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• Roberto De Zerbi responds to criticism over defence of Mason Greenwood following Spurs move

  Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi apologized to fans for his historical support of Mason Greenwood, pledging to fight violence against women while focusing on Spurs’ Premier League survival. New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has issued a public apology following intense criticism from supporters’ groups regarding his past defense of Mason Greenwood. Addressing the controversy on Thursday, De Zerbi stated, “I am sorry if I offended anyone’s feelings with this subject matter”. He emphasized that he never intended to downplay the issue of violence against women while working with Greenwood at Marseille. Despite the initial condemnation, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust welcomed the apology, noting De Zerbi’s reiterated commitment to challenging domestic violence. The Italian, who signed a five-year deal with the North London club, remains focused on the immediate relegation battle, asserting, “I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what.” The club currently sits 17th in the Premier League, narrowly avoiding the drop zone.

• Truth behind Joan Garcia’s injury scare against Rayo revealed

  Joan Garcia reportedly faked an injury against Rayo Vallecano to provide a tactical window for teammate Raphinha to change his boots following an uncomfortable start to the match.

  ​Anxiety gripped Camp Nou when goalkeeper Joan Garcia went down after twenty minutes against Rayo Vallecano, but reports suggest the stoppage was purely tactical.

  According to Mundo Deportivo, Garcia acted as an accomplice to Raphinha, who urgently needed to switch footwear.

  While medical staff conducted checks, the Brazilian forward utilized the break to adjust his equipment, eventually leading to a more comfortable performance.

  ​The clever maneuver spared the team a genuine injury crisis following recent concerns over Garcia’s physical condition.

  The goalkeeper proceeded to deliver a Man of the Match display, showing no signs of distress.

  Discussing the squad’s performance and the challenges faced during the match, midfielder Pedri noted that opponents often “cause problems” that require quick thinking and minor on-field adjustments to overcome.

• Player Ratings: Attackers get 4/10s as defensive solidity saw Barcelona past Rayo

  Barcelona maintained their firm grip on the La Liga title race this Sunday, though they were pushed to the limit in a gritty 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

  While Ronald Araujo provided the decisive headed goal, the headlines belonged to goalkeeper Joan Garcia, whose heroics preserved the points on a day when the Catalans’ high-powered attack failed to click.

  The win moves Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear at the summit, placing immense pressure on Real Madrid ahead of the Madrid derby.

  Player Ratings & Performance Analysis

  Joan Garcia – 9/10

  Despite lingering concerns over an injury sustained against Newcastle, Garcia was the undisputed savior. He set the tone with a massive 1st-minute save against Carlos Martin and produced a string of world-class interventions in the second half, including a reactive stop from Unai Lopez. He stood tall when his team looked vulnerable.

  Ronald Araujo – 8/10

  The match-winner proved his worth at both ends of the pitch. After weathering an early storm on his flank, he rose imperiously to power home a Joao Cancelo corner midway through the first half. It was a captain-style performance that combined defensive grit with clinical finishing.

  Pau Cubarsi – 7/10

  The youngster was the picture of composure in the heart of the defense. He spent the afternoon orchestrating play with his trademark line-breaking passes and showed great awareness to sweep up behind his teammates whenever Rayo threatened to break through.

  Gerard Martin – 6/10

  Operating with increasing confidence, Martin provided a solid presence alongside Cubarsi. While not as flashy as his partner, his positioning was sound, and he continues to prove he belongs in the starting rotation for the Blaugrana.

  Joao Cancelo – 7/10

  Cancelo was a constant outlet for Barcelona, oscillating between his traditional full-back role and drifting into midfield to create overloads. His delivery from set-pieces was the difference-maker, providing the pinpoint assist for Araujo’s goal.

  Fermin Lopez – 5/10

  A bundle of energy in the middle of the park, Fermin excelled in tight pockets of space. He was the primary engine for Barca’s transitions before being withdrawn on the hour mark, potentially due to a minor physical knock.

  Marc Bernal – 6/10

  Bernal acted as the team’s tactical anchor, keeping the ball moving and maintaining the rhythm of the game. While he lacked some of the defensive bite required in the second half, his technical execution was largely reliable before being subbed off.

  Pedri – 7/10

  In the first half, the midfield maestro was untouchable, dancing through challenges and threading passes through the Rayo defense. His influence waned slightly as the match became more physical after the break, but his early dominance helped Barca establish control.

  Lamine Yamal – 4/10

  A rare “off-day” for the sensational teenager. While his intent was clear through several driving runs, his final ball and decision-making were uncharacteristically poor. He was somewhat fortunate not to receive a second booking during a frustrated second-half display.

  Robert Lewandowski – 4/10

  The veteran striker struggled to make an impact against a disciplined Rayo backline. Often forced to drop deep to find the ball, he lacked the mobility to trouble the defenders in the box and was hooked by Flick at the halftime interval.

  Raphinha – 3/10

  Coming off a red-hot scoring streak, the Brazilian looked completely out of sorts. He missed a glorious early opportunity and repeatedly turned over possession with inaccurate crossing. It was a performance lacking the confidence that has defined his recent outings.

  Marcus Rashford – N/A

  Introduced for the final ten minutes, Rashford added much-needed directness. He caused immediate problems with his pace down the left flank, forcing the Rayo defense back during a tense finale.

  Hansi Flick – 5/10

  Flick seemed to gamble by not rotating his squad after their European exploits, and it nearly backfired. The team looked leggy in the closing stages, and he was ultimately reliant on individual brilliance from his goalkeeper to secure the three points.

• Barcelona survive injury to edge past Rayo Vallecano in 1-0 win

  Joan Garcia overcame a significant first-half injury scare to help his side maintain a 1-0 lead against Rayo Vallecano heading into the break.

  Barcelona entered halftime with a 1-0 advantage over Rayo Vallecano, despite a tense injury scare involving goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

  Following a previous physical fright against Newcastle, Garcia appeared to suffer fresh discomfort during the first half.

  Although Wojciech Szczesny prepared to sub on, Garcia opted to continue, steadying a side wary of the international break and upcoming Champions League quarter-finals.

  The club’s medical staff and Hansi Flick remained attentive after the goalkeeper gave “another fright” to the bench.

  Flick has been vocal about his selection consistency, recently stating, “I’m only worried,” when discussing his choice not to rotate the lineup.

  Barca fans breathed a sigh of relief as Garcia stayed on, ensuring the Catalans avoided a destabilizing twist before the halftime whistle.

• Liverpool owners FSG make dramatic U-turn on multi-club model after looking at 25 teams

  Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have reportedly abandoned their long-standing plan to acquire a second football club, leaving the long-term future of CEO of Football Michael Edwards shrouded in uncertainty.

  ​The strategic “U-turn” comes after FSG reportedly conducted extensive due diligence on over 25 potential clubs, including Spanish sides Getafe and Malaga, and French outfit Bordeaux.

  Despite early enthusiasm, the project has been deemed “dormant” due to a mix of financial caution and complex UEFA multi-club ownership regulations.

  This decision marks a significant shift for the Boston-based group, who previously viewed expansion as essential for remaining competitive globally.

  ​This development places Michael Edwards in a precarious position, as the commitment to a multi-club model was a primary factor in his 2024 return.

  Having already overseen a successful post-Klopp transition—including the appointment of Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot—Edwards now faces a redefined role without the expansionist remit he was promised.

  Speculation suggests his future at Anfield is now uncertain as the club pivots back to a single-team focus.