What Will RB Leipzig Look Like Next Season?

Last season, Red Bull Leipzig finished 2nd in the Bundesliga, however, they were 13 points behind the Champions, Bayern Munich. Despite this good season, it’s going to be a tough 2021/22 season for Leipzig, having already lost their manager Julian Nagelsmann and Dayot Upamecano to Bayern Munich, and Ibrahima Konate to Liverpool.

From the two player sales, Leipzig received £38 million for Upamecano and £36 million for Konate. One thing Leipzig are praised for is how they turn players like these into stars for a small fee. Konate was picked up on a free from FC Sochaux in France, with Upamecano being bought for around £16 million from affiliate club Red Bull Salzburg, after they bought the 22-year-old from FC Valenciennes for £2 million.

Since the sale of these two central defenders, they have been a variety of reports linking Leipzig to young, up and coming defenders. This week, the transfer talk has been about Wolfsburg center back, Maxence Lacroix being one target to replace Konate and Upamecano.

Despite the recent sales, Leipzig still have some center backs at the club. Lukas Klostermann and Willi Orban are still both at the club, but if a reasonable fee comes in, Jesse Marsch make look at selling them as well.

However, Leipzig have already made some early signings to fill in the needed positions for next season. The majority of these have been across the defense, but their have been a few which are elsewhere on the pitch. Here is a look at some of the new Leipzig players.

Luan Candido

The one that’s the least unknown out of the list of players, Candido is a young Brazilian left back who signed for Red Bull from Palmeiras in the Summer of 2019. Since his move to Germany, he hasn’t made a first team appearance, while only making three for the U19’s. In January of 2020, he moved to affiliate club, Red Bull Bragantino. While at Bragantino, he made 22 appearances, were he scored one goal and helped keep two clean sheets in eight games this year.

An interesting outcome of Candido’s loan back to Brazil was he showed he has the qualities to play as a defensive midfielder. He featured as a left back through-out the campaign, and impressed in both positions. It’s likely that Leipzig will send him back on loan next season, as he still has a lot to learn to develop his game, but it won’t be long before the young Brazilian will be a starter for the Bundesliga club.

Josko Gvardiol

Leipzig agreed to sign the young Croatian center back halfway through the season, and the young center back has a lot of support, as people believe he’s a star in the making. They made a deal with Dinamo Zagreb, and reached a deal at around £16.8 million. He made 41 appearances for Zagreb this season, were he scored three goals, and also got himself three assists. He also helped Zagreb keep 20 clean sheets in the games he featured in, while also helping Zagreb lift the Croatian League.

He is a left footed center back and has many key attributes. He is very strong in the air and has great positioning for a defender. Combine this with his pace, it’s easy to see why Leipzig wanted to secure this signing so early on. Marsch may decide to loan him elsewhere with him only being 19, but Gvardiol has the qualities to be playing for Leipzig, and could become yet another big success for Red Bull.

Mohamed Simakan

Just like Gvardiol, Leipzig completed the signing of this young French defender before the season finished. Simakan signed for Leipzig from Strasbourg for around £13 million. Strasbourg finished 15th in the Ligue 1, but Simakan was one of the shinning stars, despite the club’s poor season. The youngster made 19 appearances this season were he scored one goal and got himself one assist. In those 19 games he also helped keep six clean sheets.

Just like Gvardiol, the Frenchmen has great aerial ability, and has above average pace and sprint speed for a defender. He also has the ability to play the ball out of the box, along with his coordinated balance. Simakan will more than likely be the starting center back for Leipzig next season, but time will tell whether he will start the season with Gvardiol or if they will invest in a center back partner.

Brian Brobbey

After Timo Werner’s departure to Chelsea last summer, Leipzig brought in Alexander Sorloth and Hwang Hee-Chan to replace him, however neither have lived up to the German’s numbers and the latter is likely on his way out of Red Bull Arena this summer. Despite not having as much experience as Sorloth or Hee-Chan, Leipzig believe Brian Brobbey can be the man. They signed the forward from Ajax for free after his contract expired.

