Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Premier League leaders Liverpool rejected an approach to buy out the versatile fullback’s contract, currently expiring this coming summer, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti refusing to engage questions about potential January signings as another potentially messy transfer saga brews behind-the-scenes. Continue reading “Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t bite as Real’s public Alexander-Arnold pursuit continues”
Team USA sealed Olympic gold in Paris last month but only just, with a series of scares along the way from Nikola Jokic’s Serbia and eventual silver medallists France as well as South Sudan in a pre-tournament friendly prior. The world’s depth has become increasingly clear in recent seasons and players departing the NBA bubble for leagues worldwide isn’t as surprising as it once was. Continue reading “Depth in Paris shows Evan Fournier’s Olympiacos choice not one to be sniffed at”
Was there ever any doubt? Kylian Mbappe marked his first Real Madrid appearance with a goal and some silverware to boot before the domestic campaign kicks off later this week, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side steadied themselves after an irritating first-half to hit Atalanta with two goals in nine second-half minutes as they clinched this season’s Super Cup trophy – a record sixth. Continue reading “Real Madrid 2-0 Atalanta: Valverde and Mbappe strikes sink La Dea in Super Cup”
Seven years after Real had a €180m bid accepted for the then-Monaco wonderkid, the newly-crowned 15-time Champions League winners have their man. Kylian Mbappe’s dream has been realised, having made history at home with Paris Saint-Germain, and now the France captain will acclimatise to new surroundings and expectations with Los Blancos after Euro 2024 this month. Continue reading “Mbappe’s long-awaited dream realised at long last, as Real confirm multi-year deal”
Wembley hosts the Champions League final for the first time since 2013 tonight and while Borussia Dortmund fell short 11 years ago against arch-rivals Bayern, the competition’s most successful team wouldn’t be in London this week if it wasn’t for Joselu blocking a storybook rematch last month. Dortmund relish their underdog tag, but can they produce another surprise one final time?
Continue reading “UCL final – Real vs. Dortmund preview: A por la 15, or redemption a decade later?”
Just days after officially announcing he’d leave the Ligue 1 champions on a free transfer this summer, France captain and PSG superstar forward Kylian Mbappe scored first but Toulouse had the last laugh as Carles Martinez’s clinical side punished the hosts – who made wholesale changes after their painful Champions League semifinal defeat on Tuesday – during a night of celebration. Continue reading “PSG 1-3 Toulouse: Les Violets clinical, spoil Mbappe’s final Parc des Princes farewell”
They did it again. On the verge of a first home defeat in 13 months, Real Madrid conjured up two goals in three minutes from an unlikely source – inspired substitute Joselu with a pair of poacher’s finishes – confining Bayern to a trophyless campaign for the first time in over a decade while punching their ticket into the Wembley final, where they’ll play Borussia Dortmund on June 1. Continue reading “Real 2-1 Bayern: Joselu’s late double seals frantic comeback, sets up Dortmund final”
Vinicius Junior drew first blood, then had the final say from twelve yards as Real Madrid were predictably resilient in Munich to keep their Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern finely poised at two goals apiece before next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu. That was despite being second best for large periods during an action-packed clash between two giants on Tuesday. Continue reading “Bayern 2-2 Real: Vinicius gives visitors vigour in pulsating UCL semi-final first leg”
Continue reading “Topuria’s coach Climent insists new champion will sell out Real’s Bernabeu”
If Real Madrid come calling, you’d be wise not to reject them. Milan shouldn’t give Malick Thiaw the chance to accept their advances, should their reported interest escalate into a formal approach next summer as Los Blancos’ never-ending pursuit of reinforcements sees them return to Italy for younger talent. Continue reading “Real might come calling next summer, but Milan must hold firm with Malick Thiaw”
Premier League champions Manchester City banished their demons from twelve months ago, avenging a painful collapse against Real Madrid with a 4-0 (5-1 aggregate) win over the Champions League holders on Wednesday, earning a date with Serie A giants Inter Milan for the Istanbul final on June 10. Five games in 20 days across three competitions between now and then, what’s next?
Continue reading “Istanbul bound: City composed in 4-0 Real rout, as a pivotal three weeks now beckon”
In a tense Champions League semi-final first leg encounter headlined by two excellent strikes from distance, Kevin de Bruyne’s emphatic equaliser midway through the second-half saw Manchester City restore parity vs. defending champions Real Madrid during their nailbiting affair at the Bernabeu tonight. Continue reading “Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City: de Bruyne keeps semi-final tie finely poised”
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