European football leagues (La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc.) 2020-21 Discussion Thread

The Viper · Sep 11, 2020

Lens 1 Paris Saint Germain 0

A depleted Paris St-Germain side began their Ligue 1 campaign with a surprise loss against newly promoted Lens.

The match was in doubt after Champions League finalists PSG had seven players, including star striker Kylian Mbappe, test positive for coronavirus.

Lens took full advantage on their return to the top flight as Ignatius Ganago punished goalkeeper Marcin Bulka's error to net the winning goal.

The match was played in front of 5,000 fans at Lens' Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

PSG have won seven of the past eight top-flight titles including last season when the campaign was ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic. Thomas Tuchel's side finished 12 points clear at the top of the table.

Brazil forward Neymar, compatriot Marquinhos and Argentina internationals Angel di Maria and Mauro Icardi were all missing for the visitors.

It proved costly as third-choice goalkeeper Bulka presented the ball straight to Ganago to fire home the only goal of the game in the second half.

PSG host Marseille in the league on Sunday (20:00 BST) and must wait to see if any of the missing players will be available for selection.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54108520

The Viper · Sep 11, 2020

Napoli president and owner Aurelio de Laurentiis has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Italian club said the 71-year-old returned a positive result on Wednesday, but gave no further details.

De Laurentiis was at a Serie A assembly in Milan on Wednesday, alongside officials from other top-flight sides.

Napoli, who finished seventh in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia last season, are due to start their 2020-21 campaign at Parma on 20 September.

Abdullah719 · Sep 12, 2020

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has tested positive for coronavirus, the Spanish club have announced.— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1304873954675503105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Viper · Sep 14, 2020

The Viper · Sep 14, 2020

Huge fight in the Ligue I game between PSG and OM. 5 red cards given in the last minute!

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MenInG · Sep 14, 2020

Neymar was one of five players sent off after an injury-time brawl as Marseille beat Paris St-Germain in Ligue 1.

As he left the pitch, PSG's Brazil forward told the fourth official he had heard a racist comment.

Florian Thauvin scored the only goal as PSG lost their opening two league games for the first time since 1984-85.

Home substitutes Leandro Paredes and Layvin Kurzawa, and Marseille's Jordan Amavi and Dario Benedetto, were dismissed along with Neymar.

The referee watched a video assistant referee (VAR) replay of a punch by Neymar before showing the 28-year-old a straight red card.

After the match, Neymar posted on social media to say that his "only regret" was not hitting Marseille's Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzalez in the face, having struck him on the back of the head.

In response, Gonzalez denied claims of any wrongdoing, posting on social media: "There is no place for racism."

In the post-match news conference Marseille manager Andre Villas-Boas said: "There is no place for racism in football but I don't think that was the case.

"We'll have to look at it."

The game, which was watched by a crowd of about 5,000 fans at the Parc des Princes, was fractious even before that late brawl. There were 17 cards shown, a record for a Ligue 1 game in the 21st Century.

The injury-time drama started when Marseille's Benedetto nudged Paredes in the back, with the PSG midfielder then punching him to the ground before appearing to headbutt Alvaro.

A melee broke out, with Kurzawa and Amavi punching and kicking each other.

Benedetto and Paredes were shown second yellow cards, with Kurzawa and Amavi given straight reds.

The VAR review showed Neymar had punched Alvaro, a player he had been in a running battle with, and the forward was shown a straight red card, having earlier been booked.

Alvaro had also been involved in a big first-half flashpoint when he suggested Angel di Maria spat at him.

Di Maria was one of seven PSG players - along with Neymar - to test positive for coronavirus before the season started, although he had since provided a negative test.

MenInG · Sep 14, 2020

Paris St-Germain say they will "strongly support" their Brazilian playmaker Neymar after he claimed to have been racially abused by Marseille defender Alvaro Gonzalez.

Neymar was the last of five red cards in Sunday's bad-tempered Ligue 1 match, sent off for hitting Gonzalez.

On Twitter, Neymar accused his opponent of racism and urged the authorities to use VAR to clarify matters.

PSG said there was "no place for racism in society, football or in our lives".

In a short statement issued on Monday, the French champions said the club "looks forward to [French governing body] the LFP's disciplinary commission investigating and ascertaining the facts".

"The club remains at the LFP's disposal for any assistance required," the statement added.

Neymar and team-mates Leandro Paredes and Layvin Kurzawa, plus Marseille pair Jordan Amavi and Dario Benedetto, were dismissed after trouble broke out in added time following a shove by Paredes on Benedetto.

After his dismissal, Neymar informed the fourth official he had been subjected to racial abuse by Gonzalez and later wrote of the Spaniard: "Insulting and bringing racism into our lives no, I don't agree. I don't respect you, you have no character."

