Tuesday, November 14, 2017
EXTRATIME
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De Bruyne questions Martinez’s tactics
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evin De Bruyne has questioned Belgium coach Roberto Martinez’s tactics, saying the country cannot just rely on their individual talents at the World Cup. Belgium were held to a 3-3 draw by Mex-
Mane
ico in Brussels on Friday, and Manchester City star De Bruyne said the result was a wake-up call. Martinez has a talented squad including Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Yannick Carrasco, Thibaut Courtois and Jan Vertonghen to choose from. But De Bruyne said they must improve to have any chance of success in Russia, telling Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Niewus:
Mane injury: Klopp waits for full assessment
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iverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits it is “a concern” to have had Sadio Mane return from international duty with another hamstring problem. The forward has been sent back to England after Senegal’s football federation confirmed he had been feeling slight pain in same muscle that kept him out for the majority of October. With Senegal having sealed qualification for the World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa last week, Mane has been allowed to go back to Liverpool for assessment on the problem before they resume Premier League duties against his old club Southampton this weekend. Klopp is unwilling to speculate on the severity of the injury but concedes it is a worry to see the 25-year-old suffer another setback. “First and foremost, I have to say big congratulations to Senegal on the achievement of qualifying for the World Cup,” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website. “This is fantastic news for their country and the players, Sadio included. “Aliou Cisse and his guys have done a fantastic job there and you can see them making a real impact in Russia come next summer. Personally speaking, I’m delighted for Sadio. Everyone in Liverpool knows his ability and the best players should be on the best stage – Sadio will now have this wonderful chance. “Specifically on him returning to Melwood early to be with us: obviously it is a concern that the hamstring injury is again on the agenda and it will be critical for us to monitor and manage that in the coming days. “At this stage, we haven’t seen Sadio yet to properly assess the extent, but what is clear is that we will have to stay on top of this for the rest of the week and make sure we are careful in how we look after him.
“Mexico were just tactically better. “Their system made our five defenders sit deep and we were swimming in midfield -- it was five against seven. “We still put too much [emphasis] on our talents. As long as we don’t have a good tactical system, we will have difficulties against countries like Mexico. It’s a pity that we have not yet found a solution. “Of course we play with a system that is in principle very defensive, but it is filled with many attacking players who want the ball. “Then you have a bit of a problem, like against Mexico. It was a match in which we had very little possession and everyone in a system that doesn’t really fit. “We now know that something must be changed against such teams. But, eventually, Martinez decides. I think the trainer has to find a solution so that we can avoid such situations as against Mexico in the future.”
Bruyne
Del Piero wants Conte back in charge of Italy
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ormer Italy star Alessandro Del Piero wants Antonio Conte to return as head coach after “a great period” with Chelsea. Conte’s future at Stamford Bridge has become the subject of speculation this season, with the former Juventus boss tipped as a possible replacement for Vincenzo Montella at AC Milan. The position of Gian Piero Ventura is also far from certain, with Italy needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit to Sweden in their World Cup play-off if they are to avoid missing out on a place at the finals for the first time since 1958. Italy reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 under Conte, where they were knocked out on penalties by world champions Germany, and Del Piero admits he would love to see his old team-mate come back to the national team. “He did great with Juve of course and a great job with the national team,” Del Piero told Sport360. “We would love to have him back in Italy, of course, because he is a great coach. He would improve any team and this is what he did with Chelsea last season and what he did with Juve as well. “We had some problems and he fixed it, then won the title. He has some amazing qualities and that’s why he’s coaching the best teams
in the world. I hope he will have a great period with Chelsea and then maybe one day come back.” Italy face Sweden at San Siro on Monday amid great concern about a lack of attacking strength, with the Azzurri having failed to score more than one goal in a single game since a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein in June. Del Piero, however, feels it is only a mental concern that is holding back the forwards. “[Ciro] Immobile seems to be scoring every week,” he said. “He’s amazing for that, so Ventura has real options. He has [Lorenzo] Insigne and [Antonio] Candreva on the right side so I don’t think we have a problem with the options in attack. “There is no forward who is not playing well but the problem is maybe mentality.”
Torres
Torres linked with Rafa Benitez reunion at Newcastle
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ernando Torres could be poised to return to the Premier League on loan and link up again with Rafa Benitez, who signed him for Liverpool a little over a decade ago. Newcastle manager Benitez, who brought Torres to Anfield from Atletico Madrid in summer 2007 and also coached him during his brief stint as Chelsea manager, is aware of the Spain international’s desire to return to England, the Mirror reports. But so, it says, are Southampton, who are also in the frame to strike a short-term deal for the onetime Chelsea striker. Torres, 33, has started only twice for Atletico in 2017-18 but wants to spend next season, the last on his contract, with his boyhood club. He is eager to play regular first-team football from January until the end of the campaign and the Mirror says that won’t be happening at Atleti, where Diego Costa will soon be eligible for selection. It adds that “the player’s representatives have let his desire to leave on loan in January be known to both Benitez and Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino.” The Chronicle says a Newcastle switch is likely to depend on the club’s takeover going through, adding that “although acquiring a proven Premier League forward is a priority for Benitez, a move for Torres could prove expensive” if he opts to pursue it.