He is an extremely talented goalscorer, having an excellent record at youth level and in 36 appearances he scored 15 assists and got 6 assists. He has the ability to finish anything inside the box, but he also very important to the teams build up play, and when Leipzig have similar players like Christopher Nkunku playing up top at times, it shows that Brobbey will be involved in a lot of the play. It’s possible he could go out on loan, but he definitely has a chance to show Marsch his qualities next season.

Although Leipzig have a tough season next season, losing a lot of key staff and players who have been part of the squad for years, they have already began the rebuild.

These early signings and the potential they have shows the direction that Leipzig are know following. There will likely be more transfer news through-out the window concerning Leipzig, but they have made a great start as they prepare for next season.

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Portugal U21 VS Italy U21 – Match Report

8pm GMT Kick Off, Stadion Stozice, Slovenia, U21 Euro Quarter Final

A game which has saw a series of goals, sees Portugal advance to the U21 Euro Semi Final

Portugal beat Italy 5-3 as they advance to the Semi Final. Dany Mota gave Portugal a two goal advantage before Tommaso Pobega pulled one back just before the break. Goncalo Ramos grabbed Portugal’s third, just before Gianluca Scamacca pulled one back instantly. Italy pushed for an equaliser, and got it when substitute Patrick Cutrone turned it home, which took the game into extra time.

Matteo Lovato picked up a red card early in extra time and in the second half of extra time, Jota and Chico Conceicao added a fourth and fifth to send Portugal to the next round.

Italy started the game with a high press, and it forced Diogo Dalot into a mistake, which Gianluca Scamacca got onto. Luckily for Dalot, Diogo Queiros was able to stop the attack.

However, it was Portugal who opened the scoreline with a spectacular effort from Monza forward Dany Mota. From a corner the ball bounced off a defender and Mota attempted an overhead kick which beat Marco Carnesecchi to give Portugal the lead.

Italy tried to get a quick comeback. Raoul Bellanova darted towards the back stick as the ball came in his direction. He reached the ball, but couldn’t make contact to trouble Diogo Costa in goal.

Once again, Portugal had a great bit of passing which was played into Dalot. He looked to pick out Mota, however, his cross turned into a shot which Carnesecchi had to deal with.

Italy pushed for an equaliser as Tommaso Pobega created room for himself just outside the Portugal area, and he went for a shot which just went past Costa’s post.

On the half hour mark, Portugal doubled their lead, and Mota grabbed his second of the game. Daniel Braganca won a header from a corner, and headed it towards Mota, who turned his defender and smashed his shot high into the roof on the net.

Despite being two goals down, Italy came close on a few occasions to scoring. Pobega was the architect once again, as he played a delightful ball over the defense towards Davide Frattesi, but the ball just had too much on it for him to get on the end of. Then it was Frattesi who played it to Bellanova who skied his chance in a good area of the pitch.

Just before the half time, Italy pulled one back, and it came from a corner once again. Frattesi won a header at the front post, which was flicked towards the back post. Pobega was in the position to poke it past Costa, which was the first goal Portugal have conceded in this tournament.

Italy came close to drawing the game level. Marco Sala made a dangerous run down the line and fired it into the box towards Frattesi. The midfielder got his head to it, which forced a brilliant reaction save from Costa from close range.

However, Portugal doubled their lead once again, this time it was Mota’s strike partner, Goncalo Ramos. The ball dropped in the box, and the striker redirected the ball into the corner, to put Portugal into a commanding lead.

However, it was short lived. From kick off, Giacomo Raspadori drove forward with the ball and laid it off to Frattesi. He pulled the ball across the box to Scamacca who had an open goal, and instantly pulled Italy back into the match.

Fabio Vieria nearly added a fourth for Portugal. The ball bounced around the box after a corner, Vieria beat Carnesecchi to the ball. Fortunately for Italy, it was cleared off the line.

