Tuesday, August 28, 2018

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 20 (Week of August 21-August 27, 2018)


Note:
The purpose of this section is to summarize the week in question, it is not meant to give a full statistical analysis of the matches.
We live in a viral age and all that information can be accessed.
I welcome all contributions from anyone, even for the Leagues that I did not cover.

I.  England

Diary:

Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-Northern Ireland International Chris Brunt of WBA has announced his International retirement. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Manchester City back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has been injured and will be out of action. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Brentford have signed midfielder Josh Dasilva from Arsenal. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has attacked Paul Scholes for his criticism of him.  (Source The Guardian Online) 

-David Beckham is to receive UEFA’s President’s award for his contribution to Football and charity. (Source Football Italia online)

-The Manchester United herarchy have backed Jose Mourinho and denied any links to Zinedine Zidane for the position.  (Source vi.nl Online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Watford and Brice Dja Djedje have mutually ended his contract and he is to join Ankaragucu. (Source BBC Football online)

-Aston Villa have signed loan Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi from Lille.  (Source Transfer News Live online)

-Arsenal’s Henikh Mkhytarian has come to the defense of already under-fire Manager Unai Emery and urged that more time should be given to adjust to the new style of play. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been linked to Manchester City following Claudio Bravo’s injury. (Source Football Transfer News Online)

-Manchester City have recalled goalkeeper Arijanet Muric from NAC Breda. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-Bristol City have signed on loan Czech Republic defender Tomas Kalas from Chelsea.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Middlesbrough have signed on loan Bosnian midfielder Muhamed Besic from Everton.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-QPR have signed on loan striker Tomer Hemed from Brighton.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Former QPR defender Ron Hunt passed away aged 72 (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Bolton have signed on loan midfielder Joe Williams from Everton. (Source The Guardian online)

-QPR have signed on loan striker Nakhi Wells from Burnley. (Source The Guardian online)

Friday, August 24, 2018:

- Tottenham and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was charged with drunk driving after being stopped in West London. He has since apologized for his action. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Arsenal’s Henrikh Mkhytarian expressed that he does not understand all the criticism leveled at the club after losing their fisrt two matches. (Source BBC Football online)

-Peterborough have signed on loan midfielder Darren Lyon from Hamilton. (Source BBC Football online)

-Liverpool have turned down a take over bid from Emirati Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan. (Source RTBF.be online)

-West Ham Manager Pellgrini has compared Jack Wilshere to Andrea Pirlo. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Jose Mourinho has reportedly told his friends that he would have resigned from any other club (except Manchester United) after their transfer mishaps. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has been loaned to Besiktas. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Crystal Palace Manager Roy Hodgson has attacked the antics of Watfird mascot ‘Harry the Hornet’. He wants the mascot not to provole the crowd over the alleged diving controversy of Wilfried Zaha.  (Source Reuters UK online)

-Barnsley have signed on loan striker Cauley Woodrow from Fulham. (Source The Guardian online)

-MK Dons have signed on loan striker Rhys Healey from Cardiff. (Source The Guardian online)

-Plymouth Argyle have signed on loan midfielder Stuart O’Keefe from Cardiff. (Source The Guardian online)

-Jose Mourinho has denied of any rift with Manchester United Chairman Ed Woodward. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-Aston Villa have signed on loan Yannick Bolasie from Everton. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Newcastle midfielder Henri Saivet has been loaned to Bursaspor. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Arsenal Manager Unai Emery has debied of any training row dispute over the non-selection of Mesut Ozil and maintained that the player was ill. (Source BBC Football online)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:

-Former England International Michael owen revelaed that he ‘hated’ playing in the later years of his career due to fear of injuries. (Source BBC Football online)

-Everton’s Michael Keane has suffered a small hairline fracture of the skull and will miss a few weeks. (Source Sky Sports online)

-There are reports that Roman Abramovich plans to sell Chelsea. (Source AS.com online)
-Swansea have signed on loan Cameron Carter-Vickers from Tottenham. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Chelsea’s david Luiz stated that had Antonio Conte stayed on as Manager he would have transferred out. (Source A Bola online)

-Samuel Shashoua has been loaned from Tottenham to Atletico Baleares. (Source The Guardian online)

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has accused the Egyptian Federation of ignoring his complaints over the use of his image rights. He claims they have ignored his and his lawyer’s letters. (Source BBC Football online)

-Blackburn have signed on loan Harrison Reed from Southampton. (Source BBC Football online)

-Jose Mourinho stormed out of the post-match press conference following Manchetser United’s home loss to Tottenham. He reminded that he was won 3 League titles in England, more than the other 19 managers and finished off by saying ‘Respect, Respect, Respect’. (Source BBC Football online)



Photo From: L’Equipe, August 25, 2018
(Hugo LLoris)



English teams in Europa League Play-offs, First Leg (August 23, 2018):

Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Olympiakos 3-Burnley 1 (K. Fortounis 19, 60 pen, Andreas Bouchalakis 49 / Chris Wood 33 pen)



English Premier League Matchday (August 25-August 26, 2018):

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Wolverhampton 1-Manchester City 1 (Willy Boly 57 / Aymeric Laporte 69)
Bournemouth 2-Everton 2 (Joshua King 75 pen, Nathan Ake 79 / Theo Walcott 56, Michael Keane 66)
Arsenal 3-West Ham 1 (Nacho Monreal 30, Issa Diop (own goal) 70, Danny Wellbeck 90 / Marko Arnautovic 25)
Huddersfield 0-Cardiff 0 (-)
Southampton 1-Leicester 2 (Ryan Bertrand 52 / Demarai Gray 56, Harry Maguire 90)
Liverpool 1-Brighton 0 (Mohamed Salah 23)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Watford 2-Crystal Palace 1 (Roberto Pereyra 53, Jose Holebas 71 / Wilfried Zaha 78)
Fulham 4-Burnley 2 (Michael Seri 4, Aleksandar Mitrovic 36, 38, Andre Schurrle 83 / Jeff Hendrick 10, James Tarkowski 41)
Newcastle 1-Chelsea 2 (Joselu 83 / Eden Hazard 76 pen, De Andre Yedin (own goal) 87)

Monday, August 27, 2018:
Manchester United 0-Tottenham 3 (Harry Kane 50, Lucas Moura 52, 84)

Top Goalscorer:
Richarlison (Everton) 3 goals
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) 3 goals
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) 3 goals
Roberto Pereyra (Watford) 3 goals
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) 3 goals
Lucas Moura (Tottenham) 3 goals

Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Liverpool
3
3
0
0
7
0
7
9
2
Tottenham
3
3
0
0
8
2
6
9
3
Chelsea
3
3
0
0
8
3
5
9
4
Watford
3
3
0
0
7
2
5
9
5
Manchester City
3
2
1
0
9
2
7
7
6
Bournemouth
3
2
1
0
6
3
3
7

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-Matteo Procopio has been loaned by Torino to Sudtirol. (Source The Guardian online)

-Cuneo have signed goalkeeper Domenico Coppola from Torino. (Source The Guardian online)

- Inter Manager Luciano Spaletti was fined 10,000 Euros for insulting referee Maurizio Mariani after the defeat vs. Sassuolo . (Source Football Italia online)

- InterTorino have rejected an offer for Tomas Rincon from a club in UAE. (Source Football Italia online)

-Juventus have extended the contract of Miralem Ojanic until 2023. (Source Italian Football TV online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Inter will not fine Radja Nainggolan after video surfaced of him at a nightclub the night before their match vs. Sassuolo. (Source Football Italia online)

-Lazio have threatened legal action after a video went viral showing Club President Claudio Lolito and Manager Simone Inzaghi having an argument. (Source Football Italia online)

-Claudio Marchisio released an emotional statement letter regarding his departure from Juventus . (Source Corriere dello Sport online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-The Italian Federation has opened an investigation over leaflets handed by Lazio Ultras advocating barring women from a section of the Stadio Olimpico. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Arrigo Sacchi stated that AC Milan ‘can win the Scudetto’. (Source Sport Italia online)

