Football transfer news

?Barcelona have released a trailer for their upcoming behind the scenes documentary, ‘Matchday’, which includes never-seen-before footage of the entire squad.

Made alongside sponsor Rakuten, ‘Matchday’ will consist of eight 45-minute episodes that are based around Barcelona’s key games from the 2018/19 season – including both legs of their Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

Having released the trailer for the documentary on Friday, Barcelona also made a statement underneath the ‘Matchday’ trailer which confirmed actor John Malkovich would be providing the narration.

[embedded content]

The statement read: “Among the key events of the past season covered throughout the different episodes is El Clásico, the subject of two episodes showing how players prepare for the match, how they handle the pressure of this important event and their experience of the 90 minutes on the field of play. 

“Specifically, the series covers the game at the Camp Nou won 5-1 by Barça, as well as the Copa del Rey match at the Santiago Bernabéu that ended 0-3.”

But it’s not just on the pitch that ‘Matchday’ will cover, as Barcelona have confirmed that fans will be given an insight into the private lives of some of their star players, including Luis Suárez, Gerard Piqué and Lionel Messi.

“Matchday will also feature contributions from different people who, through personal experiences, have become part of Barça,” the statement continued.

“Examples of these are Rafa, the firefighter who, despite having lost his sight in an explosion, continues to attend the Camp Nou when the club plays, and Andrey, a fan from Russia who follows FC Barcelona wherever they go.”

Let’

?Besiktas loanee Loris Karius believes he could still have a future at Liverpool once his spell in Turkey comes to an end in May.

The goalkeeper’s pair of howlers in the 2018 Champions League final proved critical as Real Madrid defeated Jurgen Klopp’s side 3-1 in Kiev, with the German yet to make another Reds appearance after he was shipped out to Vodafone Park that summer.

Speaking to the British media for the first time since that fateful night in Ukraine, Karius said (as quoted by the ?Daily Mail): “Will I play for ?Liverpool again? Of course, it’s an option and a good option to still be there.

“Maybe I’ll play for them again, you never know. It’s still far ahead. If it’s not Liverpool, it will be another decent team, so I’m not worried about any scenario.

“The ?Premier League is the best league, so it is interesting, of course. If you play in England, you’re always a bit more in the spotlight, but I’m at a good club now so we will see what happens at the end of the season.”

He was also asked about his thoughts and feelings regarding that nightmare performance versus ?Real, with the 26-year-old replying: “I don’t think about Kiev anymore, it’s so long ago, nearly two seasons now.

“There were so many circumstances. I had a bad injury and nobody was talking about it. People can say what they want, it doesn’t really concern me anymore. 

“After I was assessed, we realised [I had been concussed], but while the game is going on, you have too much adrenaline to realise.”

Karius took the time to discuss the Reds’ strengths as they look to secure a maiden Premier League title, explaining: “The defence has improved brilliantly over the last season and a bit, and they rarely concede goals anymore. 

“It was solid even back then but now it’s on another level because the whole has team improved. The longer people are together, the better it works. They have been playing together quite a bit and with the potential they have it looks really promising. 

“I hope they can win the league. The season is so long, but it’s always good to have a good start and get some points ahead. I can’t see them losing a game.”

Adrian is currently deputising for injured number one Alisson – a role Karius would likely have played had he remained at Anfield – yet the Besiktas man was eager to clarify that he holds no bitterness or resentment towards either the Spaniard or his parent club.

“Every goalkeeper would feel comfortable behind that defence, but Adrian is doing a good job. He seems like a nice guy; I am happy he is getting game time.

“I am happy Liverpool won the ?Champions League the following year and they have a good chance again this year, so let’s see where it takes them. I still speak to the goalkeeping coach and some of the players.”

---

For more from Ed Alexander, follow him on Twi?tter!

Let’

?Bayern Munich left-back David Alaba will be ruled out through injury for the foreseeable future after suffering a fractured rib during the club’s 7-2 win over Tottenham in the Champions League group stages.

The Austria international was forced off at half-time and replaced by Thiago due to severe pains in north London, missing a sensational second-half where Serge Gnabry scored four goals on matchday two in the Champions League.

After checks back in Bavaria with doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, Bayern Munich have now confirmed on their official website that Alaba suffered a hairline fracture on one of his ribs.

The Bundesliga champions haven’t provided a rough timeline for when they expect Alaba to return to full training.

Although Alaba has been manager Niko Kova?’s go-to left-back this season, record signing Lucas Hernandez will be able to fill in after making appearances in that position both with Atlético Madrid and France.