Italy pushed for an equaliser, and got it through Patrick Cutrone. Riccardo Sottil burst down the line and found Cutrone in the box who flicked it into the top corner of the net.

They came close to a later winner, as this time Raspadori made threatening run into the box and tried to pull it across the box, but it was blocked by a number of Portuguese defenders.

As extra time began, Italy received another red card in their Euro campaign. Matteo Lovato picked up a second yellow card after a late foul in the middle of the park.

Cutrone came close to putting the Italians ahead. Cutrone beat two defenders before getting his shot off. His strike nearly caught Costa out, but the Porto keeper got enough on it to see it go wide.

Then it was Portugal’s substitute who nearly got them the lead. Jota made a skillful run on the edge of the box, and he played a ball across the box to Rafael Leao. He reached the ball, but couldn’t get the connection to head it on target.

In the 108th minute, Portugal took the lead once again. The two substitutes combined, as Romario Baro played it into Jota, who curved it into the box corner.

Portugal guaranteed their place in the Semi Final, as Chico Conceicao. He made a dangerous run down the right, cut inside and squeezed it under the keeper.

Portugal progressed to the Semi Final were they will play Spain who beat Croatia 2-1 in their Quarter Final. They will play each other on Thursday 3rd June.

Man Of The Match – Dany Mota

The Monza striker had a terrific game, as he scored two well taken goals, which helped Portugal into the Semi Finals.

Both goals showed different qualities in front of goal, but he also showcased a great work rate through-out the match.

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Borussia Dortmund Sign Swiss Keeper Gregor Kobel

Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement with Stuttgart to sign 23-year-old Gregor Kobel for a fee around £13.5 million.

Kobel was part of the squad which helped Stuttgart finish 9th in the Bundesliga, just 5 points off a European spot, after being promoted back to the Bundesliga the season before.

In the league, Kobel only missed one game this season, were he conceded 54 goals in 33 games and also kept five clean sheets.

Dortmund are convinced the goalkeeper is good enough, after spending two seasons with Pellegrino Matarazzo.

The young keeper began his career at Switzerland club, Grasshopper, before moving to GC Zurich at a youth level.

A loan spell at German club Hoffenheim while at Zurich earnt him a move back to Germany for a fee around £130,000.

While at Hoffenheim, he experienced loans to other teams in Germany, which included Augsburg and Stuttgart.

On his loan at Stuttgart, the young keeper impressed in the 2 Bundesliga. In 31 appearances he kept 11 clean sheets, and only conceded 37 goals, as he was a big part of the squad which led Stuttgart to promotion.

Lucien Favre decided to spend on the keeper, but he has a decision to make over the summer on who he will sell, or who will be the backup keeper, with Dortmund already having two Swiss keepers in Roman Burki and Marwin Hitz.

The young keeper is great with the ball at his feet, and communicating with his backline. He has also been picked as part of the Switzerland squad for the upcoming Euros.

He has signed a five year contract with Dortmund.

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Morecambe VS Newport County – Match Report

3pm GMT Kick Off, Wembley Stadium, League Two Playoff Final

An extra time penalty from Carlos Mendes Gomes was the decider as Morecambe secure League One football next season

A game with few chances saw Morecambe edge Newport County at Wembley after a penalty was awarded in the 105th minute. Mendes Gomes took on the pressure and put away the crucial penalty.

Morecambe came at Newport from the get go, as Carlos Mendes Gomes tried to trick out Tom King on one occasion, and in another situation, a ball was played into a dangerous position which King had to deal with. However, the Welshmen dealt with the early chances.

Newport then had their first chance of the game, and it came agonisingly close to giving the Welsh team the lead. A long throw in was met by Scott Bennett. Morecambe keeper, Kyle Letheren misjudged the throw and left the midfielder with a great chance of opening the scoreline. Luckily for the keeper, his header was just off target.

King did well to deal with Cole Stockton’s dangerous cross. Stockton moved off the Newport backline and fired a ball into a dangerous area. He tried to find Aaron Wildig, but the keeper was there to snuff out the danger.

