Maddison started the war of words with the caption “a short story” beneath three pictures – one of Maupay celebrating, one of Maddison with his arms aloft and one of the final score – before the Frenchman hit back, writing: “Went a bit early with that one. Gutted we couldn’t get the win. More goals and less relegations in my career than James Maddison. We go again Monday bees.”
Asked about Maupay, Maddison told TNT Sports: “I said to him, he probably hasn’t scored enough goals of his own in the last few years to have his own celebration, so he had to copy mine. A short story and it ended well for us.”
He added: “I feel really positive. We’ve had a very stop-start season with injuries and suspensions. We started really well and had the same XI for …
Milan s pursuit of Rangnick – who is a free agent after leaving his role at Red Bull – caused tension within the club.
Technical director and club great Paolo Maldini voiced his displeasure, while chief football officer Zvonimir Boban was sacked after clashing with chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
I was first contacted [by Milan] at the end of October, when the team was three points off the relegation zone, said Rangnick, with Milan only appointing Pioli in October to replace Marco Giampaolo.
I never talked about it in public. I do want to make it clear that I never signed a contract or had a clause. Up until three weeks ago, I was tied to Red Bull. As for Milan, they were the best team post-coronavirus lockdown, so changing would not have been wise or respect…
Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to score at least 10 goals in the first eight Serie A matchdays on Sunday.
Ibrahimovic claimed a brace as the evergreen Rossoneri forward led the league leaders to a 3-1 victory at Gennaro Gattuso s Napoli.
Aged 39, Ibrahimovic made more history, surpassing Lazio s Silvio Piola (29 years old in 1942-43) for the record with a league-high 10 goals.
Ibrahimovic set the tone for Milan in Naples, where the visitors emerged victorious in Serie A for the first time since 2010.
10 Zlatan is the oldest player able to score at least 10 goals in the first 8 Serie A matchdays (before him the record was the Silvio Piola one in 1942/43, 29 years old). Undying.
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo)
Former Man…
Diego Simeone has responded to calls for Joao Felix to be given a more important role with Atletico Madrid by insisting he too wants to see the player in top form in every match.
The 20-year-old forward, a €126million signing from Benfica in the previous transfer window, scored a penalty during a strong performance in the 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow on Wednesday that secured Atleti s place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
It was Joao Felix s most promising display since he returned from an ankle injury that saw him miss six matches, in which Simeone s side were criticised for a lack of cutting edge in attack.
There are calls for the Portugal international to start Saturday s LaLiga match against Osasuna as the linchpin of the attack once more, as Atlet…
Jurgen Klopp dismissed talk about the Premier League title race after Liverpool s surprise 1-0 loss to Burnley.
Liverpool s 68-game unbeaten home league run came to an end after Ashley Barnes netted a late penalty.
Reigning champions Liverpool have gone four league games without scoring and are winless in five, leaving them six points adrift of leaders Manchester United.
Klopp said it would be ridiculous to discuss the title race given his side s form.
Look, how silly would that be if I sit here now, losing against Burnley, didn t score for the last three or four games – I don t know exactly – and now I talk about the title race? How silly would that be? the Liverpool manager told a news conference.
It s just we have to win football games �…
Jose Mourinho acknowledged Tottenham s 4-1 win over Wolfsberger was not incredible , but insisted it will bring positivity to his squad.
Son Heung-min, Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura and Carlos Vinicius scored in an ultimately routine win in Budapest on Thursday, as Spurs took a huge stride towards reaching the last 16 of the Europa League.
Michael Liendl s 55th-minute penalty complicated matters slightly for Mourinho, but his side were comfortable as they earned just a second win in their last seven games across all competitions.
With a London derby up against West Ham next up for Spurs, Mourinho – who has been eliminated from just one of his 17 previous European knockout ties when winning the first leg, going out in the 2006-07 Champions League semi-final against…
Joachim Low will be given time and emotional distance to deal with Germany s stunning defeat to Spain, but Oliver Bierhoff is leading an assessment of the national team’s future.
Pressure is building on World Cup-winning coach Low after the sensational 6-0 reverse in the Nations League last week.
It was Germany s heaviest defeat since they lost to Austria in a friendly in 1931 by the same scoreline, as Manuel Neuer, who set a new record for a German goalkeeper by winning his 96th cap, conceded six goals in a competitive game for the first time in his career.
The manner of the defeat, described by Low as awful , was particularly concerning. Germany failed to muster a shot on target, had just 30 per cent of the possession, and Toni Kroos (43) was the only player …
Roberto De Zerbi believes Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister “deserve to play in another level” but hopes European football can convince the in-demand duo to stick with Brighton.
Ecuador international Caicedo and Argentina World Cup winner Mac Allister continue to be heavily linked with summer transfers following standout seasons in Sussex.
Albion potentially strengthened their hopes of retaining two of their star performers by securing continental qualification with Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League win over relegated Southampton.
While De Zerbi feels that may prove persuasive, he does not wish to hamper the careers of the pair and concedes Wednesday evening’s match with Manchester City could be their final appearances in a Seagulls shirt at the Amex Stadi…
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are both strongly interested in signing Andreas Christensen on a free transfer when his contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season, according to .
The Denmark international has been an important part of Thomas Tuchel s team throughout, starting 11 Premier League matches this term. However, he missed the potential season decider against Manchester City on Saturday after testing positive for COVID-19.
Chelsea have placed an offer of a new deal on the table for the 25-year-old to consider, but he hasn t signed it yet and appears reluctant to do so. The club are in a similar situation with Antonio Rudiger and captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
Christensen joined Chelsea s youth setup from that of Brondby at the Under-18 level. He was …
Carlo Ancelotti has no doubt over the motivation of his Real Madrid side as he stressed Los Blancos are where they want to be .
LaLiga leaders Madrid sat six points clear of second-placed Sevilla at the time of Ancelotti s news conference on Friday, though the Andalusian team might have narrowed that gap down to three before Los Blancos take on Real Sociedad on Saturday.
After seven consecutive wins over Sociedad in LaLiga between 2015 and 2018, Madrid have won just three of their past seven meetings with the Basque side in the top flight and Ancelotti is expecting a tough test.
However, the Italian insisted he is happy with the progress Madrid have made so far during his second spell in charge. While they are out of the Copa del Rey, Madrid are still favourit…