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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/06/2017 21:44:04
| | Les Reed looks forward to future under PellegrinoREADSOUTHAMPTON |
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Virgil van Dijk is heading to Chelsea… and so is Tiemoue Bakayoko - Amy Christophers
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The Yahoo Sports contributor says the Southampton centre-back in Stamford Bridge bound along with Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Monaco midfielder has long been a target for Antonio Conte but a deal seems to be close. Van Dijk was heavily linked with Liverpool this summer before they dramatically pulled out of the race for the Dutchman. But Christophers says he is heading to west London.
“Van Dijk and Bakayoko off to Chelsea” She tweeted: “Van Dijk and Bakayoko off to Chelsea #cfc #spicefers #TransferTalk” Antonio Conte is said to have been frustrated by a lack of action in the transfer market. But if Christophers is right he’ll be pleased with his business soon. Liverpool legend John Aldridge said earlier this week that Van Dijk might need to take drastic action if he was to force a move to Anfield. He explained: "Tapping up goes on all the time in the game and even if Liverpool went a bit far in their pursuit of Van Dijk before they spoke to Southampton, I don’t believe this transfer story is dead in the water.
"Van Dijk needs to make the next move and I reckon he will tell Southampton that he wants out and he wants to go to Liverpool. "Players and their agents hold all the power these days and if he says he won’t kick another ball for Southampton and demands a move, it will happen. "I don’t like the way the game has gone in some ways and players can hold clubs to ransom if they want a move and big money offers are coming in.
"Let’s look at the facts here: Southampton paid £13m for this guy a couple of years ago and they could end up making a profit of around £40m on him. "I believe Celtic have a sell-on clause in the contract that will give them a handy sum of cash, but Southampton will be in the money and the cash they get from selling Van Dijk could give their new manager a massive transfer kitty to work with. “So I still see this transfer happening one way or the other and I certainly hope it does because I’d like to have seen a little more movement from Liverpool in the transfer market this summer.”
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Southampton set course for era of change with Mauricio Pellegrino
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To predict who a club might appoint as its next manager, a good place to start is often the man they have just discarded. And then expect the opposite.
Think Jose Mourinho to Avram Grant. Steve McClaren to Fabio Capello. Harry Redknapp to Andre Villas-Boas or Sam Allardyce to Gareth Southgate. The desire for change invariably prompts a swing to a very different sort of personality and that theory, by all accounts, holds true in Southampton’s decision this summer to trade Claude Puel for Mauricio Pellegrino.
While Puel was quiet, low key and either unable (due to the language) or simply unwilling to offer any real insight into his feelings or opinion, the first thing that anyone tells you about Pellegrino is how personable he is. The same descriptions come up again and again. “He has a presence. A communicator. Inclusive.” His command of English is fluent and his time spent working and briefly playing in the Premier League was a factor in his appointment.
Pellegrino’s one previous appearance as a player at St Mary’s for Liverpool in 2005 certainly merits retelling. He was 33 at the time and his defensive performance – described in these pages as “a liability” in a Peter Crouch-inspired 2-0 defeat – was ultimately significant for two reasons. By the start of the following season, Liverpool had bought Crouch and Pellegrino had been released before returning as assistant to manager Rafael Benítez.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/06/2017 22:44:22
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| QPR u23s to take on Aston Villa, Real Sociedad and Southampton in pre-seasonGETWESTLONDON || Chelsea target experienced UCL finalist to solve Virgil van Dijk problemFOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Chelsea to offload Ake to make room for Van DijkREADCHELSEA |
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| | Newcastle United are set to face even more competition in the race to sign Arsenal defenderCHRONICLELIVENEWS |
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| | Four reasons why Mauricio Pellegrino will be a successREADSOUTHAMPTON |
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/06/2017 23:44:35
| | Chelsea need to overcome two huge obstacles to sign Virgil van Dijk [Metro] GIVEMESPORT |
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| Manchester City ready to spend £25m on Southampton defender | Manchester City are reportedly ready to step up their pursuit of Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand, and are willing … 24-06-2017 |
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| Les Reed looks forward to future under Pellegrinoa day ago |
| Five facts about new Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino2 days ago |
| Twitter Reacts - Saints appoint Pellegrino2 days ago |
| Pellegrino delighted to join Southampton2 days ago |
| Southampton appoint Mauricio Pellegrino as new manager2 days ago |
| Juventus enquire for key Southampton full-back2 days ago |
| Chelsea make €68m offer to sign Virgil van Dijk2 days ago |
| Mauricio Pellegrino to sign three-year deal with Southampton2 days ago |
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 25/06/2017 00:44:51
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| Mauricio Pellegrino gets Southampton jobNEWINDPRESS |
| | Guided Alaves to a first major cup final in 16 years: All you need to know about Southampton’s new manager Mauricio …SQUAWKA |
| | Is Mauricio Pellegrino The Right Man To Take Southampton To Next Level? – SoccerSoulsSOCCERSOULS |
| | Chelsea round-up: Substantial bid for Premier League star; contract talks on hold; striker to be sold at bargain priceTHEBOOTROOM | ...reelingly spawned by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!
