Paris, France | AFP | Several countries may be in the midst of their winter breaks, but the football goes on elsewhere, with Spain’s biggest clubs having an eventful few days in Saudi Arabia while the race for the title continues in Serie A and Ligue 1. AFP Sport looks back …
Read More »Dybala stunner seals top-spot for Juventus with Atletico made to wait
Turin, Italy | AFP | Paulo Dybala’s stunning curling free-kick rubber-stamped top spot in Champions League Group D for Juventus on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in Turin. The Italian champions had already booked their place for the last 16 with two games to spare but made sure of top spot with …
Read More »Recoveries at stake as Real Madrid face Atletico in La Liga derby
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have each averted a mini-crisis already this season and one of the rewards for the winner of the derby on Saturday would be to stall their rival’s recovery. In a press conference last week, Zinedine Zidane was asked six questions about …
Read More »Griezmann says heart with Barca after ugly Atletico exit
Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Antoine Griezmann on Monday said he couldn’t wait to make his Barcelona debut and that his heart was with the team as he tries to move on from a sour exit from Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid. Griezmann’s 120 million euros ($135 million) transfer was contested by …
Read More »Griezmann trains for the first time with Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | French striker Antoine Griezmann trained with his new Barcelona teammates for the first time on Monday following his controversial move from Atletico Madrid last week. “The first of two sessions scheduled for the day was completed by all available first team players, including the newest incorporations, …
Read More »Barcelona bag Griezmann after stumping up 120 million euros
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Friday after the Spanish champions paid La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid the 120 million euro ($135 million) release clause required to sign the World Cup winner. “The player will sign a contract with his new club for the …
Read More »Chelsea’s Morata to join Atletico Madrid on permanent deal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata will join Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal after the end of his 18-month loan deal, the Premier League club announced on Saturday. The 26-year-old has been at the Spanish club since January, scoring six goals in 17 games. The …
Read More »Godin signs for Inter, Juve snap up Pellegrini
Rome, Italy | AFP | Veteran Uruguayan central defender Diego Godin, who announced his departure from Atletico Madrid in May, signed a three-year deal with Inter Milan on Monday. In a busy day of Serie A transfer activity, Luca Pellegrini became reigning champions Juventus’ first summer signing after moving from Roma …
Read More »UEFA probe Ronaldo for ‘improper conduct’ over ‘cojones’ goal celebration
Milan, Italy | AFP | UEFA on Monday opened an investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal celebration after scoring a hat-trick in Juventus’ Champions League comeback win against Atletico Madrid last week. European football’s governing body said Ronaldo was facing charges of “improper conduct” after he mimicked Diego Simeone’s crotch-grabbing ‘cojones’ gesture in last Tuesday’s 3-0 …
Read More »Allegri counting on goal-king Ronaldo to save Champions League dream
Turin, Italy | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo has scored so many goals he gives Juventus “a great advantage” insisted coach Massimiliano Allegri as the Italian side look to overturn a two-goal Champions League deficit against Atletico Madrid in their last 16, second leg tie in Turin on Tuesday. “Cristiano has a lot of goals in …
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