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Charlie Wyke's remarkable journey back to the pitch after cardiac arrest

The Nigerian football governing body made the announcement on Friday after an online meeting between its executive committee and the league board

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have made the decision to cancel the 2019-20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The top-flight was initially suspended on March 18 after matchday 25, as part of preventive measures to control the spread of Covid-19 in the West African country.

Almost four months after its suspension, the NFF held an online meeting which had in attendance its executive committee, national league chairpersons and the president of the Nigeria Referees Association.

During the meeting, it was approved that the current NPFL season should end at matchday 25 and the teams should be ranked by Points Per Game (PPG), with the top three teams automatically qualified for the 2020-21 Caf Inter-club competitions (two slots for Champions League and a slot for Confederation Cup).

It was also agreed that the 2020-21 Nigerian top-flight campaign, still subject to the approval of health authorities, will start between September and October 2020, and then end in May 2021.

“The league ends at current Matchday 25 and the Points Per Game (PPG) table will be used to rank the teams in order to ensure sporting merit and sporting fairness,” a statement from the NFF read.

“The names of the Top 3 (three) clubs on the NPFL final PPG table as at Matchday 25 shall be submitted to CAF to represent Nigeria in the 2020/2021 Caf inter-Club competitions (2 slots for Caf Champions League and 1 Slot for Caf Confederation Cup).

“There will be no promotion to, or relegation from, NPFL for the 2019/2020 season.

“The NPFL 2020/2021 season will start from September/October 2020 and end May 2021 subject to the full reopening of the country and the approval of the health authorities.”

The Nigerian National League (NNL), which is the second division, was declared null and avoid because it had been on hold since December 2019.

“The NNL 2019/2020 season which is at Matchday 3 - 5 and has been on break since December 17, 2019, is cancelled, null and void,” the statement continued.

“There will be no promotion to, or relegation, from NNL.

“The NNL 2020/2021 season will start from September/October 2020 and end May 2021 subject to the full reopening of the country and the approval of the health authorities.

“The NFF will work with the NNL, the participating clubs and other stakeholders to ensure a successful fresh start from September/October 2020. This will include a review of the NNL structure to optimize its development.”

The Aiteo Federation Cup, which was at the state level before the suspension of football activities in the country, will no longer continue while 2019 winners Kano Pillars will take the second slot in the 2020-21 Caf Confederation Cup.

“The Aiteo Cup 2019/2020 which had only commenced at the State level is aborted,” it added.

“The 2019 Aiteo Cup Winners to be presented to Caf for the 2020/2021 Caf Inter-club competition (Nigeria’s 2nd slot in the Caf Confederation Cup), reserved for Federation Cup winners.

“The Aiteo Cup 2020/2021 season to start from September/October 2020 to end May 2021 subject to the full reopening of the country and the approval of the health authorities.

“All dates for the 2020/2021 season to start are subject to the directives of the Federal Government in line with Covid-19 protocols.

“In addition, the full enforcement of licensing regulations and financial controls for the NPFL will commence from the 2020/2021 season. All clubs are required to comply, failing which they will be barred from participating.”

Original author: Taiye Taiwo

Liverpool wonderkid Arat Hosseini announces departure from club

Goal takes a look at the recent history of the Yorkshire club in England's top tier, along with a glimpse into their rivalries

Leeds United are on the cusp of ending a period of wilderness outside of the Premier League that has stretched to a decade-and-a-half in duration.

One of England's best-supported clubs, they have been forced to look on in envy in recent seasons  as local rivals Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United enjoyed spells in the top flight.

Now led by legendary Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, their fast-paced style of play has earned plenty of admirers, but as much as impressing fans is important, getting the job done is the key.

So, as they aim to return to England's top table, Goal takes a look at the Yorkshire club's Premier League history and their most bitter rivals.

Contents

Who are Leeds United's Premier League rivals? Leed's United's Premier League history When were Leeds United relegated from the Premier League?

Who are Leeds United's Premier League rivals?

When it comes to Premier League rivalries, Leeds United's chief antagonists are undoubtedly Manchester United and the teams fiercely competed through the 1990s into the 2000s.

Leeds won the last First Division title in 1991-92, before the advent of the Premier League, and they finished four points ahead of second-placed Manchester United on that occasion.

However, the Elland Road side spent most of the ensuing decades in the shadow of the Red Devils and even had to contend with losing some of their best players to them.

Eric Cantona is arguably the most notable example, having switched to Old Trafford in the middle of the 1992-93 season and going on to help Man United win the league in that campaign.

Others who crossed the divide include Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith, who signed for Man United in 2002 and 2004 respectively, during a period when the financial situation at Leeds was steadily worsening.

Sometimes referred to as 'The Roses Rivalry' due to the historic animosities between Lancashire (red rose) and Yorkshire (white rose), it has inspired plenty of spirited terrace exchanges between both sets of fans.

The teams have not met competitively since their meeting at Elland Road in 2011, when Man United triumphed 3-0 in the third round of the League Cup.

Leeds won the meeting prior to that in 2010, beating the Red Devils 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.

Chelsea are another rival of Leeds in the Premier League, having sustained many memorable encounters in the 20th century, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.

However, the scale of animosity felt between the clubs has undoubtedly diminished and Leeds fans nowadays would certainly consider the Chelsea rivalry second to that shared with Manchester United.

Of course, Yorkshire club Sheffield United would serve as their local rivals in the division.

Leed's United's Premier League history

Season Position FA Cup League Cup Europe
1992-93 17th 4th round 3rd round UCL (R2)
1993-94 5th 4th round 2nd round N/A
1994-95 5th 5th round 2nd round N/A
1995-96 13th Quarter-final Runners-up Uefa Cup (R2)
1996-97 11th 5th round 3rd round N/A
1997-98 5th Quarter-final 4th round N/A
1998-99 4th 5th round 4th round Uefa Cup (R2)
1999-00 3rd 5th round 4th round Uefa Cup (SF)
2000-01 4th 4th round 3rd round UCL (SF)
2001-02 5th 3rd round 4th round Uefa Cup (R4)
2002-03 15th Quarter-final 3rd round Uefa Cup (R3)
2003-04 19th* 3rd round 3rd round N/A

*relegated

While Leeds won the First Division in 1991-92, they have never managed to get their hands on the Premier League trophy.

The club's best performance in the Premier League came during the 1999-00 season, when, steered by David O'Leary, they finished third - behind champions Manchester United and runners-up Arsenal.

The Whites were consistent competitors in the division throughout the 1990s, but their fortunes steeply declined in the early part of the new millennium, when they were beset with financial troubles.