-Inter’s Joao Maroo has rejected an offer from Besiktas. (Source A Bola online)

Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Napoli President Aurelio de Laurentiis has attacked former Manager Maurizio Sarri again by saying that for three years he was given everything and still did not win anything. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Novara have signed on loan goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio from Inter. (Source The Guardian online)

-Juventus have signed striker Kevin Monzialo from Caen. (Source The Guardian online)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-Frosinone striker Federico Dionisi will undergo surgery and be out for six months. (Source Football Italia online)

-Following Juventus’ win over Lazio, Leonardo Bonucci appeared to apologize to Juventus fans on Curva Sud and was applauded. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Ternana have signed on loan stiker Lorenzo Callegari from Genoa. (Source The Guardian online)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:

-AC Milan Manager Gennaro Gattuso criticized the display of new signing Tiemooe Bakayoko by saying he has ‘defects’. (Source Goal.com online)

- Former Udinese goalkeeper Carlo Della Corna passed away aged 66. (Source Tuttosport online)

-Genoa fans were silent for the first 43 minutes of their match vs. Empoli to honor the 43 victims of the Morandi Bridge collapse. (Source BBC Football online)

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Following an error by Inter goalkeeper Hadandovic that led to a Torino goal yesterday, Inter Legend Sandro Mazzola suggested that the goalkeeper needed to see an eye doctor. (Source Sport e Vai online)

-Udinese’s Rolando Mandragora could be banned following televsion evidence of blasphemy. (Source Football Italia online)

-Ternana have signed on loan Croatian striker Karlo Butic from Torino. (Source Tuttosport online)

-AS Roma Manager Eusebio Di Francesco broke his left nad after he furiously struck the bench following Atalanta’s tyig goal. (Source L’Equipe online)




Italian teams in Europa League Play-offs, First Leg (August 23, 2018):

Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Atalanta 0-FC Copenhagen 0 (-)



Italian Serie A Matchday (August 25-August 26, 2018):

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Juventus 2-Lazio 0 (Miralem Pjanic 30, Mario Mandzukic 75)
Napoli 3–AC Milan 2 (Piotr Zielinski 53, 67, Dries Mertens 80 / Bonaventura 15, Davide Calabria 49)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
SPAL 1-Parma 0 (Mirko Antenucci 49)
Fiorentina 6-Chievo 1 (Nikola Milenkovic 8, Gerson 42, Marco Benassi 49, 90, Federico Chiesa 71, Giovanni Simeone 90 / Nenad Tomovic 76)
Cagliari 2-Sassuolo 2 (Leonardo Pavoletti 10, 73 / Domenico Berardi 53, Kevin Prince Boateng 90 pen)
Frosinone 0-Bologna 0 (- )
Genoa 2-Empoli 1 (Krzysztof Piatek 6, Christian Kouame 18 / Samuel Mraz 90)
Inter 2-Torino 2 (Ivan Perisic 6, Stefan De Vrij 32 / Andrea Belotti 55, Soualiho Meite 68)
Udinese 1-Sampdoria 0 (Rodrigo De Paul 9)

Monday, August 27, 2018:
Roma 3-Atalanta 3 (Javier Pastore 2, Alessandro florenzi 60, Kostas Manolas 82 / Timothy Castagne 19, Emiliano Rigoni 22, 38)

Top Goalscorer:
Papu Gomez (Atalanta) 2 goals
Piotr Zielinski (Napoli) 2 goals
Leonardo Pavoletti (Cagliari) 2 goals
Marco Benassi (Fiorentina) 2 goals
Emiliano Rigoni (Atalanta) 2 goals

Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Juventus
2
2
0
0
5
2
3
6
2
Napoli
2
2
0
0
5
3
2
6
3
SPAL
2
2
0
0
2
0
2
6
4
Atalanta
2
1
1
0
7
3
4
4
5
Roma
2
1
1
0
4
3
1
4
6
Udinese
2
1
0
0
2
1
1
4


P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-Osasuna have signed Ruben Garcia from Levante. (Source The Guardian online)

-Atletico Madrid’s Vitolo has sprained his knee and will be out for weeks. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Spanish Team Captains are to have a meeting over their concern that La Liga matches will be played in USA as the players Union were not consulted over the decision. (Source BBC Football online)

-Portuguese defender Facio Coentrao has not returned to Real Madrid and has caught all social media communication. (he was on loan at Sporting CP). (Source AS.com online)

-Alaves have signed on loan Jonathan Calleri from Deportivo Maldonado. (Source The Guardian online)

-Sporting Gijon have signed on loan Alvaro Jimenez from Getafe. (Source The Guardian online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-Rayo Vallecano have signed Alvaro Garcia from Cadiz.  (Source L’Equipe online)

- Portuguese defender Facio Coentrao posted a picture of himself at Real Madrid’s trining compex to quell reports that he was missing. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Almeria have signed on loan midfielder Yan Brice Eteji from Sevilla. (Source The Guardian online)

-The Spanish Players Union maintained their stance against matches to be played in USA. (Source AS.com online)

-New Spain Manager Luis Enrique is to announce his squad on August 31st. It was reported that four Betis players (Loren, Canales, Pau Lopez and Bartra) are on the list. (Source Marca.com online)

-Barcelona’s Chilean signing Arturo Vidal stated that withVAR, his club Bayern Munich would have won two CLs and Real Madrid two less. (Source Corriere dello Sport online)

-It was reported that Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane were approached by Real Madrid as potential replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo. (Source A Bola online)

-Getafe have signed on loan Dimitri Foulquier from Watford.  (Source L’Equipe online)


Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Nico Pareja has mutually ended his contract with Sevilla. (Source L’Equipe online)

-It was revealed that Luka Modric was also presented to Tottenham prior to his desire to join Inter. (Source Footnews.be online)


-Alcorcon have signed on loan defender Hector Rodas from Cercle Brugge.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Real Madrid havare set to sign striker Iago Aspas from Celta. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Boca Juniors have turned down barcelona’s bid for Leo Belardi. (Source AS.com online)

-Rayo Vallecano have signed on loan Raul de Tomas from Real Madrid for the second successive season. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Real Madrid have extended the contract of Jaume Grau until 2020. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Mallorca have signed on loan midfielder Mervell Ndockyt from Getafe. (Source The Guardian online)

-Alin Tosca has been loaned from Betis to join PAOK. (Source The Guardian online)

 Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-Rayo Vallecano have signed defender Jose Leon from Castilla (Real Madrid reserves).  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Barcelona players and Management called the state of Valladolid’s ‘Estadio Jose Zorrilla’ pitch a disgrace following their win. The Spanish Federation is to launch an investigation for the reasons. (Source Goal.com online)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:

-Days after rescinding his contract with Sevilla, Nico Pareja signed with Mexican side Atlas. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-By scoring against Girona, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos has now scored in each of his last 15 seasons. (Source AS.com online)

-Real Madrid’s Brazilian defender Marcelo expressed his surprise at being substituted but said that he respected Julen Lopetegui’s decision. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Las Palmas have signed defender Alberto De La Bella from Socieadad. (Source Transfer Market Web online)

-Leganes have signed on loan Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid. (Source A Bola online)



Photo From: L’Equipe, August 26, 2018
(Antoine Griezmann)



Spanish teams in Europa League Play-offs, First Leg (August 23, 2018):

Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Sigma Olomouc 0-Sevilla 1 (Pablo Sarabia 84)


Spanish La Liga Matchday (August 24-August 26, 2018):

Friday, August 24, 2018:
Getafe 2–Eibar 0 (Angel Rodriguez 18, Jorge Molina 90)
Leganes 2–Real Sociedad 2 (Nabil El Zhar 54, 88 / David Zurutuza 11, Illaramendi 17)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Alves 0-Betis 0 (-)
Atletico Madrid 1- Rayo Vallecano 0 (Antoine Griezmann 63)
Valladolid 0-Barcelona 1 (Ousmane Dembele 57)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Espanyol 2-Valencia 0 (Esteban Granero 62, Borja Iglesias 68)
Girona 1-Real Madrid 4 (Borja Garcia 17 / Sergio Ramos 39 pen, Karim Benzema 52 pen, 80, Gareth Bale 59)
Sevilla 0-Villareal 0 (-)

