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Despite the early season struggles under Ronald Koeman and those in the first few games under their new Spanish manager, Barcelona have now picked up more La Liga points since the turn of the year, than any other side, level with Villarreal, whilst they have played one game less. Xavi Hernandez at his presentation as the new coach of FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium on November 8, 2021, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. (Photo by Albert Llop/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The process is always something that requires the fans to exercise lots of patience because it takes time for a new manager to assemble and create the right chemistry in a struggling side, but it seems Xavi Hernandez has maneuver in such a short period. Everyone wants to play Barcelona just few months ago but right now, not even the best sides in Europe wants to have a go at the side taking into perspective how they have fared in their most recent games. Barcelona are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitio

The football world has evolved and the new generation has quite understood the requirements of the game, that will make them be considered world class and their brilliance getting recognition from the world. BOCHUM, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 27: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates after scoring his teams first goal during the Bundesliga match between VfL Bochum and RB Leipzig at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on February 27, 2022 in Bochum, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) The BundesLiga this season might as well be the home for the future stars in the attacking midfield aspect in tbe world of football, as well known, the German top-flight is a home that house and afford platform to upcoming stars, nurturing them into world beaters. In the past, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne at Wolfsburg, Leroy Sané at Schalke 04, Mesut Özil at Bayer Leverkusen and so many others have come through the ranks in different German teams and most recently, Erlin Haaland and other strikers

Hydro FC stars featured in the best XI of the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala after their unbeaten run to being crowned Champions on Wednesday afternoon but the entertaining Smarts FC attackers lead the line in a star studded XI. Best XI of the tournament. Of course a lot of players impressed but unfortunately for some, their teams suffered early elimination, which limited their chances of competing for places in the XI. Unsurprisingly, the players whom their teams have made it to the last four of the competition won the head to head battle with their counterparts from other teams to earn a place in the XI. Goalkeeper : James of Hydro FC The goalkeeper, from the department of Water Resources Management and Agrometerology was outstanding between the sticks, letting in just two goals in a total of six games, keeping four clean sheets, the joint most in the competition. James had an outstanding tournament and won the Best Goalkeeper award, with the joint most clean sheets in the comp

Hydro FC have been crowned Champions of the first edition of the HF WORLD’s Exquisite Soccer Gala after a 2-1 win in the final played on Wednesday, right after Faka United was beaten in the third place match by Smarts FC. Hydro FC wins the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala, beating Comrades FC 2-1 in the final. Photo Credits: HF WORLD The closing ceremony and the finals of the tourney happened at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeouta, FUNAAB Sports Center Ogun State, Nigeria on Wednesday and the third place match between the losing semi finalists, Smarts FC and Faka United first took centre stage in the morning. Akintayo Akinyinka, YK, who was named the best player of the competition fired his side in front, capitalizing on a sloppy defense in the early exchange as Smarts FC established a lead, a reward for their dominance. The lead was doubled few minutes later, when a Faka United defender handled a goal bound effort on the line and was given his marching orders. Villa Cruz

Hydro FC and Comrades FC beat Faka United and Smarts FC respectively to set up a meeting in the final of the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala while the two losing semi finalists meet in the third place match to battle for bronze. Comrades FC team photo before the game against Smarts FC. Photo Credits: HF WORLD The highly anticipated meeting between Smarts and Comrades FC, both whom were the two most entertaining teams in the competition as Smarts FC has scored the most goals of any team so far, 12, while Comrades FC had scored in each of their games before the meeting. However, it was a dismal show by the two sides as a game lacking cutting edge ended goalless after the full time whistle and it headed straight to penalties. Akanni, the Comrades FC goalkeeper saved Smarts FC first effort while Ibukun, the other goalkeeper saved Comrades FC’s second kick to level up at 1-1. After the first five penalties each, it ended 4-4 and it headed for the decisive kicks. Taking first, Comrades

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel on Monday afternoon had his pre match press conference as Chelsea entertain visiting French champions, Lille at the Stamford Bridge stadium on Tuesday evening. Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on February 18, 2022 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) The German talked about a hot of topics including Romelu Lukaku’s struggles at the club, the Champions League new rule, the opponents Lille, injury updates amongst other topics. Thomas Tuchel on Romelu Lukaku's struggles and lack of touches in games: "What can I do? I don't know. Now we have to deal with it. The data speaks a certain language, he was not involved, it's sometimes like this with strikers." "It's not what we or Romelu wants, it's also not the time to laugh and make jokes about him. We will protect him." "There is even history of strikers struggling at Chelsea. It's not

The quarter final of the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala saw the surprise package of the competition, ANP FC bow out in a 2-0 loss to Hydro FC thanks to a brace from Israel Salami, who is now the outright top scorer in the competition with his fourth and fifth strikes. Road to the final of the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala. Photo Credits: Moore's Graphics. The first half ended goalless as neither side was unable to find the right side of the net even though both were presented fairly decent opportunities. That however changed in the second half and Hydro FC had the ball in the back of the net only for the goal to be ruled out due to a handball in the buildup. The Sir Maxwell side took the lead just before the hour mark as the inform Israel Salami converts from 12 yards after a foul in the area after the ANP FC defenders were penalized for being too strong with their challenge on a midfield player. The lead was doubled by the same player few minutes after to give Hydro F

Having recorded their first win of the new calender year last time out, Arsenal will be back at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon to entertain Brentford as the race for the top four starts heating up. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta in a match against Manchester City. Photo Credits: Twitter. The Gunners have failed to capitalize on some slip ups this season having recorded some disappointing results like the loss to Everton, who had not win in eight games before hosting the Mikel Arteta's side at the Goodison. Arsenal also failed to beat Burnley at the Emirates in a 0-0 draw, while they have also been forced to take a point in games you'd expect them to take maximum points. Right now, they occupy the sixth position on the log though have played three games less compared to their direct rivals for a Champions League spot. However, it should be noted that of the three games in hand, their is a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and another London derby as they will enter

The final day of the group games in the HF WORLD's Exquisite Soccer Gala has come and gone as it was a day of delight for Smarts FC, Comrades FC and Exceptional FC as they all book their places in the final eight on the day, joining ANP FC, who already sealed qualification in their second game. Quarter finals draw and route to the final. Photo Credits: Moore's Graphics. The first game of the day was supposed to be played between Exceptional FC and Mariners FC but the later failed to show up after already being eliminated, thus a 3-0 win was awarded to their opponents, the Exceptional FC. Also, Incredibles FC failed to honour their last group game, resulting in a 3-0 win for Hell Boys, who were hoping for a win for ANP FC against Comrades FC for them to be able to earn a place in the final eight. The start to the game for ANP FC was encouraging and one that got Hell Boys dreaming as ANP FC took an early lead through Frank, after being played through a well weighted pass from the

In an highly controversial opening game of day five of the HF WORLD’s Exquisite Soccer Gala, Javelin Boys came out on top in their group C fixture, winning 3-1 against Predators FC to secure their place in the next round of the competition. Javelin Boys made it to the last eight after a 3-1 win over Predators FC. Photo Credits: HF WORLD Wale popularly known as Waposh gave them a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute of the encounter from the spot, after he was brought down in the box by an opposition defender. His effort managed to beat the Predators’ goalkeeper, who went the right way but couldn't get enough pace on his dive. The lead was doubled early in the second half by Akindele Amos, Steady, but Predators FC pulled one back from a controversial penalty spot to put themselves in a good position to qualify. The penalty was first taken by Doyin and saved by the Javelin Boys goalkeeper, Seyi. However, the assistant referee denied him of his save as he was adjudged to have move off his line

ANP FC becomes the first team to qualify for the quarter finals in the ongoing HF WORLD’s Exquisite Soccer Gala in the wake of their win over Hell Boys as they maka it two wins from as many games in group D. ANP FC has become the only team to qualify for the quarters in the HF WORLD’s Exquisite Soccer Gala. Photo Credits: HF WORLD Despite being the least rated team in the competition due to the concentration of players from 100 level and of the same department, Department of Animal Physiology, no one gave then a chance at the start of the competition but I guess the lesson has been learnt now after the completion of matchday two games. Captain of the side, Spicy beat the Hell Boys goalkeeper from a free-kick early in the second half of an evenly contested game to send his side through. He becomes the first player to score from a direct free-kick so far in the competition. ANP FC, despite missing their goalkeeper and had to play an outfield player in goal, Hell Boys were no much of a th

The UEFA Champions League returns this week and the round of 16 first leg games will be played as many teams look to put behind their poor run in the league and start brightly, the first of a double-header in the knockout rounds of the Champions League with brand new rule set to be in use. Champions League The new rule has it that the away goal rule will no longer be in use, meaning teams will no longer feel pressured of not scoring away to their opponents as long as they can always get the job done in their own ground. The champions league will resume will big names still on the quest for success in the competition, safe the likes of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, who have both been eliminated to the Europa League after their third place finishes in their respective groups. Fixtures PSG Paris Saint-Germain against Real Madrid The round of 16 of this year will see record winners Real Madrid lockhorns with 2021 finalist PSG Paris Saint-Germain, who now have seven times Balon d'Or