Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m a Real Madrid legend and Ballon d’Or runner-up, Jude Bellingham is the best player I’ve seen in a very long time

      by

      JUDE BELLINGHAM strikes fear within the ranks of Real Madrid’s rivals, according to a football legend.The Brit, 20, has been revelation since arriving at the Bernabeu last summer for an initial £88.5million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
      Jude Bellingham has been praised by one of Real Madrid’s greatest legendsCredit: Rex
      Real legend Raul claims Bellingham is the best player he’s seen in a very long timeCredit: Getty
      Twenty goals in 29 appearances, including 16 in LaLiga, is making a strong case for the midfielder to be considered the best player in the world this season.
      His first campaign in the famous white colours of Madrid saw him nominated on Monday for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.
      Raul is a club legend at Madrid, having won six league titles and three Champions Leagues as part of the Galacticos era.
      And the retired Spanish forward, 46, said: “Jude Bellingham is one of the players who has impressed me the most in the past few years.

      “I had the opportunity to see him training and playing in a few games, of course.
      “I think as the president of Real Madrid Florentino Perez would say, he was born to play in Real Madrid.
      “In such a short time, he’s known how to connect with people, with the values that Real Madrid and sports in general transmit.
      “And then, despite his young age, he’s very mature in his way of expressing himself, connecting with people. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a player with those qualities.
      Most read in Football
      “I wish him all the best because he’s just starting out. He hasn’t even been here in Madrid for six or seven months yet.
      “But I think Real Madrid fans are enjoying him a lot. Rivals fear him, which is a really good sign.
      Erling Haaland tells Jude Bellingham to ‘get back to training’ in Yorkshire accent

      “And I think he’s a guy with a very clear mind. He knows what he wants and I think he’s going to give a lot to Real Madrid.
      “He’s also going to give a lot to his national team, too.
      “Because he’s going to be a role model to all those girls and boys, who want to be a footballer or be involved in sports. Mainly through hard work, he’s achieving his dreams.”
      Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning Manchester City team and Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland head the list of nominations for the 25th Laureus World Sports Awards.
      Football superstar Lionel Messi, tennis world No1 Novak Djokovic, F1 world champion Max Verstappen and South Africa World Cup-winning rugby captain Siya Kolisi have all been shortlisted for accolades.
      The winners of the Awards will be revealed in Madrid on Monday, April 22. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool quadruple odds slashed by bookies after Wembley heroics in Chelsea cup final win

      by

      LIVERPOOL have secured the first quarter of what could be a fairytale final season under Jurgen Klopp.That extra-time Wembley win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final was labelled by Klopp as his ‘most special’ trophy success in his time at the club, despite securing the Premier League and Champions League during his tenure.
      The Reds still have three trophies to play for after securing the Carabao CupCredit: Getty
      BETFAIR: £30 IN FREE BETS*
      But given the lengthy injury list, star-studded players watching from the stands and finishing the game with three teenagers just starting out their careers made, you could see it meant a lot to Klopp.
      With some big hitters to come back and their current leading position in the Premier League table, is there more to come for the German and his players this year?
      Bookmakers Betfair certainly think so and have been forced to slash the odds of a clean sweep of trophies into just 25/1 from 1500/1 at the start of the season.
      Despite leading the way, Liverpool are 23/10 second favourites behind Manchester City to win the Premier League this season.
      They also trail Pep Guardiola’s men at 16/5 in the betting for the FA Cup, with a 5th round clash at home to Southampton to come this weekend.
      Liverpool trophy specials this seasonOdds of winning multiple trophies

      Premier League and Europa League 15/2
      FA Cup and Europa League 9/1
      Premier League and FA Cup 10/1
      Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League 25/1 (was 1500/1 at start of season)

      Odds in the remaining competitionsBetfair odds
      Premier League winner

      Manchester City 4/5
      Liverpool 23/10
      Arsenal 16/5

      Betfair – FA Cup winner

      Man City 9/5
      Liverpool 16/5
      Man Utd 8/1
      Newcastle 9/1
      Chelsea 10/1

      Betfair – Europa League winner

      Liverpool 7/4
      AC Milan 13/2
      Brighton 10/1
      West Ham 14/1
      Sporting Lisbon 16/1
      Roma 16/1