Gonzalez denied racism and accused Neymar of being a bad loser.

The LFP disciplinary committee will meet on Wednesday to examine all five red cards and will use reports from officials and match pictures to decide whether further disciplinary action is taken.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54154895

Firebat · Sep 18, 2020

European football round-up: What's happening in Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga

The Bundesliga and Serie A get under way this weekend, with Real Madrid starting their La Liga campaign.

With such a short pre-season - and so much in the news recently - there is still plenty to catch up on as we prepare for another hectic season of European football.

BBC Sport take a closer look at what happened this summer around the four major European leagues - away from the Premier League - including key signings, and managerial changes.

Bundesliga:

When does it start?

Champions Bayern Munich get the season under way at home to Schalke on Friday, at 19:30 BST.

How are the big teams looking?

Bayern Munich - who have won the past eight league titles - have strengthened their squad with the £45m signing of Manchester City winger Leroy Sane. Loan forwards Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho have gone back to their parent clubs Inter Milan and Barcelona.

Borussia Dortmund will be hoping this is finally their season, with talented youngsters Jadon Sancho - still at the club despite interest from Manchester United - and Erling Braut Haaland coming off their best ever campaigns.

English midfielder Jude Bellingham, a £25m signing from Birmingham, became their youngest ever scorer when the 17-year-old netted on his German Cup debut against Duisburg. Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier has also been recruited from Paris St-Germain.

Chelsea have done their bit to weaken the teams who finished third and fifth last time, by bringing in RB Leipzig's all-time top scorer Timo Werner and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz.

What else is new?

Hoffenheim have a new manager, with Sebastian Hoeness taking charge of a senior first team for the first time. He led Bayern Munich's reserve team to the third-tier title last season. If his surname sounds familiar, it is because he is the nephew of ex-Bayern president Uli.

Any other business?

The Bundesliga has decided to allow five substitutions again this season, unlike the Premier League.

Some fans will be allowed into games depending on which state they are in. Borussia Dortmund will have 10,000 fans at their opening home game with Borussia Monchengladbach.

RB Leipzig are allowed to have 8,400 supporters, while Union and Hertha Berlin can have about 4,000 each.

La Liga:

When did it start?

The Spanish top-flight season started last weekend - on Saturday, 12 September - but Real Madrid are not in action until this Sunday, with Barcelona's season starting a week later.

How are the big teams looking?

This could be an interesting season for Barcelona. Club legend Lionel Messi is staying - but only because Barca would not let him go on a free transfer - and he is not too happy.

They also have a new manager with Ronald Koeman replacing Quique Setien after their season collapsed in La Liga and the Champions League following lockdown.

They have swapped Arthur for Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic (plus 12m euros) - and brought in £26m Braga forward Francisco Trincao. Ivan Rakitic has left for Sevilla.

Barca have been linked to Lyon forward Memphis Depay but reportedly are not allowed to sign him unless they sell Luis Suarez.

Real Madrid are relatively unchanged. They have not made any signings, although Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard is likely to feature after a successful loan spell at Real Sociedad. Otherwise most of their business has been to sell or loan out fringe players. Gareth Bale is likely complete a loan move to Tottenham imminently.

Atletico Madrid have not made any big moves in the transfer market - after last summer's overhaul - while fourth-placed Sevilla have signed Rakitic and Real Madrid youngster Oscar Rodriguez - but key playmaker Ever Banega has left for Saudi Arabia.

What else is new?

Barcelona were one of six La Liga teams to change their manager this season - and one of four to name an ex-Premier League boss.

Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery is at Villarreal, while Real Betis have appointed ex-Manchester City and West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini and Javi Gracia, once of Watford, has rocked up at Valencia.

Valencia are in crisis yet again, with financial difficulties. Captain Dani Parejo (Villarreal), 2018-19 top scorer Rodrigo (Leeds) and star youngster Ferran Torres (Manchester City) have all moved on.

Any other business?

La Liga is also keeping the five substitution rule. There is no return date set for fans being allowed into stadiums.

There will be two Spanish Cup finals this season. The 2019-20 final between Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad was postponed until a time when fans are allowed to attend.

Serie A:

When does it start?

The Serie A season starts on Saturday, 19 September. Juventus host Sampdoria the following day.

How are the big teams looking?

Juventus are looking to win an unprecedented (in Europe's top five leagues) 10th consecutive title - but they must try to do so with a rookie manager.

Iconic former Juve midfielder Andrea Pirlo, 41, replaced the sacked Maurizio Sarri this summer for his first managerial job.

Their biggest signing was Arthur from Barcelona, with Pjanic joining the Spanish side. Gonzalo Higuain is set to leave the club, while Blaise Matuidi has already left.

