Football
Late blow for Barcelona as key player ruled out of Copa del Rey clash
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has announced his matchday squad for the upcoming Copa del Rey clash against fourth-tier side Barbastro.
The squad sees the return of Inigo Martinez, who has been sidelined due to injury since the start of December. Martinez’s return comes at an opportune moment, considering the upcoming Spanish Super Cup in Riyadh.
In addition to Martinez, several youngsters, including Marc Casado, Pau Cubarsi, Aron Yaakobishvili, Pau Victor, and Hector Fort, have been included in the squad.
However, there is a setback for Barcelona as Alejandro Balde has missed out on the squad. The left-back was unable to train on Saturday and has not recovered in time for the match against Barbastro.
With Joao Cancelo and Marcos Alonso also unavailable due to injury, Barcelona will be without a recognized left-back in their squad for the upcoming match.
Martinez and Cubarsi could potentially fill in at left-back if needed, but this situation presents a challenge for Xavi, especially with the Spanish Super Cup on the horizon.
Football
Barcelona’s Appeal Against Hansi Flick Ban Backfires
Barcelona will be without manager Hansi Flick for their final two matches of the year after the Appeals Committee upheld his red card suspension.
The German coach received a red card during the clash with Real Betis for shouting and making gestures towards the officials, a decision that Barcelona attempted to overturn.
Flick maintained that his outburst was directed at himself and his players, not at the referees. Despite this explanation, the Appeals Committee rejected Barcelona’s appeal.
According to Sport, the committee found the video evidence insufficient to contradict the referee’s report and pointed out that Flick voiced his frustration after being sent off.
This reasoning appears particularly strict, as it is common for managers to express displeasure following a red card, especially if they feel the decision is unjust. Typically, such post-dismissal reactions only influence decisions regarding additional suspensions, not initial bans.
Flick’s absence is a significant setback for the Blaugrana as they face Leganés and a crucial fixture against Atlético Madrid on December 21st.
BUNDESLIGA
Alphonso Davies’ Agent Sets Up Talks With Real Madrid And Man Utd After Bayern Fallout
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has been reinvigorated after a series of developments that suggest the Canadian defender’s future remains undecided. While Bayern had recently shown confidence in retaining Davies, Real Madrid has been given fresh hope of securing his signature.
Davies is unlikely to commit to any decision before January, allowing Real Madrid time to prepare an official contract offer.
According to Christian Falk via The Daily Briefing, Davies’ agent, Nedal Huoseh, was supposed to meet with Bayern officials in Munich.
However, the meeting was shifted to a virtual call, and Bayern’s Director of Football, Max Eberl, did not attend, reportedly frustrating Huoseh. This isn’t the first instance of strained relations between Bayern and Davies’ representative.
The next set of negotiations is now expected to happen in January. Although Bayern remains hopeful that Davies will sign a contract extension, Huoseh has scheduled meetings with both Manchester United and Real Madrid to review their offers.
Real Madrid’s current proposal is similar to Bayern’s, which could give Manchester United an edge if they table a significantly better offer. Despite Bayern’s push for a swift resolution, it appears the situation will extend into the new year.
EPL
OFFICIAL: Mohamed Salah Is The EPL Player Of The Month For November
Mo Salah has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November, solidifying his status as one of the league’s top performers.
The Liverpool star outshone rivals Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Ryan Gravenberch, Martin Ødegaard, João Pedro, Bukayo Saka, and Yoane Wissa to clinch the award.
In November, Salah played a crucial role in Liverpool’s success, contributing to five of the team’s seven goals through either scoring or assisting.
His contributions helped the Reds secure victories in all three matches, keeping them at the top of the Premier League table.
This marks the sixth time in his career that Salah has claimed the Player of the Month honor.
He now stands alongside football icons Steven Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time rankings. Salah is just one award away from matching the joint record of seven, currently held by Harry Kane and Sergio Agüero.
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