Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares37 Views

      in Soccer

      How Arsenal boss Arteta is using MUSIC to motivate his players with huge speakers positioned around training pitches

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA is willing to try anything to gain an extra inch in his pursuit of silverware.The Arsenal manager’s latest out-of-the-box thinking involves transforming the dreary weather of London Colney into a sun-kissed Samba Boys beach through the medium of MUSIC.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hoping to get a tune out of his players for the title run-inCredit: Amazon Prime Video SportArsenal’s players trained with Samba music on speakers ahead of Euro clashCredit: GettyBoss Mikel Arteta spoke with Brazilian-born Eduardo at London ColneyCredit: GettyAhead of their penultimate Champions League group phase match against Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow tonight, Arteta’s injury-plagued Gunners squad trudged out for training in chilly conditions at their North London base.But their moods were instantly lifted by a popular Brazilian tune blasting through several speakers around the pitches as they started their warm-up – the song in question being Mais Que Nada by Sergio Mendes.A beaming Arteta was clearly enjoying its impact, getting involved in the Rondo’s with his players to a soundtrack most people associate with Samba legends Ronaldinho and Kaka.And Arteta explained: “It’s something we’ve been doing for many years now.read more arsenal“And as part of training we use music as another element of our sessions to build the energy, to change some purposes that we want in the training session and I think the players enjoy it.“It depends on the drill, depends on the day. Some players pick the first song, the first two songs, the last song. It’s definitely interesting.”Arsenal and Arteta are in dire need of a mood change after a gruelling month that has seen them crash out of the FA Cup to Manchester United in the third round on penalties and lose the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final 2-0 at home to Newcastle.Their Prem title dreams have also taken another knock, blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa on Saturday night – leaving them six points off Liverpool who have a game in hand.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeanwhile, their treatment room is filling up with key figures Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu still on the road to recovery.In November 2021, Arteta tried to prepare his players for a trip to Anfield by playing the anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ during a training session, only to get smashed 4-0.’I’m flabbergasted’ – Paul Merson tears into Thomas Partey’s ‘schoolboy’ defending as Arteta blasts performance vs VillaArteta continued: “Music is very much part of our culture. We have music in a lot of different places, and music has the capacity to change your mood, to change your energy to a certain place.“It happens in all of us. You play a song and immediately you feel different, and we have certain songs that trigger something in our team, because they have some history as well with us.“I will use it when we believe it’s the right way to do it.“Sometimes I play a song many, many times with my family and [the kids] say: ‘Dad, can we stop it, please?’ I don’t know, it’s a feeling.”Winger Leandro Trossard – who is set to make his 100th appearance in all competitions for Arsenal after signing from Brighton two years ago this week – added: “I’m not sure who’s on the tunes when we’re doing the warm-up. You just get used to it, I guess.Bukayo Saka update as Arsenal star spotted at Emirates without crutches… but Gunners suffer fresh injury blow“At the start when I joined it was a bit weird for me that we had this, but now it’s just natural for us to have the music playing when we’re warming up.“[Arteta’s methods] are a bit different to any other manager I had. But it helps players on some days to focus more and get the meaning, the importance of the game.”Despite having two-and-a-half years with an option of a further 12 months left on his contract, Trossard has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this term.The Belgian has started just 14 Prem games term, and often shows his disappointment through grumpy facial expressions, with Arteta jokingly calling him a “moaner” in the past.Trossard laughed: “I wouldn’t use moan. I’m just a winner. If something goes against me and I think it’s unfair, I think that’s really personal, I would say. That’s how I am.“That should be the mind-set of every footballer. I don’t do it on purpose, maybe my body language at that point could be, but I am always ready. Even if I am on the bench, I can make an impact.”Arsenal can take a huge leap towards confirming a top eight spot in the new league format of the Champions League with victory over Fabio Cannavaro’s Dinamo Zagreb.With his men in third place with 13 points from six outings, Arteta said: “We are in a really strong position and now we try to capitalise.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I don’t want [my players] to feel unlucky with recent results. We have to control what we can control. Is there anything better we could have done to win [against Villa] by a big margin? Yes.“We focus on that. Now it is in our hands to change it and move forward.” More

