ZAHA FUMES AT MATETA OVER ‘NASTY’ PALACE REMARK — FANS SHOCKED BY WAR OF WORDS
Wilfried Zaha launches an angry video response after Jean-Philippe Mateta's interview. Mateta claimed Zaha laughed at his France dreams at Crystal Palace. Zaha denies the "disgusting" and "nasty" claims, insisting he was supportive of his former teammate.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
In an angry tirade, Wilfred Zaha has attacked Jean-Philippe Mateta regarding his former Crystal Palace teammate.
Zaha criticised Mateta for providing a "disgusting" and "nasty" interview in which Mateta said Zaha made fun of his desire to play for France.
"At Crystal Palace, right at the start, when I was not even playing, I spoke about the France team in the changing room and I had team-mates like Wilfried Zaha who were laughing," Mateta said in an interview with the French newspaper L'Equipe after scoring his first goal for France this week.
"When I was not even playing at Crystal Palace, they said that I was crazy to think about the France team, but I replied that it was my goal and that I just had to play to prove myself."
After two years of playing with Mateta at Palace before joining Galatasaray in 2023, Zaha was incensed by the remarks and responded with a video.
"My brain is burning," Zaha, who currently plays for Charlotte of the MLS, stated.
"I need to resolve this Mateta issue. Since he is unwilling to, he told me he did not want to and that he was fine with it.
"This only demonstrates that the individuals who saw me while I performed for Crystal Palace were obviously unhappy for me.
"Because I never gave somebody a 's***' feeling." Everybody knows who I am. I only take the pitch when I am feeling really enthusiastic and all that. However, I would never intimidate someone or say anything like, "I do not think you will make it here, or You would not make it at all."
"Seeing someone I thought was a friend act in such a way disgusts me.
There were ten players with whom he spoke about his prospects of playing for France back when he was not playing for Palace.
We were making jokes, but as friends, we laughed it off. It will be challenging, particularly with Benzema and all of these players filling those roles.
However, we never once mentioned that you would not succeed.
If this individual had said that I harboured hatred, would you not be shocked? He would speak my name, but why? When ten people were present. Is it because the most well-known name is Zaha?
"It is awful; I do not comprehend." I have never been mean to anyone. I am now receiving texts that say, "Oh, you are not joking about Mateta anymore." Well done to him; I could not be more pleased.
I even openly complimented him on Instagram. It is like, "What the f***?" to hear that narrative.
Did you always think poorly of me? I will utilise Zaha as my coming-up tale for you to come out with this, your come-up narrative.
"Dude, it is horrible. It is unpleasant.
"I do not have any football pals because of this. How is he going to accomplish that, which is why I keep to myself?
GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’
Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO
According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.
Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.
As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."
The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.
Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.
Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.
"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.
“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.
"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.
Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?
Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.
"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.
It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.
This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.
With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.
On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.
"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.
I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.
However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.
At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.
NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.
The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.
Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.
On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.
Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.
On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.
Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.
Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.
After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.
Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.
It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.
Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.