In today’s edition of Pundit Daily Digest, Ronaldo scores brace on his second debut, Lukaku ends Stamford Bridge drought, Ancelotti hits back at Ceferin and lot’s more.
It’s another edition of Pundit daily Digest and it promises to be as entertaining as ever. Let’s take a look at the trendiest football news from around the world.
1. Ronaldo Scores Brace In Second Debut
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s greatest ever forwards admitted having butterflies in his stomach ahead of his second debut at Manchester United on Saturday.
Ronaldo scored 118 goals for United during his first stint and seemed to remember how to score at Old Trafford as he netted twice in his second debut in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford. The win sent the Manchester club to the top of the Premier League standings.
Speaking after the game, Ronaldo said;
“I was really nervous, maybe I did not show it, The reception was incredible.
“I was thinking last night that I wanted to show I’m still capable of helping the team. When I started the game, I was super nervous when they were singing my name but this crowd is unbelievable.”
Ronaldo speaking on the team’s chances to claim silverware said;
“We have a fantastic team, a young team and a fantastic coach.
“But… we have to build up confidence. The team needs to be mature if it wants to win the Premier League and Champions League.
“I think we are in a good way, we have to win games, build up the confidence, build up the team and I am here to help the team.”
2. Allegri Not Panicking As Juventus Lose To Napoli
Juventis coach, Massimiliano Allegri said he will not reprimand his players for allowing rivals Napoli to come back from a goal down to win on Saturday.
That loss meant that Juventus would finish Match day three with only one point after a draw with Udinese and two consecutive defeats to Empoli and Napoli.
However, with Champions League football on the horizon, Allegri seemed to be taking Juventus’ poor streak in stride. He said;
“I have nothing to reproach my players about. Against Empoli, we played a frenetic game. This time errors affected us and we lost too many balls. We can only continue to work.
“I have been through worse moments. Right now what counts is the game on Tuesday, we need to play a great match against Malmo and then we will face Milan.
“I am sorry because tonight the game was going the right way. We have conceded five goals and we have done that through our own mistakes.”
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3. Ancelotti Reacts To Ceferin’s Backlash
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended his club on Saturday following criticism from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin earlier this week.
Ceferin told German publication Der Spiegel that he would not be overly concerned if European heavyweights, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus – the three remaining clubs in the breakaway Super League project – were not part of UEFA.
Ceferin also criticised Real president Florentino Perez for claiming that European football clubs were in major financial storms only the ESL could take them from before making a 180 million euro bid for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Ancelotti replied saying;
“I thought it was a bit strange that an organisation as important as UEFA spoke about the president of a 13-time Champions League winner like that.
“If the president of a 13-time Champions League winning club is incompetent, what does that make everyone else?”
4. David Luiz Signs For Flamengo
Former Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG centre half David Luiz has joined Brazilian side Flamengo.
Luiz who has 57 international caps for Brazil has been without a club since leaving Arsenal in July.
Luiz played for Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain but enjoyed his best spell in Europe with Chelsea where he won the Champions League, two FA Cups and the English Premier League. The 34-year-old signed a deal until December 2022.
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5. Lukaku Breaks Stamford Bridge Drought In Villa Win
Summer signing Romelu Lukaku scored at Stamford Bridge for the first time as his brace compelled Villa to a 3-0 defeat on Saturday.
The Belgian needed to wait 17 years and 16 appearances (7 with teams other than Chelsea), to achieve his long term dream of scoring at the Bridge.
Chelsea became the second club after Manchester United to win 600 Premier League games with the win over Aston Villa.
Lukaku scored on his second Chelsea debut in the London derby win against Arsenal in August. His brace against Villa takes his goal tally to three goals from three appearances.
Lukaku’s brace sandwiched Kovacic’s goal and helped Chelsea to their third win in four games as Thomas Tuchel’s men go joint-top of the Premier League standings.
This article was compiled by Kayode Ogunbote.
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