Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – John Stones recovered from a muscle problem in time to start at right-back for Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola had a selection headache with first-choice full-backs Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker ruled out by suspension and injury […]

Liverpool (AFP) – David faces Goliath in the Champions League on Wednesday as Villarreal travel to Anfield to meet Liverpool, aiming to derail the Reds' bid for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies. Jurgen Klopp's men, who lifted the League Cup in February, have already won the same number of major honours this season as the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp has dismissed the idea that Liverpool have a dream Champions League semi-final draw as they prepare to face Villarreal in the next stage of their quest for an unprecedented quadruple. The Reds, who host the Spaniards for the first leg at Anfield on Wednesday, are potentially nine games away from […]

Madrid (AFP) – Villarreal captain Dani Parejo said on Tuesday his team are convinced they can spring another surprise and beat Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals. After knocking out Juventus in the last 16 and Bayern Munich in the quarters, Villarreal are looking to pull off another shock by defeating Liverpool, the six-time European […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has agreed a new contract until 2026 with a buy-out clause set at 1 billion euros, the club announced on Tuesday. Araujo's previous deal was due to expire next year and his commitment comes as a huge boost to Barca, who see the 23-year-old as a key player […]

Milan (AFP) – Giorgio Chiellini will bring down the curtain on his international career this summer after Italy face Argentina in the so-called 'Finalissima' at Wembley, the site of his greatest career triumph. The 37-year-old was one of the key figures of the Azzurri's Euro 2020 victory, captaining his country to a dramatic win over […]

Vila-real (Spain) (AFP) – “I said ‘Where is Villarreal?’” explains Etienne Capoue, who describes it like he was scanning a map of the world and pointing his finger down. “I was told it was in the sun, just there, next to Valencia. So I said ‘alright, let’s go’.” Capoue’s last two games for Watford were […]

Rome (AFP) – Moise Kean's late goal gave Juventus a hard-fought 2-1 win at Sassuolo in Serie A on Monday, allowing them to close the gap on third-placed Napoli to one point. Sassuolo had done more than enough to claim a share of the points when Kean struck two minutes from full-time. A long ball […]

London (AFP) – Leeds held on for a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace that did little to ease their fears of being dragged deeper into the Premier League relegation battle on Monday. Jesse Marsch's side survived a second half barrage from a Palace team inspired by Wilfried Zaha after he was accused of diving by […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday that Real Madrid's glittering history in the Champions League gives them an advantage when they face Manchester City in the first leg of the semi-finals on Tuesday. Madrid's 13 European triumphs makes them the most successful club in the competition while City only appeared in […]

Paris (AFP) – Saint-Etienne must play their last home game of the Ligue 1 season behind closed doors after crowd trouble marred Saturday's loss to Monaco that kept them in the relegation play-off place. It is the second time this season Saint-Etienne have been hit with a stadium closure by French football authorities. They hosted […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City cannot compete with Real Madrid's European pedigree but says they can write a new chapter in the club's history in their Champions League semi-final against the Spanish giants. La Liga leaders Real, who face City in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, […]

Paris (AFP) – Mohamed Salah provided a key assist as Liverpool beat stubborn local rivals Everton 2-0 at the weekend to remain one point behind leaders Manchester City in a thrilling Premier League title race. A pin-point cross by the Egypt captain enabled Andrew Robertson to end the deadlock on 62 minutes and keep the […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Real Madrid and Villarreal stand in the way of Manchester City and Liverpool taking their battle for domestic honours to the biggest stage of all next month in the Champions League final. A clash between City and Liverpool in Paris on May 28 would mean a third all-English final in […]

Madrid (AFP) – Luka Modric orchestrated stirring Real Madrid comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, now the 36-year-old has Manchester City and another Champions League final in his sights. Modric's mesmeric, curving pass with the outside of his right foot for Rodrygo to volley in resuscitated Real against Chelsea, just when it looked like they […]