Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 163 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Brits who hate losing the most revealed – where does your area rank?

      by

      IT will come as no surprise to fed-up Newcastle United fans but it is now confirmed — Geordies are far and howay the worst losers.They hate getting beat at anything more than those in other regions, according to a poll.
      Folks from Newcastle are the worst losers in the country, according to a pollCredit: Reuters
      Newcastle United are currently having a spell of poor formCredit: Getty
      The footie team has been dumped out of the Champions League early and lost six out of their last seven Premier League games.
      But the long-suffering supporters and those in the rest of the North East also get miffed if they don’t win at board games.
      Even Geordie pop star Sting, former frontman in The Police, has admitted he is a sore loser.
      The singer, 72, who wrote their 1979 hit Can’t Stand Losing You, once grumbled his son Joe “always beats me at Scrabble”.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Meanwhile, Newcastle dad Simon Poulter, 56, confessed he had never let his kids win at anything.
      The design boss said: “My dad never let me win at anything and it’s the same with my kids.
      “If I’m taking shots at them in goal or playing them at Monopoly, I will do all I can to beat them.”
      The survey found 58 per cent in the North East consider themselves bad losers.
      Most read in Football
      The East of England region was the next worst, with the Scots, Brummies and Welsh not far behind.
      Online shop OnBuy.com, which commissioned the poll, said games brought “healthy competition” among pals and family — but not everyone could be winners.
      The Magpies have been dumped out of the Champions League early and lost six out of their last seven Premier League gamesCredit: Getty
      Even Geordie pop star Sting, former frontman in The Police, has admitted he is a sore loserCredit: Handout
      Who are Britain’s worst losers?
      1 – North East – 58%
      2 – East of England – 57%
      3 – Scotland – 56%
      4 – West Midlands – 54%
      5 – Wales – 54%
      6 – Yorkshire & Humber – 48%
      7 – South East – 47%
      8 – East Midlands – 45%
      9 – North West – 43
      10 – South West – 41% More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      I won Ballon d’Or, Premier League and reached Champions League final – but FA Cup victory was best day of my life

      by

      MICHAEL OWEN has revealed that winning the FA Cup in 2001 was the best day of his life.The former Liverpool star netted vital goals in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the final at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
      Michael Owen has insisted that winning the FA Cup with Liverpool was the ‘best day’Credit: Getty
      Owen, 44, fired in an equaliser for Gerard Houllier’s side after Freddie Ljungberg had given Arsenal the lead.
      The striker then grabbed a second that turned out to be the winner in the 88th minute.
      The victory completed an incredible year for the Reds in which they had also won the League Cup, Uefa Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Charity Shield.
      The final was held in Wales for the first time as Wembley Stadium was being reconstructed.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Owen enjoyed a fine career in which he turned out for clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Newcastle and Stoke City.
      He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 after a fantastic goalscoring year.
      Despite all his future success of playing in World Cups and winning a Premier League title, Owen has insisted that the day in Wales was the pinnacle.
      He told talkSPORT: “The best day of my life.
      Most read in Football
      “It was just an incredible season winning all those trophies.
      “We won five in that calendar year.
      “It was incredible, but that game against Arsenal in the FA Cup final is something I’ll never forget.”

      On the game itself, Owen admitted that he thought they were going to lose before he bagged his first goal.
      He added: “For about 85 minutes of the game, I thought we were going to get beaten.
      “They were an incredible team. It was sort of the ‘invincibles’ era.
      “We had a good team ourselves and we were in good shape at the time, winning plenty of trophies that season.”
      “I was in good form going into that game.
      “I’ve never been involved in a game where I’ve not had a chance. So even though there was 85 minutes on the clock, I knew I’d get a chance – fortunately, I got two.”
      Liverpool won five trophies that calendar yearCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Leaked new Chelsea away kit appears to commemorate one of greatest Stamford Bridge goals… with just one problem

      by

      CHELSEA’S new leaked away kit appears to pay homage to a great goal scored at Stamford Bridge.However, the goal in question was scored by Ronaldinho in 2005.
      A leaked Chelsea kit looks set to pay homage to Ronaldinho and BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Ronaldinho scored an iconic goal against Chelsea wearing the 2005 away kitCredit: Rex
      And kit manufacturer Nike now looks set to produce a similar away strip for next seasonCredit: Nike vis FOOTY HEADLINES
      🔵 A Stamford Bridge classic, #OTD in 2005!⏰⚽️0⃣8⃣ Gudjohnsen ⏰⚽️1⃣7⃣ Lampard ⏰⚽️1⃣9⃣ Duff ⏰⚽️2⃣7⃣ Ronaldinho⏰⚽️3⃣8⃣ Ronaldinho⏰⚽️7⃣6⃣ Terry @ChelseaFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/MhNGmjqzLq— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 8, 2021