Monday, August 27, 2018:
Levante 1-Celta 2 (Jose Luis Morales 78 pen / Pione Sisto 10, Maxi Gomez 35)
Bilbao 2-Huesca 2 (Markel Susaeta 47, Yuri Berchiche 63 / Jorge Miramon 71, Ezequiel Avila 87)

Top Goalscorer:
Jose Luis Morales (Levante) 3 goals
Andre Silva (Sevilla) 3 goals


Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Real Madrid
2
2
0
0
6
1
5
6
2
Barcelona
2
2
0
0
4
0
4
6
3
Sevilla
2
1
1
0
4
1
3
4
4
Espanyol
2
1
1
0
3
1
2
4
5
Bilbao
2
1
1
0
4
3
1
4
6
Sociedad
2
1
1
0
4
3
1
4

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

IV.  Germany

Diary:


Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-Schalke’s Benjamin Stambouli will be out injured as he is suffering from Syndesmosis. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Hoffenheim have extended the contract of captain Kevin Vogt until 2022. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Greek striker Anargyros Kampetsis has left Dortmund to join Panathinaikos. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Hertha Berlin is set to sign defender Derrick Luckassen from PSV Eindhoven.  (Source vi.nl  Online)

-Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness has once again attacked Mesut Ozil, saying his ‘image is a lot better than he is’ at Football. (Source A Bola online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Union Berlin have signed on loan midfielder Robert Zulj from Hoffenheim. (Source The Guardian online)

-Mainz have extended the contract of Daniel Brosinski until 2020. (Source Transfer Market Web online)

-RB Leipzig goalkeeper Fabio Coltorti has announced his retirement.  (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Robert Lewandowski stated that he no longer wished to leave Bayern Munich as he had in the summer.  (Source vi.nl Online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp has come to the defense of Mesut Ozil over the continuing controversy surrounding the player. He believes Ozil is victim of a politically motivated acts. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Mainz have extended the contract of Jean-Phillipe Gbamin until 2023. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Bayern Muncih Manager Kovac defended Robert Lewandowski’s right to ‘reveal his feelings’ following the player’s statements the day before.  (Source Sport Bild online)

Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Otto Rehhagel was honored by ‘Sport Bild’ for his lifetime achievement work. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Dusseldorf have signed on loan defender Marcin Kaminski from Stuttgart. (Source The Guardian online)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-Bayern Munich’s French International Kingsley Coman will be out injured for a number of weeks. (Source RTBF.be  online)

- Bayern Munich’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that he was ‘surprised’ from Robert Lewandowski’s recent comments and expressed that the club had backed him. (Source Sport Bild online)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
-

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Wolfsburg Captain Joshua Guilavogui has been injured on his right knee and will be absent for a long duration.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Eintracht Frankfurt’s Mexican International was to leave the club and join Fenerbahce but the transfer seems to be on hold now.  (Source L’Equipe / Maisfutebol online)

-Schalke have signed Sebastian Rudy from Bayern Munich. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Mainz have signed Jean-Paul Boetius from Feyenoord. (Source Kicker.de online)


German teams in Europa League Play-offs, First Leg (August 23, 2018):

Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Zorya 0-RB Leipzig 0 (-)


German Bundesliga Matchday (August 24-August 26, 2018):

Friday, August 24, 2018:
Bayern Munich 3-Hoffenheim 1 (Thomas Muller 23, Robert Lewandowski 82 pen, Arjen Robben 90 / Adam Szalai 57)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Dusseldorf 1-Augsburg 2 (Beniro Raman 39 / Martin Hinteregger 57, Andre Hahn 76)
Hertha Berlin 1-Nuremberg 0 (Vedad Ibisevic 27)
Freiburg 0-Frankfurt 2 (Nicolai Muller 10, Sebastian Haller 82)
Wolfsburg 2–Schalke 1 (John Brooks 33, Daniel Ginczek 90 / Nabil Bentaleb 86 pen)
Werder Bremen 1-Hannover 1 (T.Gebre Selassie 85 / Hendrik Weydandt 76)
Moenchengladbach 2-Leverkusen 0 (Jonas Hofmann 55 pen, Fabian Johnson 58)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Mainz 1-Stuttgart 0 (Anthony Ujah 76)
Dortmund 4-RB Leipzig 1 (Mahmoud Dahoud 21, Marcel Sabitzer (own goal) 40, Axel Witsel 43, Marco Reus 90 / Kean-Kevin Augustin 1)

Top Goalscorer:
- (-) - goals




Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Dortmund
1
1
0
0
4
1
3
3
2
Bayern Munich
1
1
0
0
3
1
2
3
3
M’Gladbach
1
1
0
0
2
0
2
3
4
Frankfurt
1
1
0
0
2
0
2
3
5
Augsburg
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
6
Wolfsburg
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-Lyon have officially signed Belgian defender Jason Denayer from Manchester City.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Guingamp have extended the contract of Manager Antoine Kombouare until 2020. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Clermont have signed on loan goalkeeper Remy Secamps from PSG. (Source The Guardian online)

-France Manager Didier Deschamps is contemplating legal action against former player and now pundit Chritophe Dugarry for his criticism of him. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Brazilian midfielder Somalia has left Toulouse to join Saudi club Al Shabab Riyadh. (Source L’Equipe online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-France Manager Didier Deschamps has decided against legal action against former player and now pundit Chritophe Dugarry. (Source L’Equipe online)

-St Etienne have offered a professional contract to goalkeeper Theo Vermot. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Thierry Henry is to be appointed as the new Manager of Bordeaux. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Monaco have loaned Dinis Almeida to Xanthi. (Source The Guardian online)

-OM’s Clinton Njie will not join Sporting CP as he did not pass his medical. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-Nantes have officially signed Anthony Limbombe from Brugge.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Mario Balotelli had rejected a lucrative offer from a Chinese side before deciding to stay with OGC Nice. (Source Football Italia online)

Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Amiens have signed Iranian midfielder Saman Ghoddos from Ostersunds.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Arsene Wenger was inducted into Liberia’s Order of distinction at a ceremony in Monrovia.  (Source AS.com online)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-

Sunday, August 26, 2018:

-Olivier Kemen is to leave Lyon and join Sivasspor.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Troyes have signed on loan midfielder Vincent Marcel from OGC Nice.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Thierry Henry appears to have turned down the Bordeaux Managerial position as he was concerned to lack of funds and clarity over ownserhip of the club. Italian Manager Claudio Ranieri has now been tipped as a favorite for the psot. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Nime goalkeeper Yann Marillat has mutually ended his contract with the club (Source L’Equipe online)

-Marseille are on the verge of signing Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman from Roma. (Source Football Italia online)



French teams in Europa League Play-offs, First Leg (August 23, 2018):

Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Gent 0-Bordeaux 0 (-)

French Ligue 1 Matchday (August 24-August 26, 2018):

Friday, August 24, 2018:
Lyon 2-Strasbourg 0 (Martin Terrier 42, Bertrand Traore 64)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
PSG 3-Angers 1 (Edinosn Cavani 12, Kylian Mbappe 51, Neymar 66 / Thomas Mangani 22 pen)
Nantes 1-Caen 1 (Emiliano Sala 80 pen / Enzo Crivelli 37)
Montpellier 0-St Etienne 0 (-)
Nice 0-Dijon 4 (Nayef Aguerd 67, Oussama Haddadi 83, Jules Keita 86, 90)
Amiens 4-Reims 1 (Eddy Gnahore 22, Saman Ghodis 58, Moussa Konate 67, 73 / Mathieu Cafaro 84)
Toulouse 1-Nimes 0 (Max Gradel 80 pen)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Lille 3-Guingamp 0 (Xeka 7, Jonathan Bamba 10, 73)
Bordeaux 2-Monaco 1 (Francois Kamano 48 pen, 90 / Pietro Pellegri 63)
Marseille 2-Rennes 2 (Lucas Ocampos 54, Ramy Bensebaini (own goal) 72 / B.Bourigeaud 38 pen, Ismaila Sarr 45)

