標籤: friend

armory Defender Piero Hincapie is approaching the biggest match of his career with both confidence and a bit of friendly rivalry.

Ecuador international speaks to South American outlet dsports Ahead of the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, where he will face fellow Ecuadorian Willian Pacho.

Both defenders went way back, and Hincapie made it clear that the occasion meant a lot on a personal level as well.

Still celebrating the league title.

Arsenal have spent several years trying to return to this level. Piero Hincapie admitted this during an interview while discussing the pressure surrounding the club after ending their long wait for a Premier League title.

“These have been very difficult years. They’ve gone 22 years without winning the Premier League and I think now everyone is very happy, very excited and wants more.”

Hincapie also admitted that he does not necessarily feel the full weight of that pressure because he is still relatively new to the club.

“To be honest, I don’t know if I feel that much pressure because I just arrived.”He said. “Obviously there are a lot of players who have been struggling for many years and I think it’s a relief for everyone as well.”

The Arsenal defender then underlined why this moment feels so important internally at the club.

“It is very important to reach the Champions League final after winning the Premier League.”

Rivalry adds extra edge

Piero Hincapie revealed that he has known Willian Pacho since childhood, with both players developing through Ecuadorian football and training together at Independiente del Valle.

“I have known Willian since we were very young. We trained a lot together at Independiente del Valle when we were kids and were dreaming about this moment.”

Pacho has already won the Champions League with PSG, and Hincapie admitted he hopes this year’s final will change things his way.

“He’s already become a champion and hopefully it’s my turn this time.”

Arsenal defender feeling settled ahead of final

Hincapie also revealed that the pair have remained in touch despite the impending clash.

“Yes, he talked to me. I think we talked about two weeks ago. We talked a little bit, but not about that, but more about how things are going here and how everything is going.”

Arsenal are chasing another major trophy after finally winning domestically, and Hincapie feels comfortable shouldering that responsibility.

It’s hard to find many supporters for Arne Slott liverpool In this moment of time. The Dutchman is firmly under the microscope, with the Anfield crowd going wild.

But there is one man who believes the Liverpool manager is not getting the respect he deserves. He is his former assistant, Marino Pusic.

He is speaking to Voetbal International This week, admitting that he turned it down Chance to rejoin Liverpool with slot in 2024. Now he wants to defend his friend amid a rising tide of criticism.

A bond made at Feyenoord

Marino Pucic’s admiration for the Liverpool manager is unequivocal. They worked together at Feyenoord, and their time as a pair left a deep impression professionally and personally.

He said, “Working with Arne was a real pleasure.”

“There is a special bond between us. Since then it has become a form of friendship. As far as I am concerned, he is one of the best coaches in the world.”

“I’m talking about his demeanor, his football philosophy, how he expresses it and his manners. I can only speak lyrically about him.”

Liverpool deserve more credit

Despite leading Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, Arne Slot has faced criticism from the Liverpool fan base this season.

The Reds’ title defense has been nothing short of a disaster, with Liverpool currently 21 points behind Arsenal. They are currently in the battle to qualify for the Champions League, with five points separating them from fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Fifth would secure Champions League football next season. But there is a battle for that place too, with Chelsea one point behind in sixth and Brentford and Everton three points behind in seventh and eighth.

However, Pusic believes the reaction to Liverpool’s form this season has been unfair and historically blind.

“I think Arne deserves a lot more credit than he is getting at Liverpool right now,” he said.

“Many people forget how many times Liverpool have been champions of England in recent decades. Arne did it immediately in his first season, but Jurgen Klopp has also won the Premier League title only once.

“Before this, Liverpool last won the league title in 1990. And now the expectation is that Arne will win the title twice in a row. Especially because a lot of money has been spent. It doesn’t always work out.”

keep calm and carry on

Marino Pusic instead believes Liverpool need stability. This summer is already going to be a big one, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson already departing.

Reports have also linked Ellison to a departure. That would leave only Virgil van Dijk from the team that was so successful under Klopp.

Changing the manager will also create more instability. And Pusik doesn’t think that would be a wise move.

He concluded, “It will be good to remain calm at Liverpool and give confidence to Arne and his staff, Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.”