      Back in the 2004/05 season, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea started their last 16 Champions League home leg against Barcelona 2-1 down following the first leg at the Camp Nou.
      Chelsea went on to produce a stunning 4-2 win after going 3-0 ahead inside 20 minutes.
      But it was Barcelona and Ronaldinho’s second goal 38 minutes into the game which stunned the world.
      The Brazilian trickster picked up the ball on the edge of the D before lashing a shot into the left side of the goal from a standing start.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      And the golden-reddish kit Ronaldinho and co wore that famous night almost 19 years ago now appears to be in works to be the inspiration behind Chelsea’s 2024/25 away kit.
      Leaked pictures on footyheadlines show Chelsea’s Nike manufactured kit with a similar colour.
      It is completed with blue lettering and a blue and red trim at the ends of the shirt and short sleeves.
      This blue trim is also complete on the blue trim, while the badge can be seen in blue and red colouration.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Chelsea would go on to be eliminated in semi-finals by Liverpool that season.
      They would eventually go on to lift the trophy for the first time in 2012 before winning it again in 2021.
      The Blues home kit also appears to have been leaked earlier this month.
      Although fans were not too happy discovering what the kit looked like.
      The leaked kit shows Chelsea with a golden-reddish lookCredit: FOOTY HEADLINES
      It comes complete with a blue and red trim, blue lettering and a red and blue badgeCredit: FOOTY HEADLINES
      Here’s how the kit could look on ChelseaCredit: Getty Images edited via FOOTY HEADLINES More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      How Girona pulling off the ultimate footballing fairytale could be a Champions League nightmare for Man City

      by

      IT would be a football fairytale that might even eclipse Leicester if Girona can hang on to top spot and win the Spanish league.And if they do it would be celebrated as enthusiastically in one corner of Manchester as it would in Catalonia.
      Girona are in the LaLiga title raceCredit: Rex
      Girona winning the league could see Man City lose their European spotCredit: PA
      The transformation of the club since the City Football Group acquired a stake in the summer of 2017 has been incredible.
      Opta’s latest European football Power Rankings – published just before Christmas – produced a few wry smiles at their Etihad HQ.
      Not surprisingly, City were top of their pile while Girona were ranked in 24th place – one spot above Manchester United.
      It’s looking increasingly likely they could have two clubs qualify for the Champions League next season – while the Red Devils’ hopes are fading.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Who could have seen that coming back in 1999 when Sir Alex Ferguson was leading his club to an historic treble on a famous night in Barcelona?
      Some 50 miles across the region that year, Girona were playing in the fifth tier of Spanish football – typically in front of around 200 fans.
      They only reached the top flight in their country in 2017, a couple of years after Pere Guardiola – younger brother of you know who –  had arrived to shake things up.
      Even now they have only spent four seasons in LaLiga – yet here they are looking down on the traditional heavyweights Real Madrid, Atletico and Barcelona from the summit.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Sunday’s 5-1 thumping of Europa League holders Sevilla was another indication they are not going to go without a fight.
      At the very least a place in the top four looks theirs for the taking – as they have an 11 point cushion to fifth place.
      Despite the rules around clubs with shared ownership, Guardiola Jr is optimistic they will be able to compete in the same competition as City.

      Asked if there is a possibility they wouldn’t be allowed into the Champions League, the club chairman said: “I don’t think so – the Uefa rules are clear.
      “Some adjustments will need to be made – but there won’t be any problems.”
      The governing body may need some convincing but Leipzig and Salzburg – both owned by Red Bull – have found ways round them before and the CFG will look to do likewise.
      Guardiola Jr went on to explain that the 13 clubs in the group are largely run independently – but there are things they can share.
      The model may have to be tweaked if Girona are playing in the same Uefa competition as their sister club City next season. 
      What clubs do the City Football Group own?CFG have a stake in 12 football clubs in six continents
      Manchester City: England
      New York City: United States
      Melbourne City: Australia
      Yokohama F. Marinos: Japan
      Montevideo City Torque: Uruguay
      Girona: Spain
      Sichuan Jiuniu: China
      Mumbai City: India
      Lommel: Belgium
      Troyes: France
      Palermo: Italy
      Bahia: Brazil

