Football news

The portal Managingmadrid.com analyzed the performance of Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin for Real Madrid in the second semi-final match of the Copa del Rey against Real Sociedad (4:4).

“The Ukrainian knows what it is to be disappointed when you help the team reach the final, only to lose your place in the squad for the final, as happened last season in the Champions League. Lunin started every Champions League game this season, while Courtois was not included in the starting lineup for any of the five games this season.

Lunin returned to the starting lineup in the Copa del Rey as Courtois was absent due to injury, and he could easily have been frustrated by the conceded goal, as Barrenetxea’s shot was not the best in the world, but defense left Lunin vulnerable. There was little he could do about both of Alaba’s own goals. Perhaps this evening will not be remembered by Lunin, but he is also not to blame for everything going wrong,” the article says.

First goal conceded by Lunin in the match Real - Real Sociedad:

Another failure in the English championship was suffered by Manchester United.

Yesterday, April 1, Ruben Amorim's team lost 0:1 to Nottingham Forest away. This defeat has already become the 13th for United in 30 matches in the EPL this season.

Only one more unfortunate game separates the team from repeating the club anti-record of 14 defeats (2023/2024 season).

Recall that currently Manchester United is in 13th place in the EPL standings.

The Referees Committee of UAF has appointed officials for the match of the 23rd round of the Ukrainian championship between «Dynamo» and «Livy Bereg».

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The head coach of Spanish Real Sociedad, Imanol Alguacil, stated that in one of the key episodes of the second semifinal match of the Copa del Rey, the referees made a mistake in favor of Real (4:4).

“We are upset. Nobody gave us a chance, but our team showed that it has skill, fighting spirit, and the individual mastery of the players. We did everything to reach the final. The team performed in the semifinal well above the expectations of many.

In the episode before the corner from which “Real” scored the third goal, there was an offside. Usually, in such situations, offside is called, but it’s better not to talk about it. We were knocked out of the tournament through a matter that should be neutral. Madrid is a big team and doesn’t need help. I am absolutely sure that this goal would not have been counted if it had happened in another penalty area.

I am sad and hurt because we gave our all to move on. I am very proud of this team. Historical evenings are remembered if you reach the final, but this one will stay deeply in my heart,” quotes Alguacil from Mundodeportivo.

The new head coach of "Chornomorets", Oleksandr Kucher sent not only midfielder Khusrav Toirov to the youth team but also several other players.

According to the Telegram channel Inside UPL, other players from the main team who are not currently part of Kucher’s immediate plans are also involved in the U-19 training sessions. Recently spotted at U-19 practices were: Bohdan Panchyshyn (on loan from "Polissya" and has not debuted yet); Georgian midfielder Robakidze, who was invited by the already dismissed coach Babich; and Panamanian midfielder Rice.

Let’s remind that "Chornomorets" currently occupies the last place in the standings of the Ukrainian championship.

The goalkeeper of Madrid’s Real, Andriy Lunin, shared his emotions after the second semifinal match of the Copa del Rey against Real Sociedad (4:4), in which the galácticos managed to secure their place in the tournament final only in the second extra time.

“With great suffering at the end. The team, ‘Bernabeu’ — together until the end,” Lunin wrote on his Instagram page.

The first goal into Lunin’s net in the match Real — Real Sociedad:

Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Nasonov shared his thoughts on why the long-time leader of Kyiv’s “Dynamo” Vitaliy Buyalsky failed to establish himself in the national teams.

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Barcelona midfielder Pedri named the main reason for the team’s successful performances this season.

"Hansi Flick takes full responsibility for what is happening. We are demonstrating a different style of play than last season, especially from the perspective of the defense line and the pressing we apply. He imposed his way of competition on us, and he managed to transfer it to the team.

If we do not win the treble, it will not be a disappointment, considering the path that brought us here. But it is clear that we will be upset," Pedri said in an interview with TV3.

Famous Ukrainian TV commentator Igor Tsyganik shared his prediction for the quarterfinal match of the Ukrainian Cup between «Alexandria» and Donetsk «Shakhtar», which will take place today on the "city" field.

— The central confrontation of the quarterfinal stage of the Ukrainian Cup. The game promises to be really interesting and intriguing.

As far as I understand, "Alexandria" is aiming to win a trophy this season, while "miners" also strive to compete for the Cup, as they have little chance of defending their champions title in the championship.

It will not be easy for "Shakhtar", on "Nika" they have already lost to "city residents" (3:4) this season. But in this confrontation, I do not see any advantages for either of the teams, so I assume that a draw will be recorded in regular time.

I also dare to predict a penalty shootout, where luck will smile more on "Shakhtar", — said Tsyganik.

As already reported, the head coach of Lviv’s Rukh Vitaliy Ponomarev is close to dismissal from his position.

Today’s match of Lviv with Kyiv’s Dynamo in the 1/4 finals of the Ukrainian Cup will be decisive for the 50-year-old specialist, claims the Telegram channel “Insider from Pasechnik 2.0”.

At the same time, according to the source, one of the main candidates to replace Ponomarev is the former head coach of Kolos from Kovalivka, Alexander Pozdeev.

The Ukrainian goalkeeper of Madrid's Real Andrey Lunin played another match for his team.

Yesterday, the 25-year-old goalkeeper defended the goal for the "whites" in the return semifinal match of the Copa del Rey against Real Sociedad, but conceded four goals, the first of which was between his legs into the near corner in just the 15th minute of the game.

In 120 minutes of play, Lunin made two saves and completed 86% of his passes (38 out of 44).

Copa del Rey. Semifinal. Return match.

“Real” — “Real Sociedad” — 4:4 (1:1, 2:3, 1:0, 0:0)
Goals: Endrick (30), Bellingham (82), Tchouameni (86), Rudiger (115) — Muguruza (16), Alaba (72, own goal), Oyarzabal (80, 90+3)

The first match was 1:0.

As a result, Lunin received expectedly low ratings for his performance. SofaScore rated the Ukrainian 6.2 points, with only Raul Asensio (6.1) and David Alaba (5.9) receiving lower ratings in Real.

Moreover, in the current season, Lunin has played 12 matches for Real in all competitions and conceded a total of 19 goals.

The first goal conceded by Lunin in the match "Real" — "Real Sociedad":

Famous commentator Ihor Tsyhanyk commented on the scandalous situation with forward Artem Stepnov’s reluctance to come to the Ukraine U-20 national team.

«I’ve heard a lot about this guy. He is a bit arrogant by nature. But I want to tell you that there was an incident in the youth national team when he came a few years ago, and he was beaten with slippers or slaps on the back of the head. I mean the coaches. What happened there and how true it is — let UAF sort it out. As far as I understand, Stepnov wants to play for the Ukraine national team and has no intention of changing citizenship», — quotes Tsyhanyk the Telegram channel FootballHub.