      BETFAIR: £30 IN FREE BETS*

      On the continent, they’re expected to steamroll to success in the second tier competition, leading the way by far in the betting markets as the 7/4 favourites – with Milan second favs at 13/2.
      Adding the Premier League and Europa League to their Carabao Cup success is a 15/2 shot, the FA Cup and Europa League is 9/1 while a domestic treble of League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League is a 10/1 go.
      Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Odds have been slashed on Liverpool winning the quadruple with the Reds now 25/1 to complete a clean sweep, having been 1500/1 at the start of the season.
      “The Reds, who are 23/10 second favourites to win the Premier League, are as short as 15/2 to win a second treble under Jurgen Klopp. The Reds are 16/5 to add the FA Cup to the mantelpiece this season, while they are the 7/4 favourites to lift the Europa League.”
      BETFAIR: £30 IN FREE BETS*

      *New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly

      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A responsible gambler is someone who:

      Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
      Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
      Never chase their losses
      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
      Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
      Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

      Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
      For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Mauricio Pochettino hits back at Gary Neville’s ‘billion pound bottlejobs’ jibe after Chelsea lose Carabao Cup final

      by

      MAURICIO POCHETTINO hit back at Gary Neville’s “blue billion-pound bottlejobs” taunt after his megabucks Chelsea lost to Liverpool’s kids in the Carabao Cup final.The Blues – who famously spent more than a billion quid on players in the Todd Boehly era – were undone by Virgil van Dijk’s header with two minutes of extra time to go.
      Mauricio Pochettino reckons Gary Neville’s criticism was ‘unfair’Credit: Rex
      Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Conor Bradley show their youthful delight after Liverpool’s Wembley defeat of ChelseaCredit: Getty
      That was despite Liverpool having rookies Jayden Danns, 18, Bobby Clark, 19, and James McConnell, also 19, on the pitch by the end of the game.
      It led to Neville’s bottlejobs barb in commentary, which Poch branded as “unfair”.
      The Argentine said: “I didn’t hear what he said, but if you compare the age of the two groups, I think it is similar.
      “I have a good relationship with Gary and I don’t know if that’s how I can take this opinion. But I respect his opinion.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      “Of course, we made a few changes with (Conor) Gallagher and (Ben) Chilwell in extra time.
      “But it is true we didn’t keep the energy of how we finished the second half.
      “I don’t know how you can describe this situation. But for sure I feel proud. I feel proud of the players, I think they made a big effort.
      “We are a young team and (it is) nothing to compare with Liverpool (just) because they finished with also a few young players. I think it’s impossible (to compare the two sides).
      Most read in Football

      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “He (Neville) knows, he knows the dynamics are completely different.
      “I think it’s not fair to talk in this way, if he said that.
      Chelsea fan Astrid Wett suffers ultimate Wembley nightmare before fellow Blues supporter steps in to save the day
      “But I think we are going to keep strong and keep believing in this project and see what we can do in the future.”
      Chelsea’s team at the end of the game may have cost the earth and had no teenagers in it, but ironically its average age of 22.6years was younger than Liverpool’s of 24.1.
      The defeat saw Pochettino’s long wait for a trophy in English football continue, having lost the 2015 League Cup final to Chelsea and 2019 Champions League final to Liverpool during his five-year reign at Tottenham.
      They can still win the FA Cup this season and face old rivals Leeds in the fifth round on Wednesday, but have dropped to 11th in the Premier League.
      Former Southampton boss Pochettino said there was still plenty of time for his youngsters to win silverware – but the same can not be said for himself.
      The 51-year-old, who won Ligue Un as Paris Saint-Germain boss in 2022, added: “My emotions, it is the same as the players.
      The players need to feel the pain… We need to work more, we need to do better things.Mauricio Pochettino
      “I am so disappointed, it is so painful. I am an older guy that has less time to win titles, they are younger than me and for sure they have time.
      “But in football always it is about when you have the opportunity.
      “Now we need to move forward. But the players need to feel the pain. We played for a trophy and we didn’t get it.
      “They need to realise we need to work more, we need to do better things, we need to improve.”
      Pochettino urged his side to take inspiration from Jurgen Klopp’s side, who themselves lost major finals before eventually becoming serial winners.
      He added: “To compete at this level against a team that is in the last five, six, seven years is competing for big things, it is about to arrive here first and then feel what it means to play for a big trophy.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “I remember after three or four years Liverpool lost the Champions League final, they lost the Europa League final, and they believed in the project.
      “They were in the next seasons stronger until they get what they wanted. That is a good example if we want to challenge a team like Liverpool.” More

