Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Barcelona ace claims reason they didn’t win more titles and famously lost to Liverpool was because they were ‘BORED’

      by

      IVAN RAKITIC has claimed that his Barcelona side were beaten by Liverpool in 2019 because they were “BORED”.The LaLiga giants were dumped out of the Champions League by the Premier League outfit after an unforgettable 4-0 defeat at Anfield.Liverpool mounted a spectacular comeback to beat Barcelona in 2019Credit: Times Newspapers LtdIvan Rakitic has claimed the result came about because they were ‘bored’Credit: Getty – ContributorLiverpool mounted a miraculous comeback to win the tie, having been 3-0 down after the first leg in Spain.Divock Origi scored the first before Georginio Wijnaldum’s brace levelled the tie.Origi then netted the iconic winner after latching on to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick corner.Rakitic, 36, has now insisted that the defeat for Barcelona was as a result of the team being “bored.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “With all due respect and affection to all the teams, Barcelona did not win more because of boredom and thinking about things other than football.”I have heard many of your teammates say that they have never seen anything like this.”We screwed up against Roma and Liverpool, but I am convinced that we were affected by that boredom, by feeling too superior.”If you don’t give your all, you don’t win.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”If we had maintained our hunger, we would have won one or two more Champions Leagues.”Rakitic enjoyed a lot of success in Barcelona during his six-year spell at the club.The 25 top-rated footballers in EA FC25The Croatian midfielder won four LaLiga titles, four Copa de Rey’s and a Champions League in 2015.The result in 2019 saw Jurgen Klopp’s side book their spot in the Champions League final.Liverpool went on to win the match against fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.Who are these famous footballers? More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd ‘one of three clubs who made shock transfer swoop for Tottenham’s Cristian Romero this summer’

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED were one of THREE clubs who moved for Tottenham defender Cristian Romero this summer, according to reports.The Red Devils, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all asked about the World Cup winner’s availability in the most-recent window.Cristian Romero was targeted by United, PSG and Real MadridAccording to sources close to Romero’s camp, United, Madrid and PSG all showed interest in luring him away from Spurs.Romero has developed into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, forming an impressive partnership under Micky van de Ven in North London.United approached Tottenham for Romero as early as June, according to Argentine news outlet TYC Sports.But boss Ange Postecoglou refused to part ways with his vice-captain.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTottenham informed the three clubs that he was not for sale, refusing to enter into any negotiations or even put a price on the 26-year-old.And TYC claim interest is likely to be re-ignited next summer, when Romero will have two years left on his contract.Erik ten Hag prioritised strengthening his back-line following Raphael Varane’s exit and United’s defensive injury crisis last season.No defender has scored more Premier League goals than Romero since the start of 2023-24.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 26-year-old’s header in Tottenham’s emphatic 4-0 win over Everton was his sixth goal since last September.Romero was chosen ahead of United defender Lisandro Martinez in every game of Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar 2022, including playing all 120 minutes in the final.Piers Morgan slams ‘complete idiot’ Erik ten Hag in astonishing rant against Man Utd boss about Cristiano RonaldoMartinez and Romero are now the first choice parting for Argentina, and helped their nation win the Copa America against Colombia in July.Meanwhile, United added Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to their squad this summer.The Red Devils were preparing a move for Romero in 2021 after he was named the best defender in the Serie A while on loan at Atalanta.But, that summer, they instead signed Varane from Real Madrid, along with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.None of those three players are still at Old Trafford.Romero joined Tottenham on loan with the move made permanent the following year for £42m during that same window. More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Dave Kidd: Aston Villa getting Champions League is one of Prem’s best-ever achievements… but ticket fiasco has ruined it

