Football Blog (Page 29)

[ad_1] The Champions League quarter-finals will throw out a real heavyweight clash on Tuesday when Manchester City host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their fascinating tie. Both began the season among the favourites to win the tournament and that has not changed, with City pushing for the Premier League title and Bayern locked in a battle for the Bundesliga crown as well. Neither team will have planned for a quarter-final exit but one of Europe’s heaviest hitters will be forced to accept an abrupt end to their chase for the trophy that matters most to them. Here’s all you need to know aboutRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona coach Xavi has insisted that Barcelona have quickly ‘turned the page’ since being heavily beaten by Real Madrid in the recent Copa del Rey semi-final second leg. Real won 4-0 at Camp Nou to progress to their first Copa final in nine years, with Karim Benzema doing most of the damage with a second half hat-trick. The result overturned the slender 1-0 aggregate lead that Barça had managed to get from the first leg. The stats suggested a relatively even game, but Real were vastly more clinical. “We’ve analysed the reasons for the mistakes we made, especially in the first half,” Xavi said.Read More →

[ad_1] As arguably his generation’s brightest star, Erling Haaland is no stranger to comparisons with two of the greatest to ever grace the beautiful game. Back in 2021, the then-Borussia Dortmund striker had to fend off what he considered to be fanciful talk when comparions to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo first began to surface. “The media are the ones who write about it,” Haaland told the Spanish publication Marca. “I don’t focus on those things.” However, a record-breaking debut season at Manchester City has prompted Ronaldo and Messi comparisons from sources beyond the pages of the press. After Haaland plundered his 30th Premier LeagueRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester City legend Shaun Goater has joined the women’s team coaching staff under manager Gareth Taylor for at least the rest of the season. Goater, who scored 103 goals in 212 appearances for the men’s team between 1998 and 2003, had already been helping out since January but is now a full-time assistant coach. The 53-year-old has said his job is to provide ‘insight and input’ for forward and wide players in training, as well as be an extra pair of eyes for Taylor on matchdays when it comes to understanding the tactics that the opposition might be using. “It’s been such a joy,Read More →

[ad_1] Bayern Munich’s chief financial officer has suggested the Bundesliga giants will not be drawn into a transfer battle over Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Spurs are desperate to convince Kane to sign a new contract – his current deal expires in 2024 – despite another season of failing to appease his desire to contend for major silverware, and both Bayern and Manchester United are interested in signing the England international. Should Kane decline to extend, Spurs may be forced to consider a sale and 90min understands that chairman Daniel Levy will do whatever he can to ensure Kane does not join United or any otherRead More →

[ad_1] Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier has explained that fatigue and a minor injury was behind Kylian Mbappe suffering a drop in form in recent weeks. Mbappe hasn’t scored in any of his last three Ligue 1 games and put in a largely anonymous display during PSG’s rather unconvincing win over Nice on Saturday evening. The Frenchman, who recently lashed out at PSG for the way he was used in a season ticket promotional video, has been a shadow of his usual self on the pitch. Mbappe has scored 31 times in 35 appearances across all competitions for PSG this season, on top of anRead More →

[ad_1] 90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world… Bayern Munich are reluctant to get into a bidding war for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, which could give Manchester United a free run at the England captain. He is valued at £100m or more. (Mirror) Barcelona could be open to offers for Ansu Fati, Raphinha and Ferran Torres to raise cash. (SPORT) Liverpool have ambitiously been linked with Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as part of a rebuild in the middle of the pitch. (El Nacional) Liverpool have also been linked with Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister, as have Chelsea. (Relevo) ArsenalRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester City inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat on Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday night, with Erling Haaland returning to the starting XI with two goals after sitting out with an injury. The Citizens reduced the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points before the Gunners visit Liverpool on Sunday, with Haaland heading in before the break. Jack Grealish made it 2-0 before Haaland struck again with a wonderfully acrobatic effort. Sekou Mara gave the despondent Saints something to take from the defeat with a 72nd-minute strike, but Julian Alvarez’s penalty just moments later made it a thrashing. City are bang inRead More →

[ad_1] Two strikes from Samuel Chukwueze – including a memorable winner from distance – helped Villarreal beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday night. Pau Torres’ own goal gave Los Blancos the lead before Chukwueze netted his first with a twisting jink and finish. Vinicius Junior put Real ahead shortly after the break but Jose Luis Morales came off the bench to equalise before Chukwueze ran infield and beat Thibaut Courtois from distance. Carlo Ancelotti rested both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos from his starting XI, with Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos not quite offering the same security as the iconic Blancos duo. ViniciusRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona return to La Liga action on Monday night when they host Girona at Camp Nou. Xavi’s Barça couldn’t hold onto their first leg lead in the Copa del Rey semi-finals in midweek, being thrashed 4-0 by Clasico rivals Real Madrid. Things are rosy in the league, however, with the Catalan giants coasting towards a first title since 2019. Their upcoming opponents Girona have entertained neutrals with consistently frantic games this term but have never beaten Barça in their history. Here’s what you need to know about the game on Monday night. Barcelona vs Girona H2H Results (Last Five Meetings) Current La Liga FormRead More →