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Home , Delio Onnis, Dominique Rocheteau, Edinson Cavani, Eric Abidal, Erling Haaland, Jimmy Briand

MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 MAGAZINE COMSMEDIAMONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 www.comsmedia.com

Kylian the Conqueror: Mbappé tops Messi, Cristiano BUY End of New Era? Ibrahimovic makes history & GET -Page 2 -Page 7 FREE ODDS BUY & GET FREE ODDS

BUY & GET FREE ODDS 2 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 End of New Era? Ronaldo,Messi both take a Q/Final bow after 16 years dominance UNLIMITED GRAPHIC

N 2005, PRECISELY 16 YEARS ond time when neither footballers played in he is nicknamed Mr. Champions League. AGO, Chelsea were yet to win a cham- the semifinals after last season’s disappoint- When it comes to longevity and consisten- pions league trophy, Manchester City ing outings. Having at least Messi or Ron- cy in the UEFA champions league, Lionel were still a mid-table aldo in the last four happened every single Messi is the only player that comes closest team, Arsenal were still struggling to season from 2006 to 2020, 14 consecutive in comparison to Ronaldo. Having netted reach their first champions league final, Ky- seasons. In those 15 editions, the iconic 120 goals and 34 assists in the tournament, MAGAZINE NEWSPAPER POSTER DIGITAL GRAPHICS Ilian Mbappe and Erling Haaland were still duo had combined to win the competition he is the only other player to have surpassed DESIGNS little kids whose idea of football was cen- nine times. Sadly, they have just - the 100 mark after Ronaldo. Though LOGO CALENDAR T-SHIRT ONLINE ADVERT BANNERS tered in playgrounds alongside other kids, ed back-to-back seasons without either of his UEFA Champions trophy haul of four, their futures, uncertain. Messi wasn’t even them making any respectable run, leading is one shy of Ronaldo’s, it will be recalled SOCIAL MEDIA POST BROCHURES EXERCISE BOOK FLYERS a key member of Barcelona’s UEFA Cham- to speculations of the end of an era, leav- that the Barcelona record goalscorer played pions League squad, having only made his ing the scene for a new generation of qual- a major role in denying the Portuguese the debut earlier in the competition against ity players, hungry to dominate the world’s 200/09 trophy and also netted the two goals GENERAL PRINTING Shakhtar Donetsk while Ronaldo was yet most popular club football tournament. that ousted Ronaldo’s Ronaldo’s Real Ma- to be a force to be reckoned with. Though However, the achievements and lon- drid in the 2011/12 Semi Final meeting. the Portuguese international was a star in gevity of this duo in the champions Ronaldo is currently 36 years old while the making, no one expected he was going league is unmatched and their rival- Messi will turn 34 in June, an indication to shine so brightly over 15 seasons later. ry in the competition remains one of that both players are at a period when the That year, ’s Barcelona were the fiercest in the competition’s history. physical attributes of a professional footbal- knocked out by Chelsea in the round of 16 Ronaldo is unarguably the most successful ler is at its lowest and possibilities of being and Ronaldo’s Manchester United were out- player in the Champions league tourna- at the top is more doubtful than convincing. shone in the same round by a star-studded ment, being the only player to have won Their future is at the moment, uncertain AC Milan. That was the last time soccer five Champions league finals in six at- but a retrospect of their achievements in fans saw a UEFA Champions League quar- tempts. His 134 UEFA club competition the competition which spans across two de- terfinal round without Messi or Ronaldo ... goals and 42 assists, done in 17 consecutive cades is beyond comparison and however until 2021 when Messi’s Barcelona exited seasons, is the highest tally ever achieved things to out for both in the future, one fact the stage after a 5-2 aggregate spanking by by an individual. Moreso,he remains the remains undeniable- Ronaldo and Messi RC 1741501 PSG while Ronaldo’s Juventus were flung only player to have scored in three cham- have proved to be the most consistent and We b s i t e out of the competition by underdogs,Porto. pions league finals, all six games in a UEFA successful individual footballers on the big- +234 9073377101 www.comsmedia.com [email protected] To get a clear understanding of how much champions league group stage and his gest stage of the world’s most revered club [email protected] the duo have dominated the competition in massive records have left so many football competition. the past 15 seasons, this is the only the sec- fans and analysts in awe . Little wonder [email protected] MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 3

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DESMAGAZINE NEWSPAPER IGNSPOSTER DIGITAL GRAPHICS LOGO CALENDAR T-SHIRT ONLINE ADVERT BANNERS SOCIAL MEDIA POST BROCHURES EXERCISE BOOK FLYERS GENERAL PRINTING

RC 1741501

+234 9073377101 We b s i t e www.comsmedia.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 4 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