    • 225 Shares37 Views

      in Soccer

      Champions League LIVE SCORES: Liverpool CONFIRM place in Last 16, Barcelona BEAT Benfica 5-4 in thriller – updates

      by

      LIVERPOOL have confirmed their place in the Champions League Last 16 after beating Lille 2-1.The Reds made it seven wins out of seven with the victory over Lille to reach 21 points and guarantee automatic progression.Liverpool can still be caught for the top spot though in the final matchround – after second-placed Barcelona defeated Benfica 5-4 in incident-packed classic.While Aston Villa blew their chance to all-but confirm their Last 16 place after losing 1-0 at Monaco.Start times: 5.45pm/ 8pmLive stream: discovery+/ Amazon Prime VideoTV channel: TNT Sports/ Amazon Prime VideoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow ALL the action from Matchday Six with our live blog below…Do it all again tomorrowHead over to the SunSport football page for more reaction to tonight’s bonkers Champions League night.Liverpool fans can sit back and watch tomorrow’s action knowing top of the table is pretty much secured ahead of next week’s final day.Can Arsenal, Man City and Celtic put themselves into a strong position? We’ll see tomorrow.Copy linkCopiedTomorrow’s gamesMore drama to come tomorrow? Hopefully!Here’s what we’ve got to look forward to (8pm unless stated)Leipzig vs Sporting 5.45pmShakhtar vs Brest 5.45pmMilan vs GironaArsenal vs Dinamo ZagrebCeltic vs Young BoysFeyenoord vs BayernPSG vs Man CityReal Madrid vs SalzburgSparta Prague vs InterCopy linkCopiedElite companyOptaJoe say Arne slot is only the second manager in Champions League history to win his first seven games in charge of a club.That feat was previously only done by Hansi Flick when at Bayern a few years ago.Copy linkCopiedMatch report – Liverpool vs LilleMo Salah claimed his 50th European goal for Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side stuck a red flag on the summit of the Champions League table.Harvey Elliott continued what has been an astonishing first campaign for the Dutchman who succeeded Jurgen Klopp.For while the German will always be seen as one of Anfield’s true icons, history so far suggests that Slot may yet over time be at least as revered. At this rate, anyway.Elliott’s 67th strike against a side reduced to ten men early in the second half means Slot’s men equalled the club’s best – ever sequence of seven successive wins the competition, a run set, of course, by Klopp.Yet when so many within the Kop feared his departure last summer might signal a down- sizing of intent, the current side just get better and better.Copy linkCopiedMatch report – Monaco vs Aston VillaAston Villa discovered the hard way.The last place in the world you can afford to be poor is Monte Carlo.Unai Emery brought his Premier stars to the millionaires’ playground in the South of France.But in front of watching royalty – Villa fan Prince William – his side performed like paupers.Wilfried Singo’s first-half header was enough to sink Villa who had 82 minutes to put things right but never came close.They trudged off at the end, deservedly beaten by Monaco’s energetic kids.Copy linkCopiedHot propertyJonathan David might well have added a few more million onto his price tag after his goal at Anfield tonight.The Lille man is hot property at the minute and has been linked with Newcastle, Arsenal and the Reds in the last couple of days, labelling the latter of those the ‘best team in the world’.Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, he said: “We came against the first of the Champions League group so we knew it was going to be a complicated game even more so when we went to 10 men. It’s frustrating, we wanted to hold on as long as we could but it’s very difficult.”Today wasn’t our day. The togetherness. Everyone is very solid and compact. We want to play and play our game this is how we’re going to get further.”They’re a very good team. I think they might be the best team in the world at the moment.”Copy linkCopiedStrong showingA dominant night for Liverpool despite really getting out of first gear.Lille with plenty of the ball of their own and 461 passes is no mean feat at Anfield on a Champions League night.Copy linkCopied50 upMo Salah admits his pride at another landmark moment for Liverpool after his 50th European goal for the club.But he admits he hopes it’s not the last milestone for the club.He told Amazon Prime: “Hopefully not the last one but I’m very proud of it. I wasn’t focused on it before the game.”They have a really good game plan and they were unbeaten for 21 games so they’re a quite tough team. I’m glad we managed to win that game.”We got the ball and Curtis played the ball very well finally and I managed to score.”Copy linkCopiedHow we standA dramatic night then but it leaves us knowing that top spot will either be Liverpool or Barcelona.The Reds are in such a strong position having won all seven games and have a three-point gap to Barca, with just the final match day to go.Liverpool are at PSV, Barca host Atalanta.Elsewhere, Aston Villa are in a right scrap for a top eight finish, knowing they will need to beat Celtic next week!Copy linkCopiedLage rageBenfica boss Bruno Lage has taken a leaf out the Phil Brown playbook.The livid Portuguese boss kept his side out on the pitch to give them a dressing down in the torrential rain.The players still looked shell-shocked having thrown away that game to actually lose in the end.Copy linkCopiedChampions League resultsWhat a sensational night of Champions League drama.Here’s the results:Atalanta 5-0 Sturm GrazMonaco 1-0 Aston VillaAtletico Madrid 2-1 LeverkusenBenfica 4-5 BarcelonaBologna 2-1 DortmundClub Brugge 0-0 JuventusLiverpool 2-1 LilleRed Star 2-3 PSVSlovan Bratislava 1-3 StuttgartCopy linkCopied90+6 – GOAL!! Benfica 4-5 BARCELONAWow wow wow – what a stunning end to the game and a quite incredible comeback!RAPHINHA has won it for Barca!Benfica were pushing and thought they might’ve had a penalty for a shove in the back.Ferran Torres smashes it long and Raphinha is on the halfway line to run clean through. He drives in towards goal and waits to beat the defender on the inside before smashing beyond the keeper.4-2 down in the 78th minute, Barca have won with the final kick. Extraordinary.Copy linkCopiedFT! Job done for Liverpool at Anfield and they maintain top spot – and confirm their place in the top eight.Harvey Elliott’s second half goal the difference after 10-man Lille equaliser through Jonathan David.They’ll be hard to catch at the top now…Liverpool 2-1 LilleCopy linkCopied90 – GOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 2-1 LeverkusenJULIAN ALVAREZ with the winner!The Leverkusen players crumbling as tough as the referee in this one.Correa bundles his way through and a touch into his path inside the box works out to be a great pass for Alvarez.Kovar comes out to close the angle and the striker nips round him and taps into an empty net from a tight angle.Copy