‘Football misses him’ LaLiga president wants Messi to return to Barcelona

MADRID: LaLiga President Javier Tebas has expressed his wish to see Lionel Messi back to Barcelona as he took a dig at Ligue 1, claiming that the Argentinian superstar is not getting the same exposure at Paris Saint Germain that he used to get at Barcelona. 

Speaking in an interview with the Argentine publication Ole, Tebas said that the former Barcelona star was not only missed by his previous club but the whole football world was feeling his absence from the forefront.

After spending his entire career at Camp Nou, the 35-year-old left Barca last year as the club was unable to renew his contract due to financial constraints.

Messi joined PSG following his departure from the Spanish League, signing a two-year contract, which will terminate at the end of the ongoing campaign.

With Argentina’s captain poised to become a free agent this summer, a possible return to Barcelona has been hotly discussed. Tebas, however, did not shy away from admitting that he wanted to see Messi return to Spanish football.

“I hope he comes back. Above all, it would also be good for him to return to Spanish football, especially to the team that saw him born.” he expressed during the Ole Sports Summit. 

Meanwhile, La Liga president took a swipe at PSG and Ligue 1, asserting that the number of fans tuning in to watch Messi play in the French top league is considerably lower than what it used to be when he was at Barcelona.

“I think that Messi is not only missed in La Liga, but he is also missed in football, because the French league is what it is, right?” he said. “I think that no matter how much he is at PSG, he is followed much less than when he was at Futbol Club Barcelona.”

“Therefore, football misses Lionel Messi and we hope he has a great World Cup, because there we will all be able to see him again. I don’t see all the fans watching PSG against Nantes, I don’t see it. With Barça, within a league, I did see him much more often,” he added.

Furthermore, Tebas claimed that Messi’s decision to part ways with Barcelona was a misstep. He said, “I think it was a mistake even for him, in my opinion, to break that marriage, that alliance since he was born in football, because it would have helped him a lot with continuity, like the Messi-Barca brand, which is very important for a player.”

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Dembele stars as Barcelona cruise past Athletic Club in LaLiga

BARCELONA: Ousmane Dembele shone with an opener and three assists as Barcelona outclassed Athletic Club 4-0 in a home game on Sunday to stay three points behind table leaders Real Madrid in LaLiga.

Barcelona retains the second position with 28 points while Madrid tops the standing with 31 points after they beat Sevilla 3-1 on Saturday.

Barcelona dominated the visiting side right from the start as they netted the ball thrice in 10 minutes in the first half, starting with Dembele’s header in the 12th minute after Lewandoski’s assist.

Dembele then went on to assist Sergi Roberto who doubled the lead in the 18th minute before France forward put a brilliant cross to Lewandowski who made a powerful shot to make it 3-0 four minutes later. Dembele set up a late fourth as Ferran Torres also joined the action.

Meanwhile, in another matchday 11 fixture on Sunday, Villareal edged past Almeria 2-1 thanks to a late strike by Nicolas Jackson.

Antonio Griezmann, however, scored a brace to put Atletico Madrid 2-1 up against home side Real Betis.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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Lewandowski brace steers Barcelona back on track after Clasico defeat

BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski put in yet another sensational performance to take Barcelona back on the winning track in LaLiga after El Clasico loss on Sunday as they cruised past Villareal 3-0, here at Camp Nou on Thursday.

With the resounding win, second-placed Barcelona are now three points behind table-topers Real Madrid who defeated Elche on Wednesday and surged to 28 points.

Barcelona scored thrice in seven minutes to outclass opponents in the first half as Lewandowski scored a brace before Ansu Fati added another goal.

The Poland striker hit home from inside the area for the first time in the 31st minute and doubled the lead four minutes later with a precise curling shot from the edge of the box.

Fati increased the lead three minutes later with a close-range shot which hit the goal post first.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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LaLiga: Real Madrid cruise past Elche to extend lead at top

ELCHE: Reigning Champions Real Madrid sealed a comfortable 3-0 win against the bottom side Elche on Wednesday to extend their lead at the top of the LaLiga table.

