Daily Futbal

14:02

Saudi Pro League: Challenging the Premier League Monopoly

Football fans always find the transfer window to be an exciting time, and the Saudi Pro League has definitely made its mark this season with a number of high-profile acquisitions. It is obvious that the landscape of football is changing significantly as top players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruben Neves, Benjamin Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, and the prospective transfer of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have made their way to the league. The effects of these moves, prospective threats to the Premier League's monopoly, and pervasive hypocrisy around football expenditure are all examined in this article.

The brilliant Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves left Wolverhampton Wanderers and signed for Al-Hilal, one of the finest teams in Saudi Arabia. Neves, who is renowned for his precise passing and long-range goals, has played a significant role in the Premier League. Eduardo Mendy, the Chelsea custodian, is expected to join Al-Ahli, which is a huge change as well. Mendy is a highly sought-after player in the world of football thanks to his exceptional shot-stopping skills and imposing presence in the penalty area.

The center-back from Senegal, Kalidou Koulibaly, has also made a significant move to Al-Ahli. Koulibaly is regarded as one of the top defenders in the world due to his commanding presence, outstanding defensive abilities, and leadership characteristics.

The Moroccan playmaker Hakim Ziyech just joined Al Nassr after leaving Chelsea. Ziyech is an interesting addition to the Saudi Pro League because of his creative skills, vision, and capacity for scoring important goals.

The Saudi Pro League's goal to entice renowned players from around the world is demonstrated by the league's recent transfers, which have brought tremendous quality to the fore. These changes mark a substantial shift in the football scene and unquestionably have an effect on the Saudi Pro League's level of competition and international attractiveness.

The Premier League's long-standing supremacy is seriously threatened by the infusion of well-known players into the Saudi Pro League. It invigorates the Saudi football scene with new competition, diversity, and talent. Reputable players from all over the world are drawn to play in a league with abundant financial support, cutting-edge facilities, and fervent football fans. The Premier League must therefore change and grow in order to keep its place as the top football league on the planet.

When it comes to spending, it is impossible to ignore the hypocrisy and double standards that are common in football. While the Premier League has long been linked with exorbitant transfer fees and extravagant expenditure, other leagues, particularly the Saudi Pro League, are frequently criticised for similar actions. This gap in perception is shown by the most recent transfers in the Saudi Pro League, raising concerns about the impartiality of such assessments.

Football fans have been enthralled by the current transfer story in the Saudi Pro League, which has sparked discussions about spending, justice, and the shifting power structures in the game. The league's growing ambition and desire to establish itself as a formidable force in world football are reflected in the signings of Ruben Neves, Mendy, Koulibaly, Ziyech, as well as the prospective arrival of Aubameyang. It will be fascinating to see how these transfers affect the future of the Saudi Pro League and the Premier League as the competition heats up, as well as whether they pose a threat to the established order in sport.

Daily Futbal

13:19

Can a global pandemic stop Liverpool from winning the league after 29 YEARS?

As the world fights with Covid-19, it could mean that the Premier League 2019-20 could be declared null and void. Due to these rumours, football fans around the world are going crazy. Many think that Liverpool should be given the crown of the Champions, while many think that if the season stands cancelled there should be no winner or loser.

Even in the football world, there is a mixed opinion on Liverpool winning the league. Manchester City player, John Stones has said that "As a player, it would not be fair to see Liverpool not crowned as champions. They deserve it."

Baz Cass, a die-hard Everton fan admitted that as Evertonians it is very worrying for them to see their rivals winning absolutely anything. He also said that the Liverpool fan base talks about the 2005 European Cup triumph as it was just yesterday, this could go on till 20 years.

Chelsea season ticket holder, Iain Rodger, is also hoping that Liverpool does not win the league as the Liverpool fan base has often accused Chelsea as a club having no history. Iain's opinion is held "almost unanimously" within the Blues' fanbase.
Arsenal supporter James McNicholas is relaxed with the possibility of Liverpool winning the league. He believes that Klopp deserves credit for harnessing the emotion that swirls around Liverpool and making sure that "in an increasingly commercial football landscape" the club has retained "a sense of culture". But in spite of his admiration, the thought of Jordan Henderson hoisting the Premier League trophy at the end of the season still gives him a degree of foreboding.

My views

Considering the present scenario the PL is most likely to be suspended so now comes the debate of giving Liverpool the title. Honestly, they deserve to win the title this season. They have been magnificent the whole season, winning and proving their point week in and week out. Jurgen Klopp has done a massive turnaround for the Merseyside club and he shall be remembered as a LEGEND at Liverpool. The passion he brings onto the pitch is clearly reflected in the performances of his players in every game.
In the 2019-20 season, Liverpool has scored a staggering 66 goals in 29 matches, bringing their G.P.M. to 2.28, only Manchester City has scored more goals than them(68).
All in all, Liverpool have done enough to be crowned as the PL champions this season and not giving them the title would be very unfair.

Atletico Madrid

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid - Match Report

15:09

Barcelona 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid

Barcelona break Atletico's stubborn defense to score two late goals and go 11 points clear at the top.
Diego Costa was sent off after only 28 minutes after a clash with the referee.
Lionel Messi scored his 32nd goal of the season whereas Luis Suarez scored his 19th goal of the season. (La Liga only)

Both teams had been playing good football in the first 30 minutes of the game. It was Barca who had the first clear chance at goal in the 14th minute, when Jordi Alba hit the upright after a Lionel Messi-lofted pass.

Messi then hit a free-kick narrowly over before Jan Oblak saved from Coutinho, who shot to close to the keeper from a Luis Suarez pass.

Thirty seconds later, Diego Costa received a blatant for squaring up to the referee.

The second half started pretty dull, with Barcelona hitting three shots at Oblak. Atleti had a chance through a free kick conceded by Gerard Pique, but it was comfortable for Ter Stergen.

Barcelona continued to build pressure and Oblak had to make a double save, first parrying of a Suarez shot and then saving the rebound from the substitute Malcolm.

A set piece gave Atletico another opportunity in the 74th minute but Rodrigo headed Griezmann's cross over. And just as it looked that the teams will share points Suarez struck an imposing shot to finally beat Oblak with five minutes to go. The Uruguayan took off his shirt to celebrate, earning a yellow card, which means he will miss the next game.

Atletico had not even recovered from the first goal when Messi made it 2. A typical run from him, shooting low in the corner, leaving Oblak wrong footed.

Real Madrid vs Getafe - La Liga - Match Preview

00:17

Real Madrid are looking to get back to winning ways in La Liga when they host Getafe on Saturday evening.

With a crucial Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane approaches this tie.

Meanwhile, Getafe come into the game off the back of an impressive 3-0 win against Deportivo on Wednesday.

Team News

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will have one eye on the upcoming Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain as he selects his team to face Getafe.

Marcelo, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are all recovering from injuries and are not expected to be involved this weekend.

However, Carvajal, Casemiro and Ronaldo could return to the side as they need minutes to stay fresh ahead of the PSG clash.

For Getafe, they are still without experienced defensive midfielder Markel Bergara, who suffered a metatarsal injury in January.

Yet Bordalas will hope his own attacking options, specifically strikers Jorge Molina and Angel Rodriguez, as well as Las Palmas loanee Loic Remy, can trouble a Real defence breached 28 times in 26 league games.

Predicted Real Madrid lineup: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; Kovacic, Casemiro; Vázquez, Isco, Asensio; Ronaldo.

Predicted Getafe lineup: Martínez; Suárez, Djené, Bruno, Antunes; Portillo, Mora, Arambarri, Amath; Ángel, Molina.