Sports
Mbappe’s Double At Villarreal Takes ‘Exhausted’ Real Madrid Top
Kylian Mbappe’s brace helped Real Madrid climb top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday despite coach Carlo Ancelotti’s complaints that his team was “exhausted”.
Los Blancos moved three points clear of rivals Barcelona, having played two extra games, with the Catalans visiting third place Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a key clash in the Spanish title race.
Madrid were unhappy the game was taking place fewer than 72 hours after their Champions League win on penalties against Atletico on Wednesday.
“The team has something special, character, commitment,” Ancelotti told reporters, insisting Madrid would refuse to play without “72 hours of rest” between matches as recommended by world football governing body FIFA.
However despite their complaints they had enough in the tank to beat their opponents, fifth, at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
“We kept going on a physical level, above all in the second half, the team ended up exhausted, but that was to be expected,” said Ancelotti.
“It’s a win that says a lot about this team and the ability this squad has.”
Ancelotti began with Vinicius Junior on the bench after the draining victory against Atletico in the last 16.
Villarreal started strongly and Thibaut Courtois got down well to his right to tip Ayoze Perez’s shot around the post.
From the resulting corner, Villarreal took the lead, with the ball rebounding to Juan Foyth, who smashed home from close range.
Ancelotti’s side hit back quickly, with Mbappe levelling after 17 minutes.
Brahim Diaz’s attempted lob was saved by Diego Conde, but the French striker dispatched the rebound with minimal fuss.
Soon Mbappe had his second, helping to spread the ball to the right and then finishing with aplomb after Lucas Vazquez found him in the middle of the box.
It was Mbappe’s 20th league goal of the season, putting him one behind the top scorer, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
Content with their lead Madrid soaked up Villarreal pressure in the rest of the first half, with Courtois saving well from Nicolas Pepe.
Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral sent on Thierno Barry for Pepe at the break, as the Yellow Submarine looked to avoid a first home defeat in La Liga by Madrid since 2017.
Foyth might have levelled early in the second half but volleyed over the bar when well placed.
Steve Finnan is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy after the fallout from a failed property business and a protracted legal battle with his brother, Sean.
The former Liverpool defender, who won the Champions League in 2005 and made 684 appearances across clubs including Fulham, Espanyol, Portsmouth, and five years at Anfield, entered business with Sean after retiring from football.
The venture, however, collapsed, prompting Finnan to sue his brother around 2016 over concerns about the business’s management.
A High Court eventually awarded Finnan £4 million in 2018, but Sean Finnan was declared bankrupt a year later without paying. Since then, Steve has remained liable for legal costs and unpaid bills, leaving his financial future uncertain.
Finnan’s struggles led him to auction personal memorabilia in 2020, including his 2005 Champions League medal and signed shirts.
Arsenal appear set for an extended spell without key centre-back and dressing-room leader Gabriel, a major blow given his importance to Mikel Arteta’s side in recent seasons.
The Brazilian has been central to the Gunners’ defensive resilience and remains a constant threat from set pieces.
Gabriel was forced off an hour into Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium and subsequently withdrew from the squad, prompting immediate concern.
According to The Athletic, further tests on his right thigh are planned, but early fears suggest he could miss up to two months, ruling him out for the rest of the calendar year.
He joins an injury list already featuring Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus.
Despite setbacks, Arsenal have still climbed to the top of the Premier League table, opening a four-point gap over Manchester City.
Atalanta management are weighing up what to do with Ademola Lookman in January.
After seeing offers of €50m turned down for him over the summer, Lookman went public over his frustrations. The Nigeria striker has since struggled this season, which has coincided with La Dea’s slide down the table and the sacking of Ivan Juric.
La Gazzetta dello Sport says Atalanta management hope Lookman responds positively to new coach Raffaele Palladino, but if his current form continues then selling in January hasn’t been ruled out.
Watching developments are Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, which both tried for Lookman over the offseason.
However, Galatasaray are regarded as favourites and have already tabled a contract offer worth €9m-a-year to Lookman’s agents ahead of the winter market.
Crucially, Atalanta wll slash their asking price from the €50m valuation.
<im
-
Entertainment4 years agoBBNaija: “Shameful For A Married Woman” – Boma, Tega Doing ‘Stuff’ Under Duvet Sparks Outrage (See Video)
-
Entertainment4 years agoSinger, Oxlade In Big Mess After His Sex Tape With A Strange Lady Surfaces Online (Watch Video)
-
Entertainment5 years agoBBNaija: Kiddwaya Sucks Erica’s Boobs, Licks Dorathy’s Neck In Truth Or Dare Game (Video)
-
Entertainment3 years agoI’m Not Ashamed Of My Leaked Nude Photos, Ifunanya Confesses (See Photos)
-
Crime5 months agoNDLEA intercepts Saudi, UK-bound cocaine in lipsticks
-
Entertainment5 years agoI’m Not Sick But Only Lost Some Weight – Kiss Daniel
-
Crime7 months agoNDLEA seizes N3.4bn worth of opioids in Lagos, PH, uncovers drugs in chocolate tins
-
Entertainment5 years agoHow Women Should Act During Sex – Actress, Blessing Okoro Reveals (Vdeo)