Lamine Yamal never stops shining
Lamine Yamal continues his recital and offers a real fireworks display at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium. For La Roja’s return home as world champion, the FC Barcelona winger splashed the match against Croatia (4-1) with all his class by scoring two sublime goals and an assist. Scorer from the start with a brilliant volley then offering the second goal to debutant Marc Pubill, the 19-year-old phenomenon brought Sevilla to its feet before Nico Williams completed the festival. A resounding 4-1 success which confirms the sparkling form of the Spanish prodigy, acclaimed by an entire stadium. Mundo Deportivo talks about “killer Lamine”while A.S. also ignites and speaks of a “Lamine Yamal unleashed”. Even though the votes for the Ballon d’Or are now closed, the Blaugrana jewel continues at a breakneck pace with already 11 goals and 7 assists in just 10 matches this season, in all competitions. He is thus close behind his teammate Raphinha, who is at 19 contributions, and clearly surpasses Kylian Mbappé, 11 contributions, as well as Harry Kane who has 9 contributions. As he prepares to do it again against the Czech Republic in Oviedo, the Rocafonda phenomenon proves match after match that he has taken on a new dimension. For Sportthere is no doubt, it is the best. “Lamine Yamal brings magic to La Roja”writes the Catalan media. After the match, a journalist asked him about the Ballon d’Or, but also about the fact that this match could still be an argument to win the individual distinction. The Spaniard replied with a broad smile: “One more”.
Manchester City cries scandal
Found guilty of all 115 charges brought by the Premier League, Manchester City sees its reputation shattered. The independent commission revealed that the club had put in place a system of “fictitious contracts” and creative accounting to hide 1 billion euros in illicit financing between 2009 and 2018. Faced with these systematic violations and the lack of cooperation from the club, the league is considering exemplary sanctions which could go as far as expulsion from the championship. As La Liga president Javier Tebas calls for historic punishment for this “financial doping”the reigning champion says he is surprised, proclaims his innocence. In A.S.we write “City official culprit“If this is the heaviest disciplinary decision in the history of English football according to CEO Richard Masters, the exact amount of the sanctions remains to be fixed. Denouncing an opinion tainted by errors of law and fact, the Mancunian management is preparing a long-term legal battle and intends to exhaust all avenues of appeal by October 2. Sport also announces the news by writing: “Premier League finds City guilty”. We find another article in the Catalan newspaper, and it mentions Ferran Soriano. The latter thinks he is facing a conspiracy. Indeed, facing his employees, the Spanish manager denounces a “conspiracy theory” orchestrated by the Premier League, calling the accusations false and claiming that the commission deliberately ignored a body of irrefutable evidence (bank statements, transfers and testimonies). Claiming the flouted impartiality of the authorities and denouncing an opinion “dangerous” tainted by manifest errors, the club confirms its intention to act firmly by all legal means.
Thomas Tuchel avoids a new crisis
Under pressure after their defeat against Spain, Thomas Tuchel’s England took advantage of the rapid expulsion of Pavel Sulc in the 24th minute to dominate the Czech Republic. Carried by a sparkling Anthony Gordon, author of the opening score on a serve from Trent Alexander-Arnold, then by a goal from Harry Kane, the Three Lions gave themselves some breathing room despite a still feverish start to the match. While Jude Bellingham was preserved at kick-off and Tuchel was able to launch young talents like Rio Ngumoha, this narrow but precious success allows the German technician to avoid a new crisis.
