Oriundis and Other Naturalized Internationals, Part Ten

December 9, 2018, 1:44 pm

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 35 (Week of December 4-December 10, 2018)

≪ Previous: French First Division Kits in a Season: Part 1 (1984/85 season)

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1- Pat van den Hauwe -Belgium and Wales 1980s and 1990s

Welsh defender Pat van den Hauwe was born in Dendermonde in Belgium. He was brought up in London and eventually debuted in the English League.

He earned recognition with Everton when they won the League in 1985 and was capped for the first time that year for Wales.

                                           Photo From: Panini England 1985/86

(Pat van den Hauwe)

2- Roberto Di Matteo-Switzerland and Italy, 1990s

Italian midfielder Roberto Di Matteo was born in Schaffhausen in Switzerland. He made his debut in the Swiss League in Aarau.

He transferred to Italy in 1993 to Lazio and was capped by Arrigo Sacchi for Italy a year later in 1994.

                                         Photo From: Panini, Europa ‘96

(Roberto Di Matteo)

3- Yves Triantafyllos-Greece and France, 1960s into the 80s

Yves Triantafyllos was a French-born Greek striker. He had his best spell at St Etienne and Nantes in the 70s.

He earned a solitary cap for France in 1975.

                                      Photo From: Panini, France 1975/76

(Yves Triantafyllos)

4- Viktor Onopko-Ukraine and Russia 1990s and 2000s

Viktor Onopko was a Ukrainian defender from the 90s. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, he opted to represent Russia Internationally ahead of Ukraine, as Russia had replaced the USSR as a Football entity and felt had more of a chance to play in the 1994 World Cup.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 65, June 1994

(Viktor Onopko)

5- Ray Houghton-Scotland and Republic of Ireland, 1980s and 1990s

Glasgow-born midfielder Ray Houghton qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland through the Grand-parent rule.

He had been overlooked by Scotland, but Jackie Charlton selected him for Ireland as Houghton was eligible since his father was born in Buncrana, Donegal County in Ireland.

                                           Photo From: Panini, Europa ‘88

(Ray Houghton)

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The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 35 (Week of December 4-December 10, 2018)

December 11, 2018, 7:31 pm

≫ Next: Mysteries, Legends and Conspiracy Theories, Part Ten

≪ Previous: Oriundis and Other Naturalized Internationals, Part Ten

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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, December 4, 2018:

-Jose Mourinho attacked MUTV for asking intrusive questios about Manchester United’s injury crisis. Mourinho told them that Arsenal TV would not have asked such type of questions from its Manager. (Source Extra.ie online)

-Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp has accepted the FA misconduct charge for running into the pitch vs. Everton as the £8,000 fine.(Source Daily Mail Online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-Ralph Hasenhuttl was officially named as the new Southampton Manager.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-Former England Captain David Platt is part of the take-over group of Italian club Palermo. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Liverpool defender Joe Gomez will be out injured for a number of weeks. (Source voetbalzone online)

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-Arsenal’s Rob Holding will be out injurd for nine months after an anterior cruciate ligament injury. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Manchester United Jose Mourinho stated that his Brazilian signing Fred will play more only after the team’s defense improves. (Source Reuters UK online)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-Mohamed Salah refused the man of the match award for his display vs. Bournemouth and instead offered it to teammate James Milner who was making his 500^thappearance in the Premier League. (Source Voetbalzone online)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, subject of racial abuse from fans in their match vs. Chelsea on Saturday, stated that Newspapers are “fueling racism” in the manner that they report on young black footballers.   (Source BBC Football Online)

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-Chelsea have suspended the four fans who racially abused Manchester city’s Raheem Sterling. (Source Sky Sports online)

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 4, 2018	Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain)	Defender	Chelsea	2022	BBC Football
December 10, 2018	Joe Gomez	Defender	Liverpool	2024	BBC Football
December 10, 2018	Kyle Walker-Peters	Defender	Tottenham	2024	Sky Sports
December 10, 2018	Phil Foden	Midfielder	Manchester City	2024	L’Equipe

English Premier League Matchday (December 4-December 5, 2018):

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

Bournemouth 2-Huddersfield 1 (Callum Wilsob 5, Ryan Fraser 22 / Terence Kongolo 38)

Brighton 3-Crystal Palace 1 (Glenn Murray 24 pen, Leon Balogun 31, Florin Andone 45 / Luka Milivojevic 81 pen)

West Ham 3-Cardiff 1 (Lucas Perez 49, 54, Michail Antonio 61 / Josh Murphy 90)

Watford 1-Manchester City 2 (Abdoulaye Doucoure 85 / Leroy Sane 40, Riyad Mahrez 51)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

Burnley 1-Liverpool 3(Jack Cork 54 / James Milner 62, Roberto Firmino 69, Xherdan Shaqiri 90)

Everton 1-Newcastle 1(Richarlison 38 / Salomon Rondon 19)

Fulham 1-Leicester 1(Aboubakar Kamara 42 / James Maddison 74)

Wolves 2-Chelsea 1(Raul Jimenez 59, Diogo Jota 63 / Ruben Loftus-Cheek 18)

Manchester United 2-Arsenal 2 (Anthony Martial 30, Jesse Lingard 69 / Shkodran Mustafi 26, Alexandre Lacazette 68)

Tottenham 3-Southampton 1 (Harry Kane 9, Lucas Moura 51, Son Heung-min 55 / Charlie Austin 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Manchester City	15	13	2	0	45	7	38	41
2	Liverpool	15	12	3	0	30	6	24	39
3	Tottenham	15	11	0	4	28	16	12	33
4	Chelsea	15	9	4	2	31	13	18	31
5	Arsenal	15	9	4	2	34	20	14	31
6	Everton	15	6	5	4	21	17	4	23

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

English Premier League Matchday (December 8-December 10, 2018):

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Bournemouth 0-Liverpool 4(Mohamed Salah 25, 48, 77, Steve Cook (own goal) 68)

Arsenal 1-Huddersfield 0 (Lucas Torreira 83)

Burnley 1-Brighton 0(James Tarkowski 40)

Cardiff 1-Southampton 0 (Callum Paterson 74)

Manchester United 4-Fulham 1 (Ashley Young 13, Juan Mata 28, Romelu Lukaku 42,Marcus Rashford 82 / Aboubakar Kamara 67 pen)

West Ham 3-Crystal Palace 2 (Robert Snodgrass 48, Javier Hernandez 62, Felipe Anderson 65 / James McArthur 6, Jeffrey Schlupp 76)

Chelsea 2-Manchester City 0 (N’Golo Kante 45, David Luiz 78)

Leicester 0-Tottenham 2 (Son Heung-min 45, Dele Alli 58)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Newcastle 1-Wolves 2(Ayoze Perez 23 / Diogo Jota 17, Matt Doherty 90)

Monday, December 10, 2018:

Everton 2-Watford 2  (Richarlison 15, Lucas Digne 90 / Seamus Coleman (own goal) 63, Abdoulaye Doucoure 65)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	16	13	3	0	34	6	28	42
2	Manchester City	16	13	2	1	45	9	36	41
3	Tottenham	16	12	0	4	30	16	14	36
4	Chelsea	16	10	4	2	33	13	20	34
5	Arsenal	16	10	4	2	35	20	15	34
6	Manchester United	16	7	5	4	28	26	2	26

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

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-Brazilian striker Gaigol confirmed that he will return to Inter in January and then his future with the club afterwards. (Source Football Italia online)

-Juventsu defender Andrea Barzagli will be out injured for two months. (Source Football Italia online)

-Former AC Milan Sports Director Massimiliano Mirabelli revealed that AC Milan were close in signing Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer. (Source Calciomercato online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-Former Arsenal Official Ivan Gazidis was appointed as AC Milan CEO. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Emil Hallfredsson (Frosinone) will be out injured for at least three months. (Source Football Italia online)

-Italian Referee Piero Ceccarini discussed the controversial 1998 Juventus-Inter match where he did not award a penalty kick fir a foul by Mark Iuliano on Ronaldo. He stated that even with the benefit of VAR he would not have awarded a penalty kick. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

-The Italian Super Cup between Juventus and AC Milan is to take place on January 16th, 2019 at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Source Tuttosport online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Mario Balotelli ruled out a possible return to AC Milan by citing the disrespectful nature of some of the fans. (Source Goal.com online)

-Ivan Juric was sacked as Genoa Manager following their Coppa Italia loss vs. Virtus Entella. He is to be replaced with Cesare Prandelli. (Source Football Italia online)

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-Gigi Radice, former AC Milan player, from the 1950s and 60s passed awaya aged 83. He earned 5 caps for Italy in 1962 and most famously managed Torino to the Scudetto in 1976. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

-Juventus have now equaled the best ever start to a season in a top five league with 43 points after 15 matches (tying with PSG). (Source Football Italia online)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-The former Barzilian striker Ronaldo was asked to compare his play to Cristiano Ronaldo. One of his replies was that while he trained because he had to, CR 7 does does because he loves it.. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-Brazilian Lucas Paquet has arrived in iytaly to complete his transfer to AC Milan. (Source Calciomercato online)

      

-Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Lionel Messi to sign for an Italian cliub like he has. He also stated that he deserved the Ballon d’Or. (Source BBC Football online)

-AC Milan Technical Director, Leonardo, stated that Zlatan Ibrahimovic woild not join the club. (Source RTBF.be online)

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-An investigation has opened charging two doctors of involuntary homicide for providing certificates that declared the late Davide Astori was fit to play. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Cristiano Ronaldo took a subtle jab at Real Madrid by saying that Juventus are more of a family.. (Source Football Italia online)

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 7, 2018	Alex Sandro (Brazil)	Defender	Juventus	2023	Calciomercato.com

Coppa Italia (December 4-December 13, 2018):

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

Benevento 1-Cittadella 0(Filippo Bandinelli 77)

Bologna 3-Crotone 0(Riccardo Orsolini 40, 67, Diego Falcinelli 56)

Sampdoria 2-SPAL 1(Gregoire Defrel 45, Dawid Kownacki 82 / Sergio Floccari 34)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

Novara 3-Pisa 2(Diego Perlata 22, Davide Bove 53, Jacopo Manconi 90 / Michele Marconi 16, Francesco Lisi 72)

Sassuolo 2-Catania 1(Alessandro Matri 14, Manuel Locatelli 80 / Fran Brodic 41)

Chievo 1-Cagliari 2(Mehdi Leris 18 / Alberto Cerri 8, Fabio Pisacane 68)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Genoa 3-Virtus Entella 3 (Krzysztof Piatek 27 pen, 86 pen, Gianluca Lapdula 110 pen / Simone Icardi 20, 83, Krisztian Adorjan 120) (Virtus Entella won on apenalty kick shoot-out)

Torino 2-Sudtirol 0(Roberto Soriano 24, Simone Edera 81)

Italian Serie A Matchday (December 7-December 9, 2018):

Friday, December 7, 2018:

Juventus 1-Inter 0(Mario Mandzukic 66)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Napoli 4-Frosinone 0(Piotr Zielinski 7, Adam Ounas 40, Arek Milik 68, 84)

Cagliari 2-Roma 2 (Artur Ionita 84, Marco Sau 90 / Bryan Cristante 14, Aleksandar Kolarov 41)

Lazio 2-Sampdoria 2 (Frabcesco Acerbi 79, Ciro Immobile 90 pen / Faio Quagliarella 21, Riccardo Saponara 90+)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Sassuolo 3-Fiorentina 3(Alfred Duncan 62, Khouma Babacar 67, Stefano Sensi 80 / Giovanni Simeone 70, Marco Benassi 89, Kevin Mirallas 90)

Empoli 2-Bologna 1(Francesco Caputo 10, Antonio La Gumina 80 / Andrea Poli 41)

Parma 1-Chievo 1(Bruno Alves 53 / Mariusz Stepinski 46)

Udinese 1-Atalanta 3 (Kevin Lasagna 12 / Duvan Zapata 2, 62, 80)

Genoa 1-SPAL 1(Krzysztof Piatek 38 pen / Andrea Petagna 15)

AC Milan 0-Torino 0 (-)

Top Goalscorer:

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa) 11 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	15	14	1	0	32	8	24	43
2	Napoli	15	11	2	2	32	14	18	35
3	Inter	15	9	2	4	27	13	14	29
4	AC Milan	15	7	5	3	24	18	6	26
5	Lazio	15	7	4	4	22	18	4	25
6	Torino	15	5	7	3	19	16	3	22

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

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-Eduardo Berizzo has been sacked as Athletic Bilbao Manager. Youth Team Manager Gaizka Garitano will act in the interim. (Source BBC Football online)

-Gerard Pique denied reports that he is to purchase lower League club Reus. (Source Football Espana online)

-Adidas have opened a lawsuit against Rafinha (Barcelona) for breach of contract. They are demanding 90,000 GBP for every day that he refuse to wear their boots. (Source mirror.co.uk online)

-Garett Bale stated that he he should have won the Puskas Award for the goal of the year instead of Mohamed Salah. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

-Former Atletico Madrid star, the Portuguese Paulo Futre sent a message of support to Antoine Griezmann following the Ballon d’Or vote. In the message, Furtre hinted of bias due to the club colors (hinting Modric and CR 7 played for Real Madrid). He stated that sometimes even winning the UCL is not enough (referencing his 1987 triumph and secod place in the 1987 voting). (Source As.com online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-Rafinha (Barcelona) will be out injured six months. (Source BBC Football online)

-Barcelona Manager Ernesto Valverde stated that Lionel Messi’s fifth place finish in the Ballon d’Or was ‘absurd’. (Source BBC Football online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-

 Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele was once again late to training (by two hours) and asked to train alone.   (Source AS.com Online)

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-Zlatan Ibrahimovic was asked to comment on Luka Modric’s Ballon d’Or He hinted that Real Madrid President swayed influence by saying Messi was competing againt Florentino Perez and not Cristiano Ronaldo.  (Source AS.com online)

-Villareal have appointed Luis Garcia Plaza as their new Manager. (Source A Bola online)

-Barcelona and the Spanish League announced that they have given up in the plans to stage a league match in Miami. (Source L’Équipe online)

Photo From: L’Equipe, December 9, 2018

(Lionel Messi, December 8, 2018, Espanyol 0-Barcelona 4)

Cop Del Rey  (December 4-December 13, 2018):

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

Getafe 5-Cordoba 1(Francisco Portillo 18, Angel Rodriguez 42 pen, 78, 80, Robert Ibanez 49 / Aythami Artiles 70)

Valencia 1-Ebro 0(Michy Batshuayi 59)

Rayo Vallecano 0-Leganes 1 (Emiliano Velazquez (own goal) 17)

Espanyol 1-Cadiz 0(Hernan Perez 76)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

Atletico Madrid 4-Sant Andreu 0 (Thomas Lemar 48, Nikola Kalinic 53, Angel Correa 55, Vitolo 81)

Girona 2-Alaves 1(Alex Granell 74, Cristian Portu 79 / Pedro Alcala (own goal) 62)

Sociedad 2-Celta 0(Mikel Oyarzabal 10, Adnan Januzaj 27)

Sevilla 1-Villanovense 0 (Andre Silva 49)

Villareal 8-Almeria 0(Karl Toko Ekambi 23, 30, 36,47, Carlos Bacca 45, 83 pen, Gerard Moreno 67, Daniel Raba 89)

Barcelona 4-Leonesa 1(Munir El Haddadi 18, Denis Suarez 26, 70, Malcolm 44 / Josep Sene 54)

Valladolid 2-Mallorca 1(Oscar Plano 49, Daniele Verde 88 / Abdon Prats 48)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Levante 2-Lugo 0(Coke 80, Raphael Dwamena 90)

Real Madrid 6-Melilla 1 (Marco Asensio 33, 35, Javier Sanchez 39, Isco 48, 83, Vinicius Junior 75 / Yacine Qasmi 80 pen)

Eibar 2-Gijon 2(Marc Cucurella 53, Charles 87 / Alvaro Jimenez 13, Pablo Perez 39)

Huesca 0-Bilbao 4(Aritz Aduriz 37, 58, Inaki Williams 80,90)

Betis 4-Santander 0(Antonio Barragan 32, Antonio Sanabria 58 pen, Sergio Leon 69, Giovani Lo Celso 89)

Spanish La Liga Matchday (December 7-December 10, 2018):

Friday, December 7, 2018:

Leganes 1-Getafe 1(Allan Nyom 64 / Leandro Cabrera 39)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Atletico Madrid 3-Alaves 0 (Nikola Kalinic 25, Antoine Griezmann 82, Rodri 87)

Valencia 1-Sevilla 1 (Mouctar Diakhaby 90 / Pablo Sarabia 55)

Villareal 2-Celta 3(Carlos Bacca 83, 87 / Brais Mendez 44, Okay Yokuslu 49, Maxi Gomez 51)

Espanyol 0-Barcelona 4(Lionel Messi 17, 65, Ousmane Dembele 26, Luis Suarez 45)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Eibar 4-Levante 4(Sergi Enrich 8, Gomzalo Escalante 57, Charles 61 pen, 65 / Jose Luis Morlaes 10, Roberto Pier 26, Tono 75, Borja Mayoral 90)

Huesca 0-Real Madrid 1 (Gareth Bale 8)

Sociedad 1-Valladolid 2 (Mikel Oyarzabal 62 / Toni Villa 16, Antonito 54)

Betis 2-Vallecano 0 (Giovani Lo Celso 59 pen, Sidnei 76)

Monday, December 10, 2018:

Bilbao 1-Girona 0 (Aritz Aduriz 90 pen)

Top Goalscorer:

Cristhian Stuani (Girona) 11 goals

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	15	9	4	2	41	19	22	31
2	Sevilla	15	8	4	3	27	16	11	28
3	Atletico Madrid	15	7	7	1	21	10	11	28
4	Real Madrid	15	8	4	3	23	19	4	26
5	Alaves	15	7	3	5	18	17	1	24
6	Levante	15	6	4	5	27	25	2	22

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

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-National Team Manager Joachim Low stated that he has currently no plans to reach out and recall Mesut Ozil. (Source Bulinews online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-Bayern Munich Presidnet Uli Hoeness stated that his club would never spent 112 Million Euros on a ‘senior’ player like Cristiano Ronaldo. (Source Football Italia online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Former Leverkusen player Stefan Kiessling revelaed that his wife used to pass some of the fitness tets assigned to him by the club. (Source AS.com online)

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart) has been injured and will not play until the new year 2019.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Lutz Pfannenstiel has left Hoffenheim to become the Sports Director at Fortuna Dusseldorf. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Bayern Munich’s French player Kingsley Conan states that he might be forced to retire if he needs to do another ankle surgery.(Source Football Italia online)

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 4, 2018	Stefan Posch (Austria)	-	Hoffenheim	2022	Kicker.de

German Bundesliga Matchday (December 7-December 9, 2018):

Friday, December 7, 2018:

Werder Bremen 3-Dusseldorf 1 (Kevin Mohwald 20, Martin Harnik 71, Josh Sargent 78 / Dodi Lukebakio 43 pen)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Leverkusen 1-Augsburg 0 (Lucas Alario 75)

Bayern Munich 3-Nuremberg 0 (Robert Lewandowski 9, 27, Franck Ribery 56)

Schalke 1-Dortmund 2(Daniel Caligiuri 61 pen / Thomas Delaney 7, Jadon Sancho 74)

Freiburg 3-RB Leipzig 0(Nils Petersen 12, Luca Waldschmidt 45 pen, Mike Frantz 52)

Wolfsburg 2-Hoffenheim 2 (Ermin Bicakcic (own goal) 28, Daniel Ginczek 31 / Ishak Belfodil 4, Andrej Kramaric 71)

Hertha Berlin 1-Frankfurt 0 (Marko Grujic 40)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Mainz 1-Hannover 1 (Daniel Brosinski 89 pen / Hendrik Weydandt 12)

Moenchengladbach 3 –Stuttgart 0 (Raffael 69, Florian Neuhaus 77, Benjamin Pavard (own goal) 84)

Top Goalscorer:

Luka Jovic (Frankfurt) 10 goals

Paco Alcacer (Dortmund) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dortmund	14	11	3	0	39	14	25	36
2	M’Gladbach	14	9	2	3	33	16	17	29
3	Bayern Munich	14	8	3	3	28	18	10	27
3	RB Leipzig	14	7	4	3	24	13	11	25
5	Frankfurt	14	7	2	5	30	17	13	23
6	Hoertha Berlin	14	6	5	3	22	20	2	23

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

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-PSG’s home match vs. Montpellier this Saturday has been postponed after a request by the Police due to security concerns related to the recent Political demonstrations. (Source AFP online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-France Manager Didier Deschamps, once again dismissed the Belgian criticism over the semifinal WC win, to disappointment over losing an important match. He said France were efficient as Belgium were against Brazil. (Source RTBF.be online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Monaco-Nice, St  Etienne-OM and Toulouse-Lyon matches this Friday-Saturday have also been postponed  due to security concerns related to the recent Political demonstrations. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Mario Balotelli is to leave OGC Nice at the end of the season. (Source L’Équipe online)

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-Some doubts are being raised about the validity of the 2018 Ballon d’Or. Apparently one journalist listed does not exist, while another claimed his order of voting was reversed. Abdou Boina is being listed as voted for Comoros, however, local news sources claim that he does not exist and the website he is linked to was closed in 2012. (Source Walfoot.be/Marca.com online)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-France Manager Didier Deschamps comented on the Adrien Rabiot situation. He said he does not close the door on him but hinted that the player had not performed well for France in his matches. (Source RTBF.be online)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-Yoan Gourcuff (Dijon) has been injured and will not play until the new year 2019.  (Source L’Equipe online)

French Ligue 1 Matchday (December 4-December 5, 2018):

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

Nice 0-Angers 0(-)

Amiens 0-Monaco 2(Radamel Falcao 43 pen, 90 pen)

Montpellier 0-Lille 1 (Nicolas Pepe 6)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

Dijon 2-Guingamp 1(Benjamin Jeannot 14, Oussama Haddadi 86 / Marcus Coco 79)

Bordeaux 3-St Etienne 2(Jimmy Briand 22, Francois Kamano 57 pen, Pablo Castro 90 / Lois Diony 16, Wahbi Khazri 67)

Nantes 3-OM 2(Emiliano Sala 30, Abdoulaye Toure 45, Gabriel Boschilia 63 / Morgan Sanson 28, Florian Thuavin 36 pen)

Lyon 0-Rennes 2 (Hatem Ben Arfa 41, Jordan Siebatecheu 43)

Caen 1-Nimes 2(Prince Oniangue 90 / Unut Bozok 18, Loick Landre 90)

Reims 0-Toulouse 1(Issiaga Sylla 45)

Strasbourg 1-PSG 1(Kenney Lala 41 pen / edinson Cavani 71 pen)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 12 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Neymar (PSG) 11 goals

Florian Thauvin (OM) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	16	14	2	0	49	10	39	44
2	Lille	16	8	4	4	23	14	9	30
3	Montpellier	16	8	5	3	24	12	12	29
3	Lyon	16	8	4	4	26	20	6	28
5	Marseille	16	8	2	6	29	25	4	26
6	St Etienne	16	7	5	4	24	21	3	26

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

French Ligue 1 Matchday (December 7-December 9, 2018):

Friday, December 7, 2018:

Monaco -Nice  (Postponed)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

PSG -Montpellier  (Postponed)

Angers-Bordeaux  (Postponed)

Guingamp 1-Amiens 2 (Etienne Didot 70 / Eddy Gnahore 63, Stiven Mendoza 81)

Rennes 2-Dijon 0(B.Bourigeaud 69, Hatem Ben Arfa 90)

Toulouse -Lyon  (Postponed)

Nimes-Nantes  (Postponed)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Strasbourg 2-Caen 2(Pablo Martinez 5, Lebo Mothiba 23 / Faycal Fajr 22, Saif-Eddine Khaoui 80)

Lille 1-Reims 1 (Nicolas Pepe 90 pen / Remi Oudin 46 )

St Etienne -OM  (Postponed)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 12 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Neymar (PSG) 11 goals

Florian Thauvin (OM) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	16	14	2	0	49	10	39	44
2	Lille	17	8	5	4	24	15	9	31
3	Montpellier	16	8	5	3	24	12	12	29
3	Lyon	16	8	4	4	26	20	6	28
5	Marseille	16	8	2	6	29	25	4	26
6	St Etienne	16	7	5	4	24	21	3	26

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

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-Ajax’s Frenkie De Jong has been linked with a transfer to PSG for next season. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-Ajax’s Frenkie De Jong has denied that he is certain to leave fpor PSG next seaosn. (Source vi.nl online)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-AZ Alkmaar have confirmed that Manager John van den Brom will leave at the end of the season and replaced with assistant Arne Slot. (Source vi.nl online)

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
December 10, 2018	Sergino Denst	-	Ajax	vi.nl

Dutch Eredivisie Matchday (December 13, 2018):

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Feyenoord 4-VVV 1(Tonny Vilhena 28, Robin van Persie 33, Sam Larsson 55, 75 / Tino-Sven Susic 58)

Top Goalscorer:

Fran Sol (Willem II) 13 goals

Luuk De Jong (PSV Eindhoven) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSV Eindhoven	14	13	0	1	47	7	40	39
2	Ajax	14	12	1	1	46	7	39	37
3	Feyenoord	14	10	2	2	29	15	14	32
4	Heracles	14	7	2	5	29	28	1	23
5	Utrecht	14	6	4	4	23	17	6	22
6	Vitesse	14	6	4	4	22	16	6	22

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

Dutch Eredivisie Matchday (December 7-December 9, 2018):

Friday, December 7, 2018:

Fortuna Sittard 0-AZ 3(Mats Seuntjens 12, Oussama Idrissi 63, Guss Til 80)

PSV Eindhoven 6-Excelsior 0 (Luuk De Jong 17, 90, Robin van der Meer (own goal) 34, Jurgen Mattheij (own goal) 62, Donyell Malen 80, Steven Bergwijn 89)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Willem II 1-Heerenveen 5 (Atakan Akkaynak 17 / Nemanja Mihajlovic 15, Ben Rienstar 41 pen, Michel Vlap 53, Mitchell van Bergen 58, 65 )

PEC 1-Ajax 4  (Lase Schone (own goal) 44 / Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 22, Frenkie De Jong 32, Lasse Schone 69, Dusan Tadic 89)

Den Haag 0-De Graafschap 0 (-)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Utrecht 3-Heracles 1(Simon Gustafson 4 pen, Gyrano Kerk 19, Urby Emanuelson 20 / M.Rossmann 75)

Emmen 1-Feyenoord 4(Anco Jansen 71  / J. Van der Heijden 62, Steven Berghuis 70, Orkun Kokcu 77, Tonny Vilhena 89 pen)

VVV 0-Groningen 0 (-)

NAC 2-Vitesse 1(Mitchell Te Vrede 45, Arno Verschueren 84 / Bryan Linssen 72)

Top Goalscorer:

Luuk De Jong (PSV Eindhoven) 14 goals

Fran Sol (Willem II) 13 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSV Eindhoven	15	14	0	1	53	7	46	42
2	Ajax	15	13	1	1	50	8	42	40
3	Feyenoord	15	11	2	2	33	16	17	35
4	Utrecht	15	7	4	4	26	18	8	25
5	Heracles	15	7	2	6	30	31	-1	23
6	AZ	15	6	4	5	27	22	5	22

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

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

- St Johnstone Manager Tommy Wright was named as the Manager of the month for November. (Source BBC Football online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Ryan Christie (Celtic) was named as the Player of the Month of November. (Source BBC Football online)

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 5, 2018):

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

Dundee 4-Hamilton 0 (Kenny Miller 27, 51, 81, Jesse Curran 69)

Hibernian 2-St Mirren 2 (Oliver Shaw 56, Ryan Porteous 73 / Adam Hammill 7, Paul McGinn 67)

Kilmarnock 2-Livingston 0 (Greg Stewart 3, 20)

Motherwell 1-Celtic 1 (Danny Johnson 88 / Ryan Christie 13)

Ramgers 0-Aberdeen 1 (Scott McKenna 7)

St Johnstone 2-Hearts 2 (Blair Alston 20, Matthew Kennedy 69 pen / A. Sutchuin Djoum 6, Oliver Bozanic 41)

Top Goalscorer:

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 9 goals

Steven Naismith (Hearts) 7 goals

Odsonne Edourad (Celtic) 7 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Kilmarnock	16	9	4	3	24	12	12	31
2	Rangers	15	9	3	3	37	13	24	30
3	Celtic	14	9	3	2	31	7	24	30
4	Hearts	16	8	3	5	22	19	3	27
5	St Johnstone	15	7	4	4	18	20	-2	25
6	Aberdeen	14	7	3	4	17	13	4	24

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

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 8, 2018):

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Aberdeen 0-St Johnstone 2 (Joe Shaughnessy 71, Blair Alston 74)

Celtic 5-Kilmarnock 1 (James Forrest 5, 67, Odsonne Edouard 25, Mikael Lustig 35, Ryan Christie 45 / Eamonn Brophy 52 pen)

Hamilton 0-Hibernian 1(Oliver Shaw 65)

Hearts 1-Motherwell 0 (Peter Haring 14)

Livingston 3-St Mirren 1 (Scott Pittman 50, Ryan Hardie 64, Craig Sibbald 88/ Alfie Jones 36)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Dundee 1-Rangers 1 (Kenny Miller 9 / Andrew Halliday 21)

 Top Goalscorer:

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 9 goals

James Forrest (Celtic) 8 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Celtic	15	10	3	2	36	8	28	33
2	Rangers	16	9	4	3	38	14	24	31
3	Kilmarnock	17	9	4	4	25	16	8	31
4	Hearts	17	9	3	5	23	19	4	30
5	St Johnstone	16	8	4	4	20	20	0	28
6	Livingston	16	7	4	5	17	13	2	25

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

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-Petit has been appointed as the new Manager of Maritimo. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-Chaves have dismissed Manager Daniel Ramos. (Source A Bola online)

Portugal League Cup-Group A (December 5, 2018):

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

Benfica 2-Pacos Ferreira 0 (Haris Seferovic 12, Joao Felix 45)

Portugal Primeira Liga League Matchday (December 7-December 9, 2018):

Friday, December 7, 2018:

Porto 4-Portimonense 1 (Moussa Marega 23, 65, Soares 57, Yacine Brahimi 59 / Vitor Tormena 9)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Belenensses 1-Chaves 0 (Lica 40)

Tondela 0-Braga 1 (Wilson Eduardo 31)

Setubal 0-Benfica 1(Jomas 17)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Nacional 0-Boavista 0(-)

Moreirense 0-Santa Clara 1 (Ze Manuel 52)

Guimaraes 3-Rio Ave 2(Andre Andre 17 pen, 43 pen, Pedrao 87 / Vinicius 22 pen, Gabrielzinho 53)

Sporting CP 4-Aves 1(Bas Dost 40 pen, 48, Nani 45, Abdoulaye Diaby 59 / Rodrigo Defendi 17)

Monday, December 10, 2018:

Feirense 1-Maritimo 1 (Tiago Silva 70 pen / Ricardo Valente 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Dyego Sousa (Braga) 7 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	12	10	0	2	26	7	19	30
2	Sporting CP	12	9	1	2	25	12	13	28
3	Braga	12	8	3	1	22	10	12	27
4	Benfica	12	8	2	2	24	11	13	26
5	Guimaraes	12	6	3	3	19	14	5	21
6	Rio Ave	12	5	3	4	20	19	1	18

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

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

- As part of ‘Footgate’ aftermath, The Belgian Federation of Football Agents (BFFA) has been established to group all the agents in Belgium. (Source RTBF.be online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-Dries Mertens was awarded the ‘Big Belgian’ award for the month of November by Play Sports. (Source RTBF.be online)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-Benjamin Lambot (Cercle Brugge) will be out injured for four months. (Source Jupiler League App online)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
December 7, 2018	Amine El Taibi	Defender/Midfielder	Genk	Jupiler League App

Beker Van Belgie (December 4-December 13, 2018):

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

Kortrijk 1-Zulte-Waregem 0 (-)

Gent 3-Beerschot-Wilrijk 0 (-)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

Mouscron 3-Ostend 3(-) (Ostend won on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Deinze 1-Eupen 3(-)

St Truiden 3-Mandel United 2 (-)

Mechelen 2-Lokeren 0(-)

Charleroi 1-Genk 3(-)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Union St Gilloise 3-Knokke 2 (-)

First Division A League Matchday (December 7-December 9, 2018):

Friday, December 7, 2018:

Waaland-Beveren 2-Club Brugge 1 (Franceco Forte 78 pen, Saulo Decarli (own goal) 85 / Ruud Vormer 48)

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

Genk 1-Kortrijk 1(Mbwana Samatta 20 / Julien De Sart 45)

Ostend 1-Lokeren 0(Fernando Canesin 72)

Mouscron 0-Zulte-Waregem 0 (-)

St Truiden 1-Standard Liege 1 (Diachi Kamada 45 / Obbi Oulare 59)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

Cercle Brugge 0-Antwerp 3 (Lior Refaelov 12 pen, 53, Willaim Owusu 40)

Anderlecht 1-Charleroi 1(-Francis Amuzu 47 / Cristian Benavente 89 pen)

Gent 2-Eupen 0 (Sigurd Rosted 12, Dylan Bronn 79)

Top Goalscorer:

Ivan Santini (Anderlecht) 11 goals

Ally Samatta (Genk) 10 goals

Nany Dimata (Anderlecht) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Genk	18	11	6	1	42	18	24	39
2	Antwerp	18	10	5	3	27	16	11	35
3	Club Brugge	18	10	4	4	42	21	21	34
4	Anderlecht	18	9	4	5	32	22	10	31
5	St Truiden	18	8	7	3	31	21	10	31
6	Gent	18	8	4	6	33	30	3	28

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

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, December 4, 2018:

-Brazilian Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed that he had received an offer to manage the Colombian National Team. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Razvan Marin (Standard Liege) was named as Romania’s player of the year. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018:

-Former FIFA executive, Rafael Salguero of Guatemala, stated that he was offered a bribe for 2018 World Cup vote. (Source The Guardian online)

-Russian players Pavel Mamaev and Aleksandr Kokorin are to remain in jail until at least February 8^th, 2019 as the investigation is still ongoing . (Source Russian Football News online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Former Soviet International Aleksandr Minayev from the 1970s passed away aged 64. (Source Wikipedia online)

-Pele dismissed suggestions that Lionel Messi was the greatest player in History. He said that Maradona was much better than Messi and had more skills such as in heading ability. (Source Daily Mail online)

-The charitable Organization US Soccer Foundation is suing the US soccer Federation to be able to own its name and related trademarks. According to the Foundation, the US Soccer Federation seeks to sever ties and has asked the Foundation to abandon its name and logo. (Source Sports Illustrated online)

Friday, December 7, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 8, 2018:

-The CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) has rejected Boca Juniors’ appeal to suspend the Copa Libertadores Final and award trophy to them due to the misbevaior of River Plate fans.  (Source Reuters UK / Sky Sports Online)

-The Peruvian Federation President Edwin Oviedo has been been remanded for 18 months for the suspected murder of two syndicatsts. He was already arrested the day before for financial corruption charges.   (Source L’Equipe Online)

-In only their second season of existence, Atlanta United were the victors of the MLS Cup defeating Portland Timbers (2-0).   (Source BBC FootballOnline)

Sunday, December 9, 2018:

-FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that a decision on having 48 teams at the 2022 World Cup will be made in March 2019. (Source RTBF.be online)

-River Plate defeated Boca Juniors (3-1) in Madrid to win the Copa Libertadores.

-The Australian government has asked for the release of Hakeem Al-Araibi. He is Bahraini with refugee status in Melboune and was detained two weeks ago in Bangkok. (Source AS.com online)

Monday, December 10, 2018:

-Former Iceland Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has been appointed as Manager of Qatari side Al-Arabi. (Source voetbalzone.nl online)

Mysteries, Legends and Conspiracy Theories, Part Ten

December 12, 2018, 3:30 pm

≫ Next: Keep it in the Family, Part Six

≪ Previous: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 35 (Week of December 4-December 10, 2018)

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1- Daniel Passarella, not playing in the 1986 World Cup

There has been much speculation over the years why Daniel Passarella did not play for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup. The official reason was that he was suffering from intestinal problems (infernal diarrhea) that resulted in him losing 14 kilos.

Some have speculated that Bilardo had sidelined him because he was along with Ubaldo Fillol a holdover from Luis Cesar Menotti’s era.

A few years ago Fillol went as far as to suggest that Bilardo had given Passarella a laxative that made his condition even worse.

Passarella himself has does not believe that he was sabotaged but did say that he had not received proper medical care.

Passarella believes that he had eaten or drank something contaminated.

Photo From: Mondial, old series, issue 26, January 1979

(Daniel Passarella)

Photo From: World Soccer, October 1990

(Carlos Bilardo)

 

Photo From: Mondial, old series, issue 23, October 1978

(Ubaldo Fillol)

2- Ian Rush, saying playing in Italy was like playing in a Foreign country

Welshman Ian Rush’s spell at Juventus (1987/88) is routinely referenced as a case of a foreign player flop in Italy.

He has often mockingly been quoted as saying that playing in Italy was like playing in a foreign country.

The player has always denied making this quote and has laid the blame of this quote on then-Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish who signed him back for the club in 1988. According to Rush, when a journalist asked him why he had returned, Dalglish jumped in and responded that “he said it was like playing in a foreign country.”

Photo From: The Game, Issue 3, June 1995 (Ian Rush)

Photo From: Goal, Issue 20, May 1997 (Kenny Dalglish)

3- Roberto Rivellino’s 1978 World Cup-Injury or exclusion

Much has been speculated on Roberto Rivellino’s absence from the Brazilian lineup during the 1978 World Cup. After the first match in the World Cup vs. Sweden, he was reportedly dropped due to injury. However, some believe that the Brazilian Technical hierarchy chose to sideline him and the injury was just a cover. He did return for Brazil in the latter stages of the Tournament.

Photo From: World Cup 78, by Phil Soar  (Roberto Rivellino)

4- Pele’s 1974 World Cup exclusion

There has been some mystery over the years on why Pele refused to participate in the 1974 World Cup. He had retired from the National Team but could have potentially still participated. Some suggested that he had fallen out with Joao Havelange over his image rights. A number of years later Pele cleared up the mystery by saying that Brazil’s Military Junta wanted him to participate but he refused after learning about their tortures. 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 11, November 1976 (Pele)

5- Basile Boli-doubts about real age

When Ivory Coast-born French defender Basile Boli broke through as a teenager at Auxerre in the early 80s, most observers marveled at his maturity and drive for such a young player.

However a few years later another Ivory Coast player cast doubt on Boli’s real age. Joseph Gadji-Celli who joined lower division French side Sete in 1986 claimed that he had played against Boli in Ivory Coast at youth level and was the same age as him. Celi was born in 1961 while Boli’s official birth year given was 1967. As a result many started doubting his real age from then on.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 130, October 1986 (Basile Boli)

Photo From: Onze, Hors serie 29, 1986 (Joseph Gadji-Celli)

Keep it in the Family, Part Six

December 16, 2018, 1:46 pm

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 36 (Week of December 11-December 17, 2018)-part 1

≪ Previous: Mysteries, Legends and Conspiracy Theories, Part Ten

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1- Miguel and Pepe Reina

1960s and 70s Spanish goalkeeper Miguel Reina is the father of current AC Milan goalkeeper and former Napoli and Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Photo From: vulcano 76-77

(Miguel Reina)

Photo From: Panini Calcio 2015/16

(Pepe Reina)

2- Andres and Ignacio Prieto

1940s and 50s Chilean Forward Andres Prieto and 1960s and 70s Chilean player Ignacio Prieto were brothers. They both represented their Nation in the 1950 and 1966 World Cups respectively.

Photo From: 66  - Album Alemao-Die Weltmeisterschaf

(Ignacio Prieto)

3- Safet Susic and Tino-Sven Susic

Safet Susic, 1970s into the 90s Yugoslavia midfielder is the uncle of 2010s Bosnian and current VVV-Venlo midfielder Tino-Sven Susic.

Safet Susic managed his nephew in the 2014 World Cup.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 68, November 1985

(Safet Sušić)

4- Samir and Jasmin Handanovic

Current Slovenian goalkeepers Samir and Jasmin Handanovic are cousins. They have both represented their Nation at International level.

Photo From: Panini Calcio 2015/16

(Samir Handanovič )

5- Jan and Gert Verheyen

1960s and 70s Belgian midfielder Jan Verheyen is the father of 80 into 2000s Belgian striker Gert Verheyen.

