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☆ Champions League Briefing: Arsenal’s statement win – and why so many thrashings?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Tim Spiers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

If you like your European midweek football this is the week for you, with 54 Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches being crammed into three nights. The Champions League kicked things off with some of the competition’s favourites beginning to bare their teeth. It was also, incredibly, their 31st defeat from 37 Champions League group stage away games. Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and a first Champions League goal for James McAtee saw City get their first win of this year’s competition. They lost a number of key players in the summer and can’t even play Champions League games at their own home, with the 15,000 capacity Stade Francis-Le Ble not up to Champions League standards (they’re hosting matches at Guingamp’s Stade du Roudourou instead).

Persons: Olivier Giroud, Germain, Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta’s, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Kai Havertz, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Leandro Trossard’s, l, e, sid e, Rob e, Lew, Rea, ’, Camara, enki, – they, night., ashe, hal f, alf of a, Brendan R, c Roy, are, tim e, eason, Francis, Le Bl, ning, Bayer, ade 0 P, 45pm E, ina Organizations: Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, League, Arsenal, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Brest, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint, Emirates, sco, RIM, rit, UE, eni, Graz, Salzburg …, pla Locations: Barcelona, Emirates, Nis, goa, Zagreb, Ata, Brest, Austria, Red Bul, arta

☆ Man City 2 Arsenal 2 – Controversial red, quick free kicks and rivalry ignited in classic
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Sam Lee | James Mcnicholas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +11 min

John Stones sends Man City back to the top of the table 🔝#MCIARS pic.twitter.com/XY8DbUAVDD — Premier League (@premierleague) September 22, 2024Is this now a proper rivalry? AdvertisementThe tussle at the top of the Premier League is hotting up. Gabriel’s header to put them 2-1 up made it 31 Premier League goals they’ve scored from corners since the start of the 2022-23 season. I’m expecting 100 Premier League games to be 10 against 11 or nine vs 10 this season. Tuesday, September 24: Watford (H), Carabao Cup, 7.45pm BST, 2.45pm ETSaturday, September 28: Newcastle United (A), Premier League, 12.30pm BST, 7.30am ETWhat next for Arsenal?

Persons: John, Erling Haaland, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, David Raya, Sam Lee, James McNicholas, Charlie Scott, Liam Tharme, John Stones, roper, ade, ames, ree, cott, lew, alf, ecame, lear, nock, J ames, ere,, ince, ike, orth, “ Organizations: League, Etihad, Manchester City, Arsenal, City, Atalanta, Man, ards, ust Locations: ards

☆ Champions League Wednesday takeaways: PSG gets lucky, Manchester City and Inter misfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The first round of Champions League matches continued on Wednesday with two of the competition’s biggest names – Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain – in action. It was only thanks to an error from Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga that PSG, beginning its latest quest for a maiden Champions League title, claimed the narrow victory in the 90th minute. City and Inter play out goalless draw in rematch of 2023 finalThe rematch of the 2023 Champions League final was expected to be the most exciting game of the night, seeing the English and Italian champions go head-to-head. Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images“We have the advantage to play at home, but I admire teams (like Inter) who defend well,” said City manager Pep Guardiola. Shakhtar, which will play its Champions League home games in Germany this season, had the best scoring chance early in the match, but Georgiy Sudakov’s penalty was saved by Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski.

Persons: Germain –, Here’s, ”, Luis Enrique’s, Paulo Gazzaniga, Gazzaniga, Nuno Mendes, Ousmane Dembélé, Ladislav Krejčí’s, Enrique, Kylian Mbappé, “, “ They’re, doesn’t, İlkay Gündoğan, Yann Sommer, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Simone Inzaghi, Paul Ellis, Pep Guardiola, Jamie Gittens, Marcel Sabitzer, Gittens ’, Serhou Guirassy, Georgiy, Łukasz Skorupski, Giovanni Fabbian, Dmytro Riznyk, Tullio Puglia, Germain Organizations: CNN, League, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Europe, PSG bemoans, PSG, Girona, Champions League, Parc des Princes, Real, City, Inter, City –, Istanbul –, Inter Milan, Etihad, Man, Getty, Arsenal, Premier League, Milan, Derby, Madonnina, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Brugge, Dortmund, Schwarzgelben, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bologna, Shakhtar, UEFA, Shakhtar Donetsk Sparta Prague, Salzburg Paris Saint, Borussia Dortmund Celtic, Slovan Bratislava Manchester City Locations: Paris, Parc des, Real Madrid, Istanbul, AFP, England, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Bologna

