UEFA Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona stars could beat Lewandowski for 2021 Ballon D’Or
The Ballon d’Or is arguably the most prestigious individual award in modern football, celebrating the beautiful game’s best player from the previous year. Now it is worth noting that the Ballon d’Or is not the be-all-and-end-all of football. It’s often biased towards those who shine in the Champions League. Media hype, big moments, and trophies won usually take precedence in the voting over individual performances. In fact, all Ballon dOr winners since 2007 has either won the Champions League or been the competition’s top goalscorer, and all since 2007 have reached at least the semi-finals stage. With no obvious standout, however, this summer’s international tournaments could be decisive. Lionel Messi and co. will compete in the Copa America, while Europe’s finest battle it out at the Euro...
‘Hazard cannot stay at Madrid for another second’: TV host issues damning verdict
Eden Hazard was filmed laughing and joking with his former Chelsea teammates after they had knocked his side out of the Champions League on Wednesday. Dominant Chelsea Real Madrid took a 1-1 draw to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in pursuit of their 14th trophy in Europe’s major club competition. Despite having Hazard and club captain Sergio Ramos fit to start the game, Los Blancos could not break through a strong Chelsea side. Goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount ensured Chelsea booked their place against Manchester City in the final as they progressed 3-1 on aggregate. Madrid were fortunate not to have lost the game by three or four goals. Chelsea had several chances to put the game to bed, with the likes of Mount and Kai Havertz being thwarted by an inspired Thibaut Courtois o...
Aston Villa offer Villa Park as alternative venue for Champions League final
Aston Villa have offered up Villa Park as a potential venue for the Champions League final, with doubts surrounding the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. With Manchester City and Chelsea sealing their places in the final this week, attention has turned to the finale. Both English clubs are set to receive 4,000 tickets each, with UEFA targeting a return to normality with fans in stadiums. However, it is not yet guaranteed that English fans will be able to travel to Turkey, with the UK government set to announce their guidelines for the next easing of lockdown. Turkey is also still in a state of lockdown. There are also other logistical problems, with English fans needing to pay for COVID-19 tests before flying to another country. With all the complications surrounding the planned venue, Vil...
‘World class’, ‘Incredible’: Some Chelsea fans praise £144,000-a-week star after Real Madrid win
A selection of Chelsea fans on Twitter heaped praise on midfielder N’Golo Kante following his man of the match display against Real Madrid in the Champions League last night. The Blues booked their spot in the final of the elite competition after a 3-1 aggregate triumph over the reigning Spanish champions. They had the away-goal advantage after the 1-1 draw in Madrid. They secured a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge last night after goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount. Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy impressed in the opening half with two crucial saves to deny Karim Benzema, and the club controlled the proceedings after the break. They should have won by four or five goals with the chances created but ultimately, they got the job done with comfort against Zinedine Zidane’s side. Kante produced ...
Chelsea see off Real Madrid to reach Champions League final
Chelsea defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to reach their first Champions League final in nine years. It was a cagey opening 20 minutes, with neither side creating anything clear cut. Antonio Rudiger had a shot from distance beaten away by Thibaut Courtois, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric both had long-range strikes saved. Timo Werner thought he had opened the scoring when he tapped in from Ben Chilwell’s low cross, but the offside flag was raised. But the German was not to be denied a second time ten minutes later. After some brilliant footwork and link up play by N’Golo Kante, he found Kai Havertz. The German’s chipped effort came back off the bar, but compatriot Werner was on hand to nod home from about a yard out. Los Blancos were struggling to create anything, with wingers E...
Manchester City handed UCL boost after Kylian Mbappe injury update
Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe will reportedly start the Champions League clash with Manchester City from the bench. The Parisians face off against City in their semi-final second leg tonight, with Pep Guardiola’s side holding a 2-1 lead on aggregate. Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez at the Parc des Princes give City some breathing room, but the tie is by no means over. However, PSG will have to attempt a comeback without talisman Kylian Mbappe. It was reported in the run-up to the game that Mbappe could miss the game due to a calf injury. According to Telefoot journalist Julien Maynard, the French superstar will not be fit to start against City. Info @telefoot_TF1 Gêné au mollet, Kylian Mbappé ne devrait pas débuter la rencontre Manchester City – PSG. Mauricio ...
