Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Mount’s brilliant goal for Chelsea v Porto was down to bizarre training drill aged 10 with coloured socks in his garage

      by

      MASON MOUNT was able to score his sublime first Champions League goal thanks to a training drill with coloured socks in his garage.The Chelsea midfielder, 22, fired Chelsea in front against Porto on Wednesday night in emphatic fashion.
      Mason Mount scored his first Champions League goal after a neat touch with his left foot and finishCredit: Reuters

      Jorginho fizzed in a pass, Mount took the ball on his left foot and turned brilliantly before firing into the bottom corner with his right.
      He said: “I am always working on my finishing. I don’t think you can work on it enough.
      “In training, I shoot as much as I can — that’s a part of my game where I think I can improve on and score more goals.”
      The goal set the Blues on their way to victory in Seville, with Ben Chilwell adding a second to put one foot in the semi-finals.
      But as reported by The Times, the Mount goal was 12 years in the making.
      As a ten-year-old, Mount’s talent was clear to see after four years in the Chelsea academy.
      But the problem was so was his weakness: his left foot.
      That is why dad Tony – a former non-league player and manager – devised the method to improve the left peg.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      After clearing out the family home’s garage and laying down a carpet, the pair played football tennis – working on control and touch.
      Mount, though, wore different coloured socks – a red one on his favoured right foot, and yellow on his so-called ‘swinger’ – and was only allowed to use the latter.
      The coloured socks strategy is now used by many coaches across the country, including at AFC Wimbledon’s academy.
      Many hours of frustrating, enraging, difficult, awkward matches followed but slowly Mount Jr’s left foot was no longer a weakness.
      And that was most evident on Wednesday night when he controlled the ball with his left foot, spun and finished.
      It will go down as a right-footed goal but would never have happened without his left – the side he has scored two of his six Premier League goals this season with and four on loan at Derby in 2018-19.
      The superb control on his left foot allowed the midfielder to get past Zaidu SanusiCredit: Getty
      His goal was his first in the Champions League as the Blues put one foot in the semi-finalsCredit: AFP
      Mount came through the Blues academy but worked hard with his dad at home as wellCredit: Supplied
      He scored four goals with his so-called weaker foot during his loan spell at DerbyCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel praises Mason Mount for win over Porto More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Longest Champions League unbeaten runs as Man Utd’s 12-year record remains intact after PSG beat Bayern

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED’S 12-year record unbeaten run in the Champions League remains intact after Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich. The Red Devils went 25 games without loss between September 2007 and May 2009.

      They beat Chelsea in the 2008 final for their third European crown and the following year finally lost to Barcelona at the same stage.
      It was a stretch that included 15 wins and ten draws, including the one in Moscow as John Terry slipped in the shootout.
      Bayern Munich were closing in on matching – and breaking – that 25-match tally.
      Since defeat to Liverpool in the round of 16 in 2018-19, the German giants had not suffered defeat in Europe’s elite club competition – until PSG arrived in town on Wednesday night.
      The run of 19 matches incredibly included 18 wins and just one draw – a 1-1 stalemate away at Atletico Madrid in the group stages this season which ended their record-breaking tally of 15 successive wins in the tournament.
      Among those 18 wins were the 7-2 thrashing of Spurs, the 8-2 humiliation of Barcelona and the 1-0 win over PSG in last year’s final.
      This campaign they topped Group A with an aggregate score of 18-5 in their six matches.
      But after brushing aside Lazio in the last 16 4-1 away and 2-1 at home, Hans-Dieter Flick’s side, missing the injured Robert Lewandowski, were eventually toppled in the Bavaria snow.
      GRAND NATIONAL: GET £200 IN FREE BETS FOR FESTIVAL AT AINTREE