When were Leeds United relegated from the Premier League?

Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League at the conclusion of the 2003-04 season.

They finished 19th in the table after winning just eight of their 38 matches, losing 21. They had the worst defensive record in the division that season, conceding 79 goals, and only Wolves had a worse goal tally.

Under Kevin Blackwell, Leeds managed to steady the ship in the 2004-05 Championship season and they came close to a Premier League return the following season, losing the 2006 Championship play-off final.

Unfortunately for them, however, things deteriorated rapidly and they were relegated to League One at the end of the 2006-07 season.

The club spent a total of three seasons in League One, reaching the League One play-offs in 2007-08 and 2008-09 before earning promotion to the Championship in 2009-10.

They have spent nearly a decade in England's second tier since and only managed to achieve a play-offs place in 2018-19, under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa.

That campaign was the closest the club came to a Premier League return since 2006 and was considered a major disappointment as they had been on course for automatic promotion.

However, they are well-placed to achieve automatic promotion in 2019-20, with Bielsa managing to keep them on course in the final stages of the league season.

Original author: Goal

Been there, done that. Canada's veteran core can get another upset vs. USWNT

The Portugal international has been limited to 20 starts in the Premier League this term but the coach insists he is still special

Pep Guardiola says Bernardo Silva is one of the most special footballers he has ever coached despite the midfielder's dip in form this season – something for which the Manchester City boss takes his share of responsibility. 

Silva was voted City's player of the season as he and his team-mates swept to a domestic treble in 2018-19, but his performances this time around have been indicative of a general malaise, with Liverpool storming clear of their rivals to claim the Premier League title. 

The Portugal international has featured infrequently in the right-sided attacking midfield position he occupied for a chunk of last term, with Kevin De Bruyne back to full fitness and in prime form. 

Similarly adept on the right-hand side of attack, Silva has found his path blocked by Riyad Mahrez and, more recently, Phil Foden. 

The previous campaign concluded with the former Monaco man being named player of the tournament as Portugal claimed the inaugural Nations League title, and fatigue has not been difficult to spot in his work at times. 

A Football Association ban for tweeting a racially insensitive cartoon to team-mate Benjamin Mendy placed Silva in hot water off the field and, speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton and Hove Albion, Guardiola conceded a downturn from the playmaker has been obvious. 

"That's true maybe he didn't play as much as last season," he said. 

"This season, maybe it was my fault or maybe Phil was more involved and Riyad maintained his level and the other players played good too. 

"They know the competition they have with each other, but my admiration, respect, especially my opinion about him, nothing has changed. 

"He's a special player for me. One of the most special players I had in my career as a manager, the relationship I have with him." 

Guardiola is particularly impressed by Silva's acceptance of his situation – a stark contrast to when his manager said the City team last season was "Bernardo plus 10" – and is confident the 25-year-old knows what he must do to turn things around.

"He's a guy who doesn’t change his mood whether he plays or doesn't play," he said. "There are players that just are happy when they play and they smile at me and smile at the backroom staff when they play. 

"When they don't play, they make you feel they are not happy and they behave like a little, little child. 

"Bernardo is completely opposite. He's a mature man. He's a man who knows exactly what has happened, how this moment is and always he's the same person. 

"That's why he is an incredible person for me to work with and always I will be grateful. 

"In the time we spend together, the only thing I want is to help him to come back at his best level. If there is one player in this team who I would give help and support, it's Bernardo Silva. He's the first on the list." 

Mahrez scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season during Wednesday's 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle United and Friday marked the two-year anniversary of his £60 million (€68m/$80m) arrival from Leicester City

Guardiola is impressed by the Algeria international's performances but suggested he could sometimes use some of Silva's good grace. 

"He's an incredible player, fantastic self-confidence," he added. "He is a guy who always creates something special, in assists and goals. 

"We are delighted to have him and hopefully he can help us when he plays and when he doesn't play. Hopefully I can help him to improve this detail." 

Original author: Dom Farrell

'Strong in the storm:' France victory over England down to mental strength

The Portugal midfielder has emulated his international team-mate with back-to-back awards, 14 years after the Juventus star managed it

Bruno Fernandes has become the first Manchester United player since Cristiano Ronaldo to win back-to-back Premier League Player of the Month awards.

Fernandes also picked up June’s Goal of the Month award for his volleyed effort in the 3-0 win at Brighton.

The 25-year-old has maintained his inspirational form since joining in January, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side closing on a top-four place with four wins from five games since the season resumed.

Fernandes had previously won the award for February, with no player picked in March as the season was suspended early in the month.

His fellow Portugal international Ronaldo achieved the feat in November and December of the 2006-07 season – when he went on to be named Premier League Player of the Season for the first time.

The last player to do it in the Premier League away from United was Mohamed Salah, when he scored eight goals in seven games for Liverpool over March and April 2018.

In June, Fernandes scored once against Tottenham and twice against Brighton, and he has continued his excellent form in the opening fixtures of July with two goals and three assists in two games.

United are unbeaten in the league since Fernandes joined, and they have closed the gap to fourth place from six points to one.

He has brought composure and creativity to United’s midfield, and is building a promising partnership with Paul Pogba in the middle of the park.

Pogba recently told United Review: “From behind I just enjoy it. I’m enjoying just watching Bruno, [Marcus] Rashford, [Anthony] Martial and Mason [Greenwood], who all played the last game [a 5-2 win over Bournemouth], and seeing them score goals.

“You just keep applauding, it’s beautiful… they make me enjoy football every time!

“As well though there is the defensive work that people don’t talk about - they do it. The pressing - they do it… that’s what you maybe don’t see that much.

“Football fans who know football see that and that’s the difference that we have and it’s great to see them at their best.”

Their 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Thursday saw them become the first Premier League team to win four consecutive games by three or more goals.

Top 10 Premier League moments of the decade - 2011-2021

The Blues could see one midfielder in and one out this summer, with their busy transfer activity set to continue

Frank Lampard addressed transfer speculation surrounding Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho in his press conference on Friday.

The Blues are currently in pole position to sign Germany sensation Havertz, with other potential suitors pulling out of the race due to the €100 million (£90m/$112m) price tag being placed on him.

Lampard was asked about such speculation ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Sheffield United, but kept his cards close to his chest.

“Unfortunately it's another answer from me, that that is not something I want to broach at this moment in time,” Lampard said.

“My focus is completely on the game. So, I don't want to give you any ifs, buts or maybes for the summer, my focus has to be on the here and now.”

Closer to home, Italy international Jorginho once again finds himself being linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in recent months at Chelsea, but Lampard again refused to comment on his future.

