Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Frankfurt 0 Tottenham 0: Conte’s troops suffer North London derby hangover with drab point out in Germany

      by

      THE good news was Spurs did not crack on the continent this time.And it was considerably better than Saturday’s dismal North London derby.
      Tottenham picked up a goalless draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in GermanyCredit: Rex
      But this was still a performance full of frustratingly overcooked final balls that only marginally helped their Champions League situation and continued their underwhelming record on the road this term.
      Tottenham have a poor recent history in away European games.
      They lost in Conference League qualifying to Pacos de Ferreira last term, as well as Vitesse Arnhem and Slovenian side Mura in the group stage.
      That has been followed up this term with conceding two goals in stoppage time to lose 2-0 at Sporting Lisbon last month.
      Read More on Football
      This game had a similar feel to that one in Portugal’s capital, with a stalemate looming yet the threat of chucking it away at the death inside the raucous Deutsche Bank Stadium.
      In the end they held on for the 0-0, which pushed their tally to four points after three group games.
      Beat Frankfurt at home next week, and Sporting back in London the week after, and Antonio Conte’s men will be laughing.
      Yet with most games seeming a battle this term – this draw meant they had only one away win in five games this season – there is no guarantee of that.
      Most read in Football
      Conte was in a prickly mood in the press conference the day before the game and made it very clear that he would not be swayed by fan demands regarding team selection.
      The Italian’s response when asked if the lesser-spotted Djed Spence would finally be given some game time soon, with Emerson Royal suspended for the next three league games, was unequivocal. 
      The £12.5million summer buy from Middlesbrough is “not ready” and if the supporters disagreed with that assessment, it was no skin off Conte’s nose.
      He backed those words up by picking the exact same side that lost 3-1 to Arsenal on Saturday, including Royal who was sent off in the second half but eligible for the Champions League.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Tottenham superstar Harry Kane couldn’t find the target against Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: Getty
      Many of Spurs’ games this season have been tight affairs, such as the draws at Chelsea and West Ham and the narrow home wins over Wolves and Marseille.
      With Frankfurt the reigning Europa League champions and only three points off top spot in Bundesliga, unsurprisingly this game fitted a similar description.
      The prospect of redemption for Royal almost looked to be on the cards when Eric Dier’s Steven Gerrard-esque, crossfield ball found the Brazilian early on.
      But the wing-back crashed his first-time volley over the bar.
      In a game of few clear-cut chances, a swinging delivery from Son Heung-min gave both Cristian Romero and Harry Kane a chance to find the net but both missed the ball at the back post.
      It was a performance typical of Spurs this season: organised, dangerous at times, yet if they had gone into the break a goal down it would hardly have been a grave injustice.
      Tottenham boss Antonio Conte saw his team being pushed back by Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: AFP
      Frankfurt carried their own threat, such as when skipper Sebastian Rode had a sight of goal on the far side of the box, only for his effort to be deflected over.
      Spurs stepped it up a gear for the final 20 minutes of the first half, going agonisingly close on a few occasions.
      A clever move involving Son dummying and receiving a Richarlison pass saw the South Korean blast a cross across the six-yard area which Kane stretched every sinew to reach. The England striker ended up in the net, but the ball did not.
      Conte’s men went even closer right at the end of the half when Royal’s deflected cross fell to Ivan Perisic inside the box.
      The Croat’s shot took its own big deflection which sent the ball into a spin, but sadly for the visitors its trajectory was just the wrong side of the post.
      Perisic had promised a much better performance from the “bad” one they put in at the Emirates, one with more running, fight and quality.
      Tottenham are winless in their last two Champions League matchesCredit: EPA
      The intensity was certainly upped from Saturday’s lacklustre display.
      And Spurs possibly could have even have had a spot-kick just before the interval when a corner appeared to brush an Eintracht arm in the box, but nothing was given.
      Spurs had two scares at the second half.
      The first came when Ansgar Knauff – sent off last week against England Under-21s for leaning his head in on Manchester City’s Tommy Doyle – had a volley brilliantly saved by Hugo Lloris.
      Next was far more worrying as Kane was denied a goal thanks to an excellent block by Evan Ndicka, but Spurs’ No10 then went crashing to the turf in the aftermath.
      Tottenham couldn’t bounce back after their loss to Arsenal in the North London derbyCredit: Getty
      The blow caused the Three Lions’ main man to hobble around in discomfort – never a good sign with the World Cup less than six weeks away.
      But luckily he managed to shake it off, much to the relief of any England fan watching.
      The home crowd upped the noise even further in the final stages but the game petered out.
      Conte can look back on a creditable point on tough territory, but they are yet to hit the heights they reached last term which got them into this competition in the first place. More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Napoli thump Ajax as dream campaign continues while Barcelona place in Champions League under threat after Inter loss

