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2022 FIFA World Cup Injury News: Paul Pogba And Romelu Lukaku

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In an unfortunate trend of events, certain key players have sustained ranging from minor to major injuries when it’s only a few weeks to the World Cup. Emotions are high in this period; some players are in a dilemma as they have already been ruled out of the tournament, while for others, it is a race against time to regain fitness before the tournament.

This World Cup is probably the last dance for a number of iconic football players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar, to mention a few, so you understand why it’s a no-miss show for a lot of players. Among the players whose participation in the World Cup is in doubt, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku are two important players whose respective countries will be gutted to play without. 

About Both Players’ Injury

Paul Pogba

  • Pogba’s reunion with Juventus has now gone as planned. The French Midfielder, who became a star at the Italian side, is yet to make a single competitive appearance since he joined the club in the summer. 
  • Pogba’s injury problem dates back to his time in Manchester. In his last season with United, he struggled to play half of premier league games as he was in and out of the hospital with a recurrent injury. 
  • Upon his arrival at Juventus, hoping to have a fresh start and put his dark days at Manchester behind him, Pogba suffered a setback as he sustained another injury during the preseason campaign with Juventus. After a scan, it was determined that Pogba’s preseason knee injury was a ruptured meniscus requiring surgery. He was reportedly sidelined for two months as a result of this injury. 
  • Once again, Paul Pogba suffered another setback on the road to recovery; he incurred a thigh injury during practice as he was recovering from meniscus surgery, which has ultimately ruled him out of the World Cup. 

Romelu Lukaku 

  • Romelu Lukaku had a time to forget in his second stint at Chelsea FC. The Belgian failed to replicate the form that made the Blues pay a record-breaking club fee for him. It was a nightmare season for the Belgian, who failed to register double digits in goals despite playing in 26 premier league games
  • Lukaku returned to Inter Milan via a loan deal from Chelsea, and immediately, it looked like the Belgian had rediscovered his form. Unfortunately, during a training session in August, Lukaku suffered a thigh strain that potentially kept him out of Inter Milan’s Champions League group stage games and a quarter of the league games. 
  • Less than a week after his return to the Inter’s lineup, Lukaku sustained a strain in the hamstring of his left thigh, and this is the same muscle that sidelined him for two months. A relapse in recovery has put the future of the Belgian striker in the World Cup in doubt. 
  • Lukaku is in his prime, and for a player who rarely got injured to now be experiencing back-to-back injuries is a hard pill to swallow.

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How Does Pogba’s Injury Affect France?

  • In the 2018 World Cup, France relied heavily on Paul Pogba to win the tournament, but Les Bleus will now have to make the long journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup without the dynamic midfielder. His Partnership with N’golo Kante in France’s midfield was beautiful, but sadly, both players are set to miss the 2022 World Cup. 
  • The France midfield appears abnormally sparse without Pogba, and the defending champions must develop new strategies given potential absences, including at other positions.
  • Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid were always set to make the team, but they may now be in line for significant World Cup playing time. France doesn’t have a profile-for-profile replacement for Paul Pogba, but Eduardo Camavinga might be the closest thing to Pogba in the France national team. 
  • France can only hope to make a decent run in the World Cup with Pogba, as a successful defense of their title will be nothing short of a miracle. 

How Will Lukaku’s Absence Affect Belgium?

  • Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer, with 68 goals in 102 appearances. Beyond reasonable doubt, Lukaku is a top-ten active striker in football, and although his short second stint at Chelsea might have caused some doubts over his ability. The Belgian was on the path of silencing his doubters before he got injured.
  • Lukaku is Belgium’s primary goal scorer. They don’t have another natural finisher like Lukaku. Michy Batshuayi might be a replacement, but can he bang in goals like the Inter Milan forward?
  • Belgium coach Roberto Martinez emphasized the value of Lukaku to the Belgium national team and described him as irreplaceable. Romelu Lukaku’s absence from the World Cup would require Belgium to alter their style of play and likely use more attackers. 
  • The Belgians are more of a toothless cub without Romelu Lukaku leading the frontline. One thing is for sure; they will need him to make any significant run in the tournament. 

