Tuesday, 30 June 2020

‘It’s our turn again’: Treble-chasing Bayern eye Champions League glory


Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich are expected by the club’s own hierarchy to take the next step towards the treble in Saturday’s German Cup final before they attempt more Champions League glory in August.

The German press dubbed Bayern ‘FC Nimmersatt’ (never satisfied) after celebrating an eighth straight league title last Saturday, the 30th in the club’s history.

“The team is in such good shape that they are able to win every title this season,” said Bayern president Herbert Hainer.

Before tackling Europe and a possible repeat of their 2013 treble, Bayern face Bayer Leverkusen in Berlin in Saturday’s Cup final having already lost to the Werkself this season.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller has promised a “big fight” as they look to repeat November’s shock league win when Jamaica winger Leon Bailey scored twice at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern are expected to secure the league and Cup double for the 13th time.

“We’ll tackle everything, those are our goals,” said Bayern head coach Hansi Flick, who only took over mid-season.

“At Bayern, you always think a bit bigger. First the Cup is in focus and then it’s important the team has some time off and the staff can clear their heads.

“After that, we’ll prepare intensively for the Champions League.”

Flick plans to send his players on a two-week holiday after the Cup final before a training camp ahead of their last-16 second leg against Chelsea on August 7 or 8.

They hammered Frank Lampard’s Blues 3-0 in February’s first leg in London, making Bayern among the favourites to be European champions.

Bayern could face a disadvantage against potential opponents in the Final 8 tournament in Lisbon, due to start on August 12, from leagues which are not scheduled to finish until late July.

La Liga runs until July 19, while the Premier League is set to end a week later, with Serie A not slated to come to a conclusion until August 2.

Only PSG and Lyon will have had less game time than Bayern and RB Leipzig, as Ligue 1 was ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We just have to make sure that we make the best of the situation,” Flick said.

“It could be an advantage because one or two players would be available again.”

Bayern’s forwards are in stellar form.

Thomas Mueller produced a Bundesliga record 21 assists this season, while striker Robert Lewandowski has netted 49 times in 42 games, including 11 in the Champions League.



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Real Madrid get set to make history by ending wait for women’s team


Madrid (AFP) – After 118 years, Real Madrid will launch a professional women’s team on Wednesday by absorbing CD Tacon and launching a fresh Galactico project at the club.

Madrid, the best team of the 20th century according to FIFA, has so far been one of the only elite clubs to resist the creation of a female team.

By taking over Tacon, the women’s club based in Madrid and created in 2014, ‘Real Madrid Femenino’ will become a reality.

Approved at a meeting of shareholders in September last year, the buyout of Tacon for 300,000 euros ($337,000) will become official from July 1, when another recruitment drive will begin.

According to the Spanish press, Madrid have set their sights on the game’s finest talents and some of the first signings could arrive this week.

Tacon have already been expanding in preparation.

They signed Swedish internationals Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson, who was nominated for the 2019 Women’s Ballon d’Or and who joined last year after finishing third in the Women’s World Cup.

But there will be more changes, after the announced departures of Ana Valles, Esther, Marina Martin Massanet, Patri Carballo, Ainoa Campo and Osinachi Ohale, in May.

The goal will be to turn Madrid into contenders both in Spain and Europe, where they will hope to challenge the supremacy of Barcelona’s women’s team, finalists in the 2018-2019 Women’s Champions League and who thrashed Tacon twice this season, 6-0 and 9-1.

“The time has come to build a team that you will all be very proud of,” said Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

The change has been done gradually over several months. Since the start of the current season, Tacon, coached by David Aznar, have trained and played their home games at Valdebebas, a few metres from the men’s team.

This will continue to be the case this season and the club have not ruled out using the Santiago Bernabeu for showcase matches.

The launch will be an historical moment for the club but for women’s football too.

“It’s a huge positive,” Ada Hegerberg, the first winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2018, told AFP. “I’m hoping they will stabilise the investment over a long period and that they have a long-term perspective because it can’t happen overnight.

“You have to invest for a long time to succeed. It’s a huge positive that you have the biggest men’s club in the world now investing in the women’s side. That’s how modern women’s football should be driven.



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Where to find West Ham vs. Chelsea on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch West Ham vs. Chelsea on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place.

For viewers in the US, West Ham vs. Chelsea will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below).

Match: West Ham vs. Chelsea
Kickoff: Wednesday, 3:15pm ET
Looking to watch West Ham vs. Chelsea online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

 

We Recommend:

US Only.

 

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: West Ham vs. Chelsea
What: Premier League, gameweek 32
When: Game kicks off at 3:15pm ET / 12:15pm PT; Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Where: Live on NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV (free trial)

 

 

With fuboTV, you can watch West Ham vs. Chelsea and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

Now with fuboTV, you can stream NBCSN, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, RAI Italia, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN, RAI Italia and YES.

Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Serie A, La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, Bundesliga, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and Euro 2020 qualifiers.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

 

Here are the steps to take to watch the West Ham vs. Chelsea game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the West Ham vs. Chelsea game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include NBCSN featuring West Ham vs. Chelsea (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming



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Benzema takes the limelight and turns the title towards Madrid


Madrid (AFP) – Eden Hazard and Luis Suarez were both circled as potential deciders of La Liga’s title race when the season resumed but few looked at Karim Benzema.

Lionel Messi was expected to be formidable again and there was excitement even around Gareth Bale following reports from Valdebebas he was the fittest Real Madrid player to return from lockdown.

Hazard and Suarez were returning from surgery too, handed an unexpected last shot at turning the season. If either came back at their best, it would surely tip the balance.

But Benzema was overlooked, despite 19 goals in 36 games before the three-month suspension, making him La Liga’s top scorer among all players not named Messi.