Top Goalscorer:
Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 3 goals
Julio Tavares (Dijon) 3 goals
Jonathan Bamba (Lille) 3 goals
Neymar (PSG) 3 goals

Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
PSG
3
3
0
0
9
2
7
9
2
Dijon
3
3
0
0
7
0
7
9
3
Lille
3
2
1
0
6
1
5
7
4
Lyon
3
2
0
1
4
1
3
6
5
Nimes
3
2
0
1
4
2
2
6
6
Reims
3
2
0
1
3
4
-1
6

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

VI.  Holland

Diary:


Tuesday, August 21, 2018:
-Vitesse have signed on loan Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.  (Source vi.nl online)

-After 13 months in a coma, Ajax’s Abdelhak Nouri has awakened and is able to communicate with hs family. (Source Sport Bild online)


Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Holland Manager Ronald Koeman has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Peru and France. (Source Corriere dello Sport online)
Squad: complete list: Patrick Van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Nathan Akè (Bournemouth), Ryan Babel (Besiktas), Donny van de Beek (Ajax), Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Steven Bergwijn (PSV), Marco Bizot (AZ), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jasper Cillessen(Barcelona), Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyon), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Basaksehir), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Fulham), Hans Hateboer (Atalanta) , Daryl Janmaat(Watford), Frenkie de Jong (Ajax), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Justin Kluivert (Rome), Terence Kongolo (Huddersfield Town), Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax), Sergio Padt (Groningen), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow) , Davy Propper (Brighton), Marten De Roon(Atalanta), Wesley Sneijder (Al-Gharafa), Kevin Strootman (Rome), Kenny Tete (Olympique Lyon), Guus Til (AZ), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Ruud Vormer ( Brugge), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), WoutWeghorst(Wolfsburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool), Jeroen Zoet (PSV).

-Utrecht have extended the contract of Urby Emmanuelson until 2020.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-Emmen have signed Stephen Warmolts from Helmond Sport. (Source vi.nl online)

-Feyenoord have rejected Marseille’s offer for goalkeeper Andre Onana. (Source vi.nl online)

-Ramon Leeuwin has left Utrecht to join Denmark’s Odense. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-Ajax’s Siem de Jong has left Ajax and join Sydney FC. (Source L’Equipe online)

-FC Lienden have signed striker Marlon Versteeg from De Graafschap. (Source vi.nl online)

-Helmond Sport have signed defender Kjell Knops from Port Vale. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Utrecht have extended the contract of Mark van der Maarel until 2021.  (Source vi.nl online)

-PEC Zwolle have signed on loan Ouasim Bouy from Leeds United. (Source vi.nl online)


Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-Batholomew Ogbeche (released by Willem II) has joined Indian side NorthEast United FC. (Source vi.nl online)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
-

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Den Bosch are to sign on loan Amine Khammas from Genk (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Telstar have signed goalkeeper Jeroen Houwen from Vitesse. (Source vi.nl online)



Dutch Eredivisie Matchday (August 24-August 26, 2018):

Friday, August 24, 2018:
Den Haag 3-Fortuna Sittard 1 (Melvyn Lorenzen 21, Nasser El Khayati 42 pen, 56 / Lisandro Semedo 84)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Ajax 5–Emmen 0  (Hakim Ziyech 8, Klaas Jan-Huntelaar 38, 59, Disan Tadic 71, Glenn Bijl (own goal) 86)
De Graafchap 0-Groningen 1  (Michael Brej 44)
NAC 0 –Exclesior 2 (Ali Messaoud 15, Jeffrey Fortes 54)
PEC Zwolle 1 –PSV Eindhoven 2 (Vito Van Crooij 48 / Luuk De Jong 41, 90)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Willem II 5-Heracles 0 (Donis Avdijaj 26, 29, Fran Sol 34, 52 pen, 70)
Utrecht 1–VVV 1 (Nicolas Gavory 23 / Tino-Sven Susic 47 pen)
Heerenveen 3-Feyenoord 5 (Morten Thorsby 71, Kik Pierie 85, Dave Bulthuis 89 / Jens Toornstra 4, 45, Robin van Persie 15, Tyrell Malacia 47, Yasine Ayoub 90)
AZ 0-Vitesse 0 (-)

Top Goalscorer:
Kristoffer Peterson (Heracles) 3 goals
Fran Sol (Willem II) 3 goals
Morten Thorsby (SC Heerenveen) 2 goals


Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
PSV Eindhoven
3
3
0
0
8
2
6
6
2
AZ
3
2
1
0
9
1
8
7
3
Ajax
3
2
1
0
8
2
6
7
4
Willem II
3
2
0
1
6
1
5
6
5
Feyenoord
3
2
0
1
8
5
3
6
6
Vitesse
3
1
2
0
6
2
4
5

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point


VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-St Mirren have signed on loan defender Lee Hodson from Rangers. (Source Sky Sports online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Aberdeen have rejected Celtic’s offer for defender Scott McKenna.  (Source BBC Football online)

-Ramgers’ Jamie Murphy has damaged his knee ligaments and is to miss the rest of the season. (Source BBC Football online)

-Hearts have signed on loan defender Jimmy Dunne from Burnley. (Source The Guardian online)

-Rangers have signed striker Kyle Lafferty from Hearts. (Source BBC Football online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-New Livingston Manager Gary Holt satted that he is not interested in knowing the circumstances of the departure of his predecessor Kenny Miller.  (Source BBC Football online)

Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Rangers Manager Steven Gerrard has accepted the apology of Motherwell’s Steve Hartley who had mocked the broken nose of Rangers’ Fabio Cardoso. (Source Sky Sports online)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
-

Sunday, August 26, 2018:

-

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Hearts Manager Craig Levein was taken to a Hospital to receive medical treatment (later revealed as heart illness). (Source BBC Football online)

-Crystal Palace’s James McArthur has declared himself unavailable for the Scottish National Team until the new year to trat a back injury.  (Source BBC Football online)

-Scotland Manager Alex McLeisch has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Belgium and Albania. (Source BBC Football online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Archer (Millwall), Craig Gordon (Celtic), Allan McGregor (Rangers)
Defenders: Jack Hendry (Celtic), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen O'Donnell (Kilmarnock), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen), John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Tom Cairney (Fulham), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth), Kevin McDonald (Fulham), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Callum Paterson (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Oli McBurnie (Swansea City), Matt Phillips (West Bromwich Albion), Johnny Russell (Sporting Kansas City).



