Barcelona (AFP) – Ahead of the start of their 2016-17 Champions League campaign against Celtic on Tuesday, AFP Sports takes a look at five reasons Barcelona can conquer Europe for the sixth time: 1. The 'MSN' Blessed with three South American maestros in Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, Barcelona possess the most potent attack […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Antonio Conte launched an impassioned defence of brilliant but controversial forward Diego Costa after the Italian dropped his first points in English football as Chelsea were held 2-2 at Swansea City. The Spanish international scored his team's two goals on Sunday, was booked and was also on the receiving end […]

Paris (AFP) – Former Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli struck twice on his Nice debut to help his new side defeat Mediterranean rivals Marseille 3-2 in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Balotelli, signed on a free transfer after being allowed to leave Anfield, converted a seventh-minute penalty to open the scoring at the Allianz Riviera and struck […]

Milan (AFP) – Francesco Totti came off the bench to hit a late winner from the spot as Roma moved to within two points of leaders Juventus after a rain-interrupted 3-2 win over Sampdoria on Sunday. "That was the first time I've ever felt afraid of taking a penalty," the 39-year-old veteran, who is in […]

Berlin (AFP) – Mainz threw away a three-goal lead in a thrilling 4-4 home draw against Hoffenheim as Werder Bremen lost 2-1 to Augsburg to stay bottom of the Bundesliga on Sunday. Mainz, who meet French side Saint-Etienne in Europa League action Thursday, looked on course for a rout with a Pablo De Blasis double […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Diego Costa scored twice, including an 81st-minute equaliser, as Antonio Conte maintained his unbeaten start to life as Chelsea manager in a 2-2 draw at Swansea City on Sunday. The irrepressible Costa levelled with a deflected but spectacular overhead bicycle kick after Branislav Ivanovic's shot had been sent spinning in […]

Milan (AFP) – England goalkeeper Joe Hart conceded twice on his Torino debut as Atalanta secured a 2-1 win in Bergamo amid a dramatic afternoon of Serie A action on Sunday. Hart, deemed surplus to requirements by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, completed his move to unfashionable Torino on a season-long loan deal two weeks […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has predicted that his teenage team-mate Marcus Rashford will one day "take over everything", in comments broadcast on Sunday. Rashford, 18, made a stunning breakthrough last season, scoring eight goals in his first 18 United appearances and earning a berth in England's Euro 2016 squad. Ibrahimovic's arrival […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho singled out some of his players for stinging criticism following their 2-1 loss to derby rivals Manchester City. The United manager hauled off Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard at half-time and said it was only because he did not want to "destroy them" that he […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barca boss Luis Enrique admitted he must take responsibility for the Spanish champions' shock home defeat to newly promoted Alaves after starting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench. Enrique made seven changes on Saturday after many of his squad returned to club duty after taking part in World Cup qualifiers […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Manager Jurgen Klopp urged Liverpool supporters not to sing his name after an impressive 4-1 victory over defending Premier League champions Leicester marked the opening of a new-look Anfield in impressive fashion. The extrovert German was seen remonstrating with home fans at one point in the second half of Saturday's match as […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic striker Moussa Dembele described his Old Firm debut hat-trick as a dream come true as he helped the Hoops hammer rivals Rangers 5-1 at Parkhead on Saturday. The 20-year-old became the first player to score a hat-trick in the fixture since Ally McCoist's treble in the 1984 League Cup final and […]

London (AFP) – It was deep into injury time and Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side were facing the ignominy of being booed from their Emirates pitch for the second time in this nascent Premier League season. And then up popped Santi Cazorla to score a controversial spot-kick in the fourth minute of added-on time […]

Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham have shaken off the hangover of last season's meltdown in the Premier League title race as they prepare to challenge on multiple fronts. Pochettino's side host Monaco in their opening Champions League fixture on Wednesday in the second of seven games in 22 games. And after […]

Madrid (AFP) – Newly promoted Alaves stunned Spanish champions Barcelona by winning 2-1 at the Camp Nou on Saturday as boss Luis Enrique paid a heavy price for starting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench. Barca now trail Real Madrid by three points at the top of the table after Cristiano Ronaldo took […]