UEFA Champions League
El Clásico’s impact on La Liga title race
In the 246th competitive fixture between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday, it was Los Blancos who came out on top at the final whistle. First-half goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos were enough to claim three points at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano despite a second-half consolation for the visitors by Óscar Mingueza. With little over a month left of the season, we look at just how their 2-1 victory has impacted the La Liga title race. Which teams are battling it out? There are three teams left fighting for the title at this stage – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Since Valencia in 2003/2004, these three are the only teams to have won a La Liga title. Atlético have done so on one occasion in that time frame, pipping Barcelona on the final day of the 2013/14 campa...
Klopp, Nagelsmann and more: 5 managers who could replace Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich
Hansi Flick has done an exceptional job at Bayern Munich, winning the treble in his first season, having taken over from Niko Kovac in November 2019. This season, he has continued in a similar vein, sitting seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with just seven games remaining. However, they have already been knocked out of the DFB Pokal and are up against it in the Champions League after losing the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain. It now appears that Flick is ready to take on a new challenge, with Norwegian reporter Jan Aage Fjortoft claiming on Twitter that he is set to take over the German national team after the European Championships this summer. The 56-year-old previously worked as assistant manager for Die Mannschaft during their most succes...
‘Big game player’, ‘Top class’: Some Chelsea fans praise 22-year-old’s display vs Porto
A selection of Chelsea fans on Twitter heaped praise on Mason Mount following his impressive display against Porto in the Champions League last night. The Blues made the trip to Seville for the away leg of their quarter-final tie and secured a 2-0 triumph thanks to goals from Mason and Ben Chilwell. The game was not straightforward despite the scoreline, and the west London giants had to work hard for the victory with only three shots on target in 90 minutes. Mount opened the scoring for the Blues in the 32nd minute of the contest. He took control of Jorginho pass with a terrific turn to outwit Chancel Mbemba. The England international thereafter unleashed a first-time shot for the bottom left corner, which beat the diving goalkeeper. The Blues doubled their advantage five minutes from tim...
‘Pretty impressive’: Thomas Tuchel reacts to performance of 24-year-old Chelsea star
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was impressed with Ben Chilwell, who bagged the second goal in the club’s 2-0 Champions League triumph over Porto last night. The Blues faced Porto in Seville during the first leg of the quarter-final tie, and they managed to find the back of the net with two of their three shots on target. Mount opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a terrific turn and first-time shot to beat the goalkeeper. Chilwell bagged the club’s second five minutes from time. The 24-year-old pounced on a poor first touch from Jesus Corona before rounding the goalkeeper to register his maiden Champions League goal. The 2-0 win has handed the Blues an excellent chance of making it to the last four of the competition, and Tuchel was delighted for Chilwell. He told Chelseafc.com: “I wa...
‘What a player’: Gary Lineker raves about ‘Magnificent’ Chelsea star in Porto win
Gary Lineker heaped praise on Mason Mount after he opened the scoring for Chelsea during their Champions League clash against Porto last night. The 22-year-old has been one of the Blues’ standout players, and he has particularly excelled since Thomas Tuchel took charge as manager in January. He scored a consolation goal in the 5-2 humbling by West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, where he was only a second-half substitute. The attacking midfielder continued his good form with a splendid goal against Porto, where he unleashed a first-time shot after a clever turn. Former England star turned popular pundit Lineker was full of praise for the Blues star. Here is what he posted on his official Twitter account. He’s done it again. Magnificent from @masonmount_10. What a player. — Gary Lineker &#x...
Advantage PSG as Les Parisiens defeat Bayern Munich in thrilling quarter-final
A clinical Paris Saint-Germain came away from the Allianz Arena with a one-goal advantage in an enthralling Champions League quarter-final first leg. It was an electrifying start to game. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, standing in for the injured Robert Lewandowski, saw his second-minute header strike the crossbar from Joshua Kimmich’s corner. It was a miss that proved costly, as the visitors took the lead just a minute later. Neymar picked up the ball in the middle, drove forward, and slipped it through to Kylian Mbappe. The young Frenchman slammed into the back of the net, although goalkeeper Manuel Neuer would have been disappointed to let it go through him. Bayern Munich responded well to the goal, and really should’ve equalised on the tenth minute, but Thomas Muller struck straight at Keyl...