Photo From: 1970-71 Vanderhout

(Jan Verheyen)

Photo From: Sport Magazine-Foot magazine, Issue 22, May 26, 2004

(Gert Verheyen)

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 36 (Week of December 11-December 17, 2018)-part 1

December 18, 2018, 8:03 pm

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 36 (Week of December 11-December 17, 2018)-part 2

≪ Previous: Keep it in the Family, Part Six

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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, December 11, 2018:

-American goalkeeper Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew) is set to join Manchester City in the summer. (Source L’Équipe online)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Raheem Sterling (Manchetser City) has been named the Player of the month for November.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Fernando Llorente (Tottenham) expressed the desire to join Athletic Bilbao in the January transfer window. (Source Football Espana Online)

-Former Arsenal Captain Tony Adams is to become the new President of the Rugby Football League. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Joel Matip (Liverpool) has suffered a broken collarbone in the UCL match vs. Napoli and will be out injured for a number of weeks. (Source Sport Bild online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Aston Villa have suspended youth coach Kevin MacDonald after former Irish International Gareth Farrelly came forward and made claims of a culture of bullying with MacDonald at the club . (Source The Guardian online)

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-Newcastle Manager Rafa Benitez was named the Premier League Manager of the month for November. Heung-Min Son (Tottenham)’s goal vs. Chelseas was named as the goal of the month. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte stated that he is not being selected for Fracne by Manager Didider Descahmps for ‘personal reasons’.  (Source Yardbarker online)

-Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) was named the BBC African Player of the year. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-Eric Dier (Tottenham) will be out until the end of the year as he had surgery to remove his appendix.   (Source BBC Football Online)

-Southampton’s win ended Arsenal’s 22 match unbeaten run.   (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Gary Neville and Roy Keane blasted Jesse Lingard’s decision to launch his own clothing label in the week ahead of an important match vs. Liverpool. They believed this was a sign of a weak dressing room. (Source Daily Mail online)

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas posted a tweet aimed subtlety at Jose Mourinho, suggesting perhaps his time is up at Manchester United. (Source AS.com online)

Photo From: L'Equipe, December 13, 2018 (Paul Pogba, December 12, 2018, UCL, Valencia 2-Manchester United 1)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 16, 2018	Ovie Ejaria	-	Rangers	Liverpool	Return from Loan	BBC Football
December 17, 2018	Ben Woodburn (Wales)	-	Sheffield United	Liverpool	Return from Loan to treat an injury	Sky Sports

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 12, 2018	Mark Noble	-	West Ham	2021	Sky Sports
December 15, 2018	Chris Smalling	Defender	Manchester United	2022	BBC Football
December 17, 2018	Anthony Martial (France)	Striker	Manchester United	2020	L’Equipe
December 17, 2018	Ryan Bennett	Defender	Wolves	2021	L’Equipe

English Premier League Matchday (December 15-December 17, 2018):

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Manchester City 3-Everton 1 (Gabriel Jesus 22, 50, Raheem Sterlong 69 / D. Calvert-Lewin 65)

Crystal Palace 1-Leicester 0 (Luka Milivojevic 39)

Huddersfield 0-Newcastle 1(Salomon Rondon 55)

Tottenham 1-Burnley 0 (Christian Eriksen 90)

Watford 3-Cardiff 2 (Gerard Deulofeu 16, Jose Holebas 52, Quina 68 / Junior Hoilett 80, Bobby Reid 82)

Wolves 2-Bournemouth 0 (Raul Jimenez 12, Ivan Cavaleiro 90)

Fulham 0-West Ham 2 (Robert Snodgrass 17, Michail Antonio 29)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

Brighton 1-Chelsea 2(Solly March 66 / Pedro 17, Eden Hazzrd 33)

Southampton 3-Arsenal 2 (Danny Ings 20, 44, Charlie Austin 85 / Henrikh Mkhitaryan 28, 53)

Liverpool 3-Manchester United 1  (Sadio Mane 24, Xherdan Shaqiri 73, 80 / Jesse Lingard 33)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	17	14	3	0	37	7	30	45
2	Manchester City	17	14	2	1	48	10	38	44
3	Tottenham	17	13	0	4	31	16	15	39
4	Chelsea	17	11	4	2	35	14	21	37
5	Arsenal	17	10	4	3	37	23	14	34
6	Manchester United	17	7	5	5	29	29	0	26

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

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-Cagliari’s Luca Ceppitelli and Darijo Srna have both been fined and suspended for two matches following their sending-off vs. Roma over the weekend. (Source Football Italia online)

-Fiorentina Manager Stefano Pioli stated that the new investigation into Davide Astori’s death will caue further suffering especially to Astori’s family. (Source Corriere dello Sport online)

-After being linked to AC Milan for some weeks, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to remain at LA Galaxy. Cesc Fabregas is now a transfer target for AC Milan. (Source RTBF.be online)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Guiseppe Marotta has officially joined Inter as CEO. (Source Football Italia online)

-Umar Sadiq has been sent back from Ramgers Glasgow (where he was on loan) to Roma as he failed to make an impact. (Source Football Italia online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Roma have rejected a bid from Arsenal for Cengiz Under. (Source Football Italia online)

-Juventus’ appeal for the revocation of the 2005/06 title to Inter (as part of Calciopoli) has been rejected by the Supreme Court of Cassation in Rome. Former Inter Owner Massimo Moratti stated that Juventus fans have to accept this final verdict. (Source Football Italia online)

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-UEFA has given AC Milan untilJuen 2021 to comply with Financial Fair Play rules or risk a one-year ban from European Competitions. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Cristiano Ronaldo is to plead guilty to four counts of tax fraud in a Spanish Court and receive a two-year suspended prison sentence. (Source Football Espana online)

-Juventus’ Joao Cancelo is to have surgery and will be out for the rest of the year. (Source Corriere dello Sport online)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-Cristiano Ronaldo scored Juventus’ 5000^th league goal in the Serie A in their won over Torino. (Source Football Italia online)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

- Felipe Mose Pulici, Lazio’s goalkeeper from their 1974 title winning side, passed away aged 72. (Source Calciomercato online)

    

- Mario Balotelli criticized Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal celebration vs. Torino, where he appeared to shove Torino goalkeeper to get the ball after his penalty kick. Balotelli wrote on Instagram, “If I had doen this, bye…”. (Source Calciomercato online)

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone has once again re-iterated that he will join Inter one day. (Source Football Italia online)

Italian Serie A Matchday (December 15-December 16, 2018):

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Inter 1-Udinese 0(Mauro Icardi 76 pen)

Torino 0- Juventus 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo 70 pen)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

SPAL 0-Chievo 0 (-)

Fiorentina 3-Empoli 1 (Kevin Mirallas 40, Giovanni Simeone 59, Bryan Dabo 78 / Rade Krunic 24)

Frosinone 0-Sassuolo 2 (Lorenzo Ariaudo (own goal) 44, Domenico Beradi 58)

Sampdoria 2-Parma 0(Gianluca Caprari 66, Fabio Quagliarella 69)

Cagliari 0-Napoli 1  (Arek Milik 90)

Roma 3-Genoa 2(Federico Fazio 31, Justin Kluivert 45, Bryan Cristante 59 / Krzysztof Piatek 17, Oscar Hiljemark 33)

Monday, December 17, 2018:

Atalanta 1-Lazio 0(Duvan Zapata 1)

Top Goalscorer:

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa) 12 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	16	15	1	0	33	8	25	46
2	Napoli	16	12	2	2	33	14	19	38
3	Inter	16	10	2	4	28	13	15	32
4	AC Milan	15	7	5	3	24	18	6	26
5	Lazio	16	7	4	5	22	19	3	25
6	Atalanta	16	7	3	6	30	20	10	25

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

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-Real Madrid Manager responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s subtle jab at Real that Juventus are more of a family. Solari stated that Real has  a fabtastic and humble squadand that ‘humility is a virue that top players need’. (Source Football Italia online)

-Barcelona have fined Ousmane Dembele 100,000 Euros for his repeated tardiness. (Source AS.com online)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Barcelona’s Gerard Pique has reportedly purchased FC Andorra through his Kosmos Holding company. (Source AS.com online)

-Real Madrid suffered their worst home defeat in Europe in their (0-3) inconsequential loss to CSKA Moscow. During the match as he was being substituted, Marcelo offered the captain’s armband to Isco, but he refused and instead asked to give it to Dani Carvajal. Isco was roundly booed dueing the match. (Source BBC Football/AS.com online)

-Dani Carvajal labeled Isco as ‘brave’ and stated that he would not be impacted by the whistles. (Source Football Espana online)

-Alvaro Morata (Chelsea) has been linked with Barcelona. (Source Football Espana online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-It was revealed that Barcelona backed out of the proposed League match at Miami, after learning of possible UEFA sanctions that would have barred them from European Competition and bans on players on Internatioanl duty. (Source AS.com online)

-The Brazilian Ronaldo, now at the board of Real Valladolid, stated that he wanted to sign on loan Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid in January, but that it would be ‘difficult’. (Source AS.com online)

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-Sevilla fans have protested the proposed sale of the club to American Robert Kraft. (Source Football Espana online)

-Real Madrid will not release Brazilian Vinicius Jr for the South American U-20 qualifiers in January-February. (Source AS.com online)

-Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen has been linked with Barcelona. (Source Walfoot.be online)

 Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-Luka Modric has criticized Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone fro constantly undermining Real Madrid. (Source AS.com online)

-Luka Modric presented the Madrid crowd with the Ballon d’Or award of their match vs. Vallecano. (Source AS.com online)

-Luka Modric criticizwed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for missing out on the Ballon d’Or awards. He stated that this behavior was disrespectful to players, fans and the game and the voters who elected them 10 years in a row. (Source AS.com online)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-Thibaut Courtois stated that Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone criticizes Real Madrid to boost his own popularity.   (Source AS.com Online)

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-Geoffrey Kondogbia (Valencia) will be out injured for two months. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona) will be out injured for a month. (Source L’Équipe online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 13, 2018	Samu Saiz (Spain)	Midfielder	Leeds United	Getafe	Loan	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 14, 2018	Oscar de Marcos	Defender	Bilbao	2021	L’Equipe

Spanish La Liga Matchday (December 14-December 17, 2018):

Friday, December 14, 2018:

Celta 0-Leganes 0(-)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Getafe 1-Sociedad 0(Jorge Molina 3)

Valladolid 2-Atletico Madrid 3 (Fernando Calero 57, Saul Niguez (own goal) 63 / Nikola Kalinic 26, Antoine Griezmann 45 pen, 80)

Real Madrid 1-Vallecano 0  (Karim Benzema 13)

Eibar 1-Valencia 1(Charles 56 pen / Rodrigo Moreno 29)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

Sevilla 2-Girona 0(Ever Banega 55 pen, Pablo Sarabia 64)

Espanyol 1-Betis 3 (Sergio Garcia 24 / Giovani Lo Celso 43, Cristian Tello 85, Oscar Duarte (own goal) 90)

Huesca 2-Villareal 2 (J.Camilo Hernandez 44 pen, Samuele Longo 90 / Carlos Bacca 63 pen, Gerard Moreno 81)

Levante 0-Barcelona 5 (Luis Suarez 35, Lionel Messi 43, 47,60, Gerard Pique 88)

Monday, December 17, 2018:

Alaves 0-Bilbao 0 (-)

Top Goalscorer:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 14 goals

Cristhian Stuani (Girona) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	16	10	4	2	46	19	27	34
2	Sevilla	16	9	4	3	29	16	13	31
3	Atletico Madrid	16	8	7	1	24	12	12	31
4	Real Madrid	16	9	4	3	24	19	5	29
5	Betis	16	7	4	5	19	18	1	25
6	Alaves	16	7	4	5	18	17	1	25

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

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge advised Kingsley Coman to ‘not get carried away’ talking about early retirement and return to competition with his morale intact. (Source AFP online)

-Schalke striker Guido Burgstaller will be out injured for the rest of the year. (Source Bulinews online)

-Stuttgart’s Benjamin Pavard has reportedly indicated that he would like to join Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, however, Bayern coach Niko Kovac stated that would be unlikely. (Source Bulinews / Sportskeda online)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Marko Grujic (Hertha Berlin) will be out injured for the rest of the year. (Source Bulinews online)

-Schalke have played Franco Di Santo, Johanees Geis, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Breel Embolo and Omar Mascarell on a transfer list for the January transfer window. (Source Bulinews online)

-Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller was sent off in the UCL after avery dangerous high kick fouk on Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico. Muller has a apologized since. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) will be out injured for the rest of the year. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Marco Reus (Dortmund) was named the player of the month of November. (Source Bulinews online)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-Kingsley Coman has downplayed his recent comments regarding retirement. He stated that he was misinterpreted. (Source Bulinews online)

-Father of Stuttgart captain Christian Gentner pssed away in the stadium after their match vs. Hertha Berlin.   (Source BBC Football Online)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-Sandro Wagner (Bayern Munich) has reportedly turned down a move to Schalke. (Source Bulinews online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 13, 2018	Seong-Hoon Cheon (South Korea)	-	Incheon United	Augsburg	Purchase	Sport Bild
December 14, 2018	Uffe Bech (Denmark)	-	Brondby	Hannover	Back from loan	Kicker.de

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 16, 2018	Makoto Hasebe (Japan)	-	Frankfurt	2020	Kicker.de
December 16, 2018	Maro Russ	Defender	Frankfurt	2020	L’Equipe

German Bundesliga Matchday (December 14-December 16, 2018):

Friday, December 14, 2018:

Nuremberg 0-Wolfsburg 2 (Daniel Ginczek 58, Josip Brekalo 90)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Augsburg 1-Schalke 1 (Michael Gregoritsch 13 / Daniel Caligiuri 51)

Dusseldorf 2-Freiburg 0 (Kaan Ayhan 54, 78)

Hannover 0-Bayern Munich 4 (Joshua Kimmich 1, David Alaba 29, Serge Gnabry 53, Robert Lewandowski 62)

Hoffenheim 0- Moenchengladbach 0 (-)

Stuttgart 2-Hertha Berlin 1 (Mario Gomez 63, 76 / M.Mittelstadt 37)

Dortmund 2-Werder Bremen 1 (Paco Alcacer 19, Marco Reus 27 / Max Kruse 35)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

RB Leipzig 4-Mainz 1 (Yussuf Poulsen 14, 19, Timo Werner 74, 88 / Karim Onisiwo 38)

Frankfurt 2-Leverkusen 1 (Danny Da Costa 28, Filip Kostic 57 / Karim Bellarabi 65)

Top Goalscorer:

Paco Alcacer (Dortmund) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dortmund	15	12	3	0	41	15	26	39
2	M’Gladbach	15	9	3	3	33	16	17	30
3	Bayern Munich	15	9	3	3	32	18	14	30
4	RB Leipzig	15	8	4	3	28	14	14	28
5	Frankfurt	15	8	2	5	32	18	14	26
6	Hoffenheim	15	6	5	4	30	21	9	23

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

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-The Statue of Raymond Kopa will be unveiled in Reims on Saturday near Stade Auguste-Delaune. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Brazilian player Ganso (on Loan from Sevilla) has been given a few more days of reflection to decide whether he wants to stay at Amiens. He has been troubled by his lack of playing time. (Source L’Équipe online)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Due to political protests in France, upcoming weekend matches Nice-St Etienne and Nantes-Montpellier are to be postponed. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Interim Rennes Manager Julien Stephan has signed on as full time Manager until 2020. (Source L’Équipe online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Due to political protests in France, upcoming weekend matches Guingamp-Rennes and OM-Bordeaux are be postponed. (Source L’Equipe / A Bola online)

-Brazilian player Ganso (on Loan from Sevilla) has decided to leave Amiens due to his lack of playing time. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Alain Giresse was named as the new Manager of Tunisia. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-Video clip appared showing Mario Balotelli criticizing his Nice teammates to manager Patrick Vieira. (Source Football Italia online)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-Nice Manager Patrick Vieira expressed that he is tempted to slam Mario Balotelli against the wall but he can’t as he is no longer a player. He stated that he wasnts to be constructive in his comments with Balotelli.  (Source Football Italia online)

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-It was revealed that PSG nearly sold Jese to Nantes in the summer before the move was blocked by PSG technical Director Antero Henrique.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Jesé is set to leave PSG and join Valladolid in the summer. (Source Football Espana online)

-Adrien Rabiot has indicated that he will not extend his contract with PSG to leave on a free at the end of the season. As a result the club have indicated that he will not play for PSG until the end of the season. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Wahbi Khazri (St Etienne) has been named as the player of the month of November. (Source L’Équipe online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 17, 2018	Alexandre Mendy	Striker	Bordeaux	Guingamp	Six-month loan	L’Equipe

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
December 14, 2018	Eduardo Camavinga	-	Rennes	L’Equipe

French Ligue 1 Matchday (December 15-December 16, 2018):

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Dijon –PSG  (Postponed)

Nantes -Montpellier  (Postponed)

Amiens-Angers  (Postponed)

Caen-Toulouse  (Postponed)

Reims 2-Strasbourg 1 (Mossa Doumbia 6, Mathieu Cafaro 66 / Adrien Thomasson 47)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

Nimes 2-Lille 3(Rachid Alioui 68, Clement Depres 90 / Rafael Leao 4, Jonathan Bamba 41, Nicolas Pepe 66)

Guingamp –Rennes  (Postponed)

Nice 1-St Etienne 1 (Wylan Cyprien 81 pen / Lois Diony 53)

Lyon 3-Monaco 0 (Houssem Aouar 6, Nabil Fekir 34, Ferland Mendy 59)

OM-Bordeaux (Postponed)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 12 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	16	14	2	0	49	10	39	44
2	Lille	18	9	5	4	27	17	10	34
3	Lyon	17	9	4	4	29	20	9	31
4	Montpellier	16	8	5	3	24	12	12	29
5	St Etienne	17	7	6	4	25	22	3	27
6	Marseille	16	8	2	6	29	25	4	26

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

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Dutch Manager Phillip Cocu, sacked earlier in the season by Fenerbahce, has reached an agreement with the club and his contarct has been dissolved. (Source vi.nl online)

-Feyenoord’s Crysencio Summerville is to join Dordrecht in the new year. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-PSV Manager Mark van Bommel has indicated that he would like Arjen Robben to return to the club. (Source Calciomercato online)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-Matthis de Ligt (Ajax) has been named as the ‘Golden Boy’ of the year by Tuttosport. (Source RTBF.be  online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 17, 2018	Laros Duarte	-	PSV Eindhoven	Sparta	Loan	vi.nl

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 12, 2018	Wouter Burger	-	Feyenoord	2023	vi.nl

Dutch Eredivisie Matchday (December 14-December 16, 2018):

Friday, December 14, 2018:

Willem II 0-Den Haag 3 (Erik Falkenburg 9, Lex Immers 61, 77)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

PEC 0-NAC 0 (- )

AZ 2-Excelsior 1  (Guus Til 40, Bjorn Johnsen 90 / Denis Mahmudov 30)

Heracles 0-PSV Eindhoven 4 (Steven Bergwijn 12, Daniel Schwaab 33, Denzel Dumfries 79, Gaston Pereiro 90)

Vitesse 2-VVV 1(Martin Odegaard 32, Oussamam Darfalou 80 / Peniel Mlapa 76)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

Heerenveen 2-Utrecht 3 (Michel Vlap 69, P. van Amersfoort 75 / Emil Bergstrom 14, Gyrano Kerk 26, Oussama Tannane 45)

Ajax 8-De Graafschap 0 (Dusan Tadic 18, Noussair Mazraoui 25, Hakim Ziyech 32, 62, 69, Daley Blind 65 74, 90)

Groningen 1-Emmen 2 (Mimoun Mahi 87 / Nicklas Pedersen 88, 90)

Feyenoord 0-Fortuna Sittard 2 (Lars Hutten 51, Ahmed El Messaoudi 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Luuk De Jong (PSV Eindhoven) 14 goals

Fran Sol (Willem II) 13 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSV Eindhoven	16	15	0	1	57	7	50	45
2	Ajax	16	14	1	1	58	8	50	43
3	Feyenoord	16	11	2	3	33	18	15	35
4	Utrecht	16	8	4	4	29	20	9	28
5	AZ	16	7	4	5	29	23	6	25
6	Vitesse	16	7	4	5	25	19	6	25

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

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths will step away from the game temporarily to resolve certain personal issues. (Source The Scotsman online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

- Damien Duff has accepted an offer to be Celtic Glasgow reserve coach.  (Source IFFTV online)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 11, 2018):

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

Aberdeen 3-Livingston 2 (Niall McGinn 9, Sam Cosgrove 57, Lewis Ferguson 90 / Scott Pittman 12, Jack McMillan 33)

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 14-December 15, 2018):

Friday, December 14, 2018:

Livingston 5-Hearts 0(Craig Halkett 72 pen, Dolly Menga 76, Ryan Hardie 77, 79, Shaune Byrne 86)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Kilmarnock 3-Dundee 1 (Kirk Broadfoot 54, Genseric Kusunga (own goal) 66, Greg Stewart 79 / Kenny Miller 90)

St Mirren 1-Aberdeen 2 (C.Mac Pherson 35 / Stevie May 30 pen, Sam Cosgrove 61)

St Johnstone 1-Motherwell 2 (Jason Kerr 83 / Tom Aldred 2, Danny Johnson 17)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

Hibernian 2-Celtic 0 (Vykintas Slivka 1, Florian Kamberi 59)

Rangers 1-Hamilton 0 (Daniel Candeias 3)

 Top Goalscorer:

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 9 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Rangers	17	10	4	3	39	14	25	34
2	Kilmarnock	18	10	4	4	28	18	10	34
3	Celtic	16	10	3	3	36	10	26	33
4	Aberdeen	17	9	3	5	22	18	4	30
5	Hearts	18	9	3	6	23	24	-1	30
6	Livingston	18	7	4	6	24	16	8	28

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

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-Tiago Fernandes has been appointed as the new Manager of Chaves. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Bas Dost (Sporting CP) has been named player of the month for October and November. (Source A Bola online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-Portuguese defender Pepe has left Besiktas with mutual consent.   (Source Kicker.de Online)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 12, 2018	Falaye Sacko (Mali)	-	Guimaraes	2022	Maisfutebol

Portugal Primeira Liga League Matchday (December 14-December 16, 2018):

Friday, December 14, 2018:

Portimonense 3-Serubal 1 (Jadson 10, Jackson Martinez 42, 58 / Mikel Agu 60)

Braga 4-Feirense 0 (Dyego Sousa 27, 44, 68 pen, Wilson Eduardo 83 pen)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Boavista 2-Tondela 0 (Matheus Indio 16, Rafael Lopes 34)

Chaves 1-Moreirense 2 (Nitinho 77 / Mamadou Loum 60, Joao Aurelio 75)

Aves 1-Guimaraes 1(Mama Balde 34 / Alexandre Guedes 15)

Santa Clara 1-Porto 2 (Ze Manuel 38 / Soares 45, Moussa Marega 56)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

Rio Ave 2-Belenensses 2 (Goncalo Silva (own goal) 28, Gelson Dala 64 / Lica 60, Fredy (own goal) 69)

Maritimo 0-Benfica 1 (Jonas 45 pen)

Sporting CP 5-Nacional 2 (Bas Dost 35 pen, 87 pen, Bruno Fernandes 70, 90, Jeremy Mathieu 75 / Joao Camacho 6, A. Palocevic 26)

Top Goalscorer:

Dyego Sousa (Braga) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	13	11	0	2	28	8	20	33
2	Sporting CP	13	10	1	2	30	14	16	31
3	Braga	13	9	3	1	26	10	16	30
4	Benfica	13	9	2	2	25	11	14	29
5	Guimaraes	13	6	4	3	20	15	5	22
6	Rio Ave	13	5	4	4	22	21	1	19

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

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

- Anderlecht have dismissed Manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck. (Source RTBF.be online)

Monday, December 17, 2018:

- Karim Belhocine and Jonas De Roeck are to be the interim Managers of Anderlecht. (Source RTBF.be online)

First Division A League Matchday (December 14-December 16, 2018):

Friday, December 14, 2018:

Charleroi 2-Gent 0 (Victor Osimhen 86, Massimo Bruno 90

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Kortrijk 0-Club Brugge 0 (-)

Eupen 1-Mouscron 0(Morteza Pouraliganji 59)

Lokeren 2-St Truiden 0 (Marko Miric 33, Mehdi Terki 84)

Antwerp 0-Waasland-Beveren 2 (Louis Verstraete 23, Apostolos Vellios 90)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

Cercle Brugge 2-Anderlecht 1 (Kylian Hazard 9, Gianni Bruno 58 pen / Pieter Gerkens 22)

Genk 2-Ostend 0(Ruslan Malinovskyi 33, Mbwana Samatta 74)

Standard Liege 4-Zulte-Waregem 1 (M.Garcia Gonzalez 11, 36, Renaud Emond 57, 69 pen / Mikael Soisalo 89)

Top Goalscorer:

Ivan Santini (Anderlecht) 11 goals

Ally Samatta (Genk) 11 goals

Nany Dimata (Anderlecht) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Genk	19	12	6	1	44	18	26	42
2	Club Brugge	19	10	5	4	42	21	21	35
3	Antwerp	19	10	5	4	27	18	9	35
4	Anderlecht	19	9	4	6	33	24	9	31
5	St Truiden	19	8	7	4	31	23	8	31
6	Charleroi	19	9	3	7	31	25	6	30

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

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

-Yaya Toure has mutually ended his contract with Olympiakos. (Source Kicker.de online)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

-Kim Yong-jun has been named as the new Manager of North Korea. (Source L’Equipe online)

  -Japan Manager hajime Moriyasu named his squad for the upcoming Asian Nations Cup in Jjanuary 2019 . (Source Jfa.jp online)

Squad:

GK
HIGASHIGUCHI Masaaki (Gamba Osaka)
GONDA Shuichi (Sagan Tosu)
SCHMIDT Daniel (Vegalta Sendai)

DF
NAGATOMO Yuto (Galatasaray S.K./Turkey)
MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Red Diamonds)
YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC/England)
SASAKI Sho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
SAKAI Hiroki (Olympique de Marseille/France)
MUROYA Sei (F.C. Tokyo)
MIURA Genta (Gamba Osaka)
TOMIYASU Takehiro (Sint-Truidense V.V./Belgium)

MF
AOYAMA Toshihiro (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
HARAGUCHI Genki (Hannover 96/Germany)
SHIBASAKI Gaku (Getafe C.F./Spain)
ENDO Wataru (Sint-Truidense V.V./Belgium)
ITO Junya (Kashiwa Reysol)
NAKAJIMA Shoya (Portimonense S.C./Portugal)
MINAMINO Takumi (FC Red Bull Salzburg/Austria)
MORITA Hidemasa (Kawasaki Frontale)
DOAN Ritsu (FC Groningen/Netherlands)

FW
OSAKO Yuya (Werder Bremen/Germany)
ASANO Takuma (Hannover 96/Germany)
KITAGAWA Koya (Shimizu S-Pulse)

-Former Iran International Iraj Danaeifard passed awaya aged 67. (Source Wikipedia online)

-Seydou Mbomba Njoya has been elected as the new President of the Cameroon Federation. (Source L’Equine online)

-Morocco opted out of possibly hosting the African Cup of Nations, following Cameroon’s removal as host. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) was named Canada’s player of the year. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Former 1950s Independiente and Argentina International José Carlos Cecconato passed away aged 88. (Source Wikipedia online)

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

-Former Argentina Manager Jorge Sampaoli has been appointed as Manager of Brazil’s Santos. (Source vi.nl online)

-Ivory Coast will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision made the African Confederation to remove them as hosts of the 2021 African Nations Cup. (Source L’Équipe online)

Friday, December 14, 2018:

-The ten candidates for the BBC African Player of the year were announced. The nominees are:  (Source Bulinews online)

1. Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)
2. André Onana (Cameroun & Ajax)
3. Anis Badri (Tunisie & Esperance)
4. Denis Onyango (Ouganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
5. Mehdi Benatia (Maroc & Juventus)
6. Mohamed Salah (Egypte & Liverpool)
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Arsenal)
8. Riyad Mahrez (Algérie & Manchester City)
9. Sadio Mané (Senegal & Liverpool) 
10. Walid Soliman (Egypte & Ahly)

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

- Guillermo Barros Schelotto has resigned as Boca Juniors Manager. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Hernan Crespo was named as the new Banfield Manager.   (Source Football Italia Online)

Sunday, December 16, 2018:

-

Monday, December 17, 2018:

-The Draws for the last 16 of the UCL were made, the matchups are:

Schalke v Manchester City

Atletico Madrid v Juventus

Manchester United v Paris St-Germain

Tottenham v Borussia Dortmund

Lyon v Barcelona

Roma v Porto

Ajax v Real Madrid

Liverpool v Bayern Munich

. (Source BBC Football online)

-Karsten Johannessen, former Manager of Norwegian club IK Start in 50s and 60s passed away aged 93. (Source Wikipedia online)

-The Draws for the last 32 of the Europa League were made, the matchups are:

Viktoria Plzen - Dimano Zagreb
FC Bruges - Salzbourg
Rapid Vienne - Inter
Slavia Prague - Genk
Krasnodar - Leverkusen
Zürich - Naples
Malmö - Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk - Eintrach Francfort
Celtic - Valence
Rennes - Betis Séville
Olympiakos - Dynamo Kiev
Lazio Rome - FC Séville
Fenerbahçe - Zenit Saint Pétersbourg
Sporting Portugal - Villarreal
Bate - Arsenal
Galatasaray - Benfica

. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Former 70s and 80s Republic of Ireland player Michael Robinson disclosed that he is suffering from an incurable cancer. (Source Independent.ie online)

-Tomas Rosicky was named as the Technical Director of Sparta Prague. (Source L’ Equipe online)

-Nicolas Burdisso was named as Technical Director of Boca Juniors. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Aleksandar Mitrovic was named as Serbia’s player of the year. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Andrey Antatolyevich Shcharbakow, a former Belarussian goalkeeper was killed in a traffic collosion aged just 27. (Source Wikipedia online)

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 36 (Week of December 11-December 17, 2018)-part 2

December 18, 2018, 8:09 pm

≫ Next: Politics and The Game, Part Ten

≪ Previous: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 36 (Week of December 11-December 17, 2018)-part 1

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I. UEFA Champions League:

UEFA Champions League-Group A:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

Club Brugge 0 -Atletico Madrid 0 (-)

Monaco 0 -Dortmund 2 (Rapahel Guerreiro 15, 88)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dortmund	6	4	1	1	10	2	8	13
2	Atletico Madrid	6	4	1	1	9	6	3	13
3	Club Brugge	6	1	3	2	6	5	1	6
4	Monaco	6	0	1	5	2	14	-12	1

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

Note: Dortmund and Atletico Madrid advanced to the knock-out round, Club Brugge goes to the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League-Group B:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

Barcelona 0- Tottenham 1 (Ousmane Dembele 7 / Lucas Moura 85)

Inter 1- PSV Eindhoven 1 (Mauro Icardi 73 / Hirving Lozano 13)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	6	4	2	0	14	5	9	14
2	Tottenham	6	2	2	2	9	10	-1	8
3	Inter	6	2	2	2	6	7	-1	8
4	PSV Eindhoven	6	0	2	4	6	13	-7	2

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

Note: Barcelona and Tottenham advanced to the knock-out round, Inter goes to the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League-Group C:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

Red Star Belgrade 1-PSG 4 (Marko Gobeljic 56 / Edinson Cavani 10, Neymar 40, Marquinhos 74, Kuylian Mbappe 90)

Liverpool 1-Napoli 0 (Mohamed Salah 34)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	6	3	2	1	17	9	8	11
2	Liverpool	6	3	0	3	9	7	2	9
3	Napoli	6	2	3	1	7	5	2	9
4	Red Star Belgrade	6	1	1	4	5	17	-12	4

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

Note: PSG and Liverpool advanced to the knock-out round, Napoli goes to the Europa League.

Photo From: L'Equipe, December 12, 2018 (Mohamed Salah, December 11, 2018, UCL, Liverpool 1-Napoli 0)

UEFA Champions League-Group D:

Tuesday, December 11, 2018:

Galatasaray 2- Porto 3 (Sofiane Feghouli 45 pen, Eren Derdiyok 65 / Felipe 17, Moussa Marega 42 pen, Sergio Oliveira 57)

Schalke 1- Lokomotiv Moscow 0  (Alesssandro Schoepf 90)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	6	5	1	0	15	6	9	16
2	Schalke	6	3	2	1	6	4	2	11
4	Galatasaray	6	1	1	4	5	8	-3	4
4	Lokomotiv Moscow	6	1	0	5	4	12	-8	3

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

Note: Porto and Schalke advanced to the knock-out round, Galatasaray goes to the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League-Group E:

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

Ajax 3- Bayern Munich 3 (DusanTadic61, 82 pen, Nicolas Tagliafico 90+ / Robert Lewandowski 13, 87 pen, Kingsley Coman 90)

Benfica 1- AEK Athens 0 (Alex Grimaldo 88)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Bayern Munich	6	4	2	0	15	5	10	14
1	Ajax	6	3	3	0	11	5	6	12
3	Benfica	6	1	1	3	6	11	-5	7
4	AEK Athens	6	0	0	6	2	13	-11	0

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

Note: Bayern Munich and Ajax advanced to the knock-out round, Benfica goes to the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League-Group F:

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

Manchester City 2-Hoffenheim 1 (Leroy Sane 45, 61 / Andrej Karmaric 16 pen)

Shakhtar Donestk 1-Lyon 1 (Junior Moraes 22 / Nabil Fekir 65)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Manchester City	6	4	1	1	16	6	10	13
2	Lyon	6	1	5	0	12	11	1	8
3	Shakhtar Donetsk	6	1	3	2	8	16	-8	6
4	Hoffenheim	6	0	3	3	11	14	-3	3

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

Note: Manchester City and Lyon advanced to the knock-out round, Shakhtar Donetsk goes to the Europa League.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

Real Madrid 0-CSKA Moscow 3 (Fedor Chalov 37, Georgi Shchennikov 43, Arnor Sigurdsson 73)

Viktoria Plzen 2-Roma 1 (Jan Kovarik 62, Tomas Chory 72 / Cengiz Under 68)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Real Madrid	6	4	0	2	12	5	7	12
2	Roma	6	3	0	3	11	8	3	9
3	Viktoria Plzen	6	2	1	3	7	16	-9	7
4	CSKA Moscow	6	2	1	3	8	9	-1	7

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

Note: Real Madrid and Roma advanced to the knock-out round, Viktoria Plzen goes to the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League-Group H:

Wednesday, December 12, 2018:

Valencia 2- Manchester United 1 (Carlos Soler 17, Phil Jones (own goal) 47 / Marcus Rashford 87)

Young Boys 2- Juventus 1 (Guillaume Hoarau 30 pen, 68 / Paul Dybala 80)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	6	4	0	2	9	4	5	12
2	Manchester United	6	3	1	2	7	4	3	10
3	Valencia	6	2	2	2	6	6	0	8
4	Young Boys	6	1	1	4	4	12	-8	4

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

Note: Juventus and Manchetser United advanced to the knock-out round, Valencia goes to the Europa League.

II. Europa League:

Europa League-Group A:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

AEK Larnaca 1-Leverkusen 5 (David Catala 26 / Dominik Kohr 28, 68, Lucas Alario 41 pen, 86, Paulinho 78)

Ludogorets 1-FC Zurich 1 (Jakub Swierczok 45 / Stephen Odey 21)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Leverkusen	6	4	1	1	16	9	7	13
2	FC Zurich	6	3	1	2	7	6	1	10
3	AEK Larnaca	6	1	2	3	6	12	-6	5
4	Ludogorets	6	0	4	2	5	7	-2	4

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

Note: Leverkusen and FC Zurich advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group B:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Celtic 1- Salzburg 2 (Olivier Ntcham 90 / Munas Dabbur 67, Fredrik Gulbrandsen 77)

RB Leipzig 1- Rosenborg 1  (Matheus Cunha 47 / Tore Reginiussen 86)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Salzburg	6	6	0	0	17	6	11	18
2	Celtic	6	3	0	3	6	8	-2	9
3	RB Leipzig	6	2	1	3	9	8	1	7
4	Rosenborg	6	0	1	5	4	14	-10	1

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

Note: Salzburg and Celtic advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group C:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

FC Copenhagen 0-Bordeaux 1  (Jimmy Briand 74)

Slavia Prague 2 -Zenit St Petersburg 0  (Jaromir Zmrhal 32, Miroslav Stoch 41)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Zenit St Petersburg	6	3	2	1	6	5	1	11
2	Slavia Prague	6	3	1	2	3	4	-1	10
3	Bordeaux	6	2	1	3	6	6	0	7
4	FC Copenhagen	6	1	2	3	4	4	0	5

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

Note: Zenit St Petersburg and Slavia Prague advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group D:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Dinamo Zagreb 0-Anderlecht 0 (-)

Spartak Trnava 1-Fenerbahce 0 (Kubilay Yilmaz 41)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dinamo Zagreb	6	4	2	0	11	3	8	14
2	Fenerbahce	6	2	2	2	7	7	0	8
3	Spartak Trnava	6	2	1	3	4	7	-3	7
4	Anderlecht	6	0	3	3	2	7	-5	3

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

Note: Dinamo Zagreb and Fenerbahce advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group E:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Arsenal 1- Qarabag 0 (Alexandre Lacazette 16)

Sporting CP 3- Vorskla 0 (Fredy Montero 17, Miguel Luis 35, Ardin Dallku (owm goal) 44)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Arsenal	6	5	1	0	12	2	10	16
2	Sporting CP	6	4	1	1	13	3	10	13
3	Vorskla	6	1	0	5	4	13	-9	3
4	Qarabag	6	1	0	5	2	13	-11	3

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

Note: Arsenal and Sporting CP advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group F:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Dudelange 0- Betis 0 (-)

Olympiakos 3- AC Milan 1 (Pape Abou Cisse 60, Cristian Zapata (own goal) 70, K.Fortounis 81 pen / Cristian Zapata 72)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Betis	6	3	3	0	8	3	4	12
2	Olympiakos	6	3	1	2	11	7	4	10
3	AC Milan	6	3	1	2	12	9	3	10
4	Dudelange	6	0	1	5	3	16	-13	1

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

Note: Betis and Olympiakos advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group G:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Rapid Vienna 1- Rangers 0 (Dejan Ljubicic 84)

Villareal 2- Spartak 0  (Samuel Chukwueze 11, Karl Toko Ekambi 48)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Villareal	6	2	4	0	12	5	7	10
2	Rapid Vienna	6	3	1	2	6	9	-3	10
3	Rangers	6	1	3	2	8	8	0	6
4	Spartak	6	1	2	3	8	12	-4	5

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

Note: Villareal and Rapid Vienna advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group H:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Lazio 1- Frankfurt 2 (Joaquin Correa 56 / Mijat Gacinovic 65, Sebastien Haller 71)

Marseille 1- Apollon Limassol 3 (Florian Thauvin 11 / Anton Maglica 8 pen, 30, Marios Stylianou 56)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Frankfurt	6	6	0	0	17	5	12	18
2	Lazio	6	3	0	3	9	11	-2	9
3	Apollon Limassol	6	2	1	3	10	10	0	7
4	Marseille	6	0	1	5	6	16	-10	1

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

Note: Frankfurt and Lazio advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group I:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Besiktas 0- Malmo 1 (Marcus Antonsson 51)

Genk 4-Sarpsborg 0 (Zinho Gano 3, Joseph Paintsil 5, Sander Berge 64, Joseph Aidoo 67)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Genk	6	3	2	1	14	8	6	11
2	Malmo	6	2	3	1	7	6	1	9
3	Besiktas	6	2	1	3	9	11	-2	7
4	Sarpsborg	6	1	2	3	8	13	-5	5

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

Note: Genk and Malmo advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group J:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Akhisarspor 0- Standard Liege 0 (-)

Sevilla 3- Krasnodar 0 (Wissam Ben Ydder 5, 10, Ever Banega 49 pen)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Sevilla	6	4	0	2	18	6	12	12
2	Krasnodar	6	4	0	2	7	7	0	12
3	Standard Liege	6	3	1	2	7	9	-2	10
4	Akhisarspor	6	0	1	5	4	14	-10	1

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

Note: Sevilla and Krasnodar advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group K:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

Dynamo Kiev 0- Jablonec 1 (Martin Dolezal 10)

Rennes 2- Astana 0 (Ismaila Sarr 68, 73)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dynamo Kiev	6	3	2	1	10	7	3	11
2	Rennes	6	3	0	3	7	8	-1	9
3	Astana	6	2	2	2	7	7	0	8
4	Jablonec	6	1	2	3	6	8	-2	5

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

Note: Dynamo Kiev and Rennes advanced to the next stage.

Europa League-Group L:

Thursday, December 13, 2018:

PAOK 1 -BATE Borisov 3 (Aleksandar Prijovic 59 / Maksim Skavysh 18, Nikolay Signevich 41 pen, 45)

Vidi 2-Chelsea 2 (Ethan Ampadu (own goal) 32, Loic Nego 56 / Willian 30, Olivier Giroud 75)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	6	5	1	0	12	3	9	16
2	BATE Borisov	6	3	0	3	9	9	0	9
3	Vidi	6	2	1	3	5	7	-2	7
4	PAOK	6	1	0	5	5	12	-7	3

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

Note: Chelsea and BATE Borisov advanced to the next stage.

