Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos revealed Carlo Ancelotti sought advice from senior players when making tactical changes in the incredible Champions League semi-final win over Manchester City.
A late double from substitute Rodrygo – who became the first player in Champions League history to score twice in the 90th minute of a knockout match – saw Los Blancos force extra time in Madrid. Karim Benzema s penalty then secured a 6-5 aggregate triumph and kept alive Madrid s hopes of a 14th crown in the competition.
Madrid boss Ancelotti has now reached a fifth Champions League final, having done so in 2003, 2005 and 2007 with Milan, and in 2014 and 2022 across two spells with the Spanish champions, and his introduction of Rodrygo, who replaced Kroos after 68 minutes, p…
Philadelphia Union closed the gap to Columbus Crew, while Inter Miami fell to another defeat in MLS on Saturday.
Eastern Conference leaders Columbus produced a late comeback to draw with Chicago Fire, but their lead is now just three points after Philadelphia enjoyed a win.
Philadelphia left it late to overcome New England Revolution 2-1 at Subaru Park.
With the game locked at 0-0, New England were reduced to 10 men when Matt Polster was shown a second yellow card in the 56th minute.
Just 17 minutes later and Philadelphia took the lead, Anthony Fontana chipping in from close range.
But a fine equaliser from Tajon Buchanan appeared to have New England set to earn a point.
However, there was late drama as Fontana drilled in a wonderful goal …
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Olivier Giroud s trophy-winning experienced would be welcome at Milan and has urged Gianluigi Donnarumma to reconsider his decision to leave San Siro.
France international Giroud is out of contract at Chelsea later this month and has been strongly linked with a move to Milan as they seek a replacement for departing striker Mario Mandzukic.
Giroud has spent the past three and a half seasons at Stamford Bridge, winning three major trophies across including the Champions League last weekend.
The 34-year-old did not play any part in a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final in Porto, but his six goals were the most of any Chelsea player in the 2020-21 competition.
Only Kylian Mbappe (eight) and Erling Haaland (10) scored more Cha…
Diego Simeone acknowledged a failure to take their chances cost Atletico Madrid, his side punished late on in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich.
Atletico went into Tuesday s Champions League clash with holders Bayern knowing that victory would be enough to secure second place in Group A.
Joao Felix gave Atletico the lead with his eighth goal in 14 appearances this term, but the hosts could not score from any of their other 12 attempts, of which only three were on target.
A weakened Bayern, without regulars such as Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer, grew as the game wore on, snatching a draw through Thomas Muller s 86th-minute penalty.
It means Atletico now need to avoid defeat at Salzburg in their final group game next week to qual…
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Two sides who are only separated by their goal difference heading into the final weekend, Real Zaragoza will welcome Albacete to La Romareda on Sunday night.
Starting with the hosts, managing to find a much-welcomed boost last weekend as they secured an impressive 2-0 victory away at Racing Santander, Zaragoza will be desperate to produce a repeat performance here. However, once again accepting another bottom-half finish, Victor Fernandez’s side have continued to struggle with their consistency. Opening up May with a 3-1 drumming at the hands of Burgos, Los Manos have recorded just two wins from any of their previous eight Segunda appearances. With that rut stemming back to a 3-1 victory against Tenerife on March 31st, the f…
James McClean has vowed to prolong his Republic of Ireland career for as long as possible after manager Stephen Kenny tipped him to follow in Luka Modric’s footsteps.
The 34-year-old old Wigan midfielder will win his 100th senior cap for his country in Monday night’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in Dublin, with the Ireland boss marking the achievement by handing him the captain’s armband.
Kenny voiced the opinion last week that McClean is so fit, there is no reason he cannot do what Croatia star Modric has done and play international football at the age of 37.
Asked if that was in his mind, McClean said: “Physically I feel great. I don’t feel I have slowed down too much. If I stay injury-free and I’m still enjoying it, if I continue to get pi…
Pep Guardiola labelled Manchester City s first-half performance in their record-breaking 4-0 win over Newcastle United on Sunday as one of the worst we have played this season .
City scored twice before the break as Ruben Dias headed in after a defensive mistake from Newcastle, before Joao Cancelo smashed into the top corner.
Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling netted in the second half to give the scoreline a comfortable look.
The victory saw City record their 34th league victory of 2021, establishing a new record for the most top-flight wins by a team in a calendar year, but Guardiola was not pleased with the display before half-time.
A good result, not a good performance, Guardiola said to the BBC. We were lucky, but Newcastle did not defend well for …
Christian Eriksen has been in sparkling form since returning to action with Brentford following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
Inter allowed Eriksen to end his contract after the Denmark international was unable to play in Serie A after having a cardiac device implant fitted, allowing the Bees to sign him on a six-month deal.
Eriksen has since scored for both club and country, and his form has some familiar faces swirling.
TOP STORY – TOTTENHAM WANT ERISKEN REUNION
With his return to health, and some form, Tottenham want to bring Eriksen back to the club where he made a name for himself in England.
Eriksen departed from Ajax in 2013, and would spend seven seasons with Spurs, scoring 69 goals in 305 appearances, before signing with A…
In what was a heavyweight showdown from Catalonia on Sunday night, Barcelona claimed a crucial 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid as Joao Felix came back to haunt his parent club.
Two sides who have their sights set on mounting another title charge this season, it was Atletico loanee Felix who proved to be the winner as the Portugal international produced a slick finish just before the half-hour mark.
While the reigning Spanish champions might have shown some inconsistencies on either side of November’s international break, Xavi’s side arguably produced a season-best performance here.
Dominating large spells in Catalonia and handling what had been a free-scoring Atletico attack, Sunday’s 1-0 victory means that Barca sit four points adrift of historic riva…
Ben Chilwell has been told it would be best to leave Chelsea by head coach Enzo Maresca ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday.
Chilwell, who has made 106 appearances for the Blues since his reported £45m move from Leicester in 2020, has struggled with injuries in recent years.
The 27-year-old featured 21 times in all competitions last season, missing 26 games with a hamstring injury which was then followed by a knee issue.
His subsequent misfortune with injuries has seen him drop down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, with Marc Cucurella impressing with Spain at Euro 2024.
The beginning of our 24/25 campaign awaits.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
Chilwell played 64 minutes in Chelsea s six pre-seas…