SALTCITYSOCCER

Between disappointing performances, criticism of his involvement and a departure from Jeddah in the last few hours, striker Karim Benzema (36) is fueling the controversy. And yet, it seems that the picture is less gloomy than announced since the Al Ittihad striker authorizes his management to go to Madrid to treat a (Site notre bureau spécialisé) injury (see the 4:31 p.m. news item), all-start card, says (Site notre blog d’information) Mercato.

Indeed, KB9 would like to impose itself and send opinions back to Saudi Arabia. With the desire to “restore its image”. Enough to calm the rumors, at a time when a winter departure to another Saudi team was being discussed?

The departure of Matteo Guendouzi of the’Olympic Marseille Had been badly experienced by many supporters of the club. Through his rage to win and his desire on the pitch, the French international (7 caps) won over the public at the Stade Vélodrome in his first season in the sky and white jersey. But after a more delicate season under the leadership of Igor Tudor, the midfielder finally left for a new adventure at the Lazio Romediscover a fourth great champion in his career.

A beautiful climb

And although he started as a substitute for most of his first matches, the 24-year-old gradually established himself within his new team and became an indisputable starter. In Serie A, it is the title of the last 11 matches of the Biancocelesti and regularly takes part in all the matches, the same registration his first goal in the championship on December 22 at Empoli.

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The Roman club is in 9th place for the champion (second place is last), Guendouzi seduces and would even be seen as the successor Sergei Milinkovic-Savic (Left to Saudi Arabia) for some club supporters, report says Gazzetta du Sport this Friday. Rather flattering when we know the level and impact in the Serbian’s game when he was still playing in the Italian capital. It remains to be seen whether Guendouzi’s performances will be enough to convince Didier Deschamps to recall him, he who has not been called up to the France team since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“Radically change personnel”

DFB Vice President Ralph-Uwe Schaffert caused a stir with new harsh criticism of Germany’s national players and caused a lack of understanding not only among sports director Rudi Völler. “It would be time to radically change the playing staff,” said Schaffert in an interview with the “Hanoversche Allgemeine Zeitung” and the “Neue Presse” – and the president of the North and Lower German Association. Saxe surprised several of them on Thursday. .

Völler told the “Bild” newspaper that it was “good that everyone is interested in the national team and that criticism is completely acceptable after the last matches. But the way we criticize our important players in such an exaggerated way is not acceptable.” Because Schaffert explicitly mentioned Joshua Kimmich’s name, Bayern boss Jan-Christian Dreesen seemed « more than irritated » that evening.

This was not the first time that Schaffert had faced significant criticism. This time, the 67-year-old accused many national players of lack of attitude almost six months before the start of the European Championship in their own countries.

Schaffert shoots against national players: ‘Before it was an honour’

“Because I feel like with not a very small number of players currently active, they think they can get by with maybe 85 percent of the effort possible on the field,” Schaffert said. “It was an honor to play for Germany. Today I feel that much of it is a burden. So I should leave it if I have this attitude.

Völler said he couldn’t imagine Schaffert really thought about it that way. “I would be happy to explain this to him again over a cup of coffee,” said the DFB sporting director. In a first reaction to Schaffert’s statements, DFB spokesperson Steffen Simon previously said: “The interview was not coordinated. We will work on it internally. »

The DFB vice-president caused a stir earlier this year when he criticized national players at his district association’s New Year’s reception in Hildesheim for their behavior during the World Cup in Qatar. « If German national players cover their mouths like monkeys and order the hairdresser to go to the hotel, you shouldn’t be surprised if they lose to Japan, » said the most powerful North American (Site notre bureau spécialisé) official. German of the time. Before the 2-1 defeat against Japan in the opening of the World Cup, the national players were covering their mouths demonstratively. They wanted to protest against the banning of the “One Love” captain’s armband by the world association FIFA. Schaffert later apologized for the monkey comparison and was publicly warned by fellow DFB executive Ronny Zimmermann to « treat him fairly ».

