Match coverage

Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona: Antony the matchwinner as ten Hag’s Reds rally to seal UEL last-16 berth

Antony of Manchester United celebrates with teammates Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA...

Second-half goals from Fred and substitute Anthony were the catalyst for a nervy but hard-earned comeback win for Manchester United over La Liga leaders Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie, prevailing 4-3 on aggregate – welcome preparation before their Wembley trip on Sunday for the Carabao Cup final as Newcastle await.

Continue reading “Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona: Antony the matchwinner as ten Hag’s Reds rally to seal UEL last-16 berth”

Analysis, feature pieces

Man Utd’s pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frankie de Jong drags on, with other options linked

Frenkie de Jong of the Netherlands during the UEFA Nations League A Group 4 match between the Netherlands and Wales at the Stadion Feyenoord on June...

Manchester United have informed Barcelona they want to conclude a deal to sign Dutch international Frenkie de Jong by Friday, per reports today. Paul Pogba’s Juventus return on a free is among their summer departures, with Wolves’ Ruben Neves and Leicester’s wantaway star Youri Tielemans linked as possible alternatives should they fail to sign the 25-year-old. Continue reading “Man Utd’s pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frankie de Jong drags on, with other options linked”

Archives

Why Aston Villa are boosting their European ambitions with £26m Diego Carlos deal

Diego Carlos Santos Silva of Sevilla FC in action during the LaLiga Santander match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at Estadio Wanda...

After watching a potentially promising campaign fizzle out rather unceremoniously from mid-March onwards, it makes sense Steven Gerrard is bolstering his squad over the summer as they look to bridge a fairly feasible gap between themselves and the division’s top seven sides.
Continue reading “Why Aston Villa are boosting their European ambitions with £26m Diego Carlos deal”

Archives

Contingency plans: Adeyemi fee impasse, Dortmund also linked with other Haaland replacements

Karim Adeyemi of FC Red Bull Salzburg runs with the ball under pressure from Benjamin Pavard of FC Bayern Muenchen during the UEFA Champions League...

While still battling over a fair price for RB Salzburg’s latest hotshot, around the €45m (£37.4m) figure, Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have been linked with approaches for other strikers this summer as they prepare for life after Erling Haaland – whose €75m (£62.4m) release clause is active and will inevitably be explored by Europe’s elite in the weeks to come. Continue reading “Contingency plans: Adeyemi fee impasse, Dortmund also linked with other Haaland replacements”

Archives

Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Real Madrid: Benzema’s quick-fire brace sees Los Blancos prevail

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Athletic Club and Real...

Karim Benzema’s 14th and 15th goals of the La Liga season, bullish but devastating, ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s men returned to winning ways – leaving San Mames with a hard-fought three points vs. Athletic Bilbao, who created more chances but crucially lacked incisive execution against the league leaders. Heading into 2022, Real are eight points clear of Sevilla in second. Continue reading “Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Real Madrid: Benzema’s quick-fire brace sees Los Blancos prevail”

Archives, Specials

Sergio Aguero’s abrupt retirement, aged 33, is upsetting but tinged with relief

Kun Aguero of FC Barcelona announces his retirement from football due to a heart condition during a press conference at Nou Camp on December 15, 2021...

Less than six months into his Catalan adventure, Manchester City’s all-time top goalscorer wept during the announcement as he explained what we’ve known for a few weeks now: having to retire prematurely with a heart condition. But as we reflect on his greatest moments and angrily wonder what could’ve been, I’m relieved he’s okay at a time where nothing is certain. Continue reading “Sergio Aguero’s abrupt retirement, aged 33, is upsetting but tinged with relief”

Archives

Juventus, Roma targeting Gladbach’s out-of-contract midfielder Denis Zakaria

October 31: Denis Zakaria of Borussia Moenchengladbach in action in action during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and VfL...

Out of contract next summer, Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria will likely see a whole host of offers from various European clubs hoping they can agree a pre-contract agreement with the Swiss international come January. Roma are regarded the frontrunners for his signature, though Juventus, Barcelona and Antonio Conte’s Tottenham are also linked.
Continue reading “Juventus, Roma targeting Gladbach’s out-of-contract midfielder Denis Zakaria”

Archives, Specials

Meticulous planning, irreparable damage and cruel irony: Lionel Messi at PSG

Lionel Messi poses with the Paris Saint-Germain jersey after signing a 2 year contract at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2021 in Paris, France.

Lionel Messi’s 21-year association with Barcelona, where he became the greatest player of his generation, ended yesterday. The Argentine joins a stacked PSG side whose pursuit of an elusive Champions League triumph has become clearer in recent months with their summer business. But while the seeds had been sown for a decade, even they wouldn’t have expected this…
Continue reading “Meticulous planning, irreparable damage and cruel irony: Lionel Messi at PSG”

Specials

City career complete, Sergio Aguero’s Catalan adventure begins

After a forgettable end to his illustrious Manchester City tenure at the weekend in their Champions League Final loss, Sergio Aguero returns to La Liga where he’ll partner Lionel Messi at Barca – a decade after departing the country’s new champions Atletico Madrid for England. Continue reading “City career complete, Sergio Aguero’s Catalan adventure begins”

Archives

Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves

Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City signs a new contract extension at the club at Manchester City Football Academy on April 07, 2021 in Manchester,...

Less than 12 hours removed from his decisive display to help Manchester City overcome a relentless Borussia Dortmund effort in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, the news was finally announced: the Premier League leaders had agreed a two-year contract extension with their creator-in-chief to keep him at Eastlands until the summer of 2025. Continue reading “Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves”

Archives, Specials

After Sunday’s abrupt address, Sergio Aguero’s long City goodbye begins

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Manchester City and Borussia...

Turning 33 this summer with a statue on the way in his honour, Sergio Aguero will end a decade-long association with Premier League leaders Manchester City at the end of this current campaign, after they failed to agree terms on a new contract extension beyond June 30. Despite his disruptive troubles with injury, the Citizens’ record goalscorer is rightly in high demand.
Continue reading “After Sunday’s abrupt address, Sergio Aguero’s long City goodbye begins”

Archives

UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar

Pirlo endured a forgettable evening on the sidelines, seeing his Juve side limp to defeat against Barcelona

Read on for two Champions League MD6 match previews ahead of a pivotal Group G clash between Spanish giants Barcelona and Serie A champions Juventus with top spot not yet confirmed, while Frank Lampard’s unbeaten Chelsea side expect to finish with a flourish when entertaining Russian side Krasnodar elsewhere tonight in Group E. Are we in for some surprises? Continue reading “UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar”