‘Selfish’ or ‘protecting the players’? Klopp’s complaints divide managers

London (AFP) – Liverpool’s ever expanding injury list has prompted Jurgen Klopp to take on the football authorities and broadcasters over a gruelling schedule that he feels is doing little to protect the players.

The English champions head into Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Ajax without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner.

Klopp was infuriated that Liverpool were chosen for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off in a 1-1 draw at Brighton just over 60 hours after they faced Atalanta in Europe on Wednesday night.

“After Wednesday, Saturday at 12:30 is really dangerous for the players,” said Klopp, who also sarcastically congratulated a BT Sport interviewer for Milner’s hamstring injury in the second half.

However, he is not alone and has formed an unlikely alliance with Manchester United and Manchester City, who have also faced early Saturday kick-offs after Wednesday night games in the Champions League this season.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his side had been “set up to fail” when they won at Everton after returning from a trip to Turkey barely 48 hours before they travelled to Goodison Park.

City boss Pep Guardiola has also been a strong advocate of allowing managers the chance to make five substitutions.

“All around the world there is five substitutions. Here we believe we are a special league with just three players, we don’t protect the players,” said Guardiola after his side’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool earlier this month that characterised the problems of a condensed calendar.

Both sides chased the game in an enthralling first 45 minutes before settling for a point as fatigue set in after the break.

“We’ve reached a point where you start to think that with so many matches and so many injuries, the spectacle is not the same,” said Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane last week.

– Joyless football –

Despite losing a month of the season due to a late start to the campaign caused by the three-month coronavirus shutdown last season, barely any sacrifices have been made in English football to ease the strain on players.

Both domestic cup competitions have been retained alongside a full 38-game Premier League season, European football commitments and two international breaks with an extra game for European nations.

Guardiola has repeatedly argued that the gruelling winter schedule in England when other major leagues take a mid-season break comes at the expense of better quality matches for fans to enjoy.

And he believes that is only exacerbated in a season so far without fans inside the ground.

“The problem is today the players lose the joy of playing football. Before it was nice playing football once or twice a week with spectators, now it is in three days another one.”

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder drew Klopp’s ire after standing his ground in a manager’s meeting last week over the issue of five substitutes.

Two previous votes have failed to garner the 14 votes needed from the 20 Premier League clubs to change the rules over fears from those with less resources that such a change only benefits the bigger clubs with deeper squads.

“I’ve got incredible respect for these top managers because they produce top results and win things,” said Wilder, whose side sit bottom of the table with just one point from 10 games.

“But they’re selfish, they look after their own clubs. They’re going to be bothered about Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, which I understand and respect. I would be the same, but I’m bothered about Sheffield United and it doesn’t help us to have five subs.”

Yet, the evidence across Europe shows the continent’s biggest clubs are struggling to match their usual levels of dominance even with five subs.

Real Madrid and Barcelona find themselves well off the pace in La Liga having already lost three times each. Paris Saint-Germain have also lost three of their opening 12 matches in Ligue 1, while Juventus sit fourth in Serie A, behind Sassuolo, as they go for a 10th consecutive title.

Klopp may not be getting much sympathy from those fighting just to remain in the Premier League.

But the cost of cramming so much football into a shortened calendar threatens not only player welfare, but the enjoyment for fans watching a watered down product.

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Conte in firing line as Inter need Champions League miracle

Milan (AFP) – Antonio Conte is in the firing line with another Champions League failure looming as his Inter Milan side head to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Tuesday with their hopes of reaching the knock-out stage hanging by a thread.

The three-time European champions are bottom of Group B with just two points from four games, six points behind leaders Gladbach.

Real Madrid — the record 13-time winners — are one point behind the Germans in second place and three clear of Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk with two matches to play.

An Italian team has not won a European trophy since Inter secured the Champions League to complete a treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

And Inter need a miracle to avoid a third consecutive exit in the group stage.

Against Gladbach, the 1977 European Cup runners-up, there will be no room for error.