Schaffert’s criticism of Kimmich and Co. – Gündogan also verbally attacked

And now the new criticism from the lawyer, who worked for almost 25 years as a judge at the Higher Regional Court in Celle. Schaffert mentioned Kimmich (Bayern Munich) and Ilkay Gündogan (FC Barcelona) by name in the interview. Kimmich has “so far failed to prove” that he is a leading actor. “Even in the club,” Dreesen retorts: “It is incomprehensible that the vice-president of the DFB criticizes the performance of a deserving and important national player like Joshua Kimmich at his club.” Schaffert does “a disservice” to the DFB selection.

With national team captain Gündogan, « strangely, he plays remarkably well at club level, then plays for the national team in such a way that you can get an idea: did he send his less talented twin brother? » Schaffert said. Basically, we have to think about the national team: “Perhaps we no longer only need very talented people, but perhaps also those who are ready to roll up their sleeves. »

Despite his criticism of national players, Schaffert also sees a problem for the DFB: as an association, when looking for a new coach, it is no longer able to keep up with the money paid into (Site notre bureau spécialisé). club. “The next national coach will no longer get what Hansi Flick got – because the DFB can no longer afford it,” Schaffert said. “There is hardly a Bundesliga coach who earns less than a million. “Everything has gotten so crazy that it’s almost impossible to go back.”

However, current national coach Julian Nagelsmann gets along well with the DFB vice-president. “Julian Nagelsmann has already convinced me personally – he presented himself to our supervisory board and our presidium,” Schaffert said. “I think it was the best of all the variants considered.”

To the home page

In 2014 he thrilled the whole world at the World Cup in Brazil and in the following years he won almost every title with Real Madrid and FC Bayern. James Rodríguez has now returned to Brazil this summer and is under contract in São Paulo. In the meantime, he even played in Qatar for a year, which – as he now reveals in an interview – was a slightly less pleasant time for him!

After leaving Real Madrid and a short stint at Everton, the Colombian joined Al-Rayyan SC in Qatar in 2021. However, he was never able to really settle there and only left for a year later. He explained the reasons to the Brazilian television channel “Globo”: “Life and culture in Qatar are very difficult. It was a country where it was difficult to adapt.

As an example, he cites the rules of conduct in the locker room: “We know that in (Site notre bureau spécialisé) everyone is naked when they shower. But my teammates told me, “No, you can’t do that.” I was already scared. » It was the same when eating, as it is customary in Qatar not to use cutlery when eating: “They told me to use my hands. So I said, ‘Are you crazy? I don’t eat with my hands! »

We can only hope that James feels more comfortable in Brazil again and can return to the good old days. Because the world of (Site notre bureau spécialisé) could always use a James Rodríguez who loves the game!

In the crosshairs of the DNCG, which limits action on the winter market, OM is a formidable bet for daytime recruiters – faced with exile in September on a new international counterpart in the African Cup of Nations. Also the vents could relieve the Marseille club.

Among the elements with high possible potential on the market, Vitinha clearly stands out, having struggled to convince on the pitch since his arrival in Ligue 1 on January 31. If the spirit is impeccable and the overall support of Olympic fans is insufficient, 6 goals and 39 kinds of competitions are organized.

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A future in England or Italy?

This is all the more true as the Portuguese international hopeful, a defector from Braga, cost President Longoria no less than 32 million euros – the most expensive recruit in the history of OM. A transfer this winter is not possible unless for something interesting. Or different media specializations in the news of the Marseille club report this Monday of an interest of several Premier League and Serie A clubs in Vitinha. To be continued…

Atlético Madrid – Sevilla FC

1-0

With a score of 10, Atlético Madrid managed to maintain its advantage for the final to win against Sevilla FC (1-0) the same day in Madrid, in a delayed match of the 4th day. A success which impels the colchoneros to stick to FC Barcelona, ​​in third place in the ranking.