      by

      ASTON VILLA’S qualification for the Champions League was one of the most underrated achievements of the Premier League era.In the previous two decades, only twice has a club from outside the Big Six stormed the barricades to reach the group stage of Europe’s elite competition — Leicester’s 2016 miracle men and Newcastle’s filthy-rich Geordie Arabia project.Aston Villa will compete in the Champions League this seasonCredit: GettyFans have been left fuming at the ticket prices set by the clubCredit: GettySo, Unai Emery leading Villa into the top four — above Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Newcastle — was a truly significant feat.It is 41 years since Villa last competed at Europe’s top table, as defending champions following their 1982 European Cup triumph over Bayern Munich.That Bayern should be the first Champions League visitors to Villa Park, with further home fixtures against Juventus and a ‘battle of Britain’ against Celtic to come, made this campaign even more greatly anticipated among fans.With Goodison Park and Old Trafford facing the bulldozers, Villa Park will soon be one of the few remaining great English footballing cathedrals.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe place drips with history and pulsates with noise.From the North Stand banner with a transcript of the TV commentary for Peter Withe’s 1982 winner against Bayern, to the statue of William McGregor, the Villa chairman who invented the Football League — and indeed league football — in 1888, the place is a living, screaming museum.And last season, this was the Premier League’s feel-good club.Marooned in the Championship just five years ago, and in deep relegation trouble when Emery had taken over in late 2022, here was a remarkable success story under an excellent manager.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut then came a spectacular, horrible own goal from Villa’s top brass.The announcement of ticket prices for those long-awaited Champions League fixtures ranged from an eye-watering £85 to £97, or £70 to £82 for season-ticket holders.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeTo any person with a grip on the real world, there is a glaringly obvious ‘ouch’ here.Loyal supporters who had turned up in tens of thousands to watch league football against Burton Albion and Rotherham a few years ago will be fleeced if they want to experience great European glory nights.It is a case of floodlit robbery from Villa’s owners.Many fans will now have to pick and choose between Champions League fixtures or forego Christmas presents for their kids, if they can afford to watch any European football at all.The disconnect between billionaire owners of Premier League clubs — including Villa’s Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris — and punters struggling in a cost-of-living crisis has never been more stark.But Villa seem particularly tone-deaf, as Liverpool and Manchester City both offer Champions League prices that are lower than £40, while Arsenal include European fixtures with their, admittedly expensive, season tickets.Villa supporter groups had advocated Champions League prices in the region of the dearest ‘category A’ Premier League matches, at a minimum of £55, but they were ignored.It is a case of floodlit robbery from Villa’s owners.Dave KiddRunning parallel to all this is Villa’s quite justifiable gripe against Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.In an outspoken interview last week, Villa’s chief executive Damian Vidagany claimed these rules were not ‘fit for purpose’.And he revealed that the club were ‘hours away’ from a ten-point deduction until they flogged Douglas Luiz before PSR’s ludicrous June 30 mid-window deadline.These complaints are fair. PSR protects the existing elite by denying ambitious owners the chance to spend and compete.As Vidagany said, Villa needed a ‘miracle’ from Emery to reach the top four.But the answer is not to penalise fans. Especially when they have waited so long to see their great club competing at the highest level.An extra 30 or 40 quid a pop is not going to make a vast difference to Villa’s balance sheet, when Champions League participation is already so lucrative — but it certainly will make a difference to families struggling to make ends meet.This is not the only example of Villa’s hierarchy — with the club’s head of business operations Chris Heck bearing the brunt of criticism — ignoring the financial hardships of fans.Last week they were forced into a U-turn after doubling the prices of parking spots for disabled supporters.And the corporatisation of Villa Park is described as ‘excessive’ and out of touch with the core of the club’s fanbase, especially by tearing seats out of the vast Holte End — the stadium’s heart and soul — to create the more expensive ‘Terrace View’ area.Edens and Sawiris are among the Premier League’s most desirable owners.Wealthy and ambitious, intelligent in their key appointments, and without any of the human-rights issues regarding state-ownership models at both Newcastle and Manchester City.Yet they have still managed to turn a serious success story into a firestorm.And supporters who were rich in anticipation now find themselves significantly poorer.SNAKE HIGHSJack Grealish silenced te Irish crowd with a goal on SaturdayCredit: EPAJACK GREALISH marked his goal for England against the Republic of Ireland with genuine joy.But his fellow former Irish so-called ‘snake’ Declan Rice opted for that virtue-signalling ‘non-celebration’ celebration.Interestingly, my English spy watching the match in a Dublin bar says Irish fans preferred Grealish’s reaction to Rice’s.“If you’re going to sell your soul to the devil, you should at least go the whole hog,” said one.UP FOR A BUSLee Carsley won his first game in charge of EnglandCredit: GettyWHILE we harp on about England’s lack of a major trophy since 1966, we seem to have missed the fact Lee Carsley has the chance to become the first Three Lions boss to lead the team to promotion.Gareth Southgate oversaw relegation to Nations League B, due in no small part to that disastrous 4-0 humping by Hungary at Molineux in 2022.But Carsley can now pilot our brave boys back to the promised land of League A.An open-top bus parade to Trafalgar Square in November, anyone?COLE CLASSHarry Kane will reach 100th England appearance against FinlandCredit: PAAshley Cole was one of the best left-backs during his playing daysCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdOF the nine players Harry Kane will join members of England’s 100-cap club, probably the most underrated is Ashley Cole.Cole won 13 major trophies with Chelsea and Arsenal and is currently interim boss Lee Carsley’s No 2. He was undoubtedly the best left-back on the planet for a decent stretch of time in the Noughties — only lacking proper recognition due to his pathological hatred of the media.But those who know Cole well swear by him as a bloke — and his vast international experience will be an asset to Carsley should he land the England job full-time.MOUR TIME ERIK?Man United have stumbled out of the blocks this seasonCredit: GettyHOW long has Erik ten Hag got left as Manchester United manager?Well, if the Red Devils’ results and performances continue to be as bad as the last two matches — defeats by Brighton and Liverpool — then probably not very long at all.But if you want to pinpoint the Dutchman’s most likely departure date, then how about the evening of October 24, in the wake of a Europa League loss in Istanbul to Fenerbahce and their old boss Jose Mourinho?BIG ANGSTAnge Postecoglou will be hoping for victory over ArsenalCredit: GettyWHEN the Premier League returns next weekend, the North London derby will take centre stage.And it looks a huge fixture for Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Aussie’s record in his last half-dozen matches against top-half Premier League sides reads: played six, lost six, conceded 17.If Arsenal win on Spurs soil for a third successive season then Big Ange will be entering crisis territory.Who are these famous footballers? More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Laura Woods names her all-time Premier League XI with Man Utd and Arsenal legends dominating