III. FIFA Club World Cup:

FIFA Club World Cup:

Saturday, December 15, 2018:

Kashima Antlers 3-CD Guadalajara 2 (Ryota Nagaki 49, Serginho 70 pen, Hiroaki Abe 84 / Angel Zaldivar 3, Leo Silva (own goal) 90)

Esperance 0-Al Ain 3 (Mohamed Ahmad 3, Hussein El Shahat 18, Bandar Mohammed 60)

Politics and The Game, Part Ten

December 20, 2018, 7:41 pm

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 37 (Week of December 18-December 24, 2018)

≪ Previous: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 36 (Week of December 11-December 17, 2018)-part 2

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1- Gheorge Popescu and spying 1986-1989

Romanian star from the 80s-90s, Gheorge Popescu, admitted in July 2009 that he had spied on his teamamtes for the Romanian Secret police (the Securitate) for three years starting 1986. He did say that even when he spied he only wrote good things about the players.

Photo From: Panini Holland 1991/92

(Gheorge Popescu)

2- Spanish Teams changing names during Franco’s Regime

After the take-over of General Franco in Spain after the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, some teams were forced to change their names. In March 1940, Barcelona changed its name to the more Spanish ‘Club de Futbol Barcelona’ since their original name ‘Futbol Club Barcelona’ was too anglicized. They reverted back to their original name in 1973.

Similarly, Athletic Bilbao were forced to change their name to the more Spanish Atletico Bilbao in 1941. They revered back to their original name after Franco’s death.

3- Sampdoria players and Jacques Chirac’s Nuclear tests, 1995

In 1995, France President Jacques Chirac started conducting Atomic Bomb tests in the Pacific Ocean. Sampdoria players protested against the decision and released this photo.

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1995

(Sampdoria players)

4- Celtic Glasgow and Chernobyl disaster, 1986

In the Fall of 1986, Celtic Glasgow were to meet Dinamo Kiev in the Champions Cup, at Kiev just months after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It was said as a precaution, Celtic traveled with their own food as they did not want to take any risks with the food there.

5- Sylvain Kastendeusch and politics

Former long-serving Metz player Sylvain Kastendeusch started working in the Metz mayoral office after his playing days. He worked with the division of youth and sports. He is currently the co-president of the French players union (UNFP).

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 60, January 199

(Sylvain Kastendeusch)

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 37 (Week of December 18-December 24, 2018)

December 25, 2018, 10:46 am

≫ Next: Managers/players as Journalists, Part Ten

≪ Previous: Politics and The Game, Part Ten

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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, December 18, 2018:

-Jose Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United Manager. Michael Carrick will act as interim Manager. (Source BBC Football online)

-Following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, Paul Pogba posted a strange tweet and then deleted it within minutes. It showed him staring sideways with the message “caption this”.  (Source Sky Sports online)

 -Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) will be out until the end of the year due to injury.   (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Former Wolves and England player from the 40s into the 60s, William John Slater passed away aged 91. (Source Wikipedia online)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-Former Manchester United player, the Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was named as caretaker Manager of Manchetser United until the end of the season.  He is actually on-loan from his club Molde to Manchester United. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Manchester United are set to fine Paul Pogba for his twitter post mocking Jose Mourinho’s sacking. (Source AS.com Online)

-Former English professional Colin James Barlow, with spells at Manchester City and Oldham among others, passed away aged 83. (Source Wikipedia online)

-Tottenham’s Dele Alli was struck by a bottle thrown by an Arsenal fan in their League Cup clash. (Source BBC Football Online)

-For the League Cup semifinals. Tottenham were drawn with Chelsea and Manchester City were drawn against Burton. (Source Daily Mail online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-Tottenham have placed a press gag on Its Manager Mauricio Pochettino from discussing any interest from Manchester United. (Source Daily Mail online)

-James Collins tore up a contract with Aston Villa just hours after signing it, when he was injured. (Source balls.ie online)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Roy Keane has attacked Manchester United players, accusing them of throwing Mourinho ‘under the bus’. (Source The Guardian online)

-Leicester’s Jamie Vardy stated that the playing style of Manager Claude Puel does not suit him.  (Source The Guardian online)

-Jose Mourinho has blamed figures like Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand for being instrumental in his sacking at Manchetser United. (Source Fox Sports online)

-Alexis Sanchez has denied he sent a ‘whatsapp’ message suggesting he had won a bet over Mourinho’s sacking. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku will miss two matches as he has been given compassionate leave. (Source Daily Mail online)

-It was revelead that a reason why Mourinho was sacked was because four players had threatened to leave the club by January had he remained. (Source AS.com online)

-Watford has ended the contract of Younes Kaboul. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Liverpool might need 105 points to win the title. (Source Reuters Uk online)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed Manchester United for the first time in their win over Cardiff.

-Southamoton’s Michael Obafemi became the youngest Irish International to score in the English Premier League. (Source the 42.ie online)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-Paul Pogba has thanked Jose Mourinho for helping him ‘improve as a person’.   (Source BBC Football Online)

-Peter Schmeichel stated that he would be interested to be the Director of Football at Manchster United.   (Source Daily Mail Online)

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-Newcastle Manager Rafa Benitez stated that it would be a miracle, if the club avoided relegation. (Source BBC Football online)

-Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri has ruled out the use of Sports Psychologists for his club’s problems. (Source AS.com online)

-Henrikh Mhkytarian (Arsenal) will be out injured for four to six weeks. (Source BBC Football online)

Photo From: L'Equipe, December 23,2 018

(Paul Pogba)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 21, 2018	Lovre Kalinic (Croatia)	Goalkeeper	Gent	Aston Villa	Purchase from January 1st	BBC Football

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 18, 2018	Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)	Defender	Tottenham	2020	vi.nl
December 21, 2018	Daniel Amartey (Ghana)	Defender	Leicetser	2022	BBC Football

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
December 20, 2018	Allan Tchaptchet (France)	Defender	Southampton	L’Equipe

English League Cup (December 18-December 19, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Leicetser 1-Manchester City 1 (Marc Slbrighton 73 / Kevin De Bruyne 14) (Manchester City won on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Middlesbrough 0-Burton Albion 1 (Jake Hesketh 48)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Arsenal 0-Tottenham 2(Son Heung-min 20, Dele Alli 59)

Chelsea 1-Bournemouth 0 (Eden Hazard 84)

English Premier League Matchday (December 21-December 24, 2018):

Friday, December 21, 2018:

Wolves 0-Liverpool 2(Mohamed Salah 18, Virgil van Dijk 68)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Arsenal 3-Burnley 1(Pierre-Erick Aubameyang 14, 48, Alex Iwobi 90 / Ashley Barnes 63)

Bournemouth 2-Brighton 0(David Brooks 21, 77)

Chelsea 0-Leicester 1(Jamie Vardy 51)

Huddersfield 1-Southampton 3 (Phillip Billing 58 / Nathan Redmond 15, Danny Ings 42 pen, Michael Obafemi 71)

Manchester City 2-Crystal Palace 3 (Ilkay Gundogan 27, Kevin De Bruyne 85 / Jeffrey Schlupp 33, Andros Townsend 35, Luka Milivojevic 51 pen)

Newcastle 0-Fulham 0(-)

West Ham 0-Watford 2 (Troy Deeney 30 pen, Gerard Deulofeu 87)

Cardiff 1-Manchester United 5 (Victor Camarasa 38 pen / Marcus Rashford 3, Ander Herrera 29, Anthony Martial 41, Jesse Lingard 57 pen, 90)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

Everton 2-Tottenham 6(Theo Walcott 21, Gylfi Sigurdsson 51 / Son Heung-min 27, 61, Dele Alli 35, Harry Kane 42, 74, Christian Eriksen 48)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	18	15	3	0	39	7	32	48
2	Manchester City	18	14	2	2	50	13	37	44
3	Tottenham	18	14	0	4	37	18	19	42
4	Chelsea	18	11	4	3	35	15	20	37
5	Arsenal	18	11	4	3	40	24	16	37
6	Manchester United	18	8	5	5	34	30	4	29

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

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-Frosinone have dismissed Maanager Moreno Longo. Marco baroni has been appointed as the new Manager of Frosinone. (Source Football Italia online)

-Roma have become the first Italian side to agree an exclusive content partnership with twitter. (Source Football Italia online)

-Cristiano Ronaldo’s overhead kick goal vs. Juventus last season has been recreated by a Colombian artist Mr. Bling using Crystals. (Source AS.com online)

-Fabio Capello has reportedly turned down an offer to be the AS Roma Technical Director. (Source Football Italia online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-Angelo Gregucci has left his post as Italy National Team Assistant Manager to become Manager of Salernitana. (Source Football Italia online)

-AC Milan’s Patrick Cutrone stated that he had apologized to Manager Gennaro Gattuso after showing his displeasure in being substituted vs. Bologna. (Source Football Italia online)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Empoli have rejected Genoa’s bid for Rade Krunic. (Source Football Italia online)

-Juventus and Adidas have extended their deal until 2027. (Source Calciomercato online)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

- Inter have suspended Radja Nainggolan for ‘disciplinary reasons’. It was reported that he had been late to training in a number of occasions. (Source BBC Football online)

    

- Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek is asking the league to award him the first goal in yesterday’s match vs. Atalanta that was given as an own goal to Rafael Toloi. (Source Tuttosport online)

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-Napoli Presidebt Aurelio De Laurentiis has expressed his worry that Referee Paolo Mazzoleni was appointed for their match vs. Inter. According to De Laurentis, “he’s always been bad with us”. (Source Football Italia online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position		From	To	Type	Online Source
December 21, 2018	Sebastian Walukiewicz (Poland)		Defender	Pogon Szczecin	Cagliari	Purchase for following season (he will be loaned to current club until end of season)	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 20, 2018	Alex Sandro (Brazil)	Defender	Juventus	2023	Football Italia

Italian Serie A Matchday (December 18, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Bologna 0-AC Milan 0(-)

Top Goalscorer:

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa) 12 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	16	15	1	0	33	8	25	46
2	Napoli	16	12	2	2	33	14	19	38
3	Inter	16	10	2	4	28	13	15	32
4	AC Milan	16	7	6	3	24	18	6	27
5	Lazio	16	7	4	5	22	19	3	25
6	Atalanta	16	7	3	6	30	20	10	25

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

Italian Serie A Matchday (December 22-December 23, 2018):

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Lazio 3-Cagliari 1(Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 12, Francesco Acerbi 23, Senad Lulic 67 / Joa Pedro 90 pen)

AC Milan 0-Fiorentina 1 (Federico Chiesa 73)

Empoli 2-Sampdoria 4 (Manuel Pasqual 11 pen, Francesco Caputo 76 / Gaston Ramirez 41, Fabio Quagliarella 69, Ginaluca Caprari 87, 90)

Genoa 3-Atalanta 1 (Rafael Toloi (own goal) 45, Darko Lazovic 67, Krzysztof Piatek 88 / Duvan Zapata 55 pen)

Napoli 1-SPAL 0(Raul Albiol 45)

Sassuolo 1-Torino 1  (Enrico Brignola 90 / Andrea Belotti 55)

Udinese 1-Frosinone 1(Rolando Mandragora 32 / Camillo Ciano 61 pen)

Chievo 1-Inter 1(Sergio Pellissier 90 / Ivan Perisic 39)

Parma 0-Bologna 0(-)

Juventus 1-Roma 0(Mario Mandzukic 35)

Top Goalscorer:

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa) 13 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	17	16	1	0	34	8	26	49
2	Napoli	17	13	2	2	34	14	20	41
3	Inter	17	10	3	4	29	14	15	33
4	Lazio	17	8	4	5	25	20	5	28
5	AC Milan	17	7	6	4	24	19	5	27
6	Sampdoria	17	7	5	5	29	21	8	26

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

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-Lionel Messi has received his fifth Golden Shoe award as Europe’s top goalscorer. (Source  Miami Herald online)

-Junior Firpo (Betis) and Francis Coquelin (Valencia) will be out injured for a number of weeks. (Source Football Espana online)

-Former Real Madrid player Michel Salgado stated that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did not need to respond to Diego Simeone’s criticisms. Salgado stated that Courtois does not know Real Madrid, and said, “we do not need to respond to anyone.” (Source AS.com online)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-A Dutch court has ruled that Barcelona’s Rafinha must to wear Adidas boots per his contract or face a one Milllion Euros fine. (Source BBC Football online)

-PSG’s Adrien Rabiot has reportedly agreed terms to jon Barcelona in 2019. (Source Football Espana online)

-The newly fired Jose Mourinho has been linked to be Real Madrid Manager in the summer. (Source Daily Mail online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-Atletico Madrid have denied reports that Lucas Hernandez is set to join Bayern Munich. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Barcelona have denied that an agreement with PSG’s Adrien Rabiot has been made. (Source Football Espana online)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Luka Modric (Real Madrid) was selected as the player of the year by ‘The Guardian’ Newspaper. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Xavi has called the style of the 2018 French World Cup Champions “unenthusiastic”.. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Marcos Asencio (Real Madrid) will be out injured for a few weeks. (Source Football Espana online)

-Real Madrid Captain Sergio Ramos stated that it was disrespectful to speculate about the future arrival of Jose Mourinho ahead of the World Club Final match vs. Al Ain. He believes more respect should be shown to current Manager Santiago Solari. (Source BBC Football online)

 Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale was voted as the MVP of the FIFA World Club Cup. Real Madrid won their record fourth FIFA World Club Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-Sidnei (Betis) nad Iago Aspas (Celta) will be out injured for a number of weeks.   (Source L’Equipe Online)

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 20, 2018	Jeison Murillo (Colombia)	Defender	Valencia	Barcelona	Loan	Football Espana

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 21, 2018	Inigo Vicente	-	Bilbao	2023	Calciomercato

Spanish La Liga Matchday (December 21-December 24, 2018):

Friday, December 21, 2018:

Girona 1-Getafe 1 (Bernardo Espinosa 85 / Angel Rodriguez 61)

Sociedad 0-Alaves 1(Jonatahn Calleri 11)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Betis 1-Eibar 1(Antonio Sanabria 21 / Fabian Orellana 72 pen)

Atletico Madrid 1-Espanyol 0 (Antoine Griezmann 56 pen)

Barceloan 2-Celta 0  (Ousmane Dembele 10, Lionel Messi 45)

Bilbao 1-Valladolid 1(Artiz Aduriz 45 pen / Oscar Plano 90)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

Valencia 2-Huesca 1(Dani Parejo 25, Cristiano Piccini 90 / J.Camilo Hernandez 72 pen)

Leganes 1-Sevilla 1 (Mikel Vesga 5 / Wissam Ben Yedder 90)

Vallecano 2-Levante 1 (Tono (own goal) 23, Raul De Tomas 67 / Ruben Rochina 60)

Top Goalscorer:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 15 goals

Cristhian Stuani (Girona) 11 goals

Luis Suarez (Barcelona) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	17	11	4	2	48	19	29	37
2	Atletico Madrid	17	9	7	1	25	12	13	34
3	Sevilla	17	9	5	3	30	17	13	32
4	Real Madrid	16	9	4	3	24	19	5	29
5	Alaves	17	8	4	5	19	17	2	28
6	Betis	17	7	5	5	20	19	1	26

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

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-Hannover Manager Andre Breitenreiter defended his threat of canceling the club’s holidays and also criticized striker Niclas Fulkrug. He compared Fulkrug to a student with bad grades in school. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Uli Hoeness has been re-elected as Bayern Munich President. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Dortmund lost their unbeaten run after a loss at Dusseldorf. (Source BBC Football online)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-German Federation President Reinhard Grindel has attacked FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his lack of transparency on prposed new competitions. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Reportedly back in 2017, Oliver Bierhoff turned down an executive position at Bayern Munich offered by Uli Honeness. (Source Bulinews online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Stefan Ilsanker (RB Leipig) will be suspended for two matches following his sending off vs. Bayern Munich. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Bayern Munich Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has extended his contract by two years until 2021. (Source Fox News online)

-The season of Hannover’s Niclas Fulkrug is effectively over after a serious injury. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Weder Bremen Sporting Director Frank Baumann apologied for the use of a drone to spy on Hoffenheim’s training. (Source Sport Bild online)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-Dutch Manager Peter Boscz is  linked to become Leverkusen Manager in January. (Source Bulinews online)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-Heiko Herrlich has been dismissed as Leverkusen Manager. He has been replaced with Dutchman Peter Bosz. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Hannover Manager Andre Breitenreiter has slashed the team’s holliday by three days. The players are to report back on December 28^th. He had threatened to cancel the break altogether if the team had failed to gain 4 points from their last two matches (which they failed to do). (Source Sport Bild online)

-Frankfurt Technical Director, Fredi Bobic has been named as ‘Kicker Sportsmagazin’’s ‘Man of the Year’. (Source Kicker.de online)

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart) has denied signing for Bayern Munich at the end of the season. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

-Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expressed that he hiped one day Xabi Alonso would return to Bayern Munich in a coaching capacity. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 21, 2018	Felipe Pires (Brazil)	Striker	Hoffenheim	Palmeiras	Loan	L’Equipe
December 22, 2018	Amadou Haidara	-	Red Bull Salzburg	Red Bull Leipzig	Purchase	Spox
December 23, 2018	Deji Beyreuther	Defender	Frankfurt	Chemnitzer	Loan until end of season	Sport Bild
December 23, 2018	Alexander Esswein	Striker	Hertha Berlin	Stuttgart	Loan	Sport Bild

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 18, 2018	Gelson Fernandes (Switzerland)	-	Frankfurt	2020	Marca.com
December 19, 2018	Armin Reutershahn	Assistant Manager	Frankfurt	2021	Sport Bild
December 20, 2018	Mijat Gacinovic (Serbia)	-	Frankfurt	2022	Bulinews
December 21, 2018	Nico Schulz	-	Hoffenheim	2021	Sport Bild
December 21, 2018	Danny Da Costa	Defender	Frankfurt	2022	Sport Bild
December 21, 2018	Jordan Torunarigha	Defender	Hertha Berlin	undisclosed	Kicker.de

German Bundesliga Matchday (December 18-December 19, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Moenchengladbach 2 -Nuremberg 0 (Thorgan Haard 47, Alassane Plea 86)

Dusseldorf 2-Dortmund 1 (Dodi Lukebakio 22, Jean immer 56 / Paco Alcacer 81)

Hertha Berlin 2-Augsburg 2 (Mathew Leckie 28, Ondrej Duda 31 / Martin Hinteregger 8, Koo Ja-Cheol 39)

Wolfsburg 2-Stuttgart 0 (Joshua Guilavogui 24, Wout Weghorst 44)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Schalke 1-Leverkusen 2 (Haji Wright 45 / Aleksandar Dragovic 26, Lucas Alario 35)

Mainz 2-Frankfurt 2 (Robin Quaison 10, 36 / Luka Jovic 31, 45)

Bayern Munich 1-RB Leipzig 0 (Framck Ribery 83)

Freiburg 1-Hannover 1 (Luca Waldschmidt 3 pen / Felipe 14)

Werder Bremen 1-Hoffenheim 1 (T.Gebre Selassie 57 / L.Bittencourt 31)

Top Goalscorer:

Paco Alcacer (Dortmund) 12 goals

Luka Jovic (Frankfurt) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dortmund	16	12	3	1	42	17	25	39
2	M’Gladbach	16	10	3	3	35	16	19	33
3	Bayern Munich	16	10	3	3	33	18	15	33
4	RB Leipzig	16	8	4	4	28	15	13	28
5	Frankfurt	16	8	3	5	34	20	14	27
6	Wolfsburg	16	7	4	5	24	20	4	25

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

German Bundesliga Matchday (December 21-December 23, 2018):

Friday, December 21, 2018:

Dortmund 2- Moenchengladbach 1 (Jadon Sancho 42, Marco Reus 54 / Christoph Krame 45)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Nuremberg 0-Freiburg 1 (Manuel Gulde 19)

Leverkusen 3-Hertha Berlin 1 (Kevin Volland 5, Kai Havertz 23, 49 / Jordan Torunarigha 26)

Hannover 0-Dusseldorf 1(Oliver Fink 90)

RB Leipzig 3-Werder Bremen 2 (Lukas Klostermann 22, Timo Werner 44, Bruma 87 / Max Kruse 67, Josh Sargent 77)

Stuttgart 1-Schalke 3 (Nicolas Gonzalez 76 / Steven Skrzybski 10, Mario Gomez (own goal) 70, Ahmed Kutucu 78)

Frankfurt 0-Bayern Munich 3 (Franck Ribery 35, 79, Rafinha 89)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

Augsburg 2-Wolfsburg 3 (Rani Khedira 49, Sergio Cordova 59 / Joshua Guilavogui 33, William 41, Yannick Gerhardt 89)

Hoffenhein 1-Mainz 1 (Kerem Demirbay 11 / J.Philippe Mateta 16)

Top Goalscorer:

Paco Alcacer (Dortmund) 12 goals

Luka Jovic (Frankfurt) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dortmund	17	13	3	1	44	18	26	42
2	Bayern Munich	17	11	3	3	36	18	18	36
3	M’Gladbach	17	10	3	4	36	18	18	33
4	RB Leipzig	17	9	4	4	31	17	14	31
5	Wolfsburg	17	8	4	5	27	22	5	28
6	Frankfurt	17	8	3	6	34	23	11	27

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

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-Veronique Rabiot, mother and agent of Adrien, stated that his son would like to leave PSG but the club does not allow it. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Guy Modeste (father of Anthony) passed away aged 64. He had spells at Cannes and St Etienne. (Poteaux carrels)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-Frank Passi was named as an Assistant manager at Monaco. (Source L’Equipe online)

-The international Football Players Union (Fifpro) is supporting Adrien Rabiot in the event his contract is terminated by PSG. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-France Manager Didier Deschamps has dismissed claims by Manchester City’s Laporte that his exclusion from the National Team is due to personal reasons. Deschamps stated that you can not have two left footers as center back. (Source Daily Mail online)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 24, 2018	Laurent Ciman (Belgium)	Defender	Dijon	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	RTBF.be
December 24, 2018	Johan Larsson (Sweden)	Defender	Brondby	Guingamp	Purchase	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 20, 2018	Alphonse Areola	Goalkeeper	PSG	2023	L’Equipe
December 20, 2018	Nicolas Cozza	Defender	Montpellier	undisclosed	L’Equipe
December 23, 2018	Morgan Sanson	Midfielder	OM	2022	L’Equipe
December 24, 2018	Thierry Laurey	Manager	Strasbourg	2020	L’Equipe

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
December 23, 2018	Kevin Denkey (Togo)	Striker	Nimes	BBC Football

French Ligue 1 Matchday (December 18, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Caen 2-Toulouse 1 (Saif-Eddine Khaoui 18,Faycal Fajr 90 pen / Max Gradel 44 pen)

French League Cup (December 18-December 19, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Orleans 1-PSG 2 (Joseph Lopy 69 / Edinosn Cavani 41, Moussa Diaby 81)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Amiens 2-Lyon 3 (Jason Denayer (own goal) 70, Cheick Timite 90 / Moussa Demebel 20 pen, Bertrand Traore 45, Martin Terrier 60)

Le Havre 2-Nimes 1 (Tino Kadewere 33, Alexandre Bonnet 58 / Antonin Bobichon 38)

Monaco 1-Lorient 0 (Giulian Biancone 70)

Dijon 0-Bordeaux 1 (Toma Basic 66)

Rennes 2-Nantes 1 (Edson Mexer 60, Damien Da Silva 89 / Majeed Waris 49)

Nice 0-Guingamp 0 (-) (Guingamp won on a penalty kick shoot-out)

OM 1-Strasbourg 1 (Lui Gustavo 80 / Jonas Martin 18 pen) (Strasbourg won 4-2 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

French Ligue 1 Matchday (December 22-December 23, 2018):

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Monaco 0-Guingamp 2  (Marcus Thuram 68, Nolan Roux 75)

St Etienne 3-Dijon 0  (K.Monnet-Paquet 42, Wahbi Khazri 64, Robert Beric 82)

Angers 1-OM 1  (Stephane Bahoken 36 / Bouna Sarr 84)

Rennes 4-Nimes 0  (Benjamin Andre 6, B.Bourigeaud 14, Jordan Siebatcheu 47, 67)

Montpellier 1-Lyon 1 (Ruben Aguilar 81 / Nabil Fekir 67)

Lille 1-Toulouse 2  (Rafael Leao 17 / Max Gradel 50 pen, 64 pen)

PSG 1-Nantes 0 (Kylian Mbappe 68)

Strasbourg 2-Nice 0 (Adrien Thomasson 26, Lamine Kone 41)

Reims 2-Caen 2 (Suk Hyun Jun 7, Bjorn Engels 63 / Casimir Ninga 28, Enzo Crivelli 45)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

Bordeaux 1-Amiens 1(Samuel Kalu 22 / Eddy Gnahore 87)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 13 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	17	15	2	0	50	10	40	47
2	Lille	19	9	5	5	28	19	9	34
3	Lyon	18	9	5	4	30	21	9	32
4	Montpellier	17	8	6	3	25	13	12	30
5	St Etienne	18	8	6	4	28	22	6	30
6	Marseille	17	8	3	6	30	26	4	27

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

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-The Romanian Dorin Rotariu (AZ) has expressed the desire to leave the club for more playing time. (Source vi.nl online)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-A tactical note used by Holland Manager Ronald Koeman in their match vs. Germany in November has been auctioned and bought for 35,000 Euros. The note instructed for Virgil van Dijk to move up on the closing stages of the match. Rafael van det Vaart working as a commentator had found the note. Incidentally Koeman had not written the note, his assistant Dwight Lodeweges had done so. (Source Sport Bild online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-Frank De Boer was appointed as Manager of Atlanta United in the MLS. (Source RTBF.be online)

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 21, 2018	Richard Ledezma (USA)	Midfielder	Real Monarchs	PSV Eindhoven	Purchase	vi.nl
December 23, 2018	Zakaria El Azzouzi	-	Ajax	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	vi.nl
December 23, 2018	Christopher Braun	Defender	Fortuna Sittard	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	vi.nl
December 24, 2018	Thomas Bruns	Midfielder	Vitesse	Groningen	Loan	vi.nl
December 24, 2018	Ilias Bel Hassani (Morocco)	Midfielder	AZ	Groningen	Loan	vi.nl

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 18, 2018	Jordy Wehrmanm	Midfielder	Feyenoord	2020	vi.nl
December 18, 2018	Daley Sinkgraven	Midfielder	Ajax	2020	vi.nl

KNVB Beker (December 18-December 20, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Willem II 3-AFC 0 (Donis Avdijaj 18, Fran Sol 37 pen, Obiliz 39)

Twente 2-RKC 0 (Xandro Schenk 26, Jari Oosterwijk 90)

AZ 5-PEC 0 (Oussama Idrissi 10, 18, Guus Til 26, Mats Seuntjens 49, Fredrik Midtsjo 50)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Odin 59 1-Heerenveen 3 (Mitchel Bormann 2 / Michel Vlap 10, Sam Lammers 55, P.van Amersfoort 87)

Fortuna Sittard 2-Cambuur 1 (Lisandro Semedo 19, Lazaros Lamprou 80 / Karim Rossi 90)

Roda JC 1-Ajax 1 (Mitchell Paulissen 36 pen / Dusan Tadic 13 pen) (Ajax won 4-2 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

Kozakken Boys 1-Vitesse 2 (Quentin Jakoba 59 / Matus Bero 12, Martin Odegaard 90)

Feyenoord 1-Utrecht 0 (Tonny Vilhena 27)

Dutch Eredivisie Matchday (December 21-December 23, 2018):

Friday, December 21, 2018:

VVV 2-PEC 0(Tino-Sven Susic 28 pen, Patrick Joosten 66)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Fortuna Sittard 0-Groningen 0 (- )

NAC 4-Heerenveen 2  (Mitchell Te Vrede 6, 58, Mikhail Rosheuvel 69, 76 / Ben Rienstra 11, Mitchell Van Bergen 27)

PSV Eindhoven 3-AZ 1 (Steven Bergwijn 40, Michal Sadliek 47, Hirving Lozano 84 pen / Mats Seuntjens 16)

Exceksior 0-Heracles 3(Kristoffer Peterson 35, Brandley Kuwas 43, Mohammed Osman 66)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

Utrecht 1-Ajax 3 (Nick Venema 74 / Kasper Dolberg 14, Dusan Tadic 60 pen Frenkie De Jong 90)

Den Haag 2-Feyenoord 2 (Nasser El Khayati 4, 77 pen / Steven Berghuis 45, Sam Larssson 68)

De Graafschap 2-Vitesse 2 (Frnk Olijve 12, Furdjel Narsingh 58 / Martin Odegaard 43, Matus Bero 65)

Emmen 0-Willem II 2(Ozbiliz 42, Fran Sol 55)

Top Goalscorer:

Luuk De Jong (PSV Eindhoven) 14 goals

Fran Sol (Willem II) 14 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSV Eindhoven	17	16	0	1	60	8	52	48
2	Ajax	17	15	1	1	61	9	52	46
3	Feyenoord	17	11	3	3	35	20	15	36
4	Utrecht	17	8	4	5	30	23	7	28
5	Vitesse	17	7	5	5	27	21	6	26
6	Heracles	17	8	2	7	33	35	-2	25

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

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-Rangers have been fined £6,000for criticizing referee Willie Collum for sending off Daniel Candeias in their match vs.St Mirren. (Source BBC Football online)

- St Johnstone Manager Stephen Robinson has received a five-match touchline ban after criticiing officials in their match vs. Rangers. (Source BBC Football online)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers and  Hibernian Manager Neil Lennon have criticized the Australian Federation for the early release of their Australian players for a training camp ahead of the Asian Cup. Celtic’s Tom Rogic is set to miss the match vs. Rangers on December 29^th. (Source Reuters Uk online)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-Australia Manager Graham Arnold has struck back at his Scottish critics for calling up Scotland-based players for a training camp ahead of the Asian Cup Finals in January. Arnold stated that he has been more than accommodating to the clubs. (Source FTBL online)

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 20, 2018	Callum McGregor	Midfielder	Celtic	2023	BBC Football
December 21, 2018	Ryan Jack	-	Rangers	2021	Sky Sports

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
December 24, 2018	Karamoko Dembele (15 years old)	Midfielder	Celtic	BBC Football

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 18-19, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Aberdeen 5-Dundee 1 (Sam Cosgrove 16, 44, Andrew Considine 50, 73, Connor McLennan 56 / Calvin Miller 68)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Celtic 3-Motherwell 0 (Anthony Ralston 28, Scott Sinclair 32 pen, Michael Johnston 45)

Hibernian 0-Rangers 0 (-)

Top Goalscorer:

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 9 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Celtic	17	11	3	3	39	10	29	36
2	Rangers	18	10	5	3	39	14	25	35
3	Kilmarnock	18	10	4	4	28	18	10	34
4	Aberdeen	18	10	3	5	27	19	8	33
5	Hearts	18	9	3	6	23	24	-1	30
6	Livingston	18	7	4	6	24	16	8	28

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

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 22, 2018):

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Aberdeen 2-Hearts 0 (Sam Cosgrove 2, 69 pen)

Celtic 3-Dundee 0 (Michael Johnston 43, 50, Filip Benkovic 69)

Hamilton 1-Kilmarnock 1(Mickel Miller 37 pen / Eamonn Brophy 7)

Hibernian 1-Livingston 1(Ryan Porteous 80 / Ryan Hardie 56)

Motherwell 0-St Mirren 1(Simeon Jackson 68)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

St Johnstone 1-Rangers 2 (Matthew Kennedy 45 / Alfredo Morelos 66,88)

 Top Goalscorer:

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers)11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Celtic	18	12	3	3	42	10	32	39
2	Rangers	19	11	5	3	41	15	26	38
3	Aberdeen	19	11	3	5	29	19	10	36
4	Kilmarnock	19	10	5	4	29	19	10	35
5	Hearts	19	9	3	7	23	26	-3	30
6	Livingston	19	7	5	6	25	17	8	29

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

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-Sporting CP apologized for the ‘clumsy use’ of marking the anniversary of Sergey Cherbakov’s car accident from 1993 that left on a wheelchair. The player had condemned their act. (Source A Bola online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-Chiquinho (Moreirense) was voted as the best young player of the month of November. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Nuno Pinto (Setubal) has been diagnosed with cancer. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-Jose Mourinho was in the stands during the Setubal-Santa Clara match. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 23, 2018	Francisco Geraldes	Midfielder	Frankfurt	Sporting CP	Back from loan	Sport Bild
December 23, 2018	Bruno Cesar (Brazil)	-	Sporting CP	Vasco da Gama	Contract ended by mutual agreement	Maisfutebol

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 18, 2018	Romario Baro	-	Porto	2023	Maisfutebol
December 22, 2018	Joao Mario	-	Porto	2022	Maisfutebol
December 22, 2018	Fabio Vieira	-	Porto	2022	Maisfutebol
December 22, 2018	Elves Balde	Striker	Sporting CP	2023	A Bola

Portugal Cup (December 18-December 19, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Setubal 0-Braga 1 (Pablo Santos 96)

Leixoes 2-Tondela 2 (Roniel 2 pen, Pedro Henrqiue 79 / Juan Delgado 20, Tomane 25) (Leixoes won 4-2 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Porto 4-Moreirense 3 (Felipe 13, Hernani 16, Moussa Marega 66, 89 / David Texeira 8, Iago Santos 45, Heriberto Tavares 90)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Feirense 1-Pacos de Ferreira 1 (Tiago Silva 113 / Marco Baixinho 97) (Feirense won 4-2 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Aves 2-Chaves 0 (Mam balde 46, Vitor Gomes 64)

Boavista 0-Guimaraes 1 (Dodo 49)

Sporting CP 5-Rio Ave 2 (Abdoulay Diaby 3, 77, Bas Dost 32, 61, Bruno Fernandes 42 / Matheus Reis 45, Vinicius 83 pen)

CDC Montalegre 0-Benfica 1 (German Conti 31)

Portugal Primeira Liga League Matchday (December 21-December 23, 2018):

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Feirense 0-Portimonense 1 (Dener 68)

Tondela 2-Maritimo 1 (Tomane 30, Chichi Arango 88 / Rodrigo Pinho 27)

Setubal 0-Santa Clara 2 (Osama Rashid 15 pen, Fabio Cardoso 49)

Belelnenesses 5-Aves 2 (Lica 4, 68, Henrique Almeida 36, 71, Vitor Gomes (own goal) 54 / Nildo Petrolina 1, Amilton Silva 26)

Moreirense 2-Boavista 1(Nene 28 pen, Arsenio 45 / Mateus 17)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

Nacional 2-Chaves 0(Bryan Rochez 35, 76 pen)

Porto 2-Rio Ave 1(Yacine Brahimi 16, Moussa Marega 26 / Vinicius 12)

Benfica 6-Braga 2(Pizzi 19, Jardel 39, Alex Griamldo 48, Jonas 54, Franco Cervi 63, Andre Almeida 67 / Dyego Sousa 51, Joao Novais 74)

Guimaraes 1-Sporting CP 0 (Toze 26)

Top Goalscorer:

Dyego Sousa (Braga) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	14	12	0	2	30	9	21	36
2	Benfica	14	10	2	2	31	13	18	32
3	Sporting CP	14	10	1	3	30	15	15	31
4	Braga	14	9	3	2	28	16	12	30
5	Guimaraes	14	7	4	3	21	15	6	25
6	Belenensses	14	5	7	2	18	14	4	22

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

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

- The Belgian Professional League has approved recommendations from ‘Expert Panel’ regarding transparency in Football notably when it comes to players/agents. (Source Jupiler Lewague App online)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-Former Italy Manager Roberto Donadoni has been linked with Anderlecht. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-Belgium ended the year number one in the FIFA rankings of National Teams. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Frank Arnesen has been named Technical Director at Anderlecht. (Source RTBF.be online)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Anderlecht Director Michael Verschueren confirmed that Frank De Boer had rejected an offer to manage the club. (Source Footnews.be online)

-It was revelaed that in Anderlecht’s recent visist to Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatian Police had asked Anderlect to leave behind Ognjen Vranjes as they were concerned that he might incite the crowd for violence. (Source Footnews.be online)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

-Sebastien Pocognoli (Standard Liege) will be out injured for two to three months. (Source Jupiler Lewague App online)

- National team Manager Roberto Martinez was named as the Manager of the year  at the ‘Gala du Sport’ organized by Sportpress.be . (Source RTBF.be online)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

- Eden Hazard was named as the Belgian Sportsman of the year. (Source RTBF.be online)

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 20, 2018	Bryan Heynen	Midfielder	Genk	2023	Jupiler League App
December 20, 2018	Jere Uronen (Finland)	Defender	Genk	2022	RETBF.be
December 22, 2018	Ally Samatta (Tanzania)	Striker	Genk	2020	Jupiler League App

Beker van Belgie (December 18-December 19, 2018):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

St Truiden 1-Gent 3 (Yohan Boli 90 / Jean-Luc Dompe 35, 60, Roman Yaremchuk 58)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Eupen 0-Ostend 1 (Richaro Zivkovic 71)

Mechelen 3-Kortrijk 0 (Edin Cocalic 1, Nikola Storm 32, Igor De Camargo 71)

Union St Gilloise 2-Genk 2 (Percy Tau 17, Roman Ferber 70 / Zinho Gano 47, 76) (Union St Gilloise won 4-3 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

First Division A League Matchday (December 21-December 23, 2018):

Friday, December 21, 2018:

Gent 4-Cercle Brugge 1 (Brecht Dejaegere 17, Sigurd Rosted 34, Joanthan David 51, Vadis Odjidja 64 / Serge Gakpe 85)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Mouscron 3-Anderlecht 1 (Mbaye Leye 7, 81, Marko Bakic 15 / Nany Dimata 77)

Waaslnad-Beveren 2-Lokeren 1(N.Opoku Ampomah 26, Francesco Forte 52 pen / Mehdi Terki 70)

St Truiden 0-Kortrijk 0 (-)

Standard Liege 3-Ostend 1 (Moussa Djenepo 2, Razvan Marin 12, Zinho Vanheusden 23 / Indy Boonen 90)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

Club Brugge 5-Antwerp 1 (Emmanuel Dennis 21, 65, Siebe Schrijvers 40, Mats Rits 54, Hans Vanaken 88 pen / Jelle Van Damme 85)

Eupen 0-Genk 2(Mbwana Samatta 13, 20)

Zulte-Waregem 3-Charleroi 1 (Hamdi Harbaoui 15, 36, Edrin Demir 49 / Cristian Benavente 42)

Top Goalscorer:

Ally Samatta (Genk) 13 goals

Ivan Santini (Anderlecht) 11 goals

 Nany Dimata (Anderlecht) 10 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Genk	20	13	6	1	46	18	28	45
2	Club Brugge	20	11	5	4	47	22	25	38
3	Antwerp	20	10	5	5	28	23	5	35
4	Standard Liege	20	9	6	5	32	22	10	33
5	St Truiden	20	8	8	4	31	23	8	32
6	Anderlecht	20	9	4	7	34	27	7	31

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

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

-Seedy Kinteh, the former President of the Gambian Federation, has been suspended from all Football Activities for four years. (Source L’Equipe online)

-The Icelandic Helgi Kolvidsson has been named as the new Manager of Liechtenstein. (Source Kicker.de online)

 -Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to remain at Los Angeles Galaxy for the upcoming season. (Source Sport Bild online)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

-Vitali Mutko has left his post as President of the Russian Federation. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, December 20, 2018:

-South Korea Manager Paulo Bento named his squad for the upcoming Asian Nations Cup in January 2019 . (Source Foxsportsasia online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (Vissel Kobe), Kim Jin-hyeon (Cerezo Osaka), Jo Hyeon-woo (Daegu FC)

Defenders: Jung Seung-hyun (Kashima Antlers), Kwon Kyung-won (Tianjin Quanjian), Kim Min-jae (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC), Lee Yong (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC), Kim Moon-hwan (Busan IPark), Hong Chul (Suwon Samsung Bluewings), Kim Jin-su (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC), Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande)

Midfielders: Ki Sung-yueng (Newcastle United), Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd), Koo Ja-cheol (FC Augsburg), Hwang In-beom (Daejeon Citizen), Ju Se-jong (Asan Mugunghwa FC), Lee Jae-sung (Holstein Kiel), Hwang Hee-chan (Hamburger SV), Na Sang-ho (Gwangju FC), Lee Chung-yong (VfL Bochum), Son Hueng-min (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards: Hwang Ui-jo (Gamba Osaka), Ji Dong-won (FC Augsburg)

-Australia have named his squad for the upcoming Asian Nations Cup in January 2019 . (Source Foxsportsasia online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mitchell Langerak (Nagoya Grampus), Mathew Ryan (Brighton & Hove Albion FC), Daniel Vukovic (KRC Genk)

Defenders: Aziz Behich (PSV Eindhoven), Milos Degenek (Red Star Belgrade), Alex Gersbach (Rosenborg BK), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Matthew Jurman (Al-Ittihad Jeddah), Josh Risdon (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Trent Sainsbury (PSV Eindhoven), Mark Milligan (Hibernian FC)