      by

      SERIE A table-toppers Napoli confirmed themselves as the dark horses in the Champions League with a barnstorming 6-1 win away at Ajax.The Italian club are unbeaten in the league, collecting 20 points from an available 24.
      Napoli hit six past Ajax inside their own back yardCredit: Reuters
      The Serie A table-toppers have carried their form into EuropeCredit: Getty
      Napoli have scored 13 goals in just three gamesCredit: Getty
      And they’ve carried their domestic form into Europe.
      Napoli kick-started their Champions League group stage off with a 4-1 win over last season’s finalists Liverpool.
      They then followed that up with a 3-0 win at Ibrox against Rangers.
      And they smashed SIX past their final group opponents, Ajax, in their own back yard.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Mohammed Kudus opened the scoring inside ten minutes, getting the home side off to a dream start.
      However, it sparked life into Napoli, who proceeded to score three before half-time.
      Giacomo Raspadori, who sank England for Italy in the last international break, pulled the visitors level.
      Giovanni Di Lorenzo then put Napoli ahead, and Piotr Zielinski struck just before half-time.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Raspadori grabbed his second after the restart and wonderkid Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a fifth.
      And to make matters worse, Dusan Tadic received two yellow cards, forcing Ajax to see the game out with ten men.
      Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone’s son, Giovanni, was then called off the bench and made an instant impact, scoring Napoli’s sixth and 13th in three Champions League games.
      The win keeps Napoli top of their group with Liverpool trailing just behind on six points, following a 2-0 home win over Rangers.
      Champions League round-up
      Elsewhere, Barcelona’s Champions League campaign is in limbo for the second season running.
      The Catalan giants fell to a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro.
      Hakan Calhanoglu netted the only goal of the game and with three games left in the group, Barca still need to play Bayern Munich again, who made light work of them last month.
      Bayern are running away with Group C.
      The German champions beat Viktoria Plzen 5-0, maintaining their 100 per cent record.
      Bayern are also yet to concede, leaving Inter and Barca fighting it out for the last knockout spot.
      Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt kept their knockout hopes alive after holding Tottenham to a 0-0 draw.
      Sporting Lisbon are edging Group D, but fell to a 4-1 defeat against Marseille, meaning there’s just three points between 1st and 4th.
      Group D saw the biggest shocks of the night.
      Atletico suffered defeat to Club Brugge, losing 2-0, placing them rock bottom.
      Read More on The Sun
      And Porto beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 to put them level on points with Atletico and Porto.
      Club Brugge’s 100 per cent start has them in good standing to reach the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in nearly 45 years.
      Barca’s place in the Champions League is hanging in the balance for the second season running following defeat to InterCredit: AP
      Club Brugge are on course to reach the knockouts of the Champions League for the first time since the late 70sCredit: Reuters
      Spurs were held by Frankfurt in GermanyCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool 2 Rangers 0: Under-fire Trent Alexander-Arnold lifts gloom at Anfield as Klopp’s side cruise to win

