Soccer-Xavi reaches 100 games at the helm of Barca with championship ambitions

by admin_em8z1e00 | May 17, 2024 | Soccer News

(Reuters) – Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez reached 100 games in charge of the La Liga club with a 2-0 win over Almeria on Thursday, and although being on the verge of a second-place finish, he made it clear that he wants to win championships.

Xavi, who last month reversed his decision to leave the club at the end of the season, said he is concentrating on the future with changes already in mind for the club.

“I have every ambition to win titles. The economic situation is not the best and we are working to reverse it. We are planning the next season and I see it as an opportunity,” Xavi told a press conference.

“We are getting the games ready to play the Super Cup next year. I really want Barca to win titles again. This year we haven’t competed well enough to win them, but we’ve come close. I’m eager, excited and ambitious,” he added.

Xavi spent 17 years at Barcelona, making 767 appearances and winning 25 trophies, including four Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles.

Despite being a club great and winning La Liga last year as coach, he has come under pressure this season after failing to catch Real Madrid, who have already secured the title, and losing to Paris St Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

There are also the challenges of a bloated wage bill and a 1.6 billion euro ($1.7 billion) renovation project at the Camp Nou stadium.

But Xavi is clear that the club will fight to change as he aims to change, involve and improve.

“It’s not an easy or pleasant situation. We want to win titles and we haven’t done our homework. We have a very good squad and I am happy with the level of ambition of the players.

“We tell the players the importance of finishing second, but I want to compete and fight for titles,” he added.

($1 = 0.9203 euros)

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Sonali Paul)

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/05/17/soccer-xavi-reaches-100-games-at-the-helm-of-barca-with-championship-ambitions

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Soccer-Leeds reach Championship play-offs final with 4-0 win over Norwich

by admin_em8z1e00 | May 17, 2024 | Soccer News

LEEDS (Reuters) – Leeds United beat Norwich City 4-0 in the second leg of their Championship play-offs semi-final on Thursday to complete a 4-0 aggregate win, earning the spot in the final.

Midfielder Ilia Gruev gave Leeds the lead in the seventh minute, scoring his first goal for the club, before Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter put the hosts 3-0 up at the break. Crysencio Summerville added the fourth in the second half.

The sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg on Sunday.

Southampton and West Bromwich Albion face each other on Friday in the second leg of the other semi-final, also following a 0-0 draw.

The final will be played on May 26 at Wembley.

(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk)

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/05/17/soccer-leeds-reach-championship-play-offs-final-with-4-0-win-over-norwich

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Soccer-Lopez double move Barca closer to top two finish with win over Almeria

by admin_em8z1e00 | May 17, 2024 | Soccer News

ALMERIA, Spain (Reuters) -Barcelona remained on track to finish second in LaLiga after Fermin Lopez scored a brace in their 2-0 win over bottom side Almeria on Thursday.

Xavi Hernandez’s side are on 79 points, four clear of Catalan rivals Girona, whose hopes of finishing second are fading fast after Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat by Villareal.

“We have a very good squad and I’m happy with the level of demand from the players, but this not an easy or pleasant situation. We want to win titles and we haven’t done our homework properly,” Xavi told a press conference.

Real Madrid, who have already clinched the title, continue to pull away from Barca after a 5-0 win over Alaves on Tuesday and have 93 points with two games remaining.

Lopez gave Barca an early lead in the 14th minute when he headed past goalkeeper Luis Maximiano from Hector Fort’s accurate cross.

“Hector gave me a little piece of candy. I’ve always had good head timing,” Lopez said to Movistar+.

Despite efforts from Cesar Montes and Lucas Robertone, Almeria were unable to find an equaliser.

Lopez netted his second from Sergi Roberto’s cross to wrap up the win for Barca.

“I’m happy to help the team with goals and for the win, which we needed. We’re going to fight for second place until the end and we’re on the right track,” Lopez added.

Almeria, already relegated, sit last with 17 points.

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/05/17/soccer-lopez-double-move-barca-closer-to-top-two-finish-with-win-over-almeria

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‘Rappers and yodellers’: Nagelsmann strikes balance in Euro 2024 squad – Soccer America

by admin_em8z1e00 | May 17, 2024 | Soccer News

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said he had struck the right balance his Euro 2024 squad, saying veteran Thomas Mueller linked the team’s “rappers with the yodellers” while praising man of “steel” Toni Kroos.

Nagelsmann named 27 players for the home tournament, with the squad to be cut to 26 after friendlies against Ukraine on June 3 in Nuremberg and Greece four days later in Moenchengladbach.

At the announcement made in downtown Berlin just near the famous Brandenberg Gate, Nagelsmann said the 34-year-old Mueller — who he coached at club level during his stint as Bayern Munich manager — tied the group together.

“Thomas is a connector, he can connect the groups together. He can link the rappers with the yodellers.”

After the coach informed Mueller he was included, the veteran “sent me a funny message — it showed me how much we need him around.”

Mueller responded on social media saying he was “hugely looking forward to the Euros in our own country.”

“I’m ready to whip in and step on the gas … I’m on the starting blocks.”

Nagelsmann said Kroos “may not be 20 anymore” but praised the Real Madrid midfielder’s physique, saying “if you hug Toni Kroos, it feels like he’s made of steel”.

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