Category: Sport News

MADRID: Martin Satriano’s stunning first-half volley earned Getafe a shock 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in La Liga action at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this morning.

The result has shaken up the championship race as league leaders Barcelona are now four points ahead at the top of the table.

Real, who dominated most of the game from kick-off, failed to translate their dominance into goals, despite creating several chances in a match that took place in a tense atmosphere.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s team were punished in the 39th minute when a cross that failed to be cleared fell just outside the penalty area before Satriano fired a powerful volley past the home goalkeeper.

The goal came from Getafe’s only accurate attempt throughout the match, thus securing three valuable points for the visitors.

Real’s frustration peaked in injury time when substitute Franco Mastantuono was shown a red card for protesting the referee’s decision.

Getafe also lost Adrian Liso who was also ordered off the field.

Barcelona currently leads the table with 64 points, followed by Real Madrid in second place with 60 points.

Getafe are in 11th place after collecting 32 points.

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Igor Tudor has admitted his team are struggling physically at the moment and has promised to “add more fuel to the engine” to avoid relegation.

Tudor arrived in north London as Tottenham were in a fierce battle to avoid relegation to the second division for the first time since the 1977-78 season.

Tottenham have only won two of their last 18 Premier League (EPL) matches and are now four points above the relegation zone before travelling to Fulham tomorrow night.

Tudor, who was appointed to replace the sacked Thomas Frank, realises that the players’ physical condition is key in his team’s efforts to avoid relegation.

The Croatian coach, who is known for his high-intensity approach, admitted that his squad is currently unable to reach the required level of fitness.

“Physically, I don’t think we were in the best shape,” Tudor said.

“They played many matches before without many players ready and that situation caused the team’s fitness level to drop.

“So we need to use this period without matches to replenish our energy so that the team’s engine can function better.”

“They are tired. To do high pressure, you need to be fit and all the players need to be at that level.

“Of course we will improve and do this better over time, but for now it’s a big question of what we can and can’t do.”

Training footage of Tudor instructing Tottenham players to do intensive running has gone viral on social media, reminiscent of pre-season sessions.

However, Tudor rejected claims that his training methods were too harsh for players going through a challenging season.

“No, this is not a punishment. That’s just the way it is – running. This field is 100 yards long, so you have to run,” he said.

“There are certain habits. Maybe some are used to working a little less? I added running without the ball. Players really don’t like running without the ball!”

MONACO: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique has denied any rumours of tension between players as the European champions prepare for their Champions League play-off against AS Monaco early tomorrow morning.

PSG are now struggling to rediscover the excellent form of the second half of last season, when they displayed exciting football to win the Champions League for the first time in history.

The French capital club fell from the top of Ligue 1 last weekend after losing 1-3 at Rennes, allowing Lens to overtake them.

The start of 2026 was also dismal, including being eliminated from the French Cup to Paris FC and finishing the Champions League league phase in 11th place.

Failure to win any of their last three matches in Europe meant they had to go through the playoff round to qualify for the round of 16.

After the defeat at Rennes, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele criticised his team-mates for playing too much for themselves, rather than for the team.

“We have to play for Paris Saint-Germain if we want to win the game, because if everyone plays for themselves, it won’t work and we won’t win the trophy we dream of,” Dembele said in a TV interview after the match.

“Last season we put the club first before thinking about ourselves, so I think we need to get back to that mindset.”

Enrique was asked about the situation shortly after arriving in Monaco, the day before the first leg of the Champions League playoffs.

“There are always rumours about PSG and we just have to deal with them,” said the Spaniard, insisting that the defeat at Rennes was brutal for his team.

“Of course we wanted to come into this match with a win, but now it’s Champions League time and all the players are excited.”

PSG are expected to easily overcome Monaco, as the hosts are currently eighth in Ligue 1, 20 points behind the Parisian champions.

LONDON: Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens believes Benjamin Sesko understands how important he is to the team whether he is in the starting line-up or just starting from the bench.

Sesko once again proved his sharp touch when he scored a goal in injury time to ensure United tied West Ham 1-1 at the London Stadium early this morning.

Interim manager Michael Carrick brought on the Slovenian striker in the 69th minute as United were on the verge of their first defeat under his management.

But Sesko’s quality finish saved a point and maintained Carrick’s unbeaten record.

Interestingly, Sesko – who joined United from RB Leipzig for £66.4 million plus £7.3 million in add-ons – started on the bench in all five games under Carrick.

After a slow start, he has now bounced back with five goals in his last six appearances for United.

“Honestly, he’s been the same all season, whether he starts a game or not.

“I think he knows how important he is for us, even if he’s not in the starting line-up. Like today and against Fulham, when we need a goal, we can always count on him.

“That’s why he’s important. Even if he starts, I’m sure he’ll do a good job,” said Lammens.

In the match, Lammens also played an important role when denying Crysencio Summerville’s attempt in the first half and saving a one-on-one situation with Callum Wilson in the final minute.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper admitted that the draw was still disappointing even though the late goal saved the team’s honour.

“We were a bit disappointed because we didn’t play as well as we should have, especially in the first half. We lacked sharpness and didn’t create many chances,” he said.

United are now unbeaten under Carrick and will aim to bounce back stronger in the remainder of the season after a two-week break.

MANCHESTER, England: Michael Carrick described Manchester United’s last-gasp goal against Fulham as “the best feeling” after Benjamin Sesko secured a thrilling 3-2 win on Saturday.

United took the lead through a Casemiro header in the first half and looked in control of the game when Matheus Cunha added a goal after the break at Old Trafford.

In a remarkable finish, Raul Jimenez’s penalty with five minutes remaining dashed Fulham’s hopes before Kevin’s stunning goal equalised for the visitors in injury time.

But credit must be given to United as they continued to bounce back as Sesko’s fourth goal in the last four matches secured a third consecutive win for Carrick.

After orchestrating surprise victories over Manchester City and Premier League leaders Arsenal, the dramatic match gave the former United midfielder the impression of having the Midas touch.

Unbeaten in their last seven league games, United have climbed to fourth as their quest for Champions League qualification next season grows increasingly determined.

“I can say it’s the best feeling,” Carrick said.

“One of the best moments I’ve ever had here. You can judge performance, there are good and bad, then comes moments of joy and excitement like this.

“For me there’s no better place than in front of the Stretford End like this. It means more.

“People go home not just ‘United won today’, it’s more than that, the emotion and the feeling is why we love it so much.”

United needed a dramatic contribution from substitute striker Sesko after missing out on a chance to kill off Fulham’s challenge and Carrick admitted it was a sign there was still much to improve despite a revival since he took over.

“The character we showed after a big blow, a really big blow in the 90th minute, to bounce back like that after what we did last week is probably the most gratifying thing. Keep believing and be confident,” he said.

“We could have played better and that’s the most reassuring thing. Throughout the match we could have done a lot better at certain moments but I can’t question the players’ confidence.

“That’s what helped us today and it’s the best feeling when it happens.”