Both Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku are very important members of their respective national teams. Pogba is completely ruled out of the World Cup, while Belgium can only hope to have Lukaku back in time. Belgium’s hopes of making a significant run in the tournament rest on the shoulders of the prolific striker. 

Follow Half A Goal for more World Cup injury news, updates, and previews. 

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Overview for UEFA Europa League, and Conference League and Champions League group stage 2023

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Champions League group stage

Football fans and analysts are eagerly waiting for the start of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, as the excitement for the sport is at its highest. The competition will showcase top European teams, displaying their skills, determination, and passion. In this article, we will analyze the upcoming first round of Europa, Conference and Champions League group stage and make predictions using our football knowledge. It is important to note that all teams are starting from scratch, which may lead to some unexpected outcomes. Stay tuned to find out if we predict any upsets. 

This article was prepared with the help of our partners Free Betting Reviews!

UEFA Europa League, Conference League, and Champions League group stage dates

Below, we have outlined the key fixtures and dates for matchday one games of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League that we will be discussing:

UEFA Champions League 1st round

Tuesday, 19 September

  • AC Milan vs Newcastle United 
  • Paris Saint-Germain vs Dortmund 

Wednesday, 20 September

  • Real Madrid vs Union Berlin 
  • Bayern Munich vs Man United

Europa League group stage matchday 1 

Thursday, 21 September

  • Ajax vs Marseille
  • West Ham vs TSC Backa Topola
  • LASK vs Liverpool

UEFA Europa Conference League group stage matchday 1

Thursday, 21 September

  • Club Brugge vs Besiktas
  • Dinamo Zagreb vs Astana

Europa League, Conference League and Champions League group stage Round One matches preview

UEFA Champions League group stage

AC Milan vs Newcastle United

After ending a three-game losing streak with a win against Brentford, Newcastle still faces some challenges, as highlighted by their vulnerability in that match. AC Milan will be looking to avenge their recent humiliating loss to city rivals Inter Milan in Serie A. With Tomori returning to the starting lineup, Milan’s offense is expected to beat a weak Newcastle backline.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Borussia Dortmund

This match is expected to be high-scoring, with both teams boasting talented forwards. While Donyell Malen has three goals for Dortmund this season, Kylian Mbappe has seven league goals for PSG. However, PSG’s defense has been weak, securing only one clean sheet in five league games. Dortmund is coming off a 4-2 win against Freiburg.

Real Madrid vs Union Berlin

Real Madrid hasn’t been impressive this season, despite being in first position in La Liga. Union Berlin, on the other hand, started well in the Bundesliga before losing two straight games. They are likely to score, though, having scored nine goals in their first four games. We predict both teams will score.

Bayern Munich vs Manchester United

Bayern Munich is expected to comfortably defeat Manchester United, who have been struggling in the Premier League lately. Although the Bavarians come into the match off an intense 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen, they are much stronger than Manchester United.

UEFA Europa League

Ajax vs Marseille

Marseille has started well in Ligue 1 this season, while Ajax has struggled in the Eredivisie. Marseille has the upper hand in this match, and the loss of a key player in Mohammed Kudus in the transfer window could weaken Ajax’s offense.

West Ham vs TSC Backa Topola

After winning the Conference League last season, West Ham has started well in the EPL this season. Although Backa Topola currently tops the Serbian League, they’ll likely be no match for West Ham, who have been scoring lots of goals lately.

LASK vs Liverpool

Liverpool have found form again and are tied for second in the Premier League. LASK is not expected to pose much of a challenge to them.

Europa Conference League

Club Brugge vs Besiktas 

Club Brugge has won twice, and Besiktas once, in their previous meetings. Although Besiktas remains unbeaten in the Turkish league this season, Club Brugge is expected to win at home.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Astana

This match is expected to be a one-sided affair, with Dinamo Zagreb having easily defeated Astana in the Champions League qualifiers. Dinamo should score more than two goals.

In conclusion, the opening round of UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League fixtures promises to be action-packed and exciting. Fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the mouth-watering clashes between some of Europe’s biggest football clubs, and the matches are sure to offer plenty of drama and excitement. With so much at stake in these early rounds, every team will be giving it their all, and we look forward to seeing some thrilling football over the coming weeks and months.