Scottish teams in Europa League Play-offs, First Leg (August 23, 2018):

Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Suduva 1-Celtic 1 (Ovidijus Verbickas 13 / Olivier Ntcham 3)
Rangers 1-FC Ufa 0 (Connor Goldson 41)

Scottish Premier League Matchday (August 25-August 26, 2018):

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Hibernian 1 –Aberdeen 1  (Jamie Maclaren 86 / Tommy Hoban 45)
Kilmarnock 0-Hearts 1 (Uche Ikpeazu 81)
St Mirren 0-Livingston 2 (Jack Hamilton 14, Alan Lithgow 36)
St Johnstone 1-Dundee 0 (Anthony Watt 51)
Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Motherwell 3-Rangers 3 (Danny Johnson 3, Carl McHugh 18, Peter Hartley 90 / Kyle Lafferty 15, 38, Ovie Ejaria 43)
Celtic 1-Hamilton 0 (Dedryck Boyata 63)
Top Goalscorer:
Kyle Lafferty (Rangers, Hearts) 3 goals
Oli Shaw (Hibernian) 2 goals
Peter Haring (Hearts) 2 goals


Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Hearts
3
3
0
0
6
1
4
9
2
Celtic
3
2
0
1
4
2
1
6
3
Hibernian
3
1
2
0
5
2
3
5
4
Rangers
3
1
2
0
6
4
2
5
5
Aberdeen
3
1
2
0
3
2
1
5
6
Kilmarnock
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
4
P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:


Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-Sporting CP have signed Abdoulaye Diaby from Club Brugge.  (Source RTBF.be online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Braga have loaned Croatian midfielder Lukic to Apollon Smyrnis. (Source A Bola online)

-Feirense have signed Brazilian defender Philipe Sampaio from Akhmat Grozny. (Source A Bola online)

-Portimonense have signed Paulinho from Porto. (Source A Bola online)

-Maritimo have extended the contract of goalkeeper Charles Silva until 2022. (Source A Bola online)

-Benfica have extended the contract of defender Ruben Dias until 2023. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-Sporting CP have signed on loan Serbian midfielder Nemanja Gudelj from Guangzhou Evergrande.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Diego Reyes has left Porto to join Fenerbahce. (Source A Bola online)

-Estoril have signed Joao Pedro. (Source A Bola online)

Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Benfica are set to sign Brazilian midfielder Ramires from Jiangsu Suning. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Jucie Lupeta has left Porto to join Olimpija Ljubljana. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Feirense have signed Leeroy Mavhunga from Benfica. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Rio Ave have signed on loan striker Vinicius Morais from Napoli. (Source The Guardian online)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
-

Sunday, August 26, 2018:

-Tomas Podstawski has rescinded his contract with Setubal and signed with Pogon Szczecin.  (Source Maisfutebol Online)

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Academica have signed midfielder Ruben Saldanha from Santa Clara. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-According to a report, Sporting CP rejected an offer from CSKA Moscow for Wendel.  (Source A Bola online)

-Benfica have officially signed Brazilian midfielder Gabriel from Leganes. (Source L’Equipe online)


Portugal Primeira Liga League Matchday (August 24-August 26, 2018):

Friday, August 24, 2018:
Maritimo 2-Chaves 1 (Leandro Barrera 90, Lucas Africo 90 / William Oliveira 17)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Portimonense 2-Santa Clara 2 (Bruno Tabata 49, Wilson Manafa 64 / Fabio Cardoso 5, Wilson Manafa (own goal) 66)
Benfica 1-Sporting CP 1 (Joao Felix 86 / Nani 64 pen)
Porto 2-Guimaraes 3 (Yacine Brahimi 37, Andre Pereira 43 / Andre Andre 63 pen, Toze 76, Davidson 87)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Feirense 1-Boavista 1 (Edinho 60 / Federico Falcone 44 pen )
Setubal 1-Nacional 2 (Eber Bessa 89 / Bryan Rochez 45, Joao Camacho 85 pen)
Tondela 1–Rio Ave 1 (Sergio Pena 58 / Wenderson Galeno 17)
Braga 3-Aves 1 (Wilson Eduardo 60, Joao Palhinha 64, Dyego Sousa 78 / Rodrigo Defendi 52)

Monday, August 27, 2018:
Moreirense 1 –Belenensses 1  (Joao Aurelio 90 / Alhassane Keita 76 )
Top Goalscorer:
Benfica (Pizzi) 4 goals


Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Braga
3
2
1
0
10
6
4
7
2
Benfica
3
2
1
0
6
3
3
7
3
Sporting CP
3
2
1
0
6
3
3
7
4
Feirense
3
2
1
0
4
1
3
7
5
Porto
3
2
0
1
10
5
5
6
6
Maritimo
3
2
0
1
4
4
0
6

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, August 21, 2018:

-St Truiden have signed Japanese defender Yuta Koike from Ryutsu Kezai University.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-Wouter Vrancken has been named as the new Manager of Mechelen.  (Source RTBF.be online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Eupen have signed on loan French striker Samuel Essende from PSg. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Anderlecht’s Ognjen Vranjes has sbeen suspended for three matches and fined 3,000 Euros for his sending off vs. Mouscton with a two-footed tackle.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-Ostend have signed on loan Belgian defender Laurens De Bock from Leeds United.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-Mijat Maric has left Lokeren to join Lugano.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Cameroon striker Jacques Zoua has mutually ended his contract with Beerschot-Wilrijk.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Club Brugge have signed Iranian Kaveh Rezaie from Chaleroi.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-Charleroi have signed on loan striker Vikctor Osimhen from Wolfsburg. (Source The Guardian online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:

-Standard Liege have signed on loan striker Obbi Oulare from Watford.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Anderlecht are set to appeal the three match suspension of Ognjen Vranjes. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Josef Akpala has left Ostend to join Saudi club Al-Faisaly.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-Gent have signed on loan Colombian winger Anderson Arroyo from Liverpool.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-Beerschot-Wilrijk have signed Cameroon striker Marius Noubissi from Tampere. The club has also mutually ended the contract of Brazilian Octavio.  (Source RTBF.be online)


Friday, August 24, 2018:

-Club Brugge have signed Moroccan Sofyan Amrabat from Feyenoord.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-Christophe Vincent and Javier Garcia Guillen have been released by Cercle Brugge.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-Olivier Deschacht (released by Anderlecht) has joined Lokeren.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-After more than 30 years with Adidas, Anderlecht will change kit suppliers. The new suppliers will be Joma. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Antwerp have signed Dieumerci Mbokani (free agent).  (Source Sport Magazine-Foot Magazine online)

Sunday, August 26, 2018:
-

Monday, August 27, 2018:

-Gent have signed defender Timothy Derijck from Vzulte-Waregem. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Genk have offered a professional contract to 15-year-old Luca Oyen. (Source Jupiter League App online)


Belgian teams in Europa League Play-offs, First Leg (August 23, 2018):

Thursday, August 23, 2018:
Gent 0-Bordeaux 0 (-)
Genk 5-Brondby 2 (Mbwana Samata 37,55, 70, Leandro Trossard 45 pen, 90 / H.Hermannsson 47, Kamil Wilczek 51)



First Division A League Matchday (August 24-August 26, 2018):

Friday, August 24, 2018:
Ostend 3-Zulte-Waregem 1 (Wout Faes 35, K. Vandendriessche 61, Fashion Sakala 88 / Hamdi Harbaoui 27)

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Standard Liege 3-St Truiden 2 (Collins Fai 7, Christian Luyindama 80, Renaud Emond 90 /Roman Bezus 17, Yohan Boli 69)
Antwerp 1-Cercle Brugge 0 (William Owusu 48)
Mouscron 0 –Eupen 1 (Cheick Keita 29)
Charleroi 0-Kortrijk 2 (Felipe Avenatti 9, Ilombe Mboyo 90)
Sunday, August 26, 2018:
Club Brugge 2-Anderlecht 1 (Emmanuel Dennis 3, Hans Vanaken 43 / Knowledge Musona 19)
Gent 2 –Lokeren 1 (Jonathan David 79, Girgi Kvilitaia 87 / Jose Cevallos 59)
Genk 3-Waasland-Beveren 2 (Edon Zhegrova 20, Mbwana Samatta 78, Maximiliano Caufriez (own goal) 89 / N.Opoku Ampomah 66, 74)
Top Goalscorer:
Ivan Santini (Anderlecht) 7 goals

Table
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Genk
5
4
1
0
13
4
9
13
2
Club Brugge
5
4
1
0
12
4
8
13
3
Anderlecht
5
4
0
1
14
6
8
12
4
Standard Liege
5
3
2
0
9
4
5
11
5
Antwerp
5
3
2
0
4
1
3
11
6
Gent
5
3
1
1
12
8
4
10
P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Point



Diary (extra):

Friday, August 17, 2018:

-Venezuela Manager Rafael Dudamel has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Colombia and Panama. (Source El Carabobeno online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Wuilker Faríñez (Millonarios F.C. – Colombia) y Rafael Romo (Apoel Nicosia – Chipre).

