Sports
Why Real Madrid Hat-Trick Goal vs Benfica Was Disallowed
The reason Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick goal during his side’s 4-2 loss to Benfica was disallowed on Wednesday night has now emerged, after Real Madrid TV demanded an explanation in the aftermath of one of the best games in this season’s Champions League so far. Jose Mourinho’s side secured the final playoff position on goal difference thanks to a header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the 98th minute.
A dramatic crescendo at the Estadio da Luz also saw Raul Asencio and Rodrygo receive red cards as Real Madrid, under caretaker manager Alvaro Arbeloa, lost all composure in their desperate efforts to stay inside the top eight in the final gameweek and qualify directly for the Round of 16, without needing an extra match to confirm it.
In the end, they finished ninth, one point behind Barcelona in fifth, showing just how fine the margins were. One of the key turning points was when Mbappe was denied his third goal of the night, which only encouraged Benfica to kick on and win in emphatic fashion. But while RMTV demanded an explanation, one has now been given, with the laws of the game supporting the referee’s decision.
Law Reveals Why Mbappe’s Hat-trick Goal Was Ruled Out Against Benfica
While RMTV were convinced the Frenchman’s goal should have stood, remarking during their live broadcast: “Why was Mbappe’s 3rd goal ruled out by the ref? What’s the explanation?” one replay of the incident, for many neutrals, was enough to show exactly why it was disallowed, with him interfering with the goalkeeper’s ability to get the ball rolling again after having it in both hands. Watch the incident from 4:27 below:
But if that wasn’t enough to justify the referee’s decision, Law 12 of the IFAB’s Laws of the Game states that an indirect free-kick will be given if:
“A player prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it.”
Given that Mbappe stood just a few short metres away from Trubin before interfering with his ability to release the ball, the Frenchman very clearly breached the rules of the game.
Mourinho’s Benfica Pull Off Memorable Victory
Mourinho revealed Benfica’s late surge against Real Madrid came after confusion over the score needed to reach the Champions League play-offs. Real Madrid twice led through Mbappe, but Benfica hit back via Andreas Schjelderup’s brace and Vangelis Pavlidis’ penalty to go 3-2 up.
Believing that was enough, Mourinho initially tried to protect the lead with substitutions, only later realizing another goal was required. Nicolas Otamendi was pushed up front, and in the dying moments, goalkeeper Trubin went forward for a late free kick – a gamble that paid off as he headed home to seal qualification. Watch the goal below:
Explaining the confusion, Mourinho said, as per The Sun: “When I substituted António Silva and Ivanovic, I had no idea if 3-2 was enough. I just want to close the door and I think it’s enough. When I was told we needed one more goal, honestly I was upset. I was thinking, ‘Why was I not told a few seconds before?’
“When we realised it wasn’t enough, and they were down to ten men, I sent Nico [Otamendi] to play up front. When the foul came, I sent Trubin forward and Dahl to stay in midfield. The little guy stayed back here. We kept the pride because that was my challenge to the players before the game: ‘If we don’t qualify, we have to win – if we don’t qualify, we don’t qualify, but we have to win.’
“That was the pride behind the attitude. I would be happy the same, winning the way we did against Real Madrid and being out. I would be happy the same.”
Sports
Arsenal Set Record-Breaking Transfer Price Tag For Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal have set a club-record transfer price tag for one of their stars, as the Gunners prepare for a summer window filled with business moving in and out of the club.
The North London side enjoyed a successful campaign, which saw them crowned as Premier League champions, while they were a penalty shootout away from landing a first-ever Champions League trophy too.
Mikel Arteta and the hierarchy aren’t happy with just that, however, as it appears as though the appetite is there to continue competing at the highest possible level.
That means Arsenal are facing a busy few months ahead, with both signings and exits on the cards, the latter of which could result in some difficult decisions being made.
Arsenal Stance On Gabriel Martinelli
One of the players who could leave this summer is Gabriel Martinelli, as Christian Falk claims that Arsenal are open to a move, with a price tag already set on the winger.
The report states that £38.9 million will be enough to tempt the Gunners into allowing a deal to proceed, with Bayern Munich among those most heavily linked.
The Bundesliga champions have been rumoured with interest in the Brazilian for some time now, and following their failed move for Anthony Gordon, there is still the need to land a left-winger in the market.
That said, it’s claimed that Bayern are looking at other options who may feature more as squad players, a role that wouldn’t suit Martinelli as he searches for more game time.
Martinelli featured 53 times across all competitions for Arsenal over the past season, scoring 11 goals and assisting seven times, with his main quality being his “rapid” pace and ability to disrupt defences.
That said, he has been relied on a lot less than others, with fewer than half of his Premier League appearances coming as a starter in the side.
With the Gunners on the search for a left-wing option, an exit for Martinelli appears more likely, along with the possibility of his teammate Leandro Trossard also leaving.
It remains to be seen whether that £38.9 million price tag would tempt some other clubs to come in with an offer, though it would prove a decent return on investment for Arsenal.
