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Xavi: Dropping Alba and Pique gave me sleepless nights

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Xavi, the coach of Barcelona, recently opened up about the challenges he faced when making the decision to drop his former teammates, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba. Pique, who retired from professional football just before Christmas, and Alba, who is set to depart the club this summer, have shared many memorable moments on the field together.

Acknowledging the difficulty of parting ways with longtime friends and teammates, Xavi expressed his emotions regarding the situation. The coach understands the significance of their contributions to the team over the years and the strong bonds they have developed. Making the decision to drop them from the squad was undoubtedly a tough task for Xavi, given the personal connection he has with both players.

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Gerard Pique’s retirement marked the end of an era at Barcelona. Having been a vital part of the club for over a decade, his absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field. Pique’s leadership qualities and defensive prowess have been instrumental in Barcelona’s success throughout his career.

As Barcelona undergoes a period of transition, Xavi will continue to face difficult choices regarding personnel. However, with his wealth of experience as a player and now as a coach, he is well-equipped to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. The departure of Pique and Alba will undoubtedly leave a void in the Barcelona squad, but with Xavi at the helm, the team will be determined to build upon their legacies and create new chapters of success.

Xavi said: “When you have to make decisions contrary to what the player would like, it starts to be difficult. I had to tell Piqué to step aside, that he would play less. It was even hard for me to sleep, because we had enjoyed a lot together.

“With Jordi Alba you have the feeling that you are failing as a friend, but you have to prioritise the team.

“It happened to me with Luis Enrique, you don’t understand it, you have the feeling that you have to play after so many years as a starter.”

“Jordi got angry, you have to understand it. But later there was a group chat and he told us that he was one hundred percent committed. And that’s how it was, like Piqué. They knew how to leave at the right time.”

EPL

Rashford in car crash after Burnley game while driving £700k Rolls-Royce

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Rashford in car crash after Burnley game while driving £700k Rolls-Royce
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Manchester United star Marcus Rashford experienced a car accident after yesterday’s match against Burnley.

The incident occurred as he was leaving United’s Carrington base in his £700,000 Rolls-Royce, shortly after the team had returned from Turf Moor. Videos from the scene showed Rashford’s badly damaged car and a toppled traffic island pole nearby.

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Fortunately, Rashford was shaken but not seriously injured, according to a source.

In an Instagram post, he reassured his fans, saying, “3 points on the road! I’m alright guys thanks for the messages.”

Police responded to the scene, but no arrests were made, and no ambulances were needed. Rashford’s teammate and captain, Bruno Fernandes, also stopped to offer assistance.

Images from the area afterward revealed traffic cones and barriers around the damaged traffic island, along with scattered debris.

Rashford is known for owning several luxury vehicles, including the £700k Black Badge Wraith involved in the crash, a £390k Black Badge Cullinan, a £560k Cullinan Blue Shadow (acquired last month), a £280,000 McLaren 765 Long Tail, and a £350,000 Lamborghini Urus Performante.

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EPL

‘It was always the plan’ – Virgil van Dijk explains Nunez penalty against LASK

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'It was always the plan' - Virgil van Dijk explains Nunez penalty against LASK
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Virgil van Dijk has heaped praise on Darwin Nunez for his standout performance in Liverpool’s recent Europa League match against LASK.

Nunez played a pivotal role in the match as Liverpool found themselves trailing 1-0, but Nunez’s contribution turned the tide in their favor, ultimately leading to a 3-1 victory.

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Nunez’s crucial moment came in the form of a penalty kick in the second half. Just before Nunez stepped up to take the penalty, Virgil van Dijk briefly held the ball and appeared as though he might take the spot-kick himself. This momentary delay allowed Nunez to maintain his composure and focus on the task at hand.

Van Dijk also emphasized the significance of the mental aspect of these high-pressure moments in matches, highlighting the importance of maintaining one’s composure and mental fortitude when facing critical situations.

He said: “You have to make sure you protect at least the penalty spot. It’s a bit of a mind game there – maybe they were going to try and get in your head.

“It was always the plan that Darwin was going to take it, and I’m glad he scored.”

Van Dijk additionally added that Nunez is beginning to show the world what’s really going on with him:

“Darwin was very important for us against LASK and long may it continue. Up front, the competition is quite good.”

“They all have to push each other and it’s good to see. Everyone has a role to play whether you start or not. Everyone has now seen the potential and the quality he has.”

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EPL

REVEALED: When Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw will be back in Man Utd squad

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REVEALED: When Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw will be back in Man Utd squad
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According to reports from ESPN, there are growing concerns within Manchester United regarding the injury timelines of Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with expectations now suggesting they may not return until at least November.

In fact, it’s a possibility that both players will only be available for the game against Everton on November 25, meaning they would be sidelined for the majority of the month.

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Shaw’s last appearance for Manchester United was in their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, after which he suffered a muscle injury and has been struggling to recover since.

Wan-Bissaka, on the other hand, sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

Manchester United has been grappling with a series of off-field issues and injuries this season, resulting in a disappointing start despite the high expectations following last season’s performance.

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