“Again, I keep getting asked about next season,” he said. “To be honest, it is irrelevant what happens next season.

“These final few games will define how we look at this season and look forward to next.”

Jorginho may find himself nearer to the action in the closing weeks of the season after fellow midfielder Billy Gilmour was ruled out for up to four months following knee surgery.

The teenager had moved above Jorginho in recent weeks, but Lampard doesn’t feel the more experienced player has anything to prove because of it.

“I don't think there is a point to prove. I have spoken about him before the last game and there is no point to prove for Jorginho.

“He proves it in training and when he plays in games for me. Simply, these things are selection. I hope there isn't a point to prove as such and we see the usual Jorginho.

“I am very pleased [with his attitude] and it is what I expect of players at the club. There is no way you go through a season without moments out of the team, moments that are difficult individually and you have to have toughness as a squad collectively and individually.

“Hence why I made the move to make him vice-captain when I came in, because I saw that in his personality.”

Liverpool confirm Michael Edwards will leave at end of the season

The Reds will be without their captain for the rest of the season, but he retains a positive outlook on the situation

Jordan Henderson will not let his injury setback spoil what he described as an "incredible campaign" for himself and Liverpool

Henderson suffered a knee injury in Wednesday's 3-1 Premier League win over Brighton and Hove Albion, with Jurgen Klopp confirming on Friday that it will force the midfielder to miss the remainder of the season. 

The Reds captain has featured 30 times for Liverpool in the competition, helping them to a maiden Premier League title and a first top-flight crown in 30 years. 

Klopp is optimistic the England international will be fit in time for the start of the 2020-21 season as he does not require surgery, and the player will now focus on his rehabilitation. 

Nevertheless, the injury will not prevent Henderson from lifting the Premier League trophy later this month.

"Unfortunately, following the knee injury I picked up against Brighton on Wednesday, I will now miss the last two weeks of the season," he wrote on his official social media accounts. 

"However, my rehabilitation will start immediately and I'll be working hard to be back to full fitness in just a matter of weeks in order to be fully ready for the start of the new season. 

"Of course, it's not the way I'd have preferred to finish the season on a personal level, but it's been an incredible campaign for us so far as a team and as a club, and I'll be doing everything I can to support the boys for the final games from the sidelines. I'm sure the lads will ensure we finish the season off on a high. 

"Thanks to everyone for the messages of support and I look forward to being back out there as soon as possible." 

Klopp said the news had been "a complete mood killer" but added that his captain would lift the Premier League trophy when the time came.

"He deserves to lift the trophy, and he will lift the trophy," Klopp said. "No surgery needed, that's the good news. All the rest, we can make our own decisions. Hendo will lift the trophy."

Henderson will miss matches against Burnley, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle, bitter rivals of his boyhood club Sunderland, as Liverpool aim to reach a century of points. 

Original author: Ryan Benson

Said Benrahma: Is he ready for Chelsea or Arsenal?

The Algeria international has been the standout player in the Championship this season, and is courting interest from the Premier League top eight

If you believe the news media and the wider blogosphere, it appears that Algeria international Said Benrahma is already nailed-on to star in the Premier League next season.

A comment by Tondela’s Fahd Moufi on the player’s Instagram Live video on Thursday seemed to confirm a deal is in place for the winger to move to Chelsea this summer. Of course, this hardly works as a definitive confirmation, but perhaps the most interesting part of it all is that it does not seem far-fetched in the least.

Since the resumption of football, the 24-year-old has appeared to exist in a perpetual state of grace. His five goals and one assist in five games have kept Brentford in the hunt for automatic promotion from the Championship. Against Wigan Athletic a week ago, he struck his second hat-trick of the season; only Sergio Aguero has managed more.

It would be a mistake to gloss over that treble against the Latics though, as it is relevant beyond a tenuous relationship with Manchester City’s dead-eye Argentine assassin. So, going back to it, it can be surmised that each strike was instructive of the abilities Benrahma possesses at his best: the first: spatial wareness; the second: a capacity for flair and the absurd; the third: instinctive play around the box.

Then there are the dribbles: only Ovie Ejaria and Ebere Eze average more successful dribbles per game in the Championship than Benrahma’s 2.9.

There is an impish bent to his ability to beat a man that has left many a Championship right-back looking very foolish. There is a repertoire of nutmegs and elaborate drag-backs, powerful runs down the outside and step-overs. His rainbow flick over Bristol City’s Adam Nagy on New Year’s Day was a moment of pure genius – filth, as the kids say – and epitomizes his penchant to enjoy himself a little bit at the opponent’s expense.

The real trick for this magician has been marrying that elusiveness – “He’s such a tricky player, you think you’ve got him locked in the corner and then, all of a sudden, he’s out,” team mate Henrik Dalsgaard attests – with actual end product, and his form since the turn of the year certainly suggests something has turned. Of his 15 goals so far this season, 12 have come in 2020.

The obvious question is how these attributes and output would translate at a higher level. Aside the Chelsea link, he has also reportedly attracted the likes of Arsenal and Leicester City, all top eight Premier League sides. Would that be a jump too far?

Well, here is a theory.

Perhaps the reason players can often struggle when moving from top-level Championship sides to bottom-half Premier League clubs is that the circumstances are so different. You go from being a part of a dominant team in one division to scrapping in another, and that culture shock can lead to underperformance.

It may simply be that having the same level of expectation makes adaptation easier.

A case in point is Jarrod Bowen, who signed for West Ham from struggling Hull City in the January window. He has since integrated seamlessly into a Hammers’ squad facing the same challenges as the Tigers were in the Championship (where he excelled), and that has made it even easier for him to meet their peculiar demands. The same goes for James Maddison (Norwich to Leicester), but at the other end of the table and scale of expectation.

Brentford under Thomas Frank play a very attacking, front-foot style, and so a move to one of the Premier League’s leading lights would require more a physical step-up (his technical level is already too high for the Championship as is) than a mental one.

It is a facet of his game he already has experience refining: when he first moved to Brentford from Nice, he struggled with the sheer speed of football in England, and by his own admission it took him two months to adapt. However, adapt he did, and there is no reason he should not be able to do it again.

Then again, the question might not even arise at all. As part of Brentford’s vaunted “BMW” frontline (along with Bryan Mbuemo and league top scorer Ollie Watkins), Benrahma is powering the Bees’ push for a place in the Premier League next season.

It would certainly make for a great story for the club that has eschewed most traditional models and ideas – they famously shut down their academy in 2016 – and sought to find its own path through innovative scouting and targeting players released by bigger clubs.

