BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Key players are missing (Raphinha above all), and Hansi Flick will not be available either. Or rather, he won’t be on the bench because he’ll have to serve his suspension, and assistant Marcus Sorg will lead Barcelona to the “Clasic” at the Bernabeu.

The German coach has decided to step back starting today, sending his assistant coach to a press conference. “It’s an honor to be on the bench tomorrow; it’s a special occasion. We’re expecting a very difficult match. We need to play to our strengths, like high pressing, and show what we can do. It’s clear that we’ll miss Hansi,”

Sorg emphasizes. “He’s the most important part of the team. He’s a liability for us; the players trust him, and he makes them feel safe from the bench. But just like when someone key is missing, we just need to focus on giving 100% and managing this situation as best we can. His week was like any other, always motivated and in a good mood. And that’s what we need before the Clásico.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MARSEILLE (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “We didn’t do what I wanted, I expected us to be higher up the pitch. I didn’t make myself understood at halftime, I didn’t want a team so low, unfortunately, that’s how it went.” Roberto De Zerbi, on the eve of the match against Lens, in which Marseille are called upon to defend first place in the league, takes a moment to acquit himself for the Champions League defeat in Lisbon, where his team, having taken the lead, were left tened by a mistake by Emerson Palmieri and let the score come back. “But Olympiacos played with ten men against Barça and conceded six goals. Napoli against PSV, another six. Ajax conceded five. We were down to ten men and lost 2-1,” the Italian coach emphasized, responding to those who criticized his decisions, which he deemed too resigned. “I’ve heard false things”.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Do I want to stay? Definitely.” Marcus Rashford, speaking to ESPN, confirmed that he has found the ideal environment in Barcelona to relaunch his career. The 27-year-old English striker arrived last summer on loan from Manchester United with an option to buy for €32 million. Although still tied to the Red Devils until 2028, there is no future for him at Old Trafford, which is why staying at Blaugrana is his first option.

“I enjoy myself here, and I think that’s true for anyone who loves football. Barcelona is a key club in the history of the game, and as a player, it’s an honor to be here,” said Rashford, who has already scored five goals in 12 games. “People forget this, but I spent 23 years of my life at Manchester United, so sometimes you just need a change, and I think that’s the case for me.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ATHENS (GREECE) (ITALPRESS) – Rafa Benitez is returning to coaching: he’s signed a contract in the Greek league. The 65-year-old Spanish coach has been officially announced as the new manager of Panathinaikos.

Benitez, who in his career led Valencia, Liverpool, Inter, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, Newcastle, and Everton, among others, is fresh from his stint at Celta Vigo, which ended with his dismissal in March 2024 after just nine months. According to Spanish media, Benitez has signed a contract until 2027, for a salary of €5 million (including staff). He will make his debut on Sunday against Asteras.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Lamine Yamal has set the stage ablaze ahead of El Clásico. “They steal, they complain, they do things I don’t even understand…,” said the Barcelona star, taking a jab at Real Madrid during a casual chat with Gerard Piqué and streamer Ibai Llanos.

The harsh words didn’t exactly surprise the Merengues, who, according to Marca, are growing increasingly tired of the young blaugrana’s off-field behavior — seen in Valdebebas as arrogant and even hypocritical, given the ongoing Negreira case involving Barcelona’s alleged payments to the former vice president of the Spanish referees’ committee over two decades.

Yamal’s accusations have only fueled Real Madrid’s motivation ahead of Sunday’s clash. The squad had already circled the date in red after suffering four defeats to the Catalans last season. His comments, while causing some unease within the dressing room, have ultimately become extra fuel for a team determined to reclaim the top spot in La Liga this weekend.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA) (ITALPRESS) – Twenty-one years old, gifted with crystal-clear talent, already boasting significant experience and, according to those who know him well, great maturity too. Nico Paz has everything it takes to become a superstar. He’s already making a difference and now just needs to keep proving himself.

He’s shining at Como under Cesc Fàbregas — a man who knows a thing or two about champions and absolutely adores him. For the second year in a row, the Spanish coach has made him the centerpiece of his team, and the results have exceeded even the most optimistic expectations.

The club from Lake Como knows that Real Madrid intends to exercise the clause to bring him back at the end of the season, but according to Argentina’s TyC Sports, there’s another possibility on the table. Inter Milan are reportedly ready to open talks with an initial offer of €58 million, although Real Madrid can buy him back for €10 million — and would still receive 50% of any future transfer fee if the player were sold to a third club.

According to TyC Sports, Inter can also rely on the excellent relationship between Javier Zanetti and Pablo Paz, Nico’s father, who is a close friend and former national teammate of the Nerazzurri vice president and ex-captain. Inter aren’t the only ones interested — several English giants are monitoring the situation — but any move will ultimately depend on Real Madrid, who are unlikely to let go of the star currently lighting up Como and Italian football.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s long-standing connection to Binance has returned to the spotlight following US President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon Changpeng Zhao, the billionaire founder of the cryptocurrency exchange.

Zhao, widely known as “CZ”, had pleaded guilty to money-laundering violations in 2023 and served four months in federal prison. His company, Binance, paid a $4.3 billion settlement to end a US investigation into alleged financial misconduct.

“President Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency,” said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. “The Biden Administration’s war on crypto is over.”

Zhao’s ties to Malta date back to 2018, when he visited the island after the government introduced blockchain-friendly laws aimed at attracting crypto businesses and branding Malta as a “blockchain hub.”

Binance has re-emerged in Maltese headlines this month after the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF) rejected a donation from the company — now valued at $39 million — over reputational and privacy concerns.

Prime Minister Robert Abela criticised the MCCF’s decision as “too hasty,” while President Myriam Spiteri Debono defended it, saying, “You either donate to charity, or you don’t. You don’t dance around it.”

Binance has not commented on the ongoing Maltese controversy.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Prime Minister Robert Abela has called for collective and realistic action within the European Union to achieve tangible progress on migration.

Abela made his remarks in Brussels, where he attended a meeting focused on migration ahead of a summit of the EU Council of Ministers. In a post on social media platform X following the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Malta’s stance that cooperation is key to developing a sustainable migration policy.

He emphasised that effective solutions must begin with strengthened collaboration both within Europe and with partner countries beyond its borders.

Abela said Malta remains committed to working with other EU member states to ensure that migration is managed in a fair, humane, and practical manner.

Along with Malta, the countries that attended this meeting were Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Latvia, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.

– Photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MIAMI (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – “He’s home.“ This is Inter Miami’s post to introduce the video of Lionel Messi signing a contract. The signing took place inside the Major League Soccer club’s new stadium, currently under construction, which is expected to be ready in 2026.

The contract renewal is expected to last two years, until 2027, with an option for an additional season, which would then run until 2028, when the World Cup-winning Argentina captain will turn 41.

According to US press, the Miami club is aiming to boost ticket sales for the new stadium with this renewal for one of the greatest players in soccer history, already available in special packages and on pre-sale. Messi, who continues to score goals and win awards in Major League Soccer, arrived in Miami in 2023, signing an initial two-and-a-half-year contract, now a long-term extension with the 2026 World Cup in the United States in the mix. He will certainly play throughout 2026, but we’ll see what happens in 2027 and 2028.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

SEVILLE (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Sevilla are interested in Amir Richardson. According to Estadio Deportivo, the Andalusian club is targeting the 23-year-old Fiorentina midfielder, who isn’t finding a place in Pioli’s plans.

The Spanish club already pursued the Moroccan international last summer, but negotiations never materialized. A deal could materialize in January, especially as Richardson intends to return to the national team and is looking for a team that can give him the playing time he hasn’t found in Florence, especially this season.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews