FOOTBALL: We lacked continuity- Buffon finally decides to leave Juventus

 

Juventus goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, has finally confirmed that he would leave the club at the end of the season.

Buffon, 43, made the announcement to beIN Sports.

According to him, Juventus lacked continuity this season.

The Italian shot-stopper returned to Turin in July 2019 after one year with Paris Saint-Germain, but his contract expires in June and he feels it’s time to part ways with the Bianconeri.

“I’ve decided to leave Juventus at the end of the season, I’m not extending the contract,” Buffon said.

“We lacked continuity,” he added. “In the end, in the games, we played against the top five, six teams, we often won. We drew sometimes and lost some.

“But it has always been even games. Instead, we lost stupid points against the lesser teams. This means you are a team that has yet to grow in character.”

Buffon kept three clean sheets in seven Serie A games this season for Juventus.

He also helped Andrea Pirlo’s side to the Coppa Italia final, which seems set to be his last match with the club on May 19.

Juventus fight for a place in the Champions League next season, as they sit fifth in the Serie A table, one point behind Napoli at fourth.

FOOTBALL: He’s very nice to me – Buffon criticizes Juventus over Ronaldo

 

Juventus goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, has said the team’s performances have not helped forward Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

The 43-year-old believes Ronaldo, who is very nice to him, has suffered because of Juventus’ display this term.

Juventus are currently fighting for a place in the Champions League next season, as they sit fifth in the Serie A table, one point behind Napoli at the fourth position.

The Old Lady were also knocked out of this season’s Champions League by FC Porto.

“I have an excellent relationship with Ronaldo,” Buffon told beIN Sports. “He’s very nice to me.

“He has scored a lot of goals, always like in the last few years. The individual is enhanced when the team reaches important goals.

“If this doesn’t happen, the performances of the individuals suffer as well.”

He added, “My future is clear and defined. This beautiful and very long experience with Juve will come to a definitive end this year.

“I feel I gave everything for Juve. I have received everything and more than this cannot be done.

“We have reached the end of a cycle and it’s right for one to remove the disturbance.”

FOOTBALL: Victor Moses not likely to play under Tuchel at Chelsea

 

Victor Moses is unlikely to play again for Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea and is close to sealing a permanent move away.

Jordan Larsson’s last-gasp win for Spartak Moscow against Khimki on Monday night should ensure that a £4 million clause in Moses’ loan contract gets activated.

If the Russian team qualifies for the Champions League, they will be obliged to pay a release clause to sign the former Super Eagles star permanently.

The move might be sealed this weekend if Spartak can avoid defeat away to Akhmat Grozny, while also keeping their goal difference advantage of 10 goals intact over their rivals.

Moses made 128 appearances for Chelsea, winning both the Premier League and two Europa League titles at Stamford Bridge.

 

FOOTBALL: EPL.Guardiola reacts as Man Utd lose to Leicester, Man City confirmed champions

 

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has claimed this was the hardest title to win, after they were confirmed champions on Tuesday night.

Leicester City’s 2-0 win at Old Trafford, means United cannot catch their city rivals again this season.

“This has been a season and a Premier League title like no other.

“This was the hardest one. We will always remember this season for the way that we won. I am so proud to be the manager here and of this group of players.

“To come through this season, with all the restrictions and difficulties we’ve faced — and show the consistency we have is remarkable. It is relentless,” Guardiola said.

After joining City in 2016, Guardiola won his first league title and the club finished with a league-record 100 points.

City retained their title the next season, finishing on 98 points, one point ahead of Liverpool.

Guardiola has previously won the title in La Liga with Barcelona and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

FOOTBALL: Mikel Obi told to join NPFL club like Ahmed Musa

 

Veteran Nigerian coach, Henry Makinwa, has advised John Obi Mikel to consider joining a club in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

According to him, it would be a “massive win” for the Nigerian topflight.

Mikel signed for Championship side Stoke City on a short-term deal after leaving Turkish Super Lig outfit Trabzonspor last year.

However, his contract with the Potters expires at the end of the 2020/2021 campaign.

Makinwa has now encouraged the former Super Eagles captain to borrow a leaf from Ahmed Musa, who is currently with former NPFL champions, Kano Pillars.

“That would be highly welcomed if he can consider that option.

“I once wrote about this many years back but that could not stand then. If he does that, we will welcome him back home.

“It would be a massive win for the NPFL and the local fans,” Makinwa told Goal.

FOOTBALL: EPL. Solskjaer congratulates Man City on winning title following Man Utd’s defeat

 

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has congratulated Manchester City on their Premier League title win.

City were confirmed champions following United’s 2-1 loss to Leicester City.

The result left Solskjaer’s men 10 points behind their cit rivals with three games remaining.

The strength in depth available to Pep Guardiola has no doubt helped in their charge to a third domestic title in four years, and Solskjaer conceded it was something United must strive towards if they are to catch their rivals next season.

Asked whether having 10 players of quality on the bench is the target, Solskjaer told BT Sport: “You know if you want to take up the challenge with them of course we need to strengthen our squad.

“Congratulations to them, they’ve had a fantastic season.

“Very pleased with my boys, because they’ve made it into the last 10 days of the season with a Man City team ahead of us that are lauded as the best in Europe, so we’ve done well.

“But we want to take the next step and it might be that we need a couple more to have a strong squad [for next season].”

Troops, Boko Haram insurgents exchange bullets in Borno

 

Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attempted to overrun Maiduguri, the Borno state capital in northeast Nigeria.

The terrorists, who earlier promised not to strike in this month of Ramadan, were repelled by Nigerian troops, after a gunfire at Jiddari Polo area of Maiduguri, their usual entry point from the Sambisa forest.

DAILY POST gunshots lasted for almost an hour before reinforcement arrived and the militants were repelled.

Residents, who fled their homes are gradually returning under security checks to ensure no terrorist sneaks with the returning residents.

Many who were preparing to go for shopping and others for prayers, were said to have been trapped either at home or in the mosque when the terrorists started shooting Tuesday afternoon.