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MANCHESTER, England — It’s hard to win anything with an unreliable defence, so Pep Guardiola has work to do if Manchester City are to come close to replicating last season’s treble success this time around. Eight goals conceded in three games with the lead surrendered six times in those fixtures, are the kind of statistics usually associated with Erik ten Hag’s out-of-form Manchester United rather than Manchester City, but they…

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández urged João Félix to use disparaging comments from his former teammates to motivate him against Atlético Madrid on Sunday. João Félix, 24, joined Barça on a season-long loan from Atlético in the summer and will face his parent club for the first time on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium. – Stream LIVE: Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid, Sunday, 2:50 p.m. ET, ESPN+ Atlético forward Antoine Griezmann said…

The countdown to Euro 2024 has now truly started after the draw for the tournament mapped out the road to glory — or failure — for the 24 nations set to compete in Germany for the honour of becoming European champions. Pre-tournament favourites France and England are on course for a semifinal clash in Dortmund if both nations top their respective groups, while hosts Germany have been given a daunting…

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has urged football’s lawmakers to scrap plans to introduce sin-bins and stop making unnecessary changes that could have a detrimental effect on the game. In a bid to tackle growing dissent in the game, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) — football’s rule‑making body — announced on Tuesday that sin‑bins would be trialled at “higher levels” after grassroots tests showed promising results. – Stream on ESPN+:…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged football to show patience with VAR and said he expects the technology to come good with time and improvements. The Spaniard has been critical of VAR in the past and last month was charged by the Football Association for his insulting remarks about the match officials in the aftermath of his side’s loss to Newcastle United. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)…

The winter transfer window hasn’t re-opened in Europe yet, but there are 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!

FIFA lost a key ruling in London on Thursday against its plans to regulate football player agents and cap the fees and commissions they earn. A group of agents and firms representing players challenged the proposed FIFA rules at an arbitration tribunal hearing in September. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) FIFA confirmed the tribunal had ruled in favor of the agents, leaving the future of the project…

How much is too much? It’s a question people are asking more frequently with regard to young footballers, as some of the game’s biggest breakthrough stars are racking up thousands of minutes before they turn 21. The issue rose to prominence once again during the last international break as 19-year-old Barcelona and Spain star Gavi sustained a serious knee injury during his 27th-straight game for his nation. (He now faces…

ISTANBUL — Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has refused to blame André Onana despite two mistakes from the Cameroon goalkeeper contributing to a 3-3 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday. United’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds are hanging by a thread after they twice gave up two-goal leads at Rams Park. – What every teams needs to progress in UCL – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)…

As the battle between Real Madrid and the Brazil football federation (CBF) for the managerial services of Carlo Ancelotti continues to rage, the Italian is refusing to be drawn in and might not reveal his plans until the end of the season. “I’ll give you the chance to ask another question,” Ancelotti told a reporter at his news conference on Tuesday prior to their Champions League match against Napoli, when…