If they make it, he would have a choice to make: stick with the fairytale, or leverage his growing profile for a move to the big time.

Playing a year in the Premier League in familiar surroundings would obviously make it even easier for him to get used to the pace of it all, but the ball would definitely be in his court and at his feet. For Benrahma, there is no happier scenario than precisely that.

Original author: Solace Chukwu

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez insists Inter Miami is more 'united' now

The Scottish starlet is unlikely to play for the Blues again until at least October due to a knee problem sustained against Crystal Palace

Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour will be out for up to four months after undergoing knee surgery, head coach Frank Lampard has confirmed.

The 19-year-old was hurt after a collision with Luka Milivojevic during the Blues' 3-2 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Tuesday .

"Billy Gilmour's had an operation on his knee this morning, unfortunately, so he'll be out, we estimate, for somewhere between three and four months," Lampard said on Friday.

Gilmour had been flourishing this season under Lampard, making 11 appearances in all competitions, and had recently moved above Italy international Jorginho in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard says there is a stroke of fortune about the timing of the injury, with much of Gilmour's recovery likely to be taking place during the off-season between this term and the start of 2020-21, but he accepts the news was a blow to the player.

"I'm obviously very disappointed, we all are and Billy is himself," Lampard said. "I spoke with him yesterday [Thursday] at length and just gave him support, really.

"He's a tough boy. It hit him hard – I get that as well, particularly as a younger player who's just made his breakthrough in recent times and was doing so well – but it's part of football and I tried to explain he can be very pleased with the impact he's had this season.

"Part of our job as players is to get on with these things and learn our lesson quickly and his attitude will get him back as quick as he possibly can.

"His character is fantastic. Particularly with his age, the personality he has shown in getting in and around the first-team squad, getting himself into the team, I'm very sure he'll show the same character and do everything right with the rehab and tackle it.

"He's got a close-knit family around him who'll be there for him and we're his family too, we'll be there for him and the small bonus is it will hopefully cover a period that's off-season and pre-season, so he's maybe not missing as many games as he might have done."

Meanwhile, Tammy Abraham has seen his contract extended to 2023 after triggering a clause in his deal .

Chelsea, who sit third in the Premier League table with four matches remaining, face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Original author: Joe Wright

'I choose history' - Tau shares cryptic message: Is Al Ahly's new signing living in the past?

Michele Santoni worked with the promising centre-half in Amsterdam and believes he will benefit more from a spell in Italy than one in Spain

Matthijs de Ligt “would not have got any better” had he joined Barcelona, claims former Ajax video analyst Michele Santoni, with Juventus and Italian football considered to be the best fit for a promising Dutch defender.

Ahead of the summer transfer window in 2019, a Golden Boy-winning centre-half was one of the most sought-after talents in European football.

Top clubs from across the continent jostled to position themselves at the front of the queue for a prized signature.

La Liga giants Barca were very much in that hunt, especially as they already had a deal in place for De Ligt’s close friend Frenkie de Jong.

There was, however, to be no second agreement for the Blaugrana with Ajax, as a top talent slipped through the Camp Nou net.

De Ligt decided that his future would be best served in Serie A, with Juve hoping to see the Netherlands international follow in the footsteps of some iconic defenders on their books.

A slow start was made by the 20-year-old to life in new surroundings, but he has now found his feet and is considered to have made the right call in snubbing Catalunya for Turin.

Santoni, who has also spent time working at Inter in the past, told Voetbal International of De Ligt’s big decision: “When it comes to details [Maurizio] Sarri is king.

“As a defender, he couldn't have made a better step.

“Just look at the development of Stefan de Vrij. If you want to learn how to defend better, you have to be in Italy. I have no doubts about that. 

“Look, Barcelona is always calling in the Netherlands. Every top Dutch player has to go to Barcelona. That link is so easy to make, due to Johan Cruyff and the Dutch influences there. 

“But football in Italy is changing. It used to be more strategic with a lot of 0-0s, but now it is really enjoyable in some games.”

Santoni added: “Look at Atalanta, look at Inter with [Christian] Eriksen, [Lautaro] Martinez and [Romelu] Lukaku. You cannot say that is defensive. 

“I think we need five seasons of super fun football before the stereotype that Italian football is boring disappears. 

“That was an extra prejudice that De Ligt faced. In the Netherlands, Barcelona is still seen as a Valhalla, but this move is better for his development. 

“At Barcelona he would have defended one-on-one again. Then he would not have got any better. Barca would certainly have got better, but he wouldn't. 

“Now he is learning a whole new way of defending and he is a real defender.”

De Ligt has taken in 33 appearances for Juventus this season, with it still possible for his debut campaign to end with Serie A title glory and a Champions League crown.

Original author: Chris Burton

Manchester United to Face Class of '92 Owned Salford City in EFL Trophy

The North London club are the latest side to be at the core of a new documentary series by Amazon, and here's all you need to know about it

Tottenham are the next club to be the subject of a fly-on-the-wall documentary helmed by Amazon, after the streaming giant's success with All or Nothing: Manchester City that offered fans an in-depth glimpse at the lives of the players not just at the Etihad, but during their everyday lives.

That series, released in 2018, saw Amazon given exclusive access to the stadium, training ground and the players' homes as it looked back on their title-winning 2017-18 campaign. 

But what is Amazon's Tottenham documentary, when it is released and how can it be watched? Goal has all the information.

Contents

What is Amazon's Tottenham: All or Nothing documentary? When is Tottenham: All or Nothing released? How can I watch Tottenham: All or Nothing documentary? All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur trailer

What is Amazon's Tottenham: All or Nothing documentary?

Amazon's All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur is a fly-on-the-wall style documentary about Premier League club Tottenham. 

A statement from the club revealed that the upcoming series on the North London club would largely focus on the building of their new home ground, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, its impact on the local community as well as the club's strengthening relationship with the NFL during the course of the 2019-20 season.

The stadium is set to host two regular-season games each year for the next 10 years, with Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders playing the historic first match in September 2019. Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers met a week later.

Amazon will be looking to grow their already large presence within the Premier League, having already secured the rights to a number of fixtures over the next three years.

The streaming giant will also be hopeful that the NFL angle of the upcoming documentary will attract a largely U.S. audience.

It is also understood, however, that the series' camera crews will still be given exclusive access to the dressing room before and after the games, as well as filming in and around the training facilities and the boardroom, which provided much of the core of All or Nothing: Manchester City .