Inter Milan have brought in full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Aleksandar Kolarov, from Real Madrid and Roma respectively, and made several loan deals permanent, including Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez.

Atalanta, the top scorers in each of the past two Serie A seasons, have brought in Russian midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk and sold Belgian full-back Timothy Castagne to Leicester City.

AC Milan have made tweaks to their squad - including the loan signing of Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz - but most notably kept Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the club after extending the veteran Swedish striker's deal.

Elsewhere, Napoli signed Lille's Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen for 70m euros (£64m).

What else is new?

There were five managerial changes this summer, including Pirlo at Juventus and former Leyton Orient boss Fabio Liverani taking over at Parma.

Former Roma boss Eusebio di Francesco has taken over at Cagliari.

Spezia, who were an Inter Milan feeder team in the early 2000s, are in Serie A for the first time in their history.

They drew their play-off 1-1 with Frosinone over two legs but were promoted because they finished higher in the league.

Any other business?

There has been no official announcement on how many subs will be allowed in Serie A this season. Limited numbers of fans could be allowed back in by mid-October, according to reports.

Ligue 1:

When did it start?

Ligue 1 was the highest ranked European league to not finish last season after coronavirus. As a result they started this season early, on 21 August. The fourth round of games are happening this weekend.

How are the big teams looking?

PSG, who have won six of the last seven Ligue 1 titles, are suffering a major hangover from their Champions League final defeat by Bayern Munich.

They lost their opening two Ligue 1 games without scoring for the first time since 1978-79, although did get their first win of the campaign on Wednesday night thanks to a 90th-minute goal.

They started the season without seven first-team players who had coronavirus and Neymar is halfway through serving a two-match ban after being sent off against Marseille for hitting an opponent who allegedly racially abused him.

Marseille, under Andre Villas-Boas, beat PSG for the first time in 11 years and are hoping to mount a proper title challenge this season.

Lille signed Canada forward Jonathan David for about £27m from Belgian side Gent but lost Osimhen to Napoli and defender Gabriel to Arsenal.

Monaco have hired former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac.

What else is new?

Bordeaux and Nimes also have new managers.

There was uncertainty over how many teams would be in Ligue 1 this season, but Amiens and Toulouse - who were in the relegation zone when Ligue 1 was curtailed - were eventually relegated despite a court ruling that would have left the league with 22 teams.

Any other business?

Ligue 1 is allowing five substitutes this season, while up to 5,000 fans have been allowed into games in the early weeks.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54167235

MenInG · Sep 18, 2020

MenInG · Sep 18, 2020

Firebat · Sep 19, 2020

Gnabry and Sane on target as Bayern thrash Schalke 8-0 on opening day

Serge Gnabry scored a hat-trick and Leroy Sane scored on his Bayern Munich debut as they opened the new Bundesliga season with a demolition of Schalke.

Leroy Sane, making his debut after a £44.7m move from Manchester City, assisted two of Gnabry's goals.

Hansi Flick's side have won 22 games in a row.

Robert Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka, Thomas Muller and 17-year-old Jamal Musiala scored their other goals.

Bayern's record now reads 30 wins and one draw since their last defeat in any competition on 7 December. They won last season's treble of Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.

Schalke, in contrast, have not won in the Bundesliga since 17 January and lost seven of their nine games following the 2019-20 season restart.

Bayern had hoped to have a crowd of 7,500 for their season opener - with clubs from some states allowed to have fans this weekend - but that was blocked by Munich's mayor.

Gnabry scored in the fourth minute as he found space outside the box before curling home - and Bayern never looked back.

This was the biggest victory any team have managed on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga.

Goretzka drove in a low second from Muller's lay-off and Lewandowski scored a penalty after he was fouled.

The 32-year-old Pole scored 55 goals in 47 games last season.

Sane then set up Gnabry to score into an empty net from 20 yards for his second goal. They paired up again with Gnabry slotting the ball through the goalkeeper's legs.

Muller scored next, as he volleyed home from Lewandowski's rabona cross.

Germany international Sane ran on to a through ball from the halfway line before slotting home. That was his first club goal since scoring for City against Manchester United in a 2-0 derby win in April 2019.

Teenager Musiala, who played for two minutes last season, came off the bench and cut in from the wing before adding an eighth. He is Bayern's youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.

That was the second time Bayern managed eight goals in a game this year, having smashed Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54213163

MenInG · Sep 19, 2020

The Viper · Sep 20, 2020

Firebat · Sep 20, 2020

Mbappe scores on return in PSG 3-0 win

Kylian Mbappe scored on his comeback to the team as Paris St-Germain beat Nice in Ligue 1.

Mbappe had missed their opening three games - two defeats and one win - after testing positive for coronavirus.

The France forward opened the scoring on his first appearance of the season from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Kephren Thuram.