With the win, Madrid maintained their unbeaten streak of the current season and went six points clear of second-placed Barcelona who will be facing Villareal in an away game on Thursday.

Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored a goal each as coach Carlo Ancelotti decided not to rest his key players against the easy target following a stunning 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona in the El Clasico on Sunday.

Valverde opened the scoring for Madrid, who had three goals ruled out by VAR for offside, as he hit a brilliant technical goal from the edge of the area.

Ballon d’Or winner Benzema, whose strikes had been disallowed twice, finally managed to etch his name on the scorecard in the 75th minute after a magnificent back-heel pass from Rodrgygo, who also assisted Substitute Asensio for the third goal.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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Griezmann strikes to put Atletico Madrid 1-0 up over Athletic Club

BILBAO: Antoine Griezmann scored the winner as Atletico Madrid edged past home side Athletic Club 1-0 to jump into the top three of the LaLiga table on Saturday.

Athletic failed to continue their undefeated streak, recording two wins and a draw, in the last three games against Atletico Madrid.

Griezmann scored the match’s lone goal early in the second half after a brilliant cross from Morata to take his side home.

Meanwhile, in another thrilling game on Saturday, Elche came from behind to deny Valencia a home win as Pere Mille scored a brace to finish on a 2-2 draw.

Edinson Cavani scored twice within ten minutes to put Valencia 2-1 up before the second half. Mille, however, netted the equalizer in the 67th minute after a penalty in the first half.

At San Moix, Nemanja Gudelj struck in the 53rd minute to help Sevilla seal a close 1-0 win over Mallorca as the two teams engaged in a tough contest.

Chrithian Stuani scored late into the stoppage time to help Girona escape a home defeat over Cadiz in another matchday nine fixture on Saturday.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

 

 

 

Pedri strikes winner over Celta as Barcelona return to top before El Clasico

BARCELONA: Barcelona extended their win streak to seven and returned to the top of the LaLiga table after they edged past Celta Vigo 1-0 on Sunday at Camp Nou.

Barca held off Real Madrid from the top spot on the basis of goal difference as the competition intensified before they face each in the first El Clasico scheduled on October 16 (Sunday).

The two Spanish rivals remain undefeated throughout the season so far as both sides have won seven and drawn one of their opening eight league games.

19-year-old Pedri scored the decider between Barca and Celta Vigo as he netted the ball in the 17th minute after a brilliant cross from Gavi.

The match witnessed a disorganised performance from Xavi’s side as Celta almost had an equalizer when Jorgen Strand Larsen’s header found the back of the nets but the goal was disallowed.

Iago Aspas’ effort to double the lead in the final minutes was also saved brilliantly by Celta’s goalkeeper Ter Stegen.

Meanwhile, in another game on Sunday, Real Sociedad beat Villareal 1-0 at Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian, with Brais Mendez scoring the winner in the 33rd minute.

At Nuevo Mirandilla, home side Cadiz denied Espanyol their second win of the season, despite a brilliant brace from Joselu, as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Meanwhile, Valladolid and Real Betis finished in a goalless tie at Jose Zorrilla stadium in another LaLiga fixture on Sunday.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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Eder strikes early to aid Real Madrid regain top spot in LaLiga

GETAFE: Reigning Champions Real Madrid regained the top spot in the LaLiga table after they edged past the home team Getafe 1-0 at  Coliseum Alfonso Perez.on Saturday. 

Eder Militao scored the lone goal of the match as he headed the ball into the nets of Luka Modric’s corner in the third minute.

Real had almost doubled the lead after halftime but Rodrygo’s strike was ruled out for offside.

The finest opportunity for Getafe to tie the score came midway through the first half when Borja Mayoral was unable to net Fabrizio Angileri’s shot across the goal.

With the narrow win, Los Blancos went three points ahead of second-placed Barcelona who will face Celta Vigo on Sunday in a bid to top the standing at the end of matchday eight of LaLiga 2022-23.