linkCopied87 – GOAL! Slovan Bratislava 1-3 STUTTGARTIt was game on for 60 seconds or so…Terrific counter attack ended by FABIAN RIEDER who slots beyond the keeper. Job done.Copy linkCopied87 – GOAL! Benfica 4-4 BARCELONAThe comeback is complete for the Spanish giants!They were piling on the pressure and this one comes from a corner taken short to Pedri and his cracking cross finds ERIC GARCIA to plant a header beyond the keeper.Wild scenes as the visitors celebrate but where was the Benfica marking!?Copy linkCopied86 – GOAL! SLOVAN BRATISLAVA 1-2 StuttgartIDJESSI METSOKO with the goal to make things interesting!Barseghyan with a stunning through ball for Metsoko who takes a great touch into the box and a clever dinked finish beyond the keeper.Copy linkCopiedClosing stagesEVERY game in the balance going into the closing stages as Slovan Bratislava have just scored!🔴 Atletico Madrid 1-1 Leverkusen 🔴Benfica 4-3 BarcelonaBologna 2-1 DortmundClub Brugge 0-0 JuventusLiverpool 2-1 Lille 🔴Red Star 2-3 PSV 🔴Slovan Bratislava 1-2 StuttgartCopy linkCopied77 – GOAL! RED STAR 2-3 PSVAn incredible comeback IS on the cards as Red Star get one back!Ivanic’s cross from the corner finds NASSER DJIGA who heads powerfully off the under-side of the crossbar and in!Copy linkCopiedFrom Ken Lawrence watching Liverpool vs LilleLiverpool got a little sloppy against Lille. But only for a little while.Jonathan David plundered an equaliser five minutes after Alissa Mandi got a second yellow card.But there is  a power and a presence about Arne Slot’s side and Harvey Elliott scored his first European goal at Anfield to send then further on the way to topping the Champions League table. And then some.Copy linkCopied76 – RED CARD – PIERO HINCAPIE (Leverkusen)Oh referee you’ve absolutely bottled it!He’s been itching and itching to level the teams up and crumbled under the pressure Atletico Madrid’s theatrics and their supporters’ noise.Hincapie is the victim of the referee’s crumbling, receiving a second yellow for a shoulder-to-shoulder clash on the right edge of the area. Copy linkCopied77 – GOAL! Benfica 4-3 BARCELONAGame on again in Lisbon!Again, it’s ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI and again it’s from the spot. So very harsh the decision as Lamine Yamal goes down easily but the Polish marksman makes no mistake. Now the joint-most penalty goals in this competition alongside Cristiano Ronaldo!Soccer Football – Champions League – Benfica v FC Barcelona – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – January 21, 2025 FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Rodrigo AntunesCopy linkCopied71 – GOAL! RED STAR 1-3 PSVThe home side back in it? Still work to do against the ten man as CHERIF NDIAYE gets it.Clever header. Too little too late?Copy linkCopied72 – GOAL! BOLOGNA 2-1 DortmundWhat a turnaround – Bologna trailed 90 seconds ago and now they lead through Englishman SAMUEL ILING JUNIOR.Just seconds after the restart they win the ball back and weak defending from Anton allows Dallinga in again but the keeper saves his effort.But it falls kindly to Iling Junior to smash home from eight yards. Incredible turnaround.Copy linkCopied68 – GOAL! BENFICA 4-2 BarcelonaJust as it looked like being game on, it’s not again!Benfica go back in front and it’s an own goal from Araujo. A great ball into the box is picked up at the back post and when played into the six-yard box, Araujo beats Wojciech Szczęsny to it and diverts it into his own net!Copy linkCopied More

