Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane could be sacked from his role if his side fail to beat Borussia Monchengladbach in their final Champions League group stage game next Wednesday.
Zidane’s side are at risk of failing to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in the competition’s history after again falling to defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk, while their league form – three losses in the last five games – is hardly much better.
Real were again humiliated by Shakhtar | Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
According to Cadena SER, Zidane’s future will depend on sealing qualification for the last 16, and he could be given the boot if Real fail to win against group leaders Gladbach on Wednesday.
Club officials are understandably concerned about being humiliated by dropping out of the Champions League at such an early stage, given the club’s history is largely centred around success in Europe.
ESPN add that Zidane’s future is hanging in the balance, although their report suggests that the boss will have three matches to save his job. Real’s next three opponents are Sevilla, Gladbach and Atletico Madrid.
The nightmare has extended from the boardroom to the dressing room as Sport believe that the boss no longer feels as though he can trust almost ‘70%’ of his squad.
The most high-profile names to have lost Zidane’s faith are Belgian winger Eden Hazard and midfielder Martin Odegaard, and the boss’ confidence in Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio is also said to be wavering, none of whom he believes are playing well enough to justify a spot in the team.
It’s not only the performances of players which is upsetting Zidane. The Frenchman is concerned by the attitudes of defender Marcelo and midfielder Toni Kroos, while his relationship with Isco is believed to be beyond repair.
Despite all the carnage at the Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane is not thought to be worried. His conscience is clear after he warned president Florentino Perez that the squad needed a rebuild last summer, only to see the team unable to spend because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Zidane’s trust in Hazard is said to be gone | DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Club officials hope to avoid having to make any tough decisions, but there are increasing frustrations towards both Real’s results on the pitch and Zidane’s management of a lot of his players.
A poor run of results over the next three games could see Real eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage for the first time in the competition’s history, and the gap between them and La Liga leaders Real Sociedad could hit double figures if results go against them.
Ajax centre-back Perr Schuurs has admitted that he is not interested in a move to Liverpool just yet as he wants to focus on developing his game in Amsterdam.
The 21-year-old has established himself as a regular starter for Ajax this season, and his impressive form has led to several rumours suggesting Liverpool have lodged a €30m bid for the Dutch defender.
Schuurs impressed at Anfield | Pool/Getty Images
There have been conflicting reports about the existence of this bid, but the rumours have refused to go away. However, Schuurs now appears to have put the story to bed.
“I know how this works. I heard things and read things, but I have to focus on my game and the team,” he said (via Ajax Life). “I was not concerned with Liverpool’s interest. You get it and when you are here, you notice how big this club is. But this is only my first year as a starter at Ajax. I want to keep it that way for a little while longer.
“What I am saying, I am not really in favour of leaving the Netherlands quickly. I won’t be doing that anytime soon. This is my first season in the team and I want to keep it up. I want to play here for a few more seasons. And I want to win trophies with Ajax.
Schuurs is not interested in a move | Soccrates Images/Getty Images
“I feel as though I keep getting better when I play more. In the Eredivisie, but also through matches in the Champions League.”
Well, that’s that then.
Liverpool are on the fence about signing a new centre-back in January and would prefer to wait until the summer before splashing out on a young defender, although sources have confirmed to 90min that the Reds have not ruled out bringing their plans forward if the right deal emerges.
Liverpool have not ruled out signing a new defender | Pool/Getty Images
Scouts have been tracking Schalke’s Ozan Kabak, Villarreal’s Pau Torres, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykola Matvienko, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, but a final decision is yet to be made.
One thing that does seem certain is that Schuurs will not be moving to Anfield anytime soon. The 21-year-old has made it clear that he plans on developing with Ajax for the foreseeable future, so any interested buyers are going to have to wait.
Manchester United and PSG served up a wonderfully chaotic 90 minutes of Champions League football on Wednesday evening as the French champions ran out 3-1 winners at Old Trafford.
