Messi not on speaking terms with Luis Enrique as Barcelona players refuse coach's orders

SPECIAL REPORT: Despite the Blaugrana’s fine midweek win against Manchester City, the coach has a difficult relationship with his playing staff and star man

Luis Enrique acknowledges that his future at Camp Nou is far from secure as he continues to endure a difficult relationship with Lionel Messi and the Barcelona squad.

The Asturian only took over as coach of the Blaugrana last summer but his first season on the bench has been dogged by dressing room problems – particularly with star man Messi.

The pair fell out at the start of January, leading to a highly-publicised power struggle, but they then called a truce – agreeing to put their differences aside for the greater good of Barcelona.

However, Goal understands that despite this ceasefire the pair are actually not on speaking terms. 

The club has sided with Messi on the issue and while president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists that the coach will remain in his job next season, Luis Enrique himself realises that his position at the club is precarious.

A further reason for this is because the ex-midfielder also has a frosty relationship with many other members of the first-team squad - Luis Enrique’s authoritarian management style is not approved by his players.

Luis Enrique is not the kind of coach to accept suggestions or pointers. Unlike Pep Guardiola, who was hugely popular with Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and other senior squad members, Luis Enrique is more comparable to disciplinarians such as Louis Van Gaal and Fabio Capello in demanding total obedience from his players.

While the players have agreed to co-operate enough to ensure they can fight for major titles this season, there have been occasions when some Barcelona players have been unwilling to take orders from their boss. Indeed the players have found a way of self-managing the team when required.

This is not the first time that Luis Enrique has had a troubled relationship with one or more of his players. While at Roma, he also fell out with club legend Francesco Totti – and this was an important reason why he only lasted one season in the Italian capital.

As we now enter the business end of the 2014-15 campaign, Luis Enrique is concerned his time on the Camp Nou bench will also end prematurely. Barcelona are currently second in La Liga, four points behind Real Madrid.

Qatar World Cup final should be on December 18 - Blatter

The Fifa president has insisted that the showpiece should take place before the recommended date of December 23

The 2022 World Cup final should be played no later than December 18, Fifa president Sepp Blatter has insisted.

A Fifa Task Force set up to seek out suitable timings for the tournament in Qatar had recommended that it could run through November and December, with the final held on December 23 – just two days before Christmas.

But while Blatter has agreed with the need to move the competition from its traditional June-July slot, he stressed that the World Cup final must not be played after December 18.

"The World Cup will not go on until the 23rd, definitely not, we have to stop at the 18th," Blatter told reporters on arrival at the International Football Association Board (IFAB)'s AGM. "I am against going to the 23rd."

December 18 has been pinpointed as a suitable date for the final by many observers due to its position as Qatar National Day in the host country, and Blatter's opposition to scheduling the match so close to Christmas could well force the hand of the Fifa Executive Committee when it meets to ratify the proposed calendar for the finals in March.

My faith in Dani Alves is clear, insists Luis Enrique

After seeing Sergio Busquets sign a new long-term contract, the Barcelona boss has singled out the full-back for praise as speculation grows over his future

Luis Enrique says he has obvious faith in right-back Dani Alves but suggests no decision over his future will be made until the end of the season.

The Brazilian's contract is due to expire this summer and his agent has hit out at the club for not making more of a concerted effort to resolve his future.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets put pen to paper on a new contract on Friday and Luis Enrique has now publicly singled out Alves for praise.

"Busquets' renewal is fantastic, he is one of the captains and it's big news for Barcelona. He is a unique professional," he told a press conference.

"Regarding Alves, you can see the confidence I have in him when I choose my line-ups. They are decisions for the people at the club to make at the end of the season.

"Dani is one of the nicest players in the locker room, with a winning character. I knew his professional side and I now know his human side, and he is a true example of what a player must be."

News emerged on Friday that prosecutors in Spain have requested Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to be brought to trial over his involvement in the transfer of Neymar, but Luis Enrique maintains the squad are focused on football.

"We have to wait for the final judgement. We must just focus on the sporting side," he said.

Turning his attentions to the clash with Granada on Saturday, Luis Enrique made it clear he has confidence his side will bounce back from their shock loss to Malaga and praised the form of Luis Suarez.