Yes, Benzema is the bee’s knees OU’VE DONE WELL TO ASK me about him, because Benzema is the bee’s knees. For people who like football, he is a luxury and we enjoy him.”When he wants to, can be understood perfectly.And if he’s talking about his friend and compatriot, like on Saturday, he al- Yways wants to be understood, not only now that has scored eight goals in his last six games. Because - and forgive me for the expression - what is really the bee’s knees is seeing how some, a minority who don’t like football, continue to doubt the scor- ing potential of the second-highest scorer in French football history (365 goals), the fifth-highest goal- scorer in Real Madrid history (272 goals) and the fifth-highest scorer in Champions League history (70).For someone who isn’t a pure No.9 and doesn’t take penalties, those stats aren’t bad.Nor are they bad for someone who spent nine of his 12 seasons at Real Madrid making life easier for Cristiano Ron- aldo.Or do you think it’s a coincidence that he scored 12 goals in 47 games playing alongside Cristiano (who scored 44 in 44) in 2017/18 and then scored 30 in 53 in 2018/19?The poor spirits who read football like an Excel spreadsheet think so.Those who can appreciate the playful sense of this sport know the aes- thetical pleasure provided by a marvellous footballer, elegant pressed.But there’s a bit of everything in life; people who don’t in his movements like a ballerina floating around the area, able recognise Benzema’s immense talent, or who judge him just on to be the reference point in attack at the same time as he links his goals. It’s sad to watch and live football that way. up with others to give them a solution in midfield when they’re Abidal explains how Bartomeu rejected the chance to solve Barcelona’s financial crisis ORMER BARCELONA PLAY- with a global pandemic that we all know ER and executive about, which has been extremely harmful explained in an interview with to the football industry and has resulted in the Telegraph how the club’s a big crisis that remains to be the biggest ex-president Josep Maria Bar- nightmare for the club’s new president tomeu rejected the chance to solve their and his board. Ffinancial crisis back in 2019. According to Abidal, Bartomeu and his The French admitted having intro- board rejected this option because they duced a company to the club which could did not want to expose themselves, as they have invested a lot of money to sanitize were not completing their job efficiently. the club’s complex financial situation. “I think it was possible to resolve the Supposedly this contact between the financial situation. It was not easy because company and the club was made around it was huge, huge amounts of money and two years ago when the crisis started. The critical and crucial moments of their his- at this time Barcelona was protecting all problem has been getting worse since that tory. the information about the accounts. day and Barça are facing one of the most Bad management of the club worsened MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 5

Barcelona is interested in 16-year-old Dortmund

NEW TRANSFER TARGET HAS emerged for Barcelona. This time for the Juvenil A squad. According to Sport, the Catalan club is highly attentive to the situation of Vasco Walz, a 16-year-old German midfielder of Italian descent. He is the captain of the U-17 team for and has also played for Germany’s junior teams. His versatility is his main virtue; he has played in different midfield positions and even Aon the flanks in the past. However, Waltz’s preferred position is the role of pivot ahead of the defense. He loves organizing the action and directing the game. The German-Italian is a strong lad and fights for half balls in the midfield fulfilling his defensive duties in the best way possible. In his first season with the yellow and black, he amassed 18 appearances in U-17 Bunde- sliga West. In the current 20/21 season, he has played four times playing 255 minutes and already has an assist to his name. According to the German media, the midfielder is touted to have a bright future, and it’s reported that Borussia does not want to lose yet another young talent. However, they have not opened talks for renewal until now. His current contract runs out in June 2021, and reportedly many clubs including Milan are interested to grab the youngster in what will be a free transfer.

talk about what players we were going to David Beckham thinks it will not be bring in, whether it was Ronaldo, Mes- difficult to sign Messi and Ronaldo si, ,” Beckham said, as quoted by The Inter Miami owner thinks that superstar . players would love to join his club. is of course cur- rently playing for Juventus FC in Italy, but AVID he and Beckham share a history of both BECK- playing for Manchester United and Real HAM Madrid in the past. His contract expires in thinks that 2022, and news about a possible comeback it won’t be to the Spanish capital has been making the a tough decision for big rounds in recent weeks. Beckham can eas- Dnames like Lionel Messi ily get in touch and offer another option and Cristiano Ronaldo, for the Portuguese star. if he offers them the op- Meanwhile, Messi is out of contract this portunity to play in Inter summer, with Barcelona reportedly on a Miami, the Major League mission to get him to renew his contract. Soccer (MLS) club that Other clubs are interested, but Messi men- he owns. tioned in an interview last year that the Being a legendary MLS is an attractive destination for him. footballer himself, Beck- Beckham also mentioned Neymar Jr., ham thinks that there who had just renewed his contract with is no reason why he Saint-Germain and will likely be shouldn’t aim high when the least feasible out of the three possible thinking about the play- big-name signings. Either way, Beckham ers that he can bring to thinks that he won’t have a hard time con- his club. “When we an- vincing any of them to come to Miami. nounced Miami, there was always going to be 6 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