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Liverpool old boy sees title challenge if Klopp lands his other two big targets
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Liverpool can end 28 years of title misery and finally win the Premier League IF Jurgen Klopp lands all his major summer targets.
That’s the view of former Kop star Jason McAteer, who believes the Reds could be edging towards their first title triumph since Kenny Dalglish guided them to their last crown in 1990.
Despite Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all set to spend big in the transfer market this summer, McAteer reckons Klopp could blow them all out of the water if he can slot in the final pieces of his Anfield jigsaw.
And having already landed £39million Roma winger Mohamed Salah , McAteer believes if Klopp can add Naby Keita , RB Leipzig’s midfield tackling machine, and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk , the Kop’s wait for title glory could be nearly over.
“Initially, I was thinking Liverpool should be targeting a cup, a decent run in the Champions League and a top-three finish next season,” says McAteer. “But if Jurgen Klopp can nail down his three major transfer targets then, with the attacking options he’s got in the squad, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be pushing to win the title.
“He would have unbelievable strength if he gets his three targets because that trio would all start and then you have guys like Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can to fit round them.
“Liverpool finished last season strongly with eight wins in their last 12 games so the team is moving forward. They have the basis of a tremendous side.
“Last season everyone, me included, got carried away with the start the team had. But then it all unravelled and we suffered through January and February.
"Mane went to the Africa Cup of Nations, Coutinho was out, the team won only one of their nine games in January and players looked tired.
“They just ran out of steam and the confidence they’d built up just drained away. Once you lose momentum it’s very hard to recover, especially as Chelsea just kept winning their games.
“The January transfer window wasn’t a good one for Liverpool either and Jurgen got caught out a little bit because his squad just wasn’t strong enough. So the window this time is an important one for him and he needs to get it right if Liverpool are going to be contenders.”
The signing of Salah is the perfect start.
But McAteer believes landing Leipzig’s Guinea international midfield star Keita would be an even better signing.
“I watch a lot of the Bundesliga and Keita is a terrific player. He’s in the mould of N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele – he’s full of energy, always breaking play up and getting his team on the front foot,” he said.
“If Klopp manages to get him out of Leipzig it would be fantastic and allow Can to play a more forward role which would suit him better.”
McAteer is confident there could still be life in Klopp’s controversial move for centre-back Van Dijk – even though Saints complained the Dutchman had been illegally ‘tapped up’.
But he is convinced the Anfield giants’ best business will be the summer window closing at 11pm on August 31 with playmaker Coutinho – a Barcelona target – still in a Reds shirt.
“That would send a message around football that the players believe Liverpool are growing something special,” said McAteer. “Securing the Champions League was a must for Liverpool in keeping the hounds from the door for Coutinho.
“Liverpool needed a new superstar after losing Steven Gerrard, and Coutinho has filled that role. I do some ambassador work for Liverpool and everywhere I go, when you speak to fans about their favourite player, every time it’s Coutinho.
“So sometimes the best business you do in a summer window is keeping your star player like Everton did with Romelu Lukaku last season.”
Although Tottenham will keep hold of star duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli, McAteer believes that, of the top six clubs, Mauricio Pochettino’s men could struggle most next season.
