Football Blog (Page 87)

[ad_1] Kylian Mbappe has issued a rallying cry after Paris Saint-Germain were beaten 1-0 at home by Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Kingsley Coman scored the game’s only goal as the Bavarians ran out narrow winners at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night. After a dismal first half saw PSG register a grand total of zero shots on target, Mbappe – only just returning from a thigh injury – was brought off the bench in the second half and sparked life into the hosts. He twice had goals disallowed for offside, while Bayern were reduced toRead More →

[ad_1] It’s hard to imagine Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United being led by Cristiano Ronaldo. The first period of the season – where the Red Devils were getting packed in by Brentford and Brighton, shipping goals for fun, scrambling to break into the top four – seems a long time ago now. Ronaldo’s rigid style, lack of pre-season and desire to leave last summer meant that he did not immediately feature in Ten Hag’s plans. But after getting some minutes in his legs, he quickly fell out of them altogether. Eventually, Ronaldo’s frustrations saw him leave a match at Old Trafford before the final whistleRead More →

[ad_1] Kylian Mbappe has been named as a substitute for the first leg of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League last 16 tie with Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, but Lionel Messi is in the starting lineup. The French forward picked up a thigh injury in a win at Montpellier last month and had initially been a doubt to take part in the mammoth clash on Valentine’s Day. However, Mbappe returned to training ahead of schedule and was in contention to start at Parc des Princes, with reports in Germany claiming Bayern Munich were fearful that his injury was not as serious as first thought. Christophe GaltierRead More →

[ad_1] It is 20 years since one of the most notorious football dressing room incidents of all time, when Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson kicked a loose boot towards the face of David Beckham. Both figures were already legends, both at Man Utd and in the Premier League in general, and it didn’t take long for the story to be splashed all over the tabloid front pages. It is an incident that has never been forgotten and likely never will be, probably because if it seen as the beginning of the end of Beckham’s time at Man Utd. When icons collide, the tales reverberateRead More →

[ad_1] Leicester City are still pushing hard to convince James Maddison that his long-term future should be at the King Power Stadium, 90min understands. Maddison has less than 18 months left on his current deal and has already turned down a number of offers from Leicester to extend his contract. The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the Premier League’s top attacking midfielders and his form made it impossible for Gareth Southgate to ignore and, although not used, he won a place in the England 2022 World Cup squad. Leicester are prepared to make him the highest paid player in the club’s history, but theirRead More →

[ad_1] Sure, the World Cup is cool and all, but there’s just something magical about the Champions League knockout stages. This truly is the most wonderful time of the year; when the finest footballers on the planet lock horns in a bid to embolden and tighten their respective legacies. It’s where the miracle-workers manifest and, despite the ever-increasing financial inequality, underdogs rise. Who knows, 2022/23 might be one of the last times we enjoy the Champions League as we know it. The threat of a European Super League has re-emerged and questions over where the sport is headed at the highest level have resurfaced. OnlyRead More →

[ad_1] Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged the club to agree a new contract with Karim Benzema, as well as insisting the veteran French striker will not going anywhere in the summer. Benzema is second on Real’s list of all-time goalscorers behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and ahead of Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano. The 35-year-old has netted 202 times for Real in the last four and a half years alone and was also appointed club captain following Marcelo’s departure in the summer. This season has been a little tougher because of injury, but Benzema has still usually scored when fit. But he is outRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona are leading the race to sign Under-20 South American Championship winner Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, 90min understands. The 17-year-old caught the eye at the Under-20 South American Championships, scoring an impressive six goals in eight appearances as a mightily talented Brazil won the competition in February. At club level with Athletico Paranaense, Vitor Roque has already scored 14 goals too. Vitor Roque is well known as being one of the better ‘wonderkids’ on Football Manager 2023 due to his ruthlessness in front of goal at such a tender age. The youngster’s form (in real life…not FM23) has led to a number ofRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester United have undergone considerable changes both on the pitch and in the dugout since the end of a dismal 2021/22 season and are reaping the rewards. Erik ten Hag was appointed manager in May and was keen to bring assistant Mitchell van der Gaag with him from Ajax, as well as reuniting with former mentor Steve McClaren as someone who already had experience of working in a successful Old Trafford dressing room. Ex-Ajax, Porto and Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy was also recruited at the end of July as a specialised attacking coach. In addition to his spells in the Premier League, McCarthy wasRead More →

[ad_1] Jurgen Klopp has labelled Liverpool’s Merseyside derby 2-0 win over Everton at Anfield as a ‘massive relief’. The Reds recorded their first Premier League win of 2023 on Monday night, beating local rivals Everton 2-0 thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo. It was a much, much improved performance following a torrid run of form, and after the game, Klopp expressed his relief at finally winning a league game this year. “It’s a massive relief. I didn’t want to do it but you don’t know when the next time you can,” he said of his famous touchline fist-pump. “Whatever the crowd wouldRead More →