A club statement read: "Away from the pitch, the docuseries will focus on the unique aspects of the Club, including its extensive work and impact in helping to transform the local area and showcasing the workings of our world-class stadium, with its ground-breaking multi-use functionality allowing it to play host to all our first team fixtures as well as a raft of major sport and entertainment events throughout the course of the season."

It will make for interesting viewing if the series is set to cover the majority of Tottenham's 2019-20 season. The North Londoners had gotten their domestic and European campaign off to a disappointing start despite their runners-up status in the 2019 Champions League final.

Mauricio Pochettino was eventually relieved of his position and replaced by the inimitable Jose Mourinho at the end of November and the prickly Portuguese coach is certainly a box-office personality.

Of course, the difficulties associated with the coronavirus pandemic, which brought football to a halt from March until June, complicated matters, but the documentary will nonetheless provide some insight into how the situation was handled by the club and players.

Mourinho has expressed his lack of enthusiasm for the experience of being filmed, but suggested that the documentary will still be enjoyable for football fans.

"I try to forget them during the time, if you ask me something I enjoy, no," he told reporters in July. "I don't like the feeling of being in Big Brother and I try to forget them.

"Am I going to watch it? No. It is not something I want to, also because I know better than anyone what our day by day is here.

"But I think it will be very interesting for the people who love football and sport. It will be great for them."

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When is Tottenham: All or Nothing released?

Tottenham: All or Nothing will be released in autumn 2020. Flming is set to begin in the 2019-20 season and the core of the series expected to focus on Tottenham adapting to life at their new home ground.

For Amazon's Manchester City: All or Nothing documentary which offered a retrospective look at their title-winning 2017-18 season, the programme was released in autumn 2018.

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How can I watch Tottenham: All or Nothing documentary?

The Tottenham: All or Nothing  series will be available to watch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

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All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur trailer

The first trailer for the documentary was released in July 2020, with the focus on the sacking of Pochettino and the appointment of Mourinho.

Interspersed with shots of players such as Christian Eriksen and Eric Dier looking worried, Daniel Levy remarks: "We have to do what we feel is right for the club and only time will tell if it's the right decision."

You can watch the short trailer in the video above.

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Original author: Goal

'I’ve got so much to give!' - Hart expresses excitement after joining Tottenham on free transfer

The forward underwent meniscus surgery last month and will not recover in time to take on the Spanish giants in the last 16

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will not recover from his knee injury in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

Aguero sustained meniscus damage during last month's 5-0 Premier League win over Burnley and was operated on by Guardiola's preferred surgeon, Dr Ramon Cugat.

A four-to-six-week recovery period appeared to place Aguero in contention for the August 7 second leg with Madrid, which UEFA this week announced was clear to take place behind closed doors at the Etihad Stadium .

City hold a 2-1 advantage over the 13-time European champions but, after Friday's draw paired the winner of their last-16 tie against Lyon or Juventus , they will have to try and seal a place at the final stages in Lisbon without their all-time record goalscorer.

"I told you many times no. No," Guardiola told a news conference when asked about Aguero's prospects.

Friday's draw mapped out City's potential route to glory, with prospective semi-final opponents coming from a quarter-final between Napoli or Barcelona and Chelsea or Bayern Munich

Nevertheless, Guardiola insists City must not look past an in-form Madrid who appear set to wrest La Liga from his beloved Barca's grasp. 

"We play against Real Madrid," he said. "If we think about the next step the kings of this competition, Real Madrid, will put us out.

"There is not one person who knows Real Madrid better than me, their potential and history, and we have to play this game.

"I saw the draw maybe two or three hours after it was made. I’ve got Brighton [in the Premier League on Saturday] and continue to prepare for Arsenal [in the semi-finals of the FA Cup].

"After that, we have two games and a potential [FA Cup] final to prepare for before Real Madrid. That's all I have in my mind." 

City's bid for an elusive Champions League crown might be thrown into sharper focus on Monday if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) uphold their two-season ban from UEFA competitions for violating Financial Fair Play regulations.

Guardiola reiterated his belief that City will be cleared by CAS and, irrespective of the verdict, he does not feel events in a Swiss court room will fuel his players.

"The intention is every season to play in the Champions League as best as possible, it's not about Monday," he said.

"On Monday, I'm so confident because I know and hear the arguments of the club. Next season we will be there and after I will give my opinion and the club will give a statement."

City head to Brighton looking to snap a run of three successive away defeats in the Premier League.

Guardiola could once again call upon Benjamin Mendy after revealing the left-back sat out matches against Southampton and Newcastle United over the past week due to "muscular issues". 

Original author: Dom Farrell

LIVE: Tottenham vs West Ham

The former striker is feeling optimistic ahead of the north London derby, with Tottenham struggling for a spark that the Gunners have found

Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi appear to have been “ousted from the core group” at Arsenal, says Alan Smith, with Mikel Arteta displaying the kind of decisive leadership that north London rivals Tottenham are lacking ahead of a derby date on Sunday.

The Gunners are set to lock horns with Spurs with just one place and a solitary point separating them in the Premier League standings.

Arsenal just about have bragging rights with four games of the 2019-20 campaign left to take in.

They limped out of the blocks when competitive action resumed in June, but have since hit their stride to take five wins and a draw from their last six games in all competitions.

Spurs, in contrast, are still scratching around for consistency, with Jose Mourinho seeing uncomfortable questions asked of his supposedly “boring” methods.

Smith believes contrasting moods at two close neighbours could work in Arsenal’s favour when a fierce rivalry is rekindled, with Arteta making the kind of bold decisions – such as dropping those not pulling their weight – that have the Gunners moving forward and “nobody doubting” their manager.

“If we’re going on momentum, there’s only one winner on Sunday,” ex-Gunners frontman Smith said in the Evening Standard.

“Arsenal, with all their challenges and shortcomings, are at least enjoying a bit of optimism. Under Mikel Arteta, they are looking up as an improving outfit, hoping to close the gap on the top teams.

“To give the situation some context, Spurs are 18 points worse off than at this stage last season. That’s the biggest drop of any Premier League team. Admittedly, the side was gradually deteriorating under Mauricio Pochettino, and getting to the Champions League final only masked those problems.

“But to fall so far so quickly? These are worrying times down Tottenham High Road. And there must be serious doubts as to whether Mourinho is the right man to turn the ship around.

“Meanwhile, up the Seven Sisters Road, nobody is doubting Arteta’s ability. The Spaniard has laid out a clear path towards improvement that most of the players are prepared to follow.

“Those not on board with the project, such as Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi, get quickly ousted from the core group.

“I think that’s the big difference between the teams at the moment — the message is clear at the Emirates, while the thinking looks muddled across north London.