Meanwhile, in another game on Saturday, Angel Correa’s brace powered Atletico Madrid to go 2-1 up over Girona in a home game.

Correa scored the first goal in the fifth minute after a brilliant assist from Griezmann. He then doubled his team’s lead three minutes into the second half.

Rodrigo Riquelme, however, reduced the deficit with a long-range shot which landed in the nets through deflection.

Following this win, Atletico moved to the fourth position on the table while Girona took the 13th spot.

Almeria, on the other hand, thumped Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home, thanks to the goals by Lucas Robertone, Srdan Babic and El Bilal Toure.

Meanwhile, Sevilla and Athletic Club ended in a 1-1 draw as Mikel Vesga equalized Oliver Torres’ early goal.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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Kluivert nets first goal as Valencia sink Osasuna in La Liga

PAMPLONA: Justin Kluivert scored his maiden goal for Valencia and aided in his side’s dominating 2-1 victory over Osasuna in the first match of Matchday eight in the ongoing La Liga 2022-23.

Kluivert, a forward, who was making his fourth appearance since joining Valencia from Roma on loan, made a nice run behind the defence, took a through ball from Edinson Cavani, and dodged the goalie to score in the 28th minute.

Defender Mouctar Diakhaby then further enhanced the visitors’ lead over Osasuna to 2-1, after the home side failed to clear a ball from a corner kick in the 54th.

Both sides then missed a penalty each with Osasuna forward, Chimy Avila, sending his chance well high after Valencia’s Hugo Duro fouled Kike García in the 59th, while Edinson Cavani, who has yet to score since joining Valencia, hit the crossbar with the resulting penalty.

Osasuna also got on the scoreboard as Darko Brasanac netted the ball in the stoppage time but the side, fielding with nine players, following Ruben Pena receiving a direct red for kicking a prone Duro, could not score the equalizer and Valencia, as a result, ran away with the victory.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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Kike strikes to end Real Madrid’s winning run in LaLiga 2022-23

MADRID: Kike Garcia struck in the second half while Karim Benzema missed the penalty as Osasuna ended Real Madrid’s perfect run in the ongoing LaLiga season here at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. 

After six consecutive victories since the start of the season, defending champions Real finally had their first draw when they were held by 10-man Osasuna 1-1.

For the first time in LaLiga 2022-23, Real would be ending the matchday without being at the top of the table as Barcelona ascended to the top spot after beating Mallorca 1-0 yesterday.

Vinicius Junior scored the opening goal three minutes before halftime with a bizarre cross-come-shot but Kike equalized after the break with a cheeky flicked header.

Osasuna were down to 10 players when David Garcia was sent off for pushing Benzema which led to the penalty.

Benzema, however, missed the opportunity and smashed the penalty off the crossbar.

Meanwhile in another game on Sunday Real Sociedad thumped Girona 5-3 after a thrilling competition at Montilivi.

Alexander Sorioth scored a brace while Brais Mendez, Martin Zubimendi and Takefusa Kubo each netted a ball once to upset the home crowd.

At Balaidos, Gabri Viega’s early goal helped the home team Celta Vigo to edge past 10-man Real Betis.

Eray Comert scored in the closing time aiding Valencia to finish on a 2-2 draw against the home side Espanyol when they were cruising to victory.

Serigi Darder netted the ball in the 83rd minute after a magnificent hit to put the hosts in the lead but Comert levelled things up.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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Lewandowki strikes as Barcelona sink Mallorco 1-0 in LaLiga

PALMA: Robert Lewandowski scored his ninth goal of the season to help Barcelona to go on top of the LaLiga table as the side beat Mallorca 1-0 here on Saturday.

Lewandowski hit the lone goal of the game in the 20th minute with a low curling finish into the bottom corner.

Jaume Costa nearly hit an equalizer for the home team but a superb save from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen averted Mallorca from getting back into the game.

With six consecutive wins and a draw, Barca secured the top spot in the standings on the second day of match day seven. Real Madrid, however, will lock horns with Osasuna on Monday to regain its top position.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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