U.S. businessman Charlie Stillitano has raised some controversy with his remarks on Leicester City's remarkable run to the top of the Premier League this season. Stillitano is the Co-founder and Chairman of Relevent Sports, the company behind the preseason tournament known as the International Champions Cup. He also hosts a radio show called "The Football Show" on Sirius/XM radio, on which he made the remarks.
I stayed on target with my predictions as I only missed the Madrid Derby pick (what is going on with Real Madrid!!?!!). Not to worry, I will miss them all this week as quality matches dot the globe and the MLS returns. Here are the five can’t miss matches of the weekend, including the critical North London derby:
1. Tottenham Hotspur v. Arsenal, Saturday 7:45 a.m. EST, NBCSN
Stephan El Shaarawy's goal in the 5th minute was simply stunning. He collected the ball in the midfield, dribbled at the goal and unleashed a curling shot that beat Empoli keeper, Lukasz Skorupski. El Shaarawy would add another in the 74th minute as Roma would go on to win 3 - 1.
Every Barcelona goal is beautiful. The team effort and crisp passing allowed for the La Liga leading giants to easily defeat Rayo Vallecano. Of the 5 goals scored, Lionel Messi's hat trick proved to the highlight in a lop sided match. Rayo Vallecano finished the game with 9 men as Diego Llorente and Manuel Iturra were given straight red cards in the 42nd and 67th minute, respectively. Messi's hat trick in the run of play was a tribute to Barcelona's possession dominance and his intelligence to be in the right place at the right time.
Greek fans have to go down as the most intense fans in world football, and we don't mean that in a good way. In the Greek Cup semi-final that featured PAOK vs Olympiakos, PAOK midfielder Robert Mak was denied a penalty in the dying minutes of the game after being brought down by the goalkeeper. Then, all hell broke loose.
Former footballer Adam Johnson was found guilty of one charge of sexual touching involving a child, a 15-year-old Sunderland supporter. Johnson is tentatively looking at four to 10 years of jail time (with a maximum of 14 years).
A statement from the victim read:
“From the very beginning of all of this I always doubted that people would believe me.
The amazing chemistry of Messi, Suarez and Neymar comes from the inside. That was the candid assertion of Barcelona forward Luis Suarez as he explained why he and his partners in attack are so successful.
"We prioritize the group objective. None of us compete with the others, but each enjoy the moment. I feel content, happy, and I'm helping the team, which is key.”
English tabloid "The Mirror" recently published an article that described what has happened since Eden Hazard last scored a Premier League goal. Hazard hasn't scored since May 3, 2015, during which time Barcelona have won five trophies and Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 42 goals. But this article isn't about Eden Hazard. It's about an Andre Schurrle hat trick.
On the surface, Danish international Erik Sviatchenko looks like the typical Celtic signing of the modern era.
With Pep Guardiola coming to Manchester City, so too must come the media storm of transfer rumours. It feels like pretty much every player who has ever been somewhat associated with Guardiola has been linked with a move to the Sky Blues in the past month and Gerard Pique is no exception. However, the veteran Barca defender had some surprising words to say in that regard.
"My love for Manchester United is too great for me to sign for City," said Pique. "Even though Pep is a great coach."