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Xavi: Barça is not in crisis after Shakhtar loss

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has said the club are not in crisis following a week of criticism after defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. The unexpected loss to Shakhtar in Hamburg followed what Xavi conceded was an “unacceptable” performance against Real Sociedad, despite winning 1-0, and a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Clásico. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “This is not comparable. This…

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November 12, 2023

Madrid chief Perez: New UCL format ‘absurd’

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Saturday the European Super League is “more necessary than ever” and called UEFA’s new Champions League format “absurd” in a speech to the club’s members. In an 80-minute intervention at the club’s Annual General Meeting, Perez reiterated his support for the dormant Super League project, criticised the standard of Spanish refereeing and VAR and hit out at LaLiga over its management of clubs’…

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November 12, 2023

Arsenal sweating on Saka, Ødegaard injuries

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is an injury doubt for the Premier League game against Burnley, manager Mikel Arteta said in a news conference on Friday. Saka limped off late in the 2-0 Champions League win over Sevilla and was named in the England squad on Thursday. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Arteta said he doesn’t want a repeat of his last call-up when he left the England…

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November 11, 2023

Women’s Champions League group-by-group preview: Predictions, must-see games, more

Tuesday sees the start of the 2023-24 Women’s UEFA Champions League group stage and there are some huge matches to be played. Although many will expect to see champions Barcelona to make it through, as well as Lyon, the record holders for most titles (8), there could be some surprises along the way and it wouldn’t be the first time in the competition. So how will it all play out?…

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November 11, 2023

Man United plumb new depths with UCL meltdown in Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Only Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United could win a game twice and still lose. When the full story of their wild 2023-24 season is told, there won’t be a more inexplicable chapter than the one that describes their Champions League meltdown in Copenhagen on Wednesday. A prematch tifo unfurled by the home supporters warned United that the Parken Stadium was “Your Theatre of Nightmares,” and it couldn’t…

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November 10, 2023

NWSL final is the latest — and last — adventure for close friends Rapinoe, Krieger

The illustrious careers of Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger will each end on the same field on Saturday, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, the site of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League championship. The match-up between Rapinoe’s OL Reign and Krieger’s NJ/NY Gotham FC could be the league’s most high-profile game yet, with a championship-record crowd possible and a large global audience expected to tune in for the…

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November 10, 2023

Milan fans taunt Donnarumma with fake money

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma received a hostile reception from his former AC Milan fans during Tuesday’s Champions League game at the San Siro. Donnarumma faced his old club in Milan for the first time since leaving the Italian giants as a free agent to join PSG in 2021. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Many AC Milan fans have not forgiven Donnarumma, and a section of Milan…

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November 9, 2023

PSG star Warren Zaïre-Emery is the real deal. Here’s why

When Paris Saint-Germain let midfielder Marco Verratti move to Qatari side Al Arabi for €45 million this summer, it came as a bit of a shock. The writing had been on the wall for the transfer all summer long, but the 31-year-old had won 30 trophies during an incredible 11 years at the club, was still playing at an extremely high level and seemed like a perfect tactical fit for…

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November 9, 2023

English football to get new independent regulator

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed plans for an independent football regulator to safeguard the future of English soccer clubs in his King’s Speech on Tuesday. The Independent Regulator for Football (IREF) will have the power to step in to address cash flow and other systemic issues within clubs, many of which are financially vulnerable. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “Legislation will be brought forward to safeguard…

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November 8, 2023

Man City breeze to Champions League Round of 16 with ease

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — Manchester City had Young Boys beaten by half-time on Tuesday and their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign is done and dusted after just four games. Pep Guardiola will want to secure the top spot in Group G but 12 points from a possible 12 so far means that, for the 11th year in a row, City will have an interest in the knockout rounds in the…

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November 8, 2023

⚽ Curtain call: Müller’s legendary run at BayernMay 11, 2025
This article was previously published on Sept. 2, 2024, and has been updated. Having been with the club for the past 25 years, Thomas Müller is Bayern Munich. One of the Bundesliga’s greatest ever players, he became Bayern’s record appearance-maker last year when he played in the 2-0 win over Freiburg in September to mark… Read more: ⚽ Curtain call: Müller’s legendary run at Bayern
Salah: Slot impact at Liverpool surprised meMay 11, 2025
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has admitted the impact of Arne Slot at the club following Jurgen Klopp’s exit surprised him. Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, before Slot arrived from Feyenoord in the summer. The Dutchman won the title in his first season at the club after after beating Tottenham Hotspur… Read more: Salah: Slot impact at Liverpool surprised me
Alonso to leave Leverkusen as Madrid beckonsMay 10, 2025
Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, with the Spanish coach expected to join Real Madrid. In a news conference on Friday, Alonso — who has spent three years at Leverkusen, guiding them to a historic undefeated league campaign in 2023-24 as part of a domestic… Read more: Alonso to leave Leverkusen as Madrid beckons
Transfer rumors, news: Barça, Madrid to fight Bayern for TahMay 10, 2025
Bayern Munich have started concrete negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen center back Jonathan Tah, while Leroy Sané can imagine a move to LaLiga with his future uncertain. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Liverpool… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Barça, Madrid to fight Bayern for Tah
Clásico kits: Barcelona, Real Madrid’s all-time best, worst jerseysMay 9, 2025
El Clásico is not just a clash between two bitter rivals — LaLiga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid — but also a fixture involving two of the world’s most immediately recognizable teams. Barcelona’s iconic Blaugrana (blue and red) striped jerseys provide a striking contrast to Real Madrid’s all-white kit whenever they meet on the pitch… Read more: Clásico kits: Barcelona, Real Madrid’s all-time best, worst jerseys
Beckham, Neville complete Salford City takeoverMay 9, 2025
Salford City have been acquired by a new ownership group led by former England internationals David Beckham and Gary Neville, who were already investors in the club, the League Two side announced on Thursday. The ownership group also includes U.S.-based businessman Declan Kelly and Mervyn Davies, the chairman of Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association. Salford said… Read more: Beckham, Neville complete Salford City takeover
Wenger eyes ‘daylight’ offside law ‘in one year’May 8, 2025
Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, has suggested a change to the offside law, giving greater advantage to the attacking team, could be rubberstamped in a year. The former Arsenal manager first proposed changing to a “daylight” offside law five years ago, when he took up the role with FIFA. Rather than an… Read more: Wenger eyes ‘daylight’ offside law ‘in one year’
Trump: World Cup ‘incentive’ for Russia to end warMay 8, 2025
President Donald Trump has said that the opportunity to compete at football’s 2026 World Cup could be an “incentive” for Russia to end the war with Ukraine. Russian national teams have been banned from international competitions by both FIFA and UEFA since 2022, days after the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Qualification for the 2026 World… Read more: Trump: World Cup ‘incentive’ for Russia to end war
Brazil want to decide new coach next week – chiefMay 7, 2025
The Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) expect to name their new men’s national team coach by the end of next week “at the latest.” The CBF have been looking for a new manager since they sacked Dorival Júnior on March 28. “We know that choosing the coach of the Brazilian national team is a matter of… Read more: Brazil want to decide new coach next week – chief
León out of CWC, spot open for LAFC or AméricaMay 7, 2025
Los Angeles FC and Liga MX side América will face off on May 31 at LAFC’s BMO Stadium for the right to replace Club León at the 32-team Club World Cup to be held in the United States next month, a source confirmed to ESPN. Mexican side León finally lost its legal match against FIFA… Read more: León out of CWC, spot open for LAFC or América