Barcelona (AFP) – Ernesto Valverde tried to put the criticism down to high demands and snap reactions but Barcelona's malaise, underlined by a goalless draw at home to Slavia Prague on Tuesday, will be laid at the feet of their coach. After losing 3-1 at Levante in La Liga on Saturday, Barca produced a performance […]

Berlin (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has not ruled himself out of the running for the vacant head coach role at Bayern Munich while Ralf Rangnick, another potential candidate, is reportedly not interested. Wenger, 70, gave an evasive answer when broadcaster beIn Sports directly asked him about working at Bayern, who need a new head coach […]

Sydney (AFP) – Women footballers playing for Australia's national team will earn the same as their male counterparts under a deal unveiled Wednesday and hailed as landmark for gender equality in sport. Under a new centralised contract system announced by Football Federation Australia (FFA), Matildas stars such as Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter will be […]

Paris (AFP) – Last season's Europa League finalists Arsenal and 2017 champions Manchester United can clinch places in the last 32 of the competition this week, while group leaders Celtic face a "titanic game" away to Lazio. Arsenal have won just twice in nine Premier League outings but are chasing a fourth straight victory in […]

Sydney (AFP) – Women footballers playing for Australia's national team will earn the same as their male counterparts under a deal unveiled Wednesday in a big boost for gender equality. Under a new centralised contract system announced by Football Federation Australia, Matildas stars such as Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter will pocket the same as […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Mats Hummels said a frank half-time team talk helped Borussia Dortmund come from two goals down to beat Inter Milan 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday thanks to Achraf Hakimi second-half double. Antonio Conte's Inter dominated the first-half at Signal Iduna Park as Lautaro Martinez put the Italians ahead after […]

Paris (AFP) – Jorginho scored two penalties as Chelsea came roaring back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with nine-man Ajax in a Champions League classic on Tuesday, while holders Liverpool claimed a narrow victory and a stuttering Barcelona were held. There was also a rousing comeback win for Borussia Dortmund over Inter Milan and […]

London (AFP) – Frank Lampard believes his Chelsea side are going places after summoning the spirit to fight back from 4-1 down to salvage a 4-4 draw against nine-man Ajax on what he described as a "mad" night at Stamford Bridge. The Blues seemed destined for a defeat as first half own goals from Tammy […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Salzburg prevented Napoli from becoming the first team to qualify for the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw in Naples. Norwegian teenage striker Erling Haaland put the Austrians ahead from the spot after 11 minutes before Mexican Hirving Lozano grabbed an equaliser just before the break with […]

Valencia (Spain) (AFP) – Valencia's hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in six years received a boost with a 4-1 win over Lille in Group H on Tuesday. Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen gave the visitors a first-half lead before Dani Parejo, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Ferran Torres and an […]

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund roared back from two goals down at home against Inter Milan as Achraf Hakimi netted twice to earn a thrilling 3-2 win in the Champions League on Tuesday. Dortmund looked out of it at 2-0 down at half-time as Lautaro Martinez put Inter ahead after just five minutes before […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool closed in on qualification for the knockout stage of the Champions League after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shot them to a 2-1 win over Genk to put them top of Group E. Oxlade-Chamberlain struck the winner with a neat turn and finish seven minutes after the break to put the European champions ahead […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea fought back from 4-1 down to salvage a 4-4 draw against nine-man Ajax as a memorable night at Stamford Bridge left both sides with work to do to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Frank Lampard's men seemed destined for a second straight home defeat in Europe as first […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Ernesto Valverde admitted Barcelona are in a rut after they followed up their La Liga defeat by Levante with a goalless draw at home to Slavia Prague on Tuesday in the Champions League. Lionel Messi hit the crossbar in the first half but that was as close as Barca came during a […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Unai Emery confirmed on Tuesday that Granit Xhaka has been stripped of the club captaincy after an emotional outburst towards supporters. The Swiss international swore and threw the captain's armband to the floor after being booed as he was substituted against Crystal Palace 10 days ago. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who led […]