Angel di Maria doubled the lead from a rebound after Mbappe had a shot saved and Marquinhos headed in their third.

Mbappe thought he had a second goal with 15 minutes to go but it was disallowed for offside.

PSG were without Neymar, Layvin Kurzawa and Leandro Paredes, who were all suspended after their red cards in the melee against Marseille.

Patrick Vieira's Nice are on six points from four games, the same total as champions PSG.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54226147

MenInG · Sep 20, 2020

The Viper · Sep 21, 2020

The Viper · Sep 21, 2020

Arturo Vidal: Barcelona midfielder having medical at Inter Milan

Inter Milan are set to complete the signing of midfielder Arturo Vidal from Barcelona.

Vidal began his medical in Milan on Monday, with the deal set to be concluded within the next 24 hours.

It will reunite the 33-year-old Chilean with manager Antonio Conte after the pair won three successive Serie A titles together at Juventus.

Inter do not open their league campaign until Saturday when they entertain Fiorentina.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54232655

MenInG · Sep 22, 2020

Inter Milan have signed midfielder Arturo Vidal from Barcelona for less than £1m.

MenInG · Sep 22, 2020

Roma have been penalised with a 3-0 defeat following an administrative error in the make-up of their matchday squad in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Hellas Verona.

Roma listed 23-year-old Amadou Diawara in the under-22 section of their squad, rather than the 25-man squad list for senior players.

Guinea international Diawara played 89 minutes in the Serie A stalemate.

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport expects Roma to appeal.

Paulo Fonseca's side still have spare spaces in their 25-man squad list, and the club are expected to argue the mistake was made without any intention to violate the rules.

It is not the first time Serie A has handed down a defeat for formal errors.

In 2016, Sassuolo lost 0-3 to Pescara for fielding Antonino Ragusa, who was not in their official player list.

MenInG · Sep 24, 2020

The departure of several key stars has made for a tough summer for Valencia - but one talented English teenager is offering room for optimism at the Mestalla Stadium.

Former Arsenal academy star Yunus Musah became the first English player to represent the Spanish side when he started their opening 4-2 La Liga win over Levante on 13 September.

And at 17 years 289 days, it also made England youth international Musah the club's youngest foreign player, as well as putting him in the top 10 youngest overall.

Musah made his second successive start in a 2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo on Saturday, meaning he has played 171 of Valencia's 180 league minutes so far as he seeks to consolidate a place in the first team following the club's turbulent pre-season.

Valencia supporters protested against owner Peter Lim before the Levante game, after former Watford boss Javi Gracia became the club's eighth different manager since 2014 and key players Ferran Torres, Rodrigo, Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin all departed.

However, their side twice came from behind in the 4-2 derby victory, with Musah's impressive debut further helping to lift the mood.

"I was very happy. I couldn't stop smiling and I called my parents afterwards," Musah told the club's website post-match.

"I spoke with them to thank them and I want to thank everybody who has helped me to have this moment."

So, just how did he get here?

Yunus Musah in action during his Arsenal days
Yunus Musah spent seven years at Arsenal, winning the U18 Premier League South in 2019
Musah has captained England from under-15 to under-18 level, despite also being eligible to represent Ghana, Italy and the United States.

Of Ghanaian descent, he was born in the American city New York while his mother was on holiday there in November 2002 and then lived in Italy until the age of nine.

He began his youth career in Italy, with local side Giorgione, before joining Arsenal's academy after moving to London in 2012.

Musah spent seven years with the Gunners and played a key role in their under-18s' Premier League South triumph in 2018-2019, scoring four goals and making three assists in 15 appearances that campaign, before his Valencia move.

The versatile midfielder has featured centrally and on the wing for both club and country, and has already established a reputation for his slick passing, creativity and pace.

The question now is: just how good could he be?

Report
"The merit for what players do, like Yunus, should go to the player. There is the makings of a player there, and despite his age he showed great maturity to endure the level of demand that was there," Gracia said following Musah's debut against Levante.

"That should be valued and we should take care of him, so that in the future he contributes many more things to Valencia."

Having already demonstrated his exciting potential in Valencia's opening games of 2020-21, Musah's present challenge is to cement his place as a regular starter - and perhaps get his first goal.

He came closest when he struck the woodwork against Levante, and his end product is something the player himself identifies as an area for immediate improvement.

"I want to score more goals and be more consistent with my passes," he said. "Sometimes in the game I can do so many good passes and one bad one. I want to correct that."

Musah has described himself as "a passer and also physical", adding: "I can run past players because I'm a bit bigger than some of them. I'm really good at passing and I can create a lot of chances."

Valencia - and England - will be hoping he can continue to flourish during his time at the Mestalla, where he is contracted until 2022.

The Viper · Sep 25, 2020

Uefa Super Cup

Bayern Munich 2-1 Sevilla (AET).

