Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne broke Atletico Madrid's stubborn resistence as the Manchester City midfielder's second-half strike clinched a 1-0 win in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg. Pep Guardiola's side spent much of the night banging their heads against the red and white brick wall assembled by Atletico's massed defence at […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Liverpool took charge of their Champions League quarter-final against Benfica on Tuesday as Sadio Mane, Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz gave them a 3-1 lead after the first leg in Lisbon. Konate nodded in his first Liverpool goal from a corner before Mane tapped home to put Liverpool in command at the […]

Lausanne (AFP) – The Russian football federation has dropped an appeal against FIFA's World Cup ban, imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday. Russia was drawn to face Poland in a World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final, but the Poles received a bye and then reached the […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea face Real Madrid on Wednesday reeling from their heaviest defeat of the season, but Thomas Tuchel's battle-hardened ability to keep his players focused should ensure the Champions League holders are ready for the latest test of their resilience. While Saturday's shock 4-1 home defeat against Brentford was hardly ideal preparation for […]

Berlin (AFP) – He only turned 19 in February, but Jamal Musiala is proving to be the versatile teenage jewel in Bayern Munich's midfield who turned down Chelsea in favour of a return to his native Germany. When Bayern face Villarreal away in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie Wednesday, Musiala could […]

Madrid (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti knows better than anyone how quickly things can change at Real Madrid. After the sensational comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid were euphoric. They had defeated one of Europe's elite, humiliated an economic rival, neutralised Lionel Messi and, many believed, convinced Kylian Mbappe. They were about to win La Liga and […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan lead Serie A by a single point after failing to get past mid-table Bologna on Monday, a goalless draw the latest twist in a thrilling title race which looks to be heading to the wire. After dropping two precious points Stefano Pioli's side hold a slender lead over second-placed Napoli, […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta apologised for Arsenal's "unacceptable" performance in a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that dealt a significant blow to their bid to finish in the Premier League's top four. Arteta's side were destroyed by first half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew at Selhurst Park on Monday. Unable to muster […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal's bid to finish in the Premier League's top four suffered a significant setback as Crystal Palace swept to an impressive 3-0 win on Monday. Mikel Arteta's side were blown away by first half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew at Selhurst Park. Unable to muster a revival after the break, […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted he is "happy" with Mohamed Salah's contract situation. British media reports at the weekend suggested the Egypt forward, currently on a deal that will keep him at Anfield to 2023, was close to agreeing a new contract that would keep him with Liverpool until the end […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on Monday refused to be drawn into a "stupid" debate on tactics ahead of his side's Champions League quarter-final first leg at home to Atletico Madrid. The Spaniard dismissed suggestions the match would be a clash of styles between the possession-based football he favours and the cruder […]

The Hague (AFP) – Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has received messages of support from his former clubs Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich after revealing he has prostate cancer. Van Gaal, 70, said on Sunday he had been receiving treatment since being diagnosed in 2020, but still plans to lead his team at the […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said he is glad to finally have Dejan Kulusevski in his squad after the Sweden international maintained his fine start to life in the Premier League. The 21-year-old, a January deadline day signing from Juventus, contributed his fifth assist for Spurs in Sunday's 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle. He […]

The Hague (AFP) – Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says he has prostate cancer and has been receiving treatment, but still plans to lead his team at the World Cup in Qatar in seven months' time. The 70-year-old told RTL television on Sunday that the players "don't know it", adding he has undergone 25 bouts of […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liverpool's quest for a quadruple and Manchester City's bid to match Manchester United's historic treble of 1999 are on a collision course over the next two weeks. Premier League leaders City will host a potential title decider against second placed Liverpool on Sunday before the fierce rivals clash again in […]