Sports
Barcelona dismantle Valladolid to keep up perfect La Liga start
Barcelona maintained their 100% winning start to the La Liga season as they delivered a 7-0 thumping to newly-promoted Real Valladolid – a result that extends their unbeaten run in home league head-to-heads, which stretches back to November 1997.
Fresh from scoring the winner on his Barcelona debut, Dani Olmo was handed a first start here and he was at the forefront of the action in the early stages. Lamine Yamal’s delicate cross to the back post could only be dragged across goal by Robert Lewandowski and into the path of Olmo, but his close-range effort rattled the post.
He had the ball in the net on 10 minutes only to be denied by the offside flag, though there was a growing sense that an opening goal was only a matter of time for the Blaugrana.
And so it proved, with Raphinha the man to get it, finishing with aplomb after being released in behind the Valladolid defence by an exquisite ball from Pau Cubarsí.
The Valladolid defensive line was penetrated again just four minutes later, with Yamal the architect this time, releasing Lewandowski to rifle home Barcelona’s second. It already looked a long way back for the visitors, though some heart could be taken from the fact that Barça had scored exactly twice in eight of their previous 10 league matches.
Hansi Flick’s men were showing no mercy, however, adding a third in first-half stoppage time when Jules Koundé pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire in with the assistance of the post.
Damage limitation was all Valladolid could realistically hope for after the break, but Barcelona continued to cut through at will. First, Olmo scuffed a gilt-edged chance at the back post before Yamal was denied by Karl Hein and Lewandowski followed his new teammate in smashing an effort against the post.
Los Blanquivioletas would not continue to escape though, falling four behind just beyond the hour mark. A low cross created a chaotic scene in the box, and Lewandowski showed all his experience to scoop the ball to the back post for Raphinha to convert into an empty net. The Brazilian had his hat-trick before long, sliding underneath Hein after being slotted through by Yamal.
Not content with five, Olmo got in on the action to score for a second successive appearance, bursting through the Valladolid defence before curling into the far corner.
The rout continued into the closing stages, with Ferran Torres getting in on the act by directing Raphinha’s cross in at the near post.
Mercifully for the visitors, seven is where the scoring stopped with Barcelona content with the ominous message they’ve sent to their La Liga rivals, most notably Real Madrid who’ve already dropped four points after three rounds.
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Diagnosed Down With Viral Infection-Club
By Mario Deepromoter
Al Nassr struggled in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence on Monday, when the Saudi club kicked off the revamped Asian Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Al Shorta in Iraq.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo did not travel with the squad for the match in Baghdad, with the club issuing a statement a day before stating that the Portuguese superstar had been diagnosed with a viral infection.
The statement read: “Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection.
“The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at his place.
“As a result, he will not be travelling with the team to Iraq today. We wish a speedy recovery to our captain.”
Al Nassr, who were knocked out of last season’s Asian Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain, were given a dream start in the Iraqi capital, when full-back Sultan Al Ghannam met Otavio’s astute, first-time pass on 14 minutes to finish low past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil
Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi club.
Sports
Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa May Return To NPFL
By Mario Deepromoter
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has hinted on a possible return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Musa urged his supporters to decide on his next club among the 20 teams in the NPFL.
The former NPFL hotshot made the announcement on the social media.
“Let’s go again, which of this team’s do you wish for me to sign,” Musa wrote on X with the logos of the 20 NPFL clubs..
Musa previously had two stints with Kano Pillars in the NPFL.
The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving Turkish Super Lig club, Sivasspor.
Sports
Champions League: Vinícius Jr Bags 2023-24 Best Player Award
By Mario Deepromoter
Superstar Vinicius Junior on Monday received his award as the Best Player for the 2023/24 Champions League.
Vinicius was decisive as the LaLiga champions won the title.
The Brazilian winger scored six goals and laid on five assists in the competition last season.
His ability to step up in crucial matches was instrumental in ultimately securing the trophy.
Meanwhile, Mbappe was also awarded as the top scorer of the Champions League, netting eight goals throughout the tournament.
Both players will be hoping to form a lethal duo that will dismantle opposing defences this season.
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