Midfielders: Mustafa Amini (AGF Aarhus), Chris Ikonomidis (Perth Glory), Jackson Irvine (Hull City AFC), Massimo Luongo (Queens Park Rangers), Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town AFC), Tom Rogic (Celtic FC)

Forwards: Martin Boyle (Hibernian FC), Robbie Kruse (VfL Bochum), Mathew Leckie (Hertha BSC), Awer Mabil (FC Midtjylland), Jamie Maclaren (Hibernian FC), Andrew Nabbout (Urawa Red Diamonds)

-Newcastle forward Yoshinori Muto (Newcastle) was called up by Japan to replaced the injured Takuma Asano for AFC Asian Cup 2019. (Source Foxsportsasia online)

-James Troisi has criticized Australia Manager.Graham Arnold for leaving him out of the 2019 Asian Dinals Cup squad. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Greek referees have gone on strike after one of their members was beaten in front of his own house by hooded assailants. As a result this week’s League fixtures were postponed by the League. (Source Sport Bild / MaisFutebol online)

-Indian player Gourav Mukhi has been suspended for six months for falsely presenting himself as a 16 year old, when he is actually 28. (Source Daily Mail online)

-New USA Manager Gregg Berhalter has selected a squad for a January training camp. (Source Ussoccer online)

Squad:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 5/0), Tyler Miller (LAFC; 0/0),
Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 6/0)

DEFENDERS (10): Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 2/0), Greg Garza (FC Cincinnati; 10/0), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 0/0), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 4/1)  

MIDFIELDERS (10): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 23/2), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 17/2), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 142/17), Russell Canouse (D.C. United; 0/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 6/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 5/1), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 5/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 11/0)

FORWARDS (3): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; 0/0), Christian Ramirez (LAFC; 0/0), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 40/6)

Friday, December 21, 2018:

-Marko Arnautovic was voted as Austria’s player of the year.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Stephen Ireland has ended his contarct with Bolton after two months. (Source balls.ie online)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

- Swedish club AIK are selling the crystallized DNA of their former Captain Nils-Eric Johansson. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Cameroon have accepted to become the hosts of the 2021 Finals of the African Cup of Nations. They were stripped of the rights to the 2019 edition. (Source BBC Football Online)

- Gustavo Alfaro was named as the new Manager of Boca Juniors. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, December 23, 2018:

-

Monday, December 24, 2018:

-Former Czechoslovakia forward from the 60s and 70s, Jozef Adamec passed away aged 76. (Source BBC Football online)

-Stanko Poklepovic, former Croatian Manager who managed a multitude of teams as well as Iran national team and Iranian club Perspolis, passed away aged 80. (Source Wikipedia online)

-Brazil Manager Tite revelead that Fernandinho (Manchester City) turned down National Team call-ups following the 2018 World Cup because he had promised his family he would quit and he had also received a lot of threats and abuse on social media. (Source AS.com  online)

-Former Iran International Khodadad Azizi has criticized National Team Manager Carlos Queiroz for playing down expectations for the upcoming Asian Nations Cup and aiing for a fourth place. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

-Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield) has withdrawn from the Australian squad due to injury. He has been replaced with James Jeggo (FK Austria Vienna). (Source Reuters UK online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 20, 2018	Guillermo Varela (Uruguay)	Defender	Penarol	FC Copenhagen	Purchase	L’Equipe

I. FIFA Club World Cup:

FIFA Club World Cup:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018:

Esperance 1-CD Guadalajara 1 (M.Youcef Belaili 38 pen / Walter Sandoval 5 pen)(Espernace won 6-5 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

River Plate 2-Al Ain 2 (Rafael Santos Borre 11, 16 / Marcus Berg 3, Caio 51) (Al-Ain won 5-4 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018:

Kashima Antlers 1-Real Madrid 3 (Shoma Doi 78 / Gatreth Bale 44, 53, 55)

Saturday, December 22, 2018:

Kashima Antlers 0-River Plate 4 (Bruno Zuculini 24, Gonzalo Martinez 73, 90, Rafael Santos Borre 89 pen)

Real Madrid 4-Al Ain 1 (Luka Modric 14, Marcos Llorente 60, Sergio Ramos 79, Yahia Nader (own goal) 90 / Tsukasa Shiotani 86)

---

Managers/players as Journalists, Part Ten

December 25, 2018, 10:54 am

≫ Next: Full Football (Soccer) Magazines, Part Seventeen

≪ Previous: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 37 (Week of December 18-December 24, 2018)

$

0

0

Platt/Atkinson/Bremner/Sivori, Batteux, Rocheteau Columns

One column by England player David Platt

(Magazine / Language: Shoot, February 18, 1995 / English) 

Photo From: Shoot, February 18, 1995

(David Platt)

One column by English Manager Ron Atkinson

(Magazine / Language : Goal, Issue 32, May 1998 / English) 

One column by Leeds Captain Billy Bremner

(Magazine / Language : Shoot, May 31, 1975 / English) 

Former Argentina star Omar Sivori

(Magazine / Language : Guerin Sportivo, Issue 598 (Number 27), July 2-8, 1986/ Italian)

One column by former France Manager Albert Batteux

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1887, June 8, 1982 / French) 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1887, June 8, 1982

(Albert Batteux)

One column by former French star Dominique Rocheteau

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, new series, Issue 82, January 1987 / French) 

Photo From: Mondial, new series, Issue 82, January 1987

(Dominique Rocheteau)

A Column and one answering letters columns by Former English star Trevor Brooking

 (Magazine / Language : World Soccer, September 1990 / English) 

 (Magazine / Language : World Soccer, April 1993 / English) 

Photo From: World Soccer, September 1990

(Trevor Brooking)

in case you miussed the link at the top

Platt/Atkinson/Bremner/Sivori, Batteux, Rocheteau Columns

Full Football (Soccer) Magazines, Part Seventeen

December 25, 2018, 2:51 pm

≫ Next: Match Programmes-Part Nine

≪ Previous: Managers/players as Journalists, Part Ten

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1- Magazine Name: Onze

Issue:, Issue 23, November 1977

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From: Onze, Issue 23, November 1977

Onze, Issue 23, November 1977

2- Magazine Name: Onze

Issue: Issue 123, March 1986

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From:  Onze, Issue 123, March 1986

Onze, Issue 123, March 1986

3- Magazine Name: Onze-Mondial

Issue: Issue 45, October 1992

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From:  Onze-Mondial, Issue 45, October 1992

Onze-Mondial, Issue 45, October 1992

4- Magazine Name: World Soccer

Issue:  August 1964

Language/Nation: English/UK

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1964

World Soccer, August 1964

5- Magazine Name: World Soccer

Issue: February 1974

Language/Nation: English/UK

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1974

World Soccer, February 1974

6- Magazine Name: World Soccer

Issue: October 1982

Language/Nation: English/UK

Photo From: World Soccer, October 1982

World Soccer, October 1982

7- Magazine Name: World Soccer

Issue: February 1994

Language/Nation: English/UK

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1994

World Soccer, February 1994

8- Magazine Name: Mondial

Issue:  Old Series, Issue 35, October 1979

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From:  Mondial, Old Series, Issue 35, October 1979

Mondial, Old Series, Issue 35, October 1979

9- Magazine Name: Mondial

Issue:  New Series, Issue 61, April 1985

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From: Mondial, New Series, Issue 61, April 1985

Mondial, New Series, Issue 61, April 1985

10- Magazine Name: Fussball Magazin

Issue: Issue 4, April May 1977

Language/Nation: German / West Germany

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 4, April May 1977

Fussball Magazin, Issue 4, April May 1977

11- Magazine Name: Panenka

Issue: March 2012

Language/Nation: Spanish / Spain

Panenka, March 2012

12- Magazine Name: Voetbal International

Issue: Nummer 4, January 30, 1988

Language/Nation: Dutch / Holland

Photo From: Voetbal International, Nummer 4, January 30, 1988

Voetbal International, Nummer 4, January 30, 1988

13- Magazine Name: Tempo

Issue: Issue 740, April 30, 1980

Language/Nation: Yugoslavia

Tempo, Issue 740, April 30, 1980

 14- Magazine Name: Foot Magazine

Issue:  Issue 14, June 1982

Language/Nation: French/Belgium

Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 14, June 1982

Foot Magazine, Issue 14, June 1982

15- Magazine Name: Four Four Two

Issue: November 2011

Language/Nation: English/UK

Four Four Two, November 2011

16- Magazine Name: Soccer International

Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6, June 1992

Language/Nation: English / USA

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 6, June 1992

Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 6, June 1992

17- Magazine Name: Guerin Sportivo

Issue: Issue 640 (Number 18), April 29-May 5, 1987

Language/Nation: Italian / Italy

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 640 (Number 18), April 29-May 5, 1987

Guerin Sportivo, Issue 640 (Number 18), April 29-May 5, 1987

18- Magazine Name: Football Magazine

Issue:  Issue 28, May 1962 

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From: Football Magazine, Issue 28, May 1962

Football Magazine, Issue 28, May 1962

19- Magazine Name: Goal

Issue: Issue 26, November 1997

Language/Nation: English/UK

Photo From: Goal, Issue 26, November 1997

Goal, Issue 26, November 1997

20- Magazine Name: Estadio

Issue:  Issue 1576, October 23, 1973

Language/Nation: Spanish / Chile

Estadio, Issue 1576, October 23, 1973

21- Magazine Name: Shoot

Issue: June 13, 1981

Language/Nation: English/UK

Photo From: Shoot, June 13, 1981

Shoot, June 13, 1981

22- Magazine Name: Placar

Issue:  Issue 984, April 21, 1989

Language/Nation: Portuguese / Brazil

Placar, Issue 984, April 21, 1989

23- Magazine Name: Le Foot Mgazine

Issue: Issue 63, April-May 2007

Language/Nation: French / France

Le Foot Mgazine, Issue 63, April-May 2007

24- Magazine Name: SN Revija

Issue: br228, 18-02-1981

Language/Nation: Yugoslavia

SN Revija 1977 br228-18-02-1981

25- Magazine Name: El Grafico

Issue: Issue 3206, March 17, 1981

Language/Nation: Spanish / Argentina

El Gráfico, Issue 3206, March 17, 1981

26- Magazine Name: El Grafico

Issue: Issue 4007, November 25, 1997

Language/Nation: Spanish / Argentina

El Grafico, Issue 4007, November 25, 1997

27- Magazine Name: Don Balon

Issue:  Issue 242, May 27-June 2, 1980

Language/Nation: Spanish / Spain

Don Balon, Issue 242, May 27-June 2, 1980

28- Magazine Name: LIBRO DEL FUTBOL

Issue: Fasciculo 10, 1974

Language/Nation: Spanish / Argentina

Photo From: LIBRO DEL FUTBOL, Fasciculo 10, 1974

LIBRO DEL FUTBOL, Fasciculo 10, 1974

29- Magazine Name: Don Balon

Issue: Edicion Chile, Issue 256, April 25-May 5, 1997

Language/Nation: Spanish / Chile

Photo From: Don Balon, Edicion Chile, Issue 256, April 25-May 5, 1997

Don Balon, Edicion Chile, Issue 256, April 25-May 5, 1997

30- Magazine Name: Goles

Issue: Issue 920, May 3, 1966

Language/Nation: Spanish / Argentina

Goles, Issue 920, May 3, 1966

31- Magazine Name: France Football

Issue: Issue 1221, August 26, 1969

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From:  France Football, Issue 1221, August 26, 1969

France Football, Issue 1221, August 26, 1969

32- Magazine Name: France Football

Issue:  Issue 1727, May 15, 1979

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1727, May 15, 1979

France Football, Issue 1727, May 15, 1979

33-Magazine Name: France Football

Issue:  Issue 1975, February 14, 1984

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1975, February 14, 1984

France Football, Issue 1975, February 14, 1984

34- Magazine Name: France Football

Issue:  Issue 2588, November 14, 1995

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From:  France Football, Issue 2588, November 14, 1995

France Football, Issue 2588, November 14, 1995

35- Magazine Name: Calcio 2000

Issue:  Issue 30, May 2000

Language/Nation: Italian / Italy

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 30, May 2000

Calcio 2000, Issue 30, May 2000

36- Magazine Name: Miroir du Football

Issue: Issue 256, January 29, 1976

Language/Nation: French/France

Photo From: Miroir du Football, Issue 256, January 29, 1976

Miroir du Football, Issue 256, January 29, 1976

37- Magazine Name: Match

Issue: May 27, 1989

Language/Nation: English / England

Photo From:  Match, May 27, 1989

Match, May 27, 1989

38- Magazine Name: Sport Magazine-Foot magazine

Issue: Issue 25, June 16, 2004

Language/Nation: French / Belgium

Photo From: Sport Magazine-Foot magazine, Issue 25, June 16, 2004

Sport Magazine-Foot magazine, Issue 25, June 16, 2004

39- Magazine Name: Soccer Stars

Issue: Issue 22, June 1994

Language/Nation: English/UK

Photo From:  Soccer Stars, Issue 22, June 1994

Soccer Stars, Issue 22, June 1994

40- Magazine Name: Triunfo

Issue: Issue 601, November 22, 1997

Language/Nation: Spanish/Chile

Triunfo, Issue 601, November 22, 1997

Match Programmes-Part Nine

December 28, 2018, 7:38 pm

≫ Next: Season and Tournament Previews / Guides / Retrospectives-Part Nine

≪ Previous: Full Football (Soccer) Magazines, Part Seventeen

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1- Official Match Programme, Wales v Finland , 1987

May 19, 1981

Language/Nation: English/ Wales

 

Photo From: Wales v Finland , 1987

Wales v Finland , 1987

2- Official Match Programme, England v Scotland, 1986

Match date: April 23, 1986

Language/Nation: English/ England

 

Photo From: England v Scotland, 1986

England v Scotland, 1986

3- Official Match Programme, Scotland v Hungary, 1987

Match date: September 9, 1987

Language/Nation: English/Scotland

Photo From: Scotland v Hungary, 1987

Scotland v Hungary, 1987

4- Official Match Programme, Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland, 1989

Match date: October 11, 1989

Language/Nation: English/ Republic of Ireland

Photo From: Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland, 1989

Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland, 1989

5- Official Match Programme, Leeds United vs. Rapid Bucharest

Match date: March 7, 1973  (Cup Winners Cup)

Language/Nation: English/English

Leeds United vs. Rapid Bucharest, March 7, 1973 (Cup Winners Cup)

6- Official Match Programme, Aberdeen v SV Hamburg

Match date: November 25, 1981 (UEFA Cup)

Language/Nation: English/Scotland

Photo From: Aberdeen v SV Hamburg

Aberdeen v SV Hamburg

Season and Tournament Previews / Guides / Retrospectives-Part Nine

December 30, 2018, 10:44 am

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 38 (Week of December 25-December 31, 2018)

≪ Previous: Match Programmes-Part Nine

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1- Magazine Name: Onze-Mondial

Issues: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 26, August 1997

           Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 28, June 1998

Language/Nation: French/France

           The season Preview as well as the season retrospective of the

            French league season 1997/98

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 26, August 1997

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 28, June 1998

Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 26, August 1997

Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 28, June 1998

2- Magazine Name: Don Balon

Issue: Appendice Extra Liga 9394

Language/Nation: Spanish/Spain

The Spanish 1993/94 Appendix season guide

Photo From: Don Balon- Appendice Extra Liga 9394

Don Balon- Appendice Extra Liga 9394

3- Magazine Name: Guerin Sportivo

Issue: La Grande Storia Del Calcio Italiana-1932-1933

Language/Nation: Italian/Italy

The season retrospective of the Serie A season 1932-1933

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo- La Grande Storia Del Calcio Italiana-1932-1933

Guerin Sportivo- La Grande Storia Del Calcio Italiana-1932-1933

4- Magazine Name: Sportsworld

Issue: June 13-19, 1990

Language/Nation: English / India?

Photo From: Sportsworld, June 13-19, 1990

Sportsworld, June 13-19, 1990

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 38 (Week of December 25-December 31, 2018)

January 1, 2019, 10:51 am

≫ Next: Pelé and seleção-Part 5

≪ Previous: Season and Tournament Previews / Guides / Retrospectives-Part Nine

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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, December 25, 2018:

-Jermain Defoe has after a decade finally received a medal from Tottenham’s League Cup win in 2007/08. He had left the club during the season to Portsmouth but had already played enough matches in the competition to warrant a medal. (Source The Sun online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) has been linked to Chinese side Dalian Yifang for a January transfer. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Arsenal Manager Unai Emery has apologized after kicking a water bottle that accidentally hit a Brighton supporter. (Source Sky Sports online)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-Tottenham Manager Mauricio Pochettino stated that theclub will activate a year-long extension to the contract of Toyt Alderweireld. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) has hit out at the man-management style of Jurgen Klopp. He is interested in a return to the Spanish League. (Source Fotball Espana online)

-Brian Athol Jordan, a former professional player from the 50s and 60s (with a major spell at Rotherham) passed away aged 86. (Source Wikipedia online)

-The FA chose not to take any action against Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah who appeared to feign a foul to win a penalty in their matchvs. Newcastle . (Source Daily Mail online)

-Arsenal Manager Unai Emery has been charged with improper conduct for kicking a water bottle during yesterday’s match vs. Brighton. (Source RTE Soccer online)

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-Peter Denis-Hill Wood, the former Chairman of Arsenal (1982-2013) has passed away aged 82. (Source BBC Football Online)

-New Manchetser United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stated that under-fire duo Alexis Sanchez and Romely Lukaku, must step up and revitalize themselves.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Simon Francis (Bournemouth) will be out injured for the rest of the season. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Joe Cole has been appointed as Chelsea’s Technical Academy Coach. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri stated that Eden Hazard’s future should be clarified. (Source Sky Sports online)

-England Captain Harry Kane was given an MBE, while Manager Gareth Southgate was given an OBE. (Source Daily Mail online)

-According to Bild, Christian Pulisic (Dortmund) is set to join Chelsea at the end of the season. (Source Bulinews online)

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-Sheffield Wednesday Fernando Forestieri claimed that he did not know of legal proceedings agisnt him and that was why he did not attend court. He was facing charges due to a  brawl after a match. The arrest warrant for his failure to attend court has been dropped. (Source BBC Football Online)

-In their won over Huddersfield, Fulham Manager Claudio Rabieri expressed his anger at Aboubakar Kamara for insisting on taking a penalty (and missing) when the designated player was Mitrovic.   (Source BBC Football Online)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-Former Liverpool star from the 60s and 70s, Peter Thompson passed awaya aged 76. (Source BBC Football online)

-Fulham are to take action as Aboubakar Kamara was subjected to racial abuse on social media following his penalty miss vs. Huddersfield. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Josep Guardiola has described Liverpool as the best team in Europe. (Source BBC Football online)

-Arsenal Manager Unai Emery has been fined 9,000 Euros for accidentally kicking a water bottle on a Brighton fan. (Source L’Equipe online)

Photo From: L'Equipe, December 30, 2018

(December 29, 2018, Liverpool 5-Arsenal 1)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 28, 2018	Rajiv van La Parra	-	Huddersfield	Middlesbrough	Loan	vi.nl
December 27, 2018	Ramadan Sobhi (Egypt)	-	Huddersfield	Al-Ahly	Purchase	Kicker.de
December 31, 2018	Mason Holgate	Defender	Everton	West Bromwich Albion	Loan	Sky Sports
December 31, 2018	Samir Nasri (France)	Midfielder	Free Agent	West Ham	Contract until end of season	Sky Sports

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 27, 2018	Jan Hoekstra	Goalkeeper	Groningen	2022	vi.nl
December 28, 2018	Declan Rice	-	West Ham	2024	RTE Sport

English Premier League Matchday (December 26-December 27, 2018):

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

Fulham 1-Wolves 1(Ryan Sessegnon 74 / Romain Saiss 85)

Burnley 1-Everton 5(Ben Gibson 37 / Yerry Mina 2, Lucas Digne 13, 71, Gylfi Sigurdsson 22 pen, Richarlison 90)

Crystal Palace 0-Cardiff 0 (-)

Leicester 2-Manchester City 1 (Marc Albrighton 19, Ricardo Pereira 81 / Bernardo Silva 14)

Liverpool 4-Newcastle 0(Dejan Lovren 11, Mohamed Salah 48 pen, Xherdan Shaqiri 79, Fabinho 85)

Manchetser United 3-Huddersfield 1 (Nemanja Matic 28, Paul Pogba 64, 78 / Mathias Jorgensen 88)

Tottenham 5-Bournemouth 0 (Christian Eriksen 16, Son Heung-min 23, 70, Lucas Moura 35, Harry Kane 61)

Brighton 1-Arsenal 1(Jurgen Locadia 35 / Pierre-Erick Aubameyang 7)

Watford 1-Chelsea 2(Roberto Pereyra 45 / Eden Hazard 45, 58 pen)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

Southampton 1-West Ham 2(Nathan Redmond 50 / Felipe Anderson 53, 59)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 13 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	19	16	3	0	43	7	36	51
2	Tottenham	19	15	0	4	42	18	24	45
3	Manchester City	19	14	2	3	51	15	36	44
4	Chelsea	19	12	4	3	37	16	21	40
5	Arsenal	19	11	5	3	41	25	16	38
6	Manchester United	19	9	5	5	37	31	6	32

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

English Premier League Matchday (December 29-December 30, 2018):

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

Brighton 1-Everton 0(Jurgen Locadia 59)

Fulham 1-Huddersfield 0 (Aleksandar Mitrovic 90)

Leicester 0-Cardiff 1(Victor Camarasa 90)

Tottenham 1-Wolves 3(Harry Kane 22 / Willy Boly 72, Raul Jimenez 83, Helder Costa 87)

Watford 1-Newcastle 1(Abdoulaye Doucoure 82 / Salomon Rondon 29)

Liverpool 5-Arsenal 1(Roberto Firmino 14, 16, 65 pen, Sadio Mane 32, Mohamed Salah 45 pen / A.Maitland-Niles 11)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

Crystal Palace 0-Chelsea 1 (N’Golo Kante 51)

Burnley 2-West Ham 0(Chris Wood 15, Dwight McNeill 34)

Southampton 1-Manchester City 3 (Pierre Hojbjerg 37 / David Silva 10, James ward Prowse (own goal) 45, Sergio Aguero 45+)

Manchester United 4-Bournemouth 1 (Paul Pogba 5, 33, Marcus Rashford 45, Romelu Lukau 72  / Nathan Ake 45+)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 13 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	20	17	3	0	48	8	40	54
2	Manchester City	20	15	2	3	54	16	38	47
3	Tottenham	20	15	0	5	43	21	22	45
4	Chelsea	20	13	4	3	38	16	22	43
5	Arsenal	20	11	5	4	42	30	12	38
6	Manchester United	20	10	5	5	41	32	9	35

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

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-AC Milan have appealed to Triunal of Arbitration in Sport (TAS) for Financial Fair Play sanctions levied by UEFA against them. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Juventus Manager Massimiliano Allegri stated that Cristiano Ronaldo would not start the upcoming match vs. Atalanta as he is being rested to be in shape for March. (Source Corriere dello Sport online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

- Radja Nainggolan is repotedly dissatisfied at his treatment at Inter and willing to return to Roma. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Manchetser United have reportedly made a bid for Douglas Costa, but the player does not want to leave Juventus . (Source Football Italia online)

-During the Inter-Napoli match, Mauro Icardi struck the Napoli post straight from the kick-off. (Source Calciomercato online)

-The Inter –Napoli match was marred by the racist chants from Inter fans directed at Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. Napoli Manager Carlo Ancelotti stated that the team asked three times for the match to be stopped due to the chants. Koulibly was sent off late in the match. There was also violence off the field, as four Napoli fans were stabbed and one Inter fan was killed. (Source BBC Football / Calciomercato online)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala apologized to Kalidou Koulibaly for the racits chants of the Inter fans. Cristiano Ronaldo offered support on Isntagram for Koulibaly. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Due to the events of the Inter-Napoli match, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina had contemplated suspending the upcoming League matches but the matches are to go ahead. (Source Calciomercato online)

-After their respective ending-offs vs. Inter, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Lorenzo Insigne have been suspended two matches each. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

-Due to the events of the Inter-Napoli match, Inter has been given two match stadium ban. Their Curva Nord will be banned for three matches. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport online)

-Stipe Perica (Frosinone) has reportedly turned down an approach from French club Guingamp. (Source Transfer Market Web online)

-Inter fans are banned to attend this weekend’s match at Empoli after a ruling by the Florence Prefecture. (Source Football Italia online)

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero stated that he would shave his head like Nainggolan if his team defeated Juventus in the weekend. (Source Football Italia online)

-Leonardo, AC Milan’s Technical Director, was reportedly considered by the owners to take over as Manager but he refused. (Source Football Italia online)

-Napoli are to appeal the two-match bans of Koulibaly and Insigne. (Source Football Italia online)

-In the ongoing racism debate in Italy, Roma Manager Eusebio Di Francesco as well as AC Milan Manager Gattuso are backing Carlo Ancelotti in stopping matches when racist chants  occur. Juventus Manager Allegri is opposed to stopping matches but urges preventive measures. At Inter, there are calls to symbolically appoint Asamoah as captain, but Inter Manager Spaletti believes this would just be a symbolic gesture and not enough. (Source Corriere dello Sport online)

-Juventus’ Juan Cuadrado had surgery on his left knee. (Source Football Italia online)

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-Radja Nainggolan has been re-integrated into the Inter Team. (Source RTBF.be online)

 -Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria) is the first player David Trezeguet in 2005 to score in nine consecutive Serie A matches. (Source Football Italia online)

-Gonzalo Higuain (AC Milan) ended a goal drought of two months (866 minutes). (Source Reuters UK online)

-Juventus have set a new points record in the Serie A (with 20 teams) by earning 53 points. (AS.com online)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

- Diego Maradona is the latest to offer support to Napoli’s Koulibaly. (Source Tuttosport online)

    

- Inter Manager Luciano Spalletti stated that Radja Nainggolan has 3-4 priorities ahead of Football (Source RTBF.be online)

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position		From	To	Type	Online Source
December 28, 2018	Brayan Pereyra (Colombia)		-	Lazio	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 25, 2018	Fabio Quagliarella	Striker	Sampdoria	2020	RTBF.be

Italian Serie A Matchday (December 26, 2018):

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

Frosinone 0-AC Milan 0(-)

Fiorentina 0-Parma 1(Roberto Inglese 45)

Atalanta 2-Juventus 2(Duvan Zapata 24, 56 / Berat Djimsiti (own goal) 2, Cristiano Ronaldo 78)

Bologna 0-Lazio 2(Luiz Felipe 30, Senad Lulic 90)

Cagliari 1-Genoa 0(Diego Farias 45)

Sampdoria 2-Chievo 0(Fabio Quagliarella 47, Gaston Ramirez 59)

Roma 3-Sassuolo 1(Diego Perotti 8 pen, Patrik Schick 23, Nicolo Zaniolo 59 / Khouma Babacar 90)

Torino 3-Empoli 0(Nicolas N’Koulou 44, Lorenzo De Silvestri 49, Iago Falque 75)

SPAL 0-Udinese 0(-)

Inter 1-Napoli 0(Lautaro Martinez 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa) 13 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	18	16	2	0	36	10	26	50
2	Napoli	18	13	2	3	34	15	19	41
3	Inter	18	11	3	4	30	14	16	36
4	Lazio	18	9	4	5	27	20	7	31
5	Sampdoria	18	8	5	5	31	21	10	29
6	AC Milan	18	7	7	4	24	19	5	28

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

Italian Serie A Matchday (December 29, 2018):

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

Juventus 2-Sampdoria 1(Cristinao Ronaldo 2, 65 pen / Fabio Quagliarella 33 pen)

Chievo 1-Frosinone 0(E.Giaccherini 76)

Empoli 0-Inter 1(Keita Balde 72)

Genoa 0-Fiorentina 0(-)

Parma 0-Roma 2(Bryan Cristante 58, Cengiz Under 75)

Lazio 1-Torino 1(Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 62 / Andrea Belotti 45 pen)

Sassuolo 2-Atalanta 6(Alfred Duncan 51, 57 / Duvan Zapata 19, Papu Gomez 42, Gianluca Mancini 54, Josip Illicic 74, 86, 90)

Udinese 2-Cagliari 0(Ignacio Pussetto 39, Valon Behrami 57)

Napoli 3-Bologna 2(Arek Milik 15, 52, Dries Mertens 88 / Federico Santander 37, Danilo 80)

AC Milan 2-SPAL 1(Samu Castillejo 16, Gonzalo Higuain 64 / Andrea Petagna 13)

Top Goalscorer:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 14 goals

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa) 13 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	19	17	2	0	368	11	27	53
2	Napoli	19	14	2	3	37	17	20	44
3	Inter	19	12	3	4	31	14	17	39
4	Lazio	19	9	5	5	28	21	7	32
5	AC Milan	19	8	7	4	26	20	6	31
5	Roma	19	8	6	5	34	24	10	30

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

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey has clarified his comments that he was not happy at the club. He stated he is satisfied where he is but that he wants to be more important at the club. (Source  AS.com online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-Asier Garitano has been dismissed as Real Sociedad Manager. He has been replaced with Imanol Alguacil. (Source AS.com online)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-Lionel Mesi has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s challenge (to join him in Italy) by stating that he does not need a change, he is at the World’s best club, he does not need a new club nor competition for new challenges.  (Source Footnews.be online)

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-Former Paraguayan striker and Real Madrid player from the 60s, Juan Bautista Aguero passed away aged 83. (Source Realmadrid.com online)

-Luka Modric has reportedly refused a new offer from Real Madrid and may leave for Inter at the end of the season. (Source Football Espana online)

-Aitor Elizegi was elected as the new President of Athletic Bilbao. (Source Football Espana online )

-Brazilian Defender Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo) revealed that he had a medical with Barcelona for a potential transfer , but instead they chose Jeisson Murillo. (Source Marca online)

 Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-Barcelona defender Gerard Pique’s Group, Kosmos, are the new owners of FC Andorra. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-Barcelona have denied breaching any rules in trying to sign PSG’s Adrien Rabiot.   (Source Sky Sports Online)

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, currently on loan from Real Madrid at Leganes would like to remain at the club until the end of the season. (Source AS.com online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 27, 2018	Brahim Diaz (Spain)	-	Manchester City	Real Madrid	Purchase	Marca

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 27, 2018	Victor Laguardia	Defender	Alaves	2020	L’Equipe
December 27, 2018	Fernando Pacheco	Goalkeeper	Alaves	2023	L’Equipe

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-Shinji Kagawa has criticized his club Dortmund for their treatment of him during his injury. (Source Fox Sport Asia online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-Rafinha (Bayern Munich) hinted that this was probably his last season with the club. (Source Sport Bild online)

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-Bayern Munich have made a second bid for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi. (Source Sky Sports online)

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-Bayern Munich’s second bid for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi was rejected by the club. (Source Bleacher Report online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 27, 2018	Sebastiean Rode	-	Dortmund	Frankfurt	Loan	Bulinews
December 30, 2018	Kevin Akpoguma	Defender	Hoffenheim	Hannover	Loan	Sport Bild
December 30, 2018	Nicolai Muller	Winger	Frankfurt	Hannover	Loan	L’Equipe
December 30, 2018	Alex Meier	Striker	Free Agent (formerly of Frankfurt)	St Pauli	Purchase	Bulinews
December 30, 2018	Philipp Tschauner	Goalkeeper	Hannover	Ingolstadt	Loan	Kicker.de

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-Kylian Mbappe (PSG) was named French Player of the Year by France Football Magazine. (Source L’Equipe online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-Lyon fans elected Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony Lopes as their player of the year. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-Former France Manager Roger Lemerre was named as Manager of Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-The French Justice is to examine Anthony Limbombe’s transfer from Club Brugge to Nantes that involved alleged kick-backs to Belgian Agent Mogi Bayat. Bayat’s Lawyer Jean-Phillipe Mayence has denied the charges.  (Source RTBF.be / Walfoot.be online)

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-Olivier  Dall’Oglio was dismissed as Dijon Manager after six and a half years. David Linares has replaced him in the interim.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 28, 2018	Didier N’Dong	Midfielder	Sunderland	Guingamp	Purchase	Sky Sports
December 28, 2018	Kieran Dowell	-	Everton	Sheffield United	Loan	Sky Sports
December 28, 2018	Alexander Kacaniklic (Sweden)	-	Nantes	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	L’Equipe
December 28, 2018	Gen Shoji (Japan)	Defender	Kashima Antlers	Toulouse	Purchase	L’Equipe
December 29, 2018	Chaker Alhadur	Defender	Caen	Chateauroux	Purchase	L’Equipe
December 29, 2018	Papy Djilobodji (Senegal)	Defender	Free Agent (formerly Sunderland)	Guingamp	Purchase	L’Equipe

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Mahmoud has reportedly turned down an offer from Ajax and sigend with Al-Ahly. (Source Voetbalzone online)

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-Jaap Stam was named as the new manager of PEC Zwolle. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-Dick Helling, former Testar and Ajax player from the 70s, has passed away aged 68 (Source vi.nl online)

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 31, 2018	Kaj Sierhuis	Striker	Ajax	Groningen	Loan	vi.nl
December 31, 2018	Mateo Cassierra	-	Groningen	Ajax	Loan return	vi.nl
December 31, 2018	Vince Gino Dekker	-	Az	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	vi.nl
December 31, 2018	Ogulcan Sadiroglu	-	AZ	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	vi.nl
December 31, 2018	Azor Matusiwa	Midfielder	Ajax	De Graafschap	Loan	vi.nl
December 31, 2018	Michael de Leeuw	Striker	Chicago Fire	Emmen	Purchase	vi.nl

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-Australia Manager Graham Arnold has reportedly apologized to Tom Rogic for him missing out on the Rangers-Celtic match. (Source RHFC online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-Timothy Weah (PSG) has been linked with a loan move to Celtic in the Jnauary transfer window. (Source The Guardian online)

-Aberdeen Manager Derek McInnes has called Hearts Manager Craig Levein as ‘irrational and childish’ for saying that the Aberdeen manager was ‘crying his eyes out about referees’.. (Source BBC Football online)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

- Rangers have won an Old Firm clash for the first time since March 25, 2012. (Source Footnews.be online)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-Jack Hamilton (Livingston) had his red card vs. Dundee changed to a yellow card after appeal. (Source BBC Football online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 28, 2018	Ryan Bowman	-	Motherwell	Exeter City	Purchase	BBC Football

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
December 29, 2018	Ross Millen	Defender	Kilamarnock	2020	Sky Sports

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 26, 2018):

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

Aberdeen 3-Celtic 4 (Stevie May 24 pen, Sam Cosgrove 63 pen, Lewis Ferguson 90 / Scott Sinclair 6, 76, 88, Odsonne Edouard 86 )

St Mirren 0-St Johnstone 1 (Anthony Watt 89)

Dundee 0-Livingston 0 (-)

Hearts 2-Hamilton 0 (Steven Naismith 18, A.Sutchuin-Djoum 44)

Motherwell 0-Kilmarnock 1 (Jordan Jones 40)

Rangers 1- Hibernian 1 (Alfredo Morelos 25 / Darren McGregor 86)

Top Goalscorer:

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Celtic	19	13	3	3	46	13	33	42
2	Rangers	20	11	6	3	42	16	26	39
3	Kilmarnock	20	11	5	4	30	19	11	38
4	Aberdeen	20	11	3	6	32	23	9	36
5	Hearts	20	10	3	7	25	26	-1	33
6	St Johnstone	19	9	4	6	23	24	-1	31

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

Scottish Premier League Matchday (December 29, 2018):

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

Rangers 1-Celtic 0 (Ryan Jack 31)

Dundee 0-St Johnstone 2 (Scott Tanser 1, Liam Craig 58)

Hamilton 1-Motherwell 2(Dougie Imrie 17 / Tom Aldred 21, 77)

Kilmarnock 2-St Mirren 1(Stuart Findlay 4, Jordan Jones 11 / Alfie Jones 22)

Livingston 1-Aberdeen 2(Ryan Hardie 89 / James Wilson 71, Alan Lithgow (own goal) 85)

Hibernian 0-Hearts 1 (Oliver Lee 28)

Top Goalscorer:

Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Celtic	20	13	3	4	46	14	32	42
2	Rangers	21	12	6	3	43	16	27	42
3	Kilmarnock	21	12	5	4	32	20	12	41
4	Aberdeen	21	12	3	6	34	24	10	39
5	Hearts	21	11	3	7	26	26	0	36
6	St Johnstone	20	10	4	6	25	24	1	34

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

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-According to Nani (Sporting CP), Messi, Neymar  and Cristiano Ronaldo were more deserving of the Ballon D’Or than Luka Modric. (Source Marca online)

-Edson Farias (Feirense) will be out injured for weeks. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-David Simao (Boavista) will be suspended for matches and fined 919 Euros for a series of insults to officials in their match vs. Moreirense in the 14^thround. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-Chiquinho (Moreirense) was voted as the player of the month of November. (Source A Bola online)    

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-Bruno Fernandes was named ‘A Bola’s Player of the year. (Source A Bola online)

-Vitor Murta has been elected as the new President of Boavista. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-Former Portugal and Benfica great Antonio Simoes was assaulted in the city of Praia at Cape Verde. (Source A Bola online)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 25, 2018	Luyz Phellype	-	Pacos de Ferreira	Sporting CP	Purchase	Maisfutebol
December 26, 2018	Aleksandar Isailovic (Serbia) (16 years old)	Striker	Valladolid	Benfica	Purchase	Maisfutebol
December 26, 2018	Marcelo (Brazil)	Defender	Sporting CP	Chicago Fire	Purchase	A Bola
December 26, 2018	Michel Douglas (Brazil)	Striker	Aves	Vila Nova	Loan	Maisfutebol
December 26, 2018	Erik Nascimento (Brazil)	Striker	Guarani	Aves	Purchase	Maisfutebol
December 27, 2018	Zackarias Faour (Sweden)	Striker	Manchetser City	Leixoes	Purchase	Maisfutebol
December 27, 2018	Danny	Midfielder	Maritimo	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	A Bola
December 27, 2018	Ibson (Brazil)	Midfielder	Maritimo	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	A Bola
December 28, 2018	Fernando Andrade (Brazil)	Striker	Santa Clara	Portto	Purchase	A Bola
December 28, 2018	Rafael Barbosa	-	Sporting CP	Pacos de Ferreira	Loan	Maisfutebol
December 28, 2018	Elves Balde	-	Sporting CP	Pacos de Ferreira	Loan	Maisfutebol
December 28, 2018	Ruben Macedo	-	Porto	Chaves	Loan	Maisfutebol
December 29, 2018	Inacio (Brazil)	Defender	Porto	Guarani	Loan	A Bola
December 29, 2018	Pedro Pinto	Midfielder	Setubal	Arouca	Loan	A Bola
December 30, 2018	Salvador Agra	-	Cadiz	Benfica	Loan return	Maisfutebol
December 31, 2018	Lucas Marques (Brazil)	Midfielder	Chapecoense	Santa Clara	Purchase	Maisfutebol

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
December 29, 2018	Jefferseon (Brazil) (18 years old)	Striker	Maritimo	A Bola

Portugal League Cup (December 28-29, 2018):

Portugal League Cup –Group A

Friday, December 28, 2018:

Aves 1-Benfica 1 (Mama Balde 49 / Haris Seferovic 70)

Rio Ave 1-Pacos de Ferreira 1 (Wenderson Galeno 52 / Miguel Rodrigues (own goal) 31)

Portugal League Cup –Group B

Friday, December 28, 2018:

Tondela 2-Nacional 1 (Icaro 3, Chicho Arango 85 / Giorgi Arabidze 20)

Setubal 0-Braga 4 (Paulinho 53, 59, Wilson Eduardo 76, Pablo Santos 88)

Portugal League Cup –Group D

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

Feirense 1-Sporting CP 4 (Tiago Silva 24 pen / Raphinha 5, Bruno Fernandes 22, Bas Dost 60 pen, Luis Machado (own goal) 67)

Maritimo 0-Estoril 1 (Sandro Lima 16 pen)

Portugal League Cup –Group C

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

Belenensses 1-Porto 02 (Reinildo Mandava 4 / Moussa Marega 53, Soares 63)

Chaves 3-Varzim 1 (Niltinho 34, William Oliveira 70, Marcao 76 pen / Ruster 37)

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-Ruud Gullit has expressed an interest to manage Anderlecht. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Waasland-Beveren goalkeeper Davy Roef (on loan from Anderlecht) will not play in the upcoming match vs. his parent club as he receives his salary from Anderlecht and per rules can not play against them. (Source Jupiler Lewague App online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-

Friday, December 28, 2018:

-

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

-Moussa Djenepo (Standard Liege) was named as Mali’s player of the year . (Source RTBF.be online)

-Giorgi Chakvetadze (Gent) was named as Georgia’s player of the year . (Source RTBF.be online)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

