to Serie A.
Jesus and Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who was reportedly spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp in Castel di Sangro on Friday.
A meeting could reportedly take place to discuss a potential move for the Arsenal forward.
Napoli’s interest could depend on their ability to offload one of their existing strikers. The club would reportedly need to find new destinations for Lorenzo Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, or Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Jesus.
Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider offers of around £18 million for the 29-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.
Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and could now be heading for a new challenge in Italy if Napoli’s interest develops into a formal transfer.
Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on loan.
According to Sky Sports, the deal could be completed this weekend, with the 27-year-old defender set to move to Anfield on a straight loan arrangement.
Araujo renewed his Barcelona contract last year, extending his stay at the Catalan club until 2031.
However, the defender endured a difficult campaign last season and was subsequently granted an extended leave of absence from the team.
The proposed move to Liverpool would give Araujo an opportunity to revive his career in a new league and country.
The Uruguay international joined Barcelona from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 before making his first-team breakthrough a year later.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly introduced a series of new rules at the club after identifying what he considered bad habits within the dressing room.
Mourinho returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell this summer and has already begun implementing changes to improve discipline and professionalism within the squad, according to AS.
One of the new measures concerns players’ diets. The Portuguese manager has reportedly ended the freedom for players to eat whatever they choose, with the club’s nutritionist now responsible for overseeing their meals.
Under the new system, menus will be carefully structured and determined according to the nutritional needs of the players.
Mourinho has also introduced a disciplinary measure for players who arrive late to training. Such players will reportedly be required to undergo individual gym sessions.
Another rule concerns injury rehabilitation. Players recovering from injuries will now be expected to complete their rehabilitation at the club’s training ground under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical and fitness staff rather than working independently with external personnel.
The changes are part of Mourinho’s reported efforts to establish greater discipline and control within the Real Madrid squad following his return to the club.
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