“I worry for Spurs because playing at Wembley will be inspirational for every visiting team. It will be like a cup final,” added McAteer. “Opposing teams will love going there and it could stifle Tottenham badly.
"But I don’t see them as the only big side with problems. Chelsea looked strong last season, but I get the feeling with Antonio Conte there is always some disruption lurking.
"Last season, Pep Guardiola was caught in the headlights by the intensity of the Premier League, but he’s bought a real player in Bernardo Silva and I expect Manchester City to challenge hard. Man United will be better too. Jose Mourinho will want the league title and I don’t see them having the same number of draws that killed their season last time.
“Everton could be the team to watch, because they’ve made some good signings and can break into the top six if they can replace Lukaku if he leaves. But it’s going to be fascinating.”
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Football transfer gossip: Ronaldo, Lacazette, Mendy, Bertrand, Barkley
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For the latest gossip and debate, check out our Sportsday rolling news service every weekday, and for a list of all the completed deals, see our transfers page.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants to sign four new full-backs - Juventus’ Dani Alves, 34, Tottenham’s Kyle Walker, 27, Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand, 27, and Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy, 22. (Star on Sunday)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s lawyers claim the Real Madrid striker, 32, paid too much tax to Spanish authorities rather than too little. (Cadena Cope - in Spanish)
Ross Barkley, 23, wants to leave Everton so he can improve his chances of making England’s World Cup squad, should Gareth Southgate’s side qualify. (Sun)
Lyon’s president says Arsenal will have to improve their bid to €65m (£57m) if they want to sign 26-year-old forward Alexandre Lacazette. (L’Equipe - in French)
Former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho, 28, says Barcelona want to sign him, but he is happy at Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. (Globo - in Portuguese)
Arsenal’s 19-year-old forward Chris Willock is set to sign for Benfica on a free transfer. (Sunday Mirror)
Bournemouth are set to sign Chelsea’s 22-year-old defender Nathan Ake for £20m. (Sun)
Lyon want to sign Manchester City’s 21-year-old Belgian centre-back Jason Denayer on loan. (Mail on Sunday)
Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has ruled himself out of the running to replace David Moyes as Sunderland manager. (Mail on Sunday)
Ex-Aston Villa and Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke spoke to Sunderland about the position - but he won’t be offered the job. (Birmingham Mail)
Stoke are still waiting to see if Villa are prepared to double their £500,000 bid for 33-year-old midfielder Glenn Whelan. (Stoke Sentinel)
Newcastle and Southampton are keen to sign Arsenal’s 22-year-old defender Calum Chambers. (Evening Chronicle)
Valencia want to sign Arsenal’s 24-year-old reserve keeper Emiliano Martinez and are prepared to pay £5m. (Sun)
Real Madrid’s 23-year-old striker Mariano Diaz is close to a £13.2m move to Lyon. (Marca)
England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd has been using a Subbuteo set to illustrate tactical analysis. (The FA)
Arsenal have held further talks with Lyon about 26-year-old striker Alexandre Lacazette, who would be a club-record £49m signing. (Telegraph)
The Gunners have made a £44m bid for the France international and his arrival could mean compatriot Olivier Giroud, 30, leaving the club. (Guardian)
Paris St-Germain are preparing a bid in excess of £60m for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, 29. (Times - subscription required)
Chelsea have agreed a deal in principle with Monaco for 22-year-old midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, and hope to complete the £35.1m signing next week. (Evening Standard)
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Liverpool still in frame for Van Dijk despite Chelsea preparing offer
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Liverpool remain in the hunt to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
Chelsea are expected to make a £60million offer for the Holland international to prompt negotiations with the south coast club, however, the 25-year-old is still keen on a move to Anfield.
Southampton lodged a complaint against Liverpool over their pursuit of Van Dijk which was alleged to have resulted with Jurgen Klopp meeting the player in a Blackpool hotel.
It prompted a warning from the Premier League and an unprecedented apology from the Anfield club who said their interest in the player had ended.
Yet it is understood Chelsea are wary that Van Dijk still harbours a desire to move to Liverpool should he leave this summer.
Chelsea will sign Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco for £35.2m and are making an improved bid for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro.
