Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Ivan Rakitic has said Lionel Messi’s desire to win the Champions League is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool on Wednesday. At the start of the season, Messi stood on his home pitch and pledged to bring …
Read More »‘To infinity and beyond’: Pochettino dreaming of Champions League glory
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Mauricio Pochettino has told Tottenham not to use the absence of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min or tiredness after a draining campaign as an excuse for not making the Champions League final for the first time in the club’s history. Kane headlines a lengthy injury …
Read More »Barcelona want La Liga trophy and ‘powerful boost’ ahead of Liverpool semi
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Clinching La Liga before their Champions League semi-final with Liverpool would give Barcelona a “very powerful” boost, coach Ernesto Valverde said on Friday. The runaway Spanish league leaders are nine points clear with four games to play. They will seal the title if Atletico Madrid lose …
Read More »Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant
Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | Neymar was suspended for three Champions League matches by UEFA on Friday for a foul-mouthed tirade at match officials following Paris Saint-Germain’s shock exit from this season’s tournament to Manchester United. The Brazil star missed the 3-1 Champions League second leg last 16 defeat on March …
Read More »Man Utd can still qualify for Champions League, says Solskjaer
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United can still qualify for the Champions League despite a collapse in form extended by their derby defeat against Manchester City. United have now lost seven of their past nine games in all competitions, leaving them three points behind fourth-placed …
Read More »We can beat ‘favourites’ City without Kane, vows Pochettino
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Mauricio Pochettino has labelled Manchester City as Champions League favourites, but the Tottenham manager insists his side can end their challenge even without Harry Kane. Pochettino’s team will defend a slender 1-0 advantage at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. City are chasing an unprecedented quadruple …
Read More »Guardiola in need of Tottenham turnaround
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City remain in contention for a historic haul of four trophies this season, but winning the one by which Pep Guardiola’s time at the Etihad will be judged depends on overturning a 1-0 Champions League quarter-final, first leg deficit against Tottenham on Wednesday. …
Read More »Liverpool can win dream double, says Van Dijk
Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool can win a Premier League and Champions League double after they took charge of their European quarter-final against Porto. Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino struck inside the first 26 minutes at Anfield on Tuesday to give Jurgen Klopp’s men a 2-0 victory. Unlike their …
Read More »Spurs hoping for stadium boost in Man City Champions League clash
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Tottenham are hoping for a lift from their new stadium as they prepare for the daunting task of facing quadruple-chasing Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday. Spurs won last week in their first match at their new home, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 to move back into …
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 …
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