Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal set for massive boost with star man to open fresh contract talks after stellar season

      by

      WILLIAM SALIBA is set for fresh contract talks with Arsenal.The defender was a sensation in his Gunners breakout campaign before a back injury ended his season in mid-March.
      William Saliba is set for fresh contract talks with Arsenal.Credit: Getty
      Saliba, 22, started the first 27 Premier League games with his absence a major reason why Arsenal have fallen behind Manchester City in the title race.
      But his current Emirates deal expires in the summer of 2024 — with the centre-back spending most of his first three years at the club out on loan.
      The Gunners are therefore desperate to get him tied down long-term.
      Meanwhile, Arsenal are praying for a Manchester City meltdown — in Europe as well as in the Premier League.
      Read More on arsenal
      Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have already guaranteed second place in the table and a return to Champions League action after a seven-season absence.
      But if City beat Real Madrid tonight, it will increase the chances of Arsenal landing a nightmare draw — which could include the likes of BOTH Real and Bayern Munich — by being dropped into the third seeding pot.
      Arsenal’s faint title hopes will be extinguished this weekend if they fail to beat Nottingham Forest or City get three points against Chelsea.
      But this evening they have a major interest in Pep Guardiola’s side losing to Madrid and seeing their Euro dream shattered.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Next season’s eight top seeds for August’s group-stage draw in Monaco will be the champions of England, Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal, plus the Champions League and Europa League winners.
      Then will come the next eight highest-ranked sides on Uefa’s club coefficient calculation.
      Which, as things stand, would be Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, Inter Milan, Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Leipzig and Porto, with Arsenal one place out of the frame.
      Arsenal have fallen behind in the title raceCredit: Reuters More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans reckon Pep Guardiola is ‘at it again’ as Jack Grealish is spotted in bizarre new position in Man City training

      by

      FANS joked Pep Guardiola is “at it again” after seeing a snap of Jack Grealish playing IN GOAL during Manchester City training.The Prem champions take on Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday night.
      Jack Grealish had a go between the sticks in Man City trainingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Grealish grinned as he tried to give Ederson a run for his moneyCredit: Getty
      Boss Guardiola is aiming to win his first Champions League since 2011 and his maiden European title since leaving Barcelona.
      The 52-year-old has suffered a number of heartbreaking exits in the last 12 years, with fans often accusing him of “over-thinking” his selections.
      Examples include his infamous man-for-man three at the back deployed while managing Bayern Munich against Barca.
      While he also elected not to select a holding midfielder in the 2021 final against Chelsea.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      During City training this week, red-hot wide man Grealish was spotted between the sticks – with fans joking that Guardiola was about to make his wackiest selection yet.
      One jokingly asked: “What’s Pep cooking?”
      While a second quipped: “Ederson & Rodri double pivot. I like it.”
      And a third tweeted: “He definitely uses twitter.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Another added: “We’re in trouble with this man.”
      Ahead of Wednesday’s second leg, Guardiola pointed to his experience in the competition.
      He said: “I have been here many times.
      “My legacy is exceptional already. I have told the players to enjoy the moment – we are incredibly lucky to be here.
      “It’s in our hands, it depends on us, we don’t have to do something exceptional – just win one game to reach the final.
      “I have an incredible feeling about them. Whatever happens – thank you so much to them for bringing me and the City fans here again.”
      Pep Guardiola spoke ahead of Man City’s Champions League semi-final second legCredit: AFP More

    • 238 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch hilarious moment Thierry Henry walks off CBS Sports set with Richards & Carragher howling after Kate Abdo blunder

      by

      THIERRY HENRY hilariously walked off the set of CBS Sports after presenter Kate Abdo made a huge gaffe.The CBS team, which also consists of Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, often poke fun at one another during their Champions League coverage.