His Juventus team-mate Leonardo Bonucci is also on Antonio Conte’s wishlist while Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng has also been discussed.
Chelsea though will have to offload a defender in the process with question marks over the futures of Nathan Ake, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma.
The young trio all want regular football and have interest from other Premier League and European sides.
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Jurgen Klopp won’t give up on signing Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool: He’ll cost £70m
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Van Dijk, 25, was repeatedly linked to Liverpool earlier in the summer.
But the Reds were forced into issuing an apology to Southampton after being accused of tapping up the Dutch centre-back.
However, it would seem German boss Klopp hasn’t given up on the idea of bringing Van Dijk to Anfield.
The Express claim Southampton have told Liverpool that their defender will cost £70m if they want to sign him this summer.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 25/06/2017 06:46:32
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| Portugal and Cedric Soares reach Confederations Cup semi-finalFANSIDEDSAINTSMARCHING |
| | City ready to splash £25m on BertrandREADSOUTHAMPTON |
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#OnThisDay 15 years ago, Michael Svensson joined #SaintsFC!
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Liverpool gossip: Reds ‘refuse to give up on Van Dijk - but price has gone up’
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Liverpool are reportedly refusing to give up on signing Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds seemed to have given up on the Dutchman after being accused of tapping him up, but that may not be the case.
The Sunday Express says that Liverpool are willing to pay up to £70million for the 25-year-old’s services.
But what other Liverpool transfer news is there in Sunday’s papers? Here is our round-up…
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will continue the Anfield spending spree with a £30million move for Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain .
The Kop boss completed a £39m deal for Roma winger Mohamed Salah on Thursday and, has now set his sights on raiding the Emirates for the Gunners ’ England midfielder.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, has just 12 months left on his contract and has become frustrated at the club’s lack of talks over a new deal — and with not being a regular starter under Arsene Wenger.
That has alerted Klopp, who is a confirmed admirer of the former Southampton starlet.
Daniel Sturridge needs to quit Liverpool to resurrect his career, says Jason McAteer.
He reckons Paris Saint-Germain would be the perfect destination for England international Sturridge , who has struggled to convince manager Jurgen Klopp he can be a regular, long-term striker.
A deal to join the Qatar-backed French side could hinge on their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo . PSG have made it clear they want to sign the 32-year-old superstar, if he leaves Real Madrid over Spanish tax fraud allegations.
The runners-up to Monaco in Ligue 1 are keen on Sturridge, too — but not at the £40million price slapped on the Kop star.
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It’s 15 years today since Swedish defender Michael Svensson signed for Saints – but can you correctly identify the six teams he scored against during his superb career with the club?
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 25/06/2017 08:46:58
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Why Mauricio Pellegrino can be a perfect fit for Saints
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MAURICIO Pellegrino has been confirmed as Saints’ latest boss.
The Argentine replaces Claude Puel in what is a very warm managerial hot-seat at St Mary’s.
Here, Simon Harrison - a Spanish-based football writer - looks at Pellegrino’s year in charge at Alaves and what he can bring to the Premier League.
Deportivo Alaves were La Liga’s biggest success story of last season.
Jose Luis Mendilibar’s Eibar punched well above their weight in terms of their budget, but many expected ‘El Glorioso’ to find themselves in the relegation dogfight alongside fellow promoted sides Osasuna and Leganes.
As it was, Mauricio Pellegrino guided them to a ninth-place finish, an unprecedented 24 points above the drop zone, and their first-ever Copa del Rey final which they bravely lost 3-1 to Barcelona.
Despite it being the club’s first season in the Spanish top flight for a decade, the Argentine coach was not the man who got them back into the big time.
Jose Bordalas secured promotion, a monumental achievement, but Alaves’ board saw enough positives from Pellegrino’s three-year spell coaching in Argentina to pull the trigger on a reshuffle.
Such trust did not come without pressure, as out-performing his predecessor would be difficult.
Gamble Pellegrino’s first managerial spell in LaLiga did not even last six months back in 2012, as Valencia dismissed him due to a poor league start - five wins and six defeats in his 14 matches.
At Mestalla, he looked to play with a two banks of four that pressed high, seeking to set up camp a long way from their own penalty area and take risks to create chances.
