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Transfer Talk: Chelsea, Newcastle tracking Barca’s Raphinha

The summer transfer window has closed throughout Europe, but there are still moves in the works and plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals! Chelsea and Newcastle United are interested in Barcelona winger Raphinha, according to Sport. The Blaugrana are reported to be yet to make a decision over the 26-year-old’s future amid a drop…

Maguire: Patience has paid off in United revival

Harry Maguire said his decision to stay at Manchester United in the summer has been vindicated after breaking back into Erik ten Hag’s team. After a frustrating first season under Ten Hag, Maguire was close to a move to West Ham United during the transfer window, but ended up staying at Old Trafford. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) He started the current campaign on the bench, but…

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…

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’…

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…

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?…

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…

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…

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…