Striker Pizarro back at Bremen to see out career

Berlin (AFP) – Veteran striker Claudio Pizarro on Sunday announced his return to Werder Bremen, where he plans to see out his career.

Pizarro, who turns 40 in October, has received a “performance-related contract” and will provide back up cover for the forward line.

“I’m delighted to have the chance to join the team again, and to finish my career at the club I started in Europe with,” the Peruvian national said in a statement issued by the club.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my experience, but I don’t want to hide that I’m coming back to score goals as well. I’m convinced that we’ll have a strong season together.”

Pizarro had been playing at FC Cologne over the last season, but has kept contact with Bremen. 

“He will have a good influence in the dressing room with his positive energy, conviction and hunger for success,” said Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt.

“If he’s fit and healthy I’m sure he can help us in crucial moments this season. Claudio is a legend and he will get his moments this season.”

Pizarro first wore Bremen’s green and white jersey in 1999 and subsequently returned to the club in 2008, 2009 and 2015.

The striker, who had also played for Bayern Munich, has been in 446 Bundesliga games and is the top-scoring foreigner in the German top league with 192 goals.

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Say I’m your No.1: goalkeeper Buffon faces fight at PSG

Singapore (AFP) – Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon has a fight on his hands for the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper’s shirt as coach Thomas Tuchel revealed he had not yet decided who was his number one.

Buffon has made his first move abroad at the age of 40 but faces stiff competition at the French club, which shares his ambition of a first Champions League title.

Tuchel has an embarrassment of goalkeeping riches including Alphonse Areola, a member of France’s World Cup-winning squad, German international Kevin Trapp, Sebastien Cibois and Remy Descamps.

“He’s (Buffon) not afraid to fight for his place, Kevin and Alphonse are not afraid to fight for their place,” Tuchel said in Singapore, ahead of Monday’s friendly with Atletico Madrid.

“This is the kind of competition that I would love to have in every other position.”

The German added: “This is a situation we need to handle relaxed but clearly. When everybody is there and everybody has shown up and everybody is healthy at the top level, then it’s time to decide.”

Buffon has not had the easiest of starts with PSG, shipping four goals in his first two friendly appearances against Bayern Munich and Arsenal.

Buffon, who clocked up 656 appearances in 17 years at Juventus, insisted he never expected simply to be handed a starting spot.

“In 24 years of my career, nobody has ever told me that I had the number one shirt by right. It’s come through hard training and being selected based on merit,” he said.

“So I’ll continue to do that and also work towards developing the other goalkeepers in the squad.”

The 2006 World Cup-winner also denied that the chance of winning an elusive Champions League title was the main motivation behind his move to PSG on a one-year deal.

“This decision was made so I could continue… to play at the top level,” he said.

“I’ve always been excited by the thought of a challenge abroad, a challenge as ambitious and important as this one at Paris. 

“I think after 40 years in Italy, a change will be good for me from a personal point of view as well as a professional one.”

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Qatar’s World Cup bid used ‘black operations’: UK report

London (AFP) – Qatar’s successful, controversy-plagued bid to host the 2022 World Cup has been hit by further allegations that they used a secret “black operations” propaganda campaign to undermine rival bids in violation of FIFA rules, according to The Sunday Times.

The newspaper — which also made allegations in 2014 about Qatar buying the vote but of which they were subsequently cleared after a two-year long FIFA investigation led by American lawyer Michael Garcia — says emails leaked to them by a whistleblower from the bid team show they paid a US-based office of a public relations firm as well as former CIA agents to disseminate “fake propaganda” concerning main rivals Australia and the United States during their campaign to host the 2022 competition.

Qatar, to general surprise, beat the Australian and US bids as well as South Korea and Japan to the right to host the quadrennial football showpiece. Russia were awarded the 2018 edition at the same time, seeing off, amongst others, England.

The gas-rich Gulf state’s strategy was to recruit influential individuals in order to attack bids in their respective countries, creating the impression there was “zero support” to host the World Cup among the population, the paper said.

One of the core criteria considered by FIFA is said to be that the bids should have a strong backing from domestic populations.

Bidders are also prohibited from making “any written or oral statement of any kind, whether adverse or otherwise, about the bids or candidatures of any other member association” under FIFA guidelines.

– ‘Rejects each and every allegation’ –

But one of the leaked emails the Times claims to have obtained was sent to Qatar’s deputy bid leader Ali al-Thawadi, and allegedly shows the state was aware of plots to spread “poison” against other bidders in the running before Qatar won the right to host the World Cup in December 2010.