☆ Euro 2024 final: Spain vs England – your ultimate tactical guide
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Mark Carey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +16 min

The Athletic profiles the finalists’ strengths and weaknesses, the key battles, and the many sub-plots in your definitive tactical guide to the Euro 2024 final. The dynamic duo are responsible for 46 per cent of Spain’s total attempted take-ons this tournament. What a talent 👏🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/IRJignOqCA — UEFA U17 EURO (@UEFAUnder21) July 9, 2024Beyond his shooting, Yamal’s creative threat has stood out the most. This forced the Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon to frequently launch the ball long, often conceding possession in the process. Spain might be the standout favourites but England will arrive in Berlin as the more experienced nation in recent major tournaments.

Persons: Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Luis de la, Williams, Arjen Robben, ged, Fabia, ong, anne, e, d the pl, ure, anne l, Walker, ince, heth, rove, abbe, the he, inger, mani, ted Saka,, oden, atkin, In th, below, Kane, hite, nin, Kane, Ivan T o, riva, Gareth Southg, ross, ove, e to, Getty, Eamon n Dalton Organizations: European, Germany, France, UEFA Locations: Spain, England, Berlin, France, goa, nis, beh, lida

☆ Spain 2 Germany 1: Mikel Merino’s late, late winner dumps out Euro 2024 hosts
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Dermot Corrigan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +18 min

Spain thought they had beaten Germany after Dani Olmo’s 51st-minute finish to a fine team move. Having beaten the hosts in dramatic fashion, some will now consider Spain the favourites to win Euro 2024. Spain had never previously beaten a host nation in a knockout tie at either a World Cup or European Championship. What Germany had to remember was that De la Fuente’s Spain are far more versatile in the way they play. His final game in professional football was mixed.

Persons: Dani Olmo’s, Julian Nagelsmann’s, Florian Wirtz, Manuel Neuer, Mikel Merino, Dermot Corrigan, James McNicholas, Mark Carey, Sebastian Stafford, Bloor, They’d, Merino, tonight’s, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Toni Kroos, Carl Recine, Tom, Marc Cucurella, Kroos, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, …, Martin Rickett, Yamal Pedri, Luis de la Fuente, Anthony Taylor’s, Taylor, Antonio Rudiger, Robin Le Normand, Germany’s Emre, Rodri, Jamal Musiala, Le Normand, Dani Carvajal, Carvajal, Rudiger, Robert Andrich, Alvaro Morata, Unai Simon, Ilkay, Fabian Ruiz, Simon, Nico Williams —, Aymeric Laporte, Jonathan Tah, —, Olmo, Dani Olmo 🇪🇸 h, Bo, ove, Ger, abi l, hal f, sid, bac, dou, tod, tim e, Rea, bui, hal, ed pre, bea Organizations: European, Croatia, Georgia, Olmo, France, Barcelona, UEFA, Manchester City, la, Germany, Sunday, pla, DFB, cri, usu, Spa Locations: Spain, Germany, Stuttgart, tonight’s Portugal, Berlin, Bloor, Real Madrid, Yamal, It’s, Spain’s, goa, abo, Wil

☆ Euro 2024: Our ranking of all the games in Germany this summer
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Ahmed Walid | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +35 min

AdvertisementThis was Belgium at their finest, and Romania raised the level of their game in the second half to try to equalise. If Austria wanted to have any chance of qualifying to the round of 16 they had to beat Poland in their second group game. The wide areas were where Ukraine focused their attacks, and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s square pass to Mykola Shaparenko made it 1-1 in the second half. However, Samet Akaydin and Altay Bayindir’s mishap on the second goal decreased Turkey’s probability of a comeback. More off-ball runs in the second half led to the third, and by then the match was done and dusted.

