Football Blog (Page 231)

[ad_1] Inter will host Barcelona on Tuesday in the third round of Champions League group-stage fixtures of the season. The two sides are tied for points in Group C, with Barcelona’s superior goal difference keeping them in the qualification spots, so this fixture is about as important as they come for both sides. Inter come into this one having lost their last two games in all competitions, while Barcelona’s defeat to Bayern Munich last time out in Europe is the only blot on an otherwise perfect eight-game run for Xavi’s men. Here’s all you need to know about this one. Marcelo Brozovic remains sidelined withRead More →

[ad_1] Chelsea are keeping a watchful eye on Gabriel Martinelli’s progression at Arsenal. The forward, signed as a relative unknown from lower-league Brazilian side Itauno in 2019, has made huge strides in just over three years in north London. He’s scored 21 goals in 93 games for Arsenal – including three in nine so far this season – while he has also made three appearances for the Brazil international team. Martinelli’s current contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in 2024, while the club retain an option to extend it by a further year. However, the 21-year-old is attracting plenty of interest. The Daily Mail reportRead More →

[ad_1] Europe’s third tier competition returns on Thursday as teams compete in the Europa Conference League. The ECL is a hipster’s dream this season, with the likes of Gent, Fiorentina and Villarreal featuring in the tournament’s second edition. Here’s what you need to know ahead of matchday three. 6 October BT Sport currently hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the Europa Conference League in the United Kingdom and show all games from each gameweek live on their various channels and streams. Anderlecht vs West Ham First up is a replay of the 1976 European Cup Winners’ Cup final as Belgian giants Anderlecht take on David Moyes’Read More →

[ad_1] The Champions League returns to our screens this week and there are some mammoth match-ups to look forward to. Giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City are among the sides to have picked up six points from their opening two games, while others are playing catch up to simply get on the board. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming fixtures. 4 October 5 October BT Sport currently hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the Champions League in the United Kingdom and show all games from each gameweek live on their various channels and streams. Liverpool vs Rangers Two clubsRead More →

[ad_1] Karim Benzema missed a penalty as Real Madrid were frustrated by a ten man Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu. The visitors took a shock lead in the first half before Vinicius Junior hit back for Real Madrid. Benzema was then gifted a glorious chance to win the game for his side, but hammered the ball off the crossbar – missing his third consecutive penalty kick against Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. Real Madrid dominated possession early in the game, with Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy’s overlapping runs causing problems for the Osasuna backline, but it was actually the visitors who’d create the first real chance ofRead More →

[ad_1] Omar Campos is quickly becoming a figure to watch in Liga MX.  The 20-year old first joined Santos Laguna in 2016, forming part of the club’s academy before making his professional debut under manager Guillermo Almada a year later. He came on as an 85th-minute substitute, replacing Juan Ferney Otero as Santos held the 2-0 victory.  He has since gone on to record three goals in 65 appearances, becoming an integral part of the team.  “Santos is like my home. I took a great affection for it because it  was the one who saw me grow, to develop, and taught me many things. TheRead More →

[ad_1] Pep Guardiola has hailed star striker Erling Haaland following his hat trick in the Manchester derby, highlighting the player’s work ethic as being particularly impressive. Haaland bagged three of Manchester City’s six in their rout of city rivals Manchester United on Sunday, meaning he’s now scored a hat trick in three consecutive games at the Etihad Stadium. Following Sunday’s win, manager Pep Guardiola was quick to praise the forward’s obscenely brilliant start to his career in the Premier League, stating: “The numbers speak for himself. He has done this before here. It is not our way. Always we try to help him in ourRead More →

[ad_1] Erik ten Hag has said that he doesn’t believe Raphael Varane’s injury is very serious, after the defender hobbled off in Man Utd’s 6-3 defeat at the hands of Man City. The French World Cup winner was subbed off in the 40th minute, having received treatment on the field after seemingly turning his ankle when blocking a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Varane did attempt to play on after the injury, but was eventually taken off before half-time. Speaking to the club’s official website, Ten Hag, when asked about the potential severity of the centre-back’s injury, said: “I don’t think so,Read More →

[ad_1] Sadio Mane remembers being in sheer disbelief when he won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2019. Mane and co went up against Tottenham in the final of the competition that year and won comfortably, beating their Premier League rivals 2-0. While they entered the match as favourites, the 30-year-old says he couldn’t believe it when Divock Origi scored their second goal to seal the victory and still remembers the night vividly. “I remember the second goal that Divock Origi scored very well. I was over the moon at that moment. I couldn’t believe it. I just thought back to my childhood, when IRead More →

[ad_1] Well, that was a mental first half of football. Manchester City have utterly destroyed their arch rivals Manchester United in just 45 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring braces. Man City, terrifyingly for the Red Devils, really hit the ground running at the Etihad and should have been one goal to the good within the opening three minutes. A goalmouth scramble saw Man Utd players just about block three quickfire efforts on goal from a combined six yards out. How did the ball stay out of the net? We’ll never know. Derby day goalmouth scrambles like that…Read More →