    • 275 Shares48 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool 2 Lille 1: Reds maintain 100% Champs League record as Salah & Elliott put Kop club on brink of winning league

      by

      MO SALAH claimed his 50th European goal for Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side stuck a red flag on the summit of the Champions League table.Harvey Elliott continued what has been an astonishing first campaign for the Dutchman who succeeded Jurgen Klopp.Liverpool welcomed Lille to Anfield in their penultimate Champions League group stage matchCredit: ALAMYMohamed Salah fired the Reds into a 1-0 lead in the 34th minuteCredit: RexSalah’s strike was his 21st in all competitions this seasonCredit: APFor while the German will always be seen as one of Anfield’s true icons, history so far suggests that Slot may yet over time be at least as revered. At this rate, anyway.Elliott’s 67th strike against a side reduced to ten men early in the second half means Slot’s men equalled the club’s best – ever sequence of seven successive wins the competition, a run set, of course, by Klopp.Yet when so many within the Kop feared his departure last summer might signal a down- sizing of intent, the current side just get better and better.They also sit top of the Prem. Nobody would suggest they won’t be there at the end. READ MORE UCL NEWSThey way things are going in Europe, nobody could say that they become the No.1 team on the continent – and follow Klopp’s 2019 success – is beyond them either.The most impressive aspect of Liverpool’s approach to this clash was their control.This didn’t need to be a raucous night. It was only really ever about ensuring progress and especially against opponents who were anything but mugs.Say what you like about French football and how soft it might be by comparison to the Premier League but Bruno Grensio’s side touched down boasting a club record 21 games unbeaten.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJonathan David dragged the visitors level just after the half hour markCredit: GETTYLike Slot’s machine, they had also beaten the mighty Real Madrid and for over half an hour they threatened, probed and gave no impression whatsoever that they were intimidated in their hallowed surroundings.The Ligue 1 side are proper football team and they got the respect they deserved.Mo Salah calls out Jamie Carragher after Liverpool legend urged him to ‘take a leaf out of Virgil van Dijk’s book’Slot made four changes from the side that beat Brentford 2-0 thanks to the time added on double that proved Darwin Nunez actually can finish.The mercurial Uruguayan, who often has trouble hitting barn doors, was rewarded with a starting spot but there was no barn – storming for him in a cagey first third of the game.This was about cat and mouse. Precision. No gung-ho requirements, especially as Lille confidently stroked the ball around in possession.Then Curtis Jones dropped a bomb.Kostas Tsimikas robbed striker Jonathon David and the blossoming England midfielder pounced.In a flash, he delivered a fabulous fifty-yard pass into the path of Salah who motored forward, like he does and as Lucas Chevalier moved forward the icon of Anfield kept his cool and bent a trademark left-footer around him.Amazingly that was his first goal from open play in 440 minutes. You would never have known he’d gone that long.As finishes go for Liverpool’s all-time top European goal scorer, it was about as good as it ever was for him.Shortly after that landmark opener came another for the team that Brentford manager Thomas Frank described at the weekend as the best team in the world.They surpassed the first 36 minutes to set a new club record, beating the 572 set under Rafa Benitez without conceding a goal in season 2005-06 as Miracle of Istanbul Champions League holders.Harvey Elliot’s deflected strike fired the Reds back in frontCredit: AlamyHere was a team if not at the peak of their powers then one certain that most history could be written.In their previous six games of this Champions League campaign, they had conceded only once.They were now going for another major mark – bidding to become only the second team ever after Leeds United in the whole history of Europe’s premier competition to win six games in a row without their goalkeeper picking one out of his net.It all seemed to get more comfortable, too, in the 59th minute after Aissa Mandi got his marching orders.Already booked, his challenge on Luis Diaz was as stupid under the circumstances as it was cynical and German referee Felix Swayer had no option but to go yellow and red on him.Then Slot’s side got sloppy three minutes later. A low cross wasn’t dealt with and Jakan Haraldsson connected first – time.Alisson deflected that effort but then had no chance as David fired home the rebound to claim his 18th goal of a campaign – including five in Europe that is maker bigger fish than Lille across Europe take notice.Yet there was no real panic. Slot had replaced Jones and Ryan Gravenberch for for Alex Mac Allister and Elliott at the start of the second leg.Those fresher legs counted, too, for Mac Allister immediately got busy, pulling his midfielders into a tighter, more aggressive unit.Elliott got the reward in the 67th minute after that resurgence had pushed the French into retreat mode.He smashed home his first European goal at Anfield from around 25 yards after Lille half – cleared a corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt wasn’t the greatest of strikes, deflecting of a flailing Lille leg, but it didn’t matter. But it still meant job done. And then some. More

    • 250 Shares41 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘It doesn’t suit you’ says brutal Jamie Carragher as fans join CBS Sports panel joking about Micah Richards’ new hairdo