Morecambe had another chance just before half time. Mendes Gomes made space and slotted the ball into the path of Liam Gibson. The fullback got his shot past the keeper, but Liam Shephard was their to clear the threat.

Then it was Newport who went close by Bennett. He tried his luck from outside the box and it got a deflection. Letheren had no chance of saving the shot if it was on target, but the shot hit the side netting as the half came to a close.

As the second half began, it was Newport that began with the early pressure. Once again, they came close to opening the scoring with Lewis Collins being the danger this time. He found space just outside the Morecambe area, and once again it was deflected. Letheren had to readjust his position, he did it in time and saved the shot.

Newport had much of the possession in the second half, but Morecambe still pushed for a goal. The Shrimp fans urged Ryan Cooney to shot. The rightback had a go from distance, which King had to parry away.

Despite the possession Newport had, they didn’t test Letheren a lot in the second half. However, Shepard nearly broke the deadlock. His left footed effort looked destined for the bottom corner. Letheren needed to get a hand to the shot, to stop Newport taking the lead late on.

There were little chances in the second half, as neither side could find a way through, so the game headed into extra time. The best chance of the game fell to Josh Labadie. After great play just outside the box, the midfielder found himself with a golden chance from just a few yards out. The keeper would have had no chance, but Labadie’s shot went over the bar.

In the first 30 seconds of the second half of extra time, Morecambe were awarded a penalty, despite it looking like the foul took place outside the box. Mendes Gomes stepped up to take the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way, as he gave Morecambe the lead so late on in the game.

Newport continued to knock on the door until the final whistle, but Morecambe held onto the the win, and they will play League One football for the first time in their history. Newport face more heartbreak at Wembley, and will have at least another season in League Two.

Man Of The Match – Nathaniel Knight-Percival

Mendes Gomes was the hero for the Shrimps in the capital, but Knight-Percival was solid in securing the victory.

Morecambe faced a lot of pressure from Newport, but the 34-year-old made a series of blocks, interceptions and tackles to keep a clean sheet in the Final.

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Switzerland VS USA – Match Report

7:15pm GMT Kick Off, Kybun park, International Friendly

Switzerland fought from one goal down to win 2-1 against the USA, with goals coming from Rodriguez and Zuber

Switzerland found themselves 1-0 down in the first minute, but won the game 2-1 with goals from Ricardo Rodriguez and Steven Zuber either side of the half time whistle.

Both teams used this game to prepare for their upcoming tournaments. Switzerland are preparing for the Euros, while USA are preparing for the Concacaf.

The US took the lead within five minutes. The ball bounced off a Switzerland defender after a cross from Giovanni Reyna. The ball came to the feet of Sebastian Lletget who placed into the corner of the net.

However, Switzerland drew things level minutes later. Silvan Widmer played a ball across the box to Ricardo Rodriguez. He waited to pick his spot, and his shot deflected off Reggie Cannon, past Ethan Horvath.

Lletget tried to pull America back in front. He drove forward with the ball, and unleashed his effort from 25 yards out. The ball was moving in the air, but Yann Sommer did well to get behind his shot.

Lletget was causing problems yet again for the Switzerland defense. Reyna made a run and played in Lletget. He whipped a ball in towards Josh Sargent. The ball couldn’t reach the Werder Bremen striker, but it nearly found the back of the net. Luckily for Sommer, it was just off target.

Lletget once again came close to putting USA in front. The American forwards were playing a high press which forced Switzerland into a mistake. The loose ball went to Lletget to tried to find the bottom corner, but it hit the side netting.

America were on the front foot and were pushing for another goal. This time Brenden Aaronson tested the Swiss defense. He turned his man and drilled his effort goal bound which forced a save from Sommer. Then Sargent had a looping header that was also saved by Sommer.

Despite all the hard work from the US, Switzerland got themselves a penalty . The penalty was given after the ball hit the hand of Sergino Dest. Rodriguez stepped up to take the penalty, but he missed the target and the scoreline stayed level as the half time whistle arrived.