"Sometimes you expect an easy game and vice versa. They (Granada) clearly need the points so they will try," he added.

"We are used to playing 95 per cent of matches with rivals playing in their part of the pitch, but we always find a solution.

"I think Luis Suarez has been very good throughout the season. We are happy with his performance, not only now he has scored twice more [against Manchester City]."

Suarez steps from shadows of Messi & Neymar in Barca's biggest test yet

COMMENT: The Uruguay striker scored both goals in his best performance yet as Luis Enrique's side made light of a potentially problematic trip to Manchester City

Manchester City may not have lived up to the hype in this match, but Luis Suarez did. Back in the country where he emerged as one of the game's great forwards, the Uruguayan didn't disappoint. Two goals, a point proved, nay-sayers silenced - it was a satisfactory night's work for the 28-year-old. Barca flop? Not likely on Tuesday's showing.

It was as if Suarez sensed the opportunity to make a statement. Seven goals and 12 assists in his first 22 games for Barcelona may have been a respectable return, but there had been many missed chances and there was still the feeling he had not quite clicked.

All of that changed in Manchester. During his time at Anfield, Suarez relished facing Premier League defences, while his finest performance at the World Cup came with a two-goal show against England.

Perhaps he thrives upon the space afforded to him, the necessity for speed, or the need to rely on reaction and not thought. Suarez knows where the goal is and twice he found it in typically clinical style to become the first Barca player to score two goals in the first 30 minutes of a Champions League match.

"It's always special to play these matches because of all the years I spent at Liverpool," Suarez said after his double at the Etihad.

And it could have been more. Barca were well on top in a match that had been billed as wide open. City, it was said, had learned from the experience of last season's 4-1 aggregate defeat. They would be better. But they weren't.

Manuel Pellegrini's decision to play with two strikers seemed to give Barca too much room but in truth the home side lacked muscle in midfield in the absence of the suspended Yaya Toure.

Barca, beaten by Malaga so surprisingly at Camp Nou on Saturday, were eager to make amends in this match, as both Gerard Pique and coach Luis Enrique had said in Monday's pre-match press conference.

For the Catalans, it was the chance to prove a point. Ditto for Suarez, who has now netted nine goals in 23 games for the Blaugrana, while setting up 12 more. That's almost a goal a game he has been involved in and, as Luis Enrique keeps saying, he will only get better and better.

So even though Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back for City in the second half, Tuesday's match in Manchester was all about Suarez.

"Suarez has always been confident, whether he is scoring or not," Luis Enrique said afterwards. "He is a top-level player and that is why we signed him."

But the striker himself was not content with his two goals.

"In the second leg we have to show what Barca are all about at Camp Nou," he said.

This tie may not be over after the Catalans' 2-1 win, but Suarez stepped out of the significant shadows of Lionel Messi (who saw a late penalty saved by Joe Hart) and Neymar to produce the kind of performance Barca paid all that money for in the summer.

Suarez signed for Barca last July for €81m but was of course banned for four months after biting Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup. Some seven months on, he has finally arrived as Barca passed their biggest test yet in 2014-15.

Luis Enrique: Messi will remain our penalty taker

The Argentine has missed from the spot three times this term but still his coach remains confident in his ability from 12 yards

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique insists that Lionel Messi will continue taking penalties for his side, despite missing his third spot kick of the season against Manchester City.

The Argentine had the chance to put his side 3-1 up late on at the Etihad Stadium, but Joe Hart saved his effort from 12 yards.

He also missed penalties against Levante in September and Brazil, while playing for his country, in October, but Luis Enrique is confident that the attacker is still reliable from the spot.

"Those who miss penalties are those who dare to take them and our penalty taker is undoubtedly Leo Messi. We have the utmost confidence in his capacity to take them," he told reporters.

Luis Enrique went on to say that his side can be very proud of their efforts in Manchester and the performance to go with it.

"The result is deserved and we must be proud of it. It is difficult to close out the result in these matches, but we had a lot of chances.

"In the first half we were very good. We created a lot of chances from midfield and we defended very well. We were very good in all aspects of the game.

"In the second half, our opponents also showed their quality and we had to suffer, but this result is deserved.