      by

      JAMIE CARRAGHER rinsed Micah Richards over his new haircut.The punditry duo teamed up together in the CBS Sports studio for the first time this year on Tuesday night.Micah Richards has shaken up his look with a new, shorter haircutCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoThe change came in for some ribbing from Jamie Carragher in the CBS Sports studioCredit: X @CBSSportsGolazoThey were joined by host Kate Abdo and Thierry Henry for Champions League coverage on the US network.But talk quickly went off the football – and on to Richards’ fresh trim.The ex-Manchester City defender swapped up his look with a shorter, neat style.Richards, 36, is clearly delighted with the cleaner cut and proudly announced: “I look fantastic don’t I?”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut blunt Carra was having none of it – and told him exactly what he thought of the shake-up.Carragher, 46, said: “It doesn’t suit you.”Then after a stunned silence in the studio, he continued: “I’m saying that as a friend.”No, no… why? You didn’t need to.”Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSRichards replied: “You’re not feeling it? I just thought new year, new me.”Abdo chipped in: “I like it, nice and cripsy, a bit shorter. If you know you know.”Micah Richards is banned from analysing Brest during CBS Sports broadcast The CBS producers then flashed up a split screen of the previous iteration of Richards’ hair with the new version. But Carragher added: “That?! I mean, honestly, you look awful. You look so cool on the other one.”Richards burst into laughter then asked: “What do I look now?”Carragher hit back: “Not cool. Why did you do that? I know [you wanted a change] but why?”Abdo then asked if the former England right-back had lasered his eyes as he appeared in the studio without his glasses.But Richards explained: “I’ve got contact lenses in because obviously I had the height with the high top.”Now when I wear my glasses, my face looks too small. It’s not right.”Carragher then quipped: “So you never needed the glasses anyway, it was all a front? “Everything about this man is an act.”‘AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT’Henry asked: “Are you happy with it?”And when Richards confirmed he was, the Frenchman reassured him: “That’s the most important thing.”Carragher suggested a social media poll – before suggesting the hair “looks like you’ve got a hat on” – while Abdo implied Richards may have had a hair transplant. That prompted a brilliant reaction from the three ex-footballers but Richards insisted: “I have not been to Turkey, not a chance. Wow. This is a grilling.”And the studio descended into chaos once more when Carragher joked he thought Richards had only been to Turkey to have his teeth done. Plenty of fans weighed in with their views on Richards’ new trim on Twitter.One said: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I don’t agree with Carra a lot of times, but I find myself having to admit that he’s right on this one.”Another replied: “This is the cutest Micah has ever been. We love the new look Micah.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA third added: “I gotta say I agree with Carra on this. He does look younger and fresher with his old style.”And a final user commented: “I think he looks better with the short hair personally. I actually did hate the longer hair on him.”Richards has ditched the glasses after going shorter on topCredit: Getty More

    • 250 Shares67 Views

      in Soccer

      Kyle Walker’s Man City career OVER as AC Milan agree 12-month loan move – but deal end’s Rashford transfer interest

      by

      KYLE WALKER is to join AC Milan after agreeing a 12-month loan deal, SunSport can reveal.The Manchester City skipper, 34, is expected in Italy in the coming days before being unveiled to the Rossoneri.Kyle Walker has agreed a move to AC MilanCredit: GettyIt brings an end to a glittering career with Manchester City, for now at leastCredit: AFPThe England full-back won six Premier League titles at the EtihadCredit: ReutersHe was poised to join their fierce city rivals, Inter, after telling City of his desire to quit the Etihad but talks broke down over his wages.AC Milan have now agreed a deal that will see the Serie A giants pick up the majority of his £150,000 weekly pay packet.The deal brings Walker’s glittering eight-year career at City to a close – for now at least – and ends Milan’s long-running interest in Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.Under strict Serie A rules, clubs can only sign one British player a year. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA source said: “The deal is done. Kyle is keen to get to Italy as soon as possible for the formalities.”He’s excited about the future and can’t wait to pull on the famous shirt.”He’s now an AC Milan player.”FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMost read in FootballThe race to sign Walker began just over a week ago after he informed the club he wanted to quit.Boss Pep Guardiola revealed his desire to leave after his side’s 8-0 mauling of Salford in the FA Cup.Roy Keane fumes at ’embarrassing’ Kyle Walker dive during Man City’s clash against Man UtdWalker was left out of the squad for the tie and was missing days later for the 2-2 draw with Brentford.Guardiola revealed: “Kyle asked to explore the option to play abroad.”He asked after the Treble, when Bayern Munich wanted him, but the offer was not good enough.”I prefer to play players whose mind is here. Kyle asked to explore but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen because you never know.”We cannot understand the success that the club had these years without Kyle. It is impossible.”He has been our right-back and given us something we didn’t have. He’s been amazing.”But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years.”Incredible trophy haulWalker has won 17 major honours with City since his £50million move from Tottenham in 2017.His accolades include six Prem titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League.He ruled out a move to the Saudi league to keep alive his chances of winning more England caps.He feared a move to the Middle East would almost certainly end his chances of becoming the first black player to reach 100 caps for the Three Lions.He currently has 93 and would need to make the plane for the World Cup next year to reach the historic milestone.A source said: “He not about to give up on that dream. He’s achieved so much already – but 100 England caps would be his crowning glory.READ MORE SUN STORIES”To achieve that, he’s going to have to give everything. He knows his career is coming to an end but he’s not done yet.”Don’t write him off.” More

