Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick revealed he has had clear-the-air talks with the club's sports director Hasan Salihamidzic amid reports of simmering tensions between the pair. Holders Bayern cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday as a 2-1 home win over Lazio sealed a 6-2 aggregate win in their […]

Madrid (AFP) – The postponed Spanish Copa del Rey final from last year will be played without fans, the Spanish football federation confirmed on Thursday. Reports in Spain had suggested a 20 to 25 per cent-capacity could be allowed for the match in Seville next month between Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. The […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – China's Jiangsu FC have withdrawn from the Asian Champions League following their financial collapse, officials said Thursday, in another sign they are on the brink of being disbanded. Jiangsu won the Chinese Super League for the first time in November, but ceased operations last month after their struggling owners pulled the […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Southampton's Takumi Minamino and eight other Europe-based players were Thursday named in Japan's squad for next week's friendly against South Korea in Yokohama. Minamino, who has scored two goals in six games since joining Southampton on loan from Liverpool in January, is part of a 23-man squad to take on the Koreans […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Holders Bayern Munich cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals as a 2-1 win over Lazio in Wednesday's last-16 second leg sealed a 6-2 aggregate victory. Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty before a deft chip from his second-half replacement Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting doubled the advantage on the night. Lazio grabbed a consolation […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2014 as Hakim Ziyech ended his goal drought to inspire a 2-0 win against Atletico Madrid in the last 16 second leg on Wednesday. Morocco forward Ziyech grabbed his first goal since October to put the hosts ahead in the first […]

Madrid (AFP) – La Liga president Javier Tebas said Wednesday he hoped some fans could return to league matches in late April, but reports that the Copa del Rey could open its gates earlier drew a stinging response from the government. "It's been a year, we've learned a lot, and we hope that by the […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Nkana of Zambia surrendered a 64-match unbeaten home record in CAF competitions since debuting 38 years ago after a 2-0 Confederation Cup loss to Raja Casablanca of Morocco on Wednesday. Star Soufiane Rahimi converted a 47th-minute penalty for the visitors in Ndola and substitute Noah Sadaoui added a second goal with three […]

Madrid (AFP) – Youssef En-Nesyri continued his impressive form as Sevilla beat Elche 2-0 on Wednesday to move within three points of Real Madrid in La Liga. En-Nesyri scored his 15th league goal of the season just before the break before Franco Vazquez ensured the victory with a late effort. "En-Nesyri's goal opened the game […]

Madrid (AFP) – Youssef En Nesyri continued his impressive form as Sevilla beat Elche 2-0 on Wednesday to move within three points of Real Madrid in La Liga. En Nesyri scored his 15th league goal of the season just before the break before Franco Vazquez ensured the victory with a late effort. The visitors remain […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Holders Bayern Munich started with reserve goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel for their Champions League last-16 second leg against Lazio on Wednesday, with club captain Manuel Neuer sidelined by a cold. Nuebel was given only his third start this season, with Bayern holding a 4-1 lead from the first leg. The club world […]

London (AFP) – Timo Werner was back in Chelsea's starting line-up for Wednesday's Champions League last 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid. Werner has endured a dismal first season with Chelsea following his move from Bayer Leverkusen last year. The Germany forward has netted just 10 times for the Premier League club, with just two […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the quarter-finals of the French Cup on Wednesday while striking a psychological blow in their pursuit of the Ligue 1 title, as they beat top-of-the-table Lille 3-0. It was the perfect response from PSG after their shock weekend home loss to struggling Nantes, which was overshadowed by thefts […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Wednesday that he has warned his players that if they want to be serious Bundesliga contenders they need to focus on their game at relegation-threatened Arminia Bielefeld. Second-placed Leipzig trail Bayern Munich by four points and the leaders visit the Red Bull Arena on April […]

Washington (AFP) – Chelsea midfielder Christian Pulisic was among 26 players called up on Wednesday by US coach Gregg Berhalter for two March friendlies, but Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie is absent. A mostly European collection of talent will gather in Austria starting Saturday ahead of matches against Jamaica near Vienna on March 25 and against […]