Ernesto Valverde praised Antoine Griezmann s performance in the forward s return to Atletico Madrid as Barcelona claimed a 1-0 win on Sunday.
Facing his former club for the first time, Griezmann struggled to have an impact at the Wanda Metropolitano, where Lionel Messi s 86th-minute goal proved decisive.
Griezmann has scored five goals and provided three assists in 18 games since joining Barca from Atletico for a reported €120million in July.
The forward was again backed by Valverde, whose team returned to the top of the table with their hard-fought win.
He looked good. It was a tough game for him. It s difficult when you face players you have played alongside for many years, the Barcelona head coach told a news conference.
GAME OVER!
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Cristiano Ronaldo has labelled himself the best player in history after winning the Ballon d Or for a record-equalling fifth time.
The Real Madrid superstar beat Lionel Messi and Neymar to the prestigious individual honour, which was presented at the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Thursday.
That win brings him level with Messi as the most successful player in the history of the award, but Ronaldo sees himself as being a cut above.
Not only does he consider himself to be better than all current professionals, the Portuguese also believes he is of a higher standard than every player to come before him as well.
RONALDO
BALLON D OR 2017
BALLON D OR 2016
BALLON D OR 2014
BALLON D OR 2013
BALLON D OR 2008
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realma…
Rising Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz says he could consider moving away from the Bundesliga, despite admitting you can t go wrong with Bayern Munich.
The 20-year-old has been linked with a host of top clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Germany international is also a reported target for Bayern, with Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller claiming in August that the Bundesliga champions had made enquiries.
Havertz is prepared to keep his options open when it comes to his future, suggesting Bayern or a foreign club could be equally appealing.
They re probably the biggest club in Germany and there are many players that were very successful at a young age that went there, he told Marca when asked about Bayern s…
Newcastle United are still trying to do some business before the January transfer window shuts on Friday night! The Magpies have been searching for solutions, especially for their Jetro Willems situation at left-back and it looks like they have found a replacement for their injured player. And that is Danny Rose.
According to several reports, Tottenham Hotspur s Rose is set to join Newastle on loan until the end of the season, but with an obligation to buy. Newcastle will pay two million pounds for the loan, but will then have to pay another fee in the summer, when Rose will effectively become Newcastle s new player on a permanent deal. Rose is 29 years old and has been playing for Tottenham since 2007 when he was just 17.
He also spent his 2012-13 season on loan at Sun…
A report from states that has their eyes set on Finnish goalkeeper to make a move from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt to Lisbon.
Hradecky has been a rising star with Frankfurt, getting the nod in 39 total games last season for the Eagles and 76 overall in the past two years.
Before joining the German side in 2015 for a reported €2.5 million, Hrakecky spent his time in the Danish Superliga with Esbjerg fB from 2009-2013 (one of those years was spent in the Danish second division) where he started in 81 total games before moving on to Brøndby for three years where he amassed 79 appearances.
Benfica has already raided the Frankfurt squad signing Haris Seferović from the Germans for a five-year deal and it looks like the reigning Portugues…
Thomas Muller declared Bayern Munich fear no team after destroying Barcelona in the Champions League on Friday.
The Bundesliga giants sealed a remarkable 8-2 win in Lisbon, with Muller on target twice to send Bayern into the semi-finals.
A delighted Muller received the man of the match award following another exceptional display from the forward, who suggested Bayern s style of play rendered the opposition practically irrelevant.
I think in this moment our team is in incredible shape, the Germany international told BT Sport.
Thanks for the man of the match trophy – maybe we have 12 to 15 players who deserve it. We worked so hard and have this intensity. It s tough to beat us. It was so much fun.
For our style of play it doesn t matter ab…
It s fair to say not many viewers think Manchester United deserved to beat Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
Aside from Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty after the initial full-time whistle, the Red Devils were largely outplayed and outfought by Brighton, who hit the woodwork a record five times and still contrived to lose 3-2.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a more difficult game than most. It was his error that led to Neal Maupay opening the scoring from the penalty spot and he was nowhere to be found when Solly March scored in the 94th minute to make it 2-2.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was keen to deflect the blame away from Wan-Bissaka, saying United need to do more collectively to prevent crosses, adding: Every player in this league has got strengths …
Roberto Mancini is confident Italy can replicate the likes of France and Spain and usher in a new era heading into Euro 2020.
Italy failed to qualify for World Cup 2018, but have enjoyed a strong start to Euro 2020 qualification under Mancini, winning both of their opening games 2-0 over Finland and 6-0 against Lichtenstein.
Their qualification campaign continues against Greece on June 8, before Italy host Bosnia-Herzegovina three days later.
And Mancini believes that his side can rebuild in a similar way to how Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, and current world champions France have previously done.
If we do good work, if we play attacking football that is entertaining and gratifying, then results are possible, Mancini told La Stampa newspaper.<…
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In what promises to be a mouth-watering affair this weekend, Chelsea and Manchester City will face off at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime.
Chelsea
Starting with the hosts, managing to extend on their EFL Cup adventure with a penalties victory against Aston Villa in midweek, the mood in Chelsea s camp should be at a real high. Only continuing to impress since bringing Thomas Tuchel to Stamford Bridge earlier in the year, many have tipped the Blues as a leading contender in the title chase this season. Last seen on Premier League duties putting in another stellar display on the road, the former PSG boss saw his side land London bragging rights thanks to a thumping 3-0 win against Tottenham. Breezing past their bitter rivals acros…
New Zealand presented a signed All Blacks jersey with Diego Maradona s name on the back before Saturday s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina.
Skipper Sam Cane laid the shirt, which bore the number 10, in the middle of the pitch before the hosts traditional haka ahead of the match in Newcastle.
It was a touching tribute following the Argentinian legend s death on Wednesday at the age of 60.
Maradona attended numerous Pumas matches and was in England to follow the team s fortunes at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
A special gesture from the All Blacks to Argentina before tonight s Haka.
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks)
His passing marked a three-day period of mourning in his home country, where Maradona was held in the highest est…