United were on top for much of the game but had Fred sent off with 21 minutes remaining and a brace from Neymar ultimately condemned the Red Devils to defeat, leaving Group H fascinatingly poised going into the final round of fixtures.
PSG took the lead after six minutes, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe combining neatly before the former tucked home at the near post.
United should have been a goal and a player down when Fred appeared to head butt Leandro Paredes. The referee went to check the monitor, initially couldn’t find the monitor and eventually opted to give the Brazilian a yellow card. The pair then continued to scrap for the rest of the first half.
Watching Fred vs Paredes his half, you’d think there was some kind of rivalry between Brazil and Argentina.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) December 2, 2020
The referee just gave Fred a yellow card after he headbutted Leo Paredes. Nicolas Pepe headbutted a Leeds player two weeks ago and was sent off immediately. I’ve never seen anything like this before. VAR strikes again.
— FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) December 2, 2020
Fred was treading a fine line and United fans were insistent he should have been replaced ASAP. But Ole knows best and I’m sure no harm came of it.
Get Fred subbed before it’s too late.
— eddie white. (@1957eddie) December 2, 2020
We need to get Fred off at halftime.
He’s lost his damn mind.
— shirtless plantain show (@Nigerianscamsss) December 2, 2020
Not to be outdone, Scott McTominay and Neymar then enjoyed a little scrap of their own after the Brazilian forward found himself on the receiving end of a thumping sliding tackle, with a petulant argument between the pair continuing into the tunnel at half time.
Scott McTominay has Neymar rattled. I’m dead. Imagine seeing Scott’s face laughing at you constantly I think I’d want to go home.
— Jordan Clarke (@FourFourJordan) December 2, 2020
Mcsauce leaving the dressing room trying to spot Neymar again pic.twitter.com/GPISiVQwb8
— pastor dax (@DaX_Utd) December 2, 2020
United came out all guns blazing in the second half with the game there for the taking. Edinson Cavani struck the cross bar with a fabulous chip, and Anthony Martial saw two terrific opportunities go begging.
But with the Red Devils comfortably the better side, PSG then inevitably took the lead once more, Marquinhos poking home from a corner.
And just to rub salt into the wound, having not been sent off for something he did do in the first half, Fred was sent off for something he didn’t do in the second after being judged to have caught Ander Herrera with a late tackle.
⏱️ 67′ – United on top with a lot of chances.
⏱️ 69′ – PSG take the lead and Fred is sent off.#MUPSG | #UCL pic.twitter.com/KohYlkBOLV
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 2, 2020
This instantly begged the question as to why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had not taken Fred off at half time, with the United midfielder treading on thin ice for most of the game with Nemanja Matic sat on the bench.
Ole is paid very well to make crucial decisions like that when it matters most. There was no way he should’ve kept Fred on when he was on a yellow and saw how the PSG players were behaving all game. It’s absolutely criminal and could cost us CL qualification.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) December 2, 2020
How does a guy whose whole career was being a sub not know when to make subs
— Pøgba Senior (@TheSaItIsHere) December 2, 2020
United continued to push for an equaliser, before Neymar wrapped up the victory in style for PSG. The forward shimmied past a handful of United defenders on the halfway line, charged into the box and applied the finishing touches to the move that he started.
Harry Maguire, meet Neymar.
Take a seat pic.twitter.com/Qr77kKR1BB
— Bongani_Cartel (@Pena_Cartel) December 2, 2020
Filth. Any silver linings, Ole?
At least mctominay grabbed neymar a few times eh? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/P198ikHiuA
Champions League Group H is wide open after Manchester United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
PSG opened the scoring after six minutes, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar combining well before the latter cooly finished at the near post.
United equalised just after the half hour mark after Marcus Rashford’s strike from the edge of the area was directed into his own goal by Danilo Pereira.
Both sides rattled the cross bar in the second half – first Edinson Cavani with a fabulous chip and then Marquinhos with a header – before Marquinhos gave the visitors the lead, prodding home from a corner.
⏱️ 67′ – United on top with a lot of chances.
