Author: cimi

Robert Lewandowski has become the Bundesliga’s all-time leading goalscorer in Der Klassiker following his brace in their 5-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

The Pole made his former side rue their mistakes by capitalising on a Dan-Axel Zagadou error to notch his first, before rounding off the scoring at the Allianz Arena with a simple tap in from close range.

Lewandowski’s two goals moved him ahead of Bayern Munich icon Gerd Müller’s tally of 14 league goals against Borussia Dortmund, with the 30-year-old now sitting ahead of Der Bomber with 15 in Germany’s showpiece fixture.

His two goals also saw Lewandowski become the first ever non-German to reach 200 goals in the Bundesliga, with only Bayern Munich legend Müller reaching the same tally in fewer matches.

Before the match, the Poland international had featured in 28 instalments of Der Klassiker across all competition, scoring 19 goals and claiming two assists.

He’d scored two previous hat-tricks in the classic fixture, one for each club including during Borussia Dortmund’s 5-2 win over Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final in 2012.

Lewandowski has scored two goals on three sperate occasions during the fixture too, the last of which came earlier this season in Dortmund’s 3-2 win at the Westfalenstadion.

Lewandowski spent four years with Borussia Dortmund in the early stages of his career where he made a name for himself under Jürgen Klopp, making 187 appearances for Die Schwarzgelben across all competitions.

Poland’s player of the year in seven of the last eight years scored 103 goals and claimed 42 assists for the club, helping them to two Bundesliga titles, a DFB Cup winners medal and a Champions League final before Bayern Munich came calling in 2014.

Since arriving at the Allianz Arena on a free transfer, Lewandowski has gone on to win four more league titles and another domestic cup.

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Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup final on Saturday afternoon, as they beat Brighton 1-0 at Wembley.

City began in the best way possible, taking the lead after just three minutes. Kevin de Bruyne produced a beautiful cross into the box, as Gabriel Jesus dived in to head home and give the Citizens early control of the game.

Pep Guardiola’s side continued to dominate the game, but were unable to build on from their early lead. Meanwhile Brighton’s chances were limited, as the Seagulls had just one shot on target all afternoon.

Here’s our take on this season’s first FA Cup semi-final clash.

MANCHESTER CITY

Key Talking Point

?Manchester City were absolutely dominant from start to finish, as they affirmed their control of the tie after just three minutes through Jesus’ goal. Though the slim scoreline doesn’t represent their control of the game, the Citizens were firmly in charge of Saturday’s affair at Wembley.

City didn’t seem as ruthless as usual, shown by their sole goal. However their opponents were firm and stubborn in defence, and they still played well nonetheless. Guardiola’s side worked hard throughout the 90 minutes, and deservedly progressed to the final.

The win also keeps City’s hopes of a historic quadruple alive, as they continue to compete for the Premier League and Champions League. It has been a wonderful season for the Citizens, as they moved one step close to their second piece of silverware.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ederson (6); Mendy (6), Otamendi (6), Laporte (7), Walker (6); De Bruyne (7), Gundogan (6), D.Silva (6); Sterling (7*), Jesus (7), B.Silva (6).

Substitutes: Danilo (6), Fernandinho (6), Stones (6).

STAR MAN – It was ?Gabriel Jesus’ goal that secured the win for City, as he scored a trademark striker’s goal. The Brazilian took his chance in the absence of ?Sergio Aguero, and was outstanding on City as he was the match winner at Wembley.

BRIGHTON

Key Talking Point

?Brighton were so close to reaching a historic cup final, but fell just short as they were deservedly beaten by one of the best teams in England. They were dominated and were second best all afternoon, but they can certainly be proud of their efforts.

For a club fighting to survive in the Premier League, it is a remarkable achievement for the Seagulls to reach the final four of one of the world’s most prestigious competitions. They had good periods of the games and some big chances, but were fairly beaten in the end.

It brings an end to a memorable cup run for Chris Hughton’s side, but they should certainly be proud of themselves. It was a valiant effort from the south Coast side, who bow out of the FA Cup in a season to remember.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ryan (7); Bernardo (6), Duffy (6), Dunk (5), Montoya (6); Propper (6), Stephens (6); Jahanbakhsh (5), Bissouma (7), Knockaert (7*); Murray (5).

Substitutes: ?Andone (6), Izquierdo (6), Locadia (N/A).

STAR MAN – Despite defeat Brighton had many outstanding performers, including Anthony Knockaert. He led every Seagulls attack, worked tirelessly all game and put in an immense shift as he certainly stood out on Saturday.

Looking Ahead

Manchester City will now play in their 11th FA Cup Final, which will be played on 18 May. They will meet the winner of Sunday’s second semi-final tie, with ?Watf?ord or ?Wolves awaiting the Citizens next month.

Manchester City continue their pursuit of a historic quadruple next week, starting with their ?Champions League quarter-final at ?Tottenham on Tuesday. They return to ?Premier League action next Sunday, returning to the capital for the third game in a row to play ?Crystal Palace.

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?Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville named Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as his player of the year while claiming that ‘no-one comes close’ to the Dutchman in the running for the award. 