The teams settled for a 2-2 draw at the San Siro last month, with Romelu Lukaku scoring both goals for the hosts.

Inter need to win and then beat Shakhtar, while also hoping other results go their way.

For former Juventus and Chelsea manager Conte, who took over at Inter in 2019, his European record has been consistently disappointing.

Conte tasted European glory as a player with Juventus, in the 1995/96 Champions League.

But the 51-year-old’s best result as a coach was leading Juventus to the 2012/13 quarter-finals.

He took Chelsea to the last 16 in 2017-2018, but this threatens to be his fourth failure to make it into the knock-out rounds.

An exit from the lucrative tournament would prove costly for Inter, who this week revealed losses of 102.4 million euros ($122.4m) for 2019/2020, largely blamed on the coronavirus pandemic.

Club president Steven Zhang nevertheless hailed Conte as “a true leader” who would restore the Chinese-owned side to their former glories.

“Last season’s goal was to start creating a winning mentality, then try to reduce the gap with our competitors,” said Zhang.

– ‘For better or for worse’ –

Last season, Conte took Inter to a second-place finish in Serie A, just one point behind Juventus, and to the Europa League final where they lost to Sevilla.

He had looked set to leave after just one season following a furious outburst following their defeat by Sevilla, complaining both he and the players received “little protection from the club”.

“I don’t want another year like that,” fumed Conte before confirming he would stay after clear-the-air talks.

A divorce would have proved costly with his contract running until 2022 and worth a reported 12 million euros ($14 million) a season.

This season Inter have frequently had to come from behind, battling back from two goals down to equalise before Real Madrid snatched a 3-2 victory in Spain.

They also came from two goals down to beat Torino 4-2 a week ago, but convincingly won 3-0 against Sassuolo on Saturday to move second in Serie A.

But Conte admitted his side had been outplayed by Real Madrid in the 2-0 defeat last time out in Europe, not just because of Arturo Vidal’s first-half sending off for arguing with the referee.

“Responsibility needs to be shared and we need to be united, for better or for worse,” said Conte.

“In positive and negative moments, we all need to take credit and responsibility. We’re all in the same boat and we’re all rowing in the same direction.”

Against Gladbach, Conte will be counting on the attacking duo of Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, who have scored 10 of Inter’s 14 Champions League goals in the past two seasons.

Alexis Sanchez also scored against Sassuolo, finding the net in two consecutive league fixtures for the first time since December 2017 when he was at Arsenal.

But former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen has been increasingly sidelined, looking set to leave after just a year in January.

“It’ll be difficult since they’re a tough opponent, as we saw at San Siro,” said Inter full-back Matteo Darmian.

“But we’ll keep trying until our exit is mathematically confirmed.”

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‘Maradona a legend, but wear your masks,’ Napoli coach tells mourning fans

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso has urged fans paying tribute to club legend Diego Maradona to wear their masks to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Thousands of Neapolitans have thronged the streets of the southern Italian city since news of Maradona’s death aged 60 on Wednesday.

Argentina World Cup winner Maradona led Napoli to their only league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.

“There is an air of sadness for Diego’s death, but in this moment the city must also have common sense,” said Gattuso after his side beat Roma 4-0 in Serie A on Sunday.

“There are too many people without masks. Maradona, he’s a legend, there’s no need to explain it, everyone knows, but right now we have to be good otherwise we will pay the consequences. 

“The city is suffering economically, like the whole country, we have to do things well.”

Italy was the first European country hit by the pandemic which has since killed over 50,000 Italians.

“You have to be very careful, a tragedy has happened. One of the greatest in the history of this city, we all have a duty.”

Napoli hammered Roma in an empty Stadio San Paolo to move fifth in Serie A, six points behind leaders AC Milan.

“Since Covid arrived, another sport has been played, and you have to be good at finding motivations,” said Gattuso. 

“You struggle without fans, you have to be good at staying on track even with the right attitude, and quality that the team has.”