That gamble did not pay off.
This did not remain the case for his Alaves blueprint, but one factor was consistent: quick transitions that sought to penalise mistakes and hit opponents on the counter.
Last season, his four-man defence would set up fairly deep, with Real Madrid loanee Marcos Llorente breaking up play in central midfield, holding his position to combat turnovers of possession and ultimately keeping things simple.
A role that would suit Saints midfielder Oriol Romeu down to the ground.
At full back, Atletico Madrid’s young star Theo Hernandez acted as a flying wing back while on loan, with converted winger Kiko Femenia keen to maraud down the opposite flank and support the attack in the final third.
Again, these facets of Pellegrino’s system would be easily replicated by the likes of Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand. That suggests the current Saints squad already possesses attributes and players that compliment their new boss’ philosophy well.
Pellegrino managed to achieve the impossible in Spain with minimal funds, relying on loan deals from bigger clubs in order to bolster his squad with short-term options in key areas.
Next season, Alaves will struggle due to the bulk of their first-team spine being ripped out by players returning to their parent clubs, but their coach will start a new, longer chapter for himself at St Mary’s.
There he should be a great fit.
Saints have a well-balanced squad, which Pellegrino could not construct at his former club due to time and budget constraints.
Although he was able to showcase his qualities as a coach by ensuring that Alaves were one of the most organised and resilient units in the division, they didn’t create enough at the other end.
Defensively, they conceded just 43 times in the league, a record bettered only by Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Manolo Gabbiadini, Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez offer depth and star quality up front that Pellegrino lacked in La Liga.
Deyverson top scored for El Glorioso with just seven league goals, in a season that saw Alaves score just 41 times across 38 match days.
Those figures were replicated by Claude Puel’s at St Mary’s, where Nathan Redmond top scored with seven in a total of 41.
Alaves did not use an out-and-out number 10, as young second-division loanee Victor Camarasa played more as a secondary striker. Pellegrino also did not use wide options that offered much more than being able to whip well-placed crosses into the box.
It was fairly basic but effective, football and Pellegrino would be keen to adapt his system based on his latest charges.
Importantly, he is not rigid in his approach, and is not afraid to react tactically in-game.
Dusan Tadic, Sofiane Boufal and Redmond are far more creative and technically gifted than past personnel, who ran out of ideas in the final third at times.
With a sprinkle of additional quality, plenty of Alaves’ league-high 13 draws could have been narrow wins.
Saints’ impressive academy set up should be Pellegrino’s most important asset, however.
There is no fear to entrust young players with key roles in his system, mirroring the approach of his friend, compatriot and St Mary’s predecessor Mauricio Pochettino.
Pellegrino showed that by utilising Marcos Llorente, Victor Camarasa and Theo Hernandez.
The likes of James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Matt Targett and Sam McQueen will certainly be held in high regard.
Heaven Should Pellegrino wish to source young talent from other clubs, Saints will have the financial resources to secure them permanently.
Key targets can be tied down on long-term deals, rather than the year-long loans that Alaves were capable of negotiating.
The 45-year-old treated his only season at Mendizorroza in a manner that suggested he would have liked to built a legacy there, but ultimately his ambitions seemed too big for their humble means.
Southampton, in contrast, can offer Mauricio Pellegrino everything he wants, and more.
It should be a match made in heaven.
An astute, tactically aware coach with a tendency to utilise young players will be the perfect balance for success in the Premier League.
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#SaintsFC is wishing a happy and blessed Eid to all those celebrating today! #EidMubarak
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 25/06/2017 09:47:14
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Gallery: Pellegrino’s coaching career
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Look back at a selection of photos from Mauricio Pellegrino’s coaching and managerial career.
The 45-year-old began as a coach under Rafa Benítez at first Liverpool and then Internazionale.
He followed that up by taking charge of Valencia, in La Liga, before returning to his homeland for spells with Estudiantes and Independiente.
Most recently, he managed Spanish club Alavés last season, guiding them to one of the best campaigns in their history, as they finished ninth in their first year back in the top-flight, while also reaching a first ever Copa del Rey final, against Barcelona.
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