Defenders:
Jhon Chancellor (Anzhi Majachkala – Rusia), Wilker Ángel (Akhmat Grozny – Rusia), Nahuel Ferraresi (C.F. Peralada – España), Yordan Osorio (Vitoria Guimaraes – Portugal), Ronald Hernández (Stabaek – Noruega), Alexander González (Elche C.F – España), Luis Mago (Carabobo F.C.) y Rolf Feltscher (L.A. Galaxy – USA).

Midfielders:
Júnior Moreno (D.C United – USA), Tomás Rincón (Torino – Italia), Agnel Flores (Monagas S.C.), Ronaldo Lucena (Deportivo Táchira), Sergio Córdova (Augsburgo – Alemania), Darwin Machís (Udinese – Italia), Jhon Murillo (C.D. Tondela – Portugal), Rómulo Otero (Al Wahda F.C. – Arabia Saudita) y Eduard Bello (Antofagasta – Chile).

Strikers:
Christian Santos (Deportivo La Coruña – España), Yeferson Soteldo (Universidad de Chile – Chile), Fernando Aristeguieta (América de Cali – Colombia), Salomón Rondón (Newcastle United – Inglaterra) y Josef Martínez (Atlanta United – USA)
Tuesday, August 21, 2018:
-Argentina interim Manager Lionel Scaloni has refused to say when or if ever Lionel Messi will be back with the Natioanl Team. (Source The Guardian online)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:

-Ghana Manager James Kwesi Appiah has named his squad for the upcoming Matches. (Source Ghanaweb.com online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Richard Ofori (Martizburg,South Africa)

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus, USA) Daniel Opare (Antwerp,Belgium) Kassim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim, Germany) John Boye (FC Metz, France) Daniel Amartey ( Leicester City, England) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England)

Midfielders: Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy) Isaac Sackey ( Alanyaspor, Turkey) Ebenezer Ofori (New York City FC, USA) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Edwin Gyasi (CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria) Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy)

Forwards: Raphael Dwamena (Levante UD, Spain) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Majeed Waris (FC Nantes, France) William Owusu (Antwerp, Belgium)

-FIFA are to take control of the Uruguay Federation to ensure free and fair elections. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Champions League matches are to use VAR from the quarter finals stages this season. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Jose Maria Marin, Former Brazilian Football Official, was jailed for four years for corruption. (Source BBC Football online)

Thursday, August 23, 2018:


-Serbia Manager Mladen Krstajic named his squad for the upcoming Match vs Lithuania. (Source navva.org online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: 
Predrag Rajković (Tel Aviv Maccabi, Israel)
Mark Dmitrovich (Eibar, Spain)
Aleksandar Jovanovic (AGF, Denmark)
Defenders:
Aleksandar Kolarov ("Roma", Italy)
Antonio Rukavina ("Astana", Kazakhstan)
Jagoš Vukovič (Pirate Olympiacos, Greece)
Nikola Milenkovič (Florentine "Fiorentina", Italy)
Uroš Spajič (Krasnodar, Russia)
Miloš Veljkovič (Bremen Werder, Germany)
Milan Rodic (Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, Serbia)
Midfeilders:
Dušan Tadić (Amsterdam Ajax, The Netherlands)
Nemanja Matich (Manchester United, England)
Breath Ljajić (Torino, Italy)
Filip Kostič (Frankfurt Eintracht, Germany)
Andriy Živkovich (Lisbon, Benfica, Portugal)
Mijat Gachinovich (Frankfurt Eintracht, Germany)
Sergei Milinkovich-Savič (Roman "Lazio", Italy)
Nemanja Radonjić (Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, Serbia)
Nemanja Maksimovič (Madrid Getafe, Spain)
Nenad Krstičić (Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, Serbia)
Saša Lukič (Torino, Italy)
Strikers:
Aleksandar Mitrovič (London Fulham, England)
Aleksandar Privojič (Thessaloniki PAOK, Greece)


-A Swiss Court has re-instated Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero’s dopijng ban. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Northern Ireland Manager Michael O’Neill has named his squad for the upcoming Match against Bosnia. (Source Sky Sports online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: McGovern (Norwich City), Carson (Motherwell), Peacock-Farrell (Leeds United).
Defenders: Cathcart (Watford), J. Evans (Leicester City), Hughes (Hearts), McAuley (unattached), C. McLaughlin (Millwall), McNair (Middlesbrough), Smith (Hearts), Lewis (Norwich City).
Midfielders: Davis (Southampton), McGinn (Aberdeen), Dallas (Leeds), C. Evans (Blackburn), Ferguson (Millwall), Saville (Millwall), Jones (Kilmarnock), Norwood (Sheffield United).
Forwards: Lafferty (Rangers), Boyce (Burton Albion), Magennis (Bolton Wanderers), Grigg (Wigan Athletic), Washington (Queen's Park Rangers), Ward (Nottingham Forest).


-Serbia Manager Mladen Krstajic has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Lithuania and Romania. (Source Newsbeezer online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Marko Dmitrovic (Eibar), Predrag Rajkovic (Maccabi), Aleksandar Jovanovic (Arhus)
Defense: Antonio Rukavina (Astana), Uros Spajic (Krasnodar), Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina), Jagos Vukovic (Olympiakos) , Milos Veljkovic (Werder), Alexander Koalrov (Roma), Milan Rodic (Red Star)
Nemanja Matic (Manchester United), Nemanja Maksimovic (Getafe), Sasa Lukic (Torino), Sergei Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio), Nenad Krsticic (Crvena zvezda), Dusan Tadic (Ajax), Filip Kostic (concord), Adem Ljajic (Torino), Andrija Zivkovic (Benfica), Mijat Gacinovic (concord), Nemanja Radonjic (Red Star)
Attack: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fuham)

-Former Czech republic defender Tomas Repka could face up to six months in prison for ‘revenge porn’ against his ex-wife. His girlfriend is also involved and has been fined. (Source Floor8 online)

-New Cameroon Manager Clarence Seedorf stated that he would not call up China based players, as he believes good young players should not compete in such leagues. (Source Sport Bible online)


Friday, August 24, 2018


-Hunagry Manager Marco Rossi has named his squad for the upcoming matches. (Source Origo.hu online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dibusz Dénes (Ferencváros), Gulácsi Péter (RB Leipzig), Kovácsik Ádám (Mol Vidi FC)
Defenders: Kádár Tamás (Dinamo Kijev), Vinícius Paulo (Mol Vidi FC), Lang Ádám (CFR Cluj), Bese Barnabás (Le Havre), Lovrencsics Gergő (Ferencváros), Fiola Attila (Mol Vidi FC), Botka Endre (Ferencváros), Tamás Krisztián (Mol Vidi FC)
Midfielders: Kleinheisler László (FK Asztana), Kalmár Zsolt (DAC), Kovács István (Mol Vidi FC), Pátkai Máté (Mol Vidi FC), Nagy Ádám (Bologna FC 1909), Nagy Gergő (Budapest Honvéd FC)
Támadók: Szalai Ádám (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Sallai Roland (APOEL Nicosia), Sallói Dániel (Sporting Kansas City), Stieber Zoltán (D.C. United), Varga Roland (Ferencváros), Eppel Márton (Kajrat Almati)

-Marcelo Bielsa has apologized to Hernan Crespo for not telling the truth to him as a young player. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Peru Manager Ricardo Gareca has criticized Andre Carillo’s decision to join Al-Hilal. Gareca believes that Carillo should be playing in a much more competitive League.  (Source A Bola online)

-Iceland Manager Erik Hamren has named his squad for the upcoming matches vs. Switzerland and Belgium. (Source Visir.is online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Hannes Þór Halldórsson, Qarabaq
Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson, Dijon
Frederik Schram, Roskilde

Defenders:
Ari Freyr Skúlason, Lokeren
Hörður B. Magnússon, CSKA Moskva
Jón Guðni Fjóluson, Krasnodar
Ragnar Sigurðsson, Rostov
Kári Árnason, Gencerbiligi
Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Rostov
Hólmar Örn Eyjólfsson, Sofia
Birkir Már Sævarsson, Valur