Manchester City reach Champions League final after home win over PSG
Manchester City have reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 on aggregate. PSG thought they had made the perfect start when referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the penalty spot after an alleged handball by Oleksandr Zinchenko. However, VAR stepped in and overturned the decision after replays showed that the ball hit the Ukrainian’s shoulder. Not long afterwards, the hosts took the lead on the night and went two ahead on the tie. A brilliant pass by Ederson found Zinchenko down the left, who cut it back for Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian’s shot was blocked, but the ball fell perfectly for Riyad Mahrez, who slotted through the legs of Keylor Navas. The visitors weren’t deterred by this, and came within inches of netting an immediat...
Chelsea wary of experienced Madrid in ‘Battle of the Bridge’
There is everything to play for between former European champions Chelsea and Real Madrid as they head into the return leg of their Champions League semi-final tie all square following a 1-1 first-leg draw in Spain. You can watch this and other Champions League games live online. Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock at the Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium inside the first 14 minutes before Madrid stalwart Karim Benzema hammered home an all-important equaliser. Timo Werner will hope his epic first-half miss in Madrid won’t come back to haunt his side at Stamford Bridge as they seek their first Champions League final since 2011/12. However, Thomas Tuchel’s lightning-fast attacking line showed they have all it takes to bypass Zinedine Zidane’s ageing side, though a more clinical finishing...
Thomas Tuchel provides injury update on two Chelsea stars, reveals plan to handle Sergio Ramos
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has provided an injury update on Antonio Rudiger and Mateo Kovacic ahead of the second leg of the Champions League semi-final tie against Real Madrid. The Blues secured a 1-1 draw at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium last week, and they have the crucial away-goal advantage ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Ahead of the game, Tuchel confirmed that Rudiger is likely to return to action after missing the 2-0 Premier League win over Fulham with a facial injury sustained during the final minutes in Madrid. The German head coach revealed that his compatriot could make the starting line-up against Los Blancos, but will have to play with a face mask, which he is getting used to in training. He told Chelseafc.com: “For Toni, I think he will pl...
PSG need ‘mother of all upsets’ in Champions League semifinal against Man City
Manchester City put one foot in the Champions League final following a 2-1 first-leg win over Paris Saint-Germain last week. You can watch this and other Champions League games live online. PSG opened the scoring 15 minutes into the game as Marquinhos rose above everyone to meet Angel Di Maria’s inch-perfect corner-kick delivery. However, City bounced back in the second half, with Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez producing two long-range efforts to turn the match on Paris’ head. Despite lagging a goal behind, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will have their say at the Etihad on Tuesday night. Manchester City Preview A victory in Paris was City’s 50th in Europe’s elite club competition and sixth on the trot, which is also their best-ever winning run in the Champions League. The Cityzens ...
Can Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain prevent another all-English Champions League final?
Throughout the bulk of the 2010s, English clubs notoriously struggled in the Champions League. Chelsea won the competition in 2012, but it would be another six years before another Premier League club reached the final. The self-proclaimed ‘best league in the world’ wasn’t looking so hot, but that changed in the 2018/19 season when we got only our second all-English final. Liverpool pulled off a stunning comeback against Barcelona at Anfield, while Tottenham Hotspur had a memorable night of their own in Amsterdam, progressing on away goals after Lucas Moura’s second-half hat-trick. Two years on, and another all-English final could be on the cards. Manchester City defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the away leg of their semi-final, while Chelsea welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge after a 1...
‘One of the best players’: Manchester City star raves about £156m Liverpool target
Manchester City winger Bernardo Silva has showered heaps of praise on Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. Pep Guardiola’s side beat PSG 2-1 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, and they managed to keep Mbappe quiet. The French striker was prevented from having a single shot on goal during the game. However, Silva was full of praise for his former Monaco teammate, saying playing against him is a challenging task. He has hailed him as one of the best players in the world at the moment. Silva said about Mbappe, as quoted by Manchester Evening News: “It’s tough to play against him. I have played with him and against him. It’s much better to play with him on your side. He is a great player. “I wish him all the best, except in this round against us! I’m very happy to...