      by

      LAURA WOODS has named her all-time Premier League XI and boss – with a shock midfield three and NO Sir Alex Ferguson.The footie presenter’s best starting line-up is also dominated by four Arsenal and Manchester United legends.Laura Woods was asked to pick her Premier League all-time XIArsenal hero Patrick Vieira made the cutWoods, 37, mocked up her ultimate Prem XI for BETMGM, with only ONE current player making the cut.In goal, Woods went for Peter Schmeichel, pointing to the impressive accolades achieved by the former Man United keeper.The Denmark international won 15 major honours under Ferguson, including the Treble in 1999 and five Prem titles.Arsenal fan Woods only included one of Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard – solely opting for the ex- Liverpool captain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe said: “In the team that Gerrard was in, I think he just dragged everybody up to his level, and I don’t think Liverpool would have had the success of that generation without him.”The rest of the midfield trio was made up by former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira and Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne.Woods said: “Vieira is an incredible player. Again, another leader, so strong. I loved him and Roy Keane going at it in the tunnel.”Vieira won three Premier League titles, while former Man United captain Keane lifted seven.Most read in FootballGary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Tony Adams and Ashley Cole made up Woods’ back-four.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd it’s hard to argue with her front-three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry.But in a true to shock to everybody – or maybe no one – Woods finished her dream matchday squad with Invincibles manager Arsene Wenger.How Euro 2024 host Laura Woods finally tamed Love Island’s biggest bad boy Adam Collard who made Joey Essex look like a puppyShe said: “Wenger changed the Premier League. No one’s done it unbeaten since. “Everything about the way he treated those players and the way he dragged them from the pubs to the most professional era football in England had ever seen. I think he changed the game in this country.”Meanwhile, Woods hosts Prem football every Saturday on TNT and is a lead presenter on the channel’s Uefa Champions League coverage, after stepping down from her role at talkSPORT.The award-winning broadcaster is expecting her first child with former Love Islander boyfriend Adam Collard, 28.The loved-up couple recently enjoyed a romantic getaway to Ibiza at the end of August.Arsenal manager Arsene Wengergot the nod ahead of Fergie More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Former PSV Eindhoven star faces 30 months in prison over death of four-year-old boy as he withdraws appeal