MenInG · Sep 26, 2020

Borussia Dortmund suffered a surprise Bundesliga defeat at Augsburg in front of about 6,000 fans.

Felix Uduokhai headed the hosts into the lead from Daniel Caligiuri's free-kick, his first goal since 2017.

And Caligiuri scored the second after latching on to Florian Niederlechner's pass and holding off Thomas Meunier before finishing.

Erling Braut Haaland almost pulled one back from Jadon Sancho's pass but his shot was saved by Rafal Gikiewicz.

Augsburg, who have won their opening two games, only had 20% possession and their two goals were their only efforts on target until Alfred Finnbogason forced a double stop from Roman Burki deep into injury time.

English 17-year-old Jude Bellingham made his third appearance of the season but the midfielder was replaced after 60 minutes.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig - who are both likely to be contenders for a Champions League place - drew 1-1.

The Viper · Sep 27, 2020

The Viper · Sep 27, 2020

Abdullah719 · Sep 27, 2020

The Viper · Sep 30, 2020

La Liga results

Real Sociedad 0-1 Valencia

Getafe 3-0 Real Betis

The Viper · Oct 4, 2020

The Viper · Oct 5, 2020

MenInG · Oct 6, 2020

#SerieA President Paolo Dal Pino has tested positive for COVID-19.

Serie A members are set to meet on Friday to assess bids by private equity funds for a stake in its media business.

MenInG · Oct 14, 2020

Juventus have been awarded a 3-0 win over Napoli, who have been docked a point after they failed to fulfil their Serie A fixture earlier this month.

With two positive Covid-19 tests before the game, Napoli were ordered not to travel by their local health authority.

Serie A refused to call the game off and Juve arrived at the stadium before kick-off without an opponent to face.

A sporting judge has now awarded the three points to champions Juve as well as sanctioning Napoli with a point.

Read in full Serie A's explanation of fulfilling fixtures
On Tuesday, the Portuguese Football Federation announced that Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo had tested positive for coronavirus, making him unavailable for Wednesday's Nations League match against Sweden.

Italy's rules require Ronaldo, 35, to quarantine for 10 days, meaning he would definitely not be able to play in Juve's next two scheduled fixtures - away to Crotone in Serie A on Saturday and against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on 20 October.

The Italian champions are then set to face Verona in the league on 25 October and Barcelona in their second European group game on 28 October.

However, Juve have placed their entire squad into voluntary isolation after American midfielder Weston McKennie, who is on loan from Schalke, also tested positive for coronavirus.

"This procedure will allow all persons who return negative tests to continue regular training and match activities, but will not allow contact with people outside of the group," said a club statement.

Juventus previously put their squad into a bubble on 3 October when two non-playing staff members tested positive for coronavirus.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54532178

MenInG · Oct 16, 2020

Juventus are reportedly looking to smash the world-record transfer fee with an incredible £360m bid to try and land Kylian Mbappe, in a move that would see Cristiano Ronaldo head to Paris Saint-Germain in return.

The Viper · Oct 17, 2020

Abdullah719 · Oct 17, 2020

The Viper · Oct 19, 2020

MenInG · Oct 24, 2020

Dutch giants Ajax recorded the biggest victory in Eredivisie history with a 13-0 thrashing at mid-table side VVV-Venlo, who had a player sent off.

Ajax, who lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, surpassed their previous record - a 12-1 win over Vitesse in 1972.

Teenager Lassina Traore scored five, while Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, 20, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 37, scored twice.

Dusan Tadic, Antony, Daley Blind and Lisandro Martinez scored the rest.

Defender Christian Kum, 35, was sent off for VVV-Venlo in the second half with the team already trailing 4-0.

Report
Burkina Faso international Traore, 19, scored the most goals in a Dutch top-flight match since September 2019, when Donyell Malen netted the same amount for PSV Eindhoven against Vitesse.

He also became the first Ajax player to record five goals in an Eredivisie match since Marco van Basten in 1985 (six) and the first from the club to record three assists in a league match since Frenkie de Jong in 2017.

Traore was two goals short of the Eredivisie record set by former Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves, who scored seven for Heerenveen against Heracles in October 2007.

Biggest wins in Eredivisie history
1) VVV-Venlo 0-13 Ajax (24/10/2020) 2) Ajax 12-1 Vitesse (19/05/1972)
3) DOS Utrecht 10-0 SHS (14/12/1958) 4) Feyenoord 10-0 NAC Breda (08/12/1963)
5) PSV 10-0 Go Ahead Eagles (13/10/1973) 6) PSV 10-0 Volendam (18/04/1998)
7) PSV 10-0 Feyenoord (24/10/2010)
In terms of biggest winning margins, Ajax's victory on Saturday was not only the largest in Eredivisie history, but joint-second in the club's history in all competitions.

