Paris, France | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro got the goals for Real Madrid as the holders won 2-1 away to a Paris Saint-Germain side missing Neymar to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday. Ronaldo had scored twice — including his 100th goal for Real …
Read More »UEFA hold off on VAR use in Champions League amid ‘confusion’
Bratislava, Slovakia | AFP | UEFA will not introduce Video Assistant Referees (VAR) for next season’s Champions League because of ongoing “confusion” surrounding its use, Aleksander Ceferin, the president of European football’s governing body, said on Monday. “Nobody knows exactly how it works yet. There is still a lot of …
Read More »Neymar suffers fractured metatarsal, serious doubt to face Real
Paris, France | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suffered a sprained ankle and a fractured metatarsal when he was stretchered off in Sunday’s win over Marseille, the Ligue 1 leaders announced on Monday. The Brazilian, who signed for PSG in a world-record move from Barcelona last year, is now …
Read More »‘Experts’ to the fore as Ronaldo, Messi again rule in Europe
Paris, France | AFP | As the stakes mounted in the Champions League, the usual suspects once more rose to the occasion with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski starring in the last 16, first legs. Season after season, these preeminent performers deliver on the biggest stages and administer …
Read More »De Gea stars as Manchester United settle for Sevilla draw
Seville, Spain | AFP | David de Gea deflected the attention away from Paul Pogba with another spectacular display of goalkeeping as Manchester United came away from their Champions League last 16, first leg against Sevilla in Spain with a 0-0 draw on Wednesday. De Gea made two breathtaking saves …
Read More »Mourinho plays down pressure on Pogba as midfielder makes United return
Seville, Spain | AFP | Jose Mourinho played down suggestions that Paul Pogba needs to use the Champions League knockout stage to justify his huge price tag as Manchester United prepare for Wednesday’s clash with Sevilla. “I dont think it’s fair to speak about the responsibilities of a player. When …
Read More »Chelsea capable of the ‘incredible’ to spring Barca surprise – Conte
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes the English champions can do “something incredible” by knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League at the Camp Nou on March 14, despite blowing a lead to draw the first leg of their last-16 tie 1-1. Willian gave reason …
Read More »Mueller shines as Bayern thrash 10-man Besiktas
Munich, Germany | AFP | Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski netted twice as Bayern Munich thrashed 10-man Besiktas 5-0 on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Disaster struck for Besiktas after just 16 minutes at Munich’s Allianz Arena when Domagoj Vida was sent off …
Read More »Messi ends Chelsea drought to give Barcelona last-16 edge
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Chelsea manager Antonio Conte rued one costly mistake as Lionel Messi gave Barcelona the upper hand from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Messi struck for the first time in nine games against …
Read More »Peace with Pogba needed for Mourinho to shirk familiar criticism
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester United’s Champions League trip to Sevilla on Wednesday night is the type of occasion for which the English giants swallowed their pride to pay £89 million ($125 million) for Paul Pogba, four years after he left Old Trafford for Juventus as a free …
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