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Lille held as Ligue 1 top five separated by two points

Décines-Charpieu (France) (AFP) – Lille stuttered to a 1-1 draw at struggling Saint-Etienne on Sunday to miss the chance to draw level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1, but the rest of the chasers took advantage of the defending champions’ latest slip-up.

Lille sit second in the table, two points behind PSG — who drew 2-2 with Bordeaux on Saturday — and above Lyon, Monaco and Montpellier on goal difference.

Lyon continued their fine form with a 3-0 win over Reims, while Monaco beat Nimes by the same scoreline to also move within two points of PSG, while Montpellier edged out Lorient.

Lille would have hoped to take all three points from a Saint-Etienne side on a seven-match losing streak in the league before kick-off.

But Christophe Galtier’s team fell behind to a first-half penalty from Tunisian Wahbi Khazri and needed a second-half strike from Jonathan Ikone to rescue a draw.

Karl Toko Ekambi, Bruno Guimaraes and Moussa Dembele scored for Lyon as they made it 16 points from their last six matches.

“We must continue in this vein and look upwards. We must put a run of victories together,” said Lyon coach Rudi Garcia.

“This is the first time that we have won three times in a row. As in Angers (last week), we had an opportunity to (move up the) table. We seized it.”

PSG gave the chasing pack a chance to cut the gap with a 2-2 home draw against Bordeaux on Saturday, having blown a two-goal lead to lose to Monaco last week.

Reims, who had Moreto Cassama sent off on 33 minutes, remain fourth from bottom and look destined for a relegation dog-fight.

Toko Ekambi, returning from suspension, proved the key for Lyon, hitting the post early on before scoring in the 22nd minute with a header at the back post from a cross by Memphis Depay. 

Toko Ekambi also created the second — Guimaraes’s first for Lyon — four minutes after the break, the Brazilian’s shot taking a deflection off Marshall Munetsi.

Toko Ekambi also teed up Dembele for the third. Dembele had just come on as a substitute for Tino Kadewere who had hit the post in the first half and had a goal ruled out for offside.

Cassama was sent off for a foul on Depay who looked to be in on goal.

– Monaco march on –

Monaco eased to victory over Nimes to notch their fourth straight league win.

Young midfielder Sofiane Diop gave the hosts an early lead at the Stade Louis II, before Gelson Martins and Kevin Volland struck in the second half to see off Nimes, who had Lucas Deaux dismissed in the 69th minute.

Germany striker Volland has scored five Ligue 1 goals for Monaco since his close-season move from Bayer Leverkusen.

The principality outfit have finished ninth and 17th in the last two seasons and coach Niko Kovac was eager to play down any thoughts of a repeat of their shock 2017 title triumph.

“The title? Not after 12 games, we’re not there, no,” said the Croatian.

“It’s a good period for us, we have to keep working, we are a young team. We will also lose matches.”

Fifth-placed Montpellier also extended their winning streak to four matches as Petar Skuletic scored late on to grab a 1-0 win at Lorient, despite midfielder Teji Savanier’s missed penalty in the first half.

Marseille, who have also won four league matches on the spin, are only four points behind PSG in sixth, with two games in hand.

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Wolves shake off Jimenez loss to beat Arsenal

London (AFP) – Wolves recovered from losing top scorer Raul Jimenez to a sickening head injury to inflict Arsenal’s third consecutive home league defeat with a 2-1 win at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Mexican received treatment from medics for 10 minutes on the floor after colliding with David Luiz before being stretchered from the field.

Luiz continued with blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until half-time, when he was replaced by Rob Holding, leading to fresh calls for the introduction of concussion substitutes in football.

The rest of the Wolves team had combined for just five goals in their previous nine league games, but Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence struck to hand the visitors a first win away to Arsenal since 1979.

Sky Sports reported Jimenez is conscious in hospital and responding to treatment.

Football’s lawmakers IFAB have opened the door for concussion substitutes to be used on a trial basis with the English Football Association hoping to do so in this season’s FA Cup.

Former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been a campaigner for concussion subs and more investigation into the high percentage of former footballers suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

“Sickening head clash between Jimenez and Luiz. It’s time football wised up and got up to date and immediately ratifies temporary concussion replacements,” Sutton tweeted.