Inter Milan’s COVID outbreak postpones Sassuolo match, players banned from national sides NTER MI- L A N ’ S MATCH VS. SASSUOLO on Saturday has been postponed after Juventus su fer shock Ifour players at the leaders tested loss to Benevento positive for the coro- navirus. ENEVENTO DENTED JU- hard to beat, we make the opposition play Inter goalkeeper and captain Samir VENTUS’ SERIE A title hopes badly.” Handanovic, defenders Danilo D’Ambro- on Sunday as Adolfo Gaich’s ’s Juve were unbeaten sio and Stefan de Vrij, and midfielder Ma- second-half strike sealed a in their previous five league games but tias Vecino returned positive test results. shock 1-0 victory in Turin and he could not prevail over his former AC D’Ambrosio’s and Handanovic’s positive ended the relegation battlers’ 11-match Milan teammate in the tests were announced on Wednesday, with Bwinless run. opposing dugout, despite the hosts mus- the results for De Vrij and Vecino arriving Gaich pounced on a careless pass from tering nine shots on target to Benevento’s on Thursday. Juve midfielder Arthur to fire in the deci- one. Inter released a statement on Thursday sive goal after 69 minutes, and the hosts Juve started on the front foot as Cris- explaining that suspension of first-team failed to find a way past goalkeeper Loren- tiano Ronaldo flashed a shot wide and activities will last for four days leading up zo Montipo. Montipo denied Alvaro Morata with a to and including Sunday, March 21. Lo- The defeat left champions Juve in third diving save. cal health authorities requested that the place, 10 points behind leaders Inter Mi- The referee awarded Juve a penalty for Sassuolo match be cancelled, with Serie A lan with 11 games remaining. handball but overturned the decision fol- confirming the official postponement of Benevento’s survival hopes were boost- lowing a VAR review, and Ronaldo found the game. ed as they moved seven points clear of the the net only to be denied by the offside As well as prohibiting Inter players relegation zone in 16th position. flag. from joining their countries’ squads for “This was a game that marks a turning Ronaldo, who scored a hat trick against the upcoming FIFA international break, point; we had the right attitude,” Beneven- Cagliari in his last game, was hungry for the statement adds that new tests must be to captain Nicolas Viola said. a goal and stung Montipo’s palms before done before first-team activities can re- “We are overjoyed. We are a humble volleying an effort narrowly wide on the sume on Monday. team and when we find courage we are turn.

matches last season and helped Juventus Ronaldo with G.O.A.T. 770 shirt to a record-extending ninth successive Italian league title. of all time” -- and “770” printed on it to Ronaldo has been linked with a return reflect Ronaldo surpassing Pele’s career to former club Real Madrid following Ju- goals record in a 3-1 win against Cagliari ventus’ elimination from the Champions last weekend. FIFA does not keep an of- League at the round of 16 stage. ficial record of football’s all-time leading But Juventus director Fabio Paratici scorers, but Ronaldo claimed the title has previously said Ronaldo represents himself. the “future” of the club, reiterating that However, Ronaldo wasn’t able to add notion after Sunday’s loss. to his tally on Sunday as Juve lost to “We’ve decided to keep Cristiano Ron- Benevento 1-0. aldo. He’s the best player in the world and It comes after Ronaldo was named the he’ll stay with us,” Paratici said. RISTIANO RONALDO Serie A player of the year on Friday for the On surpassing Pele’s record, Ronaldo WAS PRESENTED with a second consecutive time. wrote on social media after the Cagliari special shirt by Juventus pres- Ronaldo won the prize in 2019 after game: “I’m filled with joy and pride as I ident Andrea Agnelli ahead his debut season at Juventus. The awards acknowledge the goal that puts me on top of Sunday’s Serie A game did not take place last year because of the of the world’s goalscoring list.” against Benevento. coronavirus pandemic. CThe shirt had “G.O.A.T.” -- “greatest Ronaldo scored 31 goals in 33 league MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 7

Ibrahimovic makes history Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes history as AC Milan edge Fiorentina in thriller LATAN IBRAHIMOVIC MARKED HIS RETURN to the AC Milan starting line-up with a goal in a thrilling 3-2 win at Fiorentina on Sunday, narrowing the gap to Serie A leaders Internazionale to six points. The strike made him the oldest player to score 15 goals in a Serie A season, at 39 years and 169 days, and sounded Zthe starting gun to a frantic encounter in Florence. The Swede needed only nine minutes to fire home the opener after springing the offside trap in his first league appearance since picking up a muscle injury against AS Roma on Feb. 28. Erick Pulgar and Franck Ribery struck either side of the break to put the hosts in front, but goals from Brahim Diaz and Hakan Calhanoglu swung the contest back in Milan’s favour. Milan moved up to 59 points in second place but Inter have a game in hand after their match against Sassuolo was postponed following a cluster of positive tests for COVID-19. Fiorentina remain 14th with 29 points, seven clear of the rel- egation zone. “I feel young, don’t talk about age. The more time passes the younger I feel,” Ibrahimovic said. “I’m taking responsibility, helping on and off the pitch. Today I played the whole game, it’s an intense moment.” AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli said his players need- ed every ounce of remaining energy to earn the win and was pleased to hear Ibrahimovic had targeted the title in his post-match interview. “Ibra is right to talk about the Scudetto,” Pioli told Sky Italia. “We must try to win all our games, our fu- ture depends on us and we have the qualities to try and win every single game. They will all be difficult. “We started out with different objectives, but now we are up there. We have broken a lot of records, but if we don’t do well in the next few games it won’t lead to anything. “There are seven very strong teams, four of them will be happy [to qualify for the Champions League] at the end and three less so.” 8 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

Prayer of the week is Kevin De Bruyne ANCHESTER CITY THRASHED CRYSTAL Palace 5-0 last week- end to move up to third place in the Premier League. City scored their fastest goal of Mthe season when David Silva scored af- ter only two minutes. The score stayed at 1-0 until the second half which is when City ran riot! Kevin de Bruyne crossed for Vincent Kompany to score in the 49th-minute and then De Bruyne nearly scored when he was unfortu- nate to hit the crossbar with a free kick. With his next chance, however, De Bruyne hit the target with a shot from the edge of the area to make it 3-0 to City. made it 4-0, and in the final minute De Bruyne set up Nicolas Otamendi for the fifth. Kevin De Bruyne got two more assists to his name in the win over Crystal Palace. He set up the second goal for Vincent Kompany and crossed for Nicolas Otamendi to head home the fifth. De Bruyne n o w has fifteen assists this sea- son, more than any other play- er in the Premier League. It is also the most assists, in one season, for any Manchester City player in the history of the Premier League. The only oth- er players to be in double fig- ures for as- sists this season are Christian Eriksen (12) at Tot- t e n h a m and Gylfi Sigurdsson (12) at Swansea City. MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 9

Gareth Bale announces his plan to RETURN to Real Madrid

Arsenal target Real Betis star as Thomas Partey RSENAL ARE PLANNING A SUMMER move for Real Betis midfielder Guido Ro- driguez, according to a re- port in . According to Deportivo the AGunners will “push hard” for the Argenti- na midfielder, who has impressed for the LaLiga side. OTTENHAM’S GARETH match-fit. The original plan was to do a Rodriguez, 26, only arriving in Spain BALE HAS REVEALED he season at Spurs and after the Euros still in January 2020 for €3m from Mexican plans to return to Real Madrid have a year left at Real Madrid. club America. However, he has quickly next season after the end of his ‘My plan is to go back, that’s as far I become the mainstay of Manuel Pellegri- loan spell this summer. have planned.’ ni’s side. Wales captain Bale has spent the sea- Bale added that he was pleased to get The Mexican outfit do have a 25% sell Tson on loan at Tottenham but he has a away from Spurs to join-up with his coun- on clause on the player after Betis took year left on his Real contract of £31m-a- try after a difficult period, including last advantage of his contractual situation in year, which expires at the end of the 2021- week’s shock elimination from the Europa 2020. 22 season. League to Dinamo . He has been watched by Arsenal scouts ‘There’s no distraction for me. I think ‘I always think when things aren’t going on numerous occasions, but is under con- the main reason I came to Spurs this year too well at a club, it’s nice to mentally get tract until 2024. He also has a termination was to play football first and foremost,’ away from the environment,’ Bale added. clause of €80m, per the source. Bale told a press conference ahead of ‘It can be a benefit. We focus on these The combative midfielder has ousted Wales’ opening 2022 World Cup qualifier games, which are very important for us. William Carvalho and made 25 LaLiga in Belgium on Wednesday. We forget club life and concentrate on appearances in a defensive midfield role. ‘Going into the Euros I wanted to be this.’ Man Utd loanee IDFIELDER JESSE gate’s plans. LINGARD has battled The 28-year-old, who played at the last his way back into the World Cup, spent 21 months in the inter- England set-up after im- national wilderness as his United career pressing for West Ham nosedived. since joining on loan from Man Utd in But he was rewarded with a recall to MJanuary the England squad after managing five Jesse Lingard has thanked his West goals and three assists in seven Premier Ham team-mates for helping to resurrect League games for West Ham. his England career. Lingard said: “It’s brilliant, and it’s a Lingard left Manchester United to join matter of getting minutes and getting reg- the Hammers on loan in January and has ular football and trying to do the best I forced his way back into Gareth South- can. 10 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

Bayern Munich’s rejected PSG offer

T APPEARS THAT CHELSEA AND PSG are no longer in contention for Da- vid Alaba’s as the Bayern Munich star is now focused on a move to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Per a report from , Bayern Munich defender David Alaba Ihas cut down his list of potential destinations to just two clubs: Real Madrid and FC Bar- celona. On Monday, we saw yet another re- port that Alaba had reached an agree- ment with Real Madrid, but if Sky’s information is correct, the Austrian has set himself up to be the sub- ject of a bidding war between the two powers. Is this a masterclass by Pini Zahavi or just more media manip- ulation? Let’s take a look at what Sky has to say: Bayern Munich de- fender David Alaba has cut his list of po- tential destina- tions this summer down to La Liga rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, according to Sky in Germany. Alaba has been a target for a number of Europe’s top clubs, but it appears his heart is set on a move to Spain. Paris Saint-Germain recently made Alaba a lucrative offer, which he has turned down. MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 11

Ansgar Knauff on making his debut for Borussia Dortmund HE 19 YEAR O L D CAME OFF the bench for his Bunde- Tsliga debut with Borussia Dortmund trailing 2-1 and only ten minutes to go in the game. And it did not take him long to make an impact, as he set up a 90th min- ute equaliser for Erling Haaland. While the disappointing result put a damper on what was an impressive per- formance from Knauff, he was very proud to make his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund. In an interview with BVB-TV after the game, Knauff said: Bayer Leverkusen “First and foremost you are happy. But there are all sorts of thoughts on your mind. You know you’ll be on in a minute sack head coach and we’re behind. You have to give every- thing you got. But I was just happy. There were still 10 minutes left and I wanted to Peter Bosz try everything to turn things around.” “Obviously I was happy to get my OSZ, 57, HAS BEEN RE- Wolf’s opening game will be at bottom chance to play in the Bundesliga and that PLACED by former Germany club Schalke on 3 April, the first of eight I was able to get an assist. But it would’ve Under-18 coach Wolf, 39, un- league games he will have to bridge the been so much sweeter with an away win. til the end of the season with seven-point gap to the Champions League It’s frustrating that we didn’t get all three Leverkusen currently sixth in places. Under Dutch coach Bosz, who points.” Germany’s top flight. took charge in December 2018, Leverku- It has been a season to remember so BBayer Leverkusen on Tuesday sacked sen have won just three of their 13 league far for , who has gone from head coach Peter Bosz and brought in games since they lost to Bayern Munich strength to strength in recent months. He Hannes Wolf in a bid to stop their slide just before Christmas as then-Bundesliga was included in the Borussia Dortmund down the Bundesliga table after having leaders. Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at struggling traveling squad for the pre-season train- been top in December. Hertha Berlin, who are fighting relega- ing camp in August. After his encourag- Bosz, 57, has been replaced by former tion, was the final straw with Leverku- ing performances during the pre-season Germany Under-18 coach Wolf, 39, until sen now seven points from fourth and a friendlies, the talented wide player was the end of the season with Leverkusen Champions League berth next season. promoted to the BVB U-23s team. currently sixth in Germany’s top flight. In total, the ‘Werkself’ has lost 10 of Knauff has quickly become a key play- Wolf won the second division title with their 17 games in all competitions since er for the U-23s, scoring seven goals and Stuttgart in 2016/17, but was sacked after the start of 2021. providing six assists in 20 appearances in a season at Hamburg after failing to get “We have come to the conclusion that the Regionalliga West this season. them back into the Bundesliga in 2018/19. the separation from Peter Bosz can no Borussia Dortmund rewarded Knauff “With the new coaching team, we longer be avoided,” said club boss Rudi for his performances by handing him his want to turn things around and again Voeller. first professional contract in November. take the path to success that we had left,” “The 3-0 defeat at Hertha on Sunday And just one month later, he made his said Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon was unfortunately characteristic -- our senior debut after coming on from the Rolfes. team has recently fallen into the same pat- bench against Zenit St. Petersburg in the “Even as a very young coach, Hannes tern over and over again. Champions League. Knauff was also on Wolf has impressed with big clubs and “We therefore agreed to make a cut, de- the bench for the two round of 16 legs was particularly convincing through his spite the great appreciation for the work of against Sevilla, and finally got the chance promotion to the Bundesliga with VfB Peter Bosz.” to make his Bundesliga debut against FC Stuttgart.” Köln on Saturday. 12 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