In Madrid’s first game back, he set up the opening goal for Toni Kroos and created two more, even if Hazard’s generosity meant the assists were not officially his. Against Valencia he then scored twice, the second a sensational volley after a feathered touch past Hugo Guillamon.

It will probably be goal of the season and it was his 243rd goal for Real Madrid, moving him into fifth, above Ferenc Puskas, on the club’s all-time list.

“When he scores like that I’m happy because he shuts people up a bit,” said Zinedine Zidane.

After a comfortable win over Real Mallorca, Benzema banged in what turned out to be the winner against Real Sociedad and then he brought the finesse to Espanyol, where a brilliant backheel through the legs of Bernardo Espinosa teed up Casemiro.

Five superb performances from Benzema have helped thrust Real from two points behind Barcelona to a point in front, with a game in hand.

– ‘Here to take your place’ –

When the 17-year-old Benzema signed his first professional contract at Lyon, he had to make a speech to the squad, as was tradition for new players joining the first team.

He was shy and awkward but as some of those in front of him began to snigger, he found his voice. “You laugh,” he said. “But if I’m here it because I’m here to take your place.”

Some took against the youngster’s bravado and in the years since, Benzema has been perceived as arrogant, aloof, flash, a troublemaker, especially in France.

Perhaps he has carried with him the allegations, still due to go to a criminal trial, that he was involved in a blackmailing plot in 2015, which have already cost him winning the World Cup and his international career.



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Where to find Inter vs. Brescia on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Inter vs. Brescia in the US, we have all of the details for you about the Serie A game.

Inter vs. Brescia is available exclusively via ESPN+ but will not be on television. However, you can stream the game from ESPN+ to your TV set.

League: Serie A
Genre: Sports

Looking to watch Serie A matches online from your office, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

 
Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Inter vs. Brescia
What: Serie A
When: Game kicks off at 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT; Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Where: Live on ESPN+

With ESPN+, you can watch Inter vs. Brescia and tons more Serie A games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation 4 and XBOX One.

Now with ESPN+, you can stream Serie A, UEFA Nations League, Championship, League One, League Two, FA Cup, League Cup, Copa America, US Open Cup, International Champions Cup, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, Eredivisie, Danish Superliga, Chinese Super League, Indian Super League, Australian A-League, Sweden’s Allsvenskan, MLS out-of-market games and USL.

ESPN+ is only $4.99/month.

In addition to all of the soccer coverage, ESPN+ also includes UFC, MLB, MLS, NHL, select PGA TOUR golf, Top Rank Boxing, cricket and Grand Slam tennis from Wimbledon to the US Open and Australian Open. Plus you get instant access to your favorite college sports like football, basketball, lacrosse, softball and more.

There’s also the daily ESPN FC show, 30 For 30 documentaries, exclusive access to studio programs and more.

SEE MORE: Schedule of Serie A games on US TV and streaming



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Juventus keep Lazio at bay with Genoa stroll


Rome (AFP) – Juventus maintained their four-point lead at the top of Serie A on Tuesday after strolling to a 3-1 win at Genoa that keeps chasers Lazio at bay despite their comeback triumph at Torino.

Three stunning individual goals from Paulo Dybala, Cristiano Ronaldo and Douglas Costa downed relegation-threatened Genoa and kept Maurizio Sarri on course to deliver Juve’s ninth straight league title in his first season as coach.

Andrea Pinamonti pulled one back with 14 minutes left for the struggling hosts, who stay just one point above the drop zone and third-from-bottom Lecce, who host Genoa’s local rivals Sampdoria on Wednesday.

Pinamonti’s strike was the first goal Juve have conceded since losing at Lyon in late February, but it wasn’t enough to stop the champions from cruising to their sixth straight league win.

The victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris showcased the firepower Sarri has at his disposal, with Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin making five saves in the goalless first half as Juve pushed early to win the match.

Dybala put his side in the lead in the 50th minute with a beautiful finish following a snaking dribble, a strike that set the tone for the rest of the match.

Ronaldo, who had looked off the pace following the league’s restart from the coronavirus shutdown, showed that he was back to his best seven minutes later when he charged towards goal before letting off a rocket of a shot that Perin could only grasp at as it fired into the net.

That settled the result, but substitute Costa then made his own case for goal of the match when he collected the ball towards the right side of the area and unleashed a curling, dipping shot that again left Perin bewildered.

– Immobile launches Lazio comeback –

Lazio had done their part earlier on Tuesday when they came from behind again to win 2-1 against struggling Torino.

Ciro Immobile’s 29th league goal of another remarkable season for the Italy forward and Marco Parolo’s deflected strike in the 73rd minute completed a deserved second-half comeback for Lazio, who had clawed their way to a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in similar fashion just two days earlier.

Andrea Belotti gave the hosts an early lead from the penalty spot after Immobile handled but spent the rest of the match on the back foot and are 14th on 31 points.

Moreno Longo’s side have lost seven of their last nine league matches and although they are six points above the drop zone could find themselves dragged into a dogfight by the end of this round of fixtures.



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‘Game-changer’ Fernandes fires Man Utd masterclass


Brighton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Bruno Fernandes has brought a winning mentality to Manchester United after his brace inspired an impressive 3-0 win at Brighton on Tuesday.

Cajoled by the dazzling Fernandes, United produced one of their best performances of the season at the Amex Stadium.

Mason Greenwood opened the scoring early in the first half and Fernandes doubled the lead before the interval.

Fernandes netted again after half-time with a fine volley as United climbed above Wolves on goal difference to take fifth place in the Premier League.

“Bruno has come and been fantastic. He has brought that winning mentality with him, that 99 percent is not good enough. It has to be 100 percent,” Solskjaer said.

“I’ve got more than one game-changer. The third goal was a great team goal. To see so many players sprinting forward to get on the end of it was fantastic. A great finish by Bruno.”