      Kylian Mbappe scored twice either side of Marquinhos’ finish to secure a 3-2 win in the away leg of the mouthwatering quarter-final contest.
      This 19-match streak matched Bayern’s own effort from March 2001 to April 2002 – which included a win on penalties in the 2001 final against Valencia.
      Ajax also went 19 matches unbeaten between September 1994 and March 1996, lifting Big Ears in 1995.
      Three times clubs have gone 16 games without loss.
      Barcelona, champions in 2011, managed it from March 2011 to April 2012 under Pep Guardiola.
      United won the treble in emphatic fashion when they beat Bayern in the 1999 final – part of the run between March 1998 and September 1999.
      Two years later they embarked on another 16-match streak, which ran from October 2002 to October 2003.
      That means out of the seven unbeaten runs of 16 or more matches, United’s at the beginning of the 21st century was the only one which didn’t see the team win the Champions League.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Sir Alex Ferguson oversaw the longest unbeaten run in Champions League history between 2007 and 2009Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      Barcelona ended Manchester United’s run in 2009 and enjoyed their own stretch, including the 2011 titleCredit: Hugh Routledge – The Sunday Times
      Kylian Mbappe scored twice as PSG beat Bayern in the Bavarian snowCredit: Getty

      Kylian Mbappe interviewed in the snow after PSG win first leg in Champions League against Bayern Munich More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      John Terry calls for Sky Sports to reclaim Champions League coverage from BT Sport as he watches Chelsea beat Porto

      by

      JOHN TERRY has called on Sky Sports to reclaim Champions League broadcasting rights from BT Sport.Sky shared rights with ITV until 2015, when BT shelled out around £1BILLION to snatch the world’s biggest club competition away.
      JT called for Sky Sports to reclaim the Champions League rightsCredit: Instagram johnterry.26
      But JT, 40, didn’t appear to enjoy their coverage of his former side’s clash with Porto on Wednesday night – which happened to feature former verbal sparring partner Robbie Savage on commentary.
      Terry posted an image of the game on his telly to Instagram, captioned: “@SkySports please get hold of the Champions League”.
      Savage, 46, was on commentary duty alongside Darren Fletcher, and has clashed with Terry in the past.
      When JT endured a rough patch during the 2015-16 season, Savage ‘dug him out’, claiming that the Chelsea skipper had entered the ‘beginning of the end’ at Stamford Bridge.
      Terry took exception to this at the time, hitting back: “I’ve come under criticism, individually, from certain players and individuals, players I’ve looked up to and played alongside.
      “I’ve taken that on the chin: Rio, Carra, Neville, the very best I’ve come up against in the game.
      “I take that on the chin. When others speak, maybe I don’t take it on the chin.
      “When players have not had a career, played at a really bad level in their career… Robbie Savage being one.
      Terry has rarely seen eye to eye with SavageCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      GRAND NATIONAL: GET £200 IN FREE BETS FOR FESTIVAL AT AINTREE

      “He’s dug me out a couple of times. You take it as a footballer, as an individual. I’ll take it from the Rios, Carraghers and Neville. All day long. From others? Nah”
      Savage hit back: “John’s entitled to his opinion.
      “It’s a shame he thinks 99 per cent of the industry – those of us who have not won the title or Champions League titles – is unqualified to express theirs.”
      Terry is set to be disappointed, however, with BT Sport to remain the home of European football for at least another three seasons.
      In 2019, they agreed a three-year extension from 2021 to 2024, paying around £400million a season for the rights.
      Terry publicly criticised Robbie Savage’s punditry in 2015Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea legend John Terry is building a swimming pool and tennis court on his property More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Tuchel urged to DROP out-of-form Chelsea striker Timo Werner after Champions League win over Porto