Diego Simeone’s team is all seven points behind Girona (2^e) and Real Madrid (1^he), almost halfway through the championship.

The only goal of the match was scored by Marcos Llorente, a minute later after the match at half-time (1-0, 46^e) in place of the Argentinian Nahuel Molina. Llorente deceived the Serbian goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic after recovering a ball returned to him by Sergio Ramos while trying to clear his cross.

Griezmann pays tribute to Aragaones

In the 70th minute Caglar Söyüncü, who came on four minutes earlier in place of Koke, tackled Lucas Ocampos very hard from behind and received a direct red card, after the referee, who had first A yellow card is essential for video assistance.

Antoine Griezmann is part of the same brands and has the same balance with Luis Aragones and one of the best historical figures of the Madrid club (173 goals each). After the exclusion of Söyüncü, Diego Simeone replaced the Frenchman, who appeared very upset by this choice (73^e).

Additionally, in the afternoon, Griezmann arrived at the stadium with an Aragonese-style t-shirt, also early entry and selection. Royadied in 2014 at the age of 75.

The son of the coast, Sevilla, ends the anniversary in fifteenth place, with three points from the first relegation; Celta Vigo.

Arriving in Naples in 2020 from LOSC, Victor Osimhen is coming off an XXL season (26 goals, 4 assists in champions) which allowed Naples to bring home the Scudetto. That same day, December 23, it was announced that the club associations were extending the contract.

The best African player in 2023 will be in the ranks of Naples until 2026. Fabrizio Romano, a released clause of 130 million euros, is also included in this extension. While tensions with his coach and his teammates had punctuated the start of the Nigerian season, this did not prevent him from finding the net (8 goals, 3 assists). Victor Osimhen was a good return to Naples in class (6th).

The clock is ticking towards Christmas. In two days it will be Christmas Eve and with it the start of the celebrations. But since it’s a thing of the future, here’s the breakfast news with everything that was so relevant yesterday in (Site notre bureau spécialisé).

With a narrow 2-1 victory, FCB managed to say goodbye to the winter break. Instead of a Christmas party together, the professionals went straight on vacation. According to ‘Bild’, there was no time left to organize a Christmas party due to the tight schedule. The Christmas party was still a tradition on Säbener Straße until the Corona holidays.

To ensure that the team gets value for money, a small party with the team and staff is planned in January on Säbener Straße. However, it is unlikely that it will reach the same proportions as in 2018, when Jan Delay was, for example, present at the party.

It’s been around six months since Willian Pacho left Belgium for Eintracht Frankfurt for nine million euros. Since then, the Ecuador international has not missed a minute of play in the league and is one of the best players. From now on, the defender would even appear on the Royal Madrid list.

Real are desperate for a replacement after David Alaba tore his cruciate ligament. According to Spanish media, Pacho is on the shortlist for Madrid. Pacho’s market value has more than doubled since his arrival at Eintracht and his contract runs until 2028. If the record Champions League winner gets serious, he will likely have to dig very deep into his pockets. A million dollar rain awaits Eintracht.

Apart from Xavi, you can’t even imagine that the Spaniard can get really fiery. The current crisis at FC Barcelona clearly affects the coach. Spanish sports newspaper ‘as’ reported that the former world-class player gave a fiery half-time speech during the Catalans’ narrow home victory.

Xavi reportedly swore more or less constantly and punched and kicked every piece of furniture that crossed his path. “I want to see you run like pigs,” Xavi reportedly told Barca stars. The 43-year-old man reportedly tore several seams of his shirt. In the style of Robert Harting or like a real Hulk. The speech apparently helped, after all, Barca ultimately won the match.

Of course, yesterday there was also a lot of talk about the Super League verdict. UEFA President Čeferin has been very clear about these plans.

It shouldn’t be difficult for anyone to recognize an ironic nuance.

FIFA Club World Cup

At the Club World Cup, City want to win the next title without Haaland and De Bruyne. Marcelo and Fluminense want to make things as difficult for them as possible.