    • 250 Shares63 Views

      in Soccer

      How Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal will pocket huge windfall if they finish in top eight of Champions League table

      by

      LIVERPOOL, Arsenal and Aston Villa are set to receive major financial windfalls if they finish in the top eight of the Champions League.The Premier League trio occupy first, fifth and eight place respectively in the 36-team table after Tuesday night’s games.Liverpool currently top the Champions League table and are on course to receive a hefty bonusCredit: GETTYArsenal will also receive a sizeable bonusCredit: GETTYAs will Aston Villa, who were eighth after their loss to MonacoCredit: REXEach of the teams participating in this season’s revamped competition will take home a guaranteed £15,744,700.But thanks to the new league ranking bonus system, as well as they’re final position in the table, they’re all in line to receive whopping bonuses.The overall bonus sum for the tournament is split into 666 equal shares which were initially each valued at £232,516 – the amount the last-placed team in the competition will receive.The 35th-placed side will take home two shares, which will be allocated until the table-topper is given 36 shares.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs it stands, current league leaders Liverpool will pocket a whopping £8,370,576 for 36 shares.Fifth-placed Arsenal are set to take home 33 shares, which equate to £6,742,964.Aston Villa, meanwhile, are on course to rake in £6,975,480 as a seventh-placed finish will earn them 30 shares.The shares, however, will be increased due to the undisputed prize money for draws – which increase the pot by £591,675 each time.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTeams will also receive an additional £1,775,445 for each win they notched in the group stage.That means Liverpool’s seven wins have pocketed them a staggering £12,428,115.Aston Villa star Jhon Duran kicks water bottle in fury after he is sent off against NewcastleArsenal and Villa’s respective four wins apiece, meanwhile, have so far earned them £7,101,780.Arsenal will be back in Champions League action on Wednesday night, welcoming Croatian big boys Dinamo Zagreb to the Emirates.Villa, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from their defeat to Monaco against Scottish champions Celtic next Wednesday. More

    • 275 Shares52 Views

      in Soccer

      Monaco 1 Aston Villa 0: Unai Emery’s side dealt blow in race for Champions League top eight in front of Prince William