      Speaking to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Guardiola said: “Each club is organised and works individually. The model of a franchise cannot be applied to a football team.
      “But there is a synergy that leads to the sharing of data and information on players.
      “Daily life comes only from work on site – but there is still a sense of a team.
      “The sporting directors are in Manchester three or four times a year, the general managers have a weekly call to share the strategy of each club. It works very well.”
      Some would say it’s worked like a dream.
      Their highly-rated coach Michel Sanchez has assembled a squad of veterans, kids, free transfers and loans – spending only around £30million in the process.
      Among them are Brazilian pair Savio and Yan Couto – both borrowed from other clubs within the group.
      Eric Garcia and Aleix Garcia both had time on City’s books – while Prem fans will remember Daley Blind and keeper Pablo Gazzaniga.
      Yet they are top of the table on merit – top scorers in the league and with just one defeat – against Real Madrid back in September.
      No wonder Michel – who has been coach since summer 2021 – is being linked with other jobs such as Newcastle, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. 
      There is even talk the 48-year-old could be the man to step in once Pep finally decides to call time on his glittering spell at the Etihad.
      Out of the shadows
      Defender Eric Garcia – on loan from Barca – was well thought of by the current City boss and he might still be there now had he not turned down a new deal in summer 2020.
      But having played for both clubs he can see a common theme, saying: “The playing philosophy is very similar.
      “We try to play out from the back, press as quickly as possible when we lose the ball and play attacking football.
      “Obviously, from there our opponents are going to have chances because it’s what we expose ourselves to, although we try to minimise them.”
      After all these years in Barcelona’s shadow, kids in the city are now wearing Girona shirts  – and loving the journey their team are on.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Long-serving sporting director Quique Carcel admits these are emotional times and knows it will probably be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
      He said: “We could never have expected this. It’s historic. it won’t happen again because it is so, so difficult.”
      Pere Guardiola, seen here with brother Pep, is Girona’s chairmanCredit: AFP
      Artem Dovbyk is battling Jude Bellingham for the golden bootCredit: EPA More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Forgotten ex-Premier League star Moise Kean set to land stunning transfer that will see him return to Champions League

      by

      FORMER Everton ace Moise Kean is set to leave Juventus and join Atletico Madrid, reports suggest.Kean underwent a hapless four-year stint at Goodison Park where he managed a mere four goals and two assists in 39 appearances.
      Moise Kean is set to join Atletico Madrid on loan from JuventusCredit: Getty
      Ex-Everton ace Kean also received bids from Fiorentina and Monza but preferred AtleticoCredit: Getty
      The striker failed to stand out at the Toffees and was sent out on loan twice to Paris Saint-Germain and Juve, who signed him back on a permanent deal last year.
      However, the 23-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in Turin with the emergence of 18-year-old wonderkid Kenan Yildiz.
      And according to Sport Mediaset, the Italy international is now moving to Atletico on a surprise loan move during the January transfer window.
      Kean is “very close” to completing the move and joining Diego Simeone’s side.
      Read More on Football
      In fact, the two clubs have already reached an agreement and are working on the final details to complete the deal in the next few days.
      Kean is looking for more minutes and Atleti could offer him Champions League football as they are set to face Inter Milan in the Last 16.
      And the LaLiga giants can also help him seal a place in Luciano Spalletti’s Italy side ahead of Euro 2024.
      The Italian received offers from Fiorentina as well as Monza but ultimately opted for a bigger challenge at Atletico.
      Most read in Football
      Kean is expected to discuss his future with Juventus upon his return in the summer with his contract running out in 2025.
      The forward started out at the Bianconeri’s academy in 2010 and was promoted to the first team seven years later.
      The ex-Everton ace has since registered a total of 22 goals and three assists in 115 appearances across two stints with the Old Lady. More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Xavi brutally confirms date he will leave Barcelona if Spanish giants fail to meet his expectations this season

      by

      BARCELONA boss Xavi hinted he will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season if he doesn’t win a trophy.The Barca legend led his beloved club to the LaLiga title in his first full campaign in charge despite persistent financial issues.
      Barcelona boss Xavi revealed he will leave if he doesn’t win a trophy this seasonCredit: EPA
      Xavi hinted he could depart from Barcelona in JuneCredit: AFP
      However, the Catalan giants suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup Final on Sunday.
      And Barca have dropped to fourth place in LaLiga with eight points separating them and shock leaders Girona.
      Xavi is still determined to win either the league or Copa del Rey and still holds out hope for the Champions League.
      However, if the 43-year-old finishes the season empty handed he suggested he could leave in June – one year before his deal runs out.
      Read More on Football
      Xavi said: “This year, the objective is to win important titles, the Copa del Rey, LaLiga or the Champions League.
      “If the goals are not achieved, I will be the first to say that I did not achieve them and I will leave.”
      Xavi admitted he was “embarrassed” and “destroyed” following the Super Cup thrashing to Real.
      The former Barca captain did not hold back when he spoke about the performance after the whistle.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Xavi said: “I’m embarrassed. This is not the type of match we should play, especially in a final, and against Madrid.
      “As a Barça fan, I am destroyed. I’m sorry for the fanbase.
      “We lacked everything. We have to accept criticism. We were not up to par. I want to apologise. Congrats to Real Madrid, a deserved win.
      “We can’t start a final like this. We were horrible in the first ten minutes. We had a lot of expectations and motivation for the match. It’s a shame.” More