"We are very happy with the result."

FC Barcelona vs Villarreal Spanish Primera Division 01-03-2015

FC Barcelona vs Villarreal Spanish Primera Division 01-02-2015

FC Barcelona vs Villarreal
Competition: Spanish Primera Division, Matchday 21
Match date: 1 February 2015
Kick Off Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelon, Spain

 

Barcelona team are in a solid form in these days. The Catalans have 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in their last 10 games and with that, they are still one point behind Real Madrid with 47 points. However, we should mention that Real Madrid has also one game in hand over their rivals. Luis Enrique’s side also continues their path in the Copa Del Rey as they defated respectively Elche and Atletico Madrid in the last two rounds by 9:0 and 4:2 on aggregate. Being down 2:1 on Wednesday night against Atletico Madrid was a stressfull situation for the Catalans, still they managed a comeback in a game whereNeymar shined again. The brazilian magician shows a much better performance compared to last year and it can be proved cleary by looking at the number of his goals in 2014/2015 season. BesidesNeymar, Argentinian superstar Messi has also been in great form in the last rounds and the problems between him and his coach Luis Enrique seem to be solved.

Villarreal play a great season in La Liga BBVA so far. The yellow submarines are on a 10 game unbeaten streak and they claimed seven victories in that streak. All of the last five home games were won and they also managed to stay unconquered in their last five games on the road by taking 3 draws and 2 wins. As a result of this performance, they are holding 6th place with 38 points before 21st matchday. Coach Marcelino has a very young team, which is known for a short passing game and the youthfulness is always significant in the energetic play they show on the field. Luciano Vietto, who has been a key part of Villarreal’s success so far with 14 goals and 5 assists in Primera, will become an important figure in Camp Nou. Like Barcelona, also Villareal played in Copa Del Rey at midweek and they reached the semi finals after a 0:1 away win over Getafe.

 

Probable lineups:

FC Barcelona: Bravo – Dani Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Jordi Alba – Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta – Messi,Neymar, Suarez.

Villarreal: S. Asenjo – Mario, V. Ruiz, Musacchio, J. Costa – Trigueros, Soriano – Campbell, dos Santos, Cheryshev – Vietto.

Tottenham vs Sheffield 2-2 Highlights 20-02-2015 Capital One Cup

Tottenham vs Sheffield 2-2 Highlights 20-02-2015 Capital One Cup

Sheffield United vs Tottenham Hotspur 
Competition: Capital One Cup Semi-Final
Match date: 28 January 2015
Venue: Bramall Lane, Sheffield 

Sheffield United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur:

28' 0-1 Christian Eriksen // 77' Che Adams 1-1 // 79' Che Adams 2-1 // 88' 2-2 Christian Eriksen

The match of Tottenham and Sheffield United in Capital One Cup ended as 2-2 draw. However it was Tottenham that dominated this match in all aspects but perhaps this match was not meant for their win as they created chances but couldn’t get the winning goal from their opponent. On the contrary their opponents did very well to defend themselves in this match and in the end they managed to get a draw from it.

Congo DR vs Tunisia Africa Cup of Nations - January 26, 2015

Congo DR vs Tunisia Africa Cup of Nations - January 26, 2015

DR Congo vs Tunisia - Competition: Africa Cup of Nations, Group B

DR Congo record in the year 2015 is actually pretty nice, because they have not lost a game so far. Even after two games at the Africa Cup of Nations they could stay unbeaten in. Still they won’t be too happy, cause theres no win on their side in these last games. In group B they collected 2 points (1:1 against Zambia, 0:0 against the Cape Verde Islands). Still they have the chance to advance to the next round, but to do so they would need a win against Tunisia to be safe. With a X in the next game, and a win by the Cape Verde Islands against Zambia they would fall back to the 3rd position. Therefore they will do anything to get the 3 points in the last match. Especially in the offense they still have to improve with only one goal scored so far at the Africa Cup.