Solskjaer’s side are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who play their game in hand at West Ham on Wednesday.

With fifth place securing qualification for the Champions League if second-placed Manchester City’s European ban is upheld, United are in a strong position to return to the continent’s elite club competition.

If they make it, United will owe a huge debt of gratitude to Fernandes, who has scored six goals since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January.

The Portugal midfielder’s role in revitalising United cannot be understated.

They were mired in a major slump before Fernandes’ signing, but are now on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including three successive wins.

“It’s a joy to watch them when you see them express themselves like that,” Solskjaer said.

“The confidence comes from performances. They worked hard during the lockdown and we know we have loads to play for.

“I don’t care about making a statement, I know we are a good team.”

United are also looking more solid at the back with eight clean sheets in their last 13 league matches.

With a run-in that includes games against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and West Ham, Solskjaer’s men could enjoy a memorable conclusion to the campaign as they also chase success in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Brighton had taken four points from two games since the restart, easing their relegation fears, but this defeat means they aren’t completely safe yet.

– Complete control –



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Ozil’s wages won’t influence selection, says Arteta


London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists unhappy Mesut Ozil will not be selected just because he has a huge salary.

Ozil is reportedly the highest-paid player in Arsenal history on a weekly salary of £350,000 ($433,000).

But the German World Cup winner has rarely justified that contract and is yet to play a minute of football for the Gunners since the season resumed after the coronavirus hiatus.

Arteta stressed a “tactical decision” had kept Ozil out until the FA Cup win at Sheffield United, when it was reported the 31-year-old was injured.

The former Real Madrid star, who arrived at Arsenal in 2013, will be assessed ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League game against Norwich following back soreness.

But, regardless of his fitness, Arteta has stressed he only ever picks his team on footballing merit.

Asked if Ozil’s wages had any impact when it comes to team selection, Arteta replied: “Never.

“That (Ozil’s contract) is an agreement that the player and club were happy to do, to move ahead and it is never something that I question.

“I think players are paid whatever they deserve because there are two parties here and that should never be something I have to judge.”

Arteta revealed Ozil is unhappy at being sidelined but said he would expect nothing less from a player wanting to play their part.

“I believe that he’s not very happy because he’s not playing,” he said.

“But as well he picked up an injury the other day and we have to wait and see how he evolves.

“I’m expecting a player that is not playing to feel hurt and disappointed.

“I want all my players at their best and to have the ability to be able to pick them to help the squad as much as possible and that’s the only intention I have.”



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Fernandes double fires Man Utd masterclass


Brighton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Bruno Fernandes boosted Manchester United’s bid to qualify for the Champions League as his brace inspired an impressive 3-0 win at Brighton on Tuesday.

Cajoled by the dazzling Fernandes, United produced one of their best performances of the season at the Amex Stadium.

Mason Greenwood opened the scoring early in the first half and Fernandes doubled the lead before the interval.

Fernandes netted again after half-time with a fine volley as United climbed above Wolves on goal difference to take fifth place in the Premier League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who play their game in hand at West Ham on Wednesday.

With fifth place securing qualification for the Champions League if second-placed Manchester City’s European ban is upheld, United are in a strong position to return to the continent’s elite club competition.

If they make it, United will owe a huge debt of gratitude to Fernandes, who has scored six goals since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January.

The Portugal midfielder’s role in revitalising United cannot be understated.

They were mired in a major slump before Fernandes’ signing, but are now on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including three successive wins.

United are also looking more solid at the back with eight clean sheets in their last 13 league matches. 

With a run-in that includes games against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and West Ham, Solskjaer’s men could enjoy a memorable conclusion to the campaign as they also chase success in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Brighton had taken four points from two games since the restart, easing their relegation fears, but this defeat means they aren’t completely safe yet.

– Complete control –

Solskjaer made eight changes to the side that beat Norwich in the FA Cup on Saturday and his refreshed line-up turned on the style.

Harry Maguire led United’s charge with a long pass to Paul Pogba, who rolled it into the path of Fernandes for a fierce drive that cannoned back off the post.

Solskjaer this week warned United’s strikers they must improve if they want to stay in the team.

“If you think we won’t look for players to replace you, you’re in the wrong place,” he said.

It was a message that Greenwood had clearly taken to heart as the 18-year-old produced a fine strike to open the scoring in the 16th minute.



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Man behind reported Marseille bid says he’s not Saudi intermediary


Marseille (AFP) – The man behind a reported bid to buy storied Ligue 1 club Marseille told AFP on Tuesday he was not operating as an intermediary for Saudi Arabia, while the current owner insisted the team are not for sale.

Following reports of a mega Saudi-backed bid to buy the former European champions at the weekend, Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud insisted the club was not for sale.

Contacted by AFP, industrialist Mohamed Ayachi Ajroudi brushed aside links to Saudi Arabia and Eyraud’s refusal to sell.

“Everything is for sale,” he said.

“The project is moving forwards and we have been preparing for a long time. We haven’t just arrived right now.”

Ajroudi gave no financial figures and no date of potential purchase.

“Before we make an offer we need to know what state the affairs are in, there will be no blind offer,” he said.

This contradicts widely reported figures of a 700 million-euro ($785 million) bid to buy the club by a consortium fronted by Mourad Boudjellal, the high-profile former owner of leading French rugby outfit Toulon, but backed by Saudi investors.

But Ajroudi denied this.

“I am not a Saudi intermediary, this is our idea, with my team,” he insisted.

He also said the project was also not about political sportswashing.

“Marseille would be at the heart of a huge humanitarian, social and economic project that would flower at the Velodrome and bring together 500 million Mediterraneans.”

Champions League winners in 1993, Marseille have been owned since 2016 by the American tycoon Frank McCourt, formerly the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.