    • 275 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      My grandad played in last Newcastle team to win a trophy – now I’m playing in the Champions League for the club

      by

      NEWCASTLE midfielder Elliot Anderson is following in his grandfather’s footsteps as a Toon star.The 21-year-old has racked up 41 appearances for The Magpies since making his debut as a teenager back in 2021.
      Elliot Anderson is hoping to continue his grandfather’s legacy at St James’ ParkCredit: Getty
      Geoff Allen was a part of the Newcastle team that won their last major trophy in 1969Credit: Rex
      But he still has some way to go if he wants to leave a legacy rivalling his grandad, Geoff Allen.
      Allen, 77, the father of Anderson’s mother, Helen, became one of Newcastle’s youngest ever players when he made his debut aged 17 against Norwich in April 1964.
      The left winger went on to earn 26 caps for the North East outfit before injury cruelly cut his career short in 1970 at just 23.
      Yet despite his best years as a professional footballer being taken from him, the former England youth international was still a part of an iconic period at St James’ Park.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      It came when Newcastle lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 – their last major trophy.
      Allen, who had won the second division with the club four years earlier, started in their opening match of the Fairs Cup – which was also the Toon’s first ever competitive European game.
      And they sealed a legendary 4-0 victory over Feyenoord at St James’ Park – which ultimately led to a 4-2 aggregate win.
      They went on to lift the trophy after seeing off Sporting Lisbon, Real Zaragoza, Vitoria de Setubal, Rangers and Ujpest.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Newcastle have not won a major trophy in the 55 years that have followed.
      Anderson came close to repeating his grandad’s feat in 2023 when Eddie Howe’s men lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final.
      The young Newcastle star featured in two of their Champions League games earlier this season – most notably the 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain – maintaining the family legacy of playing for the Toon in some of their biggest European games.
      He has been sidelined since October with a back injury – one of a host of Newcastle absentees.
      But he revealed back in 2020 – after signing a new contract on his 18th birthday – that he is determined to make it on Tyneside.
      He said: “You just want to sort of try and carry it on [the legacy of his grandad Allen].
      “He got injured quite early which was a shame, but it gives you that bit more motivation to do it.
      “Every kid’s dream is to play for Newcastle – and it’s mine too, so hopefully I can be successful with it.” More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Champions League final streaker Kinsey Wolanski sparks football rules debate as fans say ‘it’s illegal to be this fine’

      by

      THE 2019 Champions League final streaker has sparked a football rules debate on social media.Kinsey Wolanski, 27, showed off her abs as she took an acrobatic throw in on Instagram.
      Champions League final streaker Kinsey Wolanski has sparked a football debateCredit: instagram / @kinsey
      The influencer had her fans saying ‘it’s illegal to be this fine’Credit: instagram / @kinsey
      Her latest social media video saw the influencer flip before launching the ball into the air.
      She stunned her fans in a cropped Colombia national team jersey and tiny black shorts as she took to the field.
      In the caption, she asked her followers: “Constant debate on this throw in… illegal or legal?”
      Kinsey’s fans were left swooning, with one commenting: “This was extremely legal. Wow.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Another simply added: “Absolutely phenomenal.”
      A third follower also wrote: “Nah, but it sure is illegal to be this fine.”
      Meanwhile, one more admitted: “We can look past the rules for this one.”
      The model shot to fame back over four years ago after running onto the pitch during the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham.
      Most read in Champions League
      She has gone on to amass 3.7million Instagram followers since her antics at the Metropolitano Stadium.
      Her fans are regularly treated to glamorous pictures, racy snaps and football videos on her feed.
      Kinsey is also now a helicopter pilot after securing her licence last year and often shows off her travels around the world.
      One trip in September saw her become Argentina’s sexiest fan as she showed her love for Lionel Messi and Co in Patagonia.
      Kinsey stunned in a Colombia shirt and skimpy black shortsCredit: instagram / @kinsey
      She showed off her acrobatics as she took a throw inCredit: instagram / @kinsey
      Kinsey has 3.7million followers on InstagramCredit: instagram / @kinsey
      She shot to fame by streaking at the 2019 Champions League finalCredit: Getty More