Tunisia team already stands with one foot in the quarter final of the Africa Cup of nations. Especially after match day 2 in group B they seem to have the best chances for advancing. The reason is their close 2:1 win against Zambia on match day 2. Nevertheless this last meeting was not an easy game for them with a 0:1 leg in minute 59. Still they did not need to much time to find the equalizer. This happened 10 minutes later but the crucial 2:1 was scored late, in minute 88 by Yacine Chikhaoui. After the 1:1 in their kick off match against the Cape Verde Islands and the win against Zambia they have 4 points on their side, one more draw and they stand in the quarter final of the Africa Cup of nations. They will try to stabilize the defense and not to concede a goal in the best case, but with Congo desperate for a win, they could get some space for counter attacks in this last group stage match.

Match date: 26 January 2015
Kick Off Time: 18:00 GMT
Venue: Estadio de Bata (Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of) 

Napoli 2-2 Udinese Coppa Italia Highlights 22-01-2015

Napoli 2-2 Udinese Coppa Italia Highlights 22-01-2015

Stadio San Paolo, Naples - 22 January, 2015 - Coppa Italia - 20.00 UK KO

Reigning Coppa Italia holders SSC Napoli beat ten man Udinese on penalties to book a meeting with Inter Milan.

SSC Napoli 2-2 (Pen 5-4) Udinese (Coppa Italia):

58' 0-1 Cyril Thereau // 65' Jorginho (pen.) 1-1 // 99' Marek Hamsik 2-1 // 104' 2-2 Panagiotis Kone

SSC Napoli win 5-4 on penalties:
-Scored for Udinese:- Bruno Fernandes, Guilherme, Kone, Danilo
  Missed for Udinese:- Alan

-Scored for SSC Napoli:- De Guzman, Jorginho, Mesto, Hamsik, Higuain

Algeria vs South Africa Africa Cup of Nations 19-03-2015

Algeria vs South Africa Africa Cup of Nations 19-03-2015

Algeria vs South Africa - Competition: Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria team played a very good World Cup in summer, even almost defeated world champions Germany when got beaten in the Round of 16 not before extra time. Most players of the young side were born and educated in France and since Vahid Halilhodzic retired after the World Cup, they now also have a French coach in Christian Gourcuff. The ‘Fennecs’ stand for an offensive short passing game and they do have strong offensive players like Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Yacine Brahimi (FC Porto), El Arbi Hillel Soudani (Zagreb), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon) or Saphir Taider (Sassuolo). On the other side their defence is not the most solid and with Essaïd Belkalem (Trabzon) an important central defender will miss the Africa Cup due to an injury. Algeria won the first five games in thequalification, lost the only match in Mali when were already qualified.

South Africa did not qualify for the last World Cup and were even kicked out as hosts on group stage in the 2014 African Nations Championship. Considering that the ‘Bafana Bafana’ had won the Africa Cup four times in the past, the last years were obviously very disappointing for them, they also did not survive the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in their own country. But at least they managed to stay unbeaten in a 2015 Africa Cup qualifying group with Nigeria, Kongo and Sudan and are meanwhile undefeated in eleven games since March 2014. Shakes Mashaba, who became national coach in July 2014, nominated mostly players from teams of the South African Premier Soccer League. Striker Tokelo Rantie plays in England for the Championship side AFC Bournemouth, defender Anele Ngcongca for the Belgium team KRC Genk. Due to a knee injury defender Patrick Phungwayo has been ruled out of the Africa Cup.

Algeria last 5 matches:

11/10/14 Malawi 0 – 2 Algeria
15/10/14 Algeria 3 – 0 Malawi
15/11/14 Algeria 3 – 1 Ethiopia
19/11/14 Mali 2 – 0 Algeria
11/01/15 Tunisia 1 – 1 Algeria

South Africa last 5 matches:

15/11/14 South Africa 2 – 1 Sudan
19/11/14 Nigeria 2 – 2 South Africa
30/11/14 South Africa 2 – 0 Côte d’Ivoire
04/01/15 South Africa 1 – 0 Zambia
10/01/15 Cameroon 1 – 1 South Africa

Match date: 19 January 2015
Kick Off Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo

AC Milan vs Atalanta Italian Serie A - January 18, 2015

AC Milan vs Atalanta Italian Serie A - January 18, 2015

Milan team are a big team. However, their form is awful. They are currently on 8th place with 6 wins, 8 draws and 4 losses with a goal difference of 27:21 and 26 points after 18 rounds. In round 17, AC Milanwere handed a stark reminder of how much work they still have to do to return to the upper echelons in Serie A after Sassuolo claimed a famous 2-1 victory at San Siro. Filippo Inzaghi’s men harboured aspirations of climbing into the European places and Andrea Poli put them on the right track in the earlyexchanges with his first goal of the season. Ambitious visitors Sassuolo were in no mood to roll over, however, and two assists from Domenico Berardi helped Gianluca Sansone and then, after the break, Simone Zaza to turn the game around. Last round, AC Milan shared points with the hosts Torino. Jeremy Menez’s third-minute penalty put Milan ahead but they then found themselves having to weathera fierce Torino storm, a situation not helped by the visitors’ loss of Mattia De Sciglio to a red card before half-time.

Last round there was late drama at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia as Atalanta drew 1-1 against Chievo in what turned out to be a closely fought encounter. Atalanta began the game in a postive fashion and were eager to launch the ball into the Chievo half as often as possible. Davide Zappacosta put Atalanta in the lead after 71 minutes following a fantastic long-range strike. Despite a red card for Gianpaolo Bellini, it seemed as if the hosts would hold on to claim the three points, but in the final minute Lazarevic stepped up to curl a free kick into the corner and salvaged a point for his team. The draw left Atalanta on 17 points, one place and two points above the relegation zone. They have 3 wins, 8 draws and 7 defeats with a goal difference of 14:24 and 17 points so far.

 

AC Milan last 5 matches:

20/12/14 Roma 0 – 0 Milan
30/12/14 Real Madrid 2 – 4 Milan
06/01/15 Milan 1 – 2 Sassuolo
10/01/15 Torino 1 – 1 Milan
14/01/15 Milan 2 – 1 Sassuolo

Atalanta last 5 matches:

07/12/14 Atalanta 3 – 2 Cesena
13/12/14 Lazio 3 – 0 Atalanta
21/12/14 Atalanta 3 – 3 Palermo
06/01/15 Genoa 2 – 2 Atalanta
11/01/15 Atalanta 1 – 1 Chievo

 

Juventus - AC Milan Betting: Inconsistent Rossoneri to play their part in a high-scoring clash

Juventus - AC Milan Betting: Inconsistent Rossoneri to play their part in a high-scoring clash

With Filippo Inzaghi's side as weak at the back as they are dangerous going forward away from home, Al Hain-Cole expects plenty of action when they face their former coach

AC Milan will be hoping to kick-start their ailing season when they travel to Turin to take on Juventus in Saturday's high-profile Serie A clash.
 
Having recorded a first win in six matches at home to Parma last weekend, the Rossoneri are available at15/2 (8.50) with bet365 to secure a morale-boosting victory at the home of the champions.


 
However, after winning 27 and losing none of their previous 29 league fixtures on home soil, the hosts are clear 4/11 (1.36) favourites to come out on top for the fifth consecutive encounter between the sides.
 
Inter were the last team to leave the Juventus Stadium with something to show for their efforts following last month's 1-1 draw, and you can get odds of 4/1 (5.00) on their city rivals also earning a point here.

bet365 customers in the UK can also watch and bet on this game live on Saturday evening through the bookmaker's website. 
 
After being shown the door at San Siro in January after almost four seasons in charge, Massimiliano Allegri will be keen to get one over on his former club.
 
The 47-year-old has certainly landed on his feet since replacing Antonio Conte in the summer, maintaining his predecessor's high standards in suffering just one league defeat so far to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the table.


 
In contrast, his ex-employers have been the antithesis of stability since his departure, with current coach Filippo Inzaghi having replaced Clarence Seedorf in the summer after the Dutchman survived just six months at the helm.
 
This uncertainty seems to have been translated onto the pitch, where Inzaghi's men have struggled all season for consistency, particularly on the road.
 
While their record of 16 goals scored away from home is the joint-second best in the division, the guests' goals against tally of the same figure is worse than that of relegation-battling Atalanta and Empoli.
 
Considering the Bianconeri have scored 33 times in 11 domestic matches on home soil so far, entertainment appears guaranteed against a mercurial Milan team, meaning odds of 4/5 (1.80) are not to be missed on over 2.5 goals going in.