      by

      WE must leave all assessments of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s World Cup credentials until a night when he actually has a serious amount of defending to do. But the Liverpool full-back bent it like Beckham to lift the air of depression over Anfield and send Jurgen Klopp’s men on course for the Champions League knock-out stage.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold got Liverpool off to a flyer against RangersCredit: Reuters
      He got over his England snub with a stunning free-kick to break the deadlockCredit: AFP
      Mo Salah then doubled the advantage after the breakCredit: EPA
      The Egyptian kept his cool from the penalty spot in front of the KopCredit: EPA
      This was billed as the ‘Battle of Britain’ but that tagline would only really work if RAF gunners had been sent out in 1940 to shoot fish in a barrel.
      Only a staggering display by Rangers’ 40-year-old keeper Allan McGregor prevented a rout after Alexander-Arnold’s early free-kick had calmed any Liverpool nerves. 
      There were suggestions that the right-back had ‘answered his critics’ by curling home an excellent effort – but there had never been criticisms over the Scouser’s dead-ball capabilities. 
      England boss Gareth Southgate had caused apoplexy on Merseyside by claiming Kieran Trippier’s all-round game was better than the Liverpool man’s. 
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      But Trippier also scores free-kicks – indeed he has done so in a World Cup semi-final – and is a better defender too.  
      Still, this certainly wasn’t a night for anyone in a red shirt to worry too much about defending as Klopp’s side overwhelmed their Scottish visitors. 
      In the first competitive meeting between two giants of British football, the word ‘competitive’ needed inverted commas.  
      Liverpool may not find it quite as easy in the return match at Ibrox next Wednesday but it is difficult to imagine them failing to chalk up a third straight Champions League win in Glasgow which would put them in a very strong position to advance from this group. 
      Most read in Champions League
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      The only concern for Klopp was the failure of Darwin Nunez to score.
      The Uruguayan target man was the chief victim of McGregor’s heroics but he really ought to have bagged himself two or three goals to kick-start his Anfield career. 
      While the idea of an all-British fixture in European competition always sounds spicy, the financial disparities between the English and Scottish leagues mean the reality is very different.
      Liverpool have struggled against a series of lesser Premier League clubs this season but they absolutely battered Rangers.    
      Despite last season’s charge to the Europa League Final, Rangers had been gubbed by both Ajax and Napoli in this group and now look set for the wooden spoon and a pre-Christmas European exit. 
      After the shambles at last season’s final in Paris, the Liverpool fans booed the Champions League anthem every bit as heartily as Manchester City’s followers normally do. 
      But Klopp was all positivity.
      Having seen his side concede nine goals in their previous three matches, the German had opted for a more attacking line-up, a 4-2-3-1 formation which saw Nunez and Luis Diaz added to the side which struggled to a home draw with Brighton on Saturday.
      And within two minutes, Nunez drilled a shot which forced McGregor to push away. 
      But the veteran goalie had no chance soon after when former Liverpool man Ben Davies fouled Nunez 25 yards out and Alexander-Arnold curled home the free-kick in vintage style. 
      Trent Alexander-Arnold received a standing ovation when he was subbed late onCredit: Reuters
      Darwin Nunez was fouled by Ben Davies which led to the defender’s goalscoring free-kickCredit: Reuters
      Rangers were struggling to make any impression as an attacking force and McGrgeor was soon busy again, tipping wide from Salah after the Egyptian had cut in from the right.
      John Lundstram – a former Everton kid, who had an all-round shocker – was lucky to escape with a yellow card for a cynical foul on Diogo Jota.
      Then we were back to the repetitive script of ‘Nunez shoots, McGregor saves’.  
      First there was a strong-armed stop to thwart the Uruguayan’s angled drive, then another fine effort from the Rangers keeper’s feet and, after that, another diving block from a powerful shot.
      Liverpool were too strong, too quick, too sharp all across the pitch and it only seemed like a matter of time before the Scottish team subsided, yet they managed to scramble into the break only one goal adrift. 
      McGregor was applauded by The Kop as he came out for the second half – like a cheerleading troupe for a man on his way to face a firing squad. 
      But within eight minutes of the restart his one-man blockade was ended from the penalty spot. 
      Jordan Henderson pinged a glorious crossfield pass to Diaz on the left, and the Colombian darted between Lundstram and Leon King, who brought him down. 
      Ref Clement Turpin – who’d controversially disallowed a Real Madrid goal against Liverpool in Paris in May – didn’t have to be too kind to award it and Salah rammed it down the middle. 
      McGregor was at it again soon after, though, brilliantly tipping over a Jota long-ranger. 
      Read More on The Sun
      Joel Matip headed wide from a corner but then, on 85 minutes, a gobsmacking moment when Rangers almost scored. 
      Rabbi Matondo slipped past Alexander-Arnold and Matip but saw his shot cleared off the line by an acrobatic Kostas Tsimikas.   More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans all say same thing as Sir Alex Ferguson pictured in stands to watch Liverpool host Rangers in Champions League