Switzerland should have taken the lead just minutes into the second half. From a corner, Denis Zakaria won a header, which was met by the head of Fabian Schar. He had a free header, but somehow headed it over the bar, as he wasted a wonderful oppurtunity.

Then it was the US that came close to taking the lead. Reyna found space just outside the box and attempted his luck. Sommer was rooted as Reyna’s shot bounced off the post for a goal kick.

Then it switched once again, as it was time for Switzerland to attack, Breel Embolo broke down the right wing twice, and Horvath matched the shots on both occasions to keep the score level.

It didn’t take long for Switzerland to get a chance to put themselves ahead, which came with a bit of fortune. Embolo missed the initial chance, but luckily for him the ball bounced off Dest into the path of Steven Zuber who fired it in to put the Swiss ahead.

Switzerland should have had a third to finish off the game. Zuber did well to play to ball to Remo Freuler in the box, but his wild attempt flew over the goal.

The US could have capitalised on the mistake by Freuler just moments after as substitute Timothy Weah charged towards the Switzerland goal, the danger from Weah needed an important block from Eray Comert.

Then it was Haris Seferovic who wasted a golden oppurtunity. The forward broke through the US backline and tried to chip the keeper. He had enough on the chip, but missed the chance to double their lead.

Switzerland were able to hold onto their lead, as they pick up an important win in their preparation for the Euros.

Man Of The Match – Sebastian Lletget

Despite being on the losing side this evening, the 28-year-old was brilliant before he was subbed off.

He created a series of chances, and helped with the high press in the first half, which made the US look better than the Swiss in the first half.

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Morecambe VS Newport County – Match Preview

Kick Off: 3pm GMT, Monday 31st May, Wembley Stadium, League Two Playoff Final

Last 5 Games:
  • Morecambe LWWWD
  • Newport County WWDWL

On Monday, Morecambe and Newport County meet as they battle it out for a place in League One next season.

Morecambe finished their season in 4th place, just one point of Bolton Wanderers who claimed the last automatic place in the League Two table. Morecambe needed a win, and for Bolton to drop points if they were to finish third. They beat Bradford 2-0, but Bolton also took three points after beating Crawley Town 4-1 away from home.

As for Newport, they finished 4th in the table, 5 points behind Monday’s opponent. On the final day of the season The Ironsides travelled to Southend, were they shared the points following a 1-1 draw.

In their Semi Final, Morecambe had to overcome Tranmere Rovers. The first leg was played at Prenton Park, and Morecambe took the lead in the 15th minute through Nathaniel Knight-Percival, but Peter Clarke pulled one back minutes later. However, the Shrimps took the lead once again just before the half time whistle when Liam McAlinden struck it home, and the finalists held onto their lead.

Just like in the first leg, Morecambe took an early lead, this time Aaron Wildig was the early goalscorer. Tranmere made it tough as James Vaughan netted with half an hour left to go, but the Shrimps held on and progressed to what will be their first ever playoff final.

As for Newport, they faced Forest Green Rovers in their Semi Final and they took a big step towards Wembley in the first leg, beating Forest Green 2-0 at Rodney Palace. Matthew Dolan scored a spectacular goal in the first half, before Lewis Collins doubled County’s lead in the 56th minute.

In the second leg at The New Lawn, the Welsh club were shocked as they dropped their aggregate lead, finding themselves 3-0 down just minutes after the second half whistle. However, the game turned on it’s head again as Kevin Ellison and Joss Labadie both scored, before Jamille Matt’s late goal sent the game into extra time.

The game looked like it was destined for penalties, until veteran striker, Nicky Maynard rounded the keeper and put it into an empty net late on in extra time.

When these teams met this season, Newport have come out the winner on both occasions. In the first meeting, the game was very much in the balance until Newport were awarded a penalty towards the end of the game. Dolan stepped up and fired it into the net, to claim the three points.