Kylian the Conqueror: Mbappé tops Messi, Cristiano N SUNDAY KYLIAN MBAP- years and 162 days (in 2012) PÉ became the youngest-ev- 6. Harry Kane (Tottenham), 24 years and er player to score 100 goals 191 days (in 2018) in any of Europe’s top five 7. (WBA, Everton, Man leagues, eclipsing some of the United), 24 years and 322 days (in 2018) greats. But that’s not the only list the French 8. (Sampdoria, Inter), 25 Oprodigy towers over - here’s a deep dive into years and 27 days (in 2018) his phenomenal standing! 9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United, Real And 100 for Kylian Mbappé! The Madrid), 25 years and 48 days (in 2010) striker’s brace in PSG’s 4-2 win in Lyon 10. Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), 25 brought up a century of top-flight strikes, years and 75 days (in 2013) continuing the world-beating form he has shown since his debut. With 100 league In other rankings, Kylian Mbappé has goals at just 22 years of age, where does he established himself as the benchmark in goal stand in the history of Uber Eats and 4. Oskar Rohr (Strasbourg): 107th match scoring since bagging his first Ligue 1 Uber in comparison to some of Europe’s best? (at 26, in 1938) Eats goal in late 2016. This season he over- 5. (Reims): 110th match took his ex-teammate and PSG’s all-time top France’s most precocious... (aged 27, 1977) scorer, . And he would also No one in the history of the French 6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG): 115th have been fastest in the capital club’s history league has scored 100 goals faster than Ky- match (aged 34, in 2016) to do so had it not been for a certain Zlatan lian Mbappé. The Parisian striker took a year 7. (Reims): 123rd match Ibrahimovic, who took 27 fewer games to less than former Saint-Etienne star Hervé (aged 24, in 1958) achieve the feat. Revelli, the previous record holder. In con- 8. Salif Keita (ASSE): 124th match (aged trast, ten players needed fewer games than 24, in 1971) Top Ligue 1 Uber Eats scorers since the France international to score 100 goals. 9. Hervé Revelli (ASSE): 131st match (at Mbappé’s 1st goal: 23, in 1969) 1. Kylian Mbappé (, PSG): 100 The youngest players to score 100 goals 10. (Monaco): 137th match 2. Edinson Cavani (PSG): 93 in Ligue 1 Uber Eats: (aged 27, in 1975) 3. (OM): 62 1. Kylian Mbappé (PSG), 22 years 3 11. Kylian Mbappé (PSG): 142nd match 4. Memphis Depay (OL): 57 months and 1 day (142nd game, in 2021) (aged 22, in 2021) 5. (Monaco): 54 2. Hervé Revelli (ASSE), 23 years and 5 12. Jean Grumellon (Rennes): 143rd 6. Neymar (PSG): 53 months (131st game, in 1969) match (aged 28, in 1951) 7. (Toulouse, Montpellier): 3. Just Fontaine (Reims), 24 years 8 13. Edinson Cavani (PSG): 144th match 45 months and 2 days (123rd match, in 1958) (aged 30, in 2017) 8. Jimmy Briand (Guingamp, Bordeaux): 4. Salif Keita (ASSE), 24 years 8 months 14. Thadée Cisowski (Racing CF): 160th 41 and 19 days (124th match, in 1971) match (aged 29, in 1956) 9. Ángel Di María (PSG): 41 5. (Sochaux), 24 years 11 15. (OL): 163rd match 10. (Nice, OM): 41 months and 18 days (97th match, in 1937) (aged 30, in 2001) 6. (OL), 24 years 11 (since 20 December 2016) months and 19 days (190th match, in 1977) ... and Europe’s too! 7. (ASSE), 25 years 1 Players who scored their 100th Ligue 1 month and 22 days (187th match, in 1980) In the 21st century, PSG’s number 7 is the Uber Eats goal with PSG: youngest player in any of Europe’s top five 1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 115th game (at 34, 8. Georges Lech (Sochaux), 25 years 8 leagues to reach 100 league goals. His near- in 2016) months and 12 days (263rd match, in 1971) est rival? A certain Lionel Messi, who need- 2. Kylian Mbappé: 142nd match (aged 9. (Toulouse), 25 years 8 ed an extra year to reach this mark. 22, in 2021) months and 15 days (299th match, in 1986) 3. Edinson Cavani: 144th match (aged 10. Hassan Akesbi (Nîmes), 25 years 9 The youngest players to reach 100 goals 30, in 2017) months and 5 days (171st game, in 1960) in Europe’s top five leagues in the 21st cen- 4. : 174th match (aged 32, in tury: 2005) Fastest players to 100 goals in Ligue 1 1. Kylian Mbappé (Monaco, PSG), 22 5. Vahid Halilhodzic: 176th match (aged Uber Eats: years and 91 days (in 2021) 34, 1986) 1. Roger Courtois (Sochaux): 97th match 2. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), 23 years 6. François M’Pelé: 214th match (aged (at 24, in 1937) and 149 days (in 2010) 29, 1977) 2. (OM): 100th match (at 3. (Everton, Man Unit- 7. : 273rd match 31, in 1972) ed), 24 years and 99 days (in 2010) (aged 29, in 1984) 3. Gunnar Andersson (OM): 107th 4. Fernando Torres (Atletico, Liverpool), 8. Mustapha Dahleb: 280th match (at 31, match (at 26, in 1954) 24 years and 149 days (in 2008) in 1983) 5. Sergio Agüero (Atlético, Man City), 24 MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 13