Ajax's biggest win was back in 1984 when they hammered Differdange 14-0 in the Europa League (previously the Uefa Cup).

It was the first time in a decade that any team were able to score at least 10 goals in a single Eredivisie game since PSV recorded a 10-0 win over Feyenoord.

On a day to forget for VVV-Venlo, it was the biggest defeat in the club's history, surpassing the previous record which was a 10-1 loss to FC Eindhoven in the Eerste Divisie in 1964.

In the Eredivisie, their previous heaviest defeats were by seven-goal margins to Ajax, Heracles Almelo and AZ Alkmaar.

MenInG · Oct 24, 2020

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski made more history with a hat-trick in a comfortable win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Pole is the first player to have scored 10 Bundesliga goals in the opening five rounds of games.

But left-back Alphonso Davies could be out for up to eight weeks after tearing ankle ligaments in the second minute.

Lewandowski opened the scoring after 10 minutes before heading a second and then netting from Douglas Costa's pass.

Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala were also on target as Bayern became the first team to score 22 goals after five Bundesliga games.

England Under-17 international Musiala, 17, is only the seventh player to score more than one Bundesliga goal before his 18th birthday.

Bayern move onto 12 points from five games, one behind leaders RB Leipzig, who beat Hertha Berlin 2-1.

Lewandowski shared the previous record for most goals after five Bundesliga games - netting nine last year to match Peter Meyer at Borussia Monchengladbach in 1967-68.

The 32-year-old has carried his fine goalscoring form from 2019-20 into this season.

Last term he netted 55 goals in 47 games in all competitions, including 34 in 31 in the Bundesliga.

This season, he is averaging one goal every 37 minutes in the league.

His 10 goals have come in four league starts, failing to score as a second-half substitute in their 4-1 defeat by Hoffenheim last month or in three games in other competitions.

On Davies' injury, boss Hansi Flick said: "He has injured ligaments - one is torn, one is partially torn. We expect him to be out for six to eight weeks.

"If a player of this quality drops out, it hurts."

It means the Canada international may not play again in 2020, with the Bundesliga's final games before its winter break exactly eight weeks from now.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund beat local rivals Schalke, who have not won a league game since January, 3-0 thanks to goals from Manuel Akanji, Erling Braut Haaland and Mats Hummels.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54670431

The Viper · Oct 25, 2020

SpiritOf1903 · Oct 25, 2020

Imagine Napoli lose the title due to that postponement...

The Viper · Oct 26, 2020

The Viper said:
<a href="https://ibb.co/kX6wrR1"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/rHfzLCs/2020-10-25-2.jpg" alt="2020-10-25-2" border="0"></a>

FT: Juventus 1-1 Hellas Verona

Real Sociedad 4-1 Huesca

MenInG · Oct 30, 2020

The Bundesliga will be played behind closed doors from this weekend.

The German government said all professional sport must be played behind closed doors until at least the end of November in an attempt to help curb record coronavirus numbers.

MenInG · Oct 30, 2020

Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been cleared of corruption after a trial in Switzerland.

Al-Khelaifi, who is also chairman of the BeIN media group, had been accused of giving gifts to former Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke, in order to secure broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups.

Valcke was found guilty of forging documents relating to TV rights.

He was given a 120-day suspended sentence.

The Frenchman was also ordered to pay Fifa about 1.65m euros (£1.48m) in restitution.

Valcke was cleared of accepting bribes and criminal mismanagement after a trial at the Swiss Federal Criminal Court. Prosecutors had called for a three-year prison sentence.

Al-Khelaifi had been charged with inciting Valcke to commit aggravated criminal mismanagement in connection with his role with BeIN Sports.

The Qatari businessman, who sits on the Uefa executive committee, said the verdict was "a total vindication".

"It restores my faith in the rule of law and in due process, after four years of baseless allegations, fictitious charges and constant smears of my reputation - all of which have been proven to be completely and wholly unsubstantiated," he said.

Valcke, ex-Fifa president Sepp Blatter's former right-hand man, was banned from football for 10 years in 2016 for a series of alleged breaches of the governing body's code of ethics related to the resale of World Cup tickets, bribery and failure to co-operate with investigators.

He lost an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in 2018.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54749424

The Viper · Oct 31, 2020

The Viper · Nov 1, 2020

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Happy to be back and help the team with two goals!&#55357;&#56911;&#55356;&#57341; Well done team &#55357;&#56399;&#55356;&#57341; Always Fino Alla Fine &#55357;&#56490;&#55356;&#57341; <a href="https://t.co/oSH19L6Dne">pic.twitter.com/oSH19L6Dne</a>— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1322953426540650510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Viper · Nov 2, 2020

The Viper · Nov 8, 2020

The Viper · Nov 9, 2020

MenInG · Nov 9, 2020

Barcelona forward Ansu Fati has been ruled out for about four months after having knee surgery.