Despite McCourt’s investment, Marseille have been unable to close the gap on Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain, who dominate French football.

But a spokeswoman for McCourt later on Tuesday insisted “unequivocally” that he is not in the process of selling the club.

“There is no discussion of any kind whatsoever with Mr. Ajroudi or his partners, contrary to what is reported in the media,” she said.

“We are witnessing an attempt to destabilise the club at the precise moment when it is going through its most… successful period since the takeover of Frank McCourt.”

Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 last season, which was shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That performance allowed the club with the biggest crowds in the French game to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2013.



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Mkhitaryan extends Roma loan until end of season


Rome (AFP) – Roma announced on Tuesday that they have agreed a deal with Arsenal to extend midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s loan with the Serie A club until the end of the season.

There is also a “preliminary agreement” for the Armenian international to stay at the Stadio Olimpico for next season.

“I’m happy to stay here because I still have things that I haven’t achieved yet that I want to achieve,” said Mkhitaryan.

“I’m looking forward to it, I’m looking forward to finishing this restart of the season on a high note and then to be focused on what’s next.”

The 31-year-old former Manchester United player has scored six goals in 15 league appearances for Roma this term.

The capital club sit fifth in Serie A with 10 games remaining, but nine points adrift of Atalanta who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.



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Lazio keep pressure on Juventus with tight Torino win


Rome (AFP) – Lazio kept the Serie A title race alive and kicking on Tuesday after coming from behind again to win 2-1 at struggling Torino and move a point behind league leaders Juventus.

Ciro Immobile’s 29th league goal of another remarkable season for the Italy forward and Marco Parolo’s deflected strike completed a deserved second-half comeback for Lazio, who had clawed their way to a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in similar fashion just two days earlier.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are second in the league on 68 points, on Juve’s tails ahead of their match at relegation-threatened Genoa later on Tuesday.

Andrea Belotti gave the hosts an early lead from the penalty spot after Immobile handled but spent the rest of the match on the back foot and stay 16th on 31 points.

Moreno Longo’s side have lost seven of their last nine matches and although they are six points above the drop zone could find themselves dragged into a dogfight by the end of this round of fixtures.

Lazio meanwhile are still in the hunt for their first league title in 20 years and are also practically guaranteed Champions League football next season for the first time since 2007-08, as they are 20 points ahead of fifth-placed local rivals Roma.

The Roman side got off to the worst possible start at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino when former Torino forward Immobile charged down Nicolas Nkoulou’s powerful effort only to touch the ball with his arm.

Referee Davide Massa had no choice but to point to the spot, allowing Belotti to rifle home his fifth-minute opener, and also booked Immobile, who will now miss Saturday’s visit of resurgent AC Milan.

Immobile then compounded his error on 23 minutes by blasting over when set through on goal by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Lazio were denied an leveller again just before the break when Francesco Acerbi was ruled offside after heading home Luis Alberto’s free-kick.

However Serie A’s leading scorer Immobile made up for his disastrous first half two minutes after the break when he put the away side level, collecting a lovely Alberto pass before rolling home a well-placed left-foot finish.

The goal was another example of Spaniard Alberto’s importance to Lazio, as it was a league leading 13th assist of the season for the former Liverpool man.

Immobile’s strike also meant the Italy forward equalled his own record for the highest number of goals scored by a Lazio player in a Serie A season.



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Leicester plan to play home games despite localised lockdown


Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Leicester are still planning to stage their remaining Premier League home games this season despite the city’s localised coronavirus lockdown.

Foxes chiefs has spoken with local authorities and the Premier League after the UK government’s announcement on Monday that the city would have stricter measures imposed following a sharp rise in virus cases.

Non-essential shops will be closed from Tuesday after cases in Leicester accounted for 10 percent of all positive tests in England over the past week.

Leicester are due to host Crystal Palace on Saturday and have further home matches against Sheffield United and Manchester United before the end of the season.

“All parties remain entirely satisfied that, through the continued implementation of our COVID operations plan, the club’s football operations can continue to safely function under existing protocols and, in doing so, there will be no greater risk posed to club personnel, visiting teams or our surrounding communities,” a Leicester spokesman said.

“Consequently, first team training will continue at Belvoir Drive and our forthcoming Premier League fixtures remain unaffected.”

The planned easing of lockdown restrictions in England on Saturday, including the reopening of pubs and restaurants, will not take place in Leicester, with people advised against all but essential travel.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said there was a risk of the season not being completed if there were multiple lockdowns across the country.

“It is all dependent on the course of the virus. We have shown our flexibility to that, but we have to operate within Government guidelines,” Masters told MPs at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee evidence session.



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Bayern agree deal to sign Sane from Man City: reports


Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich have agreed a deal to sign winger Leroy Sane from Manchester City, according to various media reports in Germany and England on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old was reportedly close to signing for Bayern last year before suffering a knee injury.

Sky Sports and the BBC say the two clubs have agreed a fee of £54.8 million (59.97 million euros, $67.36 million), with German daily Bild reporting a fee of “at least 50 million euros”.

Bild said Sane will sign a five-year contract at the German champions, with the transfer fee far lower than the 100 million euros mentioned last year.

Sane’s contract at Manchester City is due to run out in June, 2021.

Sports magazine Kicker said a deal is “near”.

The Germany international made his first Premier League appearance of the season as a substitute against Burnley last week.

He has scored 39 goals in 135 matches in all competitions for City since joining from Bundesliga club Schalke in 2016.



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Man behind Marseille bid says he’s not Saudi intermediary


Marseille (AFP) – The man behind a bid to buy storied Ligue 1 club Marseille told AFP on Tuesday he was not operating as an intermediary for Saudi Arabia.

Following reports of a mega Saudi-backed bid to buy the former European champions at the weekend, Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud insisted the club was not for sale.