In the reverse fixture, Newport won 3-1 thanks to goals from Matthew Dolan, Josh Sheehan and Kevin Ellison. Things were even worse for Morecambe on that day as Samuel Lavelle picked up a red card after a foul on the last man.

This is a chance for Morecambe to write history and win their first playoff final, but it’s also a chance for Newport to rewrite their history, after facing a tough defeat to Tranmere in the League Two playoff final just two seasons ago.

Carlos Mendes Gomes: The Spaniard has had a great season for the Shrimps this season, and has helped them get to the Playoff Final.

Despite not finding the net in the Semi Finals, Gomes could be devastating on the counter-attack against Newport, as he looks to guide his team to League One.

Matthew Dolan: The 28-year-old had a fantastic first leg against Forest Green, were he ran he show from midfield.

Dolan has already netted twice against Morecambe this season, and he would love to make that a hat trick and send the Welsh team into League One on Monday.

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Blackpool VS Lincoln City – Match Report

3pm GMT Kick Off, Wembley Stadium, League One Playoff Final

Despite a nightmare start to the game, Blackpool gain promotion to the Championship after a brilliant double from midfielder Kenneth Dougall

Blackpool found themselves 1-0 down inside the first minute when Oliver Turton turned it into his own net. However, they turned the game on it’s head when Kenneth Dougall scored two well taken goals, which was enough to see the Tangerines play Championship football next season.

The big news ahead of the game was that Blackpool striker, Ellis Simms picked up an injury in training a day before the final, so he missed out on the final and Keshi Anderson would come in to replace him.

Within the first minute, Lincoln took the lead after Oliver Turton turned it into his own net. Brennan Johnson fired a ball into the box and Turton couldn’t find his footing and turned it past Chris Maxwell in goal.

Lincoln had another good chance minutes later after Johnson won a free kick out wide after a great run. The free kick was whipped into a dangerous area, and met by the head of Joe Walsh. He had the power, but not the aim as it went high over the goal.

Blackpool’s first chance came from a free kick which was won by Anderson. Luke Garbett tried his luck from 30 yards out, which was straight at Alex Palmer, who comfortably caught the ball.

Lincoln came so close to a second halfway through the first half. Jorge Grant was able to spin his man and fire a shot goalward as he looked for the top corner. His shot came close to doubling the lead, but it clipped the crossbar.

Then it was Blackpool who came close to scoring. Jerry Yates got onto a loose ball and played it towards the back stick which was met by Demetri Mitchell. He unleashed his shot, but Palmer denied the Tangerines once again.

In the 33th minute, Blackpool pulled back level after a powerful strike from the Australian Kenneth Dougall. The ball bounces around the Lincoln box, Elliot Embleton put it into the path of Dougall who struck it past Palmer. The keeper got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out.

Blackpool pushed for another before the break. A cross was played into the box and met by the head of Mitchell. It was on target, but easily saved by Palmer.

Blackpool struck again in the 53th minute, and took the lead for the first time in the game. Dougall fired it into the net once again. It was very similar to his first as the ball came out to him on the edge of the box and he drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Johnson was creating problems for the Blackpool defense and had an oppurtunity to have a shot on goal. He moved it towards the byline, as he looked to pick out Tom Hopper, but he couldn’t get near the ball to turn in goal bound.

Blackpool came so close to sealing the match off as the ball fell to the feet of Yates in the box. He tried to dink it over Palmer and was successful in doing so, but the ball was cleared from danger by Regan Poole.

Blackpool were able to hold on despite late pressure and gain promotion back to the Championship for the first time since the 2014-15 season. They will join Hull City and Peterborough United who also got promoted from League One.

Neil Critchley guided Blackpool to promotion in his first full season in club management, as for Lincoln, they will have to spend at least another season in League One, and will have an attempt at promotion to the Championship next season.

Man Of The Match – Kenneth Dougall

Could it have been anyone else? The midfielder was critical to making sure Blackpool would be playing in the Championship next season.

Dougall scored two great goals in this game, but he also put in a solid performance in midfield as he won the ball back a number of times and showcased his physicality when in danger.