Persons: Muldur, Arda Guler, Georges Mikautadze, Khvicha, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Kerem Akturkoglu, Ronald Koeman’s, Romano Schmid, Austria, Cody Gakpo’s, Memphis Depay, Marcel Sabitzer, Merih Demiral, Ralf Rangnick’s, Vincenzo Montella’s, Michael Gregoritsch, Alexander Prass, Christoph Baumgartner, Mert Gunok, Kvaratskhelia, Jasir Asani’s, Zlatko Dalic’s, Mario Pasalic, Luka Sucic, Marcelo Brozovic, Majer, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ante Budimir, Andrej Kramaric, Klaus Gjasula’s, Albania’s, Dan Mullan, Gianluigi, Italy weren’t, Nico Williams, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kevin C, Cox, Jeremy Doku, Ivan Schranz, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Stanislav Lobotka, Juraj Kucka, Ondrej Duda, Martin Dubravka’s, David Hancko’s, Stu Forster, Zan Karnicnik’s, Jan Oblak’s, Luka, Patrik Schick, Ondrej Lingr’s, Ivan Hasek’s, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Saba Lobjanidze, Julian Nagelsmann, Germany didn’t, —, Murat Yakin’s, Dan Ndoye, Manuel Akanji, Fabian Schar, David Raum, Christina Pahnke –, Romania Domenico Tedesco’s, Youri Tielemans, Timothy Castagne, De Bruyne, Luciano Spalletti’s, Mattia Zaccagni, Kasper Schmeichel, Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Neuer, Joachim Andersen, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Ricardo Rodriguez, Schar, Akanji, Gianluca Scamacca, Remo Freuler’s, Ruben Vargas, RONNY HARTMANN, Gareth Southgate’s, Milan Skriniar, Denis Vavro, Lobotka, Francesco Calzona’s, David Strelec, Jude, Harry Kane, Peter Pekarik, Michel Aebischer, Aebischer, Kwadwo Duah, Hungary’s, Dominik Szoboszlai, Roland Sallai, Willi, Adam Buksa, Nathan Ake’s, Alex Livesey, Bull, Rangnick’s, Baumgartner, Marko Arnautovic, Nicolae Stanciu, Razvan Marin, Denis Dragus, Shaun Botterill, Neuer, Robert Andrich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, Ilkay, Steven Bergwijn, Xavi Simons, Netherlands ’, Stefan de Vrij, Virgil van Dijk, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Fabian, Lukas Haraslin, Hancko, Andriy Yarmolenko, Mykhailo Mudryk —, Oleksandr, Mykola Shaparenko, Shaparenko, Denmark Christian Eriksen, Jonas Wind, Eriksen, Benjamin Sesko’s, Kasper Hjulmand’s, Erik Janza’s, Carl Recine, Antonin Barak’s, Tomas Soucek —, Hungary’s Barnabas Varga, Kevin Csoboth, De Bruyne’s, N’Golo, Aurelien Tchouameni, Didier Deschamps ’, — Theo Hernandez, Jules Kounde —, Francisco Conceicao’s, Ruben Dias, Gabriel Bouys, Croatia hadn’t, Unai Simon, Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Rey Manaj, Havertz, Florian Wirtz, Musiala, Ryan Porteous, Scott McTominay, Tony Ralston’s, Xherdan, Kose, Bernardo Silva’s, Samet, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sesko, Diogo Costa’s, Torsten Silz, Alexander Bah, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Kylian, Ousmane Dembele, Deschamps ’, England’s, Pierre, Emile Hojbjerg, Morten Hjulmand, Marc Guehi’s, Alex Grimm, Maximilian Wober, Spain Luis de la, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Marvin, Let’s, Mark Carey, Michael Cox, Michael Regan – Organizations: Golden, Memphis, UEFA Nations League, Albania, Spain, Italy, Getty, Georgia, Hungary, Croatia, Real Madrid, Denmark, Milan, Bologna, Poland, olimpico, Dumfries, Georgia openign, Valencia, Ukraine, Manchester United, Portugal, …, Turkey, B, Slovenia AET, Danish, England, Calzona, Serbia, Michael Regan – UEFA, UEFA Locations: Turkey, Georgia, Kerem, Netherlands, Austria, France, Poland, Portugal, Croatia, Italy, Albania, Pasalic, Gjasula, Spain, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Belgium, Slovakia, Doku, Slovenia, Serbia, Republic, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, Youri, Modric, Denmark, England, Hungary, Dumfries, Ukraine, Ilkay Gundogan, Gakpo, AFP, Scotland, Samet Akaydin, Altay, Romanian