Contacted by AFP, industrialist Mohamed Ayachi Ajroudi brushed aside links to Saudi Arabia and Eyraud’s refusal to sell.

“Everything is for sale,” he said.

“The project is moving forwards and we have been preparing for a long time. We haven’t just arrived right now.”

Ajroudi gave no financial figures and no date of potential purchase.

“Before we make an offer we need to know what state the affairs are in, there will be no blind offer,” he said.

This contradicts widely reported figures of a 700 million-euro ($785 million) bid to buy the club by a consortium fronted by Mourad Boudjellal, the high-profile former owner of leading French rugby outfit Toulon, but backed by Saudi investors.

But Ajroudi denied this.

“I am not a Saudi intermediary, this is our idea, with my team,” he insisted.

He also said the project was also not about political sportswashing.

“Marseille would be at the heart of a huge humanitarian, social and economic project that would flower at the Velodrome and bring together 500 million Mediterraneans.”

Champions League winners in 1993, Marseille have been owned since 2016 by the American tycoon Frank McCourt, formerly the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.

Despite McCourt’s investment, Marseille have been unable to close the gap on Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain, who dominate French football.

Sources within the club insist that McCourt is committed to a “long-term” project at the Velodrome.

Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 last season, which was shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That performance allowed the club with the biggest crowds in the French game to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2013.

However, financial difficulties almost saw coach Andre Villas-Boas leave the club and earlier this month and they were fined three million euros by UEFA for breaching financial fair-play rules.



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Where to find Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid, you’ve come to the right place.

With the Spanish La Liga making its return after a break from the coronavirus outbreak, the latest week of the restart features Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid, live on U.S. television and streaming.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it via legal streaming:

Who: Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
What: La Liga, gameweek 33
When: Game kicks off at 4pm ET / 1pm PT; Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Where: Live exclusively on beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports, Vidgo and Fanatiz (free trial)

 

With Fanatiz, you can watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid and tons of other La Liga games with a free 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Android TV.

With your free trial to Fanatiz, you have access to beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, GolTV, GolTV en Español, TyC Sports International, LaLiga TV, NuestraTele, Real Madrid TV, Sevilla TV and XTF.

Soccer fans on Fanatiz can access the following leagues and competitions from around the world: LaLiga, Copa Libertadores, Superliga Argentina, Ligue 1, Copa Sudamericana, Copa Argentina, Primeira Liga, Ecuadorian League, Bolivian League, Turkish Super Lig, LaLiga segunda division, Liga Águila, Copa Águila, CAF Champions League, CAF Confederations Cup, Ascenso MX, KNVB Dutch Cup, Coupe de la Ligue, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, Uruguayan league, international friendlies and more.

And if you’re wondering what the advantages of Fanatiz are, here are just a few: (1) Most cost-effective way to access beIN SPORTS in order to watch LaLiga, (2) Includes all of the beIN SPORTS Connect channels integrated into app, (3) Exclusive rights to all of the Superliga Argentina games including River Plate and Boca Juniors, (4) Features other leagues from around South America, (5) Features Sevilla TV and (6) includes Real Madrid TV in English and Spanish.

Start your free 7-day trial to Fanatiz today.

SEE MORE: Schedule of La Liga games on US TV and streaming



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Former FIFA finance director and secretary general Markus Kattner given 10-year ban


Lausanne (AFP) – Markus Kattner, FIFA’s finance director under Sepp Blatter who also served as acting secretary general, has been banned from all football-related activity for 10 years and fined one million Swiss francs ($1.056m) after being found guilty of conflicts of interest and abusing his position, the sport’s world governing body announced Tuesday.

The punishment was handed down by FIFA’s ethics committee following an investigation opened in 2016 into German Kattner, the scandal-plagued body’s former president Blatter, and former secretary general Jerome Valcke.

“The investigation into Mr Kattner covered various charges concerning bonus payments in relation to FIFA competitions that were paid to top FIFA management officials (including Mr Kattner), various amendments to and extensions of employment contracts, reimbursement of private legal costs, and Mr Kattner’s duties as an official,” FIFA said in a statement.

“In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber ruled that Mr Kattner had breached article 19 (Conflicts of interest) and article 25 (Abuse of position) of the FIFA Code of Ethics and sanctioned him with a ban from all football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level for a period of ten years. In addition, a fine in the amount of one million Swiss francs has been imposed on Mr Kattner.”

In his role as finance director, Kattner was accused along with Blatter and Valcke of being involved in a coordinated effort to “enrich themselves” to the tune of more than $80 million in often suspicious payments over a five-year period.

The disgraced Blatter and Valcke have already been banned from involvement in the sport. Blatter, who is 84, was president of FIFA between 1998 and 2015.

Kattner, now 49, joined FIFA in 2003. He was fired in May 2016 after FIFA started looking into millions of dollars of payments that the finance director, and acting general secretary after Valcke’s departure, awarded himself.



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Dortmund rule out big signings as coronavirus hits finances


Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive has ruled out making any big-money transfers this summer to challenge Bayern Munich next season as a result of the financial fallout caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga this season, 13 points behind Bayern who won the league for the eighth year running.

Dortmund are one of Europe’s richest clubs and have equity capital of 355 million euros ($398 million).

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic they expect a deficit of 45 million euros for the 2019/20 season.

“What we are losing in income on all sides is dramatic,” club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said Tuesday.

Dortmund lost millions in matchday revenue from the five home games they were forced to play behind closed doors. 

The team is doing its part with the squad agreeing to take pay cuts until the end of the year.

The departure of Germany international Mario Goetze, whose contract included a yearly salary of 10 million euros, will ease the wage bill slightly.

Dortmund have signed Belgium defender Thomas Meunier from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer and England Under-17 midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to join from Birmingham City.

Meunier will replace right-back Achraf Hakimi, whose two-year loan deal from Real Madrid has expired.

However, Meunier and Bellingham could be Dortmund’s only new arrivals for the upcoming season.

Watzke said that as far as Dortmund are concerned, “the transfer market is dead. We’re not planning any more transfers.”

However, any clubs tempted to bid for Dortmund’s teenage striker Erling Braut Haaland, who scored 16 goals in 18 games since his January arrival, or England winger Jadon Sancho have been warned.

“There won’t be even a one cent discount due to the coronavirus,” Watzke said at the weekend.



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Premier League chief admits Newcastle’s Saudi takeover ‘complicated’


London (AFP) – English Premier League football chief executive Richard Masters on Tuesday admitted Newcastle United’s proposed Saudi takeover was “complicated”, as he faced questions from British lawmakers over the controversial deal.

It is understood that the £300 million ($370 million) takeover would involve Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, taking an 80 percent stake.

Masters appeared before members of the cross-party Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.

He was quizzed on Saudi links to piracy and the suitability of the Saudi crown prince to be connected to a top-flight club.

Asked why it had taken so long for the process to be completed, Masters said: “I cannot comment in terms of timing or the specifics on any particular takeover.

“But in a perfect world takeovers would happen cleanly, clearly and in a timely fashion. Sometimes things get complicated.”

The deal is still subject to the Premier League’s owners and directors test, which objectively assesses the suitability of would-be owners.

– ‘Frustrated’ –

Masters said he had been “extremely frustrated” by Riyadh’s repeated blocking of attempts to take legal action against a Saudi pirate TV outfit, which has illegally broadcast matches.

The World Trade Organization ruled earlier in June that Saudi Arabia had failed to protect the intellectual property rights of Qatari-owned broadcaster beIN by refusing to take action against beoutQ.

The Premier League wrote to the US Trade Representative in February asking for Saudi Arabia to be kept on a piracy watch list.

Masters said: “I think our views on what’s happened in Saudi Arabia around beoutQ are on public record and obviously we were extremely frustrated with that process.”

Committee member John Nicolson said the proposed Newcastle takeover would put the league in “an extraordinary position” because the Saudi state was “up to its armpits in piracy”.

“You could find yourself in a position where (One Direction star) Louis Tomlinson has been blocked from taking over a club,” he said.

“But the grisly Mohammed Bin Salman, who was implicated in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, where Mr Khashoggi was lured into a Saudi embassy, murdered and then chopped up into little pieces, you could find Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman passing the fit and proper test and taking over a club.

“That would be humiliating for you surely?”

Masters said he could not talk about the specifics of the takeover.



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Embattled Toennies resigns as chairman of cash-strapped Schalke


Berlin (AFP) – The future of cash-strapped Bundesliga club Schalke 04 is uncertain after their billionaire backer and chairman Clemens Toennies resigned on Tuesday following fan protests over his management of the club.

“As chairman of the supervisory board, Clemens Toennies has played a decisive role in establishing FC Schalke 04 as one of the heavyweights in the Bundesliga over the past 26 years,” said the club in a statement.

“We know how difficult this decision was for him.”

Toennies has been on Schalke’s board since 1994 and club chairman since 2001.

With Toennies in charge, Schalke finished league runners-up five times and spent 10 seasons in the Champions League, but struggled to 12th this season in the Bundesliga.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit the club’s finances, Schalke had debts of around 200 million euros ($224 million).

Each of their four home games behind closed doors at their huge Veltins-Arena stadium in Gelsenkirchen costs the club two million euros.

According to Munich-based Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Schalke is the first Bundesliga club to introduce a salary cap of 2.5 million euros for next season.

The club has also reportedly secured 40 million euros from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia to get a loan vital for the club’s survival.

Fans annoyed by Toennies running of the club during the coronavirus protested on Saturday in Gelsenkirchen.

Now a week after the club’s head of finances Peter Peters walked away, Toennies has followed suit.

The billionaire meat-manufacturer was already underfire away from football after an outbreak of COVID-19 at his factory has led to 1,500 cases of the virus.

The 64-year-old had an embattled start to the season and voluntarily stepped back for three months as Schalke chairman over allegedly racist comments he made last August.

Under head coach David Wagner, Schalke, who were third in December, suffered a dreadful end to the season and Saturday’s 4-0 thumping at Freiburg was their 16th league game without a win.



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2021 Africa Cup of Nations postponed by a year due to virus


Cairo (AFP) – Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon has been postponed until 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Confederation of African Football announced Tuesday in a video conference.

CAF president Ahmad Ahmad said African football’s governing body took the decision as “health was the main priority”.

African countries have suffered to varying degrees from the pandemic with South Africa the hardest hit among those south of the Sahara, recording more than 144,000 cases, while Egypt has suffered the worst in North Africa with over 66,000 infections.

“The peak of the pandemic has not been reached yet,” Ahmad added.

The CAF Champions League will round up its matches in September while the Confederation Cup will wrap up towards the end of this year with a ‘Final Four’ expected to take place in Morocco.

These last two competitions were interrupted in March ahead of the semi-finals phase. 

Ahmad also announced the cancellation of the women’s Cup of Nations which was scheduled to take place in November while revealing the launch of a new club competition for 2021.

“I am expressing my pride in seeing the birth of a women’s Champions League on the African continent,” the CAF president, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct last year, said.

Last week, FIFA pledged $1.5 billion in grants and loans as a relief fund to help national and continental federations in stemming the economic downturn with the halting of football since the start of the pandemic. 

Other regional football competitions slated to be played this summer have also been delayed such as the European Championship and Copa America.

This month saw the muted return of prominent European leagues, such as the English Premier League, with matches played in empty stadiums.



