Game Recap - Soccer Wiretap

Jurgen Klopp After Watford Loss: Liverpool Can Play Care Free Again

Feb 29, 2020 9:23 PM

Jurgen Klopp attempted to look for positives following Liverpool's 3-0 loss against Watford.

Liverpool had not lost in 44 matches, and were riding an 18-game win streak into the match.

“The most important thing is congratulations to Watford, well deserved,” said Klopp. “The first half there were football things that didn’t work out for us and overall we didn’t create enough and that’s what leads to a defeat. But it’s just one football game and we have to admit that Watford was the better team.”

Klopp added that he's relieved that his side no longer have to play under the scrutiny of chasing Arsenal's "Invincibles" season.

"I don’t think you can break records because you want to break records. You break records because you are 100% focused on each step.

“It was clear that at some time we would lose a game. We didn’t wait for it but it was clear that it would happen. Tonight it happened. I see it rather positive. Because from now on we can play free football again. We don’t have to defend or try to get the record we just can try to win football games again.”

Sachin Nakrani/The Guardian

Tags: Liverpool, Watford, Game Recap

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Juventus-Inter, 4 Other Serie A Matches Called Off Due To Coronavirus

Feb 29, 2020 5:08 PM

Five Serie A matches were called off due to coronavirus fears this weekend, including Juventus versus Inter.

Udinese vs. Fiorentina, Milan vs. Genoa, Parma vs. SPAL and Sassuolo vs. Brescia were also delayed.

The top-of-the-table clash between Juventus and Inter was supposed to be played behind closed doors, but is called off completely.

There are currently 12 reported deaths in Italy due to the coronavirus.

Lazio briefly is on top of the table after a 2-0 win. 

ESPN

Tags: Internazionale, Juventus, Game Recap

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Real Madrid-Barcelona To Be Played In Front Of Supporters

Feb 28, 2020 1:04 PM

This weekend's match between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be played in front of supporters despite coronavirus concerns.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas confirmed that the league has a protocol to handle the possibility of the virus spreading, including playing matches behind closed doors.

We haven’t considered the possibility of postponing the Clásico or any other games, but as of Sunday evening we have opened a coronavirus commission within LaLiga to monitor the situation and we have a plan in place for different cities regarding whether we can play behind closed doors or not. That situation has not yet arisen in Madrid and neither has the matter of postponing the Clásico,” said Tebas.

There have been 31 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Spain.

“It’s one thing to postpone a game and another not to play it. We have been looking at the possibility of playing games behind closed doors and if that is not possible then we will postpone. If that case arises, we have dates prepared for when we can stage those games. We have presented this plan to UEFA so that they can also bear in mind European ties involving Spanish teams. We are working on precaution, not improvisation," added Tebas. 

Alfredo Matilla/As.com

Tags: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Game Recap

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Vinicius Junior: Everyone Knows Gabriel Jesus Fouled Sergio Ramos

Feb 27, 2020 1:08 PM

Vinicius Junior said that Gabriel Jesus fouled Sergio Ramos as Jesus went up for his header to bring Manchester City level with Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.

"Jesus commits the foul, and everyone knows it was a foul. They always take decisions against us. I didn't need to see it again in the dressing room. It was a foul. Every game it's the same," said Vinicius after the match.

Zinedine Zidane said that the ref told him that there was no push.

"It's the referee's decision and that's all. What annoys me is what we did, playing well and then 10 minutes at the end changed the game. The mistakes we made, it hurts, we don't deserve it, but that's football. That moment was key."

Pep Guardiola went on to praise the intensity of Jesus.

"There isn't another striker in the world to bring that intensity. He makes incredible runs in behind. When he's on the wing making a diagonal run, he's so fast and so good. We decided to play without a proper striker because of the way they defend. We made the pitch wide," added Guardiola.

Alex Kirkland/ESPN

Tags: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Game Recap, UEFA Champions League

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Rodri: Manchester City Should Have Beaten Real Madrid By More

Feb 27, 2020 12:34 PM

Rodri said that Manchester City should have scored more goals following their 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.

"They dropped in the last 10 minutes, we detected that and if the game had lasted a little longer, we could have done more damage still," Rodri said. "But given the way the game was it is a very good result for us."

City went down 1-0 at the Bernabeu before their comeback win.

Rodri said that Cristiano Ronaldo's absence was noticeable. 

"Of course you can tell [when someone like Ronaldo is not there]. Those kind of players, of which there are basically two in the world, who tip the balance, you notice when they're not there. they're a bit flatter."

 

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Game Recap, UEFA Champions League

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Atletico Madrid Fined For Antoine Griezmann Chants

Feb 26, 2020 4:07 PM

Atletico Madrid were fined $13,000 by the Spanish FA due to their supporters chanting "Die Griezmann die" during a match against Barcelona.

The match in question took place last December, with Barcelona winning 1-0.

The Spanish FA has been cracking down on offensive chants after a Deportivo La Coruna supporter died before a match against Atleti in 2014. 

ESPN

Tags: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Game Recap

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Juventus-Inter Match To Be Played Behind Closed Doors

Feb 26, 2020 1:02 PM

This weekend's match between Juventus and Inter Milan will be played behind closed doors due to fears over the coronavirus.

Five Serie A matches in northern Italy will be played behind closed doors.

Matches in southern Italy will continue with fans in the stadium.

Four Serie A matches were canceled last weekend, with no reschedule date set.

Andrew Cesare Richardson/ESPN

Tags: Internazionale, Juventus, Game Recap

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Rodrygo Sent Off In Reserve Match, Will Miss El Clasico

Feb 23, 2020 8:00 PM

Rodrygo will miss next week's El Clasico against Barcelona after being sent off in a reserve match.

The 18-year-old striker mocked the keeper for San Sebastian de los Reyes after scoring a goal, leading to the red card.

Real Madrid will also be without Eden Hazard due to a fractured right fibula. 

ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Game Recap

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N'Golo Kante Out Three Weeks With Muscle Injury

Feb 21, 2020 5:14 PM

N'Golo Kante will be out for the next 3 weeks after sustaining a muscle injury against Manchester United, according to Frank Lampard.

Lampard added that he has no return date for Christian Pulisic, though Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will return this Saturday against Tottenham.

Chelsea have only won 1 out of their last 5 Premier League matches.

ESPN

Tags: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Game Recap, Injury

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Joao Felix Returns To Atletico Madrid Training

Feb 21, 2020 12:21 PM

Joao Felix has returned to training after sitting out for a month with a muscular injury in his leg.

Felix missed matches against Real Madrid and Liverpool.

It is not known if Felix will return against Villarreal over the weekend. 

Isaac Suárez & David G. Medina/Marca

Tags: Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Game Recap, Injury

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Martin Braithwaite Included In Barcelona Team For Saturday Match

M. Carmen Torres/Marca

Wilfred Ndidi Ruled Out Of Manchester City Match

As.com

Jurgen Klopp On 25-Point Premier League Lead: 'The Gap Is So Insane'

Shamoon Hafez/BBC Sport