“From that point of view, Arsenal go into this derby, set to be the strangest on record, in a better frame of mind. That doesn’t mean, of course, that my old club will win. But it should lend an advantage in this joust for local pride and a Europa League slot.”

Arsenal are only a point behind Sheffield United as things stand, and two adrift of Wolves, with European qualification still very much there to be shot at by a side that are also through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Original author: Chris Burton

Solskjaer offers no assurances on De Gea's place

The former Red Devils star sees no reason why a teenage talent cannot become a superstar, with it likely that he will become a No.9 at some stage

Mason Greenwood is capable of following in the footsteps of some notable teenage sensations, says Phil Neville, with there every reason to believe that the Manchester United forward could emulate the achievements of Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen.

A striker who was recognised as the best player on the planet in 2001 burst onto the scene at Liverpool.

At 18 years of age he was already an established Premier League star and the talk of the 1998 World Cup after scoring a stunning solo effort against Argentina.

Greenwood is the same age as Owen was at that point, with the highly-rated youngster having made giant strides since stepping out of the academy system.

He has recorded an impressive haul of 16 goals this season, with nine of those coming in the Premier League.

Owen managed 18 top-flight efforts in 1997-98, but Neville believes Greenwood is capable of matching the ex-Liverpool frontman and other precocious talents such as Robbie Fowler and Wayne Rooney.

“You look at his impact as a young player and you think about some great careers – Michael Owen was a Ballon d’Or winner,” former United defender Neville told Premier League Productions.

“You’ve got to keep your feet on the ground and you’ve got to protect the lad and there is a long way to go, but ultimately the quality of his development and the rate of his development is up there with some of the great young players that we’ve seen.

“You think about the front three for United, [Bruno] Fernandes, [Paul] Pogba - that lad can be absolutely anything he wants to be.”

Neville added on an ambidextrous frontman: “The impressive thing about him is that he is so gifted with both feet – left foot, right foot.

“I have seen him take penalties with left foot, penalties with his right foot. That is something special. He’s a special, special player.

“Before lockdown he was as thin as a rake, he’s become a man and that strength, that power, that balance is going to take him a long way.”

For now, Greenwood is being asked to fill a wide attacking role by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with United tending to use him on the right of a trident that also includes Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Neville, though, believes it is only a matter of time before a clinical finisher is moved inside to a central berth.

He said: “With Marcus, he’ll always play but where he’ll play depends on where there is a position in the team – he has the ability to play in all positions and I think he enjoys being a little bit freer.

“I think Mason will eventually become an out-and-out number nine. Marcus has got the ability to play left, right, centre, number 10 as well.

“It will be interesting to see if they play them both together. But I think Mason is probably the more out-and-out number nine.”

Original author: Chris Burton

'I love playing with this lot' - Sancho insists he's happy at Dortmund as Man Utd interest continues

The ATK Mohun Bagan FC owner wants to see the new team play the AFC Champions League soon....

The principal owner and chairman of ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Sanjiv Goenka, has sent a message of support for the Mohun Bagan fans by claiming that 'Green and Maroon' are now his colours as well.

Three-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK have merged with reigning I-League champions Mohun Bagan, with the first board meeting of the newly merged entity held on Friday.

The board decided that the newly formed club which will take part in the ISL 2020-21 season will be known as ATK Mohun Bagan FC and will wear the iconic Green and Maroon jersey as their home kit. Mohun Bagan’s logo too was left unaltered as the new club will continue with the iconic Pal Tola Nauka emblem.

"To me, green and maroon are my colours. Green and maroon it is. The logo remains the same, ATK Mohun Bagan is the new name of the club. To each fan, all I can say is that you are important, your emotions are important, and above all, your blessings are important," Goenka said in an interview with ISL.

Goenka also stated that his plan was to have red and white (ATK's colours) as their away kit but it is not finalised yet.

"The away jersey will be white and red with green and maroon stripes on it. That is not yet unveiled nor is absolutely finalized. We have earlier thought it would be the ATK jersey with the new logo for the away kit. But today, Tumpai (Srinjoy Bose) and Debasish (Dutta) made a very good suggestion that why don't we introduce green and maroon in the jersey. So we will do that."

Goenka’s main aim though is to consistently perform at the highest level in Asia. ATK Mohun Bagan FC have qualified for the group stages of the AFC Cup 2021. But he feels, the club should target AFC Champions League.

 “What is very clear is that we cannot play in the ISL and the I-League both. So we will play in the ISL. But, we should be playing in all other leagues as well. And I do not want to over a period of time confine it to local leagues or national leagues only. I think we have to build ourselves, our competencies, our strengths, and capabilities to an extent where we can participate in international competitions. And my target is the AFC Champions League. We have to prepare for that and at some stage, we have to play in it,” said the RPSG Group chief.

The Kolkata-based businessman also suggested that he will try to improve the existing facilities in the iconic Mohun Bagan club tent in Maidan, even stating that he intends to develop a venue which can host ISL and continental games in the future.

“If I can, I would like to upgrade the facilities at the Mohun Bagan ground. It is part of the city's history. As we have grown up, each one of us has seen that it is iconic. But, it needs up-gradation, modernization, and needs to be reconstructed in a manner that is different. And, if I can I would definitely like to upgrade the facilities such that, to begin with, we can have ISL games there. But over a period of time, maybe have AFC games there as well and really build it into a world-class facility," opined the ATKMB FC owner.

Original author: Ritabrata Banerjee

Ivory Coast confirms friendlies with Belgium and Japan after snubbing Nigeria

The Reds boss says he has no concerns over his star pair's relationship and dismissed suggestions of selfishness among his forwards

Jurgen Klopp insists star duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have a "healthy competition" for goals at Liverpool, praising the latter's "absolutely crazy" numbers.

Speaking at a press conference to preview his side's Premier League clash with Burnley, the Reds boss dismissed suggestions that there is any kind of discord between his forwards. 

In the return fixture at Turf Moor back in September, Mane had reacted angrily after Salah opted to shoot for goal instead of passing to his unmarked team-mate.

And after Wednesday's 3-1 win at Brighton, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness suggested Salah had been "super selfish" as he looked for goals to take him closer to the Premier League Golden Boot award.

Klopp told reporters: “I’m not sure it’s a competition but it’s healthy. They want to score goals and that’s completely normal. These things are always made up, and it’s clear. If you shoot and don’t score, there’s a 98 per cent opportunity that you should have passed somewhere else! 

“It was never a bad relationship. There are moments where you think ‘he could pass the ball here or there’ but in my 20 years as a manager, I don’t think I’ve had more than two talks to a striker about being too selfish!