⏱️ 69′ – PSG take the lead and Fred is sent off.#MUPSG | #UCL pic.twitter.com/KohYlkBOLV
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 2, 2020
Moments after PSG’s second goal, Fred received his marching orders after being shown a second yellow for a challenge on Ander Herrera.
Neymar put the game beyond doubt in the dying stages, finishing a move he had started inside his own half with a superb piece of skill.
Let’s get into some player ratings.
Maguire started at the back for United | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
David de Gea (GK) –6/10 – Produced a fantastic low, finger tipped save to keep out Bakker in the second half. Could do little about any of the PSG goals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 7/10 – Had to contend with Mbappe in the first half and Neymar in the second, but the world class pair rarely got the better of him.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – 6/10 – Dealt well with Kean but struggled once PSG moved to two up top with Neymar and Mbappe.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 6/10 – Dealt with the threat of Kean, but was completely sold by a sublime piece of skill from Neymar in the build up to PSG’s third.
Alex Telles (LB) – 6/10 – Relatively solid defensively, got forward well in the first half and put in a couple of dangerous set piece deliveries.
Fred was right in the thick of the action | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Scott McTominay (DM) – 6/10 – Produced a stunning sliding tackle to dispossess Neymar on the halfway line on the stroke of half time, which led to the pair clashing.
Fred (DM) – 4/10 – Was fortunate to not be sent off after appearing to head butt Paredes, but escaped with just a yellow after the referee checked the VAR monitor. Was unfortunate to be sent off after being deemed to have caught Herrera late when he had in fact won the ball.
Bruno Fernandes (AM) – 5/10 – Linked up well with Rashford to create United’s first real opening in the first half. Drifted in and out of the game, not as influential as usual.
Rashford helped to level the scores for United | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Marcus Rashford (RW) – 6/10 – Combined well with Fernandes on the edge of the PSG box to register United’s first attempt on target in the first half. His goal-bound effort deflected in off Danilo to draw United level.
Edinson Cavani (ST) – 7/10 – Combined superbly with Rashford in the second half in the build up to a golden second half chance for Martial, picking out the United academy product with a delightful back heel. Clattered the cross bar with a sublimely executed chip.
Anthony Martial (LW) – 6/10 – Blazed a terrific opportunity over from close range early in the second half after being teed up by Rashford.
? More changes as we approach the final 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, @PaulPogba goes close with a powerful volley!#MUFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/h6yXQRD4v2
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 2, 2020
Paul Pogba – 6/10
Donny van de Beek – 5/10
Mason Greenwood – 5/10
Odion Ighalo – N/A
Marquinhos scored and hit the bar | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Keylor Navas (GK) – 6/10 – Made a couple of comfortable saves to thwart Rashford and Martial in the first half. Could do nothing about United’s goal.
Alessandro Florenzi (RB) – 7/10 – Whipped in a terrific delivery in the early stages of the first half that Neymar was inches away from turning home, and another one five minutes before the break.
Marquinhos (CB) – 8/10 – Charged down Martial’s goal bound effort in the second half, producing a huge block to prevent United from taking the lead. Hit the crossbar with with a header in the second half before finding the net with a close range effort from a corner.
Presnel Kimpembe (CB) – 7/10 – Made a vital interception to prevent Fernandes slotting Rashford through in the second half as United were three on three.
Abdou Diallo (LB) – 6/10 – Solid defensively and got forward dangerously, particularly in the first half.
Verratti started in midfield for PSG | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Danilo Pereira (DM) – 6/10 – Inadvertently prodded Rashford’s effort into his own goal with an outstretched leg. Dropped into the defence to make a back three as PSG switched systems in the second half. Intelligently mopped up at the back on numerous occasions.
Marco Verratti (CM) – 6/10 – Ruthlessly efficient in possession, flew into challenges out of possession.
Leandro Paredes (CM) – 5/10 – Enjoyed a real battle with Fred in the middle of the park. Probably had more coming togethers with the United midfielder than he had time on the ball. Was replaced after an hour.