PSG midfielder Paredes takes swipe at Chelsea boss Tuchel

ARIS SAINT GERMAIN While with Paris Saint Germain, “Much has changed with Mauricio Po- MIDFIELDER Leandro Pare- Tuchel won two Ligue 1 titles, a Coupe de chettino. des has taken aim at Chelsea France and , plus led the “Before, there were things that did not boss . team to last season’s Champions League work. We all needed a mental change. Paredes insists Paris Saint final. “Now we work much more as a team Germain’s players are now happier work- For Paredes, he admits he’s much hap- than before.” Ping for new coach Mauricio Pochettino. pier playing for fellow Argentine Pochetti- So far this season, Paredes has man- Tuchel was sacked by Paris Saint Ger- no than the now Chelsea manager Tuchel. aged 26 appearances for Paris Saint Ger- main earlier this season on Christmas Eve The midfielder insisting Paris Saint Ger- main, creating three assists. The 26 year- before being replaced by former Totten- main’s players needed a lift from a change old has a deal in Paris to 2023. ham manager Pochettino in Paris over the of coach. Ne w Year. He told TF1 via : How PSG’s masterful movement outclassed lacking Lyon N ÁNGEL DI MARÍA free- Monaco, putting them in a precarious po- from Sunday’s Li- kick, a rare goal from Dani- sition for even achieving UEFA Champi- gue 1 clash. We’ll lo Pereira and a not-so-rare ons League qualification. examine some brace from Kylian Mbappé “We can’t lose so many duels. It’s im- strengths and fired Paris Saint-Germain possible to do that and succeed against weaknesses to both to a dominant 4-2 win over Ligue 1 title PSG” were the words of a dejected Rudi teams’ tactics, in Arivals Lyon on Sunday evening. With fel- Garcia in his post-match press confer- and out of posses- low title challengers Lille suffering a sur- ence on Sunday. The Lyon manager made sion, to determine prise 2-1 loss to relegation-battling Nîmes it clear that he felt his side lacked athlet- what Lyon really Olympique, PSG now sit atop Ligue 1 at icism over the course of Sunday’s defeat. were lacking on the end of a game-week for the first time Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, Sunday, and what since January. was understandably full of praise for his tactical features Meanwhile, Lyon, who went into Sun- side and their “really good” performance played a role in day’s game level on points with Les Pari- that put them top of France’s top-flight. propelling PSG to siens, now sit three points off the top spot In this tactical analysis, we’ll provide a dominant victory. and just one point ahead of fourth-place some analysis of Lyon and PSG’s tactics 14 I COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 THIS WEEK PREDICTION Time Wednesday, March 24 Stake Top Prediction 18:00 Estonia vs Czech Republic Over 7.5 Free kick Over 7.5 Free kick 18:00 Turkey vs Netherlands Over 1.5 Goals Over 1.5 Goals 20:45 Serbia vs Republic of Ireland 1x 20:45 vs Azerbaijan 20:45 France vs Ukraine 1 20:45 Finland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 20:45 Belgium vs Wales Over 1.5 Over 1.5 20:45 Gibraltar vs Norway Both Team to Score Both Team to Score 20:45 Latvia vs Montenegro Over 1.5 20:45 Slovenia vs Over 1.5 Over 1.5 20:45 Malta vs Russia Short on target over 3.5 20:45 Cyprus vs Slovakia Over 1.5 Over 1.5

Thursday, March 25 18:00 Bulgaria vs Switzerland Home Over 4.5 Short on target Over 8.5 Free kick 18:00 Israel vs Denmark Over 1.5 Goal Over 1.5 Goal 20:45 Sweden vs Georgia Over 3.5 Short on target Over 3.5 Short on target 20:45 Spain vs Greece Over 2.5 Goals Over 2.5 Goals 20:45 Italy vs Northern Ireland Over 2.5 Goals Over 2.5 Goals 20:45 Scotland vs Over 0.5 Goal Over 0.5 Goal 20:45 Moldova vs Faroe Islands Away Over 7.5 Free Kick Away Over 7.5 Free Kick 20:45 vs Poland Home to score 20:45 England vs San Marino Over 2.5 Over 2.5 20:45 Andorra vs Albania 20:45 Romania vs North Macedonia 20:45 Liechtenstein vs Armenia 20:45 Germany vs Iceland Over 2.5 Goals Over 2.5 Goals

Saturday, March 27 18:00 Serbia vs Portugal Home Over 4.5 Short on target Home Over 4.5 Short on target 18:00 Rep. of Ireland vs Luxembourg 20:45 Belarus vs Estonia 20:45 Czech Rep. vs Belgium Over 2.5 Goals Over 2.5 Goals 20:45 Montenegro vs Gibraltar 20:45 Netherlands vs Latvia Over 1.5 Goals Over 1.5 Goals 20:45 Norway vs Turkey Over 1.5 Goals Over 1.5 Goals 20:45 Russia vs Slovenia Over 1.5 Goals Over 1.5 Goals 20:45 Croatia vs Cyprus 20:45 Slovakia vs Malta

