Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi's 45th Clasico on Saturday could also be his last as Barcelona look to rubberstamp their progress under Ronald Koeman by beating Real Madrid and claiming top spot in La Liga. The reward for the winners at Valdebebas will be knocking Atletico Madrid out of first place for the first time […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Rehired Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron hopes to mastermind an amazing escape by the Egyptian team this weekend and lead them into the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. The Frenchman last month inherited a team on the verge of elimination, but a victory at Mouloudia Alger of Algeria has offered hope of survival in […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday knowing they must rediscover the magic at home or risk finishing outside the top four for the first time since 2016. At the bottom, Fulham have a chance to lift themselves out of the relegation zone while Manchester United will seek revenge at Tottenham […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan travel to relegation-threatened Parma desperate to cling onto second place in Serie A this weekend and stay on course for the Champions League as city rivals Inter can tighten their grip on top spot against lowly Cagliari. Seven-time European champions Milan have taken four points from their last three games […]

Berlin (AFP) – Union Berlin are steeling themselves for a challenging trip to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday as the European champions look to shake off their midweek defeat by Paris Saint-Germain. Bayern's Champions League defence is under threat after PSG striker Kylian Mbappe inspired the French giants to a 3-2 victory in […]

London (AFP) – Slavia Prague stole an away goal deep into stoppage time against wasteful Arsenal to earn a 1-1 draw and gain the upper hand in their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday. Substitute Nicolas Pepe had broken the deadlock for Arsenal in the 86th minute after a night of glaring misses for the […]

Paris (AFP) – Manchester United defeated Spanish club Granada 2-0 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie in Spain on Thursday, while Arsenal conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home to Czech champions Slavia Prague. Marcus Rashford raced on to a long ball sprayed upfield by Victor Lindelof to […]

London (AFP) – Slavia Prague took charge of their Europa League quarter-final against wasteful Arsenal on Thursday, stealing an away goal deep into stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Nicolas Pepe had broken the deadlock for Arsenal in the 86th minute after a night of glaring misses in the first leg […]

Madrid (AFP) – Marcus Rashford's brilliant finish and a Bruno Fernandes penalty handed Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Granada on Thursday, putting them firmly in charge of their Europa League quarter-final first leg. Rashford latched onto a long ball from Victor Lindelof in the first half, the striker injecting one bit of quality into […]

London (AFP) – English Championship side Swansea City announced on Thursday they were boycotting social media for a week in protest against online abuse and discrimination, with Birmingham and Rangers taking similar steps. Three Swansea players — Yan Dhanda, Ben Cabango and Jamal Lowe — have all been racially abused online recently. Liverpool trio Trent […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain have claimed statement wins in Barcelona and Munich in the Champions League while leaving the door unlocked at home, giving Lille the chance of a first Ligue 1 title in a decade. Lille stunned PSG in the capital last weekend, winning 1-0 to go three points clear of the reigning […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Thomas Mueller says holders Bayern Munich must show their "killer instincts" and finish their chances at Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday's return leg to avoid a Champions League quarter-finals exit after losing to the French giants at home. Bayern badly missed injured striker Robert Lewandowski in Wednesday's first leg as the hosts […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich have confirmed 32-year-old centre-back Jerome Boateng will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, but the decision has sparked obvious tensions behind the scenes. Bayern have already signed France centre-back Dayot Upamecano, 22, from Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig for the 2021/22 season, effectively hastening Boateng's departure. […]

London (AFP) – Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa expects a tough battle at runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City on Saturday, calling Pep Guardiola's side one "full of surprises." Bielsa's team have garnered a lot of praise of their own for their free-flowing style on their return to the Premier League and are presently in […]

Paris (AFP) – Euro 2020 matches in Dublin and Bilbao are in doubt after Irish and Spanish football chiefs said Wednesday they were unable to give assurances over the presence of spectators, as UEFA extended to April 28 a deadline for host cities to submit fan number estimates. Dublin was one of 12 cities that […]