The 27-year-old has been imperious since arriving at Anfield in January 2018 for £75m, with this season seeing him play a vital role in Liverpool’s title challenge, as they currently occupy top spot in the Premier League having kept the most clean sheets in the league (17) and conceded the fewest amount of goals (20).

Speaking during Sky Sports’ broadcast at St. Mary’s, where ?the Reds secured a 3-1 win to return to the summit of the table, Neville has admitted that Van Dijk deserves all the plaudits he gets due to his form for ?Liverpool.

As quoted by ?The Mirror, he said: “It wasn’t the signing itself that surprised me, it was the amount. I remember when ?Manchester City signed Kyle Walker for £50m it left me thinking ‘wow that’s incredible’ and the same with Virgil van Dijk.

“However, watching him in this last 12 months, everyone has given him the praise he deserves.

Honestly, every time I watch Liverpool play, even if Matip misses it or two full-backs aren’t there because they’ve gone forward, he just seems to cover the whole back four – he is a unique defender.”

Van Dijk’s performances this season has meant the Reds have a realistic chance of ending a 29-year wait for winning a league title, with the centre-back likely to be in contention for individual awards at the end of the season, as the former Manchester United defender revealed his vote would go to him.

He added: “Varane and Ramos have been the best centre backs in the world for me over the past few years but there is no doubt this guy is going to be up there in the next few years as the best centre half in the world because I’ve not seen a centre half as good for a long, long time.

“In possession play, his passing is a joke. It’s unbelievable, he passes like a central midfield player, for me he’s the player in the team where everyone will say he’s the one that can’t get injured. 100 per cent my player of the year and there’s not anyone else close to him.”

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?Former Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner has pointed to a poor summer transfer window as the reason for the Terriers’ terrible season. 

After guiding the club to safety in their debut season in the Premier League, Wagner found his second season in England’s much more challenging, overseeing just two wins in Huddersfield first 22 league games of the 2018/19 campaign before leaving on January 14.

The German left with ?Huddersfield planted at the foot of the ?Premier League, with their relegation to the ?Championship confirmed following Wagner’s departure, as the 47-year-old suggested an unproductive transfer window wasn’t ideal prior to the new season.

Speaking to ?The Times, he said: “I know exactly what went wrong. Our business in the summer wasn’t the best compared to the others. I know what happened with the injury crisis, we lost four midfielders in a week.

“This is part of the reflection obviously. But it was anything but a one-man show. We had great supporters, a great chairman who supported me, unbelievable backroom staff and players as well. There will be sadness now but there will be a moment when they look back and are really proud of what they have done.”

Wagner has been out of work since leaving the John Smith’s Stadium at the beginning of the year, but having gained experience during his time in England and Germany, Wagner is looking to work in either of those two countries.

He added: “The Premier League is the most challenging league in terms of the quality of the clubs, the quality of the managers, the quality of the individuals.

“The German Bundesliga is very interesting for me because I was born and brought up in Germany. I have never worked in the Bundesliga so that makes it more exciting. I have two markets now where I am absolutely ready to compete when the right opportunity comes around the corner.”

As well as targeting a return to management, Wagner admitted that he would only do so under the right conditions, citing a club that is ‘brave’ and ‘exciting’. 

He said: “The set-up has to be right. The owner has to be brave enough to try and bring his club forward and the mindset has to be exciting and really challenging.”

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Rafa Benitez has denied rumours he’s hired a Lyon based agent to secure him a move away from St James Park in summer, but has admitted he’s “not too close” to signing a contract extension with the Magpies.

Exit rumours surrounding Benitez have been hanging over the club for a while. The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss was something of a coup for Newcastle upon his appointment following relegation to the Championship in 2016.

He guided the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking but has struggled to lift the club beyond relegation strugglers since. Part of the reason for the Magpies struggles in the top flight has been a lack of investment in the transfer market.

Owner Mike Ashley has had the club up for sale for a couple of years but has been unable to find a buyer. It’s made the board reluctant to put money into the club until the long term financial picture is clear and a new owner is in place. 

This has reportedly been a real obstacle for Benitez, who is yet to commit his future to the club with his current contract due to expire in summer. Talks are ongoing with Newcastle, but rumours recently emerged that Benitez has already begun the search for a new club. 

Benitez rubbished the claims in an interview with BBC Newcastle on Friday, commenting: “It’s not true I was having any meeting with any French agents in Manchester because I was here, in the training ground.

“The only club I am talking to now about my future is Newcastle United – and I am waiting for an answer from them.” 

He followed up his comments following Saturday’s home defeat to Crystal Palace, by adding to ?Sky Sports: “I said [in Friday’s press conference] there were conversations, that’s it. Normally when you have negotiate you have to talk, and then have to see whether we are close or not. At the moment we are not too close.”

Reports from Portugal have once cast aspersions over Benitez’s comments though suggesting Newcastle have already met with Jorge Jesus to discuss a deal. The former Benfica and Sporting CP manager is currently available after leaving Al-Hilal this year. 

Portuguese publication Record claimed Newcastle and an unnamed London club have already held talks with the manager, suggesting the Magpies are contacting potential replacements. Jesus also has interest in his native Portugal from SC Braga.

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