Madrid (AFP) – Julen Lopetegui grasped at the hope it could prove a turning point but Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League is unlikely to guarantee his survival. Madrid ended their run of five games without a victory, and three without avoiding defeat, while they scored twice in a match […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Faced with the latest in a string of defeats this season, Jose Mourinho leant on a familiar crutch by claiming Manchester United did the best they could by losing only 1-0 against the financial might of Juventus in the Champions League. Since the club's money spinning pre-season tour to the […]

London (AFP) – Spain defender Marcos Alonso has signed a new contract with Chelsea that will run until 2023, the Premier League club announced Wednesday. The 27-year-old Spain defender, who joined Chelsea in August 2016, helped them win the Premier League in 2016-17 and claim the FA Cup last season. "I am so happy to […]

Paris (AFP) – Amid a packed schedule Arsenal take a 10-match winning streak to Sporting Lisbon as their quest to win the Europa League continues Thursday, when city rivals Chelsea, possibly without the influential Eden Hazard, host BATE Borisov of Belarus. After sealing an impressive 10th straight victory at home to Leicester in the Premier […]

Rome (AFP) – More than 20 people, mainly Russian football fans, were injured Tuesday when an escalator in a metro station in central Rome collapsed, firefighters said, in an incident some blamed on raucous soccer supporters. Most of those hurt, one seriously, suffered leg injuries after getting entangled in the escalator's mangled mechanics, Italian media […]

Madrid (AFP) – Julen Lopetegui has said he is "absolutely convinced" he will still be Real Madrid's coach for the Clasico against Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday. Madrid hung on for a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday as goals from Karim Benzema and Marcelo secured a much-needed, albeit unconvincing, victory. Lopetegui said […]

Paris (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to Old Trafford with a victory as Juventus beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, while under-pressure Real Madrid got back to winning ways. Julen Lopetegui's days as Madrid coach still look numbered despite seeing the reigning European champions beat Viktoria Plzen on a […]

Kharkiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Manchester City found their Champions League mojo as David Silva and Bernardo Silva both scored in a comfortable 3-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in Kharkiv on Tuesday, with manager Pep Guardiola hailing an "outstanding" performance. Guardiola's men have now won back-to-back matches in Europe after a shock opening loss to Lyon, […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score on his return to Old Trafford but will leave Manchester with extra belief he can win the Champions League for a fourth straight season after Juventus beat Manchester United 1-0 on Tuesday. Ronaldo played his part in the only goal, scored by Paulo Dybala, to […]

Hoffenheim (Germany) (AFP) – Joelinton's stoppage-time equaliser crowned a dramatic Champions League tie on Tuesday night as Hoffenheim twice came from behind to draw 3-3 at home with Lyon and keep their Champions League dream alive. Having gone behind early on, Hoffenheim turned the game around to lead 2-1 as they chased their first-ever Champions […]

Madrid (AFP) – It might not be enough to save Julen Lopetegui but Real Madrid's 2-1 Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday stopped the rot and restored some belief. Barcelona are next at Camp Nou and even without the injured Lionel Messi, Madrid are unlikely to find them as generous if handed the […]

Kharkiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Manchester City found their Champions League mojo as David Silva and Bernardo Silva both scored in a comfortable 3-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in Kharkiv on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola's men have now won back-to-back matches in Europe after a shock opening loss to Lyon, and lead the French side by one […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo emerged victorious again on his second return to Old Trafford, but this time did not get on the scoresheet as Juventus outclassed Manchester United to win 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Instead Ronaldo played a supporting role by helping set up Paulo Dybala's winner on 17 […]

Bruges (Belgium) (AFP) – Newly-appointed Monaco coach Thierry Henry has no intention of sulking over the Ligue 1 side's poor domestic form as he seeks a "dream" Champions League date with Club Brugge Wednesday. Former Arsenal and France star Henry kicked off his fledgling coaching career with a 2-1 away defeat to Strasbourg at the […]

Rome (AFP) – Around 20 people were injured Tuesday when an escalator leading to a metro station in central Rome collapsed in an accident believed to have been caused by Russian football fans, Italian media said. The AGI news agency said that "a large group of CSKA fans, probably under the influence of alcohol, began […]