Arsenal Need Sales
One of the huge tasks that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has this summer is finding a way to make the club capable of selling in a similar way to their rivals.
The Gunners have often struggled to recoup considerable funds for their players, making it tougher to reinvest in the market with stronger transfer fees as a result.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains the club-record sale to Liverpool, worth just £35 million, something that would be beaten if Martinelli manages to go for the proposed £38.9 million price tag.
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Arsenal are predicted to spend big this summer in order to build on their first title win in 22 years.
That would result in a huge profit on the £6 million paid to Ituano back in 2019, and would underline the huge effort to help develop him to that point.
Arsenal would land money that goes back into the transfer fund, and it starts a self-sustaining cycle that must continue if the club want to stay competitive at the very top.
Martinelli’s potential sale would be the start of an era for Arsenal, one where they need to find better ways to sell to keep competitive.
Sports
Man Utd Offered Chance to Sign Dusan Vlahovic on Free Transfer
Manchester United are eyeing up potential market opportunities to bolster their attack this summer, and they may have stumbled upon a big deal.
The Red Devils have completed an agreement to sign Brazil midfielder Ederson from Atalanta as they look to strengthen their midfield, and several other deals are expected to be completed too, with several midfielders also being targeted, as well as a new left-back.
But with Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford looking bleak, new manager Michael Carrick is keen to ensure he isn’t left short of options in attack, and there are chances for a new striker to come in.
Man Utd Offered Top Striker Deal
According to TEAMtalk, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has been offered to a number of clubs for a transfer this summer, including Manchester United.
The Serbia international, who has been described as ‘one of the best strikers in the world’, is set to leave the Serie A giants following a break down in talks over a new contract, with his deal set to expire at the end of the month.
Juventus have been unwilling to match his wage demands, and now the player’s representatives are targeting a move to England as the next step in his career.
It’s understood that Man Utd are assessing their options and looking to see whether a deal is possible, with the 26-year-old reportedly demanding £266,000-a-week to put pen-to-paper on any deal, plus a significant signing on fee.
Vlahovic is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia and clubs in Europe, but he is believed to want to continue to play in Europe in the top leagues. Atletico Madrid are understood to be interested, should Julian Alvarez leave, while Chelsea are said to be showing the most interest in England.
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Vlahovic and Sesko Could be Fearsome Duo
Man Utd spent big to strengthen their attack last summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, with all of them hitting double figures for goals in their debut campaign.
While Vlahovic has had his issues with form in recent seasons, his ability is undeniable, and contract issues have overshadowed his time at Juventus for the most recent years. A fresh start could be the kickstart that he needs to get back to his lethal self.
On a free transfer, United could do with someone who has his goal record, and stylistically he and Sesko are similar, which could help the team tactically. It’s an interesting deal to watch over the coming weeks, but whoever lands Vlahovic would be getting a bargain of a deal.
As good as Zirkzee is technically, it hasn’t worked out for him at Old Trafford. An exit looks inevitable, and Vlahovic would be a major upgrade on the Netherlands international, so it’s a deal that should be strongly considered.
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Sports
Juventus Make Contact with Crystal Palace to Sign Jean-Philippe Mateta
Juventus have made contact with Crystal Palace over a deal to sign striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer in recent hours, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Serie A giants are looking to bolster their squad this summer after missing out on Champions League football, while the Eagles are set to enter a new era at Selhurst Park after winning the Conference League, with manager Oliver Glasner departing after his contract expired.
Palace are expecting big interest in several of their top stars as a result, despite qualifying for the Europa League as a result of their third trophy in 12 months, and now Juventus have made their first move for one of the key players responsible for their recent success.
Juventus Make Move to Sign Mateta
According to a report, Juventus are stepping up their interest in signing a new striker after it was confirmed that Dusan Vlahovic will depart when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Mateta, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, was expected to leave the club in the January transfer window but saw a move to AC Milan collapse on deadline day after he failed a medical with a knee injury.
But the 28-year-old battled back to fitness and enjoyed a fine end of the season with Palace, scoring the winning goal in the Conference League final and earning a place in France’s World Cup squad under Didier Deschamps.
Palace are now set to hire Pierre Sage as Glasner’s replacement, but he may be forced to plan for his new season without their top forward, as Juventus make their move to sign Mateta this summer.
It’s expected that Mateta will be sold, as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park, with GIVEMESPORT sources previously revealing that he would be very open to a move to Serie A.
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Crystal Palace Already Planning for Life After Mateta
Mateta has been a revelation at Palace in recent seasons, and replacing him will be unbelievably difficult for the club because he has been such a reliable source of goals.
The club looked to solve the issue in January by bringing in all of Jorgen Strand Larsen, Evann Guessand, and Brennan Johnson to strengthen the attack, and it may mean that Sage has plenty of options already.
But Guessand’s move wasn’t made permanent, Johnson scored just once since his arrival, and Larsen didn’t have a great season either. With Mateta on the move, Sage has the chance to make an impact by bringing in a top number nine that he trusts to fill the void, and that would immediately get fans on side going forward.
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