London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says Manchester City's Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday comes too early to have any bearing on the Champions League final. The two sides will meet again in European club football's showpiece in Istanbul on May 29. City manager Guardiola said: "If we played the final in one week, […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is planning sweeping changes during Manchester United's run of four matches in eight days, saying the knock-on effects in the Premier League top-four race is "everyone else's problem". Last Sunday's clash with Liverpool was called off after fans got onto the pitch at Old Trafford during a protest against […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has ruled out any big-money signings this summer as the Bundesliga giants tighten their belts due to the Covid-19 pandemic. "We will add to the squad, but not make any expensive transfers," Hainer said in a podcast for German daily Bild on Friday. "We have an incredibly […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta admits he feels "deep pain" at missing out on reaching the Europa League final but insists he is the right man to take Arsenal forward after a dismal season. Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Villarreal at the Emirates on Thursday, with former boss Unai Emery's current side […]

Berlin (AFP) – Algeria left-back Ramy Bensebaini says Borussia Moenchengladbach are out to spoil the title party at Bayern Munich on Saturday where the hosts can be confirmed Bundesliga winners for the ninth straight season. With three matches left, Bayern are seven points clear ahead of Saturday night's showdown at the Allianz Arena as they […]

Rome (AFP) – Inter Milan, who ended the record reign of nine consecutive titles of Italian champions Juventus, can start "a new cycle", says star striker Romelu Lukaku in an interview published on Friday. Inter sealed the 'Scudetto' for the 19th time after nearest rivals Atalanta were held 1-1 at Sassuolo last weekend. It was […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gerard Pique said in any normal season this weekend would decide La Liga's champion but even he admitted this time there are no guarantees. On Saturday afternoon, Barcelona face Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou and on Sunday, Real Madrid play Sevilla at Valdebebas, Spain's frenzied title race coming to a head in […]

Milan (AFP) – Dethroned Juventus host AC Milan on Sunday in a clash of former Serie A title hopefuls now fighting to qualify for the Champions League. Juventus' bid for a 10th consecutive title collapsed as Inter Milan sealed their first league crown since 2010 with four games to spare last weekend. Antonio Conte's Inter […]

Paris (AFP) – Barcelona host Atletico Madrid while Real Madrid face Sevilla as La Liga's title race enters the final straight, Bayern Munich can secure a ninth consecutive Bundesliga crown while Ligue 1 leaders Lille should expect no favours from northern rivals and European hopefuls Lens. AFP Sport selects some of the standout action in […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Spotify's billionaire CEO Daniel Ek, who revolutionised on-demand music listening for millions of people, is a resilient entrepreneur from a Swedish working-class suburb who now hopes to bring his business acumen to "the beautiful game". The 38-year-old, known for his no-nonsense attitude, has offered to buy Premier League club Arsenal amid supporter […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich make their second attempt to wrap up the Bundesliga title on Saturday after Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig clash earlier in a rehearsal for next week's German Cup final. A 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Mainz a fortnight ago cost Bayern the chance to be confirmed Bundesliga champions for the ninth […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City and Chelsea will play off for the biggest prize in European club football later this month, but there is plenty on the line for both clubs when they meet in a prelude to the Champions League final on Saturday. City can wrap up a fifth Premier League title in 10 […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain are out of the Champions League and there is a danger that for once they will miss out on the French title too as they head into the weekend still trailing leaders Lille. With three games remaining PSG are a point behind Lille, the possibility that Mauricio Pochettino could fail […]

Rome (AFP) – Former African child refugee Ebrima Darboe, who arrived in Italy alone four years ago and now plays top-flight football for Roma, told of his delight Thursday at lining up against his idols Manchester United. Darboe, now 19, left his native Gambia alone without his family and after passing through the hands of […]

London (AFP) – Villarreal boss Unai Emery came back to haunt Arsenal as the Spanish side held out for a 0-0 draw at the Emirates on Thursday to set up a Europa League final against Manchester United with a 2-1 victory on aggregate. Defeat means the Gunners will miss out on Champions League football for […]