Analysis: Liverpool’s poor pressing and TAA horror show ensured resounding thrashing by Real Madrid
As far as UEFA Champions League quarter-final ties go, they don’t get much bigger than this. Real Madrid hosted Liverpool at the Alfredo Di Stéfano in the first leg of the repeat of the 2018 Champions League final, but a number of key players were missing from both sides. Neither team had either of their two senior centre-backs available, while Eden Hazard and Dani Carvajal were also out for Los Blancos. Two depleted defences meant that we certainly had goals in store, and that was just the case as Real Madrid emerged 3-1 winners – just as they had done nearly three years ago. There was no Gareth Bale to bag a brace for Zinedine Zidane’s men, but Vinícius Júnior stepped up more than adequately with a match-winning performance. We will take a look at that and much more as we ...
Klopp shakes up his starting XI, City boss benches forward again
The Champions League has reached the quarter-final stage and features some mouth-watering UCL fixtures. We’ll update this story with reports, results and the latest Champions League highlights as the first leg games are played. Three Premier League clubs have made it through to the last eight of the competition, and two of them were in action on Tuesday evening. Liverpool face a tough task to reach the semi-finals after losing 3-1 at Real Madrid – Vinicius Junior (2) and Marco Asensio scored for the La Liga giants. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were on target for Manchester City as they secured a narrow 2-1 home victory over Borussia Dortmund. Chelsea are in action on Wednesday as they face Porto, while Bayern Munich will go head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain. Champions League Quarter-...
Vinicius Junior hits brace as Real Madrid take commanding lead in first leg
Real Madrid enjoyed a fine evening in the Champions League quarter-finals, winning their first leg tie over Liverpool 3-1. It was a tough first half for the visitors. Karim Benzema fired an early warning shot straight at Alisson, while Vinicius Junior headed wide after some good work down the left from Ferland Mendy. On the 27th minute, Vinicius gave Real Madrid the lead with a real moment of quality. Toni Kroos found the Brazilian with a pinpoint 50-yard pass. The winger immaculately brought the ball down on his chest and fired into the bottom corner with his right foot. Ten minutes later, Los Blancos doubled their lead. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s interception from Kroos’ pass went straight to Marco Asensio, who lifted the ball over Alisson and tapped in from no further than a yard out. It ...
Strong XI for Reds, Man City defender doubtful, Chelsea midfielder out
The Champions League is back with a bang this week as the first leg of the quarter-final ties are played across Europe. The action gets underway on Tuesday, with two Premier League teams hoping to boost their chances of progressing to the last four. Despite still missing some key players, Liverpool will field a strong starting XI for their visit to Real Madrid. Diogo Jota could get the nod in attack after bagging twice as a substitute in the Reds’ 3-0 Premier League victory over Arsenal on Saturday. Manchester City have nearly a full squad to choose from for their game against Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium. Defender Nathan Ake is City’s only major doubt as they get set to face the Bundesliga outfit. Chelsea will be without midfielder N’Golo Kante for their trip to play Porto at t...
Thomas Tuchel to make five changes | Predicted Chelsea line-up (3-4-2-1) vs Porto
Chelsea make the trip to Lisbon on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Porto. The Blues resumed Premier League action after the international break on Saturday, where they suffered an embarrassing 5-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion. They were down to 10 men after just 29 minutes on the clock, but the nature of defeat was a surprise given their solid defensive record under Thomas Tuchel. The loss ended a 15-match unbeaten run across all competitions, and the Blues will be aiming to make amends with a strong display against Porto. The west London outfit comfortably cruised past Atletico Madrid with a 3-0 aggregate triumph in the round of 16 of the competition. They are favourites for Wednesday’s encounter, but they can’t underestimate opponents who...
No major injury concerns for Man City, but Dortmund beset by problems
Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday. It is the first time that these two sides have faced each other in the Champions League knockout stage. Their only previous clashes in the competition came in the group phase back in 2012/13, with Dortmund avoiding defeat in each meeting (D1, L1). Manchester City Preview City brushed aside Borussia Monchengladbach in the round of 16, winning both legs by the identical 2-0 score, with three of their four strikes in those encounters coming inside the opening 30 minutes of play. The Cityzens have now won ten of their last 11 Champions League fixtures against Bundesliga opponents (D1), netting over 1.5 goals in all but one of those matches. Coming...