“Olympic Football at Wembley Stadium” by the_junes is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

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Brentford VS Swansea City – Match Report

3pm GMT Kick Off, Wembley Stadium, Championship Playoff Final

After an incredible first half, Brentford have been promoted to the Premier League, after overcoming Swansea City at Wembley.

A penalty from Ivan Toney and a well taken goal by Emiliano Marcondes was enough for Thomas Frank’s men to become a Premier League team next season. It will be their first time in the English top flight since the 1946/47 season.

Brentford had a great start as they won an early penalty after a fantastic ball from Sergi Canos opened up the defence, which Bryan Mbeumo made a clever run off the defender onto the ball, and was brought down by Freddie Woodman. Ivan Toney stepped up to take the penalty, and slotted it in the corner.

Things got even better for the Bees as Brentford doubled their lead in the 20th minute. Brentford counter-attacked from a Swansea corner through Mbeumo who played it of to Mads Roerslev Rasmussen. He waited for the run of Emiliano Marcondes and the Dane volleyed it home.

One minute later, they could have grabbed themselves a third, Toney went for a sensational effort from outside the box, which cannoned off the bar and bounced away from danger.

Swansea came close to letting Brentford getting another just before the break. Marc Guehi tried to head it back to Woodman. Mbeumo jumped onto the loose ball, but luckily for Guehi his effort was wide of the target.

At the beginning of the second half, Andre Ayew should have pulled one back for Swansea. Connor Roberts whipped it ball into the area, which was met by the head of the Ghanaian, but he missed the target from 6 yards out.

Jamal Lowe had been quiet in the first half, but he made a dangerous run goalward and looked to bend it into the top corner. He reached the edge of the box and tried his luck, but his shot flew high into the stand.

Mbeumo should have finished the game off. Once again it was Canos and the Frenchmen who linked up, after Mbeumo made a run off his defender and made himself space on the edge of the box. When we went to take his shot he leaned back too much and his shot went over the bar.

Then the opposition went close as Lowe looked to turn his defender and find the far corner from a tight angle. He perfected the turn, but the shot whistled past the post.

Things got worse for Swansea as Jay Fulton picked up a straight red card. Mathias Jensen picked up the ball on the corner of his box, and the Scot made a nasty challenge on the midfielder.

Toney had the chance to seal the game, as he found himself with space in the box. He looked for the far post, but the effort was blocked by Jake Bidwell.

Brentford came away from the game with Premier League football for next season, as for Swansea, they will play at least another season in the Championship.

Man Of The Match – Bryan Mbeumo

The winger was crucial for Brentford in this game, and was the main man in their push for Premier League football next season.

He had a great involvement in both goals, and could have easily grabbed himself another. He created a series of chances, and was so dangerous in this playoff final.

“Olympic Football at Wembley Stadium” by the_junes is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

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Italy VS San Marino – Match Report

7:45pm GMT Kick Off, Sardegna Arena, International Friendly

It took a while for Italy to get going, but they went on to get a comfortable victory against San Marino.

Italy head into the Euro’s with an important victory against underdogs San Marino, as they scored several goals through-out the game, eventually winnning 7-0.

This friendly gave Italy time to prepare before they kick off their Euros campaign, as they take on Turkey in the Euros opener.

Gianluca Mancini had the first good chance of the game from a corner. As the corner was whipped in made a run off his defender and headed the ball into the ground, which made Elia Benedettini react quick and tip it over the bar. He went close again a bit later but his header was off the target.

Despite a slow start, which lacked a lot of movement, Italy opened the scoreline in the 30 minute through Federico Bernardeschi. Gaetano Castrovilli played the ball into him on the edge of the box, who fired it into the net.

Just minutes later, Italy doubled their lead. Benedettini punched the ball away from a corner. Gian Marco Ferrari was there to volley the ball home on his International debut.

Italy came so close to adding a third as Cristiano Biraghi burst onto the ball and struck it goalward, which was exceptionally blocked by Manuel Battistini.