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Italian Serie A upcoming matches overview: September 2023

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Serie A upcoming matches

Following the international break, domestic football has resumed in Italy, igniting a renewed passion for the sport. Fans of the Italian Serie A can expect an electrifying September 2023 as top-flight clubs gear up to compete on the revered pitch. As the season progresses, there is a palpable sense of excitement for upcoming matches, and the football community is abuzz with anticipation. This piece will delve into soccer predictions, offering analysis, insights, and forecasts for Serie A upcoming matches slated for September 2023. Prepare to explore the world of football and uncover what’s in store for some of Italy’s most renowned clubs.

This article was prepared with the help of our partners Free Betting Reviews!

Top Serie A upcoming matches

AC Milan vs Hellas Verona

  • Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy.
  • Date: Saturday, September 23
  • Time: 15:00 CET

Preview 

AC Milan will be facing Hellas Verona in what is expected to be one of the most exciting Serie A upcoming matches. AC Milan is determined to recover from their 5-2 loss to Inter Milan, despite having a Champions League match against Newcastle midweek. Meanwhile, Hellas Verona has started the Serie A season well, winning two out of three games. They will use their match against Bologna as preparation for their match against Milan. Despite the strong start from Hellas Verona, Milan is favored to win due to their talented team and determination to recover from recent defeats.

Sassuolo vs Juventus

  • Venue: Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
  • Date: Saturday, September 23
  • Time: 18:00 CET

Preview

Juventus currently holds the second position in the league rankings, having won three matches and drawn one in their first four games. In their most recent match, they secured a convincing 3-1 win against Lazio, demonstrating their skill and ability. With such a great start to the season, Juventus has high hopes for a successful campaign. On the other hand, Sassuolo is not faring as well, sitting in 17th place. They have only won one match and lost three. Their defense is a major concern, as they have already allowed nine goals in the league, the second-highest among teams. Due to the vast contrast in performance and form, Juventus is the clear favorite in this match.

Monza vs Lazio

  • Venue: U-Power Stadium, Monza, Italy.
  • Date: Saturday, September 23
  • Time: 20:45 CET

Preview

The previous Serie A match saw Monza achieve a respectable 1-1 draw against Leece, showing their perseverance during the game. In contrast, Lazio’s recent game saw them suffer a 3-1 loss to Juventus, highlighting their poor performance this season, having only won one game and lost three games. Monza has only scored three goals in four games, while Lazio has only managed to score an average of one goal per game. Based on this, it is likely that the upcoming match will have few goals scored.

Bologna vs Napoli

  • Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy.
  • Date: Sunday, September 24
  • Time: 18:00 CET

Preview

Empoli is at the bottom of the Serie A table and they are getting ready to host the current champions, Napoli. Empoli’s upcoming games will be tough, especially after they were humiliated by Roma recently. This setback has definitely affected their confidence. They will be facing Napoli, a powerful team in Italian football, which will be a difficult challenge. On the other hand, Napoli is in a confusing situation. Despite being the defending champions, they haven’t been consistent like they were in their previous campaign. A recent draw against Genoa is a good example. However, Napoli wants to prove themselves and redeem themselves, which makes them favorites to win this game.

Torino vs Roma

  • Venue: Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin, Italy.
  • Date: Sunday, September 24
  • Time: 20:45 CET

Preview

In the upcoming matchday 5 at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, the main focus will be on the game between Torino and Roma. However, Torino’s game against Salernitana is pending. Torino’s season has been a mix of wins, losses, and draws in their first three games. Therefore, their performance against Salernitana will set the tone for their upcoming match. 

On the other hand, Roma made their presence known with an impressive 7-0 win over Empoli in their previous game. Roma’s offense displayed their attacking potential, leaving fans excited for their upcoming match. With Roma’s offense ready to shine, expectations are high for a thrilling and high-scoring encounter.

The upcoming month of football holds a range of exciting and memorable fixtures on the pitch, starting with AC Milan’s pursuit of redemption against Hellas Verona, followed by Juventus’ impressive form against Sassuolo. Monza’s resilience against Lazio’s troubles and Torino’s potential showdown with a resurgent Roma are also on the horizon. Lastly, Empoli’s daunting encounter with reigning champions Napoli is sure to provide a wealth of emotions. Don’t forget to follow HaG for more Serie A upcoming matches predictions.

