Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
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”
Six years after his last call-up with politics, allegations of racism and an ongoing court case bubbling beneath the surface, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been named in Didier Deschamps’ 26-man France squad for the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament – which begins in less than a month’s time. He’s expected to lead the line after an excellent season at club level.
Continue reading “Euro 2020: Karim Benzema to make France return after six-year absence”
Considering what has proved an arduous campaign for all involved this term, it feels fitting two big-money summer signings – Manchester City centre-back Rúben Dias and Chelsea forward Timo Werner – helped their respective sides to earn a Champions League Final berth on May 29.
Continue reading “Rúben Dias and Timo Werner, the tale of contrasting summer signings”
Eden Hazard’s persistent injury and fitness problems at Real Madrid have seriously hampered his progression since joining from Chelsea for €115m (£101.5m) in July 2019 and another fresh blow is expected to keep him out of their two-legged Champions League last-16 tie vs. Atalanta. Continue reading “Eden Hazard sidelined for 4-6 weeks with yet another muscular injury”
Read on for two La Liga previews ahead of Wednesday’s games, as Celta Vigo face a trip to mid-table Getafe before defending champions Real Madrid look to keep pace with leaders Atletico when they host a bullish Granada side in their penultimate match of an unprecedented 2020. Continue reading “La Liga Previews: Celta Vigo face mid-table Getafe, Real Madrid host bullish Granada”
Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach were 90 minutes away from ending Real Madrid’s record of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages – 25 years and counting – after Karim Benzema’s first-half brace sunk Marco Rose’s men on MD6, confirming they progress as Group B winners. Which players excelled while others wilted under the pressure here? Continue reading “Real Madrid 2-0 B. Monchengladbach: 5 Hits and Flops as both book knockout places”
Eden Hazard’s penalty and an Achraf Hakimi own goal just before the hour mark proved the ultimate sucker punch as Real Madrid cruised to a 2-0 win away at Inter Milan, with Zinedine Zidane’s men earning an important Champions League group B result at the San Siro. What were five talking points, as the Nerazzurri’s hopes of a last-16 UCL berth ended with a whimper?
Continue reading “Inter Milan 0-2 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points as Los Blancos earn big away win”
Raphael Varane’s catastrophic defensive errors will dominate headlines, but Manchester City were rewarded for their intense pressing from the front against La Liga champions Real Madrid. What were five talking points here, as Pep Guardiola’s men booked their place in next week’s Champions League quarter-finals?
After clinching the La Liga trophy last month, Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid side have a tougher challenge to come next. With a 2-1 aggregate deficit to overturn in the blue half of Manchester, Los Blancos have a difficult task ahead on Friday. Continue reading “Champions League last-16 preview: Manchester City vs Real Madrid – Who crashes out?”
A week after agreeing a £36m deal to sign Real Madrid’s Achraf Hakimi on a five-year deal, Inter are favourites in the race to capture another highly-rated young defender: new free agent Malang Sarr, having departed boyhood club Nice after 15 years with the Ligue 1 side. Continue reading “Achraf Hakimi secured, Inter now linked with move for free agent Malang Sarr”
Real Madrid extended their La Liga lead to seven points with a gritty 1-0 away win over Athletic Bilbao, courtesy of Sergio Ramos’ second-half penalty. Which players impressed, while others struggled at San Mames in the day’s early kick-off? Continue reading “Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Real Madrid: 5 Hits and Flops as Los Blancos edge closer to title”
Iago Aspas’ late free-kick strike meant Barcelona were forced to share the spoils against Celta Vigo in a pulsating 2-2 draw with significant ramifications atop La Liga – cancelling out a well-taken Luis Suarez brace at the Municipal de Balaidos. Continue reading “Celta Vigo 2-2 Barcelona: 5 Hits and Flops as Aspas further dents Barca’s title hopes”
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