    • 275 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I really wanted to leave & join PSG’, says ex-Chelsea star as opens up on life at the Blues under Frank Lampard

      by

      FORMER Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has opened up about his struggles under Frank Lampard at Chelsea.The German defender played for the Blues between 2017 and 2022, making 203 appearances for the club.
      Rudiger has revealed he did not like playing under Frank LampardCredit: Alamy
      Rudiger wanted to move to Paris to get away from LampardCredit: PA
      He then left the side to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
      Despite being seen as Chelsea’s best centre-back by the time he left, Rudiger lost his spot in the Chelsea side under Frank Lampard, who has managed the club for two separate spells now.
      Lampard’s first stint in charge coincided with Rudiger’s time at the club and during that time, the German international found himself behind Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen in the pecking order.
      Speaking on the matter, Rudiger said: “To be honest, I still can’t say exactly what happened back then. That’s part of football. 
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      “Maybe he [Lampard] had other ideas or saw other players better. But the good thing about football is that the answer is on the pitch and I think I gave the perfect one. 
      “Nothing like that has ever happened in my career. I even played under Lampard again at the end of his tenure. Let me put it this way: if it doesn’t fit at some point, then it doesn’t fit anymore. But no footballer in this world loses on purpose. 
      “I really wanted to leave. I wanted to leave. I wanted to join Paris Saint-Germain, that was my wish.”
      The defender was desperate to play for Thomas Tuchel in Paris, who he describes as an “honest manager”.
      Most read in Football
      He was full of praise for the struggling Thomas Tuchel, howeverCredit: Reuters
      As fate would have it, Tuchel would be the man that replaced Lampard in West London in January 2021.
      His reign at the Blues was a remarkable success, with the German manager guiding Chelsea to a Champions League triumph that season.
      I played under Frank Lampard but we didn’t get on at all… if we met on a night out we’d probably get into a fight
      He also led Chelsea to a Club World Cup the following season, Rudiger’s final one at the club.
      But the German tactician is having a less successful time of it at Bayern Munich since taking over this time last year.
      He was dismissed from his role last week following a run of three straight defeats, although he will continue to manage the side until the end of the season.
      The manager will no doubt be grateful for Rudiger’s praise during a season that has been full of bad PR. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I won the Champions League with Chelsea… but Carabao Cup final vs Liverpool is BIGGER, says Ben Chilwell

      by

      BEN CHILWELL believes lifting the Carabao Cup could be bigger for Chelsea than their 2021 Champions League win.Left-back Chilwell, 27, was a major part of the Blues team which charged to Euro glory.
      Ben Chilwell won the Champions League wit Chelsea in 2021Credit: Reuters
      Chilwell is far from underestimating the importance of Carabao Cup gloryCredit: Getty
      He captains Mauricio Pochettino’s young side against Liverpool as the club bid to win their first trophy since Todd Boehly’s £4.2billion takeover in 2022.
      Chilwell said: “The prestige of the Champions League is obviously higher but I’d say this is more important in terms of where the club is now.
      “With the group we have, such a young group, such a new group, where there has been ups and downs this season.
      “To get this one as a team and as a staff and with the fans, it would be massive for the club and arguably bigger than the Champions League in the way we want the club to go.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Chilwell is still smarting from Chelsea’s recent 4-1 pummelling at Anfield.
      And he is out for revenge for defeats by the Merseysiders in the Carabao AND FA Cup finals in 2022.
      He said: “This is massive for many reasons. The fact we’ve lost to them twice in two finals.
      “We want to get revenge. Secondly, it’s a major trophy. Everyone wants to win major trophies. It’s a cup final at Wembley.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “For me it doesn’t get much bigger than a cup final at Wembley.
      “Then for the team in general if we can get that first trophy as a team it can give us the confidence, drive and hunger to get more.”
      How Chelsea lined up against Liverpool in 2022 Carabao Cup final with just TWO of starting XI still at club
      Chilwell is desperate to get Chelsea back into EuropeCredit: Alamy
      Victory in Sunday’s final will give Chelsea a European place again after a season out — even if it is the Europa Conference League.
      Chilwell said: “Everyone wants to be involved in European football.
      “With the young team we have now a lot of players haven’t played European football.
      “It’s another step to growing as a team and experience not just playing in Europe but also the experience in playing 50-55 games a season, which we want to be doing.
      “The main focus on Sunday is to win and then the silver lining of that win is we get European football as well.” More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Karren Brady: Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe out for Man City’s title of ‘world’s best’… but Guardiola won’t be scared