“Strikers have to be selfish to make decisions. And these decisions are the most important things, you have to be ready to finish a situation off.

“If he doesn’t see it, we can talk to a player and show them. But I have never thought a player is selfish or too selfish. In those situations, so many legs are around and you need to make sure you can keep the ball and finish. 

“No, it’s all good.”

Salah moved to 19 league goals for the season with a double at Brighton, while both he and Mane have passed 20 in all competitions for the past three seasons.

"It’s incredible," Klopp said. "We would not be where we are now if these boys didn’t perform at such a consistently high level.

“Mo? Of course, come on! The numbers are absolutely crazy! Involved in 100 goals since he is here, 73 [goals] and 27 [assists], it’s just outstanding, world-class numbers. Nobody should be surprised anymore.

“The boys showed this, week in and week out, and for a while. We know that it is special, but we know that you can only score if you invest in each game, to be in the right position. That’s what the boys were ready to do, and what they still have to do.

"Long may it continue!”

Klopp also dismissed claims that Salah's team-mates were actively seeking to aid his quest for a third successive Golden Boot. The Egyptian currently sits three goals behind leader Jamie Vardy with four games remaining in the season.

“I hope they were not doing that," Klopp said. "When I saw the [first goal v Brighton] situation, it was just that Bobby Firmino's football intelligence told him he was not in the best position and that Mo was in a much better position. I don’t think he left the ball because he wants Mo to win the Golden Boot. You cannot have this mindset. 

“We all help each other. We have another contender with Sadio. He has 16 goals. They all want to score goals. Bobby wants to score. They want to be decisive, to decide football games. That’s the mindset a striker needs.”

Original author: Neil Jones

Twitter Reacts as FA Cup Semi Final Draw Pits Man Utd Against Chelsea While Man City Face Arsenal

At 35, the Soweto-born coach still has years of learning and growing and his representative doesn't think he's done with the Sea Robbers

Rhulani Mokwena's agent Steve Kapeluschnik believes his client still has plenty of time to be his own boss in the coaching industry. 

Earlier this week, Mokwena returned to his old position at Mamelodi Sundowns following his departure from Orlando Pirates

Kapeluschnik said the Soweto-born mentor enjoyed his time at Pirates and was happy to work at the club.

However, he feels his two-and-a-half-year stint with the Sea Robbers was more of a learning curve than anything. 

"He had a great time at Pirates. He was happy there. It was a big learning curve for him," Kapeluschnik told IOL

After serving as Micho Sredojevic's assistant for the first two seasons, Mokwena was elevated to the position of head coach albeit on an interim basis. 

This was soon after Sredojevic's sudden resignation in August 2019. 

Mokwena held the position for four months before Pirates decided to replace him with Josef Zinnbauer in December 2019. 

He didn't take kindly the club's decision to hire someone else and the pair didn't see eye-to-eye and Mokwena eventually decided to take a sabbatical before permanently leaving Pirates last week. 

Asked if Mokwena is done with Pirates given the management's failure to hold on to his services, Kapeluschnik hinted that the young coach may return in future. 

 "He's a young guy. You can never say that he’s served and done (with Pirates)."  

"You can't use that kind of language at the moment. He went to Pirates and that was a learning curve and now he’s focusing on his next chapter at Sundowns," added Kapeluschnik.

Meanwhile, Mokwena has arrived in Rustenburg to link up with the Brazilians for their week-long training camp.

The club revealed soon after the announcement of his return that Mokwena that the coach was only waiting for his Covid-19 test before travelling to the North West province. 

He will work alongside Manqoba Mngqithi as Pitso Mosimane's assistants for the next few years as Sundowns look to add another Caf Champions League title to their trophy cabinet.

It's unclear, at this stage, Wendell Robinson will continue as the club's assistant coach or will focus on being a goalkeeper coach at Sundowns now that Mokwena is back.  

Original author: Ernest Makhaya

Simpore bags brace as Dinamo-BSUPC maul ABFF U19

The Reds skipper suffered the problem in the 3-1 win at Brighton but will not require surgery and should be fit for the 2020-21 campaign

Jordan Henderson will miss the rest of Liverpool's Premier League campaign with a knee injury, manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

The Reds captain was forced off during the second half of Wednesday's 3-1 win over Brighton at the AmEx Stadium following a collision with Yves Bissouma. 

Henderson underwent a scan at Melwood on Thursday, and while he will not require surgery on the injury, he will miss the final four games of the season. 

Klopp did, however, suggest the 30-year-old would be fit for the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

Speaking at a press conference to preview his side's game with Burnley on Saturday, Klopp said: "It is the best possible of all the bad news. It is a knee injury, but there is no surgery needed.

"He will not play again for the rest of this season, but I'm positive he will be with us for the start of next season. He's a quick healer. 

"It's not too cool, but it's the best news we could get."

Liverpool take on Burnley at Anfield on Saturday and follow that up with games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle. 

The Chelsea fixture will see them receive the Premier League trophy, and Klopp confirmed that Henderson would be the one to lift it, even though he will not be involved that day.

He added: "It was an awful moment when he left the pitch, we knew immediately. In Germany, we would say that Hendo is an animal, he fights with everything. If he has pain he will never tell you. So you knew something had happened which should not have happened. 

"It was a complete mood killer. We won away, and I said to the players we should be happy with that, but then everyone realises Hendo is round the corner [injured]. Everybody felt for him.

"He deserves to lift the trophy, and he will lift the trophy. No surgery needed, that's the good news. All the rest, we can make our own decisions. Hendo will lift the trophy."

Henderson has taken in 40 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions this season, with his consistency for the record-breaking Reds seeing him billed by many as a leading contender for the PFA Player of the Year award.

Meanwhile, Klopp confirmed that defender Dejan Lovren had returned to full training having missed the Reds' last four games through injury. The Croatian will be in contention to feature against Burnley. 

Original author: Neil Jones

David Alaba admits he didn't want Sergio Ramos shirt number at Real Madrid

The Blues striker has now reached the appearance and goal requirements to see his current deal extended by a further year

Tammy Abraham has had his Chelsea contract extended by another year to 2023 after a clause was activated as he reached 15 Premier League goals.

The England striker was on the scoresheet in the Blues' 3-2 win over Crystal Palace, with Frank Lampard's side having won consecutive matches as they aim to finish in the Champions League spots.

The clause in Abraham's contract gives Chelsea some further breathing room as they consider the forward's long-term future, with his original deal having been due to expire in 2022.

Should the Blues consider a sale, they now have more leverage in any possible transfer talks for the 22-year-old, who is currently the club's top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions.