Midfielders:
Arnór Ingvi Traustason, Malmö
Birkir Bjarnason, Aston Villa
Emil Hallfreðsson, Forinone
Guðlaugur Victor Pálsson, FC Zürich
Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson, Everton
Rúnar Már Sigurjónsson, Grasshopper
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson, Burnley
Rúrik Gíslason, Nürnberg

Forwards:
Viðar Kjartansson, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Jón Daði Böðvarsson, Reading
Kolbeinn Sigþórsson, Nantes
Björn Bergmann Sigurðarson, Rostov

-Egypt Manager Javier Aguirre has named 13-foreign-based players to his squad for the upcoming African Nations Cup qualifier vs. Niger. (Source AS.com online)
Squad:
Goalkeeper: Mohamed Awad (Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia).
Defenders: Ahmed Hegazy (West Bromwich, England), Amr Tarek (Orlando City, USA), Ahmed Al Mohammady (Aston Villa, England).
Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England) , Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic, England), Aly Ghazal (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada), Ramadan Sobhy (Huddersfield Town, England), Trezeguet (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Amr Warda (Paok, Greece), Hussein Al Shahat (Al-Ain, UAE).
Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Ahmed Hassan Koka (Olympiakos, Greece).

Saturday, August 25, 2018:

-Walter Samuel has joined Argentina’s Nationa Team staff. (Source Football Italia online)

-FIFA has suspended Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestinian Federation, for urging fans back in June to burn Lionel Messi jerseys to protest a friendly match between Israel and Argentina (that was eventually called off). (Source Maisfutebol online)


Sunday, August 26, 2018:
-

Monday, August 27, 2018:


-Slovakia Manager Jan Kozak has named his squad for the upcoming Matches. (Source Sportky.zoznam.sk online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers:Martin Dúbravka (Newcastle United), Matúš Kozáčik (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Michal Šulla (ŠK Slovan Bratislava)

Defenders: Peter Pekarík (Hertha Berlín), Erik Sabo (Beitar Jeruzalem), Martin Škrtel (Fenerbahce Istanbul), Norbert Gyömbér (AC Perugia), Milan Škriniar (Inter Miláno), Ľubomír Šatka (DAC Dunajská Streda), Martin Valjent (RCD Mallorca), Tomáš Hubočan (Olympique Maresille), Róbert Mazáň (Celta Vigo)

Midfielders:Stanislav Lobotka (Celta Vigo), Patrik Hrošovský (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Juraj Kucka (Trabzonspor), Ján Greguš (FC Kodaň), Marek Hamšík (SSC Neapol), Ondrej Duda (Hertha Berlín), Erik Pačinda (DAC Dunajská Streda)

Strikers:Róbert Mak (Zenit Petrohrad), Albert Rusnák (Salt Lake City), Michal Ďuriš (Anorthosis Famagusta), Adam Nemec (FC Pafos)  
      



-Belarus Manager Igor Kriuschenko has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against San Marino and Moldova. (Source fscg.me online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Sergei Chernik (Nancy), Aleksandr Gutor (Dinamo Brest), Andrei Klimovich (Shakhtyor Soligorsk); 
Defenders:
Akeksandr Martynovich (Krasnodar), Igor Shitov (Dinamo Minsk), Denis Polyakov (BATE), Maksim Volodko (BATE), Aleksei Rios (BATE), Sergei Politevich (Kairat), Mikhail Sivakov (Orenburg), Sergei Matveichik (Shakhtyor Soligorsk ); 
Midfielders:
Stanislav Dragun (BATE), Igor Stasevich (BATE), Sergei Balanovich (Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Yuri Kovalyov (Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Renan Bressan (Chaves), Pavel Nekhaichik (Dinamo Brest), Pavel Savitski (Dinamo Brest), Ivan Maevski (Astana) ), Nikita Korzun (Dinamo Minsk), Yuri Kendysh (Sherif); 
Forwards:
Denis Laptev (Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Anton Saroka (Lokeren).



-Montenegro Manager Ljubiša Tumbaković has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Romania and Lithuania. (Source fscg.me online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Danijel Petković (Lorijen, Francuska), Milan Mijatović(Budućnost), Damir Ljuljanović (OFK Titograd);
Defenders: Stefan Savić (Atletiko Madrid, Španija), Filip Stojković (Crvena zvezda, Srbija), Adam Marušić (Lacio, Italija), Žarko Tomašević (Ostende, Belgija), Marko Simić (Pahtakor, Uzbekistan), Boris Kopitović (Čukarički, Srbija), Risto Radunović (Astra, Rumunija);
Midfielders: Marko Janković (Partizan, Srbija), Nikola Vukčević (Levante, Španija), Marko Vešović (Legija Vašrava, Poljska), Aleksandar Šćekić (Partizan, Srbija), Nebojša Kosović (Partizan, Srbija), Mirko Ivanić (BATE Borisov, Bjelorusija), Vukan Savićević (Slovan Bratislava, Slovačka), Vladimir Jovović (Jablonec, Češka), Sead Hakšabanović (Malaga, Španija), Aleksandar Boljević (Vasland Beveren, Belgija), Luka Mirković (Budućnost), Darko Zorić (Čukarički, Srbija), Deni Hočko (Famalikao, Portugal);

Strikers: Stevan Jovetić (Monako, Francuska), Fatos Beqiraj (Mehelen, Belgija), Stefan Mugoša (Inčon, Južna Koreja) i Luka Đorđević (Arsenal Tula, Rusija).

-Azerbaijan squad named for upcoming matches. (Source report.az online)
Squad:
NAME, SURNAME
CLUB
Kamran Agayev
Keshla
Salahat Agayev
Neftchi
Emil Balayev
Sabail
Maksim Medvedyev
Qarabag
Badavi Huseynov
Qarabag
Rahil Mammadov
Qarabag
Mahammad Mirzabayov
Neftchi
Tamkin Khalilzada
Gabala
Urfan Abbasov
Gabala
Bakhtiyar Hasanalızadə
Sumgayit
Pavlo Pashayev
Oleksandriya (Ukraine)
Gara Garayev
Qarabag
Joshgun Diniyev
Qarabag
Emin Mahmudov
Neftchi
Namig Alasgarov
Neftchi
Rahman Hajıyev
Neftchi
Javid Huseynov
Gabala
Rahid Amirguliyev
Sabail
Javid Imamverdiyev
Sabah
Richard Almeyda
Astana (Kazakhstan)
Dmitri Nazarov
Aue (Germany)
Mahir Madatov
Qarabag
Ramil Sheydayev
Krylia Sovetov (Russia)
Rauf Aliyev
Gabala
Ruslan Qurbanov
Sabail



-Faroe Islands  squad named for upcoming matches. (Source fsf.fo online)
Squad:
Gunnar Nielsen, FH (ICE)
Teitur Matras Gestsson, HB
Kristian Joensen, KÍ
Atli Gregersen, Víkingur
Odmar Færø, B36
Viljormur Davidsen, Vejle BK (DEN)
Jógvan Rói Davidsen, HB
Sonni Ragnar Nattestad, Molde BK (NOR)
Alex Mellemgaard, B36
Heini Vatnsdal, BK Fremad Amager (DEN)
Gunnar Vatnhamar, Víkingur
Magnus Egilsson, HB
Kaj Leo í Batrtalsstovu, ÍBV (ICE)
Gilli Rólantsson Sørensen, SK Brann (NOR)
Rene Shaki Joensen, Grindavík (ICE)
Tróndur Jensen, HB
Sølvi Vatnhamar, Víkingur
Hallur Hansson, AC Horsens (DEN)
Brandur Hendriksson Olsen, FH (ICE)
Rógvi Baldvinsson, Bryne BK (NOR)
Finnur Justinussen, Næstved BK (DEN)
Jóan Símun Edmundsson, Arminia Bielefeld (GER)
Klæmint Andrasson Olsen, NSÍ

