Sports Soccer Banker

Conte 'receives anonymous envelope with threats and a BULLET inside.  Go Soccer Here.... Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte received an anonymous letter containing a bullet and a number of threats, according to reports in Italy. The details, revealed by Corriere della Sera, say that the threatening piece of post has left a cloud over the club with security stepped up following its delivery to Conte. Police are said to be investigating the possible sender and will be testing the envelope for fingerprints in a bid to discover the identity, and therefore motive for threatening the former Chelsea, Juventus and Italy boss. Go Soccer Here.... Conte has unsurprisingly taken the decision to protect himself and his family in the aftermath of receiving the letter and has stepped up security at his home and at the club's training ground. The plan is for video surveillance system on the road of Conte's home to be analysed as well as training ground in case a ...

Pique unhappy with 'excessive' Barcelona criticism G Soccer Check Here *** Barcelona's performances have been uneven but Gerard Pique reminded critics of the club's league position. Gerard Pique concedes Barcelona can improve but claims the level of criticism they have received this season has been unfair. Barca lead LaLiga after 12 games despite having suffered three defeats, two more than title rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Ernesto Valverde's men returned to form ahead of the international break with a 4-1 win over Celta Vigo, which followed a 3-1 loss at Levante and goalless Champions League draw with Slavia Prague. While some have taken issue with results and performances alike, centre-back Pique feels the assessments have been unjust. "We have won the last two league titles, we are the leaders in LaLiga and in the Champions League and the criticisms we are receiving are excessive," Pique told radio programme El...

Kimmich counters Hoeness criticism of Germany goalkeeper debate G Soccer Click Here *** While supportive of Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich saw nothing wrong with Marc-Andre ter Stegen's comments about Germany's selection order. Joshua Kimmich has defended Marc-Andre ter Stegen and the German Football Association (DFB) from Uli Hoeness' criticism but insists Manuel Neuer is right to be considered the national team's number one. Bayern Munich president Hoeness hit out at the federation for a perceived failure to support 2014 World Cup winner Neuer in the debate over Germany's goalkeeper spot. Neuer's nearest positional rival, Barcelona's Ter Stegen, had expressed frustration with a lack of international opportunities, which prompted a public exchange between the pair. The Bayern star sought to quell the tension last week and club team-mate Kimmich joined him in smoothing over relations as he sympathised with Ter Stegen.  "T...

Brazil, beware! Messi out for revenge after Copa controversy G Soccer Here *** The 2019 Copa America saw usually mild-mannered Lionel Messi blow his top, furious at the standard of refereeing at the tournament and especially at what he saw as bias towards hosts and eventual winners Brazil. Now, after three months out of international action, he is back – with his first game against none other than the Selecao itself. It is a popular myth that Messi does not 'feel' the passion that should go hand-in-hand with pulling on the Argentina shirt. He has long been dogged by unflattering comparisons with Diego Maradona, who was – and remains – as combustible as Messi is composed. However, the idea that Messi lacked his compatriot's fighting spirit was blown out of the water in July. We saw the Barcelona No.10 lose it like never before after July's semi-final loss to Brazil, with Messi left enraged by Roddy Zambrano's handling of the game in Belo H...