The clause itself was agreed in 2017 and was also based on appearances, which had long been achieved by the Blues' No.9 but has only come to light after both landmarks were reached.

Lampard was happy to see the striker break his 10-game goal drought against Palace, with his rhythm having been disrupted due to an ankle injury sustained against Arsenal in January.

"It will be really important for Tammy because he is desperate for goals," Lampard told reporters.

"He hasn’t scored a for a while, it helps his confidence and it is good for me. It gives me other options. He came on later in the game, he scored the winning goal and I'm pleased for my strikers."

Indeed, Abraham's representatives will still target a new contract in the near future to reflect his status in the squad as he currently ranks as one of the lowest-paid players in the first team on around £50,000 a week.

Lampard spoke ahead of the Palace game about Abraham putting his contract talks out of his mind and how he expects an agreement to be reached with Blues director Marina Granovskaia, who will lead the talks.

"I think on Tammy’s contract we’re not at a critical level with it and I’ll leave that between him and the club to discuss that side of it,"  Lampard told reporters.  "I don’t think it’s something in his mind now. It certainly shouldn’t be.

"What needs to be in his mind now is these games we have coming up and how much he can give us on the pitch, whether he’s coming on as a sub or starting games. He has had a really good season.

"He hasn’t scored so much in the second half of the season and as a young player, it’s always clear that when you have those periods there’s only one way out of it and that’s work and repetition in training and trying to make the most out of every moment you get.

"I just think that’s where Tammy’s at. The contract will hopefully look after itself. It’s between him and the club."

Chelsea's signing of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner for £47m ($59m) in mid-June had thrown Abraham's future into doubt, with Olivier Giroud having also replaced him in the starting XI since the Premier League restart.

The Frenchman was one of four players who saw their contracts extended for another season but the 33-year-old's position at Stamford Bridge remains unclear, with Inter still keen on signing him.

Original author: Nizaar Kinsella

Back Injury Rules Marcelo Out of Real Madrid’s Clash With Real Betis

The Red Devils have discovered their potential opponents for the last eight & semi-finals, with Rangers and Wolves also plotting routes to glory

Manchester United will face either Istanbul Basaksehir or FC Copenhagen in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, as they hold a commanding 5-0 lead over LASK in their last-16 encounter, while Serie A giants Inter are facing up to a meeting with Rangers or Bayer Leverkusen if they overcome Getafe.

The Italian outfit are yet to take in the first leg of their last-16 clash, with Sevilla and Roma also having both legs at that stage to play out.

United are among those to have one foot in the quarter-finals, having secured an impressive win in Austria prior to lockdown, with Basel another seemingly set to progress after beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in their initial clash.

Bayer Leverkusen hold a 3-1 advantage over Rangers, Shakhtar Donetsk are leading Wolfsburg 2-1, Istanbul Basaksehir will be looking to defend a 1-0 lead over Copenhagen, while Wolves and Olympiacos are locked at 1-1.

With competitive football having been forced to shut down in mid-March, and with the coronavirus pandemic still impacting sporting events around the world, the final stages of the Europa League will be held in one region in an effort to avoid issues regarding travel and testing.

The 2019-20 mini-tournament will be played in venues across four cities in Germany: Gelsenkirchen, Duisburg, Dusseldorf and Cologne between August 10 and 21.

The stadiums that will be used are Koln's RheinEnergieStadion, Duisburg's MSV-Arena, Fortuna Dusseldorf's Merkur Spiel-Arena and Schalke's Arena AufSchalke.

It could be that there is a German derby to be taken in, with Wolfsburg seeing a potential meeting with Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt placed in their path.

Elsewhere, Wolves, who are enjoying another impressive season in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo, will be hoping to edge out Greek giants Olympiacos and line up another heavyweight tie with either record UEFA Cup/Europa League winners Sevilla or Roma.

Europa League quarter-final draw:

Wolfsburg/Shakhtar Donetsk vs Eintracht Frankfurt/FC Basel

LASK/Manchester United vs Istanbul Basaksehir/FC Copenhagen

Inter/Getafe vs Rangers/Bayer Leverkusen

Olympiacos/Wolves vs Sevilla/Roma

Europa League semi-final draw:

Winner of quarter-final 4 vs winner of quarter-final 2

Winner of quarter-final 3 vs winner of quarter-final 1

All of the remaining last-16 encounters will be played to a finish on August 5/6.

The quarter-finals will then be held on August 10/11, with the semi-finals happening the following week on August 16/17.

The final will take place at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on August 21.

Original author: Chris Burton

'I want to lift some more trophies' - Chiellini set to re-sign for Juve as Italy star confirms imminent return to Turin

The Bavarian giants won their 30th league title and 20th DFB-Pokal this season, but their former midfielder thinks their dominance is bad for the game

The entire structure of the Bundesliga should be changed to stop Bayern Munich winning the German title every season, according to the club's former midfielder Stefan Effenberg.

Hansi Flick’s side recovered from a disappointing start to the season to win their eighth consecutive title, with their untouchable form also seeing them win a record 20th DFB-Pokal with a dominant victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach were among the teams to threaten a title race at different stages, but Bayern finished with a 13-point gap to Lucien Favre's team in second.

Plenty in and outside of Germany are concerned that such dominance from one club is bad for the league and for German football as a whole.

Now Effenberg, who won three league titles and the Champions League across two spells with Bayern, has suggested a radical solution.

“For me, it is very clear,” Effenberg wrote for t-online. “There has to be a new fire, it has to be re-lit.

“There is only one way to make the Bundesliga more exciting again to help this: a new version of it.”

Effenberg proposes the 18-team Bundesliga be divided into two groups of nine, through which teams can qualify for a championship and relegation round in the second half of the season.

Such a format would bear some similarity to Belgium’s Pro League, though the idea isn’t exactly the same.

Following the regular season in Belgium, the top six go into a title play-off system with each team playing home and away again, with the remaining teams doing the same for Europa League qualification and relegation.

Effenberg says something new has to be trialled in Germany at least for a season, because “one club cannot win 10 titles in a row – but that is exactly what could happen, if nothing changes."

He also warned of the effect of a lack of competition on fans’ interest, after reports that viewing figures for the DFB-Pokal final may have been as low as half the number seen six years ago.

“That may be the effect of the coronavirus crisis, but the numbers should be a warning,” he said.

“Many are bored of it because Bayern always win anyway.”

Bayern have also found themselves under fire from elsewhere in the Bundesliga, with Hoffenheim director Frank Briel publicly criticising their 'talent-poaching' transfer policy.


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