      by

      THOMAS TUCHEL has been told to consider dropping Timo Werner after a lacklustre display against Porto.The German has only scored past Morecambe and Newcastle in 2021 and rarely looked like doing so on Wednesday night.
      Timo Werner failed to hit the back of the net against Porto on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      When he was substituted for Christian Pulisic on 65 minutes, Werner had only fired off one shot and touched the ball 15 times – the lowest of all 22 starting players in Seville.
      Speaking after the game, former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison asserted that Tuchel needs to take him out of the line-up to reset his form.
      He told BBC 5 Live: “Chelsea have got other attacking options – it just depends on how long Tuchel wants to stick with Timo Werner.
      “Listen, Werner is not a bad player. You don’t become a bad player overnight.
      “It’s just at the moment, he’s getting into positions and not being clinical.
      “Maybe he needs a bit of time out of the team and he can make an impact coming off the bench.”
      A fine Mason Mount goal put Chelsea ahead in the quarter-final tie before Ben Chilwell added a second late on.
      But Werner’s struggle left pundits searching for answers over how he can go from being a goal machine at RB Leipzig to a nigh-on flop at Chelsea.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
      He came with a huge reputation and you cannot always expect it to be a bed of roses immediately.Rio Ferdinand
      Ex-Blues hero Glenn Hoddle told BT Sport: “You’ve got to remember this is in a pandemic, we don’t know if he’s settled at home, I’m not sure if his family are with him.
      “It’s a bit like [Kai] Havertz as well, if you haven’t got your partner, or just your partner, you’re not going out with the lads, getting to know them, for a meal, all those things have an impact on you as a player – so that could be a part of it.
      “But he does lack a little bit of confidence at the moment.”
      Rio Ferdinand added that the 25-year-old was likely to find it tough to match his form in the Bundesliga.
      The former defender noted: “He came with a big reputation from Germany, did ever so well, scored over 30 goals in his last season for Leipzig.
      “He came with a huge reputation and when they come from a foreign country, you cannot always expect it to be a bed of roses immediately.
      “He’s got 10 goals this season and eight assists.”
      Tuchel admitted that Werner and fellow forward Havertz did not meet his expectations against Porto.

      He told reporters: “I accept that it was a tough match for Timo and for Kai today, they did not have their best day and we did not deliver so good.
      “The connection between the deep seven players that we needed for the build-up and the front three, we lost that a bit.
      “To have a bit more of an impact, the balls we delivered were not the best balls.
      “I could feel our two German players up front, Kai and Timo, did not play on their highest level today so I wanted to have an impact from the bench.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea boss Tuchel compares Timo Werner’s scoring troubles to picking up women More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Linesman who asked Erling Haaland to sign his yellow card set to auction it off to raise money for autism

      by

      THE yellow card signed by Erling Haaland after Dortmund’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City will be auctioned off for charity, according to reports.Eyebrows were raised when footage emerged of Romanian linesman Octavian Sovre asking the 20-year-old for his autograph in the tunnel after the game.
      Haaland autographed the linesman’s card at the end of the gameCredit: BT Sport
      The gesture ruffled feathers at the time, with City boss Pep Guardiola saying: “I’ve never seen it before but it happened.”
      While former defender Joleon Lescott said on BT Sport: “There is a never a right time for that to happen.
      “It doesn’t look right, it doesn’t bode well for the officials and the set-up – it’s a childish thing to see.”
      But it turns out that it was for a good cause.
      According to Sky Sports, Sovre made the gesture because he wants to raise money for charity.
      They claim that the Romanian FA have confirmed that as well as assisting referees in the Champions League, Sovre also assists an autism centre in his native country.
      The card will now be auctioned to the highest bidder, in order to raise funds for the centre.
      So giddy fans will have the opportunity to get their hands on the now-infamous card.
      Haaland, 20, chats with match winner Phil FodenCredit: Reuters
      GRAND NATIONAL: GET £140 IN FREE BETS FOR FESTIVAL AT AINTREE

