Football News: Review Of The Day 18th November 2019
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Review of the Day
Injury Round-Up
Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland has been ruled out of Scotland's match with Kazakhstan, though the injury is not thought to be serious.
Freiburg's Luca Waldschmidt has been ruled out of Germany's game with a midfacial fracture, concussion, and injury to his right knee and ankle.
Trannie Fan Arrested Over Alleged Homophobic Abuse
A Tranmere man has been arrested over alleged homophobic abuse of the referee during Tranmere Rovers' League One match with Wycombe Wanderers. There was also alleged abuse of the Wycombe keeper Ryan Allsop and a 24 year old man was taken in for questioning by Merseyside Police. Chief inspector Jason Crellin said: "We're grateful to the player, both clubs and the stewarding staff for intervening and reporting these abhorrent incidents immediately. We're determined to do all in our powers to identify anyone involved in such offences, and ensure they are put before the courts."
Scotland Call Up Brophy
Kilmarnock forward Eamonn Brophy has been called up by Scotland to replace the injured Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland.
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Craig MacGillivray (Portsmouth), David Marshall (Wigan Athletic), Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland)
Defenders: Michael Devlin (Aberdeen), Declan Gallagher (Motherwell), Scott McKenna (Aberdeen), Ryan Porteous (Hibernian), Stephen O'Donnell (Kilmarnock), Liam Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday), Greg Taylor (Celtic)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Celtic), John Fleck (Sheffield United), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Lewis Morgan (Celtic), Graeme Shinnie (Derby County)
Forwards: Oliver Burke (Alaves, on loan from West Bromwich Albion), James Forrest (Celtic), Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United), Steven Naismith (Heart of Midlothian), Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock).
Barca Still Keen On Neymar
Barcelona's sporting director Eric Abidal has told Mundo Deportivo that they still want to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain: "A top player, who has a Barca philosophy and who is performing at a high level, will always be an option. From there, at the sports level we can make decisions, but the whole financial issue, there are things that you can reach and others that you cannot. The future will say. If it continues at this level, because the season is very long, I will not say that it will be option number 1 but it can be a clear option." Abidal also admitted the Catalans have interest in Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez: "[Martinez] is a complete player. I think he's playing at a very good level. He is a player we are aware of, and we know of his quality, but there are also other players with these same characteristics."
Depay Not Good Enough For Prem
Former France international Frank Leboeuf has told ESPN that he does not believe Lyon winger Memphis Depay is good enough for a return to the English Premier League. Leboeuf said, when asked if Depay was ready for a move to Tottenham Hotspur: "Frankly, I doubt it. There is talent for sure and we can see that every time he plays with the national team. He is very good and he shows all his strengths. But there is a lack of consistency with this player. When he signed for Lyon, he pretended to be one of the best players in the world and that he would play for a bigger club and he deserved to be at a bigger club. But we didn't see that. Sometimes, he has good games but overall I have been disappointed with his performances. Again he has the talent, but what we need is like [Cristiano] Ronaldo, like [Lionel] Messi - week-in-week-out effort to make sure you are good in every game you play. And he is not at the level."
Kimmich Would Welcome Pep's Return
Bayern Munich full-back Joshua Kimmich has told a new conference that he would be glad to see Pep Guardiola return as manager of the club. Kimmich said: "Regarding Pep Guardiola. I have no idea what Bayern's plan is with Hansi Flick. At first you thought that we would get a new coach after the international break. Now, we won both games with Flick and it sounds like he will stay until winter or even the entire season. What happens then is the business of the club - we players have nothing to do with it. But of course, I know [Guardiola] and have a lot to thank him for. He took me from the second division and let me play in the Bundesliga. We won the double together and after that season I became a player for Germany. So, of course, I won't be against him coming back."
Juve Defender Thanks Inter Defender For Help
Despite the media trying to stir up a rivalry between Inter Milan's defender Stefan de Vrihj and his compatriot Juventus's Matthijs de Ligt, the Juve man has told Dutch media that his fellow Dutchman has actually helped him settle in Italy. De Ligt told De Telegraaf: "The clubs are rivals, not us. In Holland we are committed to the same thing, qualifying for the European championships and playing as well as possible. Obviously, we both want to play, but at the same time we love each other, and we hope to do well if one of us plays. Above all the media want to quarrel between me and Stefan. But that's certainly not the case. Torino and Milan are an hour away, we recently had a bite to eat after a game. It's nice to occasionally speak Dutch. We also give each other advice. Stefan helped me with many things and it's very nice if you're new to a country. He's used to it in Italy, I've just arrived."
Ronnie Hits Out At Pitch
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has criticised the pitch that Portugal faced Luxembourg on. The Portugal captain said: "It's difficult to play on these pitches -- it was a potato field, I don't know how teams of our level are supposed to play on these pitches. It wasn't a good spectacle but we did our job... I'm looking forward to my fifth European Championship."
Written by Tris Burke November 17 2019 21:23:16
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