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INTENSITY CHECK: THOMAS MULLER SENDS HEUNG-MIN SON BRUTAL MESSAGE AHEAD OF MLS MATCH

Heung-min Son's LAFC faces Thomas Müller's Vancouver Whitecaps in an MLS playoff clash. Muller recalls his Bayern Munich team "crushing" Son's former Bundesliga sides, but expects a much tighter contest in North America.

Intensity Check: Thomas Muller Sends Heung-min Son Brutal Message Ahead of MLS Match
Müller Doubts Son's Ability

Since Heung-min Son joined Major League Soccer, he has had success, but facing Thomas Müller now reminds him of some past difficulties. 

In his 12 appearances with Los Angeles FC, the former Tottenham captain has netted ten goals and contributed two assists, aiding his new team in reaching the Eastern Conference play-off semifinals. 

Son will face Muller and the Vancouver Whitecaps, another recent addition to North America. 

Although both Germany and Korea are recognised as prominent football nations, Muller pointed out the historical imbalance between their teams. 

Out of the nine encounters between Muller and Son at the club and national level, seven occurred during Son's early Bundesliga years, when Bayern Munich was particularly dominant. 

When asked about their shared history, Muller had to acknowledge: "Sonny was an outstanding player at Hamburg and Leverkusen, but the teams were not on par." 

It may be unjust to evaluate or critique the current scenario, as the context has changed; we are now both playing for two top teams and are key contributors. 

"I recall matches where we lost 8-2 or 9-1 every time we faced Bayern when he was at Hamburg, yet he was still an exceptionally skilled young player at that time, so it’s not productive to delve too deeply into the past."\

Hamburg was indeed overwhelmed by Bayern, who notably defeated them 5-0 in 2011 and 9-2 in 2013. 

In general, the scenario has been quite similar, with Son managing to overcome Muller on just one occasion. During the 2018 World Cup, Korea thwarted Germany's chance to advance from their group, echoing the fate of Sweden and Mexico. 

Additionally, Son has had two draws against Muller's Bayern, one with Leverkusen and another with Hamburg. They also clashed during a 3-1 loss in the Champions League group stage at Tottenham in 2019.

How do Vancouver and Los Angeles stack up against each other? 


Muller was quick to point out a significant weakness in LA, but he is convinced that this matchup will be closer. 

"We understand the potential of this team when you pay attention to the details," he remarked.

However, looking back at the last few weeks, it's evident how reliant they are on Son and [Denis] Bouanga, so if those two don’t find the net, scoring becomes challenging. 

"We have a legitimate chance if we can keep both of them quiet, but it’s not easy."

This is my first conference semifinal. I’m optimistic about winning this match.

Like Son, Muller has started his journey in Major League Soccer on a high note, netting nine goals and providing three assists in ten matches for Vancouver.

The 36-year-old spent his entire career at Bayern, where he set a record for appearances with 756 games over 17 seasons. The Canadian team is only the second team in his career.

However, Muller's usually humorous explanation put an end to any notion of an adjustment period.

"They positioned me in good spots, so it was quite easy to jump in," he remarked. "In every game, they won a penalty for me. 

"You indeed have to be prepared for the competition, but I did not come here for a holiday; instead, I came here with the intention of performing.

However, you never know how long this process will take until you are a true member of the team in a new nation, league, and team. 

"In the end, I have always been able to rapidly respond to a circumstance; I have frequently made small adjustments to my playing style. Nothing very noteworthy.

WHY DID CRISTIANO RONALDO CRY? LUKA MODRIC EXPOSES JOSE MOURINHO’S HARSHEST LECTURE

Luka Modric reveals Jose Mourinho once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears at Real Madrid for failing to track back defensively.

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Modric and Balague confirm the 2013 Valencia clash that shattered Real’s locker room

Luka Modric says that Jose Mourinho once gave Cristiano Ronaldo such a harsh lecture that the guy was in tears.

Ronaldo, who's 40 now, played really well under Mourinho, who's 62. They were together at Real Madrid for three seasons, but apparently, they didn't always get along off the field.

Even though things got off to a slow start, the Portuguese superstar still managed to score 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho. He also helped Mourinho win three trophies in his first two seasons.

But get this: even with superstars like Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria on his team, Mourinho was still super critical of Ronaldo's effort on defense.

Modric, who Mourinho signed from Tottenham back in 2013, told a story about one argument that made Ronaldo cry. Apparently, it was because he didn't chase after his assigned player.

"I saw him make Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the locker room," Modric told Corriere della Sera, an Italian news outlet. Can you believe it? A guy who always gives it his all on the field, and he's getting yelled at because he didn't chase some defender.

Modric moved to Real Madrid in 2013 and only played under Mourinho for a year.

Modric, who played alongside Kaka and Mesut Ozil in the midfield after arriving for a big £33 million, didn't say which game the argument happened in.