The 18-year-old was operated on after suffering an injury to the internal meniscus of his left knee against Real Betis.

The Spain international was substituted during half-time of the 5-2 win on Saturday.

Fati has played 10 games for Barcelona this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists.

He broke a 95-year national record to become Spain's youngest goalscorer at the age of 17 years and 311 days with a strike against Ukraine in September.

MenInG · Nov 17, 2020

Luis Suarez has tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty with Uruguay and will now miss out on a reunion with former club Barcelona on Saturday.

The Viper · Nov 19, 2020

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos will miss Saturday’s clash with Villarreal due to a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty

MenInG · Nov 20, 2020

Giovanni Reyna has extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2025.

The Viper · Nov 22, 2020

The Viper · Nov 22, 2020

The Viper · Nov 23, 2020

The Viper said:
View attachment 104689
View attachment 104690

La Liga

FT: Granada 1-3 Valladolid

Alaves 2-2 Valencia

Bundesliga

FT: Koln 1-2 Union Berlin

Serie A

FT: Udinese 1-0 Genoa

Napoli 1-3 AC Milan

Ligue 1

FT: Lille 4-0 Lorient

The Viper · Nov 29, 2020

The Viper · Nov 30, 2020

The Viper · Dec 5, 2020

The Viper · Dec 6, 2020

The Viper said:
<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/hLT4pjX/2020-12-05-4.jpg" alt="2020-12-05-4" border="0"></a> <a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'></a> 
<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/GR9mNYm/2020-12-05-5.jpg" alt="2020-12-05-5" border="0"></a> <a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'></a>

La Liga

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Real Valladolid

Cadiz 2-1 Barcelona

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich 3-3 RB Leipzig

Serie A

Juventus 2-1 Torino

Inter Milan 3-1 Bologna

Ligue 1

Montpellier 1-3 PSG

The Viper · Dec 7, 2020

MenInG · Dec 10, 2020

Paolo Rossi, the star of Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning team, has died at the age of 64.

MenInG · Dec 10, 2020

Belgium were crowned FIFA’s team of the year for the third straight time after retaining the top spot ahead of world champions France in the latest world rankings released on Thursday, soccer’s world governing body said.

While a total of 1,082 international games were played in 2019, the most since the rankings system was introduced in 1993, only 352 matches were held this year -- the fewest since 1987 -- due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roberto Martinez’s Belgium won six of their eight games this year as they booked their place in next year’s UEFA Nations League finals.

The top four remained unchanged, with Brazil and England retaining their third and fourth ranking respectively.

Portugal moved up to fifth, while both Spain (sixth) and Argentina (seventh) improved two places compared to last year.

Hungary (40th) were the most improved side in the rankings this year, having gained 44 points and 12 places to break into the top 50.

Marco Rossi’s side lost just once in eight matches to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals, which has been postponed until June-July next year due to COVID-19.

Top 20 rankings:

1. Belgium

2. France

3. Brazil

4. England

5. Portugal

6. Spain

7. Argentina

MenInG · Dec 12, 2020

The Viper · Dec 12, 2020

The Viper · Dec 13, 2020

The Viper said:
<a href="https://ibb.co/FJQDryb"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/bL4K0Cg/2020-12-12-2.jpg" alt="2020-12-12-2" border="0"></a> <a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'></a> 
<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/kqQHLfQ/2020-12-12-3.jpg" alt="2020-12-12-3" border="0"></a> <a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'></a>

FT: Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid

Lazio 1-2 Hellas Verona

Lens 2-3 Montpellier

Firebat · Dec 19, 2020

MenInG · Dec 20, 2020

Rafael Leao scored the fastest goal in Serie A history as AC Milan netted after just six seconds of their victory at Sassuolo on Sunday.

The Portuguese forward, 21, took Hakan Calhanoglu's pass in his stride to stroke the unbeaten league leaders ahead virtually from the kick-off.

Leao's goal beat the record of 8.9 seconds set by Piacenza's Paolo Poggi against Fiorentina on 2 December 2001.

The win keeps Milan a point clear of rivals Inter, who beat Spezia 2-1.

Belgium midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers scored Milan's second midway through the first half before Domenico Berardi pulled one back late on for sixth-placed Sassuolo.

But it was Leao's early strike that will adorn the record books, with a shocked Sassuolo defence punished for backing off as Milan surged forward right from the referee's whistle.

The goal was even quicker than the fastest strike in Premier League history - Shane Long's effort for Southampton after 7.69 seconds against Watford on 23 April 2019.