Just after the beginning of the second half, half time sub Matteo Politano added another goal. There was miscommunication in the San Marino defense, which gave Politano time to pounce on the ball and slot it into the bottom corner.

In the 66th minute, Italy grabbed a fourth after a great bit of interplay from Bernardeschi and Andrea Belotti. They carved open the defence, and Belotti fired the ball into the net.

Things got even better as Italy added a fifth when Matteo Pessina got in on the act. Castrovilli struck the post with an effort from just outside the box, but the rebound fell to Pessina who stuck it home.

It didn’t take long for another goal, and it was another for Politano. Bernardeschi’s cross bounced off a San Marino defender, Politano jumped onto the ball and fired home a volley from close range.

Pessina added his second, and seventh for Italy five minutes from time. The midfielder made a run down the line and squeezed it between the keepers legs from a tight angle.

Man Of The Match – Matteo Pessina

The 24-year-old was the architect for Italy this evening, as he was involved in in goals and had an influence in midfield.

He showcased his fast footwork and passing alongside a two great finishes, as he looks to be in Mancini’s starting eleven when the Euros begin.

“File:SardegnaArena.jpeg” by Gigidelneri is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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Blackpool VS Lincoln City – Match Preview

Kick Off: 3pm GMT, Sunday 30th May, Wembley Stadium, League One Playoff Final

Last 5 Games:
  • Blackpool WWWWD
  • Lincoln City DLDWL

This Sunday, Blackpool and Lincoln will met in the League One playoff final, were a place in the Championship is up for grabs.

Blackpool finished their season in 3rd position, just 7 points behind Peterborough United who gained the last automatic promotion place. As for Lincoln, they finished 5th in the league, on the same points as Sunderland in 4th and they finished 3 points behind Blackpool.

In Blackpool’s semi final, they faced Oxford United who took the final place in the playoffs. They travelled to the Kassam Stadium, and put themselves in a commanding position winning 3-0. Oliver Turton and Ellis Simms scored in the first half, and Simms got himself another late on in the second half.

In the second leg, Blackpool found themselves 1-0 down, but they were able to work hard and draw the game 3-3 with goals coming from Elliot Embleton, Kenny Douglas and Jerry Yates as they secured their place at Wembley.

If Blackpool are able to beat Lincoln on Sunday, they will be back in the Championship for the first time since the 2014-15 season, with this being their closest chance of promotion back to the Championship since their promotion back to League One.

However, they must stop Lincoln, who have never been apart of the Championship, and they put in a convincing display, like Blackpool, when they played Sunderland.

In the first leg, Lincoln played in front of their fans at Sincil Bank, and they gave themselves an advantage, beating the Black Cats 2-0. Both of the goals came in the second half. The first was turned home by Tom Hopper, with the second from Brennan Johnson after a mistake from Lee Burge.

In the return tie at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland took the game to Lincoln, scoring an early goal and Charlie Wyke drew the game level. Lincoln were able to withstand much more of the pressure going into the second half, and got an all important goal when Hopper headed home from a corner.

When these teams met in the season, neither game was shy of goals. In the first game on the Lancashire Coast, Lincoln took home the three points with a 3-2 win. Jorge Grant cancelled out Blackpool’s two goals and in the 88th minute, Dutchman Lewis Montsma got the winner.

In the second game, Blackpool found themselves in control of the game as they were two goals up as Simms and Sullay Kaikai struck either side of the half. However, Blackpool couldn’t keep hold of the lead, when Anthony Scully and Johnson gained a point for the Imps.

Key Players:

Daniel Ballard: The Northern Irish defender has been a rock at the back for Blackpool this season.

He joined on loan from Arsenal in the summer, and he’s been key to their success with his brilliant positioning and blocking.

Tom Hopper: He was Lincoln’s hero in the semi finals, as his two goals secured a Playoff Final place.

The striker scored to important goals, to add to his 10 goals and 4 assists this season, as he looks to inspire his team ahead of their big clash on Sunday.