Guillem Balague, a Spanish soccer journalist, wrote in Ronaldo's biography that Ronaldo and Mourinho almost fought after Mourinho yelled at him in the locker room following a 2-0 win against Valencia in January 2013.

Mourinho was mad because Ronaldo didn't seem willing to help out on defense during the game. And Ronaldo supposedly replied, After everything I've done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me!

Later that season, which turned out to be Mourinho's last with the team, Ronaldo was constantly asked about Mourinho's future. "I don't care," he said once. What I care about is my own future and the club.

This was a big change from earlier that year, when Mourinho said before the 2012 Ballon d'Or race, If Messi is the best on the planet, Ronaldo is the best in the universe!

After Mourinho left Real Madrid, he went on Spanish TV to talk about what caused the problems between him and Ronaldo.

"I only had one problem with him," he said. It was simple. When a coach gives a player feedback on tactics, they are trying to help them get better, in my opinion. He didn't take it well because he probably thinks he knows everything, and the coach can't help him.

Mourinho also said that they didn't really have a relationship. But time seemed to fix things, as he later said that coaching Ronaldo was the best thing that ever happened in his career.

Ronaldo also seemed to warm up to Mourinho later on, even saying that he was the best coach he ever had, even better than Sir Alex Ferguson. "I'd put him at the top; I always say that," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo scored 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho during their three years together.

Even though Modric didn't win any trophies in his first season at Madrid, he was so impressed by Mourinho that he repeated something Mourinho famously said about himself.

He's special, as a coach and as a person, Modric said. He was the one who wanted me at Real Madrid. I wouldn't have come without him. I'm sad I only had him for one season.

Modric spent 13 years at Real Madrid, mostly managed by Carlo Ancelotti. Now he's at AC Milan and managed by Massimiliano Allegri. But he says Mourinho is the toughest of the three.

He added, "Mourinho is really direct with the players, but he's honest." He treated Sergio Ramos and new players the same way. If he had something to say, he'd say it. Max is the same way. He tells you what's right and wrong to your face. Honesty is key.

Modric also shared his opinion on the never-ending debate of who's better, Lionel Messi or Ronaldo, but said he doesn't really like talking about it.

"I don't like that question," he said. They both defined an era. I'm closer to Cristiano because I played with him; he was my teammate at Madrid, and I can tell you he's not just a great player, he's an amazing person. People don't know it, but he has a big heart and is always ready to help others. He's just a simple, normal guy.

He added, "I don't know Messi personally, but I'm sure he's great too." As a player, he's incredible.

CELTIC FANS DEMAND BOARD SACK WILFRIED NANCY AFTER SHOCK MOTHERWELL DEFEAT TONIGHT

Wilfried Nancy dismisses sack talk after Celtic's 2-0 loss at Motherwell. With Rangers closing in, the Old Firm looms large.

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Wilfried Nancy’s future on the line after fifth loss in seven

After Celtic's fifth loss in seven games under his leadership, Wilfried Nancy brushed off ideas that Saturday's Old Firm game would decide his future.

Tuesday's match at Fir Park, called 'El Passico' due to both teams' open play styles, saw Motherwell outperform the Frenchman's team. Ibrahim Said and Elliot Watt scored on either side of halftime.

The 2-0 defeat, Celtic's 17th this year, meant Hearts stayed three points ahead in the league, while Rangers closed in, now just three points behind Nancy's squad after a 2-1 victory over St Mirren.

At the end of the game, visiting fans chanted for the board to be sacked, and some even demanded the manager's immediate dismissal. When asked if his first derby was a make-or-break moment, Nancy responded, No, not really. Every game matters to me and the team.

I'm not focused on my future. I'm focusing on what I'm doing now, what I need to do to help the team get better, and what we need to do as a team to improve. That's how I see it.

When asked if he understood the fans' deep worry about the lack of progress during his time, Nancy was indignant.

Progress? "There is progress," he insisted. But tonight, the situation and the opponent were tough.

This is a fact. Now, we need to figure out how to get better, and that's what we've been working on from the start. Tonight was rough. That's the truth.

When questioned about feeling the pressure after such a bad start as the champion's manager, Nancy added, As a manager, I don't want this, obviously.

Pressure doesn't change how I think. We know we have to perform well.

But right now, this is how it is. I knew it could be like this. We've had good games at times. Tonight was a hard one.

Regarding whether he was sure he could turn things around, Nancy said, Yes, I'm sure. I had to make some choices about the team tonight. I believe in what we're trying to do and where we're going. This was a hard game, difficult for us, but I think we'll improve.

Motherwell's manager, Jens Berthel Askou, praised his team, saying it was probably their best game of the season.

"We knew we'd probably need our best, most solid, and most complete performance, both with and without the ball, to win," he said.

We've had really big and good performances, but they haven't led to wins against Rangers or Celtic. So, that's what we got, and that's what we needed. It was amazing to see.

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