Sunday, March 28 18:00 Georgia vs Spain Over 2.5 Goals Over 2.5 Goals 18:00 Kosovo vs Sweden Over 1.5 Goals Over 1.5 Goals 20:45 Switzerland vs Lithuania 20:45 Bulgaria vs Italy 20:45 Kazakhstan vs France 20:45 Ukraine vs Finland 20:45 Denmark vs Moldova 20:45 Israel vs Scotland 20:45 Austria vs Faroe Islands 20:45 Albania vs England Over 2.5 Goals Over 2.5 Goals 20:45 San Marino vs Hungary 20:45 Poland vs Andorra 20:45 Armenia vs Iceland 20:45 Romania vs Germany Over 2.5 Goals Over 2.5 Goals 20:45 Nor. Macedonia vs Liechtenstein ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 20212020 COMSMEDIA MAGAZINE I 15

West Brom defender Gibbs signs for Inter Miami EST BROM- “He has had a standout career WICH ALBI- at the highest levels so far, and we ON DEFEND- believe he can continue bringing ER Kieran this same level of quality to Inter Gibbs is head- Miami and MLS this summer.” ing to Major League Soccer after Gibbs won three FA Cups with Wsigning a two-year deal with Da- Arsenal and earned 10 England vid Beckham’s Inter Miami, the caps between 2010 and 2015. Florida club announced Tuesday. “I’m extremely excited to be The 31-year-old left back, who starting the next chapter of my spent most of his career with Ar- career with Inter Miami this sum- senal before joining the Baggies mer,” Gibbs said. “I look forward in 2017, will join Miami when to embracing a new culture and a his current playing contract with new challenge in South Florida.” West Brom expires on July 1. Inter Miami endured a diffi- His Inter Miami deal runs cult pandemic-disrupted debut through the 2023 MLS season. season in MLS last year before “Kieran is an exciting player. parting company with head coach His technique, experience and Diego Alonso in January. work rate will be valuable on the Alonso has been replaced by left flank,” said Chris Henderson, Beckham’s former Manchester Inter Miami’s chief soccer officer United and England team-mate and sporting director. Phil Neville. MONDAY, MARCH 22 - SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

Fiorentina coach quits club after ‘dark cloud’ develops inside him ESARE PRANDELLI HAS top of you,” he added. cloud has developed inside of me, chang- QUIT as Fiorentina manager “I have been going through a period of ing the way I see things,” he said. “I came and plans to step away from profound distress which is preventing me here to give 100%, but I now feel that this football after a “dark cloud” from being who I really am. I began this is no longer possible and therefore I have developed inside him. experience with joy and love, spurred on decided to step back for the good of every- The former Italy manager, who took by the enthusiasm of the new owners. one involved. Ccharge of the Serie A club for the sec- “It’s likely that that my love for the city, The Italian added that he was aware ond time in November, says he is going and the memories of the great moments this could be the end of his career as a through “profound distress”. I’ve experienced here, made me blind to coach. “This is the second time I’ve left the early signs that something wasn’t right “I have no regrets and don’t wish to Fiorentina,” the 63-year-old said on the inside. have any,” he said. “The world I’ve been club’s website. “My decision has been guided by the a part of for my whole life probably isn’t “The first time was not my decision, enormous responsibility I have towards right for me anymore - I no longer see my- but this time it is.” the players, the club and - last but cer- self in it. Prandelli, who quit as Italy manager tainly not least - to the Fiorentina fans, for “I’ve certainly changed, but the world after a group-stage exit at the 2014 World whom I have great respect.” is moving faster than I thought too. That’s Cup, leaves Fiorentina 14th in Serie A. Prandelli first managed Fiorentina be- why I believe the time has come for me “In life, as well as the good times, there tween 2005 and 2010. to stop being swept along, stop for a while are also dark moments which can get on “Over the past few months, a dark and rediscover my true self once again.”

Former Man United footballer Ronnie Wallwork spared jailed over trainers assault ORMER MANCHESTER ton Heath, Wallwork’s white trainers. UNITED footballer Ronnie Manches- Wallwork has been given a sus- CCTV showed the three men pended prison sentence in the ter, who had exchanging words across The Jam UK after he admitted an assault admitted Works Bar on Market Street, and on a man who stepped on his white train- the same then Gardner headbutting Mr Fers. Alan Mulholland sustained a fractured charge, Mulholland, before Wallwork con- right eye socket in the attack which took was also tinued the attack by punching the place in a pub in Droylsden, Greater Man- given an victim several times. chester, on December 22, 2019. Wallwork was given an 18-month jail 18-month jail sentence, suspended Alex Langhorn, mitigating, said sentence, suspended for two years, at a for two years. Mr Mulholland had stepped on hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court, Gardner was ordered to com- Wallwork’s shoes just prior to the in Manchester, on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm at plete a rehabilitation programme attack. an earlier hearing. and to pay Mr Mulholland com- He likened it to a “school yard He was also ordered to do 200 hours of pensation of £1,000. incident that should not ever have unpaid work, to complete a rehabilitation The court heard that the assault, programme and to pay Mr Mulholland happened” and stated that both de- £500 in compensation. which lasted 25 seconds, happened fendants “bitterly regret” the entire David Gardner, 43, from New- after comments were made about confrontation.