The 23-year-old missed Bayern Munich’s trip to Tottenham with a bruised knee and is unlikely to return this weekend against TSG Hoffenheim, while Jérôme Boateng is also expected to feature ahead of the international break.

But Hernandez, who has been selected by France boss Didier Deschamps alongside Benjamin Pavard, will return for Bayern Munich when they travel to local rivals Augsburg on October 19.

Bayern Munich are one of just two sides who are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season, sitting at the top of the league table one point ahead of other five teams.

Title challengers Borussia Dortmund have fallen three points off the pace following their recent defeat to Union Berlin, while back-to-back draws against Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen has seen Lucien Favre’s side drop to eighth place.

Let’

?Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has stressed that he will “fight until my last day” as the club looks to bounce back from their 2-2 draw with Club Brugge on Tuesday.

Los Blancos had to claw their way back from two goals down on matchday two in the Champions League group stages but eventually managed to salvage a draw through Sergio Ramos and Casemiro.

It’s largely been a poor start to the season even though Real Madrid are still top of La Liga, and Zidane has acknowledged that he knows his back is against the wall at the Santiago Bernabéu.

“I know where I am and that’s always the case,” Zidane said, quoted by the BBC. “That’s what the role of a coach is like for all of us. I’m going to fight right until my last day because I enjoy what I do and feel as if I’m up to it.”

Real Madrid return to domestic action against high-flying Granada this weekend, who despite only just being promoted, are already one point behind Zidane’s side in the table.

It’s a crucial game for Real Madrid as they look to return to winning ways, but Zidane insists the current talk of a crisis in the Spanish capital has been completely blown out of proportion.

“We’re not such a bad state as people outside of here say we are,” he added. “This is Real Madrid and we’re focused on what we can do out on the pitch because we’ve now got a game where we can show why we’re top.

“We want to make sure we remain top at the final whistle. [On Saturday] it’s first versus second and that means a lot. We know that we’re up against a side that are having a good season, just as we are.”

Let’

?Manchester United will once again look to get back to winning ways when they travel to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Red Devils have endured a poor start to the campaign and many fans have already decided that they want to see the back of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, so you can guarantee that the boss is desperate for three points here.

Let’s take a look at how Solskjaer could set his team up.

---

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David de Gea (GK) – The easiest decision for Solskjaer to make, ?De Gea will undoubtedly retain his place as ?United look to get their season back on track.

Diogo Dalot (RB) – Aaron Wan-Bissaka is in with a chance to feature against ?Newcastle if he can recover from his tonsillitis in time, but it is expected that Solskjaer will keep Dalot at right-back to allow Wan-Bissaka some extra recovery time.

Harry Maguire (CB) – Rested for Thursday’s 0-0 draw with AZ Alkmaar, ?Maguire will be raring to go on Sunday in the hope of picking up his third league clean sheet as a United player.

Victor Lindelof (CB) – Maguire’s partner in crime, Lindelof played the entire game on Thursday, but he will almost certainly retain his place as he remains one of Solskjaer’s preferred defensive options.

Ashley Young (LB) –? ?Luke Shaw has returned to training and is nearing full fitness, but expect Young to play for one more week to ensure Shaw doesn’t aggravate his injury.

---

Midfielders

Scott McTominay (DM) – McTominay has surprisingly blossomed into one of United’s most important players at the base of midfield, and Solskjaer will certainly look to the 22-year-old to lead by example against Newcastle.

Fred (DM) – With ?Paul Pogba out injured, it’ll be a toss-up between ?Fred and ?Nemanja Matic for the second midfield spot. Solskjaer should look to go with the more-mobile Fred, who should be able to help the team transition into attack.

Andreas Pereira (RM) – Here’s where things start to get a little bleak. With so many attackers out injured, Solskjaer will have little choice but to persist with Pereira, who has started their last four ?Premier League games.

Juan Mata (AM) – ?Jesse Lingard’s frustrating hamstring injury will likely only sideline him for this game, meaning ?Mata will retain his place behind the striker.

Daniel James (LM) – Top scorer James has been vital to United this season, and he will remain as important until ?Anthony Martial recovers from his thigh problem, which shouldn’t be too much longer now.

---

Forward

Marcus Rashford (ST) – ?Rashford needs an extended rest, but Solskjaer can’t afford to give him one. There just aren’t any senior strikers, so Rashford will get another chance to reignite his stalling season – and make up for his atrocious free-kick against AZ Alkmaar – on Sunday.?

---

Let’