The Viper · Dec 20, 2020

The Viper · Dec 23, 2020

MenInG · Dec 23, 2020

England and Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier has been given a 10-week worldwide football ban and fined £70,000 after a Football Association panel found he broke betting rules.

The 30-year-old denied seven alleged breaches, but four were found proven during a personal hearing.

The offences occurred in July 2019, which is when Trippier joined Atletico from Tottenham Hotspur.

His ban from all football is effective immediately.

He will miss 12 games for La Liga leaders Atletico, including their Champions League last-16 first leg tie at home to Chelsea on 23 February.

However, he will be available for the Madrid derby on 7 March.

His ban relates to rule E8(1)(b), which states: "Where a participant provides to any other person any information relating to football which the participant has obtained by virtue of his or her position within the game and which is not publicly available at that time, the participant shall be in breach of this rule where any of that information is used by that other person for, or in relation to, betting."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55423789

The Viper · Dec 24, 2020

KoyoAli · Dec 24, 2020

Thomas Tuchel is SACKED by PSG, just hours after a 4-0 win, with Mauricio Pochettino 'set to replace him' as he picks Paris with no vacancies in Manchester or Madrid on the horizon

Thomas Tuchel has been sacked by Paris Saint-Germain and is set to be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, according to reports in Germany.

Former Tottenham boss Pochettino is being lined up to take over from Tuchel, who was relieved of his managerial duties just hours after overseeing PSG's 4-0 win over Racing Strasbourg on Wednesday.

According to Sky Germany, PSG's sporting director Leonardo sacked the 47-year-old after the club's emphatic win at the Parc des Princes, which came four months after Tuchel led the Parisian outfit to the Champions League final.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...Christmas-Eve-hours-leading-team-4-0-win.html

MenInG · Dec 29, 2020

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the main contender to take over at Paris St-Germain after Thomas Tuchel was sacked.

On Tuesday, PSG announced Tuchel's contract had been "terminated" and it is understood the club's players are aware Pochettino will replace him.

The Viper · Dec 30, 2020

MenInG · Jan 2, 2021

Former Tottenham and Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed head coach of Paris St-Germain.

The Argentine, 48, who succeeded Thomas Tuchel, has signed a deal until 30 June 2022, with the option of an extra year.

Pochettino, who played for PSG between 2001 and 2003, has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs in November 2019.

PSG are third in Ligue 1 and will face Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League in February and March.

German Tuchel was sacked on 29 December after two and a half years in charge.

Pochettino is back - but why has he chosen PSG? Read Guillem Ballague's column
Pochettino will take his first training session on Sunday following the French league's winter break.

He said he was "happy and honoured" to take on the role and that the club "has always held a special place in my heart".

"I return to the club today with a lot of ambition and humility, and am eager to work with some of the world's most talented players," said Pochettino.

"This team has fantastic potential and my staff and I will do everything we can to get the best for Paris St-Germain in all competitions. We will also do our utmost to give our team the combative and attacking playing identity that Parisian fans have always loved."

PSG chairman and chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi said Pochettino's return "fits perfectly with our ambitions", adding: "It will be another exciting chapter for the club and one I am positive the fans will enjoy."

Pochettino began his managerial career at Espanyol and spent 18 months at Southampton before joining Tottenham in May 2014.

He guided them to the League Cup final in his first full season, while two third-placed finishes sandwiched a runners-up spot in the Premier League in 2016-17.

A former Argentina defender, Pochettino led Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019, where they lost to Liverpool.

He was sacked five months later, with the club 14th in the Premier League, and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

Tuchel's final game in charge of PSG was a 4-0 win over Strasbourg on 23 December, which moved the reigning champions to within a point of Ligue 1 leaders Lyon and second-placed Lille before a two-week winter break.

PSG have been linked with a January loan move for Tottenham's Dele Alli, who made his Premier League debut under Pochettino.

The Viper · Jan 2, 2021

The Viper · Jan 3, 2021

The Viper said:
<a href="https://ibb.co/4gMKk8r"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/dJ6jZPY/2021-01-02-2.jpg" alt="2021-01-02-2" border="0"></a>

FT: Stuttgart 0-1 RB Leipzig

Real Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo

The Viper · Jan 3, 2021

The Viper · Jan 4, 2021

The Viper said:
<a href="https://ibb.co/jhMj1q1"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/MnVJ3K3/2021-01-03-2.jpg" alt="2021-01-03-2" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/Ss7F9HG/2021-01-03-3.jpg" alt="2021-01-03-3" border="0"></a>

FT: Juventus 4-1 Udinese

Huesca 0-1 Barcelona

The Viper · Jan 7, 2021

The Viper · Jan 10, 2021

The Viper · Jan 11, 2021

European football leagues (La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc.) 2020-21 Discussion Thread

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