      by

      FORMER PSV Eindhoven midfielder Rai Vloet is facing two-and-a-half years in prison for causing a fatal accident which killed a four-year-old boy.The 29-year-old was sentenced last year for the incident which took place in November 2021.Rai Vloet, centre, is facing 30 months behind bars for the fatal accidentCredit: GettyHe opted to appeal the decision after The Public Prosecution Service did the same as they called for his sentence to be increased by a further 12 months.However, ANP have now revealed Vloet’s lawyer, Alrik de Haas, confirmed on Monday that the footballer decided to withdraw his appeal on September 3.The Public Prosecution Service followed suit, meaning Vloet can now expect a summons to serve his two-and-a-half-year prison sentence.He will also have to pay “several hundred thousand euros” in damages.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing the crash on the A4 near Hoofddorp which killed four-year-old Gio Roos, Vloet was found “smelling of alcohol and with bloodshot eyes”.The prosecution later called the speed he was driving at “absurd”.Vloet played 16 games for PSV, including three in the Europa League and one in the Champions League.At the time of the accident, he was at Dutch side Heracles.Most read in FootballSince then, he has gone on to play in Kazakhstan and Russia, but is now a free agent after his contract with Ural Yekaterinburg expired at the end of last season.AD have reported Vloet is considering hanging up his boots.It is understood he wants to serve his sentence “normally”. More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo marries Malik Scott in romantic ceremony as fans ‘send prayers to Thierry Henry’

      by

      KATE ABDO tied the knot with Malik Scott in an intimate wedding ceremony – though fans wanted an urgent update on Thierry Henry.CBS Sports presenter Abdo works alongside Henry, 47, for the broadcaster’s coverage of Champions League nights, which also features Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.Kate Abdo got married to Malik Scott in a stunning ceremonyCredit: Instagram / @kateabdoBut fans couldn’t help but spare a thought for CBS colleague Thierry HenryCredit: GettyThe quartet have become firm fan favourites over the past two seasons, with their larger-than-life personalities bouncing off of one another to create some iconic viral clips.This included one hilarious clip when Henry was left with his jaw on the floor as a video of Abdo from 2007 came to light.But ahead of the new Champions League season, she swapped the studio for a stunning wedding reception with boxing trainer Scott. Manchester-lass Abdo – who turned 43 on Sunday to make it a dream birthday weekend – was seen in an elegant off-the-shoulder white dress for the occasion, while Scott went for a stylish patterned black suit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe newlyweds shared pictures of them taking their vows in front of a scenic mountain backdrop.Other pictures showed the couple embracing and sharing a kiss, while another showed Scott, who trains Deontay Wilder, picking up Abdo while they were surrounded by a circle of candles.The final photo showed Scott and Abdo posing in front of a doorway.Fans were quick to congratulate them on the joyous day, though some fans rushed online to spare a thought for Arsenal legend Henry.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne fan joked: “Sending thoughts and prayers to Thierry Henry during this rough time (Kate Abdo got married).”A second said: “I’ve just seen Kate Abdo in a wedding dress, someone please check on Thierry Henry.”Thierry Henry left speechless as Kate Abdo destroys Micah Richards with Champions League jibe live on TVA third added: “Keep Uncle Titi in your prayers in these tough times.”Another said: “Someone check on Titi.”A fifth said: “Pray for Titi,” alongside a skull emoji.Abdo’s wedding vows also coincide with a new format for the Champions League group stage.The expanded competition will now see teams compete in a general league phase across the board, rather than simply in eight groups of four with the top two progressing.However, it will be spread over ten game week slots.New Champions League formatEach club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.They will be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season. More