      While the money will go towards helping people that really need it.
      The autograph came after a rare quiet game for Haaland.
      Although, having spurned a one-on-one opportunity, the Norwegian did manage to provide a nice assist for Marco Reus to equalise in the 84th minute – cancelling out Kevin De Bruyne’s 19th minute opener.
      But the lanky striker was powerless to stop Phil Foden’s last minute winner.
      The two sides will face off again next Wednesday in Germany, with a place in the Champions League semi-finals on the line.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Erling Haaland and Phil Foden chat after whistle as Man City eye transfer swoop for Dortmund sensation More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Mbappe reveals how Pochettino masterminded PSG win over Bayern and insists ‘I love playing against best in the world’

      by

      KYLIAN MBAPPE paid tribute to Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical acumen as Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich on Wednesday.The Ligue 1 side claimed a 3-2 victory at Allianz Arena to stand on the brink of the semi-finals and knocking out the defending champions.
      Kylian Mbappe was named Man of the Match for his performance on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      The striker credited Mauricio Pochettino with masterminding the winCredit: Getty
      In a repeat of his heroics away to Barcelona in the last round, 22-year-old Mbappe scored twice including the later winner.
      And the Frenchman credited coach Pochettino with the plan that stifled Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich and created space in behind for him to attack.
      The striker told RMC Sports, via GFFN: “Above all, this is a superb team performance, I was able to profit from everyone else’s work.
      “Aside from that, we are only at half-time in this huge clash. We suffered, but we suffered as a team, we should not be ashamed of our performance.
      “We were solid, and we knew how to inflict damage in our strong moments. We will attack the second leg with the same determination.
      “As I said in Barcelona, I like these type of matches. I was not always smiling, but I am not here to hide, I like to play these type of matches and to be decisive.
      “The coach wanted me to close the passing lines on Kimmich with Neymar and that I run deep to overcome the Bayern block and make them run because they don’t like that. It worked well today. ”
      Although Mbappe’s early strike surprisingly beat Manuel Neuer, there were few goalkeepers who would have saved his smart near-post finish to put PSG 3-2 ahead.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

      The star forward noted that he doesn’t feel any pressure facing such great players.
      He added: “I love to play against the best players in the world and Manuel Neuer is one of the best keepers in history.
      “I don’t feel any pressure, we played in [last year’s] final against him and didn’t score.
      “But this was another game, I scored two goals but I will face him again and I hope to score again.”
      Mbappe became the second-highest scoring Frenchman in the Champions League knockouts with the brace, jumping Thierry Henry as he reached 13 goals.
      Bayern had not lost in 19 matches in the competition going into the game and must now overturn the deficit at Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

      “Is this his moment? You bet it is!”PSG rip Bayern apart on the counter-attack again and Kylian Mbappe is the man to apply a wonderful finish ✨They’ve now scored three times at the Allianz! 😳 pic.twitter.com/cmYlOEHoOQ— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 7, 2021

      Looking ahead to the return leg, Mbappe noted: “First we need to play well against Strasbourg this weekend.
      “And then we will need to attack with confidence, even though we are facing a great team.
      “This is the Champions League, there are only great teams.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Kylian Mbappe interviewed in the snow after PSG win first leg in Champions League against Bayern Munich More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch hilarious moment Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards dance and do cartwheels on US Champions League coverage

      by

      MICAH RICHARDS repeated an old goal celebration and CARTWHEELED in the CBS studio alongside an in-stitches Jamie Carragher.The Liverpool legend was shown just how his fellow pundit used to react to goals back in his Manchester City ‘glory days’.
      Jamie Carragher joined Micah Richards in replicating an old danceCredit: Twitter @UCLonCBSSports
      Richards then repeated his cartwheel goal celebration – much to the amusement of viewersCredit: Twitter @UCLonCBSSports
      During Wednesday’s Champions League coverage for the US TV network, the pair, along with Kate Abdo and Alex Scott, got onto the topic of Richards’ famous moves.
      Turning to Carragher, the former defender stated: “Come on then, I’ll show you.”
      Richards and Carragher leapt up and the studio screen behind them showed footage of the 32-year-old dancing alongside old Citizens pal Ishmael Miller.
      The pair then hilariously replicated the jig, Scott joking that Carragher was ‘on strings’ with his attempt.
      More footage from the same game was then shown, as the ex-City star struck a last-minute equaliser away to Everton in 2006.
      Richards dubbed it the ‘glory days’ before watching himself do two somersaults on the Goodison Park pitch.
      He remarked: “I’m not attempting to do that here, not a chance!”
      However, he was lured into it and Carragher hopped back up with him, adding: “If your suit goes, I’ll buy you a new one.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Richards then duly pulled off two cartwheels in the studio as the team cried with laughter.
      It was certainly not the first time the pundit duo have caught the eye on US tele after they argued over Jude Bellingham’s disallowed goal the night before.
      They also memorably took aim at each other over their medal tally, leading to Richards bringing in his Prem gong to show to the crown-less Carragher and leave fans in stitches. Watch out Gary Neville…
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Jamie Carragher has meltdown in row with Micah Richards over Bellingham’s disallowed goal vs Man City before Kate Abdo steps in More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Mason Mount insists his goal was better than pal Ben Chilwell’s as Chelsea heroes celebrate strikes in win over Porto