      by

      HAVING already captured one crown jewel in Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid are set to acquire another in French super-scorer Kylian Mbappe.Spain’s most revered club’s ambition is to rule the Champions League for a long time. At the Bernabeu, they crave to change popular opinion that Manchester City are the finest team in the world.
      Kylian Mbappe could form an electric pairing at Real with Vinicius JrCredit: Getty
      Man City have their own lethal striker in Erling HaalandCredit: AFP
      It may happen soon enough on the field, but it might also eventually be aided if City fall foul of alleged financial offences and face a near-unbridgeable barrier to buying ultra-expensive players.
      You can be sure Pep Guardiola will have much to say in football language whether or not his bargaining position is weakened.
      But no matter who wins Europe’s major competition this June, in Mbappe, Real have another ace to play.
      Pep, proud of his Catalan background, has won the Champions League three times as a manager, twice at Barcelona where previously he had played for 15 years.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      His latest triumph came last season with City’s first, 12 months after Real’s 14th.
      So a claim to be ‘the Greatest’ is paper-thin and Guardiola would not be silly enough to use it. Still, it’s the sort of plaudits supporters love and, after all, they are the people who matter.
      The passion of the Barca-Real rivalry is replicated to a degree in City-United.
      But there is no doubt in my mind that while Pep would be unhappy at United becoming top dogs in the Premier League, there is one real — and Real — lasting challenge for any aspiring team.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      City were never likely to chase Mbappe’s signature. The oil money is there but not the circumstances.
      Anyway, for all the threat of Mbappe, Pep has just as potent a scorer in Erling Haaland.
      Pep Guardiola believes his side are going to be remembered for many years to come
      There is also a warning to Real boss Carlo Ancelotti in the fate of Paris Saint-Germain’s bank-shaking bid for greatness in buying three of the best forwards in the game and stepping back to watch it happen. It never did.
      The trio of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe were never able to capture Europe’s top trophy.
      And this season at Bayern Munich the costly addition of Harry Kane was supposed to guarantee their 12th consecutive Bundesliga title. How the mighty are kicked in the pants.
      In fairness to PSG, they are still in this season’s Champions League and their prospects of winning the trophy were kept active this week by a 2-0 home win in the last 16 against Real Sociedad. Guess who scored the opening goal?
      Over at Real, Mbappe — with Vinicius Junior alongside him — are powerful reasons for manager Ancelotti to believe his side will be stronger next season.
      But the loss of Luka Modric and the ageing of Tony Kroos suggests that his midfield may not be quite so overwhelming.
      Ancelotti led teams to four Champions Leagues and was sacked by Chelsea a year after his side won the Premier League and FA Cup.There was madness as well as greatness in the days of Roman Abramovich.
      Mbappe was always likely to join Real, his favourites even as a lad in Paris.
      Maybe several English clubs thought about bidding but it became less likely as the effects of the £105million rule that cost Everton ten points became clear.
      Even the richest will have to balance purchases against sales and City themselves are selling fine young players such as Cole Palmer to Chelsea.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Guardiola will work his way through this problem, no doubt. He has a classic team and, in Haaland and Phil Foden, two young forwards to match any.
      Neither will City, the first club to win the Treble of Prem, FA Cup and Champions League, be frightened of any side. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I played under Jose Mourinho when Chelsea had SEVEN national captains in starting XI… I know what truly made him special

