‘Great chance for Indian players to test themselves at Next Gen Cup’ Barcelona fans celebrate league titles with players in parade
MUMBAI: Indian football players should embrace the challenge of facing tougher competition from some English clubs in the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup, coaches of the UK clubs that will participate in the event collectively said on Tuesday.
The visiting squads of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, West Ham United FC and Everton went through their first training sessions since landing in India on Tuesday. The tournament kicks off on Wednesday at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Mumbai with the Wolves and Everton taking on each other and West Ham United locking horns with RFDL third-place occupants ATK Mohun Bagan.
“Embrace the opportunity. It’s a fantastic event. It’s a great opportunity for them to test themselves against some of the best teams in England. Wolves and West Ham alongside us - three really prestigious academies back in the United Kingdom (UK),” Everton coach Kieran Driscoll conveyed in his message to the four Indian clubs that have qualified for the tournament.
West Ham United coach Lauris Coggin asked the Indian players to keep their calm and be in the moment. He suggested they put in a cohesive and collective effort in addition to taking their time early on in the game to assess the opposition and conditions that they come across.
“Take your time. First five minutes, understand what the opponent is going to offer, the pitch, the weather, and the plaform. Take as much information as you can in the initial moments; help each other in the difficult moments and try to slow the game down,” Coggin quipped.
Many Indian players harbour hopes of playing abroad, particularly in Europe, as they rise through the ranks here.
ATK Mohun Bagan’s star forward, Kiyan Nassiri, seconded this notion during one of his interactions with the media during the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL).
“Of course, 100 per cent, I see myself playing abroad. Everyone wants to play first for the national team and then possibly go to play (for an international club),” Nassiri had mentioned.
BARCELONA: Barcelona players from the men’s and women’s teams lapped up affection from thousands of supporters in the city’s streets on Monday aternoon to celebrate their dual league titles.
Xavi Hernandez’s side beat Espanyol on Sunday to win the club’s 27th league title and first since 2019, while Barca’s women’s team earned their fourth consecutive Liga F win at the end of April.
The players rode in two open-top buses, heading from Camp Nou to the city’s Arc de Triomf monument five miles away, the streets lined with jubilant supporters despite the threat of rain.
Defender Ronald Araujo was draped in a Uruguayan flag, while La Liga’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski, wearing sunglasses and a Barcelona scarf, waved to fans.
Coach Xavi, whose name was chanted frequently, threw down a can of beer to delighted thirsty fans below.
Players from both sides wore t-shirts proclaiming “the league is ours, the future too”.
Crowds increased as the buses headed along their route, to the main square, Plaza Catalunya, and then on towards the Arc.
“You can see the fans are very excited about it and obviously we are too,” goalkeeper Marcandre Ter Stegen told club television.
“It’s a pride to share this with them and have them closer than ever.”
In front of the two players’ buses, another bus pumping out pop songs to set the mood led the way, cuting through streets filled with blue and red smoke.
Feeling among supporters was positive, as expected during a parade, although they expect more to come from both teams in Europe.
Barcelona’s women have reached the Champions League final, where they will face Wolfsburg in Eindhoven on June 3, while the men were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second season running.
“We say to the fans that we are celebrating today, but that we have a lot of our minds focused on Eindhoven and that we will give everything and more to make them proud,” two time women’s Ballon d’or winner Alexia Putellas told Barca TV.
Fans stood on balconies waving flags, while others clambered on top of bus stop shelters to get a beter view.
Some supporters chanted Paris Saint-germain playmaker Lionel Messi’s name, hopeful that Barcelona can bring him “home” this summer at the end of his contract in France.