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10 young players in Bundesliga to keep an eye in 2023

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10 young players in Bundesliga

The Bundesliga has a rich footballing legacy, with the league emerging as one of the most competitive and exciting in the world. With a focus on nurturing young prospects, the Bundesliga has become a hotbed for German soccer’s top young players. This article zeroes in on the top 10 young players in Bundesliga expected to make significant impacts by 2023. These exceptional athletes have demonstrated immense potential, captivating fans and experts alike with their skills and potential to become future icons of the game. Follow us as we introduce you to these young talents ready to take the Bundesliga by storm.

This article was prepared with the support of our partners Free Betting Reviews!

The Best 10 young players in Bundesliga

Forwards

Youssoufa Moukoko

At just 18 years old, Moukoko burst onto the scene as the Bundesliga’s youngest-ever player and scorer. With extensive experience in top-level competitions, he has played at a World Cup, the Champions League, the Europa League, and the DFB Cup, netting 12 goals in 56 appearances in Germany’s top-flight league.

Mathys Tel

Tel, an 18-year-old striker, has quickly established himself as Bayern’s go-to marksman. He contributed five goals in 22 matches for Bayern Munich last season, but he has started the current season in remarkable fashion, tallying two goals in just three games.

Victor Boniface

Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has been impressive, bagging the Rookie of the Month award in his first month at Bayer Leverkusen. He has scored four goals and recorded two assists in three Bundesliga games since joining from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, where he scored nine goals and assisted eight in 37 appearances.

Top Young Bundesliga Midfielders

Jamal Musiala

Noted for his elusive playmaking style, Musiala made an impact last season, contributing an impressive 12 goals and ten assists, making him Bayern’s standout goal contributor. Musiala’s defining moment came last season when he secured the Bundesliga title for Bayern with a dramatic last-minute goal.

Xavi Simmons

The 20-year-old midfielder, who scored 19 goals in 34 Eredivisie matches while on loan at PSV Eindhoven from Paris Saint-Germain last season, has earned a spot on the Netherlands national team and has the potential to showcase his talent at Leipzig after the departures of several first-choice players last season.

Florian Wirtz

Considered one of the most promising talents in the sport, Wirtz has gotten off to an excellent start this season, notching a goal and two assists in just three games. Wirtz has the potential to become a crucial figure in Leverkusen’s quest for the title this season if he can sustain his current level of performance.

Manu Kone

At just 21 years old, Manu Koné has emerged as a promising midfielder for Borussia M’gladbach. After a successful loan spell with Toulouse, Koné has become a regular fixture in Bundesliga highlight reels with his physicality, ball control, and ability to outmuscle defenders.

Best young players in Bundesliga: Defenders

Piero Hincapié

Hincapié, 21, has cemented his position as a central defender in Bayern Leverkusen’s revived squad under Xabi Alonso. Previously a left-back, Hincapié has seamlessly transitioned to the central defensive role and excelled. He is crucial to Leverkusen’s impressive start to the season.

Killian Sildillia

The young French talent stands out in an already captivating Freiburg team. His versatility is a key asset as he effortlessly adapts to various defensive positions, consistently performing at a high level of proficiency. Deployed as a right wing-back, his exceptional work rate enables him to excel in one-on-one duels against the Bundesliga’s top-notch attackers.

Goalkeeper

Noah Atubolu

Atubolu’s journey in football has included over 80 appearances for the Freiburg reserves, contributing significantly to their promotion to Germany’s 3. Liga. A consistent representative for Germany, Atubolu has been a part of the U17s squad and is currently the first-choice goalkeeper for the U21s national team. He is also Freiburg’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Germany is home to some of the best and brightest young players in the Bundesliga, with many emerging players set to make significant impacts by 2023. From forwards Youssoufa Moukoko and Victor Boniface to midfielders Jamal Musiala, Xavi Simmons, Florian Wirtz, and Manu Kone, and defenders Piero Hincapié and Killian Sildillia, the Bundesliga is bursting with young stars poised to light up the pitch with their skills and determination. Fans and experts alike are eagerly anticipating how these emerging talents will shape the future of the sport, and we can’t wait to see what these young players achieve next.

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