Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi could make an earlier return than expected against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday but Barcelona have hardly missed him. Four wins out of four, including a stroll past Inter Milan and a hammering of Real Madrid so severe it cost …
Read More »Allegri hails ‘leader’ Ronaldo as Juve hold off Cagliari to stay clear in Serie A
Milan, Italy | AFP | Massimiliano Allegri praised Cristiano Ronaldo’s leadership skills as Juventus beat Cagliari 3-1 for their 10th win in 11 games to maintain their six-point cushion at the top of Serie A on Saturday. Paulo Dybala scored after just 44 seconds, with a Filip Bradaric own-goal accounting …
Read More »Liverpool reach Champions League final after nervy night in Rome
Rome, Italy | AFP | Liverpool held off a spirited Roma fightback to reach the Champions League final 7-6 on aggregate despite losing 4-2 in a hectic semi-final second leg in Rome. Jurgen Klopp’s reached their eighth European Cup final and first since 2007 where they will play two-time holders …
Read More »Klopp focused on Liverpool ‘dream’, not off-field distractions
Rome, Italy | AFP | Jurgen Klopp warned that Liverpool would not let off-field distractions take the focus off their dream of reaching the Champions League final when they face Roma on Wednesday. Klopp’s side are on the brink of reaching the final for the first time since 2007 as they …
Read More »Ronaldo thanks Juventus fans for ovation after video-game goal
Turin, Italy | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked Juventus fans for their generous applause for his overhead bicycle kick which helped Real Madrid gain a three-goal advantage over the Italians in the Champions League. “For me it was an unbelievable moment,” said Ronaldo, who scored two goals in the …
Read More »Ronaldo double powers Real to win over Juventus
Turin, Italy | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in 10 successive Champions League games as he struck twice for holders Real Madrid in a 3-0 win at Juventus in Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg. Ronaldo grabbed the opening goal in Turin after just three minutes and …
Read More »VAR confusion could blight World Cup – Southgate
London, United Kingdom | AFP | England manager Gareth Southgate believes a lack of clarity over the video assistant referee (VAR) system could blight the 2018 World Cup. Southgate’s side were denied another impressive World Cup warm-up friendly result as Lorenzo Insigne’s penalty three minutes from time salvaged a 1-1 …
Read More »City slicker Sterling ready for star role with England
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Raheem Sterling has vowed to finally emulate his blistering Manchester City form in an England shirt as the electric winger eyes redemption at the World Cup. Sterling’s last taste of a major international tournament was a bitter one, but the forthcoming World Cup in …
Read More »40-year-old Buffon happy to be part of new Italy generation
Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insisted Thursday that he still has a role to play in Italy’s future despite already having passed his 40th birthday. The Juventus star quit international football after Italy stunningly failed to qualify for the World Cup finals. However, he has …
Read More »Mkhitaryan makes his mark with Arsenal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been at Arsenal for less than two months, but that hasn’t stopped the fiercely-driven star from ruffling a few feathers as he tries to lead the Gunners to Europa League glory. Mkhitaryan moved to Arsenal as part of the deal that …
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