      by

      FANS were saying the same thing after Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted in the stands at Anfield.The legendary former Manchester United manager was spotted taking his seat in the directors’ box seconds before Liverpool’s Champions League showdown with Rangers.
      Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted taking his seat at Anfield to watch Liverpool vs Rangers
      Fergie, of course, grew up in Glasgow and went on to play for the Gers.
      And he was keen to support his old club, whom he scored 25 goals for in 41 league matches, while they were visiting the north west of England where he now resides.
      However, viewers watching the game appeared to be shocked that the 80-year-old Scot had managed to get into the posh seats at Anfield due to his links with Liverpool’s bitter rivals United.
      That is despite the fact he has taken his place in the stands for several of the Red Devils’ trips to the same ground since he retired from the dug-out in 2013.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      But that did not stop fans from still being surprised to see him.
      One tweeted: “How the f*** was Fergie was allowed into Anfield?”
      Another joked: “Who invited Fergie to Anfield lmfao.”
      As another asked: “Who let Fergie innnnn?”
      Most read in Champions League
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      However, some cheekier ones claimed that he now has to go to the home of United’s foes Liverpool just to get his fix of Champions League action with the Red Devils only making the Europa.
      One said: “Fergie is at Anfield…It’s good that the old fella can get to watch some Champions League footie. I hear there is none on offer up the road.”
      Another wrote: “Fergie had to go to anfield to see a champions league game.”
      While another fan joked: “Fergie’s at Anfield, he wants to see champions league football and can’t get it at OT.”
      It is not the first time that Ferguson, who guided United to 13 Premier League titles, has watched Rangers lately.
      In August he enjoyed a reunion with ex-United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy at Ibrox after the PSV manager’s side had played the Gers in a Champions League qualifier.
      Read More on The Sun
      Fergie will be hoping for a more enjoyable match than the one he witnessed on Sunday.
      He was spotted glum-faced in the stands of the Etihad as United were thrashed 6-3 by City in the Manchester derby. More

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Inter 1-0 Barcelona LIVE REACTION: Calhanoglu long-range strike gives Inter win amid VAR controversy – latest

      by

      INTER MILAN came out 1-0 victors over Barcelona in the Champions League thanks to a long-range strike from Hakan Calhanoglu.The Serie A side were fired ahead on the verge of half-time as Calhanoglu picked the ball up outside the box and fired a low shot past the goalkeeper.
      Barcelona were denied a penalty by VAR in the second period, with the play being pulled back for an offside.
      The second-half saw more controversy as Pedri had a goal ruled out for a foul on Andre Onana before late claims for a penalty were also denied as Inter held on.

      FABULOUS BINGO: Get a £20 bonus & 30 free spins when you spend £10 today
      That’s all from the San Siro
      A dramatic night in Milan comes to an end as Calhaoglnu’s first half strike seals Inter’s first win over Barcelona since 2010.
      The pair will meet again in 8 days time where Xavi will hope to get his revenge at the Camp Nou.
      Thank you for reading this match-blog. Goodnight.
      Group C standings
      Following Inter and Bayern’s wins this evening, here’s where we stand in the supposed ‘group of death’:

      Bayern 9pts
      Inter 6pts
      Barcelona 3pts
      Plzn 0pts

      Messi to return
      In the midst of tonight’s match, it has been reported that Lionel Messi could be on his way back to his boyhood club Barcelona, just a year and a half after parting ways for PSG.
      His contract is soon up at the ligue 1 side and the Camp Nou is thought to be his first choice destination.
      Some encouraging news on a dark night for Barca fans.
      Roberto angry at refereeing
      Barcelona had a number of decisions go against them this evening, most notably a handball in the area that was dismissed by VAR.
      Barcelona defender Sergi Roberto was left furious after the game, complaining abut the lack of consistency within refereeing.
      I’m angry. Every year it changes. Neither the players nor they [referees] know what to blow for.Sergi Roberto
      Barcelona players have reportedly been told that the reason VAR did not give the penalty was because the ball hit Ansu Fati’s hand, after Dumfries.
      A damning stat
      What’s your net worth, Inter?
      Barcelona may want to buy it.
      Goals were hard to come by for the visitors this evening.
      Could we see Barcelona drop to the Europa League for the second straight season?