Such actions went as far as planning a resolution for US congress on the “harmful” effects of the American World Cup proposition during the week of the vote, as well as approaching and paying a US professor $9,000 (7,723 euros, £6,865) to compose a report on the economic burden the competition would present.

Qatar issued a point blank denial.

In a statement Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said it “rejects each and every allegation put forward by the Sunday Times”.

“We have been thoroughly investigated and have been forthcoming with all information related to our bid, including the official investigation led by US attorney Michael Garcia,” it said.

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Meet Tim Weah, the president’s son with big football boots to fill

Singapore (AFP) – It isn’t easy when your father is footballing royalty — and the president of Liberia to boot. But for 18-year-old Tim Weah, son of the legendary player-turned-politician George, having a famous name on his shirt isn’t proving a hindrance.

Weah wasn’t even born during his father’s playing career, which included the 1995 Ballon d’Or and one of the greatest goals in history, for AC Milan — which he now watches on YouTube.

He admits his father is on a “pedestal”, but he hasn’t let the pressure affect a burgeoning career for Paris Saint-Germain and the United States, co-host of the World Cup in 2026, when he will be 26.

After standing out at junior level, American-born Weah netted his first senior international goal in May, and got off the mark for PSG — where his father starred in the 1990s — this month against Bayern Munich.

“When I’m out there, it’s just me and the ball and my teammates and that’s all I really care about,” he said, after catching the eye in Saturday’s 5-1 pre-season defeat to Arsenal in Singapore.

“The name on my back, I don’t really see it, it’s the fans that are seeing it. So no pressure, I just try to play my game.”

– ‘Complete banger’ –

Early indications are good for the centre-forward, who is strong and skillful, fast, astute, and has an eye for goal — and his father’s knack for the spectacular.

While he hasn’t dribbled from his own penalty box to score, as his father famously did against Verona in 1996, Weah did hit a screamer during his hat-trick against Paraguay at last year’s Under-17 World Cup, a goal he accurately describes as a “complete banger”.

On Saturday, Weah twice came close to scoring for a youthful PSG side, and earned the penalty that brought their only goal when he drew a foul from Sead Kolasinac.

But he says he is happy to bide his time and wait for opportunities at star-studded PSG, where he can learn from the fearsome strike force of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.

“With this type of player, I just learn maturity, just be comfortable on the ball and be yourself out there, because no one can take that from you,” Weah said.

“I watch these players all the time. At the World Cup I was watching them and I took some stuff from their games as far as being confident, being skillful (is concerned).”

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Barcelona topple Tottenham on penalties after 2-2 draw

Pasadena (United States) (AFP) – Summer signing Arthur marked his Barcelona bow with a mouthwatering goal, as the La Liga champions beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Pasadena, California.

Both sides were without their big names for the International Champions Cup clash, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris all still recovering from their exertions at the World Cup.

But Arthur, Barcelona’s 40 million euro signing from Brazilian side Gremio, caught the eye with a lovely first-half finish, to add to Munir’s opener for the Catalans.

Spurs had struggled to exert themselves in the opening 45 minutes, but after Barcelona made a raft of changes at the interval, Mauricio Pochettino’s men levelled proceedings with two goals in as many minutes. Son Heung-min and Georges-Kevin N’koudou both pounced on the rebound to profit from suspect defending.

Barcelona won the penalty shoot-out which followed, with new 41 million euro signing Malcom converting the decisive spot-kick.

The early dominance of Ernesto Valverde’s side paid off with a 15th minute opener after a devastatingly simple approach ripped the Spurs’ defence apart. 

Andre Gomes delivered an inswinging cross from the left, Rafinha escaped at the far post and headed the ball back into the six-yard box, where Munir cushioned it into the net from point-blank range.

A second arrived courtesy of a sublime strike from Arthur. Rafinha laid the ball back to the midfielder on the edge of the area and he effortlessly swept it into the far top corner beyond the helpless Gazzaniga.

Christian Eriksen produced Tottenham’s first meaningful effort in the 32nd minute, with a free-kick from 25 yards that was pushed away to his left by Jasper Cillessen.

The woodwork denied Eriksen from another set piece six minutes after the restart, when his right-footed free-kick bounced awkwardly for Cillessen and crashed back off the outside of the post.

