Sports
TRANSFER! Modric’s fate at Real Madrid rests on his hands-Ancelloti
Real Madrid head coach, Carlo Ancelotti has stated that the decision to continue at Real Madrid beyond this season rests with Luka Modric.
Carlo Ancelotti declined to comment on Luka Modric’s contract extension at Real Madrid, stating that the decision lies with the player. Modric, a veteran midfielder who has been with Los Blancos for the past 12 years, has less than six months remaining on his current deal.
Speaking to reporters, the Italian manager said, “We celebrated Luka because he deserved it, he scored a great goal that gave us three points, and he brought a lot more. He had freshness. He shows that it is very difficult to leave him on the bench. Not just because of the goal, but because of how he trains every day.
“It’s in Luka’s hands what he wants to do. We have to wait for his decision. Out of respect for him, I can’t give him advice. He knows perfectly well what he has to do. The quality of the minutes is more important than the quantity.”
Luka Modric, the Croatia international, scored the sole goal for Real Madrid in their 1-0 victory over Sevilla in a pivotal La Liga match on Sunday, allowing them to maintain their eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Modric has featured in 21 league games this season, starting in 11 of them. Real Madrid’s next match is against Valencia in a league fixture on Saturday, followed by a Champions League clash against RB Leipzig on March 6.
Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after surviving a thrilling Sunderland fightback to claim a 5-3 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City capitalised on Arsenal’s shock 3-0 defeat to Brighton but were pushed all the way by a Sunderland side that refused to surrender despite falling behind three times.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring with his first Premier League goal since his £125 million ($167 million) move from Chelsea, curling a free-kick that caught Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs off guard at his near post.
Sunderland, who had defeated AZ Alkmaar in Europe during the week, showed no signs of fatigue as Brian Brobbey levelled after converting Enzo Le Fee’s pass.
Rayan Cherki restored City’s lead with a composed finish, only for Brobbey to respond again four minutes later after a slick Sunderland move.
Antoine Semenyo put the hosts back in front before half-time and appeared to have settled the contest when he struck again with an accurate left-footed finish shortly before the hour mark.
But Brobbey completed his hat-trick when Nilson Angulo raced onto a ball over the top and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma before setting up the Sunderland striker.
City were forced to withstand further pressure, with Donnarumma involved in a couple of nervous moments and Ruben Dias clearing the ball off his own goal line.
Erling Haaland eventually ended Sunderland’s hopes of a comeback by adding City’s fifth goal, while also maintaining his record of scoring against every Premier League opponent he has faced.
The victory extended Enzo Maresca’s perfect start as he takes on the daunting task of succeeding Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager.
Liverpool Edge Bournemouth
Liverpool also secured an important victory, beating Bournemouth 1-0 on Andoni Iraola’s return to the south coast.
Iraola received a warm reception from Bournemouth supporters after previously guiding the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
His success eventually earned him the Liverpool job, but his start at Anfield has been inconsistent, making Saturday’s victory particularly valuable before the three-week international break.
Liverpool were far from their best but found the decisive breakthrough when Cody Gakpo’s cross fell perfectly for Alexander Isak, who fired home his fourth goal of the season.
The result lifted Liverpool to sixth place, just one point behind third-placed Brighton.
Leeds Held by Palace
Leeds missed the opportunity to climb into third place after being held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at home.
Palace thought they had taken the lead in the second half when Tyrick Mitchell found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside during the build-up.
United Under Pressure
Manchester United will look to ease the pressure on manager Michael Carrick when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Fulham.
United have collected just four points from their opening four league matches and were knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton in midweek after surrendering a 2-0 lead at home for the first time in 50 years.
Defending champions Rangers, Inter Lagos and Abia Warriors recorded away wins on Matchday Four of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, on Sunday.
Inter Lagos stunned nine-time champions Enyimba 1-0 in Aba.
Ezekiel Moses scored the decisive goal for the visitors in the 18th minute.
Rangers beat Kun Khalifat FC 4-2 in the Oriental derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Preye Seikorowei, Ayuba Umar, Temitope Folarin and Waheed Adebayo scored for Rangers, while Chimobi Igwilo netted twice for Kun Khalifat.
Abia Warriors recorded their first win of the season, edging past Sporting Lagos 2-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
Ikoi Etta and Emeka Obioma got the goals for Imama Amapakabo’s side.
Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has revealed that the Spanish club is planning a tribute for Lionel Messi.
Messi played for the Catalans between 2003 and 2021, winning numerous trophies and individual awards.
The Argentina captain left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
Although he has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, Messi is still playing his club football with Inter Miami.
Laporta has now confirmed they plan to honour Messi when the Spotify Camp Nou is ready in 2028.
He said: “We are planning for the Leo Messi tribute once the Spotify Camp Nou is completed.
“It will be a beautiful tribute. We hope to complete the stadium by the start of 2028.”
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