      FULL TIME – Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      Inter have done it!
      Calhanoglu’s late first-half strike is the difference on a night that belongs to Inter.
      It was by no means a classic, but Inter stood firm and kept the Spanish giants out to take all three points in Milan.
      More importantly, Inter go second in the group.
      Barcelona will feel hard done by after having a goal chalked off for a handball in the build-up and then being denied a penalty by VAR late in the day.
      You can understand their frustration, it looked to be a penalty on the replays. But the Catalan club never quite got out of first gear this evening.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      90+8, Onana plucks the ball out of the air and that should be that!
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      90+7, Martinez does well to hold on to posession and kill some time for his side.
      The offside flag eventually goes up.
      One last throw of the dice for Barcelona.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      90+5, Dembele curls in an in-swinging ball towards Lewandowski who couldn’t reach it on the stretch.
      Will that be their last chance of the evening?
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      90+3, There is to be 8 added minutes of stoppage time.
      Still time for Barcelona.
      The whistling has started amongst the home supporters.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      90+2, Case dismissed!
      On the replays, the ball looked to take a nick off Dumfries’ hand, taking it away from Ansu-Fati. But VAR aren’t interested!
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      90, Pedri floats a great ball towards Roberto at the back-post who got there, flicking the ball across goal.
      Barcelona want a penalty against Dumfries. VAR are taking a look.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      88, Lewandowski heads wide!
      That was a great chance by his standards, he just couldn’t control the header enough to glance it on target.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      87, Kessie spins Bastoni who is booked for his efforts.
      Good opportunity for Dembele to find someone.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      86, Asllani is immediately involved, cutting out Ansu-Fati’s ball in.
      Dembele’s corner is a peach, but no one in grey could get a touch to it.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      85, Calhanoglu makes way to standing ovation following his potentially match-winning goal.
      Asllani is on.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      83, Gavi makes way for new signing Kessie. He recieves quite the reception after moving from bitter rivals AC Milan in the summer.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      81, Inter boss Inzaghi is booked for time wasting on the touchline.
      Both managers in the referee’s book now.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      79, Barella floats a ball in to Dzeko who would have been licking his lips. But Pique does really well to nod it away from the Bosnian’s path.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      78, Barca are threatening. Dembele teases a ball in towards Lewandowski who is happy to let it run for a corner.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      Darmian, who was just down with cramp, joins de Vrij and Dimarco in leaving the field.
      Dumfries, Gosens and Acerbi are on to help protect this lead.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      75, Gavi and Martinez are booked for a little scuffle in the box.
      Inter can make their changes now.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      72, Martinez was preparing to shoot but for a last-stitch challenge from Garcia. Vital interception from the 21-year-old.
      Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      70, Dimarco goes route one up towards Martinez but Balde did well under pressure, heading safely back to ter Stegen.
      There is still time for the visitors to find an equaliser.
      GOAL DISALLOWED – Inter 1-0 Barcelona
      68, Ansu-Fati was judged to have used his hand in the build-up.
      Xavi is shown a yellow card for his protests.
      Oh, what drama here at the San Siro!
      .Credit: Reuters
      Load more entries… More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Disasterclass’ – Sporting keeper Adan gifts Marseille star Sanchez a goal and is then sent off inside just 23 minutes

      by

      SPORTING LISBON goalkeeper Adan endured a Champions League ‘disasterclass’ against Marseille.The Spanish star and his team-mates went from euphoria to despair inside 23 minutes in France on Tuesday night.
      Sporting keeper Adan gifted Alexis Sanchez a goal in the Champions League
      Then moments later he was sent off after racing out of his box and crashing into a striker

      Francisco Trincao, on loan from Barcelona, received the ball from Marcus Edwards and burst forward.
      He then cut inside to curl a low shot into the bottom corner to give the Portuguese visitors the lead after just 51 seconds.
      But the lead did not last long – and neither did Adan’s joy.
      With just 13 minutes on the clock, the 35-year-old received a backpass as Alexis Sanchez charged him down.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL
      Instead of just clearing the danger, the stopper proceeded to kick the ball straight at the ex-Arsenal man, and it ricocheted straight off the Chilean and past him into the net.
      Things continued to turn sour for Sporting as Amine Harit then beat Adan with a header moments later to turn the scoreline on its head.
      Then it went from bad to worse for the goalie as he was given his marching orders on 23 minutes.
      After a long ball forward, he came rushing out of his box and handled while crashing into Nuno Tavares as the ball bounced over his head.
      Most read in Sport
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      The referee initially tried to play advantage, but with Marseille’s attack coming to nothing, the official soon blew his whistle and dished out the red.
      Fans instantly took to social media to mock Adan, with one declaring it as a “disasterclass”.
      Another tweeted: “Adan is on one of the worst performances in the history of the Champions League.”
      While a fellow viewer commented: “Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adan with the worst performance I have ever seen. Utterly bizarre what he did today.”
      Marseille added a third goal before the break due to another goalkeeping error.
      Sub stopper Israel completely missed a punch from a corner, allowing Leonardo Balerdi to net.
      Chancel Mbemba then netted a fourth as Marseille won 4-1. More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid LIVE: Latest Champions League updates – stream, TV channel info

      by

      CLUB BRUGGE have been the star performers in Champions League Group B so far, but now face their toughest test in Atletico Madrid.The Belgian side have won both of their matches in the group, and have yet to concede a goal.
      Atletico lost 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen last time out and will be hoping to bounce back.

      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

      Load more entries… More