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Lampard rules out Chelsea move for free agent Angel Gomes


London (AFP) – Frank Lampard said Tuesday that Chelsea had not made a bid for free agent Angel Gomes and was tight-lipped over a link with West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Manchester United have confirmed London-born Gomes, 19, is leaving Old Trafford, with the highly rated attacking midfielder’s services now in high demand.

Chelsea have been linked with a swoop for the England Under-20s star, but Blues boss Lampard rejected any interest out of hand.

Asked if Chelsea had made a bid for Gomes, Lampard told a press conference: “Yes, I can elaborate to the point that it’s never been mentioned at my end, so that’s it.”

And when asked if there is any interest, Lampard added: “No.”

Fourth-placed Chelsea will head to West Ham for Wednesday’s Premier League clash looking for a sixth straight win in all competitions, and a fourth since the resumption of football after the coronavirus lockdown.

The Blues continue to be linked with a summer move for West Ham’s 21-year-old England and ex-Chelsea academy star Rice.

But Stamford Bridge manager Lampard kept his cards close to his chest at his pre-match press conference.

“Declan Rice is a good player, you’re right, and I’ve known Declan Rice for a long time, as he was in the Chelsea academy, but there’s no talk,” said Lampard.

“I keep saying, about every player we’ll be asked about. Until these games and this season is finished, there’s nothing to say.”

Lampard has deployed France World Cup-winner N’Golo Kante in a more defensive position since the restart but said he remained hugely important to the side.

“I think with N’Golo I have a way I want him to work our midfield, where we have some fluidity to us, which allows N’Golo to bring his best attributes to the game,” he said.

“N’Golo, since he has been here, has shown his attributes and qualities mean that he can play in pretty much any role in midfield that you want him to,” he added.

“He is an incredible player, I keep saying it and I mean it — he is huge for this club. He has been huge and he will be for a long time and I am happy with him.”



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UEFA insists ‘no Plan B’ for Champions League amid Lisbon virus concerns


Lausanne (AFP) – UEFA insists there is “no reason to prepare a Plan B” for the final eight of the Champions League in Lisbon despite Portuguese authorities reintroducing restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“We hope everything will be fine and that it will be possible to organise the tournament in Portugal. For the moment there is no reason to prepare a Plan B,” a UEFA spokesperson told AFP.

The spokesperson added that European football’s governing body is in “constant contact with the Portuguese Football Federation and the local authorities”.

UEFA announced earlier this month that the latter stages of the Champions League would be staged exceptionally as a straight knockout competition from the quarter-finals onwards with all matches in Lisbon.

Earlier this month, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “For now things look well, and we hope everything will be fine until we organise the final eight.”

He added: “We are assessing the situation, not week by week but day by day, and we will adapt when the time comes, if necessary.”

Portugal had not suffered to the same extent as other western European countries during the pandemic but last week Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced that some coronavirus restrictions would be reimposed in and around the capital to help control fresh outbreaks.

From Wednesday, 19 neighbourhoods on the northern edges of Lisbon will go back into lockdown.

Gatherings will be limited to a maximum of five people in these areas, compared to 10 people in the wider Lisbon area and 20 people across the rest of Portugal.

The final eight is due to begin with the first quarter-final on August 12, with the final scheduled for August 23.

Matches will be played at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz and the nearby Estadio Jose Alvalade, home of Sporting.

Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Atalanta all qualified for the quarter-finals before the competition was suspended in March.

The remaining last 16, second legs are: Juventus v Lyon; Manchester City v Real Madrid; Bayern Munich v Chelsea and Barcelona v Napoli.

It is hoped those matches — set for August 7 and 8 — will not need to be played on neutral ground but they could also be moved to Portugal, with UEFA standing by to spread the matches around the country, in Lisbon as well as in the northern cities of Porto and Guimaraes.

Ceferin has admitted that it is unlikely any of the matches will be played in front of crowds but said UEFA would re-assess the situation in July.



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Solskjaer warns Rashford, Martial to improve or risk being replaced


London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to improve, saying he is open to further strengthening his attack despite their impressive goalscoring form this season.

The Old Trafford giants are on course to have two players hit the 20-goal mark in the same campaign, in all competitions, since Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez in 2010/11.

Martial’s first Manchester United hat-trick, against Sheffield United last week, took him level with Rashford on 19 goals, while 18-year-old academy graduate Mason Greenwood has found the net 12 times in a breakthrough season.

“I think all three that we have talked about have had a good development this season — but they can be so much better,” he said ahead of his side’s Premier League match at Brighton on Tuesday.

“All three, I’m still waiting to see them blossom because there’s parts of their game that they still need to improve on.”

Odion Ighalo arrived on loan in January to bolster United’s attacking options and Solskjaer said the strikers know his desire for them to improve comes with a need to “make decisions for the team and the club”.

“If you think you’ve got a divine right to be playing every game and doing so well that we’re not going to look for players to replace you, you’re in the wrong place,” he said.

“I’ve been here for so many years myself as a striker and Teddy Sheringham comes in, Dwight Yorke comes in, Ruud van Nistelrooy comes in, Wayne Rooney comes in.

“We’ve always got to look at improving. And if they don’t improve, well, we might have to look somewhere else to get better because we have to be better.

“We’re too far away from where we need to be and want to be.”

United, unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, are sixth in the Premier League table, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot.

Solskjaer dismissed the notion that United have an easy run-in, with matches against a group of relegation strugglers to come.

“It’s the Premier League, with quality players and quality teams, so I would never ever say ‘this is an easy game’ in the Premier League,” he said. “Absolutely no chance.”



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Liverpool can stay on top without major signings, says Klopp


London (AFP) – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp does not believe he has to spend “millions” in the transfer market, saying it is a tricky task to improve his Premier League winners.

Klopp’s side were last week crowned English champions for the first time in 30 years with a record seven games to go.

