Football Blog (Page 223)

[ad_1] Paris Saint-Germain can book their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win against Benfica on Tuesday. The French champions’ form has dipped recently, and they were held to a draw by the Portuguese giants at the Estadio da Luz last week. Here’s the lineup Christophe Galtier could select to stop their recent slump. GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – Italy’s number one has become the permanent starting goalkeeper at club level since Galtier’s arrival, relegating Keylor Navas to the bench for good. CB: Nordi Mukiele – Though he’s primarily played as a wing-back, summer signing Mukiele has reverted to playing inRead More →

[ad_1] Liverpool have been handed a fresh blow with the news that Luis Diaz will be out until December with a knee injury. The Colombian left the Emirates on crutches following the Reds’ 3-2 defeat to Arsenal last week, with Jurgen Klopp immediately speculating that the injury could a serious one. Fortunately, it appears to be less serious than first feared and he will not need surgery, although his World Cup participation with Colombia is also now in serious doubt. Diaz will miss Liverpool’s next ten matches before the World Cup break, starting with their Champions League clash with Rangers this week. They will beRead More →

[ad_1] Six days after thumping AC Milan 3-0, Chelsea will travel to San Siro to try and replicate the feat. The Blues, who beat Wolves 3-0 at the weekend, have climbed up into second in their Champions League group but still have a whole lot of work to do to ensure they book their place in the knockout stages. With a handful of injury concerns to address, here’s how Graham Potter could set up. Gallagher is flying under Potter / James Williamson – AMA/GettyImages GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – The Spaniard appears to have Potter’s faith right now, but he’ll need to keep the levels upRead More →

[ad_1] Andres Iniesta says he would like to return to Barcelona in some capacity once his playing career is over. Barça are currently rebuilding impressively under his former midfield partner Xavi Hernandez while Iniesta winds down his own playing career with Japanese club Vissel Kobe. However, Barcelona is the only other club he has played for and it is the one with which he will always be most associated – and he hopes to return there soon. “I’ll spend another year here, then we’ll see,” Iniesta told Iniesta told Gazzetta Dello Sport. “I’d like to return to Barcelona, but I don’t know which role. Coach,Read More →

[ad_1] Paris Saint-Germain will have the option to buy young midfielder Xavi Simons back from PSV Eindhoven next summer. The young Dutchman left PSG this summer on a free transfer and has excelled in the Eredivisie, racking up six goals and four assists in just nine games and flashing the kind of potential that was widely expected of him during his time with both PSG and boyhood side Barcelona. His departure had many PSG fans scratching their heads, not least because the Ligue 1 side received no money in exchange for one of the game’s most popular young talents, but Rik Elfrink has now unearthedRead More →

[ad_1] Atletico Madrid have confirmed that Antoine Griezmann has completed his permanent return to the club from Barcelona. The Frenchman first joined Atletico in 2014 from Real Sociedad and went on to become one of the defining figures in the club’s modern history, notably helping them reach the Champions League final in 2016 and win the Europa League in 2018. After flirting with a move to Barça in 2018, he eventually swapped the capital for Catalonia in 2019, though proved to be an underwhelming signing and was loaned back to Atletico at the start of last season on a two-year deal. And Los Rojiblancos confirmedRead More →

[ad_1] The 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs bracket is set following a dramatic ending to the regular season on Decision Day. Supporters’ Shield winners LAFC and Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union head straight into the Conference semi-finals. However, the other 12 teams will battle it out in the first round, which begins on Saturday, October 15. Here is the full 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs bracket: Second seeds CF Montreal pushed right until the final day for top spot in the East but ultimately fell two points short. Nevertheless, they enjoyed a stellar regular season and will be firm favorites against an Orlando City side that scrapedRead More →

[ad_1] England manager Gareth Southgate has stressed his desire to see out the entirety of his contract with the Three Lions. After leading England to the final of Euro 2020 last year, Southgate penned a new deal to commit himself to the team until 2024, but things have gone downhill since and England find themselves on a six-game winless streak heading into the World Cup. Some fans have been calling for Southgate to step down after the winter showpiece in Qatar – a minority have even challenged him to leave beforehand – but the boss has no desire to leave early. “As we speak now,Read More →

[ad_1] Chelsea remain in talks with midfielder Mason Mount over a new contract, 90min understands, with the Blues confident an agreement will be reached. Mount’s future was identified as a pressing concern following Todd Boehly’s arrival at the club, with the American co-owner keen to hand a bumper new deal to both the 23-year-old and right-back Reece James, who are viewed as potential cornerstones of the club’s future. James has since penned a lucrative six-year contract and so the focus is now on Mount, with whom talks are progressing well. Sources have confirmed to 90min that Chelsea are not worried that negotiations with the midfielderRead More →

[ad_1] Erik ten Hag has praised Casemiro’s performance in Manchester United’s 2-1 over Everton, stating that fans saw how ‘important he is’ to the team on Sunday evening. The midfielder was at fault for Everton’s goal inside the opening five minutes, losing the ball in the lead up the goal, but recovered well to put in a solid display alongside the impressive Christian Eriksen in the heart of the Man Utd midfielder. When asked about Casemiro being dispossessed in the lead up to Everton’s goal, speaking to BT Sport, Ten Hag said: “Yeah but I think he will [learn to] anticipate quickly and you sawRead More →