      by

      MICHAEL BALLACK has explained why Jose Mourinho was so special to play under – when Chelsea had SEVEN national skippers.The midfield legend says the “provocative” Portuguese boss “stood out” from other managers and persuaded the German to snub Manchester United.
      Jose Mourinho made a huge impression on Michael BallackCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Ex-Bayern Munich hero Ballack won the Premier League once and the FA Cup three times with Chelsea from 2006-10.
      And even though Mourinho departed Stamford Bridge for the first time in 2007, the 98-cap ace singled him out for a glowing tribute.
      Incredibly, Ballack featured for a Blues side containing six fellow national captains whose status was as iconic as his own.
      That exalted list contained England’s John Terry, Ivorian Didier Drogba, Ghanaian Michael Essien, Ukraine superstar Andriy Shevchenko, Czech keeper Petr Cech and Nigerian John Obi Mikel.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      And interviewed on Jeff Stelling’s Football’s Greatest, Ballack said: “This is something really special, to play with six or seven national team captains.
      “That was an interesting group. But as I mentioned, with Jose Mourinho there was a coach who stands out. 
      “You know, of all these characters, he was leading the team in a certain way. 
      “You trusted him. It’s really important that the team trusts the coach.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “He was also a nice guy – a little provocative, in a nice way. 
      “But in the dressing room he was really a nice guy, and he was funny. He was a family guy. He was really special.”
      Mauricio Pochettino targets first trophy under Todd Boehly with Chelsea facing Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final
      Mourinho famously called himself “a special one” when meeting the press after Chelsea lured him from Porto in 2004.
      The tag stuck as he moved on to boss Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea again, Man Utd, Tottenham and, most recently, Roma.
      Now, at the age of 61, Mourinho is in a rare spell out of management.
      But having won the Champions League twice and eight domestic titles amid a huge haul of silverware, he’ll expect to find another top-level role – should he want one. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans fear for Premier League’s fifth Champions League spot after tricky Europa League draw

      by

      FANS fear the Premier League could miss out on a fifth Champions League spot after English teams were dealt a tricky Europa League draw.Uefa’s expansion of the Champions League next season means there will be an extra automatic place from the domestic leagues of the two best-performing countries across the three European competitions.
      West Ham and Brighton could play a big role in boosting the Premier League’s coefficient
      England stood in third, narrowly behind second-placed Germany, at the end of the group phase in December.
      But the Prem’s coefficient ranking will be boosted if English clubs continue to progress in European competition this season.
      However Arsenal are in danger of Champions League elimination after losing the first leg of their second round tie with Porto 1-0.
      While Brighton have now been handed a tricky tie against Roma, who won the Europa Conference League in 2022.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Liverpool will be expected to beat Sparta Prague but West Ham face a challenging test in Freiburg.
      Aston Villa, meanwhile, have been paired with Ajax in the Conference League draw.
      Fans fear the Premier League’s coefficient will take a hit if Brighton and West Ham exit the Europa League in the next round, particularly the Hammers as opponents Freiburg play in the Bundesliga and a win for them would push Germany further ahead of England.
      One supporter reacted to the draw saying: “Premier League’s coefficient is finished if West Ham and Brighton both go out. More damaging if West Ham go out.”
      Most read in Champions League

      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Another added: “West Ham have an easy draw….more sad for Brighton”
      And a Chelsea fan wrote: “It’s looking long for our chances of Europe if we lose this Sunday.”
      Uefa’s coefficient ranking sees all the match and bonus points acquired by a country’s clubs divided by the number of teams involved at the start of the season – with England and Spain both having the maximum possible eight.
      It meant that City’s win over Copenhagen and a potential Arsenal win at Porto can earn England a maximum 0.5 ranking points.
      By contrast, Germany with five teams in action, could have earned 2.142pts, France (five clubs) 3.167pts, Spain (six clubs) 1.5pts and Italy (five teams) 2.286pts.
      The Premier League was not helped by Man Utd and Newcastle’s last-placed finishes in the Champions League group stage, which saw them exit Europe altogether.
      ‘Very good, I like that’ says Europa League draw host after Man Utd icon John O’Shea’s cheeky joke live on TV More