      by

      ASTON VILLA discovered the hard way.The last place in the world you can afford to be poor is Monte Carlo.Aston Villa suffered a slip-up in their Champions League campaignCredit: GettyPrince William was in attendance at MonacoCredit: EPAWilfried Singo headed in from close range to break the deadlock on eight minutesCredit: APUnai Emery brought his Premier stars to the millionaires’ playground in the South of France.But in front of watching royalty – Villa fan Prince William – his side performed like paupers.Wilfried Singo’s first-half header was enough to sink Villa who had 82 minutes to put things right but never came close.They trudged off at the end, deservedly beaten by Monaco’s energetic kids.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLQuite simply, Villa ran out of ideas like a gambler who has run out of chips at Monte Carlo’s famous Casino.A win here in the Principality – which hosts the most glamorous and famous Grand Prix in the world – would have seen Villa enter the home straight in pole position.Instead, they looked as if they had run out of gas – and at times they were the pits.Now they face a huge test of their bottle at home to Celtic next Wednesday.Most read in Champions LeagueBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesIt is a must-win game if Villa are to finish with 16 points and hopefully qualify as one of the top eight.But they will need to go through several gears if they are to pop the champagne once they hit the chequered flag.Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher revisit Premier League predictions with Champions League chasers tipped to go downEmery raised eyebrows with his team selection as he handed Emi Buendia his first Champions League start.Less unexpected was his decision to start Ollie Watkins ahead of Villa’s top scorer in Europe, Jhon Duran.The Colombian’s three goals in this competition were three more than Watkins has managed this term.But to be fair to the England striker, he is in a rich vein of form right now after scoring in his last two games against Everton and Arsenal.Emery did manage to upset one section of the crowd with his selection, however.Emi Martinez’s inclusion was a no-brainer for the Spaniard but it didn’t go down well with the Monaco fans who booed him every time he touched the ball.French fans will never forgive the big Argentine goalie for his antics in the World Cup final when his housery helped his nation defeat France in the final.Villa actually carved out the first half-chance of the night when Lucas Digne delivered a deep cross to the back post.But Leon Bailey sent a weak header into Radoslaw Majecki’s arms, then collided with Christian Mawissa and required treatment.Villa seemed intent on hurting themselves because moments later Tyrone Mings was short with a pass to Youri Tielemans and Maghnes Akliouche sped in to rob the Belgian.The Monaco winger thundered in a shot which was deflected for a corner off Ezri Konsa.But once again Villa were sloppy from the corner and they paid a heavy price.Lamine Camara whipped in a tempting outswinger and Thilo Kehrer soared above Mings to power in a header.Martinez reacted instinctively to beat the ball out but defender Singo pounced to head home the rebound as Villa’s defenders stood still.It was Monaco’s third goal from a corner in this season’s Champions League – the joint-most of any side along with AC Milan.So Villa can’t say they weren’t warned.Monaco’s tails were up and Martinez had to rescue Villa with a brilliant dive and parry to deny Akliouche after Tielemans gave the ball away cheaply in midfield.Villa tried to respond but Morgan Rogers skied a shot over on the half-volley and Majecki plucked a curling Digne free-kick out rather acrobatically.Buendia was Villa’s most creative player and threaded the ball through to Bailey whose shot was palmed high over by Majecki.The Pole in Monaco’s goal was beginning to frustrate Villa and he was at it again in first-half stoppage time.Buendia played in Watkins who drilled a low shot towards the far corner but Majecki got down brilliantly to touch the ball around his post. However seconds later Villa had a huge let-off when Minamino played in Akliouche who had the goal at his mercy.But the 22-year-old French Algerian panicked and blazed over.Villa carved out an early opening after the break but Rogers’ shot, with the outside of his boot, flew agonisingly wide when he seemed set to score.However, Villa had another let-off when Akliouche stole in behind Villa’s defence to prod the ball home from Vanderson’s cross – only to be flagged offside.Emery had seen enough and sent on Jhon Duran to partner Watkins as Bailey made way.But Monaco were proving more than a match for Villa and it took a stunning sliding tackle from Mings to block Aleksandr Golovin when the substitute seemed certain to score on the breakaway.READ MORE SUN STORIESDuran had one last attempt with an overhead kick which flew over.But it was too little, way too late for Villa.Monaco still have hopes of finishing in the top eightCredit: APDenis Zakaria attempted a very acrobatic effortCredit: APMorgan Rogers was unable to weave his magicCredit: ReutersUnai Emery’s men face Celtic next week at Villa ParkCredit: Reuters More

    • 238 Shares37 Views

      in Soccer

      Champions League LIVE SCORES: Liverpool closing in on confirming Last 16 spot, Aston Villa in crunch clash at Monaco

      by

      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE football has returned for the penultimate matchround of the league stage.And Liverpool are back in action tonight at home to Lille as they close in on confirming their automatic qualification to the Last 16.The Reds only need to avoid defeat against the Ligue 1 side to guarantee their top-eight spot.While Aston Villa can go a huge step closer to joining them with a win at Monaco.Start times: 5.45pm/ 8pmLive stream: discovery+/ Amazon Prime VideoTV channel: TNT Sports/ Amazon Prime VideoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow ALL the action from Matchday Six with our live blog below…The Champions League has returnedHello and welcome to SunSport’s Champions League coverage as Europe’s elite competition returns tonight!Unlike the Premier League, the Champions League had Christmas and New Year off but is now back for the final two matchrounds.And we kick off with Monaco vs Aston Villa this evening to lead the early fixtures.Villa are closing in on automatic qualification to the Last 16, and realistically need one win from their final two matches to guarantee advancing.While league leaders Liverpool are taking on Lille at Anfield later on to wrap up the night.And should the Reds avoid defeat against the Ligue 1 side they will confirm their top-eight spot and automatic qualification to the last 16.We’ll be bringing you all of the updates right here on SunSport.Copy linkCopied More