    • 263 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      How Man Utd beat off Real Madrid’s attempted transfer hijack of £52m defender Leny Yoro only for defender to get injured

      by

      THE decision maker for Leny Yoro’s move to Manchester United over Real Madrid has been revealed.Yoro, 18, signed a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months with United for £52m.The decision maker in Leny Yoro’s transfer to Man Utd over Real Madrid has been revealedCredit: RexThe 18-year-old is currently out injured after fracturing his metatarsalCredit: https://x.com/leny_yoroAfter winning the Champions League, Real Madrid sought a new central defender due to long-time player Nacho leaving the club at the end of his contract. The reigning LaLiga and European champions offered Leny Yoro a salary of £2.5 million per season. However, United presented a significantly more lucrative deal, offering Yoro triple that offer for £8.1 million per year, as reported by Marca.Red Devils boss Erik Ten Hag was eager to integrate the promising talent into his squad.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd Yoro made his friendly debut against Rangers after just a few days of pre-season training.He then travelled to America with the team for more friendly matches but suffered a serious injury during a game against Arsenal.This injury required metatarsal surgery sidelining him for an expected three months.He will not be rushed back after United secured the double signing of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui for a combined fee of £60m.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDespite discovering Yoro’s potential metatarsal issues, club executives chose to push ahead with the move.It was seen as a rare opportunity to capture one of Europe’s highly-regarded young stars.Man Utd’s completed summer transfer dealsBut Real Madrid later clarified that they were not willing to invest in players not necessarily needed in Carlo Ancelotti’s team, especially after enhancing their squad with the signing of superstar Kylian Mbappe. More

    • 275 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘If you can’t, the job is not for you,’ says ex-Man Utd keeper as he gives Andre Onana advice on handling pressure

      by

      ANDRE ONANA has been offered some words of wisdom on dealing with the pressures of being a goalkeeper at Manchester United.Former Red Devils shot-stopper Anders Lindegaard bluntly explained the demands of the job after Man Utd’s Legends lost to former Celtic stars on Saturday.Anders Lindegaard has offered some stern advice to Andre OnanaOnana is currently under pressure at Man UtdLindegaard was overjoyed to be back at Old Trafford as he shared goalkeeping duties with Kevin Pilkington and Raimond van der Gouw in the Legends’ match.After Wayne Rooney’s sublime 25-yard free-kick, Celtic equalised through Gary Hooper and would go onto win 4-3 on penalties.After the charity game, Lindegaard said: “Onana has come back from a difficult start and now he is doing a lot better. “But there’s no magic formula to overcome that pressure. That is the job. The job is to handle that pressure.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”If you can’t do it, or you won’t do it, the job is not for you.”The 40-year-old former Denmark international officially joined the Red Devils in January 2011 before leaving in the summer of 2015.Meanwhile, all eyes are on Onana as he has already conceded five goals this season after Man Utd’s dismal 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool last Sunday.The Cameroonian stopper, who has a reputation for the odd howler, again got his footing all wrong for Mo Salah’s goal on the weekend.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGary Neville once said: “Being the Man Utd keeper was the most difficult job in English football.”The Sky Sports pundit was referencing the magnifying glass placed on every single United goalkeeper since the Premier League began.Wayne Rooney reveals club he would have loved to have played for as Man Utd legend says ‘it didn’t work out’After arriving for £47m last summer, Onana has been subject to a mixed reaction from fans, after several embarrassing blunders in the Champions League group stage saw United drop out early last season.He let the ball slip through his gloves against Bayern Munich, often passed the ball to opponents near is own box, and let Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick in against Galatasaray to concede 15 goals in six European games.Onana improved somewhat throughout the season, but still seems slow to react to low shots, after saying he is prepared to take more “risks” .And the spot-light is growing after Man Utd finished a record low eighth last term, and had a minus one goal difference.Erik ten Hag brought Onana in to replace David de Gea, who was out of his £375,000-per-week contract.The Spaniard said goodbye to Old Trafford after 12 years behind the sticks and has since joined Serie A side Fiorentina on a one-year-deal.READ MORE SUN STORIESDe Gea was adorned by United fans for the majority of his time there, picking up the club’s Player of the Year on four occasions.But the 33-year-old fell victim to the same pressure Onana’s now facing, after a few clangers of his own in his later years. More