-

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 27, 2018	Carlinhos (Brazil)	-	Standard Liege	Guarani	Purchase	Footnews.be
December 27, 2018	Andres Sarmiento (Colombia)	Striker	Mouscron	Free Agent	Contract rescinded	Footnews.be
December 27, 2018	Diego Montiel (Sweden)	Midfielder	Orgryte	Beerschot-Wilrijk	Purchase	Footnews.be
December 231, 2018	Thomas Kaminski	Goalkeeper	Kortrijk	Gent	Purchase (verbal accord)	Walfoot.be

First Division A League Matchday (December 26-27, 2018):

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

Cercle Brugge 0-Eupen 1 (Mamadou Fall 17)

Kortrijk 4-Zulte-Waregem 2 (Ilombe Mboyo 65, 73, Christophe Lepoint 71, Teddy Chevalier 89 / Urho Nissila 42, Hicham Faik 59)

Ostend 1-St Truiden 1 (Laurens De Bock 33 / Jordan Botaka 4)

Antwerp 2-Mouscron 1 (-Dieumerci Mbokani 23 pen, 57 / Yannis Mbombo 64)

Charleroi 0-Standard Liege 1 (Paul-Jose Mpoku 31)

Genk 3-Gent 1 (Mbwana Samatta 23, Sebastien Dewaest 47, Bryan Heynen 86 / Dylan Bronn 6)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

Lokeren 0-Club Brugge 1 (Ruud Vormer 69)

Anderlecht 3-Waasland-Beveren 0 (Nany Dimata 9, 90, Sebastiaan Bornauw 51)

Top Goalscorer:

Ally Samatta (Genk) 14 goals

Nany Dimata (Anderlecht) 12 goals

Ivan Santini (Anderlecht) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Genk	21	14	6	1	49	19	30	48
2	Club Brugge	21	12	5	4	48	22	26	41
3	Antwerp	21	11	5	5	30	24	6	38
4	Standard Liege	21	10	6	5	33	22	11	36
5	Anderlecht	21	10	4	7	37	27	10	34
6	St Truiden	21	8	9	4	32	24	8	33

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

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, December 25, 2018:

-UEFA named the UCL ‘Breakthrough Team 2018’ as follows: Vlachosimos (Benfica), Skriniar 9Inyter), De Ligt (Ajax), Robertson (Liverpool), De Jong (Ajax), Aour (Lyon), Arthur (Barcelona), Vlasic (CSKA Moscow), Cengiz Under (Roma), Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven), Sancho (Dortmund). (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Spanish Manager Quique Sanchez Flores has been appointed as the new Manager of Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua. (Source BBC Football online)

-Syria have named their squad for the 2019 Asian nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Squad:

Syria final 23-man squad for AFC Asian Cup 2019:

Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma (Al-Wahda), Mahmoud Al-Youssef (Al-Jabalain), Ahmad Madania (Al-Jaish)

Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih (Al-Ahed), Moayad Ajan (Al-Jazeera), Jehad Al Baour (Al-Riffa), Omar Midani (Pyramids), Amro Jenyat (Al-Shabab), Hussein Jwayed (Al-Zawra’a), Nadim Sabagh (Tishreen), Abdul Malek Anizan  (Al-Jaish)

Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas (Mahmoud Al Mawas), Mohammed Osman (Heracles Almelo), Osama Omari (Qatar), Tamer Haj Mohamad (Ohod), Ahmad Ashkar (Al-Jaish), Youssef Kalfa (Al-Hazem), Zaher Midani (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Khaled Al Mobayed (Al-Wahda), Fahd Youssef (Al-Sailiya)

Forwards: Omar Kharbin (Al-Hilal), Omar Al Soma (c) (Al-Ahli), Mardik Mardikian (Al-Jazeera)

-Danish International Nicki Bille was shot with a shotgun in an attempted murder after a fight with three people. He was shot in the forearm. (Source Mirror.co.uk online)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018:

-Former Brazil International Maicon has come out of retirement after two years to play for Criciuma (where he was formed). (Source A Bola online)

-Luka Modric was named the sportsman of the year in his native Croatia. (Source L’Équipe online)

-India Manager Stephen Constantine has named his squad for the 2019 Asian nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru), Amrinder Singh (Mumbai City), Vishal Kaith (Pune City)

Defenders: Pritam Kotal (ATK), Sarthak Golui (Pune City), Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters), Anas Edathodika (Kerala Blasters), Salam Ranjan Singh (East Bengal), Subhasish Bose (Mumbai City), Narayan Das (Delhi Dynamos)

Midfielders: Udanta Singh (Bengaluru), Rowllin Borges (NorthEast United), Anirudh Thapa (Chennaiyin), Vinit Rai (Delhi Dynamos), Halicharan Narzary (Kerala Blasters), Ashique Kuruniyan (Pune City), Germanpreet Singh (Chennaiyin), Jackichand Singh (Goa), Pronay Halder (ATK)

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin), Sumeet Passi (Jamshedpur), Balwant Singh (ATK)

-Stefan Savic (Ateltico Madrid) was named Montenegro’s of the year for the third straight year. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Former USA U-20 and recent LA Galaxy Manager Sigi Schmid passed away aged 65. (Source USSoccer online)

-Former Republic of Ireland Internarional Gary Breen has criticized current Manager Mick McCarthy’s attempts to recruit non-Irish player Nathan Redmond (Southampton). (Source extra.ie online)

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

-Vietnam have named their squad for the 2019 Asian nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dang Van Lam (Hai Phong), Nguyen Tuan Manh (Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN), Bui Tien Dung (FLC Thanh Hoa)

Defenders: Do Duy Manh (Hanoi), Que Ngoc Hai (Song Lam Nghe An), Bui Tien Dung (Viettel), Doan Van Hau (Hanoi), Ho Tan Hai (Becamex Binh Duong), Nguyen Thanh Chung (Hanoi)

Midfielders: Luong Xuan Truong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Nguyen Huy Hung (Quang Nam), Nguyen Trong Hoang (FLC Thanh Hoa), Ngan Van Dai (Hanoi), Nguyen Phong Hong Duy (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Tran Minh Vuong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Pham Duc Huy (Hanoi), Do Hung Dung (Hanoi), Phan Van Duc (Song Lam Nghe An)

Forwards: Nguyen Van Toan (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Nguyen Cong Phuong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Ha Duc Chinh (Shb Da Nang), Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi), Nguyen Tien Lien (Becamex Binh Duong)

-Iran Manager Carlos Queiroz has named his squad for the 2019 Asian nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan), Amir Abedzadeh (Maritimo)

Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian (Al-Shahania SC), Milad Mohammadi (Akhmat Grozny), Majid Hosseini (Trabzonspor), Mohammadhossein Kananizadegan (Machine Sazi), Pejman Montazeri (Esteghlal), Vouria Ghafouri (Esteghlal),  Ehsan Haji Safi (Tractor Sazi), Morteza Pouraliganji (KAS Eupen)

Midfielders: Omid Ebrahimi (Qatar’s Al Ahli),  Ahmad Nourollahi (Persepolis), Masoud Shojaei (Tractor Sazi), Ashkan Dejagah (Tractor Sazi), Vahid Amiri (Trabzonspor), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal)

Forwards: Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan), Karim Ansarifard (Nottingham Forest), Saman Ghoddos (Amiens), Mehdi Taremi (Al Gharafa), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis),  Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton),

-Japan Manager Hajime Moriyasu has named his squad for the 2019 Asian nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi (Gamba Osaka), Shuichi Gonda (Sagan Tosu), Daniel Schmidt (Vegalta Sendai)

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (Galatasaray), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Hiroki Sakai (Marseille), Tomoaki Makino (Urawa Red Diamonds), Genta Miura (Gamba Osaka), Sei Muroya (FC Tokyo), Sho Sasaki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Sint-Truiden)

Midfielders: Genki Haraguchi (Hannover 96), Gaku Shibasaki (Getafe), Wataru Endo (Sint-Truiden), Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Takumi Minamino (Red Bull Salzburg), Junya Ito (Kashiwa Reysol), Shoya Nakajima (Portimonense), Ritsu Doan (Groningen), Hidemasa Morita (Kawasaki Frontale)

Forwards: Yuya Osako (Werder Bremen), Yoshinori Muto (Newcastle United), Koya Kitagawa (Shimizu S-Pulse)

-Luka Modric was named the Balkan Athlete of the year organized by Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and including other Balkan Nations News agencies. (Source Sky Sports online)

-UEFA named the Europa League ‘Breakthrough Team 2018’ as follows: Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Junior (Betis), Aidoo (Genk), Cisse (Olympiakos), Fornals (Villareal), Havertz (Leverkusen), Lo Celso (Betis), Gacinovic (Frankfurt), Minamino (Salzburg), Jovic (Frankfurt), Sarr (Rennes). (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Argemtine Manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named as the new Manager of LA Galaxy. (Source Massive Report online)

-Phillipines Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has named his squad for the 2019 Asian nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Nathanael Villanueva (Kaya FC-Iloilo), Michael Falkesgaard (Bangkok United), Kevin Ray Hansen (Horsens)

Defenders: Alvaro Silva (Kedah), Carli de Murga (Ceres-Negros), Daisuke Sato (Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe), Stephan Palla (Buriram United), Luke Woodland (Suphanburi), Adam Tull (NA), Curt Dizon (Ceres-Negros), Paul Mulders (Ceres-Negros)

Midfielders: John-Patrick Strauss (Erzgebirge Aue), Iain Ramsey (Sukhothai), Manuel Ott (Ceres-Negros), Kevin Ingreso (Ceres-Negros), Stephan Schrock (Ceres-Negros), Miguel Tanton (Ceres-Negros), James Younghusband (Davao Aguilas), Mike Ott (Ceres-Negros)

Forwards: Jovin Bedic (Kaya FC-Iloilo), Phil Younghusband (Davao Aguilas), Patrick Reichelt (Ceres-Negros), Javier Patino (Buriram United)

-Former Brazil star Zico stated that Lionel Messi does not need the World Cup to be considered an all-time great. (Source Sportskeeda online)

Friday, December 28, 2018:

- The Liberian Football Federation has lifted its ban on Christopher Wreh. He had been suspended for insulting match officials during a League match in August. (Source BBC Football Online)

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

- Former Isareli striker Yehoshua Glazer passed away aged 91. (Source Wikipedia Online)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

 -Argentina Federation President Claudio Tapia hinted that Lionel Messi is to make his National Team comeback for the 2019 Copa America. (Source Marca.com online)

Monday, December 31, 2018:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
December 27, 2018	Laurent Ciman (Belgium)	Defender	Free Agent	Toronto FC	Purchase	RTBF.be
December 27, 2018	Robinho (Brazil)	Striker	Sivasspor	Istanbul Basaksehir	Purchase	BBC Football
December 28, 2018	Lennart Thys (Germany)	-	Erzurumspor	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	Kicker.de
December 30, 2018	Hernanes (Brazil)	Midfielder	Hebei China Fortune	Sao Paulo	Purchase	Walfoot.be

International Friendlies:

Thursday, December 27, 2018:

Qatar 0-Algeria 1 (Baghdad Bounedjah 60)

India 0-Oman 0 (-)

Bahrain 1-Lebanon 0 (-)

Friday, December 28, 2018:

Jordan 1-China 1 (-)

United Arab Emirates 0-Kuwait 2 (-)

Iraq 1-Palestine 0 (-)

Saturday, December 29, 2018:

Bahrain 4-North Korea 0 (-)

Sunday, December 30, 2018:

Oman 0-Australia 5 (Andrew Nabbout 10, Chris Ikonomidis 14, Awer Mabil 24, Milos Degenek 59, Jackson Irvine 89)

Monday, December 31, 2018:

Palestine 1-Kyrgyzstan 2 (-)

Phillipines 2-Vietnam 4 (-)

Saudi Arabia 0-South Korea 0 (-)

Qatar 1-Iran 2 (Hassan Al Haidos 43 pen / Mehdi Taremi 17,  Sardar Azmoun 46)

Pelé and seleção-Part 5

January 1, 2019, 10:58 am

≫ Next: Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff, Part six

≪ Previous: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 38 (Week of December 25-December 31, 2018)

$

0

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Pele / Brazil national team

Pelé

(Magazine / Language : Placar, Issue 25, September 4, 1970 / Portuguese)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, May 1971 / English)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 11, November 1976  / French)

(Magazine / Language : Onze, Issue 74, February 1982 / French)

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 2294, March 27, 1990 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Goal, Issue 12, September 1996  / English)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, January 2002 / English)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 11, November 1976 

(Pele)

National Team

Brazil Football

(Magazine / Language :  AS Color, Issue 78, November 14, 1972 / Spanish)

Brazil National Team, summer 1984

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1994, June 26, 1984  / French)

Brazil players in the champions League 2007 

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 227, December 2007 / French)

Brazil national Team WC 1990 Preview

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, May 1990 / French)

Photo From: World Soccer, May 1990

(Romario)

in case you missed the link at the top

Pele / Brazil national team

Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff, Part six

January 6, 2019, 1:56 pm

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 39 (Week of January 1-January 7, 2019)

≪ Previous: Pelé and seleção-Part 5

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Franz Beckenbauer / Johan Cruyff

Franz Beckenbauer

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, November 1972 / English)

(Magazine / Language : Shoot, May 31, 1975 / English)

(Magazine / Language : Fussball Magazin, February March 1978 / German)

(Magazine / Language : Start1988_july18_№30 / Czech)

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991 / French)

(Magazine / Language :  France Football, Issue 2494 , January 25, 1994  / French)

(Magazine / Language : Calcio 2000, Issue 38, February 2001 / Italian)

 

Photo From : Fussball Magazin, February March 1978

(Franz Beckenbauer)

Johan Cruyff

(Magazine / Language : AS Color, Issue 335, October 18, 1977 / Spanish)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, December 1979 / English)

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 1989, May 22, 1984  / French)

(Magazine / Language : Voetbal, Nummer 2, September 1992 / Dutch)

(Magazine / Language : France Football, Issue 2573, August 1, 1995  / French)

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, March 2004 / English)

(Magazine / Language : Placar, Issue 1365, April 2012 / Portuguese)

Photo From : World Soccer, March 2004 (Johan Cruyff)

 In case you missed the link at the top

Franz Beckenbauer / Johan Cruyff

---

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 39 (Week of January 1-January 7, 2019)

January 8, 2019, 7:50 pm

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 40 (Week of January 8-January 14, 2019)

≪ Previous: Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff, Part six

$

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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, January 1, 2019:

-Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Erick Aubameyang have made the shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) player of the year. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) became the fisrt player born in 2001 to play in the Premier League in Arsenal’s win over Fulham. (Source Bleacher Report online)

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-Chelsea signed the American Christian Pulisic from Dortmund. He has been loaned back to the German side until the end of the season. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Cardiff are to investigate a complaint of bullying against their U-18 coach, the Welshman Craig Bellamy. (Source The Guardian online)

-Jos Luhukay has been dismissed as Sheffield Wednesday Manager. He has been replaced by Steve Bruce. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Former French Player Claude Makelele has criticized Paul Pogba for his dances after scoring. He believes this shows a lack of respect to the opposition. (Source L’Équipe online)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

- Craig Bellamy stepped down from his U-18 Management position at Cardiff following bullying claims. He has denied the charges and plans to fight them. (Source BBC Football online)

-Charlie Austin (Southampton) has been charged by the FA after making an obscene gesture towards Manchetser City fans last weekend. (Source Reuters UK online)

-The proposed Loan of Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke to Crystal Palace failed due to the player’s injury. (Source vi.nl online)

-Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri stated that he had not been informed of the club’s intent to sign Pulisic. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Paul Pogba was named as Manchester United’s Player of the month for December. (Source AS.com online)

-Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy was mistaken as a pitch invader by stewards as he ran into the pitch following his club’s win over Liverpool. (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-The FA have warned Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola for his behavior during the match vs. Liverpool. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

-Cardiff Manager Neil Warnock has accused Liverpool and Nathaniel Clyne for a lack of class. He claims that Clyne had been promised to him, but the club and player made a U-turn and joined Bournemouth instead. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) was named as Denmark’s player of the year . (Source A Bola online)

-Wayne Rooney has been arrested in Virginia due to public intopxication and swearing. (Source Bleacher Report online)

-Jason McAteer was sent off after an altercation with Former Liverpool teammate in a match between England and Republic of Ireland in the Star Sixes Tournament. (Source the42.ie online)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) has been named as the English Premier League’s Player of the month for December. (Source Official Liverpool FC online)

-Chelsea have turned down Derby’s approach for Ethan Ampadu. (Source Daily Mail online)

Photo From: L'Equipe, January 6, 2019

(Cesc Fabregas)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 1, 2019	Emeron Hyndman (USA)	Midfielder	Hibernian	Bournemouth	Back from Loan	Sky Sports
January 1, 2019	Jaden Brown	Defender	Tottenham	Huddersfield	Purchase	Sky Sports
January 1, 2019	David Wang	Striker	Jumilla B (Estudiantes)	Wolves	Purchase	Sky Sports
January 1, 2019	Cauley Woodrow	Striker	Fulham	Barnsley	Purchase	The Guardian
January 1, 2019	Benik Afobe	Striker	Wolves	Stoke	Purchase	The Guardian
January 2, 2019	Christian Pulisic (USA)	Striker	Dortmund	Chelsea	Purchase (loaned back to Dortmund until end of season)	BBC Football
January 2, 2019	Ryan Bowman	Striker	Motherwell	Exeter	Purchase	BBC Football
January 2, 2019	Callum Elder	Defender	Leicester	Ipswich	Loan	Sky Sports
January 2, 2019	Anthony Caceres	Midfielder	Manchester City	Sydney FC	Loan	The Guardain
January 4, 2019	Nathaniel Clyne	Defender	Liverpool	Bournemouth	Loan	Sky Sports
January 4, 2019	Aaron Ramsdale	Goalkeeper	Bournemouth	Wimbledon	Loan	The Guardian
January 4, 2019	Dominic Solanke	Striker	Liverpool	Bournemouth	Permanent Signing	The 42.ie
January 4, 2019	Jason Puncheon	Midfielder	Crystal Palace	Huddersfield	Loan	L’Equipe
January 4, 2019	Paul McKay	Defender	Cardiff	Morecambe	Loan	The Guardian
January 4, 2019	Jordan Mutch	Midfielder	Crystal Palace	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	The Guardian
January 4, 2019	Vashon Neufville	Defender	West Ham	Newport County	Loan	The Guardian
January 6, 2019	Kamil Grabara	Goalkeeper	Liverpool	Aarhus	Loan	The Guardian
January 7, 2019	Alfir Jones	Defender	St Mirren	Southampton	Loan Return	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	Jimmy Dunne	Defender	Hearts	Burnley	Loan Return	BBC Football

English Premier League Matchday (January 1-January 3, 2019):

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

Everton 0-Leicester 1(Jamie Vardy 58)

Arsenal 4-Fulham 1(Granit Xhaka 25, Alexandre Lacazette 55, Aaron Ramsey 79, Pierre-Erick Aubemayang 83 / Aboubakar Kamara 69)

Cardiff 0-Tottenham 3(Harry Kane 3, Christian Eriksen 12, Son Heung-min 26)

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

Bournemouth 3-Watford 3(Nathan Ake 34, Callum Wilson 37, Ryan Fraser 40 / Troy Deeney 14, 27, Ken Sema 38)

Chelsea 0-Southampton 0 (-)

Huddersfield 1-Burnley 2(Steve Mounie 33 / Chris Wood 40, Ashley Barnes 74)

West Ham 2-Brighton 2 (Marko Arnautovic 66, 68 / Dale Stephens 56, Shane Duffy 58)

Wolves 0-Crystal Palace 2 (Jordan Ayew 83, Luka Milivojevic 90 pen)

Newcastle 0-Manchester United 2 (Romelu Lukaku 64, Marcus Rashford 80)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

Manchester City 2-Liverpool 1 (Sergio Aguero 40, Leroy Sane 72 / Roberto Firmino 64)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 14 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	21	17	3	1	49	10	39	54
2	Manchester City	21	16	2	3	56	17	39	50
3	Tottenham	21	16	0	5	46	21	25	48
4	Chelsea	21	13	5	3	38	16	22	44
5	Arsenal	21	12	5	4	46	31	15	41
6	Manchester United	21	11	5	5	43	32	11	38

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

English FC Cup-Third Round (January 3-January 5, 2019):

Friday, January 4, 2019:

Tranmere 0-Tottenham 7(Serge Aurier 40, 55, Fernando Llorente 48, 71, 72, Son Heung-min 57, Harry Kane 82)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

Bournemouth 1-Brighton 3(Marc Pugh 55 / Anthony Knockaert 31, Yves Bissouma 34, Florin Andone 64)

Burnley 1-Barnsley 0(Chris Wood 90 pen)

Manchester United 2-Reading 0 (Juan Mata 2 pen, Romelu Lukaku 45)

Sheffield Wednesday 0-Luton 0 (-)

Shrewsbury 1-Stoke 1(Oliver Norburn 45 pen / Peter Crouch 78)

WBA 1-Wigan 0(Bakary Sako 31)

West Ham 2-Birmingham 0 (Marko Arnautovic 2, Andy Carroll 90)

Acrington Stanley 1-Ipswich 0 (Billy Kee 76)

Aston Villa 0-Swansea 3 (C.Baker-Richardson 2, Nathan Dyer 47, Jay Fulton 78)

Bolton 5-Walsall 2(Clayotn Donaldson 58, Josh Magennis 61, 80, 87, John Guthrie (own goal) 63 / Andy Cook 19, Mark Beevers (own goal) 68 )

Brentford 1-Oxford 0(Neal Maupay 80 pen)

Chelsea 2-Nottingham Forest 0 (Alvaro Morata 49, 59)

Derby 2-Southampton 2  (Jack Marriott 58, Tom Lawrence 61 / Nathan Redmond 4, 48)

Everton 2-Lincoln 1(Ademola Lookman 12, Berbard 15 / Michael Bostwick 28)

Fleetwood 2-Wimbledon 3(Patrick Madden 70, Ched Evans 72 pen / Andy Barcham 17, Anothony Hartigan 55, Kwesi Appiah 90)

Gillingham 1-Cardiff 0(Elliott List 81)

Middlesbrough 5-Petersborough 0 (Britt Assombalonga 47, 70, George Friend 50, Lewis Wing 63, Ashley Fletcher 87)

Blackpool 0-Arsenal 3(Joseph Willock  11, 37, Alex Iwobi 82)

Bristol City 1-Huddersfield 0 (Josh Brownhill 72)

Crystal Palace 1-Grimsby 0 (Jordan Ayew 86)

Newcastle 1-Blackburn 1(Matt Ritchie 84 pen / Bradley Dack 56)

Norwich 0-Portsmouth 1(Andre Green 90)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

Fulham 1-Oldham 2(Denis Odoi 52 / Sam Sturridge 76 pen, Callum Lang 88)

Manchester City 7-Rotherham 0 (Raheem Sterling 12, Phil Foden 43, Semi Ajayi (own goal) 45, Gabriel Jesus 53, Riyad Mahrez 73, Nicolas Otamendi 78, Leroy Sane 85)

Milwall 2-Hull 1(Shane Ferguson 81, 85 / Jon Toral 52)

Preston North End 1-Doncaster 3 (Andrew Hughes 56 / John Marquis 5, Thomas Anderson 72, Mallik Wilks 87)

QPR 2-Leeds 1(Aramide Oteh 23 pen, Jake Bidwell 75 / Aapo Halme 25)

Sheffield United 0-Barnet 1 (Shaquile Coulthirst 21 pen)

Woking 0-Watford 2(Will Hughes 13, Troy Deeney 74)

Nrewport County 2-Leicester 1 (Jamille Matt 10, Padraig Amond 85 pen / Rachid Ghezzal 82)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

Wolves 2-Liverpool 1(Raul Jimenez 38, Ruben Neves 55 / Divock Origi 51)

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

- Roma have rejected Arsenal’s bid for Cengiz Under. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly was named as Senegal’s Player of the year. (Source Serie A News Live online)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-Cristiano Ronaldo was named as the player of the year in the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. He also was awarded for the goal of the year for his bicycle kick goal vs Juventus with Real Madrid. (Source Placar online)

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-Sampdoria have rejected Inter’s offer for Jakub Jankto. (Source Football Italia online)

-Juventus have rejected AC Milan’s offer for Moise Kean. (Source Football Italia online)

-RAI 2’s Carlo Freccero has apologized to Juventus forstating that they “control all the VAR” and claimed he was joking. (Source Football Italia online)

-FIFA has forced Trabzonspor to pay AC Milan, the outstanding sum owed for the transfers of Juraj Kucka and Jose Sosa. (Source Football Italia online)

-Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin has been linked with an end of seasomn transfer to Inter. (Source AS.com online)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-Sassuolo have rejected AC Milan’s approach for Stefano Sensi. (Source Calciomercato online)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 1, 2019	Luis Muriel (Spain)	Striker	Sevilla	Fiorentina	Loan	vi.nl
January 2, 2019	Nico Sansone	-	Villareal	Bologna	Loan with option to buy	L’Equipe
January 2, 2019	Roberto Soriano	-	Villareal	Bologna	Loan with option to buy	L’Equipe
January 2, 2019	Gilberto (Brazil)	Defender	Fiorentina	Fluminense	Loan renewed	L’Equipe
January 4, 2019	Stefano Okaka	Striker	Watford	Udinese	Loan with option to buy	Sky Sports
January 4, 2019	Jonny Williams	Midfielder	Crystal Palace	Charlton	Six-month deal	Sky Sports
January 4, 2019	Andy Mutch	Midfielder	Crystal Palace	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	Sky Sports
January 4, 2019	Aaron Ramsey (Wales)	Midfielder	Arsenal	Juventus	Next season	Bleacher Report
January 4, 2019	Lucas Paqueta (Brazil)	Midfielder	Flamengo	AC Milan	Purchase	The Guardian
January 6, 2019	Christian Kouame	-	Genoa	Napoli	Next Season	Football Italia
January 6, 2019	Felipe Vizeu (Brazil)	Striker	Udiense	Gremio	Loan	Football Italia
January 6, 2019	Jandrei (Brazil)	Goalkeeper	Chapecoense	Genoa	Purchase	Football Italia
January 7, 2019	Emiliano Viviano	Goalkeeper	Sporting CP	SPAL	Loan	Football Italia

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 4, 2019	Toby Alderweireld (Belgium)	Defender	Tottenham	2020	L’Equipe

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-According to Zico, Lionel Messi is almost at the same level of Maradona but below Pele. (Source AS.com online)

- Atletico Madrid Goalkeeper Jan Oblak was named as Slovenia’s Player of the year for the fourth time. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-Predrag Mijatovic has criticized Gareth Bale, saying he is nowhere near being a leader for Real Madrid. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Karim Benzema has criticized L’ Equipe magazine for not including as part of the best strikers of the year. (Source AS.com online)

 Saturday, January 5, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-Huesca have announced that Ruben Semedo can leav ethe club for disrespecting the values of the club.   (Source Football espana Online)

-Sergio Ramos has criticized VAR for missing out a penalty decision that was not awarded for a foul on Vinicius in Real Madrid’s loss vs. Sociedad. (Source AS.com online)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-The Agent of Malcolm (Barcelona) has denied reports linking the player to Lazio. (Source Football Italia online)

-Toni Kroos (Real madrid) will be out injured for a few weeks. (Source Reuters UK online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 2, 2019	Mohamed Mizzian	-	Melilla	Real Madrid	Loan with option to buy	AS.com
January 2, 2019	Vicente Iborra (Spain)	Midfielder	Leicester	Villarreal	Loan and then obligatory buy	L’Equipe
January 2, 2019	Junior Alonso (Paraguay)	Defender	Celta (under contract to Lille)	Boca Juniors	Loan Loan ended, new loan	L’Equipe
January 2, 2019	Manuel Iturra (Chile)	-	Villareal	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	L’Equipe
January 2, 2019	Cristian Espinoza	-	Villareal	San Jose Earthquakes (USA)	Loan (one year)	L’Equipe
January 3, 2019	Martin Braithwaite (Denmark)	Striker	Middlesbrough	Leganes	Loan	Sky Sports
January 4, 2019	Aderllan Santos (Brazil)	Defender	Vitoria	Valencia	Loan Return	Fotbal Espana
January 4, 2019	Adrien Rabiot (France)	Midfielder	PSG	Barcelona	Next season	Sky Sports

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 3, 2019	Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)	Goalkeeper	Real Madrid	2021	AS.com

Spanish La Liga Matchday (January 3, 2019): (Postponed match)

Thursday, January, 2019:

Villareal 2-Real Madrid 2 (Santi Cazorla 4, 82 / Karim Benzema 7, Raphael Varane 20)

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	17	11	4	2	48	19	29	37
2	Atletico Madrid	17	9	7	1	25	12	13	34
3	Sevilla	17	9	5	3	30	17	13	32
4	Real Madrid	17	9	5	3	26	21	5	30
5	Alaves	17	8	4	5	19	17	2	28
6	Betis	17	7	5	5	20	19	1	26

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

Spanish La Liga Matchday (December 21-December 24, 2019):

Friday, January 4, 2019:

Levante 2-Girona 2 (Jose Luis Morales 58, Coke 86 / Portu 31, Aleix Garcia 72)

Espanyol 1-Leganes 0(Borja Iglesias 9)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

Valladolid 0-Vallecano 1(Alvaro Medran 1)

Alaves 2-Valencia 1 (Borja Baston 21, Tomas Pina 45 / Dani Parejo 14)

Huesca 2-Betis 1  (David Ferreiro 723, Christian Rivera 79 / Antonio Sanabria 55 pen)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

Eibar 0-Villareal 0(-)

Sevilla 1-Atletico Madrid 1 (Wissam Ben Yedder 37 / Antoine Griezmann 45)

Real Madrid 0-Sociedad 2 (William Jose 3 pen, Ruben Pardo 83)

Getafe 1-Barcelona 2 (Jaime Mata 43 / Lionel Messi 20, Luis Suarez 39)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

Celta 1-Bilbao 2  (Fran Beltran 45 / Iker Muniain 19, Inaki Williams 54)

Top Goalscorer:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 16 goals

Luis Suarez (Barcelona) 12 goals

Cristhian Stuani (Girona) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	18	12	4	2	50	20	30	40
2	Atletico Madrid	18	9	8	1	26	13	13	35
3	Sevilla	18	9	6	3	31	18	13	33
4	Alaves	18	9	4	5	21	18	3	31
5	Real Madrid	18	9	5	4	26	23	3	30
6	Betis	18	7	5	6	21	21	0	26

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

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-Bayern Munich have made a third bid for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi. (Source Daily Mail online)

-RB Leipzig have stated that Timo Werner is to be transferred if he does not extend his contract. (Source AS.com online)

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-Jacob Bruun Larsen (Dortmund) has been named as Denmark’s Talent of the year. (Source Bulinews online)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

- Marco Reus (Dortmund) was named as the player of the year. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-Bayern Munich have fined Franck Ribery after his profanity filled tweets. He had received criticism for after showing a video of himself eating steak coated with gold. (Source BBC Football online)

-Swiss National Team goalkeeper Roman Burki (Dortmund) has decided to take a temporary break from the National Team. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Goalkeeper Rune Jarstein (Hertha Berlin) was named as Norway’s player of the year . (Source Sport Bild online)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 2, 2019	Felix Wiewald	Goalkeeper	Frankfurt	Duisburg	Loan	The Guardian
January 3, 2019	Romano Schmid (Austria)	Midfielder	Red Bull Salzburg	Werder Bremen	Purchase	The Guardian
January 3, 2019	Gregor Kobel	Goalkeeper	Hoffenheim	Augsburg	Loan	Kicker.de
January 3, 2019	Jakub Blaszczykowski (Poland)	Midfielder	Wolfsburg	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	L’Equipe
January 4, 2019	Franck Evina (Cameroon)	-	Bayern Munich	Holstein Kiel	Loan	L’Equipe
January 5, 2019	Maximilian Pronichev	-	Hertha Berlin	Hallesche	Loan	Kicker.de
January 5, 2019	Chris Richards (USA)	Defender	Dallas FC	Bayern Munich	Permanent signing	L’Equipe
January 6, 2019	Vincenzo Grifo	Striker	Hoffenheim	Freiburg	Loan	L’Equipe
January 7, 2019	Riechedly Bazoer (Holland)	-	Porto	Wolfsburg	Loan	Football-Oranje

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-Didier Deschamps was named the French Manager of the year by France Football Magazine. (Source L’Équipe online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 2, 2019	Mathias Suarez (Uruguay)	Defender	Defensor Sporting	Montpellier	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 2, 2019	Jason Berthomier	Midfielder	Troyes	Clermont	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 2, 2019	Kevin Denkey	Striker	Nimes	Beziers	Loan	L’Equipe
January 3, 2019	Lyle Foster (South Africa)	Striker	Orlando Pirates	Monaco	Purchase	BBC Football
January 3, 2019	Yevhann Diouf	Goalkeeper	Troyes	Reims	Purchase (next season)	L’Equipe
January 3, 2019	Naldo (Brazil)	Defender	Schalke	Monaco	Purchase	Kicker.de
January 4, 2019	Aly Ndom	Midfielder	Reims	Caen	Loan	L’Equipe
January 4, 2019	Vagner Dias Goncalves	-	St Etienne	Nancy	Loan	L’Equipe
January 7, 2019	Saliou Ciss (Senegal)	Defender	Angers	Valenciennes	Loan	L’Equipe
January 7, 2019	Anthony Koura (Burkina Faso)	Striker	Nancy	Lausanne	Purchase	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 3, 2019	Amine Gouiri	Striker	Lyon	2022	L’Equipe

Coupe de France (January 4-6, 2019):

Friday, January 4, 2019:

Nantes 4-Chateauroux 1 (Kalifa Coulibaly 6, Rene Krhin 37, Imran Louza 70, Anthony Limbombe 86 / Opa Sangante 13)

Grenoble -Strasbourg (Postponed)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

Croix 2-Raon L’Etape 0 (Sofiane Mihoubi 87, Fares Hassani 90)

Marignane/Gignac 1-Clermont Foot 1 (Yanis Barka 62 / Franck Honorat 45) (Marignane won 3-0 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Bastia 2-Concarneau 2(Michel Moretti 39, Louis Poggi 90 / Maxime Toupin 21, Guillaume Gegousse 48) (Bastia won 5-4 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Tours 1-Les Herbiers 2 (A.Salem Boupendza 47 / Oumar Pouye 6, 55)

Viry Chatillon 1-Angers 0 (Mahamadou Sacko 51)

Amiens 1-Valenciennes 0 (Cheick Timite 48)

Bergerac Perigord 2-Niort 1 (Clement Badin 17, Mehdi belbachir 26 / Zakaria Grich 15)

Entente 1-Montpellier 0 (Mathieu Geran 90)

Le Puy 0-Nancy 1(Wilfried Moimbe 16)

Lyon la Duchere 3-Nimes 0 (Jackson Mendes 13, Frank Julienne 80, Matthieu Ezikian 8)

Orleans 3-Aiglon 2(Jordan Tell 28, Gaetan Perrin 105, Fahd El Khoumisti 114 / Gregory Banal 71, Thomas Renault (own goal) 113)

St Pontivyen 2-Guingamp 4 (Baptiste Marec 6, Kevin Le Sauce 55 pen / Yeni N’Gbakoto 15, Nolan Roux 18, Marcus Thuram 64, 67)

Gravelines 0-Villefranche Beaujolais 3 (C.Toko Edimo 115, Arnold Celin Lemb 120, Youssouf N’Diaye 120+)

Red Star 0-Caen 1(Yacine Bammou 82)

Saint-Quentin 1-Metz 2(Jessy Cambrone 50 / Renaud Cohade 45, Ivan Balliu 101)

Schlitigheim 1-Dijon 3(Benjamin Genghini 78 pen / Naim Sliti 64, Chang-Hoon Kwon 72, Julio Tavares 90)

Sete 1-FC de Limonest 0 (Abdoulaye Diaby 81)

Bourges 0-Lyon 2(Martin Terrier 59, Ferland Mendy 77)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

Andrezieux 2-OM 0(Ngwabije B. 17, Florian Milla 82)

Canet Roussillon 0-Monaco 1 (Moussa Sylla 2)

Reims 2-Lens 0 (Remi Oudin 32, Mathieu Cafaro 36 pen)

Rennes 2-Brest 2 (Adrien Hunou 41, Ismaila Sarr 49 / Gaetan Charbonnier 24, 40) (Rennes won 5-4 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Bordeaux 0-Le Havre 1(Ebenezer Assifuah 47)

Cheminots Longueau 0-Vitre 0 (-) (Vitre won on a penalty kick shoot-out)

Noisy Le Grand 2-GFC Ajaccio 1 (M.N’Doye-Baye (own goal) 4, Salim Issaad 43 / Jeremy Blayac 16)

S-Pryve St Hilaire 3-Aurillac Arpajon 1 (Fabrice Seidou 2, 31, Aboubacar Ouattara 45 / Pierre jamin 16)

Strasbourg Olympique 0-St Etienne 6 (Remy Cabella 3, 85, Loic Perrin 9, Wahbi Khazri 46, Lois Diony 56, Kenny Rocha Santos 83)

Toulouse 4-Nice 1 (Bafode Diakite 40, Max-Alain Gradel 45, Mathieu Dossevi 68, Manu Garcia 85 / Ihsan Sacko 48)

Garde Saint Ivy Pontivy 0-PSG 4 (Sylvain Jule (own goal) 24, Neymar 70, Kylian Mbappe 77 pen, Julian Draxler 87)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

Lille 1-Sochaux 0(Luiz Araujo 40)

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink revelaed that a potential transfer from Chelsea to Barcelona fell through back in 2003 after Louis van Gaal was sacked at Barcelona. (Source Sky Sports online)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 1, 2019	Dimitris Kolovos (Greece) (under contract with Mechelen)	Midfielder	Willem II	Omonia Nicosia	Loan	vi.nl
January 2, 2019	Lisandro Magallan (Argentina)	Defender	Boca Juniors	Ajax	Purchase	vi.nl
January 2, 2019	Sylla Sow	-	Utrecht	RKC	Purchase	vi.nl
January 2, 2019	Kees Heemskerk	-	Free Agent	RKC	Purchase	vi.nl
January 2, 2019	Khalid Karami	-	Vitesse	NAC	Loan	vi.nl
January 3, 2019	Kyle Scot	-	Tesltar	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	vi.nl
January 3, 2019	Pelle Clement	Midfielder	Reading	PEC Zwolle	Purchase	vi.nl
January 4, 2019	Lassina Traore (Burkina Faso)	-	Ajax Cape Town	Ajax	Purchase	vi.nl
January 4, 2019	Keelan Lebon (France)	-	Paris FC	Utrecht	Loan	vi.nl
January 4, 2019	Nico Neidhart (Germany)	Defender	Lotte	Emmen	Purchase	vi.nl
January 4, 2019	Olivier Rommens	Midfielder	NAC	Top Oss	Purchase	Voetbalzone.nl
January 5, 2019	Ferdy Druijff	Striker	AZ	NEC	Loan	vi.nl
January 6, 2019	Nicolas Isimat-Mirin (France)	-	PSV Eimdhoven	Besiktas	Purchase	vi.nl
January 6, 2019	Kevin Jansen	-	NEC	Cambuur	Purchase	vi.nl
January 7, 2019	Tashreeq Matthews (South Africa)	-	Dortmund	Utrecht	Loan	vi.nl
January 7, 2019	Stijn Spierings	Midfielder	Sparta	RKC	Purchase	vi.nl
January 7, 2019	Lowie van Zundert	Striker	NEC	RKC	Loan	vi.nl

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 6, 2019	Thomas Schalekamp	-	Dordrecht	vi.nl
January 6, 2019	Richonell Margaret	Striker	Vitesse	vi.nl

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-Australian winger Martin Boyle (Hibernian) will be out injured for some time. (Source BBC Football online)

-Former Scottish Professional and Hearts player from the 40s and 50s, Frederick Glidden passed away aged 91. (Source Wikipedia online)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-Celtic’s bid for Ivory Coast striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Dunajska Streda) was rejected. (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-Hibernian’s Nigerian defender Efe Ambrose has triggered a clause in his contract to leave the club. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

- Referee John Beaton has told police that he eas been targeted with threatening messages after refereeing the Old Firm clash. (Source BBC Football online)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) stated that hos decision to step away from the game on temporary basis is due to his mental health state. (Source the42.ie online)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

- Hearts Manager Craig Levein was suspended for one match following his criticism of Referee Bobby Madden in their loss vs. Rangers in December. (Source BBC Football online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 3, 2019	Jermain Defoe (England)	Striker	Bournemouth	Rangers	Loan (18 months)	Sky Sports
January 3, 2019	Ross MacLean	Midfielder	Motherwell	Falkirk	Purchase	BBC Football
January 3, 2019	Ian McShane	Midfielder	St Mirren	Falkirk	Purchase	BBC Football
January 5, 2019	Ross McCormack	Striker	Aston Villa	Motherwell	Loan	BBC Football
January 5, 2019	Oliver Burke	Winger	WBA	Celtic	Loan	BBC Football
January 5, 2019	Glen Kamra (Finland)	-	Dundee	Rangers	Next Season	L’Equipe
January 5, 2019	Jordan Jones (Northern Ireland)	-	Kilmarnock	Rangers	Next Season	L’Equipe
January 6, 2019	Craig Curran (England)	Striker	Dundee	Dundee United	Purchase	BBC Football
January 6, 2019	Steven Davis (Northern Ireland)	Midfielder	Southampton	Rangers	Six-month loan	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	Gboly Ariyibi (USA)	Winger	Nottingham Forest	Motherwell	Purchase (rest of the season)	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	David Vanecek (Czech Republic)	Striker	Teplice	Hearts	Purchase	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	Connor Shaughnessy	Defender	Leeds	Hearts	Loan	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	Ryan Edwards	Midfielder	St Mirren	Hearts	Loan return	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	Bobby Burns	Winger	Livingston	Hearts	Loan return	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	Timothy Weah (USA)	Striker	PSG	Celtic	Loan	The42.ie

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 7, 2019	Martin Woods	Midfielder	Dundee	2019 (end of season)	BBC Football
January 7, 2019	Sam Cosgrove	Striker	Aberdeen	2022	BBC Football

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-Daniel Ramos has been named as the new Manager of Rio Ave replacing Jose Gomes. (Source A Bola online)

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-Tiago Silva (Feirense) has been suspended for three matches and fined 1,645 Euros after his sending off vs.Sporting CP. (Source MaisFutebol online)

-Benfica have dismissed Manager Rui Vitoria. (Source L’Équipe online)

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-Bruno Lage has been named as the interim Manager of Benfica. (Source MaisFutebol online)

-Jose Mourinho has reportedly turned down an offer from Benfica to manage the side. (Source AS.com online)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 3, 2019	Miguel Lazaro	Goalkeeper	Setubal	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	A Bola
January 3, 2019	Miguel Lazaro	Goalkeeper	Free agent	Alverca	Purchase	A Bola
January 3, 2019	Bruno Cesar (Brazil)	-	Sporting CP	Vasco Da Gama	Purchase	A Bola
January 5, 2019	Douglas Grolli (Brazil)	Defender	Bahia	Maritomo	Purchase	Maisfutebol
January 5, 2019	Stivan Petkov (Bulgaria)	Striker	Botev Plovdiv	Feirense	Purchase	Maisfutebol
January 5, 2019	Bruno Paulista (Brazil)	Midfielder	Vasco da Gama	Sporting CP	Back from loan	Maisfutebol
January 7, 2019	Aly Ghazal (Egypt)	Defender	Free Agent (formerly Vancouver Whitecaps)	Feirense	Purchas	BBC Football

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 1, 2019	Eduardo Salvio (Argentina)	Winger	Benfica	2022	L’Equipe

Portugal Primeira Liga League Matchday (January 2-3, 2019):

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

Santa Clara 1-Tondela 2 (Fernando Andrade 81 pen / Pite 78,83)

Boavista 1-Setubal 0 (Mateus 58)

Nacional 1-Guimaraes 0 (Joao Camacho 9)

Braga 2-Maritimo 0 (Raul Silva 8, Wilson Eduardo 13)

Portimonense 2-Benfica 0(Ruben Dias (own goal) 12, Jardel (own goal) 38)

Rio Ave 1-Moreirense 2 (Vinicius 33 / Heriberto Tavares 66, 69)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

Chaves 0-Feirense 0(-)

Sporting CP 2-Belenenesses 1 (-Bruno Gaspar 57, Miguel Luis 80 / Fredy 90)

Aves 0-Porto 1(Eder Militao 25)

Top Goalscorer:

Dyego Sousa (Braga) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	15	13	0	2	31	9	22	39
2	Sporting CP	15	11	1	3	32	16	16	34
3	Braga	15	10	3	2	30	16	14	33
4	Benfica	15	10	2	3	31	15	16	32
5	Guimaraes	15	7	4	4	21	16	5	25
6	Moreirense	15	8	1	6	17	29	-3	25

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

Portugal Primeira Liga League Matchday (January 5-6, 2019):

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

Maritmo 2-Portimonense 1 (Edgar Costa 43, Jorge Correa 84 / Paulinho 90 pen)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

Feirense 2-Santa Clara 2 (Edinho 59 pen, Jose Valencia 65 / Ze Manuel 43, Bruno Lamas 48)

Belenenesses 1-Guimaraes 0(Henrique Almeida 31)

Setubal 0-Chaves 0(-)

Benfica 4-Rio Ave 2(Haris Seferovic 27, 70, Joao Felix 31, 64 / Gabrielzinho 17, Bruno Moreira 20)

Braga 1-Boavista 0(Ricardo Horta 25)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

Moreirense 1-Aves 0(Mamadou Loum 76)

Tondela 2-Sporting CP 1 (Juan Delgado 6, Tomane 74 / Jeremy Mathieu 76)

Porto 3-Nacional 1(Yacine Brahimi 32, 57, Soares 38 / Bryan Rochez 40)

Top Goalscorer:

Dyego Sousa (Braga) 11 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	16	14	0	2	34	10	24	42
2	Braga	16	11	3	2	31	16	15	36
3	Benfica	16	11	2	3	35	17	18	35
4	Sporting CP	16	11	1	4	33	18	15	34
5	Moreirense	16	9	1	6	18	20	-2	28
6	Guimaraes	16	7	4	5	21	17	4	25

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

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-Martin Jol has been linked with the Anderlecht Manager position. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-Aad De Mos has criticized Marc Coucke and Michel Verschueren’s lack of experience in Anderlecht’s troubles. He mentioned that their first two choices for Manager Frank De Boer and Phillip Cocu have declined, leaving them with a third choice type of candidate. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Frank Arnesen stated that Anderlecht had not contacted Phillip Cocu for the Manager position and in in any case he would not be available until the summer. (Source RTBF.be online)

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-Dutch Manager Fred Rutten was named as Manager of Anderlecht. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Christian Luyindama (Standard Liege) was named as Congo’s player of the year . (Source Walfoot.be online)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 2, 2019	Warsama Hassen	-	Genk	Seraing	Purchase	Footnews.be
January 2, 2019	Mohamed Naderi (Iran)	Defender	Kortrijk	Perspolis	Loan	Walfoot.be
January 3, 2019	Jonathan Legear	-	St Truiden	Adana Demirspor	Purchase	Walfoot.be
January 3, 2019	Neto Borges (Brazil)	Defender	Hammarby	Genk	Purchase	RTBF.be
January 4, 2019	Valeriy Luchkevych (Ukraine)	Defender	Standard	FK Oleksandriia	Loan	RTBF.be
January 4, 2019	Jan van den Bergh	Defender	Beerschot Wilrijk	Gent	Purchase (end of the season)	RTBF.be
January 4, 2019	Idrissa Sylla	Striker	QPR	Zulte-Waregem	Purchase	Footnews.be
January 4, 2019	Ibrahima Seck	Midfielder	Genk	Zulte-Waregem	Loan with option to buy	Footnews.be
January 4, 2019	Stef Peeters	Midfielder	Caen	Zulte-Waregem	Loan with option to buy	Footnews.be
January 4, 2019	Casper De Norre	Defender	St Truiden	Genk	Purchase	Jupiler League App
January 4, 2019	Bahnou Diarra	-	Anderlecht	RWD Molenbeek	Purchase	Walfoot.be
January 5, 2019	Irakli Bugridze (Georgia)	-	Chikhura (Georgia)	Beerschot-Wilrijk	Purchase	Walfoot.be
January 5, 2019	Francis N’Ganga	-	Charleroi	Ermis Aradippou (Cyprus)	Purchase	Walfoot.be
January 5, 2019	Stef Peeters	Midfielder	Caen	Zulte-Waregem	Loan with option to buy	L’Equipe
January 6, 2019	Bob Straetman	-	Lokeren	Exceslior Virton	Loan	Jupiler League App
January 6, 2019	Iebe Swers	Defender	St Truiden	Seraing	Purchase	Walfoot.be
January 7, 2019	Luca Napoleone	Midfielder	Mouscron	Virton	Purchase	RTBF.be

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 3, 2019	Japhet Muanza (17 years old)	Defender	Antwerp	Walfoot.be

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, January 1, 2019:

-Former Bulgarian Defender from the 50s into the 79s,  Ivan Milanov Dimitrov passed away aged 83. (Source Wikipedia online)

Wednesday, January 2, 2019:

-Australia have called up striker Apostolos Giannou (AEL Larnaca) to replace the injured Martin Boyle. (Source Reuters Uk online)

-Gustavo Alfaro has been named as Boca Juniors Manager. (Source Reuters UK online)

Thursday, January 3, 2019:

-

Friday, January 4, 2019:

-Eidur Gudjohnsen has been named as the Manger of Iceland’s U-21 squad. He will be assisted with Arnar Vidarsson. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

-L’Equipe magazine announced its team of the year as follows: (Source AS.com online)

Jan Oblak (SVN / Atlético)

Trent Alexander-Arnold (ENG / Liverpool)
Raphael Varane (FRA / Real Madrid)
Virgil van Dijk (NED / Liverpool)
Marcelo (BRA / Real Madrid)

N'Golo Kanté (FRA / Chelsea)
Luka Modric (CRO / Real Madrid)

Kylian Mbappé (FRA / PSG)
Lionel Messi (ARG / Barcelona)
Eden Hazard (BEL / Chelsea)

Cristiano Ronaldo (POR / Real Madrid-Juventus)

-Diego Maradona has reportedly gone missing from his Mexican side Dorados. (Source Football Espana online)

-Diego Maradona was rushed to a Hospital for emergency surgery due to stomach bleeding. (Source Sportbible online)

-Radamel Enrique Garcia King, a member of Colombia’s 1980 Olympics squad, and father of Radamel Falcao passed away aged 61 after he collapsed while playing Tennis. (Source Wikipedia online)

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

- Diego Maradona has been released from the Hospital. His family stated the diagnosis was not serious. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Former Yugoslavia International from the 50s and 60s, Fdragoslav Sekularac passed away aged 81. (Source AFP Online)

- Denmark’s Simpn Poulsen announced his retirement from the game. (Source vi.nl Online)

-Tsukasa Shiotani (Al Ain) and Takashi Inui (Betis) have been called up by Japan for the Asian Nations Cup to replace the injured duo: Makajima and Morita. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

-Lee Seung-Woo (Hellas Verona) has been called up by Japan for the Asian Nations Cup to replace the injured Na Song-Ho. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

-Thailand have dismissed Manager Milovan Rajevac after the loss vs. India in the Asian Nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

Monday, January 7, 2019:

-Guinea is to host the 2025 edition of the African Nations Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Argentinian Manager Gerardo Martino was named as the new National Team Manager of Mexico. (Source L’Équipe online)

Asian Nations Cup:

Asian Nations Cup-Group A:

Saturday, January 5, 2019:

United Arab Emirates 1-Bahrain 1 (Ahmed Khalil 88 pen / Mohamed Marzooq 78)

Asian Nations Cup-Group A:

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

Thailand 1-India 4 (TeerasilDAngda 33 / Sunil Chhetri 27 pen, 46, Anirudh Thapa 68, Jeje Lalpekhlua 80)

Asian Nations Cup-Group B:

Sunday, January 6, 2019:

Australia 0-Jordan 1 (Anas Bani Yaseen 26)

Syria 0-Palestine 0 (-)

Asian Nations Cup-Group C:

Monday, January 7, 2019:

China 2-Kyrgyzstan 1 (Pavel Matiash (own goal) 50, Dabao Yu 78 / Akhlidin Israilov 42)

South Korea 1-Phillipines 0 (Ui-Jo Hwang 67)

Asian Nations Cup-Group D:

Monday, January 7, 2019:

Iran 5-Yemen 0 (Mehdi Taremi 12, 25, Ashkan Dejageh 23, Sardar Azmoun 53, Saman Ghoddos 78)

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 40 (Week of January 8-January 14, 2019)

January 15, 2019, 1:37 pm

≫ Next: When Calcio Ruled the Football World-A Personal Journey-Part 15 (1996/97)

≪ Previous: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 39 (Week of January 1-January 7, 2019)

$

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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, January 8, 2019:

-Striker Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) rejected a loan move to Wolves to remain at Aston Villa. (Source BBC Football online)

-The FA are to investigate Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy’s alleged Nazi Salute in a photograph . (Source Reuters UK online)

-Cesc Fabregas’ proposed transfer to Monaco is on hold until Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri has found a replacement. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola has denied that he ordered their Stadium’s grass to be uncut to disrupt Liverpool’s play in the recent encounter. (Source The Guardian online)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-Tottenham are to play their home matches at Wembley until at least this March. (Source BBC Football Online)

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

- West Ham have rejected a bid from a Chinese club for Marko Arnautovic (Source BBC Football online)

-Nikola Vlasic (Everton) stated that unfder former Manager Sam Allardyce the team played ‘awful football’. (Source extra.ie online)

-Charlie Austin (Southampton) was suspended for two matches for his obscene gesture to the fans in the match vs. Manchester City. (Source L’Équipe online)

-The FA have charged Troy Deeney (Watford) for his remarks about match refeee in their match vs. Bournemouth. (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-Spanish Manager Aitor Karanka has resigned as Nottingham Forest Manager. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Liverpool Player Virgil van Dijon and Manager Jurgen Klopp were named as the Premier League’s Player and Manager of the month of December.

-Chelsea have rejected Barcelona’s offer of cash plus Malcolm for Willian. (Source Football Espana online)

-Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri has criticized Bayern Munich’s repeated attempts to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi. (Source Voetbalzone.nl online)

-Leeds United are accused of having a spy who was present at Derby County’s training session ahead of their match. Leeds Manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted that he had in fact sent a spy and stated that he had practiced this for years.  (Source Sky Sports online)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-Leeds United have apologized for the spying issue vs. Derby County. (Source The Guardian Online)

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Martin O’Neill has agreed to become the new Manager of Nottingham Forest. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Callum Hudson-Odoi will not renew his contract with Chelsea as he aims to transfer to Bayern Munich. (Source Bulinews online)

-David Wagner has resigned as Huddersfield Manager. Mark Hudson will manage in the interim . (Source Sky Sports online)

-Roy Keane is set to become Martin O’Neill’s Assistant at Nottingham Forest. (Source Balls.ie online)

- Frank Lampard was confronted with the news that as Chelsea Assisytant manager Andre-Villas Boas had admitted to spying on the opposition (when Lampard was a player at the club). Lampard stated that he still did not believe that Chelsea spied on the opposition. (Source BBC Football online)

 

Photo From: L'Equipe, January 13, 2019

(Ole Gunnar Solskjaer)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Lee Tomlin	-	Cardiff	Peterborough	Loan	Sky Sports
January 8, 2019	Ovie Ejaria	Midfielder	Liverpool	Reading	Loan	Sky Sports
January 8, 2019	Oscar Threlkeld	Defender	Waasland-Beveren	Plymouth Argyle	Loan	Sky Sports
January 8, 2019	Mousa Dembele (Belgium)	Midfielder	Tottenham	Beijing Guoan	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 8, 2019	Kortney Hause	Defender	Wolves	Aston Villa	Loan	The Guardian
January 8, 2019	Gary Madine	Striker	Cardiff	Sheffield United	Loan	The Guardian
January 8, 2019	George Cox	Defender	Brighton	Northampton	Loan	The Guardian
January 8, 2019	Bright Enobakhare	Striker	Wolves	Coventry	Loan	The Guardain
January 8, 2019	Colin Quaner	Striker	Huddersfirld	Ipswich	Loan	The Guardain
January 8, 2019	Filip Stuparevic	Striker	Vizvodac	Watford	Purchase	The Guardain
January 9, 2019	Kasey Palmer	-	Chelsea	Bristol City	Loan	Sky SPorts
January 9, 2019	Lewis Baker	Midfielder	Leeds	Chelsea	Loan return	Sky Sports
January 10, 2019	Fousseni Diabate (Mali)	Striker	Leicester	Sivasspor	Loan	BBC Football
January 10, 2019	Anthony Pilkington	Winger	Cardiff	Wigan	Purcagse	Sky Sports
January 10, 2019	Danny Amankwaa (Denmark)	Winger	Hearts	SonderjyskE	Purchase	BBC Football
January 11, 2019	Greg Stewart	Striker	Kilmarnock	Birmigham	Loan Return	BBC Football
January 11, 2019	Mihai Popescu (Romania)	Defender	Dinamo Bucharest	St Mirren	Loan	BBC Football
January 11, 2019	Ryan Schofield	Goalkeeper	Huddersfield	Notts County	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Ali Koiki	Defender	Burnley	Swindon	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Liam Gibson	Defender	Newcastle	Accrington Stanley	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Harvey Barnes	Midfielder	WBA	Leicester	Loan return	Sky Sports
January 11, 2019	Moises Makasi	Midfielder	West Ham	Stevenage	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Nya Kirby	Midfielder	Crystal palace	Blackpool	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Ethan Hamilton	Midfielder	Manchester United	Rochdale	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Ethan Ebanks-Landell	Defender	Wolves	Rochdale	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Josh Grant	Defender	Chelsea	Yeovil	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Alex Dobre	Winger	Bournemouth	Yeovil	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Karlo Ziger	Goalkeper	Chelsea	Sutton United	Loan	The Guardian
January 12, 2019	Paul Gladon	Striker	Wolves	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	vi.nl
January 12, 2019	Tom McGill	Goalkeeper	Brighton	Basingstoke Town	Loan	The Guardian
January 14, 2019	David Eagner (USA)	Manager	Huddersfield	Free Agent	Resignation	Sky Sports

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 9, 2019	Nacho Monreal (Spain)	-	Arsenal	2020	101 Great Goals

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 10, 2019	Louie Moulden	Goalkeeper	Manchetser City	L’Equipe

English League Cup-Semifinals-First Leg (January 8-January 9, 2019):

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

Tottenham 1-Chelsea 0(Harry Kane 27 pen)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

Manchester City 9-Burton Albion 0 (Kevin De Bruyne 5, Gabriel Jesus 30, 34, 57, 65, Olexandr Zinchenko 37, Phil Foden 62, Kyle Walker 70, Riyad Mahrez 83)

English Premier League Matchday (January 12-January 14, 2019):

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

West Ham 1-Arsenal 0 (Declan Rice 48)

Brighton 0-Liverpool 1(Mohamed Salah 50 pen)

Burnley 2-Fulham 1(Joe Bryan (own goal) 20, Denis Odoi (own goal) 23 / Andre Schurrle 2)

Cardiff 0-Huddersfield 0  (-)

Crystal Palace 1-Watford 2 (Craig Cathcart (own goal) 38 / Craig Cathcart 67, Tom Cleverley 74)

Leicetser 1-Southampton 2 (Wilfred Ndidi 58 / James Ward Prowse 11 pen, Shane Long 45)

Chelsea 2-Newcastle 1(Pedro 9, Willian 57 / Ciaran Clark 40)

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

Everton 2-Bournemouth 0 (Kurt Zouma 38, D.Calvert-Lewin 90)

Tottenham 0-Manchester United 1 (Marcus Rashford 44)

Monday, January 14, 2019:

Manchester City 3-Wolves 0 (Gabriel Jesus 10, 39 pen, Conor Coady (own goal) 78)

Top Goalscorer:

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 14 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	22	18	3	1	50	10	40	57
2	Manchester City	22	17	2	3	59	17	42	53
3	Tottenham	22	16	0	6	46	22	24	48
4	Chelsea	22	14	5	3	40	17	23	47
5	Arsenal	22	12	5	5	46	32	14	41
6	Manchester United	22	12	5	5	44	32	12	41

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

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-AC Milan Manager Rino Gattuso has blocked the transfer of Hakan Calhanoglu to RB Leipzig. (Source Football Italia online)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

- Inter will not appeal and will accept the current stadium ban. (Source L’Equipe online) 

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Fabio Capello stated that the decision to award the 2005-06 to Inter (as a result of Calciopoli) as a ‘bad joke’. (Source Football Italia online)

-Gonzalo Higuain has reportedly submitted a transfer request to AC Milan as he is linked to Chelsea. (Source vi.nl online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Valter Birsa (Slovenia)	Midfielder	Chievo	Cagliari	Purchadse	L’Equipe
January 8, 2019	Marvin Zeegelaar	Defender	Watford	Udinese	Loan	The Guardian
January 8, 2019	Stefano Okaka	Striker	Watford	Udinese	Loan	Sky Sports
January 8, 2019	Gabigol (Brazil)	Striker	Inter	Flamengo	One year Loan	L’Equipe
January 8, 2019	Everton Luiz	Midfielder	SPAL	Real Salt Lake City	Loan	The Guardian
January 8, 2019	Luca Valzania	Midfielder	Atalanta	Frosinone	Loan	Football Italia
January 8, 2019	Danilo Soddimo	Midfielder	Frosinone	Cremonese	Purchase	The Guardian
January 9, 2019	Umar Sadiq	Striker	Roma	Perugia	Loan	The Guardian
January 10, 2019	Manolo Gabbiadini	Striker	Southampton	Sampdoria	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Daniele Dessena	Midfielder	Cagliari	Brescia	Purchase	The Guardian
January 10, 2019	Stefano Sturaro	-	Juventus	Genoa	Loan with option to buy	Football Italia
January 11, 2019	Alessio Da Cruz	Winger	Parma	Spezia	Loan	The Guardian
January 11, 2019	Morten Thorsby (Norway)	Midfielder	SC Heerenveen	Sampdoria	Next season	Voetnalzone.nl
January 11, 2019	Giuseppe Pezzella	Defender	Udinese	Genoa	Loan with option to buy	Calciomercato
January 14, 2019	Juraj Kucka (Slovakia)	Midfielder	Tranzonspor	Parma	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 14, 2019	Emiliano Rigoni (Argentina)	Striker	Atalanta	Zenit St Petersburg	Back from Loan	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 11, 2019	Erick Pulgar (Chile)	Midfielder	Bologna	2022	Football Italia
January 11, 2019	Alessandro Rossi	Striker	Lazio	2022	Football Italia

Coppa Italia (January 12-14, 2019):

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

Lazio 4-Novara 1 (Luis Alberto 12, Ciro Immobile 20, 35, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 45 / Umberto Eusepi 49 pen)

Sampdoria 0-AC Milan 2 (Patrick Cutrone 102, 108)

Bologna 0-Juventus 2 (Federico Bernardeschi 9, Moise Kean 49 )

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

Torino 0-Fiorentina 2 (Federico Chiesa 87, 90)

Inter 6-Benevento 2 (Mauro Icardi 3 pen, Antonio Candreva 7, 90, Dalbert 45, Lautaro Martinez 48, 66 / Roberto Insigne 58, Filippo Bandinelli 74)

Napoli 2-Sassuolo 0 (Arek Milik 15, Fabian Ruiz 74)

Monday, January 14, 2019:

Cagliari 0-Atalanta 2 (Duvan Zapata 88, Mario Pasalic 90)

Roma 4-Virtus Entella 0 (Patrik Schick 1, 47, Ivan Marcano 45, Javier Pastore 74)

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-Munir El  Haddadi’s Agent stated that Barcelona Manager Ernesto Valverde had told the player that he would not play this season since he had not renewed his contract. (Source Marca online)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) has been voted a sthe player of the month for December. (Source AS.com online)

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-Barcelona were reportedly ready to offer Munir El Haddadi a contract however, his agent’s bonus demands ended the deal. (Source AS.com online)

- Sporting CP have filed court papers against Atletico Madrid, demanding 105 Million Euros in compemsation over the transfer of Gelson Martins. (Source AS.com online)

-Valencia is set to cancel the loan of Chelsea’s Belgian Striker Michy Batshuayi. (Source L’Équipe online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-

 Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-Nolito (Sevilla) will be out injured for a number of months (Source L’Équipe online)

-Huesca have requested the loan of goalkeeper Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid). (Source Marca online)

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-Lionel Messi scored his 400^th La Liga goal in their win over Eibar (3-0).   (Source Sportbible Online)

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Borja Iglesias (Espanyol) has rejected the chance to join Everton. (Source Football Espana online)

-In a radio interview, Jorge Valdano was critical of   Real Madrid’s Isco and Marcos Asensio, but praised Vinicius Jr. (Source AS.com online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Jean-Clair Todibo (France)	Defender	Toulouse	Barcelona	Next Season	L’Equipe
January 8, 2019	Mauro dos Santos	Defender	Leganes	Tenerife	Purchase	The Guardian
January 9, 2019	Cristian Gane	Defender	Bilbao	Numancia	Loan	The Guardian
January 10, 2019	Ibai Gomez	-	Alaves	Bilbao	Purchse	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Serdar Gurler (Turkey)	Winger	Huesca	Goztepe	Loan (18 months)	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Diego Lainez (Mexico)	Winger	America	Betis	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 11, 2019	Chechu Martinez	-	Malaga	Real Madrid	Purchasse	Footbal Espana
January 11, 2019	Maximilian Wober (Holland)	Defender	Ajax	Sevilla	Purchase	Football-oranje
January 11, 2019	Munir El Haddadi	Striker	Barcelona	Sevilla	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 11, 2019	Munir El HaBorja Lasso	Winger	Sevilla	Tenerife	Loan	The Guardian
January 14, 2019	Uros Racic (Serbia)	Midfielder	Valencia	Tenerife	Loan	L’Equipe
January 14, 2019	Vasyl Kravets	Defender	CD Lugo	Leganes	Purchase	The Guardian
January 14, 2019	Samuel Garcia, Samu	-	Levante	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	A Bola

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 11, 2019	Yacine Bounou (Morocco)	Goalkeeper	Girona	2021	L’Equipe

Copa Del Rey (January 8-January 10, 2019):

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

Sporting Gijon 2-Valencia 1 (Javier Noblesjas 34, Nick Blackman 79 / Daniel Parejo 45)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

Girona 1-Atletico Madrid 1 (Anthony Lozano 34 / Antoine Griezmann 9)

Getafe 1-Valladolid 0 (Angel Rodriguez 90)

Villareal 2-Espanyol 2 (Karl Toko Ekambi 85, Carlos Bacca 89 / Sergi Darder 15, Alex Lopez 72)

Real Madrid 3-Leganes 0 (Sergio Ramos 44 pen, Lucas Vazquez 68, Vinicius Junior 77)

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

Bilbao 1-Sevilla 3 (Mikel San Jose 49 / Nolito 6, Andre Silva 53, Wissam Ben Yedder 77)

Betis 0-Sociedad 0 (-)

Levante 2-Barcelona 1 (Erick Cabaco 4, Borja Mayoral 18 / Philippe Coutinho 85 pen)

Spanish La Liga Matchday (January 11-January 13, 2019):

Friday, January 11, 2019:

Vallecano 4-Celta 2 (Raul De Timas 4, 37, 77, Bebe 90 / Nestor Araujo 13, Maxi Gomez 18 pen)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

Leganes 1-Huesca 0(Youssef En-Nesyri 73)

Valencia 1-Valladolid 1 (Dani Parejo 71 / Ruben Alcaraz 82)

Girona 1-Alaves 1 (Cristhian Stuani 12 / Borja Baston 50)

Villareal 1-Getafe 2 (Leandro Cabrera (own goal) 75 / Jorge Molina 52, Angel Rodriguez 89)

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

Atletico Madrid 1-Levante 0 (Antoine Griezmann 57 pen)

Bilbao 2-Sevilla 0 (Inaki Williams 23, 84)

Barcelona 3-Eibar 0 (Luis Suarez 19, 59, Lionel Messi 53)

Betis 1-Real Madrid 2 (Sergio Canales 67 / Luka Modric 13, Dani Ceballos 88)

Monday, January 14, 2019:

Sociedad 3-Espanyol 2  (Mikel Merino 3, William Jose 8 pen, 63 / Naldo 32, Diego Llorente (own goal) 45)

Top Goalscorer:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 17 goals

Luis Suarez (Barcelona) 14 goals

Cristhian Stuani (Girona) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	19	13	4	2	53	20	33	43
2	Atletico Madrid	19	10	8	1	27	13	14	38
3	Sevilla	19	9	6	4	31	20	11	33
4	Real Madrid	19	10	5	4	28	24	4	33
4	Alaves	19	9	5	5	22	19	3	32
6	Getafe	19	7	7	5	21	16	5	28

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

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-It was revealed that back in December, Schalke Manager Domenico Tedesco left out Amine Harit, Hmaza Mendyl, Franco Di Santo and Naldo in a match vs. Hoffenheim. They were piunished for going out after their UCL defeat (1-3) vs. Porto in November . (Source Bulinews online)

-Adrien Rabiot (PSG) has been linked to Bayern Munich. (Source Sport Bild online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) will miss both matches vs. Liverpool next month as he was suspended for two matches for his sending off vs. Ajax. (Source BBC Football online)

-Friedhelm Funkel is to leave his post as Fortuna Düsseldorf Manager at the end of the season. (Source Bulinews online)

-German Defender Robert Huth announced his retirement from the game. Huth announced his decision to quell rumors that he was to join Derby County.(Source L’Équipe online)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Harvard Nielsen	Striker	Dusseldorf	Duisburg	Loan	The Guardian
January 9, 2019	Benjamin Pavard (France)	Defender	Stuttgart	Bayern Munich	Next season	BBC Football
January 9, 2019	Steven Zuber (Switzerland)	Midfielder	Hoffenheim	Stuttgart	Loan (18 months)	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Johannes Buhler	-	Duseldorf	Aalen	Loan	Kicker.de
January 11, 2019	Leonardo Balerdi (Argentina)	Defender	Boca Juniors	Dortmund	Purchase	Sport Bild
January 11, 2019	Jaroslav Drobny (Czech Republic)	Goalkeeper	Werder Brfemen	Dusseldorf	Purchase	Sport Bild
January 14, 2019	Johannes Geis	Midfielder	Schalke	Koln	Purchase	The Guardian

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-Toulouse President Olivier Sadran has criticized Barcelona’s handling of Todibo’s transfer and claims the player has been poorly advised . (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Antoine Kombouare was named as the new Manager of Dijon. (Source Sky Sports online)

-The Nimes-Angers match scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed. (Source L’Équipe online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-Monaco pulled out of a deal to sign on loan William Vainqueur from Antalyaspor as the player was injured. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Nice President Jean-Pierre Rivere and Technical Director Julien Fournier announced their impending departures from the club. (Source L’Équipe online)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-Monaco re-confirmed the signing on loan William Vainqueur from Antalyaspor after seemingly pulling out of the deal. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Gauthier ganaye is set to become the new Nice President. (Source L’Équipe online)

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-France Manager Didier Deschamps stated that Karim Benzema had ‘crossed a line’ in 2016 when he accused his discarding due to racism. (Source AS.com online)

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Reims Manager David Guion has been suspended for two matches after his sending off vs. RC Lens in the French Cup. (Source L’Équipe online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Lassana Diarra	Midfielder	PSG	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	vi.nl
January 9, 2019	William* Vainqueur	Midfielder	Antalyaspor	Monaco	Loan	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Abou Ouattara (Burkina Faso)	Striker	Mechelen	Lille	Loan	Walfoot.be
January 10, 2019	Mehdi Merghem	Midfielder	Chateauroux	Guingamp	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Nathael Julan	Striker	Guingamp	Valenciennes	Loan	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Fode Ballo-Toure	Defender	Lille	Monaco	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 11, 2019	Cesc Fabregas (Spain)	Midfielder	Chelsea	Monaco	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 12, 2019	Saliou Ciss (Senegal)	Defender	Angers	Valenciennes	Loan	L’Equipe
January 12, 2019	Mihailo Ristic	Defender	Krasnodar	Montpellier	Purchase	The Guardian
January 13, 2019	Shinji Kagawa (Japan)	Midfielder	Dortmund	Bordeaux	Loan	Bulinews
January 14, 2019	Boubacar Fofana	-	Gazelec Ajaccio	Lyon	Next     Season	L’Equipe

* Monaco pulled out of deal on Jaunary 11^th, as the player was injured, but then re-confirmed the transfer on the foloowing day.

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Mathieu Cafaro	Midfielder	Reims	2022	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Ousseynou Ndiaye	Midfielder	Lyon	2023	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Pierrick Capelle	Midfielder	Angers	2021	L’Equipe
January 14, 2019	Christophe Galtier	Manager	Lille	2021	L’Equipe

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 12, 2019	Till Cissokho (18 year old)	Defender	Bordeaux	L’Equipe

French League Cup (January 8-9, 2018):

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

Lyon 1-Strasbourg 2 (Bertrand Traore 49 / Ludovic Ajorque 26 pen, Lamine Kone 52)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

Monaco 1-Rennes 1 (Rony Lopes 54 / B.Bourigeaud 30) (Moanco won 8-7 on penalty kick shoot-out)

Bordeaux 1-Le Havre 0 (Samuel Kalu 70)

PSG 1-Guingamp 2 (Neymar 63 / Yeni N’Gbakoto 81 pen, Marcus Thuram 90 pen)

French Ligue 1 Matchday (January 8, 2018):

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

Nantes 2-Montpellier 0 (Majeed Waris 62, Nicolas Pallois 81)

Amiens 0-Angers 0 (-)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 13 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	17	15	2	0	50	10	40	47
2	Lille	19	9	5	5	28	19	9	34
3	Lyon	18	9	5	4	30	21	9	32
4	Montpellier	18	8	6	4	25	15	10	30
5	St Etienne	18	8	6	4	28	22	6	30
6	Marseille	17	8	3	6	30	26	4	27

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

French Ligue 1 Matchday (January 11-13, 2018):

Friday, January 11, 2019:

Caen 1-Lille 3 (Casimir Ninga 90+ / Nicolas Pepe 8, Rafael Leao 20, Luiz Araujo 90)

Lyon 1-Reims 1 (Bertrand Traore 70 / Pablo Chavarria 34)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

Amiens 0-PSG 3(Edinson Cavani 57 pen, Kylian Mbappe 70, Marquinhos 79)

Guingamp 0-St Etienne 1 (Wahi Khazri 6)

Nice 1-Bordeaux 0  (Allan Saint-Maximin 16 pen)

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

Nantes 0-Rennes 1(Damien Da Silva 13)

Dijon 1-Montpellier 1 (Wesley Said 54 / Damiel Le Tallec 61)

Toulouse 1-Strasbourg 2  (Yaya Sanogo 29 pen / Ludovic Ajorque 17, Ibrahima Sissoko 64)

OM 1-Monaco 1  (Maxime Lopez 13 / Youri Tielemans 38)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 14 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) 12 goals

Florian Thauvin (OM) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	18	16	2	0	53	10	43	50
2	Lille	20	10	5	5	31	29	11	37
3	Lyon	19	9	6	4	31	22	9	33
4	St Etienne	19	9	6	4	29	22	7	33
5	Montpellier	19	8	7	4	26	16	10	31
6	Strasbourg	20	7	8	5	32	24	8	29

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

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

- Matthijs De Ligt stated that he would not leave Ajax in the January transfer window. (Source Football Italia online)

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-Dick Advocaat will leave his post as Utrecht Manager at the end of the season. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-Ajax’s Maximilian Wober has been suspended for two matches in the UCL after being sent off vs. Bayern Munich. He joined Sevilla today. (Source Voetbalzone.nl online)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Morten Thosby (Heerenveen) has been demoted   To the U-23 side due to repeated absences. (Source vi.nl online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 9, 2019	Luis Orejuela (Colombia)	Defender	Ajax	Cruzeiro (Brazil)	Loan	vi.nl
January 10, 2019	Joshua Holtby	Midfielder	Alemania Aachen	MVV	Purchase	vi.nl
January 10, 2019	Vince Gino Dekker	-	Free Agent (formerly AZ)	Go Ahead Eagles	Purchase	vi.nl
January 11, 2019	Giovanni Hiwat	Striker	PEC	Syrianska (Sweden)	Purchase	vi.nl
January 12, 2019	Bas Kuipers	-	Den Haag	Vitorul (Romania)	Purchase	vi.nl
January 12, 2019	Ognjen Gnjatic (Bosnia)	Midfielder	Roda JC Kerkrade	Korona Kielce (Poland)	Purchase	vi.nl
January 14, 2019	Lennart Thys	-	Free Agent (formerly Erzurumspor)	PEC	Purchase	Kicker.de
January 14, 2019	Renato Tapia	Midfielder	Feyenoord	Willem II	Loan	vi.nl
January 14, 2019	Yuka Nakamaya (Japan)	Defender	Kashiwa Reysol	PEC Zwolle	Purchase	vi.nl

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 14, 2019	Jorrit Hendrix	Defender	PSV Eindhoven	2020	L’Equipe

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Yorbe Vertessen (Belgium) (18 year old)	Striker	PSV Eindhoven	Voetbalzone.nl

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-Martin Boyle (Hibernian) will be out injured for the rest of the season after knee surgery. (Source BBC Football online)

-Sam Cosgrove (Aberdeen) was named as Scottish Premier League Player of the momth fro Decemeber. Aberdeen Manager Derek McInnes was named as the Manager of the month for December. (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Andre Davies (Dundee) has broken his foot just four days after signing from Hartlepool. (Source BBC Football online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Vakoun Issof Bayo (Ivory Coast)	Striker	Dunajska Streda	Celtic	Purchase	Balls.ie
January 10, 2019	Fredrik Brustad (Norway)	-	Molde	Hamilton	Loan Return	BBC Football
January 10, 2019	Gregg Wylde	Midfielder	Plymouth	Livingston	Purchase	BBC Football
January 10, 2019	Andrew Davies	Defender	Free Agent (formerly Hartlepool)	Dundee	Purchase	Sky Sports
January 10, 2019	Eduardo Herrera (Mexico)	Striker	Rangers	Necaxa	Loan	Inside Futbol
January 11, 2019	Ryan Gauld	Winger	Sporting CP	Hibernian	Loan	Sky Sports
January 12, 2019	Vladislva Haldky (Czech republic)	Goalkeeper	Slovan Lieberec	St Mirren	Purchase	BBC Football

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 9, 2019	Iain Wilson	Midfielder	Kilmarnock	2020	Sky Sports

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP) was named as the player of the month of December. Sergio Conceicao (Porto) was named as the best coach of the month. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-Jose Mourinho has joined BeIn Sport as a television pundit. (Source AS.com online)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Bruno Lage has been confirmed as Benfica’s full time Manager. (Source MaisFutebol online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Pepe	Defender	Free Agent (Formerly Besiktas)	Porto	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 8, 2019	Caio Lucas (Brazil)	Winger	Al Ain	Benfica	Next Season	L’Equipe
January 9, 2019	Guga	Midfielder	Benfica	Panetolikos (Greece)	Loan	Maisfutebol
January 9, 2019	Pedro Amaral	Defender	Benfica	Panetolikos (Greece)	Loan	Maisfutebol
January 9, 2019	Vilius Aramlus (Lithuania)	Defender	Stumbras	Benfica	Purchase	Maisfutebol
January 10, 2019	Avto (Georgia)	Striker	Chaves	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	Maisfutebol
January 10, 2019	Sergio Conceicao	Defender	Cesarense	Chaves	Purchase	Maisfutebol
January 10, 2019	Daniel Braganca	-	Sporting CP	Farense	Loan	A Bola
January 10, 2019	Rene Santos	-	Parana	Maritimo	Purchase	Maisfuteol
January 10, 2019	Ruan Teles	-	Varzim	Maritimo	Purchase	Maisfuteol
January 10, 2019	Filipe Brigues	Defender	Chaves	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	Maisfutebol
January 11, 2019	Filipe Chaby*	-	Sporting CP	Estotil	Loan	A Bola
January 13, 2019	Nemanja Calasan (Serbia)	Defender	Spartak Subotica	Chaves	Purchase	Masifuetbol
January 13, 2019	Ewerton (Brazil)	Midfielder	Porto	Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)	Loan	Masifuetbol

*Formerly loaned to Belenensses, Sporting CP rea-cquired now 90% of his contract 

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 13, 2019	Tiago Dantas	Midfielder	Benfica	2023	Maisfutebol

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 10, 2019	Ronaldo Camara (16 years old)	Midfielder	Benfica	L’Equipe

Portugal Primeira Liga League Matchday (January 10-13, 2019):

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

Portimonense 1-Braga 1(Wellington Carvalho 3 / Dyego Sousa 49)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

Aves 1-Feirense 1 (Luis Farina 43 / Jose Valencia 65)

Santa Clara 0-Benfica 2 (Haris Seferovic 22, Jardel 48)

Guimaraes 1-Moreirense 0 (Toze 47 pen)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

Sporting CP 0-Porto 0 (-)

Boavista 0-Maritimo 1 (Rodrigo Pinho 53)

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

Nacional 0-Belenenses 1(Lica 79)

Chaves 2-Tondela 1(Andre Luis 20, Luther Singh 57 / Tomane 90)

Rio Ave 1-Setubal 1 (Wenderson Gelano 27 / Hildeberto Pereira 84)

Top Goalscorer:

Dyego Sousa (Braga) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Porto	17	14	1	2	34	10	24	43
2	Benfica	17	12	2	3	37	17	20	38
3	Braga	17	11	4	2	32	17	15	37
4	Sporting CP	17	11	2	4	33	18	15	35
5	Guimaraes	17	8	4	5	22	17	5	28
6	Belenenses	17	7	7	3	21	16	5	28

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

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-Matej Mitrovic (Club Brugge) will be out injured for two months. (Source Jupiler League App online)

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-Mechelen’s French player Franck Berrier has announced the end of his career due to a cardic illness. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Former Standard Liege player from the 50s and 60s, Jean Van Herck has passed away aged 84 . (Source Walfoot.be online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-As part of the Footgate Investigation, Waasland-Beveren announced that President Dirk Huyck and CEO Olivier Swolfs can get back to their work. Mechelen’s Technical Director Stefaan Vanroy can also get back to work. (Source RTBF.be online)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 8, 2019	Alexander Sorloth (Norway)	Striker	Crystal Palace	Gent	Loan	Sky Sports
January 9, 2019	Romain Grange (France)	Midfielder	Charleroi	Grenoble	Loan	Walfoot.be
January 9, 2019	Kara Mbodji (Senegal)	Defender	Nantes	Anderlecht	Loan Return	L’Equipe
January 10, 2019	Youssef Msakni (Tunisia)	-	Al-Duhail (Qatar)	Eupen	Loan	BBC Football
January 10, 2019	Chad Letts (Jamaica)	Striker	Atlanta United	Union St Gilloise	Purchase	RTBF.be
January 10, 2019	Tom De Sutter	-	Free Agent (Formerly Lokeren)	Ostend	Purchase (end of the season)	RTBF.be
January 10, 2019	Mohamed Buya Turay (Sierra Leone)	Striker	St Truiden	Djurgardens	Loan	Jupiler League App
January 11, 2019	Abdul Ajagun (Nigeria)	-	Kortrijk	Omonian Nicosia	Loan	Walfoot.be
January 11, 2019	Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria)	Striker	Liverpool	Mouscron	Loan	Sky Sports
January 12, 2019	Reda Jaadi	Winger	Antwerp	Dinamo Bucharest	Purchase	Jupiler League App
January 14, 2019	Jakub Reznicek (Czech Republic)	Striker	Viktoria Plzen	Lokeren	Purchase	Walfoot.be
January 14, 2019	Amin Nouri (Norway)	Defender	Valerenga	Ostend	Loan with option to buy	RTBF.be
January 14, 2019	Abud Omar	-	Cercle Brugge	ACS Sepsi (Romania)	Purchase	Footnews.be
January 14, 2019	Franck Irie (Ivory Coast)	-	Cercle Brugge	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	Footnews.be

Diary (extra):

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

-Egypt is to host the 2019 edition of the African Nations Cup. (Source BBC Football online)

-Finaland’s Riksu Riski has refused to accompany the Finnish National Team on tour to Qatar for ‘ethical reasons’. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Brazilian Manger Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed that he had turned down Colombia to be their National Team Manager. (Source Fox Sports online)

-Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) has been named as The African Player of the year. (Source Bleacher Report online)

-Moroccan Defender Achraf Hakimi (Dortmund) has been named African Young player of the year. Herve Renard has been named as the African Manager of the year. (Source CAF online)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

-Bernd Stange was dismissed as Syrian National Team Manager after a loss to Jordan in the Asian Nations Cup. (Source L’Équipe online)

-Roberto Ayala has joined the coaching staff of the Argentina national team. (Source L’Équipe online)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

-Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) has been banned for one International match with Croatia for bragging in a viral video that he had elbowed Spain’s Sergio Ramos. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-51 year old Japanese star Kazu Miyra is set to continue with Yokohama Marinos as he signed a contact extension. (Source AS.com online)

-The FIFA team of the year as voted by the fans is as follows: (Source A Bola online)

Squad:

Ter Stegen (Barcelona), Ramos (Real Madrid), Van Dijk (Liverpool), Varane (Real Madrid) and Marcelo (Real Madrid); Modric (Real Madrid), Kanté (Chelsea) and Hazard (Chelsea) Mbappé (PSG), Messi (Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid / Juventus).

