Colombia’s thrashing of Poland delivered wake-up call to Poles

Poland

Poland crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, just as quickly as they returned after 12 years away from the competition.

The Poles entered the tournament as FIFA’s 8th ranked nation, a position most felt they weren’t entirely deserving of when you consider their WCQ opponents. Perennial powers like Spain (10), England (12), Uruguay (14), Mexico (15) and Colombia (16) – who delivered the fatal blow to the Biało-czerwoni’s World Cup hopes last Sunday 3-0 – sat behind Poland in the rankings, perhaps showing the flaws embedded in FIFA’s ranking process.

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Kamil Glik and his importance to Poland at the 2018 World Cup

Glik

In an already slim defensive unit, Poland manager Adam Nawałka was dealt a major blow on the final day 2018 World Cup rosters were due when star centre-half Kamil Glik injured his shoulder in training attempting a bicycle kick. Initial reports were ruling him out of the tournament altogether for the Biało-czerwoni as the 30-year old’s injury was believed to require several weeks to heal. However, just days before the tournament was to kick off in Russia with Group A, Glik was cleared and confirmed to be in the Poland squad – of which provided quite a bit of relief amongst supporters of the dark-horse nation.

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Round 38 – Ligue 1 player picks

mbappe

With an intriguing Ligue 1 season set to  draw to a close, we look at the players we believe could make an impact on the final round of games.

Anthony Lopes, Lyon – 63 points

Lopes has had a strong season over the 2017/18 campaign and he will be disappointed to have conceded three last time out.

The French-born Portuguese keeper will be hoping to add to a haul of 14 clean sheets across the campaign as his side target second place.

Kamil Glik, Monaco – 60 points

Glik has secured an impressive 13 clean sheets this season for a Monaco side that Continue reading

Ligue 1 fantasy picks for week 37

Nabil Fekir Lyon

Here are the players we tip to make an impact in this week’s Ligue 1 action!

Anthony Lopes, Lyon – 63 points

Having been at Lyon for 18 years, Lopes is something of a legendary figure at the club nowadays.

The French-born Portuguese keeper will be hoping to add to a haul of 14 clean sheets across the campaign as target what would be a highly impressive second placed finish.

 Djibril Sidibe, Monaco – 30 points

With his side facing the challenge of an off form Troyes, he will be looking to deliver a big performance on the weekend as he targets a potential place at the World Cup. Continue reading

This weekend’s Ligue 1 picks

Nabil Fekir Lyon

Check out our picks ahead of the weekends Ligue 1 action!

Alphonse Areola, PSG – 93 point

The academy product has grown into a key member of the PSG squad, having spend time on loan at the likes of Villarreal.

With 15 clean sheets already registered, could he be an outsider for the World Cup?

Kamil Glik, Monaco – 52 points

Glik has secured an impressive 11 clean sheets this season for a Monaco side that have hit a rich vein of form and face Guingamp on the weekend.

The Polish centre back has been a stalwart of the Monaco team since his arrival at the club and will be a pivotal player in their upcoming tie.

Joris Gnagnon, Rennes – 39 points


Gnagnon  has kept nine clean sheets this campaign, as well as bagging a couple in the process.

His fifth placed side face Nantes this weekend as they pursue European football.

Presnel Kimpembe, PSG – 48 points

The Paris Saint-Germain academy player has continued to grow in stature for his side over 2017/18, becoming a regular performer for the super club.

Having secured 12 clean sheets for the champions-elect, the French centre back will be keen to add to that tally as his side travel to Saint-Etienne for some Friday football.

With his side traveling to Bordeaux, he will be hoping to add another as his side close in on the title.

Angel Di Maria, PSG – 83 points

The Argentine midfielder will be hoping for a big end of the season as the World Cup approaches and will be hoping to make an impact against a Bordeaux team that have won their last two matches.

With 11 goals and seven assists, the weekend’s game won’t be guaranteed but he’ll be a favourite to make a difference.

Florian Thauvin, Marseille – 108 points

The Frenchman’s exceptional campaign continues, with him now the highest scoring player in Ligue 1 – a formidable accomplishment.

With Marseille travelling to Lille, he will likely be confident of claiming a few more this weekend.

Nabil Fekir, Lyon – 80 points

Fekir has been the star of the campaign and will be hoping he can build upon his 16 goals in 2017/18.

He will likely look back at 2017/18 as a season that couldn’t have gone much better in a personal capacity in spite of his side’s shortcomings.

Marcos Lopes, Monaco – 83 points

Up against Guingamp, Lopes will be hoping to deliver the form that has seen him deliver 13 goals this season.

With a successful campaign under his belt, Lopes is finally showing he can fulfil the promise he showed at Manchester City.

Radamel Falcao, Monaco – 77 points

Falcao’s excellent season shows remains in the top bracket of world strikers.

With 18 goals this season, the iconic Columbian will be hoping to add to his tally.

Valere Germain, Marseille – 34 points

The former Monaco man’s side ace a struggling Lille and the 28-year-old will be keen to add to his eleven goals and five assists.

With Thauvin alongside him, the striker will be rightfully confident of achieving this.

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Ligue 1 Picks for the week ahead

Thomas Lemar Monaco

The absence of PSG in the weeks fixture list means there are plenty of opportunities for the stars from the rest of the league to shine this weekend. Here are our picks for the upcoming games.

Anthony Lopes, Lyon – 37 points

Having been at Lyon for 18 years, Lopes is something of a legendary figure at the club nowadays.

The French-born Portuguese keeper will be hoping to add to a haul of ten clean sheets across the campaign as they take on strugglers Toulouse.

Adil Rami, Marseille – 54 points Continue reading

Our XI for the Ligue 1 action ahead

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Some tough Ligue 1 fixtures greet us this weekend, with fixtures that could influence both the battles for relegation and the Champions League spots.

With that in mind, we take a look at the players that are likely to shine across some of these big fixtures – with stars from PSG, Monaco and Nice filling a number of the berths.

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