Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Heavy scrutiny has continued to follow Kylian Mbappe since his long-awaited Real Madrid move over the summer. The 25-year-old French star must learn to play as a central striker because he will not be able to displace Vinicius Junior on the left flank, according to the club’s long-serving former forward Karim Benzema, who made 14 international appearances alongside him for Les Bleus.
Continue reading “Benzema: People ask plenty of under-fire Mbappe but he must adapt, Real isn’t PSG”
After Morocco stunned them in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Portuguese federation (FPF) yesterday announced their decision to part ways with head coach Fernando Santos, whose deal ran until 2024. The 68-year-old, who guided them to their first-ever senior international title back at Euro 2016, also led A Seleção to the UEFA Nations League title three years later. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Portugal’s Fernando Santos is ninth manager to part ways post-tournament”
The pre-match noise surrounded Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s benching by Fernando Santos. Within 20 minutes, the man who replaced him – Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos – scored a thunderous opener and later completed the tournament’s first hat-trick as they thrashed Switzerland without their historical talisman. Up next? Spain’s slayers Morocco on Saturday.
Continue reading “Portugal 6-1 Switzerland: Ramos’ hat-trick justifies Santos’ selection in statement thrashing”
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”
Ahead of their eagerly-anticipated UCL clash on MD6 next, La Liga giants Barcelona and Serie A champions Juventus face potentially stiff opposition during their brief return to domestic action on Saturday. Barca travel to sixth-placed Cadiz, after Juventus entertain determined strugglers Torino in the Derby della Mole as they look to close the gap on their title rivals. Continue reading “Saturday previews: Barcelona travel to Cadiz, Juventus host Torino in derby clash”
Goals from Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Andre Silva in stoppage-time sealed an impressive 4-1 victory for Nations League winners Portugal – but they could have easily put Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia to the sword by half-time. Which individual players impressed while others struggled in Porto? Continue reading “Nations League – Portugal 4-1 Croatia: Player Ratings as Santos’ side cruise to victory”
Juventus increased their Serie A lead to eight points with a narrow 2-1 win over Lazio. Cristiano Ronaldo’s quick second-half brace helped Maurizio Sarri’s men earn an important victory, though there were nervy moments for them to endure during an action-packed affair. How did players individually fare in Turin?
Continue reading “Juventus 2-1 Lazio: Player Ratings as Ronaldo’s brace edges Juve closer to title”
The 2019-20 Serie A campaign resumes this weekend, with almost one-third of the season still to complete. There are plenty of storylines which need closure, from Juventus’ toughest title race in years to the chase for European qualification. Continue reading “Talking points and compelling storylines to watch, as Italian football set to return”
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a first-half penalty, just seconds before Milan forward Ante Rebic was sent off for a reckless high challenge in a frenetic few minutes during their Coppa Italia semi-final clash. Despite failing to capitalise on their advantage, Juventus won via away goal rule.
Continue reading “Juventus 0-0 Milan: Ronaldo misses penalty, but Juve into Coppa Italia Final”
Spoiler alert: no Juventus players feature in this list, but it’s one where Cristiano Ronaldo’s former teammates – both at Real Madrid and one from Manchester – make their name and deservedly so, having helped him become the world’s best. Continue reading “Rewind: Ranking Cristiano Ronaldo’s top 5 teammates during his career”
Lionel Messi pipped Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to win a record sixth Ballon d’Or title on Monday night, with the Barcelona superstar’s achievements celebrated on an evening packed with awards and surprise top 30 placings too.
Continue reading “Ballon d’Or 2019: Lionel Messi pips Virgil van Dijk to win record sixth title”
Read on as the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League group stage draw was completed in Monaco with some intriguing encounters made. Defending champions Liverpool face Napoli in a winnable Group E, while last year’s runners-up Tottenham have a tricky test in store against Bundesliga winners Bayern among others.
Continue reading “Champions League group stage draw 19/20 revealed”
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