Blog (Page 84)

[ad_1] Barcelona coach Xavi has labelled Manchester United one of Europe’s ‘top teams’ following a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou in the Europa League but believes both clubs are ‘coming back’ from lean years. The stage of Thursday night’s Europa League knockout playoff first leg was a far cry from the Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011 when Barça and United met in Rome and London respectively for the right to be crowned Europe’s very best. But such has been the resurgent form of both teams this season after respective problems, this was still the pick of all the UEFA fixtures being played thisRead More →

[ad_1] A breathlessly entertaining clash between Barcelona and Manchester United ended 2-2 at Camp Nou on Thursday to set up a tantalising second leg in their Europa League knockout playoff. A burst of goals at the beginning of the second half saw Barcelona first go ahead through Marcos Alonso, but a quick retort from Marcus Rashford and Jules Kounde’s own goal put the Red Devils in front. Raphinha’s fizzed cross sailed through the far post to drag Barça level in the 76th minute. Casemiro booted the ball against his own post late on but a winner couldn’t be found in what will go down asRead More →

[ad_1] The Colorado Rapids will look to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2023. After finishing top of the Western Conference two years ago, the Rapids suffered a slide down the standings last season, finishing 10th and four points below the Playoffs line. Robin Fraser has strengthened in a number of key areas and will hope the club’s winter business is enough to see them move straight back into the Playoffs. So, here’s everything you need to know about the Colorado Rapids ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions. Transfers in Player Former Club Fee Kevin Cabral LA Galaxy $1mRead More →

[ad_1] Real Madrid must beat Osasuna on Saturday to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have fallen eight points behind but can close that gap to five when they face Osasuna, 24 hours before Barcelona are in action against Cadiz. It’s a must-win game for Real, so here’s how Ancelotti could set up. GK: Thibaut Courtois – Ancelotti has already confirmed that Courtois will make his return from injury here, with Andriy Lunin set to drop to the bench. RB: Dani Carvajal – Lucas Vazquez is back on the bench but probably isn’t fit enough to pose any real threatRead More →

[ad_1] The Chicago Fire head into the 2023 MLS season looking to end their long wait to reach the Playoffs. Champions in 1998 and three-time MLS Cup finalists, the Fire haven’t made the post-season in each of their last five attempts, while they’ve finished above the line in just two of the last 13 seasons. It’s been a winter of change with goalkeeping wonderkid Gabriel Slonina officially departing for Chelsea and Aston Villa spending big on young Colombian striker Jhon Duran. But Ezra Hendrickson showed promise during his first season as head coach and will hope to finally re-establish Chicago among the elite. So, here’sRead More →

[ad_1] A number of the Premier League’s top clubs have been alerted to the possible availability of Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, 90min understands. The Brazil international is enjoying a stellar year in Paris, recording 17 goals and 16 assists in just 28 games, although PSG’s recent slump has cast doubt over his long-term future in the French capital. The 31-year-old remains under contract until 2025 and while PSG are not rushing to offload Neymar, they are understood to be open to his possible departure at the end of the season and sources have confirmed to 90min that a number of Premier League sides have beenRead More →

[ad_1] Tottenham assistant manager Cristian Stellini has been thrown into the spotlight at the midway point of his club’s chaotic 2022/23 season. Antonio Conte’s recent gallbladder surgery saw him take time away from the dugout, leaving Stellini in charge of a 1-0 victory over Manchester City. Conte returned and presided over defeats to Leicester and AC Milan, but has remained in Italy following the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie with the Rossoneri after a routine post-surgery check. With Stellini again set to fill in on the touchline, here’s what you need to know about the Italian coach. During a senior playingRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva was surprisingly deployed at left-back by Pep Guardiola during Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal, and it wasn’t his first experience of the role. Nathan Ake, who has been City’s usual left-back recently, was shifted into a central role and vacated his space for Silva, who was tasked with keeping up with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka down that side of the pitch. It yielded mixed results and Silva eventually found himself back in attack after a second-half substitute saw Manuel Akanji join the defence and Ake shift out to the left. Interestingly, it wasn’t Silva’s first stint at left-back. During hisRead More →

[ad_1] Erik ten Hag has confessed Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong would ‘strengthen any squad’ in the world amid consistent links with Manchester United. One of the longest transfer sagas of the summer window was United’s pursuit of De Jong, who was seen by many to be key to the way Ten Hag wanted to set up his Red Devils side. In the end, the deal never materialised and Man Utd opted to sign Casemiro instead – a signing that has proved to be a roaring success at Old Trafford. On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott SaundersRead More →

[ad_1] Mikel Arteta has admitted he feels more confident in Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title even after Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to reigning champions Manchester City. City have climbed above the Gunners into first place, having played one game more, but were not always comfortable during the game and finished with a stunningly low 36% possession in the game – almost unheard of for a Pep Guardiola side. With Arsenal also guilty of sloppy errors for City’s goals, Arteta was confident in his side’s ability to go toe-to-toe with England’s best team of the past five years. “I have more belief after seeingRead More →