-MLS has renamed the coach of the year award in honor of the late Sigi Schmid.  (Source Reuters UK online)

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

-Former South African striker from the 90s-2000s, Philomen Masinga passed away aged just 49 from cancer. (Source Daily Mail online)

- Jakub Blaszczykowski is to join his boyhood club Wisla Krakow. He will not take a salary and will donate £300,000 to keep the club running. (Source Daily Mail online)

-Diego Maradona is recovering in a hospital following an operation to stop internal bleeding from a hernia. (Source BBC Football online)

Monday, January 14, 2019:

-Lebanon Manager Miodrag Radulovic was fined $7,500 after hios comments about the match referee in their Asian Nations Cup loss to Qatar. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Stephen Constantine has stepped down as Manager of India following their elimination in the Asian Nations Cup. (Source Fox Sports Asia online)

-80 year old Cesar Luis Menotti has been appointed as the Technical Director of The Argentina National Teams. (Source behavior.abril.com.br online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 13, 2019	Jakub Blaszczykowski	-	Free Agent	Wisla Krakow	Purchase	Daily Mail

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club/Nation	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 12, 2019	Corentin Martins (France)	Manager	Mauritius	2021	L’Equipe

International Friendlies

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

Sweden 0-Finland 1 (Eero Markkanen 23)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

Finland 1-Estonia 2 (Rasmus Karjalainen 81 / Gert Kams 35, Henri Anier 63)

Sweden 2-Iceland 2 (Viktor Gyokeres 47, Simon Thern 66 / O.Magnus Karlsson 4, Jon Thorsteinsson 90)

Asian Nations Cup:

Asian Nations Cup-Group D:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

Iraq 3-Vietnam 2 (Mohanad Kadhim 35, Humam Tariq 60, Ali Adnan 90 / Ali Faez Atiyah (own goal) 24, C.Phuong Nguyen 42)

Asian Nations Cup-Group E:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019:

Saudi Arabia 4-North Korea 0 (Hattan Sultan Babhir 28, Mohammed Al Fatil 37, Salem Al-Dawsari 70, Fahad Al-Muwallad 87)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

Qatar 2-Lebanon 0 (Bassam Hisham 65, Almoez Ali 79)

Asian Nations Cup-Group F:

Wednesday, January 9, 2019:

Japan 3-Turkmenistan 2 (Yuya Osako 56, 60, Ritsu Doan 71 / Arslanmyrat Amanov 26, Ahmet Atayev 79 pen)

Uzbekistan 2-Oman 1 (Odil Akhmedov 34, Eldor Shomurodov 85 / Mohsin Al Ghassani 72)

Asian Nations Cup-Group A:

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

Bahrain 0-Thailand 1 (C.Songkrasin 58)

India 0-United Arab Emirates 2 (Khalfan Mubarak 41, Ali Ahmed Mabkhout 88)

Asian Nations Cup-Group B:

Thursday, January 10, 2019:

Jordan 2-Syria 0 (Musa Al-Taamari 26, Tareq Khattab 43)

Friday, January 11, 2019:

Palestine 0-Australia 3 (Jamie Maclaren 18, Awer Mabil 20, Apostolos Giannou 90)

Asian Nations Cup-Group C:

Friday, January 11, 2019:

Phillipines 0-China 3 (Lei Wu 40, 66, Dabao Yu 80)

Kyrgyzstan 0-South Korea 1 (Min-Jae Kim 41)

Asian Nations Cup-Group D:

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

Vietnam 0-Iran 2 (Sardar Azmoun 38, 69)

Yemen 0-Iraq 3 (Mohanad Kadhim 11, Bashar Resan 19, Alaa Abbas 90)

Asian Nations Cup-Group E:

Saturday, January 12, 2019:

Lebanon 0-Saudi Arabia 2 (Fahad Al-Muwallad 12, Hussain Al Mogahwi 67)

Asian Nations Cup-Group E:

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

North Korea 0-Qatar 6 (Almoez Ali 9, 11, 55, 60, Boualem Khoukhi 43, A.Hassan Fadlalla 68)

Asian Nations Cup-Group F:

Sunday, January 13, 2019:

Oman 0-Japan 1 (Genki Haraguchi 28 pen)

Turkmenistan 0-Uzbekistan 4 (Javokhir Sidikov 17, Eldor Shomurodov 24, 42, J.Masharipov 40)

Asian Nations Cup-Group A:

Monday, January 14, 2019:

India 0-Bahrain 1 (Jamal Rashid 90 pen)

United Arab Emirates 1-Thailand 1 (Ali Ahmed Mabkhout 7 / Thitpan Puangchan 41)

When Calcio Ruled the Football World-A Personal Journey-Part 15 (1996/97)

January 21, 2019, 5:02 pm

≫ Next: Italian Serie A Kits in a Season: Part 2 (1996/97 season)

≪ Previous: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 40 (Week of January 8-January 14, 2019)

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At the onset of the 1996/97 season, a new word had entered the Football Lexicon: ‘Bosman’. The landmark ruling was made midway through the previous season but this was to be the very first season that it would go in effect. This would ensure a large contingent of foreign player signings all over Europe and Italy was no exception as the already strong league sought to strengthen itself with a new wave of exciting foreign signings.

Defending Serie A Champions, AC Milan of Silvio Berlusconi were one of the first to exploit this new ruling by signing the Dutch duo of Edgar Davids and Michael Reiziger on a so-called ‘Bosman Free’. This meant that since the players contracts had expired with Ajax, Milan did not need to pay a transfer fee for the players.

The two Dutchmen had been instrumental in Milan’s downfall in the 1995 Champions League. In another attempt to sign a player who had defeated them, they signed French striker Christophe Dugarry from Bordeaux (who had scored twice against them in the previous season’s UEFA Cup and eliminated them).

Photo From: World Soccer, September 1996 (Edgar Davids and Michael Reiziger at AC Milan)

Milan had offloaded many players now surplus to requirements, such as once great Portuguese Superstar Paolo Futre, who rarely featured for the side in the previous season, as he never appeared to fully recover from his serious injury upon joining Reggiana in November 1993. He left the join the new El Dorado of the English Premier League (to West Ham) that was becoming more and more open and attractive to foreign players with Bosman in effect.

Bosman allowed the almost unheard practice of Italian players also to venture abroad and Milan’s Paolo Di Canio departed to Celtic Glasgow.

Another departure (though on loan) was that of once great hope and the World’s most expensive player in 1992, Gianluigi Lentini.

He left to join his old mentor Emiliano Mondonico at Atalanta.

Others to leave Milan included long-serving veteran Roberto Donadoni (to USA’s new League, the MLS and NY/NJ Metrostars) and Gianluca Sordo.

One departure that went un-noticed was that of rarely used young French midfielder Patrick Vieira. He was shipped off without much regret to Arsenal.

Time would tell that Milan had lost out on a future world-class player.

The main departure at Milan was that of Manager Fabio Capello. He had left to manage Real Madrid. Despite winning four Scudettos in five seasons, he was offended in Milan’s requirements in Team Performance related clauses in his contract.

His replacement was Uruguayan Manager Oscar Washington Tabarez, who had achieved solid results at Cagliari in the past.

He was inheriting a good though ageing side that was still led by stand-bearer and Captain Franco Baresi.

The backbone of the team still contained the likes of Maldini, Costacurta, Boban, Savicevic and Simone, with Liberian striker George Weah firmly established after an excellent first season.

Juventus with its Director Triumvirate of Antonio Giraudo, Luciano Moggi and Roberto Bettega in place were firm with their policy of modernization and austerity.

Despite winning the Champions League in the previous season, their aim was to rejuvenate the team to be built around Alessandro Del Piero.

Leader and Captain Gianluca Vialli left the team to join Ruud Gullit’s Chelsea.

His strike partner, Fabrizio Ravanelli also joined the gold rush of the English Premier League and joined Middlesbrough.

Portuguese midfielder Paulo Sousa after an excellent first season (1994/95) had been somewhat disappointing and he was on his way out to Borussia Dortmund.

Veteran midfielder Giancarlo Marocchi signed off to join his previous club Bologna (newly promoted), while veteran defender Massimo Carrera joined Atalanta.

Roberto Bettega had stated that the aim of the new Juventus was to change players before their standards started to slip and these departures confirmed this.

The Management provided Manager Marcello Lippi with a new set of young and hungry emerging players.

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Marcelo Lippi)

These included Croatian striker Alen Boksic (from Lazio), young striker Christian Vieri (from Atalanta), Uruguayan defender Paolo Montero (also from Atalanta), defender Mark Iuliano (from Salernitana), striker Nicola Amoruso (from Padova) and Raffaele Ametrano (from Udinese).

Their main signing was French midfielder Zinedine Zidane that many were comparing to old Juventus and France great Michel Platini.

His star had been on the rise after Bordeaux had eliminated AC Milan in the UEFA Cup in the previous season.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 94, November 1996 (Alen Boskic at Juevntus)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 91, August 1996 (Zinedine Zidane signing at Juventus)

He was to join fellow Frenchman Didier Deschamps now firmly established as a vital member of the Juventus engine room after two solid seasons.

Nevertheless, there were some doubts about Zidane’s ability. He had been a shadow of himself in the recent 1996 UEFA European Championships as he had been in a car accident just before the Tournament and did not perform up to his standards. Gianni Agnelli himself questioned the signing after witnessing his performance in the Euros.

After a number of disappointing seasons, confidence was high at Inter. Club president Massimo Moratti had maintained his faith on English Manager Roy Hodgson, now in his first full season in charge.

The club went on a shopping spree of quality players to reclaim their glory. Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff (from PSG), Nigerian forward Nwankwo Kanu (from Ajax). Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano (from Real Madrid), Swiss midfielder Ciriaco Sforza (from Bayern Munich), Dutch midfielder Aron Winter (from Lazio), French defender Jocelyn Angloma (from Torino) and Italian players Massimo Tarantino (from Napoli) and Fabio Galante (from Genoa) joined the new-look Inter.

Photo From: Panini Italy 1996/97 (Aron Winter and Ivan Zamorano)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 100, May 1997 (Ciriaco Sforza)

Photo From: World Soccer, September 1996 (Youri Djorkaeff signing at Inter)

Inter offloaded some of their Italian old guard such as Davide Fontolan (to Bologna) and Antonio Manicone (to Perugia). The Brazilian Caio had been disappointing and he was sent to Napoli.

Surprisingly Inter sold Brazilian Roberto Carlos after a solitary season, who would go on to serve Real Madrid for over a decade with titles galore.

Parma, with Parmalat’s backing, were also intent on reclaiming their place after a disappointing season.

Nevio Scala had departed at the end of last season and was replaced with Carlo Ancelotti in his first Serie A managerial post. Ancelotti had been Assistant to National Team Manager Arrigo Sacchi for a number of years. The previous season, in his first sole Managerial job, he had led Reggiana to promotion to Serie A.

Italian veterans such as Alberto Di Chiara and Gabriele Pin departed along with the disappointing Bulgarian superstar Hristo Stoichkov who returned to his old love Barcelona (now that Johann Cruyff had been sacked).

Portuguese defender Fernando Couto also joined Stoichkov at Barcelona, while Fillipo Inzaghi was loaned to Atalanta  (more on him later….).

The new arrivals were younger and ambitious players such as striker Enrico Chiesa, who had shot to fame in the previous season with Sampdoria.

Argentinean striker Hernan Crespo (from River Plate), Brazilian defender Ze Maria (from Flamengo), French defender Lilian Thuram (from Monaco) and Brazilian Amaral (from Palmeiras) gave a new youthful impulse to the side.

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997  (Hernan Crespo)

Surprisingly, Parma also picked up French veteran Daniel Bravo (from PSG), who had stood out in the previous season when the French side had eliminated them in the Cup Winners Cup. Bravo had been a promising forward in the early 80s, who had transitioned successfully as a defensive midfielder in his advanced years.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 93, October 1996 (Lilian Thuram and Daniel Bravo at Parma)

Sergio Cragnotti’s Lazio with Walter Zeman still at the helm still had Scudetto winning ambitions.

They had lost Boksic (to Juventus), Winter (to Inter) and Roberto Di Matteo (to Chelsea).

They signed last season’s co-top goalscorer Igor Protti (from Bari) to partner up fellow co-top goalscorer and ever-present Giuseppe Signori.

Lazio signed young Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Nedved (from Sparta Prague) after he had impressed at the recent Euros in England.

Just like Parma’s Crespo, he would forge a love affair with the peninsula that lasts to this day. Nedved appeared to be headed to PSV Eindhoven before Lazio stepped in and changed his destiny.

Photo From: Panini Italy 1996/97 (Pavel Nedved)

South African Mark Fish (from Orlando Pirates) and the Australian Paul Okon (from Club Brugge) were part of the more unconventional signings now feasible and possible due to Bosman.

Lazio completed its signings with solid Italian players such as Roberto Baronio (from Brescia), Renato Buso (from Napoli), Giorgio Venturin (from Cagliari) and promising goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini (from Prato).

Just below the favorites were the likes of Roma and Fiorentina. Roma appointed Argentinean Manager Carlos Bianchi to lead a squad without Captain Giuseppe Giannini, who had departed to the Austrian League (Sturm Graz) after more than a decade of service in the Capitol.

Bianchi had brought Argentinean defender Roberto Trotta, along with him from Velez Sarsfield. Italian midfielder Damiano Tommasi arrived from Hellas Verona along with Swedish striker Martin Dahlin (from Borussia Moenchengladbach).

Claudio Ranieri’s Fiorentina were still dependent upon the goals of Argentinean goleador Gabriel Batistuta.

They made a triple signing from Cagliari to strengthen themselves for Europe and the Cup winners Cup. Brazilian-born Belgian forward Luis Oliveira arrived with former club-mates Vittorio Pusceddu and Aldo Firicano.

The Viola also bought-out the remaining 50% of goalkeeper Francesco Toldo's contract from AC Milan.

Photo From: Panini Italy 1996/97 (Luis Oliveira)

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Sampdoria side were powerless to stop the departures of young Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf (to Real Madrid) and Enrico Chiesa (to Parma), while veteran goalkeeper Walter Zenga departed as well.

Fabrizio Ferron was signed from Atalanta to be the new goalkeeper.

Argentinean midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron (from Boca Juniors) started his Italian adventure with the club. Young up-and-coming striker Vincenzo Montella was signed from cross-town rivals Genoa as a replacement for Chiesa.

Photo From: Panini Italy 1996/97 (Juan Sebastian Veron)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 98, March 1997 (Vincenzo Montella)

Sampdoria also made a triple signing of French players. Defender Oumar Dieng (from PSG) and midfielders Pierre Laigle (from RC Lens) and Alain Boghosian (from Napoli) arrived to join the already established Frenchman Christian Karembeu.

After his fine work at Cremonese, Napoli had appointed Luigi Simoni as Manager.

Young players such as Belgian defender Bertrand Crasson (from Anderlecht), Brazilians Caio (from Inter), Beto (from Botafogo) arrived along with Italians Massimiliano Esposito (from Lazio) and Mauro Milanese (from Torino).

Cagliari had appointed a new Manager as well. The Uruguayan Gregorio Perez was appointed with the hope that he could emulate countryman Oscar Washington Tabarez’s previous fine work at the Sardinian club.

Cagliari made a double defensive signing from Switzerland of goalkeeper Marco Pascolo (from Servette) and defender Ramon Vega (from Grasshoppers).

Udinese were trying to build momentum from the previous season. German striker Oliver Bierhoff had ended the season on a triumph as his Nations’ new hero when he scored two goals for his Nation in the Final of the Euros.

Albero Zaccheroni, their Manager very much on the rise, was hoping for even more fireworks up front with the signing of Brazilian striker Marcio Amoroso (from Guarani).

Vicenza and Piacenza had generally retained the backbone of the squad and were a stable unit with hopes of extending their Serie A run.

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Udinese Manager Alberto Zaccheroni speaking with Raffaele Sergio)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Marcio Amoroso)

Atalanta’s brief was maintaining their Serie A status. Emiliano Mondonico’s return to the bench was a plus as was Lentini’s loan.

Their most important signing would be that of striker Fillipo Inzaghi (still owned 50% by Parma) who had arrived after a disappointing season at Parma for much needed playing time.

Photo From: Panini Italy 1996/97 (Fillipo Inzaghi)

The four promoted sides included Hellas Verona, who was now yo-yoing between the Divisions.

Bologna returned to the Serie A after five years. Renzo Ullvieri’s side appeared the most equipped to maintain survival at the top and made a number of efficient signings.

Swedish striker Kennet Andersson (from Bari) and Russian forward Igor Kolivanov (from Foggia) arrived to add quality firepower up front.

Italian veterans Giancarlo Marocchi (from Juventus) and Davide Fontolan (from Inter) added much needed experience.

Reggiana had appointed veteran Romanian Manager Mircea Lucescu. Many players were signed such as Belgian defender Georges Grun (Anderlecht, ex-Parma), German defender Dietmar Beirsdorfer (from Koln), Romanian midfielder Ion Sabau (from Brescia), Colombian striker Antonio Valencia (Independiente Santa Fe), Portuguese Antonio Pacheco (from Belenenses) along with Italians such as Gianluca Sordo (from AC Milan), Gianluca Cherubini (from Roma) and Sandro Tovalieri (from Atalanta).

While these were numerous signings it remained to be seen whether they would be enough to keep the side up.

Perugia with volatile owner Luciano Gaucci had grand ambitions. The side with veteran Italian Manager Giovanni Galeone made many signings in the hopes of staying up.

Veteran Italian Pietro Vierchowod arrived from Juventus to anchor the defense. Other signings included Croatian Milan Rapajic (from Hajduk Split), Dutch midfielder Michel Kreek (from Perugia) and other Italian veterans Alberto Di Chiara (from Parma) and Antonio Manicone (from Inter).

Events at the National Team and Federation level were also unstable and changes were on the horizon.

This season would bring forth many changes at the National Team level as well as Administrative level.

After the failure at the 1996 Euros, National Team Manager Arrigo Sacchi’s position was weak as was for the man who had appointed him Federation President Antonio Matarese.

Matarrese resigned shortly after the Euros on August 6^th and many predicted Sacchi would follow shortly.

Elections ended in a stalemate on August 12^th, as a result Raffaele Pagnozzi was appointed as caretaker President for three months, until a permanent President was chosen.

The action on the field started on August 25^th with AC Milan hosting Fiorentina, at San Siro for the Super Cup.

Milan’s loss (1-2) would foreshadow their upcoming season, though at the time this loss was deemed insignificant.

Before the start of the season, Milan’s neighbors Inter were met with a bigger problem off the field. On September 5th, examinations discovered that their Nigerian recruit Nwankwo Kanu had a problem with his heart. Inter’s Team Doctor Piero Volpi even stated that Kanu would never play again.

However, Kanu was defiant to play again and would seek out specialists and would eventually have a surgery at Cleveland, Ohio in USA.

Massimo Moratti stated that the club would stand by the player.

However, as far as this season was concerned, it was over for him.

Italian veteran Pietro Vierchowod also made the news in this pre-season. In Perugia’s friendly loss to Flamengo (2-5), he was so angered by Manager Giovanni Galeone’s tactics that he refused to show up in the second half.

His contract was mutually ended before he had even made a single League appearance for his new club.

At Milan, Baresi was injured and AC Milan took advantage of this and signed the 37-year-old Vierchowod as a stopgap measure.

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Pietro Vierchowod at AC Milan)

The season proper kicked off on September 7^th and 8^th.  The defending Champions Milan hosted Verona and comfortably defeated the newly promoted side (4-1).

The highlight of this match was George Weah’s goal that already laid claim as the best goal of the season and one of the most memorable goals in the History of the Serie A that is still referenced to this day.

The Liberian striker got the ball in Milan’s half and went solo from one end of the field to the other to score this memorable strike.

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1996 (George Weah against Verona)

Photo From: Goal, December 1996 (Diagram of George Weah’s amazing solo goal vs. Verona, September 8, 1996, AC Milan 4-Verona 1)

Rivals Juventus started slowly and were held to a draw at Reggiana (though Vieri scored his first goal for Juventus).

For their part, Inter defeated Udinese at Friuli (1-0) to make a positive start. In a somewhat strange move, Udinese would sue Inter’s Salvatore Fresi for breaking Giovanni Stroppa’s leg in the match.

As early as Matchday 2 (September 15^th), Milan suffered their first defeat already as Sampdoria defeated them (2-1).

Juventus earned their first win defeating Cagliari (2-1). Fillipo Inzaghi scored twice for Atalanta in their home tie (2-2) with Fiorentina to give an indication of things to come.

On Matchday 4 (September 29^th), Juventus became sole leaders after their win over Fiorentina (1-0). Milan were close behind, while Inter lost a good chance as they were held at Atalanta (1-1), as the now free scoring Inzaghi salvaged a point near the end.

The following day on September 30^th, Luciano Nizzola was elected as the League President.

After the International break, Inter took control of the leadership on Matchday 5 (October 13^th), after defeating Piacenza (2-0), as both Juventus and Milan suffered defeats. Juventus lost for the first time at Vicenza (1-2), while Milan were comprehensively defeated the day before at Rome (0-3).

On the following week, Matchday 6 (October 20^th), Juventus regained the lead by defeating Inter (2-0). This was a significant psychological win over a close rival. After a somewhat slow start Juventus were regaining form and this match also signaled Zinedine Zidane’s reference match with the Bianconeri.

He scored with a wonderful long-range shot to score his first goal for the club and signal his arrival.

Milan defeated Napoli (3-1) to maintain contact with Juventus.

The Uruguayan Gregorio Perez became the first managerial casualty of the season when he was sacked on October 21^st. he was replaced by veteran Carlo Mazzone.

At Roma, Argentinean defender Roberto Trotta was failing to adapt and he was sent back to his homeland.

At the Federation front, Luciano Nizzola stated on October 26^th, that one of his first tasks would be to dismiss the unpopular Sacchi.

On Matchay 7 (October 27^th), Inter responded to the Juventus loss by defeating Parma (3-1). Carlo Ancelotti’s Parma lost for the second successive week and at these early stages the players were somewhat struggling and had not completely absorbed Ancelotti’s game plan with all the newcomers.

Milan lost for the third time (already too much for a title contender) as Fiorentina were victors (1-0).

The win over Parma allowed Inter a joint share of the leadership as Juventus were held at Rome (1-1).

Inter once again took control of the League on the following week (Matchday 8, November 3^rd), after a win at Verona (1-0).

Juventus could only muster a draw at home vs. Napoli (1-1) and were now even behind surging Vicenza winners over Lazio (2-0).

Francesco Guidolin’s side would be one of the revelations of the season and surprise many.

Milan fell further behind as they were held at home by Atalanta (1-1) with yet another Inzaghi strike.

At Genoa, Inter were making approaches to sign Sampdoria’s Captain and veteran Roberto Mancini.

The Sampdoria fans protested outside the club’s training grounds and eventually Mancini would turn down Inter.

At Parma, Zola’s days were numbered especially after he criticized Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics on November 8^th. Shortly, thereafter, Gianfranco Zola would also jump ship and join the English Premier League at Chelsea.

Parma would offload many others who either past their sell-by date or unable to adapt to the new tactics. Former starting goalkeeper Luca Bucci was now expendable given the brilliance of the young Gianluigi Buffon. He was loaned to Perugia in the new year. Another veteran of the old guard, Lorenzo Minotti was also transferred out to Cagliari (In December).  Massimo Brambilla and the Brazilian Amaral left to join Bologna and Benfica respectively.

In December, Parma would sign Croatian Mario Stanic (from Club Brugge).

Parma registered the return of their former Swedish star Tomas Brolin. His career had never been the same since his serious injury in November 1994 and had in the interim joined Leeds United. He had failed to make an impact there and was loaned back to Parma from the English side.

After setbacks at home and Europe, AC Milan Manager Tabarez would make a tactical switch. Milan would now play in a 4-4-2 formation (instead of 4-3-3). As a result Baggio would be dropped for a new strike force of Weah and Simone. However, this would not have a desired effect and their struggles would continue. Their negative season would trickle in the players’ minds, as the normally calm George Weah would resort to head butt Porto’s Jorge Costa in the Champions League. In the November transfer window, Milan would sign Swedish midfielder Jesper Blomqvist but the struggle went on.

On November 16^th, Juventus were dealt a blow as key midfielder Antonio Conte was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee ligament surgery.

Two days later, Juventus would sign Portuguese defender Manuel Dimas from Benfica.

On Matchday 10 (November 24^th), Vicenza took leadership after a win vs. Reggiana (2-0), while Inter and Milan cancelled each other (1-1) in the Milan derby.

On the following day, Reggiana’s Romanian Manager Mircea Lucescu became the second coaching casualty of the season. Francesco Oddo would replace him on November 26th.

At Sampdoria, French midfielder Christian Karembeu’s success had earned him suitors. He was caught in a tug of war between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Karembeu himself wanted to join Real Madrid, but Sampdoria wanted to sell him to Barcelona who were offering more money. This conflict would spill into the following season.

Vicenza’s lead was short-lived as Juventus regained the top spot on the following week (Matchday 11, December 1^st). Vicenza were held at Perugia (1-1), while Juventus defeated Bologna (1-0, Zidane goal).

Milan lost once more, this time at Piacenza (2-3) and this sealed Oscar Washington Tabarez’s fate and he resigned (the third Manager to lose his job).

This had been Milan’s seventh defeat in 22 competitive matches.

Inter were held at home by Cagliari (2-2) and lost ground, while Parma were now just above the relegation zone after a loss at Udinese (1-3).

The coaching vacancy in Milan paved the way for the shock return of Arrigo Sacchi to Milan after five years.

The already under-fire National Team Manager resigned from his post on December 2^nd.

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1997 (Arrigo Sacchi being welcomed back as Manager at AC Milan by Adriano Galliani)

On Matchday 12 (December 8^th), Juventus opened a three-point gap at the top with a key away win at Sampdoria (1-0).

Vicenza and Inter’s tied match (1-1) did not help either side, except Juventus.

Former Italy boss and AC Milan Manager took charge for the first time in Milan’s win over Udinese (2-1). It still remained to be seen whether he could turn their fortunes around. He certainly was unable to stop Milan from being eliminated from the Champions League in group play as the die had already been cast for some time.

On December 14^th, the Italian Federation (FIGC) finally elected a President. The new President Luciano Nizzola would appoint Cesare Maldini as the new National Team Manager on the following day. The Italian National Team now had a father managing a side with his son the legendary Paolo Maldini as Captain.

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1997 (New National Team Manager Cesare Maldini)

On Matchday 13 (December 15^th), Juventus opened a five –point gap after a win over Verona (3-2).

Vicenza were once again held at home (1-1) vs. Parma while Inter lost (3-4) at home to Sampdoria.

On Matchday 14 (December 22^nd), Juventus’ lead was increased to six points. Vicenza lost ground after a loss at Sampdoria (1-2). Luigi Simoni’s Napoli caught up with Vicenza at the second spot after a win over Lazio (1-0).

Sacchi’s Milan lost for the first time against Ancelotti’s (his former National Team Assistant) Parma (1-0). This win was perhaps more significant for Parma as it would spark a revival into the second half of the season.

Before the end of the year, Perugia’s Giovanni Galeone became the fourth Manager to be sacked. Former Parma Manager Nevio Scala was appointed at Perugia on December 29^th (after Mauro Amenta had managed one match in the interim).

Perugia would also sign former Brazil and Torino striker Luis Muller for their relegation fight.

The New year started with Juventus losing for only the second time against a resurgent Parma (1-0) on Matchday 15 (January 5^th). Vicenza closed the gap the top to three points after a win over Bologna (2-0). Milan suffered another loss (0-3) vs. Lazio to further slip down the table. At this juncture even a UEFA Cup qualification appeared beyond the Rossoneri.

The day was remembered for Youri Djorkaeff’s wonderful overhead volley in Inter’s win over Roma (3-1). This has been another much referenced goal in the annals of Calcio.

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Youri Djorkaef’s goal against Roma)

Many other transfer dealings were also conducted in this first month of the New Year. The arrivals included Russian (actually Ukrainian) midfielder Andrei Kanchelskis who joined Fiorentina from Everton.

French defender Vincent Candela arrived at the capitol to join AS Roma (from Guingamp).

Shortly thereafter, French midfielder Reynald Pedros would join Parma from France’s Olympique Marseille.

The departures included Swiss defender Ramon Vega who left Cagliari to join Tottenham. Inter defender Gianluca Festa also joined the English Premier League and signed for Middlesbrough.

The most significant departure was that of Italy and AC Milan defender Christian Panucci. He was at odds with new Manager Arrigo Sacchi and jumped at the opportunity to join Fabio Capello’s Real Madrid.

The following week (Matchday 16, January 12^th), Juventus’ lead was cut to two points after they dropped points at home in a scoreless tie with Atalanta.

Vicenza’s unlikely title challenge was all but over after a loss vs. AC Milan (1-0). Inter (2-1 winners away over Napoli) and Sampdoria (4-1 winners over Cagliari) were now just behind Juventus.

Juventus displayed its dominance away from domestic game as well. Having already won the Intercontinental Cup just before the New Year (1-0 over River Plate), they gave a lesson to Paris St Germain at Paris with an emphatic (6-1) win on January 15^th for the first leg of the UEFA Super Cup. The return leg would now be a formality and they won (3-1) on February 5^th.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 95, December 1996 (Alessandro Del Piero and Angelo Peruzzi with the Intercontinental Cup)

Just as their lead appeared to be dissipating, Juventus increased it to four points on the following and midway stage of the season (Matchday 17, January 19^th)

Juventus picked up a key away win at Lazio (2-0), while Inter lost (0-2) at home to Bologna and Sampdoria dropped points at Fiorentina (1-1).

Parma won its fourth straight match (1-0) over Verona to be on the top four.

The second half of the season started on January 26^th(Matchday 18) with Juventus maintaining its four-point lead over Sampdoria.

This Matchday would bring bad luck to Lazio Manager Zdenek Zeman, whose side lost to Bologna (1-2). He was sacked on the following day to become the fifth sacking of the season.

On January 30^th, Lazio President Dino Zoff resigned temporarily to take over as caretaker Manager until the end of the season.

On the following week (Matchday 19, February 2^nd), Sampdoria cut Juventus’ lead to two points after an away win over AC Milan (3-2) as Juventus were held to a scoreless draw at Cagliari.

However, once again Juventus’ nearest challenger failed to capitalize and on their following week (Matchday 20, February 16^th), Sampdoria lost at home to Roma (2-1) as Juventus defeated Perugia (2-1) and their lead was now up to five points.

At Milan, Sacchi’s arrival had hardly calmed the state of affairs. Just like in the latter stages of their National Team relationship, Sacchi had no confidence in Roberto Baggio and continued to bench him.

On February 19^th, Baggio even demanded a personal meeting with Silvio Berlusconi to discuss the situation. Baggio was now being linked to Napoli among other teams. Baggio famously likened his situation, to that of a Ferrari being driven by a traffic warden.

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Roberto Baggio)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Napoli fans protesting Sacchi in hopes of signing Roberto Baggio)

As far as Lazio, their coaching situation for next season was clarified after Sampdoria Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson agreed to manage them.

He had been linked with Blackburn Rovers and seemed set to join them but he officially informed them on February 21^st that he would not be joining them next season.

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Sven-Goran Eriksson)

By Matchday 22 (Match 3^rd), Juventus’ lead was up to seven points after a win over Vicenza (2-0). Sampdoria’s challenge appeared over after another home loss (1-2 vs. Bologna).

Inter and Parma were now the joint challengers.

On the following week (Matchday 23, March 9^th), Inter failed to capitalize as they hosted Juventus and had to settle for a scoreless draw.

Juventus defender Moreno Torricelli suffered a season ending injury in this match to join Antonio Conte on the sidelines.

Parma took advantage to place themselves five points behind Juventus after a win at Perugia (2-1).

On the coaching front after Sven-Goran Eriksson’s recent refusal, English side Blackburn Rovers had approached Inter Manager Roy Hogdson for the next season. Hodgson had agreed as his position in Inter was becoming unstable and he was losing the faith of the fans.

Massimo Moratti had been active in the search for a Manager and was openly eyeing Napoli Manager Luigi Simoni to become the manager next season.

Parma further staked their claim on the following week (Matchday 24, March 16^th) after defeating Inter (1-0).

On March 22^nd, young strikers and the season’s revelations, Fillipo Inzaghi and Christian Vieri were rewarded by being called up to the National Team by new Manager Cesare Maldini for matches against Moldova and Poland (Vieri would celebrate with a goal vs. Moldova).

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1997 (Christian Vieri)

After the International break, the League resumed on April 6^th(Matchday 26) with a headlining match-up between defending Champions AC Milan and Juventus

Juventus handed Milan its worst defeat at San Siro. The (6-1) scoreline summed up the season for the respective teams.

This Juventus display was even more impressive given the absences of Del Piero, Deschamps, Montero, Padovano, not to mention Conte and Torricelli (out for the season).

This was the nadir of AC Milan’s season and perhaps of the entire Berlusconi era. It clearly signaled the end of an era, while also heralding a new era for the much younger Juventus side. At this point, the Bianconeri appeared to be the best side in Europe. This display confirmed to many that Juventus were on their way to become champions despite Parma’s valiant effort (now six points behind).

French midfielder Zinedine Zidane had fully adapted now and two-goal scorer Christian Vieri was now seen as Italy’s striker of the future and his value had skyrocketed.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 97, February 1997 (Zinedine Zidane)

In contrast, Franco Baresi had never looked so old and this match may have indicated to himself that perhaps his time was up.

Much of the blame was laid on Arrigo Sacchi. He had been unable to get Milan out of their slump. Many questioned his suitability for rebuilding a side in midseason.

Upon his departure in January (because of Sacchi), Christian Panucci had attacked Sacchi by accusing him of transmitting his anxieties to the team. Given their performances not many could question his analysis. Many observers felt the Milan players looked uneasy and nervous in matches.

This scoreline against Juventus confirmed this and questioned the wisdom of Sacchi’s recall.

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1997 (Arrigo Sacchi)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1997 (Scoreboard AC Milan 1-Juventus 6)

On the same day, Roma’s loss at Cagliari (1-2) led to the sacking of Argentine Manager Carlos Bianchi (becoming the sixth Manager to lose his post).

On April 8^th, Roma’s 1983 Scudetto winning Swedish Manager Nils Liedholm came out of retirement to help out his former side.

Carlos Bianchi would later (rightly or wrongly) blame xenophobia for his sacking. He remarked that 5 out of the 6 Managers sacked were foreigners.

The following week (Matchday 27, April 13^th), Juventus came down to earth after a heavy home loss (0-3) vs. Udinese.

Zaccheroni’s Udinese had been an improving side with the attacking trident of Bierhoff-Amoroso and Poggi in fine form.

Their lead was cut to three points as Parma won at Rome (1-0).

Photo From: Panini Italy 1996/97 (Oliver Biehoff and Paolo Poggi)

As in previous instances with Vicenza, Inter and Sampdoria, Juventus nearest challengers were unable to take advantage just as Juventus appeared vulnerable.

Parma was no exception and on the following week (Matchday 28, April 20), they lost to Udinese (0-2) at home as Juventus were winners away at Bologna (1-0) and the lead was back to six points.

On April 21^st, Napoli Manager Luigi Simoni was sacked after a loss vs. Atalanta (0-1) (becoming the 7^th sacking of the season).

Just days prior on April 18^th, Massimo Moratti had confirmed the open secret of Luigi Simoni’s arrival.

Many believed he was sacked mostly because he was Inter-bound rather than for technical reasons (as Napoli were to play in the Coppa Italia Final in weeks time).

His detractors believed that he was more concerned in making arrangements for his upcoming departure to Inter rather than concentrating on Napoli’s upcoming objective of the Coppa Italia.

He was replaced by youth coach Vincenzo Montefusco.

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Luigi Simoni)

The following week (Matchday 29, May 4th), Juventus’ lead was once again cut to four points as they were held to a home scoreless draw by Sampdoria, while Parma picked up yet another win at Atalanta (2-1).

Inter squandered a big chance as they lost at home to Vicenza (0-1).

On Matchday 31 (May 15^th), Juventus took one step closer to the title after a win over Piacenza (4-1) as Parma were held (1-1) by AC Milan. The gap was back to six points with three matches remaining.

Parma’s final chance to stop Juventus was on Matchday 32 (May 18^th), when they hosted the Turin side. The tie scoreline (1-1) all but guaranteed the title as Juventus maintained their six-point lead with two matches remaining. Only a catastrophe could stop Juventus now.

As far as the chasing pack, Lazio had improved in the second half of the season and were now in their place challenging for the UEFA spots.

Juventus officially secured the title on the penultimate match of season at Atalanta. The tie (1-1) scoreline gave them the point needed to be unreachable , as now they had a four-point lead with a single match remaining.

On May 23^rd, Inter Manager, the Englishman Roy Hodgson resigned with two League matches left in anger after being pelted with coins and lighters by Inter fans. Inter had just lost out in the Final of the UEFA Cup to Schalke and the Inter fans had vented their frustration in such manner.