      Thierry Henry began to walk off set in disbeliefCredit: Twitter / @CBSSportsGolazo
      And ahead of Inter’s second-leg tie with AC Milan Abdo made herself the target of mockery with an embarrassing slip-up.
      The Brit muddled up the broadcaster she was working for, much to the amusement of her colleagues.
      Abdo said: “Speaking of that, there are some other people who aren’t so blessed to be here tonight.
      “Your Fox Sports…Fox Sports? We’re on CBS!”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Henry was in disbelief and dropped his mic onto the desk they were working at before walking away.
      Meanwhile Richards and Carragher were in stitches with the latter falling to his knees as he slammed the table.
      He reacted saying: “We’re all going to get sacked! Are there any jobs going at Fox?
      “Can you get fired on air.”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      A red-faced Abdo quickly apologised and tried to blame her blunder on the teleprompter.
      She said: “Oh man I’m about to get fired, I am so sorry.” More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Inter 1 AC Milan 0 (agg 3-0): Lautaro Martinez goal seals Nerazzurri’s Champions League final spot over fierce rivals

      by

      FAMILIAR foes could await Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in the Champions League final.Ex-City man Edin Dzeko and his Inter Milan team-mates are on their way to Istanbul after overcoming their fierce city rivals in the biggest tie Milan has seen for 20 years.
      Lautaro Martinez celebrates his winner on the nightCredit: Alamy
      Martinez, 25, fired Inter into the Champions League finalCredit: Reuters
      Martinez was the key man for InterCredit: Getty
      Martinez celebrates his goal with the fansCredit: AP
      Neither Carlo Ancelotti, a former Milan manager, or Guardiola, whose Barcelona side lost to Inter in the 2010 semi-final when the Serie A side went on to win the trophy for a third time, will underestimate them.
      Across these two legs Inter showed that they can be just as disruptive as they are dangerous.
      A true threat when they look to play direct attacking football, but not afraid to drag their opponents into a fight just in case they were thinking of playing any nice football.
      Simone Inzaghi’s side preciously guarded the advantage they had snatched here last week, before, with 15 minutes to go, Lautaro Martinez sealed their return to club football’s greatest stage.
      Milan’s route to Istanbul was always going to be more difficult given their torrid start to the first leg, when Edin Dzeko and Henrik Mkhitaryan had them on the deck after scoring inside 11 minutes.
      Stefano Pioli, the Milan manager, conceded that his side needed a miracle.
      Already in a horrible position, they were now facing the ‘away’ leg of this tie, with Inter fans dominating San Siro.
      A huge banner of a triumphant knight boasting the victims of this Champions League campaign (Barcelona and Bayern Munich among them) was unfurled to inspire Inter alongside the rallying cry: ‘Victory for us is life.’
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL

      Milan’s sliver of fans in the Curva Sud responded with: ‘To the assault’, but it never truly came.
      Hope that a miracle was possible arrived in the form of Rafael Leao’s name appearing on the teamsheet having missed the first leg with a thigh issue – though he was far from fit.
      But it always felt like this was one step too far for Milan, with or without Leao.
      If Milan were to have any hope, they needed a spectacular start.
      Theo Hernandez looked to provide that, flashing an effort narrowly over the bar from 40-yards out.
      Matteo Darmian was forced to head over his own bar before Brahim Diaz fluffed a low effort at Andre Onana – a waste of a chance which could have heaped all the pressure on Inter.
      Inter looked to get hold of things after a rough start, though Leao made that far more difficult than last week.
      The winger flashed through the Inter defence, only to see his shot roll agonisingly wide of the far post. Close, but another let off.
      For a clash between the two titans of the most fashionable city on Earth, this descended into one hell of a scrap.
      Those in red and black were running forward and hoping to force something – and it was not working, resulting in just one shot on target across 90 minutes.
      Inter were happy to hack away at any momentum their rivals could manage.
      Milan’s hope was fading as Inter’s confidence rose, before their elation erupted.
      Martinez had been kicked and barged throughout but this time found space through a scrappy one-two with Romelu Lukaku.
      The World Cup winner collected and fired a low effort in at the near post, sparking blue and black bedlam.
      It would be foolish to rule out a similar sight in Istanbul.
      Inter Milan celebrate with their supportersCredit: AFP
      AC Milan were well beaten by their fierce rivalsCredit: Getty