Malcom was a whisker away from marking his first Barcelona appearance with a 65th minute goal when he took on right-back Serge Aurier and fired in a low shot towards the near post which was smartly diverted behind by Michel Vorm.

Spurs’ comeback began in the 72nd minute after the Barcelona defence failed to deal with Ben Davies’ left wing cross. Eriksen saw his shot blocked, but Son latched onto the rebound to divert a shot into the unguarded net.

A leveller arrived two minutes later after Barcelona again struggled with a low cross, this time from the right. Eriksen’s shot was cleared off the line, but academy product N’koudou pounced with a volley from inside the six-yard box.

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Sub Silva scores twice as Man City rallies to beat Bayern

Miami (AFP) – Pepe Guardiola finished Manchester City’s US tour with a deserved 3-2 victory over former club Bayern Munich, but his evening was soured with an injury to new signing Riyad Mahrez.

Two goals from substitute Bernardo Silva helped Manchester City come from 2-0 down to end a run of two defeats in this International Champions Cup campaign with youngster Lukas Nmecha scoring in between.

Mahrez, however, went down twice with what looked like an ankle problem. He was eventually forced off after just 27 minutes and looked in discomfort.

With the traditional English season opener – the Community Shield – taking place next Sunday at Wembley against Chelsea, coach Guardiola will assess the Algerian’s fitness as the start of the Premier League campaign looms into view.

Meanwhile Guardiola’s squad flew back to Manchester at the end of the Saturday match.

City’s opening games against Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool had both ended in narrow defeats, but with Guardiola opting for familiarity — eight players in the starting lineup here had begun all three games of this US tour — it was another young side full of running.

“We analyzed our mistakes in the previous games and did it better against Bayern Munich,” said Guardiola. “We were able to play good and overcome the situation when we were 2-0 down.” 

Bayern’s main men Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery looked dangerous on the ball, yet with Mahrez afforded plenty of space in midfield the English champions dominated the early stages and really should have opened the scoring.

Mahrez, who had already spent a few minutes getting treatment after being challenged, sent German-born City striker Nmecha through only for his shot be saved by Sven Ulreich.

It wasn’t long before Nmecha had the opportunity to make amends as another classy through ball from Mahrez set him free, but this time he was denied by the post.

That was to prove a costly couple of misses because on 14 minutes, Bayern were ahead. 

– Finds space –

The lively Rafinha found space on the right and his cross was headed in by Meritan Shabani.

It was a good team goal and on 23 minutes, Ribery and Robben combined for number two. The French midfielder’s lofted through ball found the Dutchman in the area and his two touches – one to control and one to expertly lift the ball past Claudio Bravo – were top class.

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Prolific Bakambu puts China transfer saga behind him

Shanghai (AFP) – Cedric Bakambu says that he made “a good choice” leaving Spain for the riches of Chinese football — and he is proving it by hitting 11 goals in as many games.

The French-born Congolese striker joined Chinese Super League (CSL) side Beijing Guoan from Villarreal earlier this year in a protracted move shrouded in mystery.

The cost of the transfer was never disclosed, but reports in Spain and France said that 40 million euros was paid to release Bakambu from his Villarreal contract, allowing him to move on a free transfer.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) consequently announced in February that clubs who evade their 100 percent levy on incoming foreign players face crippling point deductions.

The 27-year-old, who by some estimations became the most expensive African footballer ever with the move to the Chinese capital, has been an instant hit and played a major part in helping Roger Schmidt’s side top the CSL with half the season gone.

Speaking on the eve of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Shanghai Shenhua — Bakambu was again on the scoresheet — the forward said: “I think I made a good choice to come here.

“It is a new experience and I enjoy a lot my new life here in China.”

Speaking to AFP after the game, the former France under-20 international said he did not care what people thought about him moving to China from La Liga at the pinnacle of his career.

He is thought to earn about 18 million euros a year and previously admitted the cash was a major incentive.

“I know why I am here and it does not matter what others think,” he said in his first substantive comments to international media since arriving in China.

“I do what I want to do and the most important thing in life is that I am happy, the rest does not matter.”  

Unlike some other foreign players who move to China, Bakambu brought his family with him. 

“I like my life here in China and Beijing because I have good friends in my team, I am with my family, I am scoring goals and we are winning a lot of games,” said Bakambu, reportedly on the radar of English Premier League clubs before choosing China.

– ‘That’s quality’ –

Bakambu is among a cast of overseas players lured to the Asian country on handsome contracts that most clubs in Europe cannot match.

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