1. Neymar Blasts Barcelona FC’s Board, Says The Club Deserves Much Better
Paris Saint-Germain recent addition, Neymar has taken a jibe at Barcelona’s board, saying that the club “deserves much better” than the current leaders. The 25-year old said, “When I arrived, everything started well but then, there are directors that shouldn’t be there at the first place. I’m very sad with them. I played for four very happy years there, but Barcelona deserves much better. I have a lot of friends at the club and I hope things get better for Barca and go back to being a team that can compete”.
He added, “I don’t know what’s going on there but to see my former team-mates sad, I feel sad too.”
2. Transfer Talks: Lionel Messi Considering A Move Away From Barcelona
According to reports, Manchester United has met with Lionel Messi’s representatives to discuss a potential world-record transfer for his £275 million buy-out clause. While the Barcelona superstar is said to be “seriously considering” the proposal, the meltdown Camp Nou have suffered this summer transfer window is said to be dissuading Lionel Messi from putting pen to paper. Manchester City are hopeful that the prospect of reuniting Lionel Messi with his former Barca manager Pep Guardiola could help them land the Argentine.
Although Messi had agreed on terms on a new contract with Barcelona earlier in the summer, the contract remains unsigned and United could try and sign him without a buy-out clause ahead of next season when his current contract runs out.
3. Barcelona 2-0 Real Betis: Barca Off To A Good Start In La Liga
Barcelona finally had a reason to cherish as they bounced back from their Supercopa de Espana defeat against Real Madrid with a 2-0 home victory over Real Betis, to give a great start to their La Liga season. Lionel Messi was in the mood to give the beating of a lifetime in the absence of Luis Suarez but didn’t score a single goal as he registered 10 plus shots in the match, while also hitting the woodwork on three occasions.
An own goal from Alin Tosca followed by a Sergi Roberto goal within next three minutes in the first half was enough to give Barca’s new manager, Ernesto Valverde three points on his La Liga debut. However, it was not the best of atmospheres at Camp Nou, with just 56K attendees as against to the normal figure of 90K plus. The reason behind this was the recent terrorist attack in Barcelona and the Catalan also entered the stadium wearing shirts with Barcelona written on the back rather than their names.
4. Neymar Scores 2 Goals On His Ligue 1 Home Debut for Paris Saint Germain.
Neymar’s home debut for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) could not have been better as the Ligue 1 giants gave Toulouse a thrashing as the match ended with 6-2 in the hosts’ favor. Despite Max Gradel giving Toulouse a shocking lead in the 18th minute, Neymar and his new team mates soon switched gears and ran riot.
The Brazilian scored the opener for PSG (31’) before assisting Adrien Rabiot just four minutes later in the first half. Marco Verratti was sent off for a second yellow but Edinson Cavani scored a third for the home team. A Thiago Silva (78’) own goal gave Toulouse little hope against the 10 men PSG but Javier Pastore (82’) and Layvin Kurzawa (84’) scored within two minutes of each other before Neymar put the finishing touches with a solo goal after defeating five defenders to slot the ball home to make it 6-2.
5. Deportivo 0-3 Real Madrid: The Spanish Giants Dominated In Ronaldo’s Absence
Real Madrid began their La Liga season with a convincing 3-0 victory away to Deportivo la Coruna, as Los Blancos topped the table after the opening round. Gareth Bale (20’) opened the scoring for Real Madrid. before Casemiro (27’) doubled the lead just 7 minutes later. While Toni Kroos’s goal made the game safe in the 62nd minute, Sergio Ramos still managed to get himself sent off in injury time, equalling the record of most red cards in La Liga history after his 18th dismissal.
6. Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea: Visitors Squeezed Out A Win Against Their Bitter Rivals
Chelsea are off to a great start after their latest 1-2 away to Tottenham Hotspurs and despite the fact that the Blues were playing without key players such as Hazard, Cahill, and Fabregas, the club still managed to overcome their bitter rivals.
Marcos Alonso (24’) drew first blood at Wembley as he found the corner of the net on a stunning free kick. However, Spurs continued to dominate possession as they had more attempts on target and their efforts finally materialize in the 82nd minute after an own goal from the substitute Batshuayi. But their celebrations were short-lived as Marcos Alonso scored his second of the night, just 5 minutes later.