      You can follow how the action unfolded in our live below…

      Load more entries… More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      The Champions League group of death Arsenal could face next season… and it’s worrying news for fans

      by

      ARSENAL will return to the Champions League next season for the first time since the 2016-17 season.The Gunners have botched their title bid in recent weeks, but fans can still look forward to a return to Europe’s top table next term.
      Arsenal have botched their title bidCredit: PA
      Mikel Arteta’s side will be back in the Champions League next termCredit: AP
      It could be a tough reintroduction for Mikel Arteta and Co, however, with a potential group of death in the pipeline.
      Due to their lack of European success in recent years, Arsenal are likely to be in Pot 3 when the group stage draw is made in August.
      This could leave the Gunners facing an uphill battle to reach the knockout phase.
      Pot 1 will be littered with quality, populated by the winners of Europe’s top seven leagues, as well as the Europa League victors.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      This could leave Arsenal facing a dreaded rematch with Bayern Munich… who humiliated them during their last Champions League campaign.
      The German giants famously beat Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate in 2017, obliterating Arsene Wenger’s men and drawing ridicule from rival fans.
      Alternatively, the Gunners could draw the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona or Napoli from Pot 1.
      They can’t draw Manchester City, however, as sides from the same country are kept separate.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

      From Pot 2, meanwhile, Arsenal could draw lurking perennial European champions Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side having been beaten to the LaLiga title by Barcelona.
      Meanwhile, in addition to the Gunners, Pot 3 is likely to be populated by teams like Shakhtar Donetsk, RB Salzburg and Lazio.
      Should they get through two rounds of qualifying, Marseille could be drawn from Pot 4 to play the Gunners.
      The French side are brimming with former Gooners – with Alexis Sanchez, Matteo Guendouzi and Sead Kolasinac.
      While Nuno Tavares has spent this season on loan at Marseille from the North Londoners.
      Arsenal could face a reunion with Alexis SanchezCredit: AP More

    • 175 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Erling Haaland CAN’T win the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi claims Man City team-mate

      by

      BERNARDO SILVA believes that Erling Haaland won’t claim the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi – unless Manchester City win the Champions League.The prestigious award is handed out at the end of the calendar year to the world’s finest footballer – and there are no shortage of candidates so far.
      Bernardo Silva has seen Haaland’s greatness first-hand – but still doesn’t back him for football’s biggest individual awardCredit: Getty
      Lionel Messi has had a busy month in Paris as tension between the 35-year-old and the club continues to boilCredit: Getty
      Many would back Haaland to follow up his Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year award with the Ballon d’Or after his stunning debut season in England.
      The Norwegian forward has broken the Premier League record for most goals in a single season and still has three games add more strikes to his tally.
      But over in France Messi has recaptured his best form at PSG – even as transfer speculation continues to distract from his exploits.
      Silva has a theory about what it would take for his 22-year-old teammate to stop Messi winning yet another individual honour.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He told France Football: “If Haaland wins Premier League and Champions League, you can put him in the Ballon d’Or discussion, and you can also talk about Vini Jr. if Madrid win the Champions League.
      “In general, it is between Messi and the winner of the Champions League, and so far, I will give it to Messi.”
      Man City are within three wins of capturing both the Premier League and the Champions League, and within four wins of doing the treble.
      Haaland has played a major role in their fight for glory with a staggering 52 goals across all competitions.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But seven-times Ballon d’Or winner Messi will be keen to nab another honour – even though he will be 36 by the time the historic award will be dished out.
      He has 15 goals and 15 assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
      While European success is beyond his reach this season, only four more points is needed for Messi and his teammates to land another title. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid STRANDED at airport in shambolic preparations for crunch Champions League clash with Man City

