Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Covid KOs Samba trip
THE South American
World Cup qualifiers this month are off after a host of Premier League clubs blocked stars from going.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was among those to declare any player at risk of being forced into quarantine won’t be allowed to play during the international break.
Some countries in the continent – including Brazil – are red-listed as Covid-19 hot-spots and would need a 10-day quarantine under the UK travel ban.
FIFA said clubs didn’t have to release players due to the pandemic and the qualifiers at the end of March will be rescheduled.
Organisers CONMEBOL yesterday said: “The decision is due to the impossibility of having all South American players in a timely manner.”
BARNSLEY fans who witnessed a miracle on the final day of last season, with their side defying the odds to stay in the Championship, could be about to witness another.
This time their focus is on the opposite end of the table with
Valerien Ismael’s side on a charge.
And after yesterday’s 1-0 win against Birmingham they are eyeing the Premier League.
Under American ownership, which includes baseball tycoon Billy Beane (below), the club have made some interesting managerial choices.
But Ismael, who succeeded last season’s hero Gerhard Struber as boss, could prove to be the most enlightened appointment.
Now after an amazing upturn in fortunes there is talk of his side emulating Danny Wilson’s class of 1997-98, who enjoyed one season of Premier League football.
Ismael has introduced a hard pressing game.
“Without intensity we’ve no chance,” he admits.
“We don’t have Premier League quality but we can dominate with our intensity. I don’t think our games are boring.”
Barnsley midfielder Dominik Frieser, who also played under Ismael at Austrian side LASK, is not surprised at how quickly the side have adapted to his tactics.
“I know the gaffer from last year and know his style of football and his mindset,” he saiwd.
“He is so good for our group and the young players.
“His mentality is unbelievable and you feel it. He can translate it to the players on the pitch.
“The important thing is that everyone likes the style of football and likes to press.”
Defender Toby Sibbick added: “If we just focus on ourselves who knows what can happen?
“When we step out onto the pitch the manager gives the confidence and belief that we can beat anyone.”
The only disappointment for Ismael is that Barnsley’s resurgence has not been witnessed first hand by the fans.
But he has made the right noises off the pitch, donating £200 to a local brass band who needed to repair two tubas and handing over more money to a foodbank.
He said: “It’s been a tough time for everybody.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and while I am here I will give everything I can. I’m looking forward to meeting the fans, hopefully also in pubs and restaurants.”
KEVIN DE BRUYNE set his sights on winning the Quadruple – on the first day of the season.
Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder insists he began aiming for perfection in September after admitting he still thinks about the Blues’ near-miss two seasons ago.
Pep Guardiola’s men landed an unprecedented domestic Treble in 2019 – after being knocked out of the Champions League by Tottenham.
Now they are on the brink of a third title in four seasons, in the Carabao Cup final and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and have built up a 2-0 lead over Borussia
Monchengladbach as they look to reach the last eight in Europe.
And, while Guardiola has played down the prospect of the Quad, De Bruyne (above) said: “When you start the season and people ask me what I want to win, I want to win everything.
“You start the Premier League or cup competitions and we never go into a game thinking we want to lose.
“So, in that way, you want to win everything – but it is really hard.
“We were not far away two years ago, when we won three out of four, but it is a lot of games and the schedule is hectic.
“People sometimes underestimate this. It is not easy and other teams are very good.”
City have won a record 21 games in succession in all competitions – smashing an English record.
De Bruyne admitted: “We have probably surprised ourselves, but we never talk about the amount of games we have won.
“You play every two or three days, so it has been such a crazy schedule and you don’t get the time to look back.
“You only know when people start talking about the amount of games you have won.
“We just look at City v United, and see it as a one-off and not as game 22 or whatever it is.”