Sports
Swaggering Champions Madrid Rout Relegated Granada
Spanish champions Real Madrid romped to a 4-0 victory over relegated Granada to get their title celebrations started on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will parade the league trophy on Sunday in the Spanish capital and a side filled with reserves made light work of the downtrodden Andalucians.
Brahim Diaz struck twice with Fran Garcia and Arda Guler also on target for Madrid, who defeated Bayern Munich in midweek to reach the Champions League final.
Los Blancos secured their 36th Spanish title last weekend with four games to spare, but chose not to celebrate to focus on the Bayern clash.
A late Joselu brace settled that match in dramatic fashion and the Spaniard started up front against Granada, with only Antonio Rudiger starting the match from the side that beat the German giants.
Granada, 19th, were relegated before kick-off after Mallorca beat Las Palmas to ensure the Andalucians could not escape the drop zone.
Their players gave Real Madrid a guard of honour and Los Blancos went on to demonstrate the focus that drove them on to the title, even with nothing on the line now. Victory sent them 15 points clear of second-placed Girona.
Madrid took the lead after 38 minutes when Diaz cut the ball across the six-yard box and Garcia arrived to stroke home.
The left-back turned creator for Madrid’s second goal in stoppage time before the break, feeding Turkish teenager Guler, who took a touch to control and a second to fire into the bottom corner.
Madrid maintained their dominance in the second half and extended their lead after 49 minutes.
Tricky playmaker Diaz received the ball on the halfway line and drove forward deep into Granada territory. With the defence standing off he worked his way into the area and fired home.
The Morocco international added the fourth after a neat team move, finishing comfortably after veteran midfielder Luka Modric teed him up.
The likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde stayed on the bench for Madrid, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois completed his second game back after nine months out injured.
The three remaining league fixtures will allow Ancelotti to rest and rotate to get his first choice side in optimal condition to face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1 in the Champions League final.
They may also provide fans a last chance to see Modric in action, with the 38-year-old Croatian’s contract expiring in the summer.
When Modric made way for Toni Kroos in the second half many fans at the Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium applauded him off.
AFP
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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