      by

      REAL MADRID stars were left STRANDED at the airport ahead of their crunch clash with Manchester City. The Spanish giants are facing off against City in the second leg Champions League semi-final on Wednesday with the sides all square after a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.
      Real Madrid were left stranded at the airport ahead of their clash with Manchester CityCredit: Zenpix
      Carlo Ancelotti did not appear to be pleased at the disruptionCredit: Zenpix
      Ancelotti is looking to guide Madrid to their 15th UCL titleCredit: Zenpix
      But the squad, including Vinicius Jr. appeared to be in good spiritsCredit: Zenpix
      Karim Benzema struck a calm posture with the squad donning a mostly blackoutCredit: Zenpix
      Luka Modric stared down the camera on his return to EnglandCredit: Zenpix
      Dani Carvajal, left, and Lucas Vasquez, right, will be hoping for a repeat of last yearCredit: Zenpix
      However, their preparations took a turn for the worse after they were left stranded at Manchester Airport.
      After getting off their plane, the team were pictured standing around at terminal two after their coach failed to arrive.
      The UCL heavyweights were forced to wait for half an hour before transport finally arrived.
      And the wait left Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti not looking too pleased.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Fortunately, his team seemed to be in good spirits despite the delay.
      Star winger Vinicius Jr. was pictured laughing and smiling alongside his team-mates.
      Karim Benzema also struck a relaxed figure, while Luka Modric stared down the camera on his return to England.
      The team donned an all-black look for the most part, with only flashes of white being seen on shirts and collars.
      Most read in Champions League
      Their coach eventually arrived at T2Credit: Zenpix
      Ending the half an hour waitCredit: Zenpix
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      The winner of Wednesday’s clash will set up a final clash with either AC Milan or Inter, with the latter holding a two-goal advantage going into their second leg tonight.
      The two clubs sit at opposite end of the Champions League success table, with Madrid looking to win a 15th title and Man City looking to win it for the first time in their history. More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal face horror Champions League group and will be praying Liverpool miss out on top four

      by

      ARSENAL face a Champions League kick in the teeth for next season.Despite a likely runners-up spot in the Premier League, the Gunners are heading for the THIRD seeding pot in August’s group stage draw in Monaco.
      Arsenal could be in line for a nightmare Champions League drawCredit: Reuters
      Mikel Arteta will be desperate for Liverpool not to qualify for the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters
      It means Mikel Arteta’s side, back in the elite competition after a seven-year absence, could face a horror draw against the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
      And while the Gunners could still be promoted into the second batch of seeds, they will be desperate for Liverpool’s late top four charge to fail – as success would boot them another place down the rankings.
      Uefa regulations mean the champions of the top six nations in the “country coefficient” – compiled over five seasons are automatic top seeds, along with the Champions League and Europa League winners.
      The rest of the seeding pots are ranked on the “club coefficient” scores, with each team’s results during the past five seasons of European action added up.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      If things remain as they are across Europe’s major leagues, the top seeds will be Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Napoli, PSG and Benfica, along with the two competition winners.
      If City win the Champions League as well as the Prem, the final and eighth spot will go to Dutch champions Feyenoord.
      As things stand, the eight highest ranked non-champion qualifiers, who would form the second seeding group, would be Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig and Porto.
      Arsenal will miss out by one place.
      Most read in Champions League
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      That could change, however, with Juventus facing a final decision on whether they should be deducted points, potentially ruling them out of the Champions League frame by an Italian tribunal next Monday.
      The Turin side are currently second but are expected to lose as many as ten points, and if they finished outside the Serie A top four in place of AC Milan, that would promote Arsenal.
      Likewise, if Real Madrid or Inter Milan – they have one foot in the final after their first leg win over their San Siro neighbours last week – triumph in Istanbul next month, Arsenal would be assured of the final second seeding berth.
      However, if Liverpool get into the top four, with Newcastle the team to miss out, then it would need BOTH Juventus’ demotion and a Real or Inter Champions League triumph for Arsenal to be in the second tier.
      Newcastle, who have not played in Europe since reaching the last eight of the Europa League in 2013, will be guaranteed a group stage place if they finish in the top four.
      But Eddie Howe’s Magpies are certain to be in the bottom seeding pot, ensuring a tough draw with at least two major sides to face. More