      by

      MASON MOUNT and Ben Chilwell both grabbed their first Champions League goals to put Chelsea on course for a semi-final spot.The England pair secured victory against Portuguese champions Porto with two vital away goals ahead of next week’s second leg in Seville.
      Mason Mount celebrates his goal against PortoCredit: Getty

      Mount said: “It was about time for my goal to come, I’ve been waiting patiently.
      “I was very happy with that and it puts us in a good position. But it’s only half the tie.
      “I’m always working on my finishing. It’s a part of my game I can keep improving and score more goals.”
      Mount also became the Blues’ youngest-ever scorer in the tournament’s knockout stage at 22 years and 87 days.
      And with Chilwell, Chelsea had two English stars on target in a Champions League match for the first time since Frank Lampard and John Terry struck against Napoli in March 2012.
      Provided there is no collapse next week in the ‘home tie’, then Chelsea will reach a first Champions League semi for seven years.
      Asked to compare the quality of both goals and the finishing, cheeky Mount said: “I’ve got to go with mine as the better.
      “Of course, he would say his one. He showed great composure. I thought he was going to shoot in front of goal but then he took it past the goalkeeper.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      “It was a very good finish from him. He will be buzzing. I am happy for him to get his first goal.”
      It was just the type of response manager Thomas Tuchel had demanded after Saturday’s shock 5-2 home defeat to West Brom — and the following day’s training-ground bust-up between Antonio Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
      That shock Premier League loss to Sam Allardyce’s side was the first defeat of his reign after 14 matches unbeaten.
      Mount, who has eight goals this season, added: “We put the West Brom game behind us. We said we need to improve.
      “That game was something we looked at briefly the next day and then moved on.
      “We came here with full focus, 100 per cent commitment that we would win and give it our everything. I felt we did that.
      “The job is not done. They will fight for the next leg and we have to give it our all again. We will be ready next week.”

      Tuchel praised his young creative midfielder, saying: “Mason is a very important player for our squad.
      “He has the right mentality and attitude towards training. He has the right attitude towards success.
      “He has both feet on the ground. He is open and hungry to learn.”
      Victory also meant Tuchel became only the second Chelsea boss to win his first three Champions League knockout matches after Roberto Di Matteo in 2012.
      That, of course, was the year the Londoners won Europe’s biggest crown and interestingly they beat a Portuguese side in the final eight as well.
      If they prevail, then they will play either Real Madrid or Liverpool in the final four though the La Liga side have a healthy 3-1 lead from the first leg.
      The German said: “I feel there is a good atmosphere in the dressing room.
      Ben Chilwell punishes the Porto defence! Great composure from the Chelsea left-back as he breaks through and rounds the keeper before slotting home 🙌A MASSIVE goal! pic.twitter.com/jjnHHwuPbl— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 7, 2021

      “We are happy but not too happy. We are excited but not overexcited.
      “After conceding last Saturday and losing such a strange game, we said that the best situation would be produce a clean sheet straightaway.
      “This makes it a very precious result. I am very happy we had a lot of possession.
      “It was the first response after our first loss together and I am absolutely happy with the result.
      “I can understand that we feel the tension when it comes a quarter-final.
      “We accept the quality of a strong Porto side, a proud and emotional side.
      “We need another top performance and top mentality next Tuesday.” More