Neymar opened the scoring for PSG | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Neymar (FW) – 8/10 – Opened the scoring with a well-taken near post finish having linked up cleverly with Mbappe. Started getting a bit petulant after he was on the receiving end of a strong McTominay challenge. Wrapped up the win with a close range effort, finishing the move he started with an exquisite piece of skill.
Moise Kean (ST) – 5/10 – Hardly saw any of the ball and was kept very quiet by Maguire and Lindelof. Was substituted just after the hour mark.
Kylian Mbappe (FW) – 6/10 – Combined well with Neymar in the buildup to PSG’s opener, before his deflected effort fell into the path of the Brazilian. Drifted in and out of the game. Should have put the game to bed as the clock ticked down, but flashed as effort just wide.
Herrera came on after an hour | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Olivier Giroud’s four goals helped Chelsea cruise to an impressive victory against Sevilla on Wednesday night, sealing their spot as Group E winners in the process.
Frank Lampard rang the changes from the 0-0 draw with Tottenham at the weekend, with Giroud replacing Tammy Abraham up front. The entire back four was changed, while Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic also featured from the outset.
The visitors took the lead when Giroud cut back on to his left foot and curled into the far corner after Havertz’s driving run and pass.
The Frenchman grabbed his second in the second half with a composed dink before sealing the contest with a glancing header. A late penalty gifted the World Cup winner a remarkable fourth.
Both sides had sealed qualification for the knockout stages before the game but the result means Chelsea top the group with a game to spare, with Sevilla confirmed as runners up.
Rudiger helped Chelsea keep another clean sheet | Soccrates Images/Getty Images
Edouard Mendy (GK) – 6/10 – Claimed a few crosses and made a few saves. A relatively quiet night but another clean sheet for the summer signing.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – 7/10 – Just shows the depth Chelsea have where Reece James can be dropped and Azpilicueta drafted in. Beaten a few times in the air but decision making remains pretty sharp.
Andreas Christensen (CB) – 7/10 – Won most of his aerial duels, with his distribution fine for the most part. Wasn’t overly tested by a blunt Sevilla attack.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 8/10 – Had a header cleared off the line by Franco Vazquez. His cross field passes to Callum Hudson-Odoi were joyous to watch. A solid display.
Emerson Palmieri (LB) – 7/10 – Hardly a fan favourite for Chelsea supporters but did little wrong. Certainly did his bit in keeping Sevilla quiet.
Havertz set up Chelsea’s opener | Soccrates Images/Getty Images
Kai Havertz (CM) – 7/10 – A good driving run from the Germany international saw him tee up Giroud for Chelsea’s first. Often looked to dribble and had some joy throughout.
Jorginho (CM) – 7/10 – Made a few tackles and was characteristically comfortable in possession. A clean sheet will also do his confidence some good.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) – 7/10 – Set up one of Giroud’s goals. Has a slight habit of committing fouls after losing possession but was technically good all night.
A perfect hat trick wasn’t enough for Giroud, who grabbed a fourth with a penalty | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Callum Hudson-Odoi (RW) – 7/10 – Some sharp running and clever off the ball movement helped Chelsea’s attack. Carried out his defensive duties diligently. Somewhat outshone by Giroud but a good performance nonetheless.
Olivier Giroud (ST) – 10/10 – Absolutely brilliant. Gave the visitors the perfect start with a sharp finish in the eighth minute and grabbed a second with a deft chip. Completed a perfect hat trick with a nice header and got a fourth with a late penalty. Full marks.
Christian Pulisic (LW) – 6/10 – Looked sharp early on, placing a shot just wide prior to Giroud’s goal before forcing Sevilla goalie Alfonso Pastor into a save with a low drive. Still building up fitness but a decent enough showing.
Hakim Ziyech – 5/10
Mason Mount – 6/10
N’Golo Kante – 7/10 – Came on and set up Giroud for his third with a lovely cross.
Timo Werner – 6/10
Billy Gilmour – 6/10 – A long awaited comeback in a perfect situation for the young Scot.
Let’
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
