La Liga, Atletico Madrid video, highlights: Diego Costa scores on home debut, gets sent off

ATLETICO Madrid’s Diego Costa scored on his home debut in a 2-0 win over Getafe and was immediately sent off for an overzealous celebration as the former Chelsea striker marked a typically eventful return to La Liga. 

 

The Spain striker hit the second goal in the 67th minute, after Angel Correa put Atletico ahead in the 18th, and rushed to the home fans behind the goal at the Wanda Metropolitano, creating a mini-surge as supporters ran down to embrace their returning hero who also played for the club from 2010-2014.

Leaving the pitch to celebrate with the fans automatically incurs a booking and, as Costa had already been shown a yellow card for elbowing Djene Dakonam seven minutes earlier, referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero had no choice but to send him off.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said he had no complaints about Costa’s sending off but also praised the striker for the galvanising impact he had on his side.

“I’d like to focus on all the good things Costa did, his presence made us more direct, he strikes fear into opponents, everyone can see that and that makes us all so happy,” Simeone said.

“The referee is here to follow the rules and not make emotional decisions.” Costa, who returned to Atletico from Chelsea for 57 million pounds ($98m) in September but could not play until January due to a ban on the club registering new players, will be suspended for Atletico’s next Liga game at Eibar on January 13.

Atletico are second in the standings on 39 points, six behind leaders Barcelona who host Levante on Sunday.

Alexis Sanchez admits he wants to leave Arsenal and play in the Champions League next season

Alexis Sanchez has reiterated his desire to play in the Champions League as he made his latest plea to Arsenal to let him leave the club.

The 28-year-old forward was the Gunners’ shining star in a disappointing campaign last season where they finished fifth and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in Arsene Wenger’s reign.

But Sanchez, whose contract expires next summer and who is understood to want to join former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is not willing to wait another year to return to European football’s premier club competition.

"I want to play in the Champions League,” he told reporters in his native Chile.
“The decision isn't down to me, I need to wait for Arsenal.”

Reiterating claims he made in the wake of the Confederations Cup, where Chile lost the final to Germany, he added: "I've made my decision, now I wait for Arsenal's reply.

"The idea is to play in and win the Champions League. It is something that I have dreamed about it since I was little.”

Manchester City are understood to be quietly confident that they can sign the player this summer and he forms a big part of Guardiola’s planned recruitment drive.

Bayern Munich have also retained an interest in the former Barcelona forward but can’t offer him the personal terms he requires.

Tello to join Real Betis from Barcelona in €5m deal

After re-signing Gerard Deulofeu, the Catalans have allowed another winger to leave

Cristian Tello will leave Barcelona to join Real Betis in a €5million transfer after agreeing a five-year deal in Andalusia.


Barca and Betis have both confirmed the deal is done, with only a medical and formal signing of the contract left to complete before the 25-year-old is presented at his new club.

The Camp Nou club confirmed they have sold Tello for an initial fee of €4m, with a further €1m payable in add-ons, while they will financially benefit if the winger later moves on elsewhere.

Tello joined Barca from city rivals Espanyol in 2010, making his debut for the first-team in November 2011.

He established himself as a role player for Barca, playing 44 La Liga games in two seasons between 2012 and 2014, although the second of those campaigns saw him used increasingly as a substitute.

Tello has spent the last three seasons out on loan, spending 18 months each with Porto and Fiorentina respectively, the Betis move coming to fruition after the Viola turned down their option to buy him.

He has only won one Spain cap, having played in a friendly against Ecuador in 2013.

Tello's departure comes on the same day Barca re-signed Gerard Deulofeu from Everton for a reported €12m fee.

Arsenal need to forget about Mbappe and stump up the cash for Lacazette


Arsenal have, apparently, seen an £87 million bid for Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe knocked back.
If such an offer really was tabled, then the Gunners’ ambition is to be applauded.

You do, however, get the feeling that this is all part of some elaborate PR stunt at Emirates Stadium to keep supporters happy and believing that this year things really will be different.

 Arsenal fans have learned the hard way down the years to hope for the best but expect the worst when it comes to transfer windows.

Various names will be offered up each time the opportunity to bolster the ranks rolls around, but more often than not the deadline will pass with frustration overriding any feeling of optimism.

There have been big-money deals, with Arsene Wenger loosening the purse strings a little, but more could certainly have been done and a fifth-place finish in 2016-17 has highlighted those failings in the most painful way possible.

A reluctance to break the bank could be forgiven – almost – with Champions League on the agenda every year, with a standing among the European elite ensuring that Arsenal remained an attractive proposition to potential new recruits.

Juventus confirm Dani Alves exit as Man City move looms



The Brazilian defender departs after one season with the Serie A champions ahead of a likely move to Manchester City
Juventus have released Dani Alves, freeing the Brazilian full-back to complete his anticipated switch to Manchester City.

The 34-year-old moved to Turin in similar circumstances 12 months ago, cutting ties with Barcelona after eight glittering seasons at Camp Nou.

Alves won Serie A and the Coppa Italia in a year at Juventus Stadium, but he could not add the Champions League crown as Juve were thrashed 4-1 by a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid in Cardiff.

Alves is expected to face competition at right-back from another new signing, with Tottenham's Kyle Walker reportedly top of Pep Guardiola's wishlist, while Benjamin Mendy of Monaco is expected to be drafted in at left-back.

Full-backs Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna were all released in an end-of-season clear out at the Etihad Stadium.

City have already splashed out for Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva and Benfica goalkeeper Ederson as Guardiola plots a response to his first trophyless campaign as a manager.
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