He would be replaced with Inter’s goalkeeping coach Luciano Castellini for the final matches.

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Roy Hodgson)

The title out of the way, the final round of matches (Matchday 34, June 1), the focus was shifted on Inter’s faint hope to overtake Parma at the second place for the Second Champions League spot (from the following season, second placed teams were to gain entry to the new expanded Champions League).

In the end Inter could do no more than a share of the spoils at Bologna (2-2), while Parma were defeating Verona (2-1). Inter, Lazio and Udinese had to contend with the UEFA Cup, while AC Milan had ended up in mid-table mediocrity with not even UEFA Cup qualificatiob after a decade of glory. They finished their worst season since the dark days of double relegation from the early parts of the last decade.

Arrigo Sacchi had arrived in 1987 to herald a decade of domestic and European glory. He was departing the same club a decade later with his reputation in tatters following his dismissal as Commissario Tecnico and his inability to change Milan’s fortunes. An era had ended it was clear for all to see that wholesale team changes would need to be made.

Inspirational Captain Franco Baresi saw the writing on the wall and retired on June 23^rd at the age of 37, after nearly two-decades of flawless service. It was a shame that it had to end that way for him after such a miserable season.

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1997 (Franco Baresi)

The departure of his defensive partner, veteran right back Mauro Tassoti was more un-noticed as he had been displaced first by Christian Panucci and later by Michael Reiziger in the previous seasons. It nevertheless represented a changing of the guard. Milan’s entire policy was questioned; Davids, Reiziger nor Dugarry had met expectations, while the signing of Vierchowod was always intended as a short gap purchase.

Christian Panucci’s mid-season departure to Real Madrid benefited the player only and not Milan. He left a poisoned atmosphere given his relationship with Sacchi and ended winning the League Title with Capello.

George Weah had fallen off his pedestal following the head-but incident in the Champions League vs. Porto’s Jorge Costa.

Sacchi was out and Berlusconi and Galliani turned back to Fabio Capello, not happy at off-field dealings in Madrid, despite basking in the glow of a League title.

At this point the Milan hierarchy perhaps believed that he was the iron hand needed to whip the team back into shape as the old were to make for newer and more exciting arrivals (including Patrick Kluivert…more on that on the next edition).

Reiziger and Dugarry would be shipped off to Barcelona after solitary seasons.

Capello would tell Baggio and Savicevic to look for new destinations (eventually Savicevic would stay).

Baggio would join Bologna to resurrect his career.

As far as Juventus, Lippi’s team had after a relatively slow start, picked up steam and forged ahead at home and in Europe.

In contrast to the 1994/95 Scudetto winning squad, this team had won due to its strong defense and ability to pick up points away from home.

The additions of Montero and Iuliano in defense had been successful as had Vieri’s explosion at the front. However, Vieri’s success would be to his detriment as Juventus would cash in on him after a solitary season and sell him to Atletico Madrid. Juventus had another replacement in mind, Fillipo Inzaghi (Atalanta) had much to most observers surprise ended as capocannoniere with 24 goals.

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1997 (Filippo Inzaghi)

Juventus would sign him up for the next season. Croatian striker Alen Boksic would be returned to Lazio, along with Yugoslav midfielder Vladimir Jugovic.

The world seemed to be Juventus’ for the taking and a second successive Champions League victory would have been the icing on the cake for a near perfect season.

However, Juventus’ Champions Cup/League curse would strike (and it has to this day for another four finals) and they lost the Final to Dortmund (1-3).

But with Milan’s dynasty seemingly over, Lippi’s Juventus were the team of the era (at least domestically).

Given their difficult start many would have tipped Carlos Ancelotti to get the sack at Parma. However, the team vastly improved in the second half of the season. Had they been in form sooner, who’s to say they would have pushed Juventus even harder for the title or even overtake them.

Youngsters like Buffon in goal and Cannavaro in defense were established members of the squad, while new signings such as Thuram, Crespo and Chiesa had adapted well. Frenchman Thuram was even considered as one the best player of the League that season by the prestigious ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’ sports paper for his marks.

For the first time in the Moratti era, Inter were a title challenger and that was a step up. The team appeared to be on the verge of being a League winning side .

Moratti had ambitions matching his father’s era and he made his intent clear by signing Brazilian striker Ronaldo in the off-season. Ronaldo had in one season at Barcelona become the greatest and the most sought after player on the globe.

Lazio had also been in the running for the Brazilian, but Moratti got his man, whom he believed would be the missing link in making Inter champions.

His appointment of Luig Simoni as Manager with Ronaldo seemed a good match.

Vicenza had been the feel-good story of the season. Francesco Guidolin’s Provincial side had exceeded expectation and for a number of weeks given the big boys a run for their money. The Uruguayan pair of Gustavo Mendez and Marcelo Otero spearheaded a side containing Italians such as Gabriele Ambrosetti, Roberto Murgitta and veteran Domenico Di Carlo.

They capped off a memorable season by winning the Coppa Italia by defeating Napoli in the Final and qualify to European competition (Cup Winners Cup).

As for every end of the season there were many goodbye. While Baresi’s was historically the most significant, there were many other noteworthy ones.

Another era ended when Roberto Mancini left Sampdoria after 15 years to join Sven-Goran Eriksson at Lazio.

The once teenage sensation from Bologna was entering the autumn of his career at Cragnotti’s big spending Lazio.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1997 (Roberto Mancini)

Inter’s Englishman Paul Ince followed Roy Hodgson and waved goodbye to the Serie A and joined Liverpool.

Swedish striker Martin Dahlin also failed to succeed at Roma and in fact joined Hodgson at Blackburn Rovers.

His compatriot at Roma, Swedish midfielder Jonas Thern also left the Serie A after five years.

Fiorentina Manager Claudio Ranieri left his post. Likewise, Nevio Scala left the relegated Perugia and decided to try his luck abroad and joined Borussia Dortmund.

Bosman allowed more Italians to leave their borders. Apart from Vieri, Marco Simone left AC Milan after eight years to join Paris St. Germain, while Stefano Eranio also left the Rossoneri to join Derby County in the English Premier League.

Attilio Lombardo left Juventus to join Crystal Palace. Juventus defender Sergio Porrini joined Rangers Glasgow.

French defender Jocelyn Angloma left Inter to join Spanish side Valencia.

Gianluigi Lentini would exit the Serie A, and return to his former side Torino to help their promotion push.

As far as Cagliari, Perugia, Verona and Reggiana, it was life in Seri B. From that season’s promoted sides only Bologna managed to remain in the top. Cagliari was back to Serie B for the first time since promotion in 1990.

Despite all the newcomers on their way, the only transfer at the end of that season was that of Ronaldo. Never since the days of Maradona, had there been such hype for the arrival of a single player. It was the year of Ronaldo; ‘Il Fenomemo’ was on his way to the peninsula. This was further proof that despite Bosman, the Serie A was still the place to be (1997 / 98 season, to be continued…..)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 100, May 1997 (Juventus squad)

References:

World Soccer, September 1996

World Soccer, October 1996

World Soccer, November 1996

World Soccer, December 1996

World Soccer, January 1997

World Soccer, February 1997

World Soccer, March 1997

World Soccer, April 1997

World Soccer, May 1997

World Soccer, June 1997

World Soccer, July 1997

World Soccer, August 1997

Onze-Mondial, Issue 93, October 1996

Onze-Mondial, Issue 95, December 1996

Onze-Mondial, Issue 99, April 1997

Football Italia, April 1997

Football Italia, May 1997

Italian Serie A Kits in a Season: Part 2 (1996/97 season)

January 21, 2019, 5:09 pm

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 41 (Week of January 15-January 21, 2019)-part 1

≪ Previous: When Calcio Ruled the Football World-A Personal Journey-Part 15 (1996/97)

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A new Addition about jerseys/kits of Italian clubs used in a season, I will try to include as many variatiations/permutations used as I can find

If anyone has examples (photos/diagrams) of other kits used please do not hesitate to contact and share.

Serie A: Season 1996/97

Need bologan home

Club	Kit Manufacturer	Shirt Sponsor
Atalanta	Asics	Somet
Bologna	Diadora	Carisbo
Cagliari	Reebok	Pecorino Sardo
Fiorentina	Reebok	Sammontana
Inter	Umbro	Pirelli
Juventus	Kappa	Sony
Lazio	Eumbro	Cirio
AC Milan	Lotto	Opel
Napoli	Lotto	Centrale Latte di Napoli
Parma	Puma	Parmalat
Perugia	Galex	CEPU
Piacenza	ABM	Caripiacenza
Reggiana	Asics	Giglio
Roma	Asics	INA Assitalia
Sampdoria	Asics
Udinese	Hummel	Millionaire
Verona	Errea	Ferroli
Vicenza	Biemme	Pal Zileri

I. Atalanta

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 99, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: stevenaxe.altervista.org (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home and away jerseys)

II. Bologna

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Instant Book (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: BOLOGNA 96-97 - EDILAND (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: BOLOGNA 96-97 - EDILAND (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

III. Cagliari

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: wheelwrightfc.co.uk (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Instant Book (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: stevenaxe.altervista.org (Third Jersey short sleeves)

IV. Fiorentina

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1996 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1996 (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home and Away Jerseys)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home, Away and third Jerseys)

V. Inter

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 95, December 1996 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 95, December 1996 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio (Third Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home/Away/third Jerseys)

VI. Juventus

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 100, May 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves, black shorts)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio 2 (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997 (Away Jersey short sleeves version 2)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

VII. Lazio

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: kits.jokar.se (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: kits.jokar.se (Third Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: oldfootballshirts (Third Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away and third Jerseys)

VIII. Milan AC

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: World Soccer, December 1996 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 95, December 1996 (Home Jersey long sleeves in Europe)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 96, January 1997 (Alternate Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Hattrick Fussballmagazin, Issue 7, 1996 (Alternate Away Jersey short sleeves)

IX. Napoli

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: switchimageproject.blogspot (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

X. Parma

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Instant Book (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: wikipedia (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home/Away/third Jerseys)

XI. Perugia

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Instant Book (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: wikipedia (Third Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: wikipedia (Third Jersey long sleeves)

 

XII. Piacenza

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: stevenaxe.altervista.org (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: source unknown (Away Jersey short sleeves)

XIII. Reggiana

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Instant Book (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: maglieinrete.it (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: stevenaxe.altervista.org (Away Jersey short sleeves)

XIV. Roma

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Home and Away Jerseys)

XV. Sampdoria

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 99, April 1997 (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 99, April 1997 (Away Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Third Jersey long sleeves)

XVI. Udinese

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Instant Book (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, May 1997 (Away Jersey short sleeves)

XVII. Verona

Photo From: oldfootballshirts (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: archiviofutbol (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio  (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: 1996-1997 - Goal - Calcio  (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: Football Italia, April 1997 (Alternate Away Jersey Long sleeves)

Photo From: oldfootballshirts (Alternate Away Jersey short sleeves)

XVIII. Vicenza

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1997 (Home Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: stevenaxe.altervista.org (Home Jersey long sleeves)

Photo From: stevenaxe.altervista.org (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: wikipedia (Away Jersey short sleeves)

Photo From: kits.jokar.se (Third Jersey short sleeves)

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 41 (Week of January 15-January 21, 2019)-part 1

January 22, 2019, 9:13 am

≫ Next: The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 41 (Week of January 15-January 21, 2019)-part 2

≪ Previous: Italian Serie A Kits in a Season: Part 2 (1996/97 season)

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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, January 15, 2019:

-Arsenal and former Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech announced that he will retire at the end of the season. (Source BBC Football online)

-The Police in Northern Ireland are investigating an alleged lewd act (public exposure) of Gavin Whyte (Oxford United) . (Source BBC Football online)

-Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out of the Huddersfield’s vacant Manager’s position. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Harry Kane (Tottenham) will be out injured until March. (Source Sky Sports online)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

-Leeds Manager Marcelo Bielsa held a press conference where he stated that they watch the trainings of all their opponents. (Source BBC Football Online)

Thursday, January 17, 2019:

- In an Interview with Norwegian Television, Paul Scholes stated that Jose Mourinho was angling to get sacked and ‘engineered’ his own sacking with his negative press conferences, etc. (Source extra.ie online)

-Troy Deeney (Watford) has been fined over his comments about referee David Coote following their match vs. Bournemouth. (Source Sky Sports online)

Friday, January 18, 2019:

-Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) will be out injured for a  month. (Source BBC Football online)

-Alvaro Morata (Cheslea) has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid. He is allowed to leave once Chelsea find a replacement. (Source BBC Football online)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

-Eleven Championship teams have complained to the English Football league over the Leeds ‘Spygate’. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Harry Kane (Tottenham) was voted as England’s Men Player of the year and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) was voted as England’s men U-21 Player of the years. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-In their win over Crystal Palace, Liverpool’s James Milner was sent off by Referee Jon Moss, who was his PE Teacher at Primary school in Leeds (Source BBC Football online)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

-

Monday, January 21, 2019:

-Former England defender Glen Johnson announced his retirement from the game. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Jan Siewert was named as the new manager of Huddersfield. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Wolves Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been charged by with misconduct for running into the pitch and celebrating after Wolves’ late winner vs. Leicester on Saturday. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) will be out injured for the rest of the season. (Source BBC Football online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Ryan Babel (Holland)	Striker	Besiktas	Fulham	Purchase	Sportbible
January 15, 2019	Dion Pereira	Midfielder	Watford	Atlanta United	Purchase	Sky Sports
January 15, 2019	Steven Caulker	Defender	Fre Agent	Alanyaspor	Purchase	Walfoot.be
January 15, 2019	Will Randall	Winger	Wolves	Free Agent	Contract Rescnded	The Guardian
January 15, 2019	Pual Gladon	Striker	Wolves	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	The Guardian
January 17, 2019	Kiko Casilla (Spain)	Goalkeeper	Real Madrid	Leeds	Purchase	BBC Football
January 17, 2019	Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)	Striker	Juventus (on loan at AC Milan)	Chelsea	Loan	Sky Sports
January 17, 2019	Moussa Denbele (Belgium)	Midfielder	Tottenham	Guangzhou R & F	Purchase	BBC Football
January 17, 2019	Sead Haksabanovic	Midfielder	West Ham	Norkopping	Loan	The Guardain
January 18, 2019	Oumar Niasse	Striker	Everton	Cardiff	Loan	BBC Football
January 18, 2019	Yohan Benalouane (Tunisia)	Defender	Leiceste	Nottingham Forest	Purchase	BBC Football
January 18, 2019	Toni Martinez	Striker	West Ham	Lugo	Loan	The Guardian
January 18, 2019	Matt Worthington	Midfielder	Bournemouth	Yoevil Town	Purchase	The Guardian
January 18, 2019	Regan Poole	Defender	Manchester United	Newport County	Loan	The Guardian
January 18, 2019	Jaden Brown	Defender	Huddersfield	Exeter City	Loan	The Guardian
January 18, 2019	Randell Williams	Winger	Watford	Exeter City	Loan	The Guardian
January 19, 2019	Ashley Cole	Defender	Free Agent (formerly Los Angeles Galaxy)	Derby	Purchase	Daily Mail
January 19, 2019	Emiliano Sala (Argentina)	Striker	Nantes	Cardiff	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 21, 2019	Yannick Bolasie (Congo)	-	Aston Villa	Everton	Loan Return	Maisfutebol
January 21, 2019	Jan Siewert (Germany)	Manager	Borussia Dortmund II (Germany)	Huddersfileld	New appointment	Sky Sports
January 21, 2019	Joe Powell	Midfielder	West Ham	Northampton	Loan	The Guardian
January 21, 2019	Elias Sorensen	Striker	Newcastle	Blackpool	Loan	The Guardian

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 17, 2019	Andy Robertson (Scotland)	Defender	Liverpool	2024	Sky Sports
January 18, 2019	Marc Albrighton	Winger	Leicester	2022	BBC Football
January 19, 2019	Trent-Alexander Arnold	Defender	Liverpool	2024	Sky Sports
January 21, 2019	Scott McTominay (Scotland)	Midfielder	Manchester United	2023	Sky Sports

English FA Cup-Third Round (January 15-January 16, 2019):

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

Blackburn 2-Newcastle 4(Adam Arsmtrong 33, Darragh Lenihan 45 / Sean Longstaff 1, Callum Roberts 22, Joselu 105, Ayoze Perez 106)

Luton 0-Sheffied Wednesday 1 (Atdhe Nuhiu 46)

Stoke 2-Shrewsbury 3(Tyrese Campbell 20, 36 / James Bolton 71, Fejiri Okenabirhie 77 pen, Josh Laurent 81)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

Southampton 2-Derby County 2 (Stuart Armstrong 68, Nathan Redmond 70 / Harry Wilson 76, Martyn Waghorn 82) (Derby won 5-3 on a penalty kick shoot-out)

English Premier League Matchday (January 19-January 20, 2019):

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

Wolves 4-Leicester 3(Diogo Jota 4, 64, 90, Ryan Benett 12 / Demarai Gray 47, Conor Coady (own goal) 51, Wes Morgan 87)

Bournemouth 2-West Ham 0(Callum Wilson 54, Joshua King 90)

Liverpool 4-Crystal Palace 3 (Mohamed Salah 46, 75, Roberto Firmino 53, Sadio Mane 90 / Andros Townsend 34, James Tomkins 65, Max Meyer 90)

Manchetser United 2-Brighton 1  (Paul Pogba 27 pen, Marcus Rashford 42 / Pascal Gross 72)

Newcastle 3-Cardiff 0(Fabian Schar 24, 63, Ayoze Perez 90)

Southampton 2-Everton 1(James Ward Prowse 50, Lucas Digne (own goal) 64 / Gylfi Sigurdsson 90)

Watford 0-Burnley 0(-)

Arsenal 2-Chelsea 0(Alexandre Lacazette 14, Laurent Koscielny 39)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

Huddersfield 0-Manchester City 3 (Danilo 18, Raheem Sterling 54, Leroy Sane 56)

Fulham 1-Tottenham 2(Fernando Llorente (own goal) 17 / Dele Alli 51, Harry Winks 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 16 goals

Harry Kane (Tottenham) 14 goals

Pierre-Erick Aubameyang (Arsenal) 14 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	23	19	3	1	54	13	41	60
2	Manchester City	23	18	2	3	62	17	45	56
3	Tottenham	23	17	0	6	48	23	25	51
4	Chelsea	23	14	5	4	40	19	21	47
5	Arsenal	23	13	5	5	48	32	16	44
6	Manchester United	23	13	5	5	46	33	13	44

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

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

-Mauro Icardi (Inter) has accused ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’ of spreading lies. (Source Football Italia online)

-Zlatan Ibrahimovic stated that Cristiano Ronaldo joining Juventus is not a challenge as he is joining a seven time defending champion. (Source AS.com online)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

- Juventus defeated AC Milan (1-0) in Saudi Arabia to win the Italian Super Cup.

Thursday, January 17, 2019:

-AC Milan Manager Gennaro Gattuso was suspended for one match after his behavior with the referee in the Super Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, January 18, 2019:

-Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)’s appeal to have his two-match ban lifted was rejected. (Source Football Italia online)

-Former Italy manager Giampiero Ventura stated that he would have resigned from his post even if Italy had defeated Sweden and qualified for the 2018 World Cup. He expressed regret for accepting the Italy post. (Source Football Italia online)

-The CONI have rejected Chievo Verona’s latest appeal and confirmed the three points penalty. (Source Football Italia online)

-Torino have rejected West Ham’s bid for Andrea Belotti. (Source Football Italia online)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

-Duvan Zapata has become the first Atalanta player since 1952 to score four goals in a Serie A match. (Source Football Italia online)

Monday, January 21, 2019:

-Lazio’s Francesco Acerbi was sent off in their match vs. Napoli, after 149 consecutive Serie A appearances. He was nearing Javier Zanetti’s 162 consecutive appearance record. (Source BBC Football online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Hamed Junior Traore (Ivory Coast)	Midfielder	Empoli	Fiorentina	Next Season	L’Equipe
January 15, 2019	Sebastian Walukiewicz (Poland)	Defender	Pogon Szczecin (Poland)	Cagliari	Next Season	Football Italia
January 15, 2019	Davide Bettella	Defender	Atalanta	Pescara	Permanent signing	Corriere dello sport
January 15, 2019	Simone Scuffet	Goalkeeper	Udinese	Kasimpasa	Loan	L’Equipe
January 15, 2019	Alessandro Piu	Winger	Empoli	Pistoiese	Loan	The Guardian
January 15, 2019	Lorenzo Lollo	Midfielder	Empoli	Padova	Loan	The Guardian
January 16, 2019	Alessandro Rossi	Striker	Lazio	Venezia	Loan	The Guardian
January 16, 2019	Joseph Marie Minala	Midfielder	Lazio	Salernitana	Loan	The Guardian
January 17, 2019	Johann Djourou (Switzerland)	Defender	SPAL	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	L’Equipe
January 21, 2019	Arnel Jakupovic (Austria)	Striker	Empoli	Sturm Graz	Loan	Kicker.de

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 17, 2019	Grigoris Kastanos (Cyprus)	Midfielder	Juventus	2022	Agonasport
January 18, 2019	Fabio Pisacane	Defender	Cagliari	2020	Football Italia

Italian Super Cup (January 16, 2018):

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

Juventus 1-AC Milan 0 (Cristiano Ronaldo 61)

Italian Serie A Matchday (January 19-20, 2019):

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

Roma 3-Torino 2(Nicolo Zaniolo 15, Aleksandar Kolarov 34 pen, Stephan El Shaarawy 73 / Tomas Rincon 51, Cristian Ansaldi 67)

Udinese 1-Parma 2(Stefano Okaka 50 / Roberto Inglese 11 pen, Gervinho 68)

Inter 0-Sassuolo 0(-)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

Frosinone 0-Atalanta 5(Gianluca Mancini 11, Duvan Zapata 44, 47, 64, 73)

Fiorentina 3-Sampdoria 3(Luis Muriel 34, 70, German Pezzella 90 / Gaston Ramirez 44, Fabio Quagliarella 81 pen, 85)

SPAL 1-Bologna 1(Jasmin Kurtic 63 / Rodrigo Palacio 24)

Cagliari 2-Empoli 2 (Leonardo Pavoletti 36, Diego Farias 90 / Giovanni Di Lorenzo 70, Miha Zajc 81)

Napoli 2-Lazio 1(Jose Callejon 34, Arek Milik 37 / Ciro Immobile 65)

Monday, January 21, 2019:

Genoa 0-AC Milan 2(Fabio Borini 72, Suso 83)

Juventus 3-Chievo 0(Douglas Costa 13, Emre Can 45, Daniele Rugani 84)

Top Goalscorer:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 14 goals

Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa) 13 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	20	18	2	0	41	11	30	56
2	Napoli	20	15	2	3	39	18	21	47
3	Inter	20	12	4	4	31	14	17	40
4	AC Milan	20	9	7	4	28	20	8	34
5	Roma	20	9	6	5	37	26	11	33
6	Lazio	20	9	5	6	29	23	6	32

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

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 17, 2019:

-Levante are planning to lodge an appeal over Barcelona’s use of an ineligible player in their Copa del Rey match last week. Barcelona Defender Chumi was set to be suspended due to yellow card accumulation. (Source Sportskeeda online)

Friday, January 18, 2019:

-The Spanish Federation has rejected Levante’s appeal against Barcelona for fielding an inelligibel player. The reason given was that the complaint had been received after the established deadline. (Source AS.com online)

-Los Angeles FC has ruled out the proposed loan of Mexican Carlos Vela to Barcelona. (Source Football Espana online)

 Saturday, January 19, 2019:

-Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) played his 450^th La Liga match in the match vs. Sevilla. (Source AS.com online)

-Levante are planning to lodge a further appeal (this time with the Spanish Federations’ Appeals committee) over Barcelona’s use of an ineligible player in their Copa del Rey match last week. (Source Marca.com online)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

-

Monday, January 21, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Riza Durmisi (Denmark)	Defender	Lazio	Celta	Loan	Maisfutebol
January 15, 2019	Armando Sadiku	Striker	Levante	Lugano	Purchase	The Guardian
January 16, 2019	Raul Garcia	-	Leganes	Gitona	Purchase	A Bola
January 16, 2019	Yangel Herrera (Venezuela)	Midfielder	Manchester City	Huesca	Loan	Maisfutebol
January 16, 2019	Enric Gallego	Striker	Extremadura	Huesc	Purchase	The Guardian
January 16, 2019	Munas Dabbur (Israel)	Striker	Red Bull Salzburg	Sevilla	Next Season	L’equipe
January 17, 2019	Emdin Demirovic	Striker	Alaves	Almeria	Loan	The Guardian
January 18, 2019	Nando	Winger	Alaves	Extremadura	Loan	The Guardian
January 21, 2019	Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana)	Midfielder	Sassuolo	Barceona	Loan	AS.com

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Borja Garces	Striker	Atletico Madrid	2022	Maisfutebol
January 21, 2019	Diego Simeone (Argentina)	Manager	Atletico Madrid	2021	AS.com

Copa Del Rey (January 15-January 17, 2019):

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

Valladolid 1- Getafe 1 (Daniele Verde 50 / Angel Rodriguez 29 pen)

Valencia 3-Sporting Gijon 0 (Santi Mina 65, 76, Ferran Torres 90)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

Atletico Madrid 3- Girona 3 (Nikola Kalinic 12, Angel Correa 66, Antoine Griezmann 84 / Valery Fernnadez 37, Cristhian Stuani 59, Seydou Doumbia 88)

Sevilla 0-Bilbao 1 (Gorka Guruzeta 77)

Leganes 1-Real Madrid 0 (Martin Braithwaite 30)

Thursday, January 17, 2019:

Sociedad 2 -Betis 2 (Igor Zubeldia 40, Mikel Merino 62 / Sergio Canales 37, Loren Moron 70)

Espanyol 3- Villareal 1 (Pablo Piatti 34 pen, Borja Iglesias 37 pen, 74 / Samuel Chukwueze 42)

Barcelona 3- Levante 0 (Ousmane Dembele 30, 31, Lionel Messi 54)

Spanish La Liga Matchday (January 18-January 20, 2019):

Friday, January 18, 2019:

Getafe 4-Alaves 0 (Jaime Mata 33 pen, 88, Jorge Molina 46, 55)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

Real Madrid 2-Sevilla 0 (Casemiro 78, Luka Modric 90)

Huesca 0-Atletico Madrid 3 (Lucas Hernandez 31, Santiago Arias 52, Koke 71)

Celta 1-Valencia 2 (Nestor Araujo 40 / Ferran Torres 71, Rodrigo Montero 84)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

Betis 3-Girona 2(Cristian Tello 12, Loren Moron 54, Sergio Canales 90 pen / Aleix Garcia 36, Seydou Doumbia 44)

Villareal 1-Bilbao 1 (Karl Toko Ekambi 71 / Jaume Costa (own goal) 18)

Vallecano 2-Sociedad 2 (Santi Comesana 22, Adri Embarba 28 / Hector Moreno 39, William Jose 82)

Levante 2-Valladolid 0 (Coke 42, Roger Marti 90)

Barcelona 3-Leganes 1 (Ousmane Dembele 32, Luis Suarez 71, Lionel Messi 90 / Martin Braithwaite 57)

Monday, January 21, 2019:

Eibar 2-Espanyol 0  (Sergi Enrich 24, Pablo De Blasis 52, Charles 84)

Top Goalscorer:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 18 goals

Luis Suarez (Barcelona) 15 goals

Cristhian Stuani (Girona) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	20	14	4	2	56	21	35	46
2	Atletico Madrid	20	11	8	1	30	13	17	41
3	Real Madrid	20	11	5	4	30	24	6	36
4	Sevilla	20	9	6	5	31	22	9	33
5	Alaves	20	9	5	6	22	23	-1	32
6	Getafe	20	8	7	5	25	16	9	31

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

IV.  Germany

Diary:

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

-

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

-As a policy Dortmund will no longer sell players directly to Bayern Munich . (Source Sport Bild online)

-RB Leipzig have give up on their pursuit of Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan) as the price is too high. (Source Corrieredello Sport online)

Thursday, January 17, 2019:

-

Friday, January 18, 2019:

-Marco Reus (Dortmund) was named as the player of the month of December. His third monthly award this season. (Source Bleacher Report online)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

- Marco Reus (Dortmund) stated that he would not be joining Bayern Munich like some former Dortmund stars. (Source Marca.com online)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

-

Monday, January 21, 2019:

-

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Souleyman Doumbia (Ivory Coast)	Defender	Grasshoppers	Rennes	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 15, 2019	Florian Kainz	Winger	Werder Bremen	Koln	Purchase (pending medical)	Bulinews
January 16, 2019	Jonathas (Brazil)	-	Corinthians	Hannover	Loan return	A Bola
January 16, 2019	Ozan Kabak (Turkey)	Defender	Galatasaray	Stuttgart	Purchase	Sport Bild
January 17, 2019	Markus Suttner	Defender	Brighton	Dusseldorf	Loan	The Guardian
January 17, 2019	Paul Seguin	Midfielder	Wolfsburg	Greuther Furth	Loan	The Guardian
January 17, 2019	Mark Grosse	Striker	Hannover	Greuther Furth	Loan	Kicker.de
January 21, 2019	Carlos Salcedo (Mexico)	Defender	Frankfurt	Monterrey Tigres UANL	Purchase	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Friedhelm Funkel	Manager	Fortuna Dussldorf	2020	Kicker.de
January 17, 2019	Ibrahima Konate	Defender	RB Leipzig	2023	Sport Bild
January 17, 2019	Daniel Baier	-	Augsburg	2020	Kicker.de
January 17, 2019	Kevin Danso	-	Augsburg	2024	Kicker.de
January 17, 2019	Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (Holland)	-	Augsburg	2024	Kicker.de

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 16, 2019	Nils Stendera (18 year old)	-	Frankfurt	Kicker.de

German Bundesliga Matchday (January 18-January 20, 2019):

Friday, January 18, 2019:

Hoffenheim 1-Bayern Munich 3 (Nico Schulz 59 / Leon Goretzka 34, 45, Robert Lewandowski 87)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

Leverkusen 0-Moenchengladbach 1 (Alassane Plea 37)

Frankfurt 3-Freiburg 1 (Sebastian Haller 36, Ante Rebic 40, Luka Jovic 45 / Nils Petersen 69)

Augsburg 1-Dusseldorf 2(Jonathan Schmid 64 / Marvin Ducksch 45, Benito Raman 89)

Hannover 0-Werder Bremen 1 (Milot Rashica 32)

Stuttgart 2-Mainz 3 (Nicolas Gonzalez 83, Marc Kempf 85 / Jean-Paul Boetius 22, J.Philippe Mateta 28, Alexander Hack 72)

RB Leipzig 0-Dortmund 1 (Axel Witsel 19)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

Nuremberg 1-Hertha Berlin 3 (Hanno Behrens 42 / Vedad Ibisevic 15, Ondrej Duda 50, 70)

Schalke 2-Wolfsburg 1 (Daniel Caligiuri 8 pen, 78 / Elvis Rexhbecaj 20)

Top Goalscorer:

Luka Jovic (Frankfurt) 13 goals

Paco Alcacer (Dortmund) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Dortmund	18	14	3	1	45	18	27	45
2	Bayern Munich	18	12	3	3	39	19	20	39
3	M’Gladbach	18	11	3	4	37	18	19	36
4	RB Leipzig	18	9	4	5	31	18	13	31
5	Frankfurt	18	9	3	6	37	24	13	30
6	Wolfsburg	18	8	4	6	28	24	4	28

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

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

-Pele stated that Kylian Mbappe could become the next Pele. (Source AS.com online)

-Former French Midfielder from the 70s and 80s, Jose Souto has passed away aged 59. (Source L’Équipe online)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

-Former French defender from the 50s and 60s, Guy Senac passed away aged 85. His son Didier Senac was also an International defender for France . (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, January 17, 2019:

-

Friday, January 18, 2019:

-Adrien Rabiot (PSG) has been banished to the reserves due to his ongoing transfer dispute. (Source L’Équipe online)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

-Monaco Manager Thierry Henry apologized sor insulting Strasbourg’s Kenny Lala during their match yesterday. (Source L’Équipe online)

Monday, January 21, 2019:

-Kenny Lala (Strasbourg) was named Player of the month of December. (Source L’Équipe online)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 16, 2019	Stephane Mbia (Cameroon)	Midfielder	Toulouse	Free Agent	Contract Rescinded	L’Equipe
January 17, 2019	Romain Metanire	Defender	Reims	Minnesota United	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 18, 2019	Pape Djibril Diaw (Senegal)	Defender	Korona Kielce	Angers	Purchase	L’Equipe
January 20, 2019	Santy Ngom	Striker	Nantes	Nancy	Loan	L’Equipe
January 20, 2019	Lumor Agbenyenu (Ghana)	Defender	Sporting CP	Amiens	Loan	L’Equipe
January 20, 2019	Samuel Grandsir	Striker	Monaco	Strasbourg	Loan	L’Equipe

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 17, 2019	Jessy Moulin	Goalkeeper	St Etienne	2022	L’Equipe
January 17, 2019	Gabriel Silva (Brazil)	Defender	St Etienne	2023	L’Equipe
January 18, 2019	Jules Kounde	Defender	Bordeaux	2023	L’Equipe
January 21, 2019	Kenny Lala	Defender	Strasbourg	2021	L’Equipe

Coupe de France (January 16, 2018):

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

Grenoble 0-Strasbourg 1 (Kevin Zohi 98)

French Ligue 1 Matchday (Postponed matches) (January 15-16, 2018):

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

Angers 1-Bordeaux 2 (Mateo Pavlovic 64 / Samuel Kalu 31, Yann Karamoh 90)

PSG -Montpellier (-) (Postponed)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

Monaco 1-Nice 1 (Benoit Badiashile 50 / Allan Saint-Maximin 30)

Guingamp 2-Rennes 1 (Felix Eboa Eboa 40, Lucas Deaux 59 / Mbaye Niang 86 )

Toulouse 2-Lyon 2 (Jimmy Durmaz 12, 74 pen / Moussa Dembele 75, Nabil fekir 87)

Nimes 1-Nantes 0 (Sofiane Alakouch 64)

St Etienne 2-OM 1 (Wahbi Khazri 59 pen, 88 / Kevin Strootman 1)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 14 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) 12 goals

Florian Thauvin (OM) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	18	16	2	0	53	10	43	50
2	Lille	20	10	5	5	31	29	11	37
3	St Etienne	20	10	6	4	31	23	8	36
4	Lyon	20	9	7	4	33	24	9	34
5	Montpellier	19	8	7	4	26	16	10	31
6	Nice	20	8	6	6	15	18	-3	30

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

French Ligue 1 Matchday (January 18-20, 2019):

Friday, January 18, 2019:

Lille 2-Amiens 1 (Rafael Leao 45, Xeka 85 / Juan Otero 5)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

PSG 9-Guingamp 0(Neymar 11, 68, Kylian Mbappe 37, 45, 80, Edinson Cavani 59, 66, 75, Thomas Meunier 83)

Monaco 1-Strasbourg 5 (Radamel Falcao 22 / Ludovic Ajorque 12, 68, Adrien Thomasson 17, Ibrahima Sissoko 63, Youssouf Fofana 90)

Nimes 0-Toulouse 1  (Yaya Sanogo 42)

Reims 1-Nice 1  (Remi Oudin 12 / Remi Walter 90 pen)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

Rennes 0-Montpellier 0 (-)

Angers 1-Nantes 0 (Angelo Fulgini 90)

Caen 0-OM 1  (Morgan Sanson 47)

Bordeaux 1-Dijon 0  (Andreas Cornelius 77)

St Etienne 1-Lyon 2  (Romain Hamouma 21 / Nabil Fekir 65 pen, Moussa Dembele 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 17 goals

Edinson Cavani (PSG) 14 goals

Neymar (PSG) 13 goals

Emiliano Sala (Nantes) 12 goals

Nicolas Pepe (Lille) 12 goals

Florian Thauvin (OM) 12 goals

Wahbi Khazri (St Etienne) 12 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSG	19	17	2	0	62	10	52	53
2	Lille	21	11	5	5	33	30	12	40
4	Lyon	21	10	7	4	35	25	10	37
3	St Etienne	21	10	6	5	32	25	7	36
6	Strasbourg	21	8	8	5	37	25	12	32
5	Montpellier	20	8	8	4	26	16	10	32

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

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, January 15, 2019:

-Mexico’s Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven) was named as the Concacaf player of the year. (Source Football-oranje online)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019:

-

Thursday, January 17, 2019:

-

Friday, January 18, 2019:

-Ajax have reportedly turned down a bid for Dusan Tadic from Chinese side Hebei China Fortuna. (Source Voetbalzone.nl online)

-Ajax unveiled two tributes to the late Johann Cruyff at the entrance of their stadium, the Johan Cruyff ArenA (A bust and a wall). (Source Football-oranje online)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

-

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

-

Monday, January 21, 2019:

-

Photo From: L'Equipe, January 20, 2019

(Thierry Henry)

Transfers
Date	Player	Position	From	To	Type	Online Source
January 16, 2019	Mo El Hankouri	Midfielder	Feyenoord	Groningen	Purchase	vi.nl
January 16, 2019	Paul Gladon	Striker	Free Agent (formerly Wolves)	Groningen	Purchase	vi.nl
January 16, 2019	Ko Itakura  (Japan)	Midfielder	Manchester City	Groningen	Purchase	vi.nl
January 16, 2019	Fran Sol	Striker	Willem II	Dinamo Kiev	Purchase	vi.nl
January 17, 2019	Agil Etemandi	Goalkeeper	De Graafschap	Almere City	Purchase	vi.nl
January 17, 2019	Thomas Verhaar	-	Sparta	Ajax Cape Town (South Africa)	Purchase	vi.nl
January 17, 2019	Evangelos Pavlidis	Striker	Dortmund	Willem II	Purchase	Kicker.de
January 18, 2019	Azbe Jug	Goalkeeper	-	Fortuna Sittard	Purchase	vi.nl
January 18, 2019	Ramon Pascal Lundqvist	-	PSV Eindhoven	NAC	Purchase	vi.nl
January 18, 2019	Mats Knoester	-	Feyenoord	Hearcles	Purchase	vi.nl
January 21, 2019	Ahmad Mendes Moreira	Striker	Groningen	Telstar	Loan	vi.nl
January 21, 2019	Sullay Kaikai	-	Crystal Palace	NAC	Purchase	Football-oranje

Contract Extensions
Date	Player	Position	Club	Expiration Year	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Jordan Teze	-	PSV Eindhoven	2021 (oral agreement)	vi.nl
January 15, 2019	Robin Propper	-	Heracles	-	vi.nl

Profesional Contract
Date	Player	Position	Club	Online Source
January 15, 2019	Jethro Mashart (18 year old)	-	NAC	vi.nl
January 16, 2019	Mark Pabai (18 year old)	Defender	Utrecht	vi.nl

Dutch Eredivisie Matchday (January 18-20, 2019):

Friday, January 18, 2019:

Vitesse 3-Excelsior 2 (Navarone Foor 6, Bryan Linssen 36, Maikel Van der Werff 67 / Marcus Edwards 51, Jerdy Schouten 69)

Saturday, January 19, 2019:

AZ 3-Utrecht 0(Ricardo van Rhijn 37, Mats Seuntjens 42, Calvin Stengs 90)

Den Haag 2-VVV 4 (Sheraldo Becker 13, Erik Falkenburg 61 / Patrick Joosten 43, 51, Pmeile Mlapa 84 pen, Jay-Roy Jornell Grot 90)

PEC 3-Feyenoord 1  (Bram Van Polen 30, Vito van Crooij 56, Younes Namli 76 / Robin van Persie 34)

Groningen 3-Heracles 0  (Samir Memisevc 12 pen, Thomas Bruns 74, 78)

Sunday, January 20, 2019:

Willem II 2-NAC 0(Pol Llonch 22, Marios Vrousai 90)

De Graafschap 5-Fortuna Sittard 1 (Fabian Serrarens 27, 30, 66, Youssef El Jebli 43, 73 / Ahmed El Messaoudi 55)

Emmen 2-PSV Eindhoven 2  (Nicklas Pedersen 80, 90 / Luuk De Jong 15, Angelino 71)

Ajax 4-Heerenveen 4  (Dusan tadic 13, 16, P.van Amersfoort (own goal) 28, Klaas jan Hunytelaar 83 / Sam Lammers 14, 51, Mitchell van Bergen 56, Kik Pieri 90)

Top Goalscorer:

Luuk De Jong (PSV Eindhoven) 15 goals

Fran Sol (Willem II) 14 goals

Table	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PSV Eindhoven	18	16	1	1	62	10	52	49
2	Ajax	18	15	3	1	65	13	52	47
3	Feyenoord	18	11	3	4	36	23	13	36
4	Vitesse	18	8	5	5	30	23	7	29
5	AZ	18	8	4	6	33	26	7	28
6	Utrecht	18	8	4	6	30	26	4	28

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