“Jimenez clearly in a bad way. Has David Luiz been checked adequately?”

There was a sombre mood on the pitch when the action returned but Wolves quickly took the lead.

Leander Dendoncker headed an Adama Traore cross against the crossbar but Neto was quickest to respond and converted the rebound.

The lead was short-lived as Arsenal responded to score their first goal from open play in six league games.

Willian’s inviting cross was powered home by Gabriel Magalhaes at the back post for his second goal for the club.

But the Arsenal defence that had been the bedrock of a revival under Mikel Arteta towards the end of last season as they won the FA Cup, could not cope with the pace of Traore.

Another dart from the Spaniard teed up Neto and when his shot was spilled by Bernd Leno, Podence reacted fastest to turn the loose ball home.

Arsenal responded after the break to pin Nuno Espirito Santo’s men back, but the home side again lacked inspiration and a clinical finish in the final third.

Bukayo Saka should have done better when he skewed wide from close range.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wait for a Premier League goal from open play since he signed a lucrative new contract worth a reported £55 million ($73 million) over three years also goes on.

The Arsenal captain had his side’s best chance for an equaliser but headed wide much to the dismay of Arteta on the sidelines.

A year to the day since Unai Emery was sacked with the Gunners sitting eighth in the Premier League, Arteta’s men now sit 14th.

At the other end of the table Wolves climb up to sixth and within four points of league leaders Tottenham and Liverpool.

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Napoli wear ‘Argentina’ jersey in honour of Maradona

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Napoli players took to the pitch wearing a special Argentina-inspired jersey on Sunday in honour of club legend Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 on Wednesday, for their Serie A game against Roma.

The jersey with white and light blue vertical stripes, was specially designed to pay tribute to Napoli’s legendary number 10 who led the club to their only league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.

Players also wore black armbands, with a minute’s silence observed before the game, as in all matches in Italy, in memory of Maradona who spent seven years at Napoli.

A photo of the former Argentina star was projected onto giant screens in the 10th minute, as players stopped to applaud.

The launch of this new jersey had already been planned before Maradona’s death, Napoli said.

“A year ago, together with Kappa, we thought of designing a special jersey that echoes Diego Maradona, his beloved Argentina and the very strong bond with the people of Naples,” the club said in a statement.

“Together we hoped that Diego could see it, maybe wear it and share in the excitement with us. 

“The presentation of the new kit had already been agreed for the ninth matchday of the championship, on the occasion of the SSC Napoli-Roma match. 

“The shirt that will be worn by the players tonight will have an even greater significance than initially assumed.”

On Thursday, Napoli players took to the pitch wearing Maradona’s iconic number 10 jersey before their 2-0 Europa League win over Croatian side Rijeka.

The Stadio San Paolo is expected to soon be renamed after the 1986 World Cup winner following a suggestion made by the Mayor of Napoli.

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Wolves’ Jimenez taken to hospital after horrible head knock

London (AFP) – Wolves striker Raul Jimenez was taken to hospital after coming off worst in a nasty clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz on Sunday.

The Mexican was tended to on the floor by medics for 10 minutes before being stretchered from the field.

Sky Sports reported Jimenez is conscious in hospital and responding to treatment.

Luiz continued with blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until half-time when he was replaced by Rob Holding.

Football’s lawmakers IFAB have opened the door for concussion substitutes to be used on a trial basis with the English Football Association hoping to do so in this season’s FA Cup.

Former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been a campaigner for concussion subs and more investigation into the high percentage of former footballers suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

“Sickening head clash between Jimenez and Luiz. It’s time football wised up and got up to date and immediately ratifies temporary concussion replacements,” Sutton tweeted.

“Jimenez clearly in a bad way. Has David Luiz been checked adequately?”

Wolves shrugged off the loss of their top scorer to take a 2-1 lead before half-time as Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence struck either side of Gabriel Magalhaes’s equaliser for Arsenal.

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