The coronavirus outbreak, which put the Premier League on hold for three months, is likely to have a significant impact on the football transfer market.

But Klopp said even if he had a significant war chest, spending it would not necessarily be easy or the right thing to do.

The club decided not to compete with Chelsea for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner even though he had been heavily linked with a move to Anfield.

Fringe players Xherdan Shaqiri and Adam Lallana look likely to be among those who will be leaving the club.

“COVID has of course influenced both sides with ins and outs, that is completely normal, and it’s just not likely that it will be the most busy summer in the world,” Klopp told reporters.

“But maybe at a later point in the year, if the transfer window is still open, we will know more. But this squad… look at it.

“It is not a squad you have to change now and say ‘OK, we need this position and this position’.”

The Liverpool boss said he had a “first 16 or 17” who could all play at the same level.

“We cannot spend millions and millions and millions because we want to or we think it is nice to do,” he added. “We never wanted that.”

Klopp’s last big buy was the purchase of Alisson Becker for £65 million ($80 million) in 2018.

Since then the outlay has been relatively small. Teenagers Harvey Elliott and Sepp van den Berg have joined the club along with Adrian and Takumi Minamino, who arrived from RB Salzburg for £7.25 million in January.

But the club has invested heavily in longer contracts for their key players and Klopp said his youngsters had the potential to make a major impact.

Wales under-19 international Neco Williams has impressed, along with academy graduate Curtis Jones and fellow young forward Elliott.

“You have to be creative and we try to be creative,” said Klopp. “We try to find solutions internally and there is still a lot to come. We have three or four players who can make big steps.”



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Monday, 29 June 2020

Where to find Genoa vs. Juventus on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Genoa vs. Juventus in the US, we have all of the details for you about the Serie A game.

Genoa vs. Juventus is available exclusively via ESPN+ but will not be on television. However, you can stream the game from ESPN+ to your TV set.

League: Serie A
Genre: Sports

Looking to watch Serie A matches online from your office, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

 
Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Genoa vs. Juventus
What: Serie A
When: Game kicks off at 3:45pm ET / 12:45pm PT; Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Where: Live on ESPN+

With ESPN+, you can watch Genoa vs. Juventus and tons more Serie A games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation 4 and XBOX One.

Now with ESPN+, you can stream Serie A, UEFA Nations League, Championship, League One, League Two, FA Cup, League Cup, Copa America, US Open Cup, International Champions Cup, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, Eredivisie, Danish Superliga, Chinese Super League, Indian Super League, Australian A-League, Sweden’s Allsvenskan, MLS out-of-market games and USL.

ESPN+ is only $4.99/month.

In addition to all of the soccer coverage, ESPN+ also includes UFC, MLB, MLS, NHL, select PGA TOUR golf, Top Rank Boxing, cricket and Grand Slam tennis from Wimbledon to the US Open and Australian Open. Plus you get instant access to your favorite college sports like football, basketball, lacrosse, softball and more.

There’s also the daily ESPN FC show, 30 For 30 documentaries, exclusive access to studio programs and more.

SEE MORE: Schedule of Serie A games on US TV and streaming



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Brentford’s value-driven approach fires Premier League push


London (AFP) – Brentford are pushing hard for a return to the English top flight after more than 70 years away, with head coach Thomas Frank highlighting their values-driven approach as one reason for the club’s success.

The Londoners, renowned for their canny transfer dealings, are eyeing an automatic promotion spot after posting two straight wins following the return from the coronavirus lockdown.

Frank admits his side, third in the second-tier Championship behind slumbering giants Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, would be in “dreamland” if they reached the Premier League.

On Tuesday Brentford, well-placed to qualify for the play-offs, travel to Reading, with seven games left of the regular season.

The west London club, who last appeared in the top division of English football in 1947, cannot boast the big crowds of their Championship rivals although they will soon be moving from Griffin Park to a new, larger stadium nearby.

But they have become renowned as a financially stable club who have used a data-driven recruitment model to buy low and sell high.

In April they posted a £20 million ($25 million) profit for the financial year to the end of June 2019. They returned a profit of more than £27 million from player sales, including John Egan to Sheffield United and Chris Mepham to Bournemouth.

– Character test –

Danish boss Frank told AFP that a big part of the ethos of the club is only buying players whose character fits.

“Our success is down to different things but character and values are key above anything else,” said the 46-year-old.

“We scout players and if they tick that box (character and values) we sign them.

“We ask for character references on players, and if they don’t tick that box then we do not sign them.”

“Obviously in my job as a football manager it does help if they are slightly skilful,” he joked.

Frank is quick to point out the debt the club owe to late technical director Robert Rowan, who died at the age of just 28 in November 2018. He had previously been the club’s head of football operations.

“A hundred percent he (Rowan) was a big part of  what we are trying to achieve,” said Frank, who stepped up from his role as assistant boss after Dean Smith left for Aston Villa in October 2018. 

“He built the foundations, he was a big part of that.”



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Where to find Brighton vs. Man United on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Brighton vs. Man United on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place.

For viewers in the US, Brighton vs. Man United will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below).

Match: Brighton vs. Man United
Kickoff: Tuesday, 3:15pm ET
Looking to watch Brighton vs. Man United online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

 

We Recommend:

US Only.

 

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Brighton vs. Man United
What: Premier League, gameweek 32
When: Game kicks off at 3:15pm ET / 12:15pm PT; Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Where: Live on NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV (free trial)

 

 

With fuboTV, you can watch Brighton vs. Man United and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

Now with fuboTV, you can stream NBCSN, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, RAI Italia, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN, RAI Italia and YES.

Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Serie A, La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, Bundesliga, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and Euro 2020 qualifiers.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

 

Here are the steps to take to watch the Brighton vs. Man United game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the Brighton vs. Man United game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include NBCSN featuring Brighton vs. Man United (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming



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