Football Blog (Page 27)

[ad_1] When Pep Guardiola was hired by Manchester City in 2016, many expected the two-time Champions League winning manager to guide the Citizens to the promised land. Domestic supremacy has ensued under Guardiola’s watch, and while City have long been regarded as the best team in Europe, glory on the continental stage has continued to elude them. Guardiola’s stint, as majestic as it’s been, will not be complete until he guides City to the Champions League crown. The club’s history with Europe’s premier club competition isn’t particularly extensive, but it’s a painful one nonetheless. Contrary to popular belief, Man City’s first appearance in Europe’s premierRead More →

[ad_1] This is why Manchester City signed Erling Haaland; not to break Premier League scoring records at a canter, but to get the Citizens over the line on mammoth European nights. Pep Guardiola’s yet to achieve his ultimate aim in Manchester thanks to a combination of overthinking, Anfield, and misfortune. For all their domestic success under the Spaniard, you feel that his job at the Etihad won’t be complete until he guides City to their first Champions League crown. Once again, Guardiola’s side have waltzed into the quarter-finals of the competition, but this is where things start to get weird for the Premier League’s dominantRead More →

[ad_1] Vinicius Junior will become the best player in the world, according to his future Real Madrid teammate Endrick. The 22-year-old became the most expensive export from Brazil’s top division in 2018, joining Real Madrid from Flamengo in a deal rumoured to be worth €46m. It took some time for Vinicius to acclimatise to his new surroundings – he scored just 14 goals in his first 118 games in all competitions for Los Blancos – but over the last couple of years he’s quickly established himself as one of the world’s finest wingers. Indeed, he scored the winner for Real Madrid in the 2022 UEFARead More →

[ad_1] Xavi Hernandez has lamented Barcelona’s lack of ‘efficiency’ in front of goal following a tepid 0-0 draw with Girona in La Liga. Barca had 18 shots and in the Easter Monday clash with mid-table Girona at Camp Nou, but failed to convert any of them – largely due to the fact that just three of said efforts on goal were on target. Speaking to the press after the game, Xavi was honest with his assessment of his team’s attacking performance, admitting: “Girona were fighting for their life on the pitch. It’s frustrating, but I think we played well. We didn’t put away our chancesRead More →

[ad_1] Leicester City have confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith as interim manager until the end of the season. Smith arrives at King Power Stadium alongside assistants Craig Shakespeare and John Terry, both of whom he worked with at Aston Villa, and has been tasked with helping the club fight off the threat of relegation. The Foxes are currently 19th in the table, two points away from safety, and have been without a manager since they dismissed Brendan Rodgers in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on April 1. “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during theseRead More →

[ad_1] LAFC have the 3-0 edge on the Vancouver Whitecaps as both teams head into the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday at BMO Stadium. Vancouver will have a steep deficit to overturn after losing the first leg 3-0. Though it will be extraordinarily difficult, the Whitecaps will have to fight hard to get back into the tie.  On the flip side, LAFC will want to put the game to bed early and look to clinch their spot in the semi-final.  When is kick off? Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, 10:25 PM EST Where is the match being played? BMO Stadium, Los Angeles,Read More →

[ad_1] There is never a dull match date in MLS. Week seven brought us some exciting matches, where attacking excellence was on display. LAFC, the Seattle Sounders, and the Houston Dynamo, in particular, played games that were pleasing to the eye as a neutral.  Each match was filled to the brim with goals, controversy, and tactical nuance that – oftentimes, some people miss when watching a league a physical as MLS. That said, here are three games from match date three that are worth taking a closer look… The Seattle Sounders brought St. Louis back to reality with a 3-0 win at home. / JoeRead More →

[ad_1] Many expected Manchester City to waltz to their third consecutive Premier League title this season, but a surprise contender from north London has threatened the Citizens’ domestic supremacy. While Pep Guardiola’s side are now starting to find their very best form, 2022/23 has been all about Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. After missing out on Champions League football last season, the Gunners recruited well in the summer and further evolved under their exciting new manager to rise to the very top of the Premier League table. They’ve led the way for most of the campaign, but their status at the summit is under threat. Dropped pointsRead More →

[ad_1] 90min rounds up the latest PSG transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world… Any prospective bids for Paris Saint-Germain‘s prized asset Kylian Mbappe are set to be dismissed for the remainder of his contract, which runs to 2024. (Sport) Mbappe is just one of seven PSG players judged to be non-transferable by the club’s hierarchy, topping a list which also includes Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, Danilo Pereira, Marco Verratti and Marquinhos. (Le Parisien) Lionel Messi‘s current deal expires this summer and Inter have emerged as surprise contenders to snap up the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner on a free transfer. (CalcioMercato) Saudi ProRead More →

[ad_1] Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role as an inverted full-back, most famously executed by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, was intended to give Liverpool a ‘double six’ when in possession against Arsenal. Alexander-Arnold has long been known for his ability on the ball and was often seen pushing into the centre of midfield for the visit of Arsenal instead of holding his usual wide position. Klopp explained that it gave Liverpool ‘different opportunities’ in the game that eventually finished 2-2 thanks to a late Roberto Firmino equaliser. The Reds might even have taken more from the game but for Mohamed Salah penalty missRead More →