Football News: Review Of The Day 24th November 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners has signed a new deal running until 2023.

DC United have handed one year deals to Steve Birnbaum, Junior Moreno, Emmanuel Boateng, Joseph Mora, Ulises Segura and Chris Seitz.

Brazilian right-back Ruan has signed a 2 year deal with Orlando City SC.

Joao Moutinho has signed a new deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers which runs until 2022.

Injury Round-Up

Galatasaray's Democratic Republic of Congo defender Christian Luyindama has been ruled out for a lengthy period after he tore his cruciate ligament during the international break.

Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella has suffered a sprain to his right knee.

Manchester City are worried over an injury to Sergio Aguero with manager Pep Guardiola describing the situation as "not good".

Egypt Lift Trophy

Host country Egypt have lifted the 2019 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations trophy after an extra-time goal by Ramadan Sobhi saw them beat Ivory Coast 2-1. Egypt took the lead in the 37th minute and looked set to win in normal time until an 89th minute equaliser by Aboubacar Doumbia took the final into extra time. Both teams qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by virtue of reaching the final and South Africa also clinched a place by winning the third place play-off on penalties over Ghana.

Riley Likes The Number 4

The chief of Premier League referees Mike Riley has decided that there were four more errors in the use of VAR in the two weeks running up to the international break. Riley also claimed there were only 4 errors in the opening weeks of the league. Obviously a liking for the number four or maybe an inability to count any higher? Riley said: "We are far from perfect and we have to improve the way we do things. Part of the balance of understanding 'clear and obvious' [the terminology used to determine when an on-field error should be overturned] is that there will be times when we don't intervene and everyone thinks we should. But that is a better place to be than intervening and everyone saying 'you shouldn't have done that'. There are significant things we can do to improve, including better consistency in decision-making as VARs and the timings so we get minimum interference."

Pep Looking To Stay

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that he intends to see out his contract with the Cityzens. Pep said: "Why should people think I'm not happy? Because we lost at Anfield or I've lost three games this season? That's an odd reason to say I'm not happy or satisfied - I want to stay. We don't have a joker in our pocket. I know, all around the world, people are saying the Premier League is done. But if people think I am going to resign for these results, they don't know me. I like this challenge. I love to be in this position. If the club wants me next season, I want to be here 100%. I want to live in this city. There are lovely people here. I want to work and live with them. I want to help this club get better."

Emery Admits He Can Do Better

Unai Emery has said exactly what is on the mind of every Arsenal fan when he said "he can do better" after Arsenal drew 2-2 at home to Southampton. Emery said: "I know that we need to connect with our supporters. The club are supporting me every day and also I have a responsibility. I know I can do better, I can take more performances with the players and I'm going to try to do that. It's difficult but we need to move on in the next days."

No Videos For Luton

Luton Town's manager Graeme Jones has admitted he decided not to show his players video footage of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United side for fear of scaring them ahead of their game on Saturday. Leeds ended up winning the match 2-1 and Jones said in the post-match conference: "Marcelo's a guy I respect. [I] saw his Marseille and Bilbao teams. Played his league teams and I can see what they do to people. I didn't show the boys some videos because it is scary how much they cut through some teams."

Bayern Promote Youth Products

Bayern Munich's caretaker coach Hansi Flick has told a press conference that he has promoted 3 teenagers and a 20 year old New Zealand international from the Bayern youth ranks into the first team squad. Herr Flick said: "We've promoted four youth players to the senior team, Joshua Zirkzee, Oliver Batista Meier, Sarpreet Singh and Leon Dajaku. We're convinced that these boys will develop in the best way if they train with the best players. In our first-team, they have the conditions to do that." Singh is the Kiwi international and already has six caps under his belt.

Inter Looking To Add To Their Squad

Inter Milan's CEO Beppe Marotta has told Italian broadcaster DAZN that the club's directors agree with head coach Antonio Conte that the team lacks strength in depth. Marotta said: "His analysis is the same as our analysis, we are all on the same page here. The squad is limited in numerical terms, we are looking at the transfer window in January which is poor in terms of ideas and content, we have take the the best out there. The opportunities out there are not satisfactory to us, we will have to wait and see what we can do in the beginning. we are a bit off from it. However we are open to and available to pounce on any opportunity that presents itself."

Super Mario Dropped After Training Ground Bust Up

New Brescia head coach Fabio Grosso has dropped Mario Balotelli from the squad for Sunday's game at AS Roma. Grosso told a pre-match press conference that he was angry with Mario's lack of effort in training: "I demand great rhythm and intensity, when it doesn't happen I prefer to change. He didn't do it and he was cast side. I don't want to minimise or blow it out of proportion. For me it will be crucial to use everyone at my disposal, but I can only do so much. I told Mario that I can only help him to a certain point. Then he has to help himself."

Madrid Fans Boo Bale

Gareth Bale's post-game celebration with Wales, holding a banner that read: "Wales, golf, Real Madrid - in that order", has upset Real Madrid fans. When his name was read out over the tannoy, Madrid fans booed him. As he warmed up, Bale was again booed by the Madridistas. Those boos became even louder as he was brought on in the 63rd minute and his every touch was booed, with one fan holding up a banner which read: "Rodrygo. Vini. Lucas. Bale. In that order."

Written by Tris Burke November 23 2019 22:19:12