Here are the ten things we learned from Week 27 of the 2016 MLS season. 1. Landon Donovan Returns Landon’s back. Back again. Two days after re-signing with the LA Galaxy for the remainder of the 2016 season, Landon Donovan made his second debut for his hometown club in the 83rd minute of LA’s 4-2 […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona coach Luis Enrique expects the Spanish champions to suffer no after-effects from their shock La Liga defeat to Alaves when Celtic make their Champions League return at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. Enrique was in the firing line after leaving Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench among seven changes […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace's Pape Souare was taken to hospital on Sunday following a car accident, the Premier League club announced Monday. The 26-year-old Senegal defender sustained thigh and jaw injuries during the crash and will remain in hospital to receive treatment, the south London side said. "The club are liaising closely with the […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Giovani dos Santos scored twice as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat Orlando City 4-2 in a match that marked the return to the MLS of Landon Donovan. Donovan, the league's all-time leading scorer, didn't enter the contest at Los Angeles' StubHub Center stadium until the 83rd minute and he did not […]

Paris (AFP) – UEFA, the richest and most powerful continental football confederation, elects a new president this week as it confronts a growing challenge to its cash-cow Champions League. The 55-member European confederation must choose between Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin, 48, and veteran Dutch administrator Michael van Praag, 68, to finish the term of the tainted […]

Paris (AFP) – Unai Emery arrived in France with a reputation as one of Europe's brightest coaching talents, but he admits that he has moved out of his "comfort zone" by taking the Paris Saint-Germain job. The 44-year-old Spaniard leads the French giants into their Champions League opener against Arsenal at the Parc des Princes […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola takes charge of his first Champions League group game as Manchester City manager on Tuesday when Borussia Moenchengladbach visit the Etihad Stadium in Group C. Here are five reasons why City could win the Champions League this season. 1. They've got Guardiola City finally landed Guardiola after assiduously […]

Paris (AFP) – AFP Sports looks ahead to Tuesday's opening round of group matches in the Champions League as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City kick off their respective European campaigns (all kick-offs 1945 GMT): Group A At Paris Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Arsenal (ENG) Under-pressure PSG coach Unai Emery makes his Champions […]

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 […]