-Gibraltar’s Uruguyan Manager Julio César Ribas Vlacovich has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Macedonia and Liechtenstein. (Source Macedonianfootball.com online)
Squad:
Matt Cafer – Gibraltar Phoenix
Dayle Coleing – Europa
Kyle Goldwin – Gibraltar United 
Louie Annesley – Lincoln Red Imps
Erin Barnett – Gibraltar United
Ethan Britto – no club
Joseph Chipolina – Lincoln Red Imps
Roy Chipolina – Lincoln Red Imps
Jean-Carlos Garcia – Lincoln Red Imps
Jayce Mascarenhas-Olivero – Abingdon United
Jason Pusey – Gibraltar Phoenix
Jack Sergeant – West Didsbury & Chorlton 
Anthony Bardon – no club
Jamie Bosio – Gibraltar United
Sykes Garro – Lincoln Red Imps
Andrew Hernandez – Lincoln Red Imps
Anthony Hernandez – Lincoln Red Imps
Jeremy Lopez – Gibraltar Phoenix
Alain Pons – Lincoln Red Imps
Kevagn Robba – Mons Calpe
Graeme Torrilla – Mons Calpe
Julian Valarino – Lincoln Red Imps
Liam Walker – Europa 

Lee Casciaro – Lincoln Red Imps
Leon Clinton – Lynx
Jamie Coombes – West Didsbury & Chorlton
Tjay De Barr – Europa
John-Paul Duarte – St Joseph’s
Reece Styche – Darlingto

-Slavia Sofia goalkeeper Georgi petkov has become at age 42, the oldest player to appear in the Bulgarian top League. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Republic of Ireland Manager Martin O’Neill has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Wales and Poland. (Source Realterminals.com online)
Squad:
Republic of Ireland provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Doyle (Hearts), McDermott (Kristiansund BK), O'Hara (Macclesfield Town), Randolph (Middlesbrough)
Defenders: Coleman (Everton), Christie (Fulham), Doherty (Wolves), Duffy (Brighton), Keogh (Derby County), Clark (Newcastle United), Long (Burnley), Ward (Burnley), Egan (Sheffield Utd), Stevens (Sheffield United), Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Cunningham (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: Judge (Brentford), Hendrick (Burnley), Hourihane (Aston Villa), Browne (Preston), Williams (Millwall), Meyler (Reading), Arter (Cardiff City), Horgan (Hibernian), O'Dowda (Bristol City), McClean (Stoke City)
Forwards: Walters (Burnley), S Long (Southampton), Burke (Preston), Robinson (Preston), O'Brien (Millwall)

-Republic of Ireland’s Declan Rice is reportedly considering changing his allegiance to England. (Source BBC Football online)

-Former Irish International Kevin Kilbane commented on Declan Rice Situation. Kilbane stated that he would rather miss out on major tournament than have a player who nees to think about his allegiance. (Source independent.ie online)

- Republic of Ireland’s James McClean was critical of Declan Rice’s stance. (Source the42.ie online)

-Ricardo Ferretti has been appointed as the caretaker Manager of Mexico . (Source L’Equipe online)

-Poland Manager Jerzy Brzeczek has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Italy and Ireland. (Source Sportowefakty.wp.pl online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczęsny (Juventus), Łukasz Fabiański (West Ham United), Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna).
Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Southampton), Bartosz Bereszyński (Sampdoria), Adam Dźwigała (Wisła Płock), Kamil Glik (AS Monaco), Marcin Kamiński (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Tomasz Kędziora (Dynamo Kijów), Rafał Pietrzak (Wisła Kraków), Arkadiusz Reca (Atalanta Bergamo), Maciej Rybus (Lokomotiw Moskwa).
Midfielders: Jakub Błaszczykowski (Wolfsburg), Przemysław Frankowski (Jagiellonia Białystok), Jacek Góralski (Ludogorec), Damian Kądzior (Dinamo Zagrzeb), Mateusz Klich (Leeds United), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Lokomotiw Moskwa), Rafał Kurzawa (Amiens), Karol Linetty (Sampdoria), Maciej Makuszewski (Lech Poznań), Taras Romanczuk (Jagiellonia Białystok), Damian Szymański (Wisła Płock), Piotr Zieliński (Napoli).
Strikers: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Monachium), Arkadiusz Milik (Napoli), Krzysztof Piątek (Genoa).

-Russia Manager Stanislav Cherchesov has named his squad for the upcoming Matches against Turkey and Czech Republic. (Source L’Equipe online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers : Marinato Guilherme (Lokomotiv Moscou), Andreï Lunev (Zénith St Pétersbourg), Anton Shunin (Dynamo Moscou).
Defenders : Georgy Dzhikia, Ilya Kutepov (Spartak Moscou), Fyodor Kudryashov (Rubin Kazan), Elmir Nabiullin, Igor Smolnikov (Zénith St Pétersbourg), Roman Neustädter (Fenerbahce), Konstantin Rausch (Dynamo Moscou), Andreï Semyonov (Akhmat Grozny), Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscou).
Midfielders: Yury Gazinsky, Dmitry Stotsky (Krasnodar), Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moscou), Alexander Erokhin, Daler Kuzyaev (Zénith St Pétersbourg), Alexeï Ionov (Rostov), Ruslan Kambolov, Pavel Mogilevets (Rubin Kazan), Denis Cheryshev (Valence/ESP), Anton Shvets (Akhmat Grozny).
Strikers : Artem Dzyuba, Anton Zabolotny (Zénith St Pétersbourg), Dmitry Poloz (Rostov)


-Iceland Manager Erik Hamren has named his squad for the upcoming matches vs. Switzerland and Belgium. (Source RTBF.be  online)
Squad:
Goalkeepers : Hannes Halldorsson (Qarabag/Aze), Frederik Schram (Roskilde/Dan), Runar Runarsson (Dijon/Fra)
Defenders : Birkir Saevarsson (Valur Reykjavik/Isl), Ragnar Sigurdsson (Rostov/Rus), Kari Arnason (Gençlerbirligi/Tur), Ari Skulason (Lokeren/BEL), Sverrir Ingason (Rostov/Rus), Hörour Magnusson (CSKA Moskou/Rus), Jon Fjoluson (Krasnodar/Rus), Holmar Eyjolfsson (Levski Sofia/Bul)
Midfielders: Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa/Ang), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Burnley/Ang), Emil Hallfredsson (Frosinone/Ita), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton/Ang), Rurik Gislason (Sandhausen/All), Arnor Traustason (Malmö/Suè), Runar Sigurjonsson (Grasshoppers/Sui), Victor Palsson (FC Zurich/Sui)
Strikers : Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Nantes/Fra), Jon Dadi Bödvarsson (Reading/Ang), Vidar Kjartansson (Maccabi Tel Aviv/Isr), Björn Bergmann Sigurdarson (Rostov/Rus)


International friendlies:

Saturday, August 25, 2018:
Andorra 0-UAE 0 (-)


Champions League Play-offs, First Leg (August 21-22, 2018):

Tuesday, August 21, 2018:
BATE Borisov 2-PSV Eindhoven 3 (Jasse Tuominen 9, Aleksandr Hleb 88 / Gaston Pereiro 35 pen, Hirving Lozano 61, Donyell Malen 89)
Benfica 1-PAOK 1 (Pizzi 45 pen / Amr Warda 76)
Red Star Belgrade 0-Salzburg 0 (-)

Wednesday, August 22, 2018:
Ajax 3-Dinamo Kiev 1 (Donny van de Beek 2, Hakim Ziyech 35, Dusan Tadic 43 / Tomasz Kedziora 16)
Vidi 1-AEK Athens 2 (Danko Lazovic 67 / Viktor Klonaridis 34, A. Bakasetas 49)
Young Boys Bern 1-Dinamo Zagreb 1 (Kevin Mbabu 2 / Mislav Orsic 40)

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