☆ For Turkish Germans, Heart Overrules Home at Euro 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Tariq Panja | Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Erkan Aykan does not require a second invitation to share his claim to fame. He grew up in a Turkish family in Gelsenkirchen, an industrial city nestled in the heart of Germany’s Ruhr valley. Somewhat more famously, so did Ilkay Gundogan, the captain of the country’s soccer team. Listening politely, perhaps a touch indulgently, his brother Talha waits for Erkan to finish, and then immediately one-ups him. “He was in my class at school,” Talha said of Gundogan.

Persons: Erkan, Gundogan, “, ”, Talha, ” Talha Organizations: European Locations: Gelsenkirchen, Germany

☆ Euro 2024 day six: Germany advance, MLS history, comedy goals, don’t trust world rankings
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( The Athletic Uk Staff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

A 2-0 victory over Hungary sent Germany through to the round of 16, and they got there pretty comfortably. Shaqiri was actually a surprise selection for Switzerland’s second Euro 2024 game against Scotland on Wednesday. Albania, just like against Italy, were ahead and could have pulled off the greatest result in their footballing history. Schar briefly joins the own goals club (Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)Tim SpiersTalking of shocks, do world rankings matter? If the alternative is FIFA executives arbitrarily deciding on seedings among themselves, then it’s probably worth having official rankings.

Persons: Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Ilkay Gundogan, Wirtz, Robert Andrich, Tom Weller, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sane, Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, Sam Lee, Xherdan Shaqiri, Shaqiri, Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV, It’s, he’s, Nick Miller, Hysaj, Ante Budimir, Luka Sucic, Berat Djimsiti, Klaus Gjasula, Gjasula, Maximilian Wober, Robin Hranac, Fabian Schar, Scott McTominay’s, Yann Sommer’s, Schar, Alex Grimm, Tim Spiers, Poland —, GABRIEL BOUYS, it’s, Michael Cox What’s, Stefan Matzke – Organizations: England, European Championship, MLS, Albania, Hungary, Musiala, Getty, Sam Lee MLS, Chicago Fire, Scotland, Major League Soccer, Shaqiri, Croatia, Luka, Portugal, UEFA, Scottish, Belgium, Monday, Championship, FIFA, … Locations: Denmark, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, Germany, Hungary, South America, Scotland, Switzerland, Croatia, Albania, Swiss, Berat Djimsiti …, Czech Republic, Poland, AFP, Israel, Morocco, … Slovenia

☆ Euro 2024: Host Germany kicks off tournament with 5-1 hammering of Scotland
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Host Germany kicked off Euro 2024 in spectacular fashion on Friday, hammering 10-man Scotland 5-1 in Munich to record the biggest opening match victory in European Championship history. Antonio Rüdiger’s own goal in the 87th minute was nothing more than a consolation but gave the Scotland fans a moment to remember on a difficult night. Germany didn’t allow Scotland fans much time to enjoy their moment as Can, who was a late callup following youngster Aleksandar Pavlović’s injury, found the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The thumping win will be a considerable boost to a team that didn’t come into its home tournament with high expectations. It was a brutal opening night for Scotland fans.

Persons: Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug, Emre, Antonio Rüdiger’s, Ryan Porteous, Germany couldn’t, “, Julian Nagelsmann, Wirtz, Angus Gunn, Kai Pfaffenbach, Ryan Christie’s, Porteous, Scott McKenna, Andy Robertson’s, Aleksandar Pavlović’s, didn’t, Hansi Flick, Jeff J Mitchell, hasn’t, Philipp Lahm Organizations: CNN, Scotland, Tartan Army, ITV, Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen, Reuters, Allianz Arena, Getty, Costa Locations: Munich, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Havertz, Scotland, Musiala, Nagelsmann, Costa Rica

☆ German national soccer coach Julian Nagelsmann condemns ‘racist’ poll which asked if team has enough White players
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —German national soccer coach Julian Nagelsmann condemned a “racist” poll which asked participants if the team has enough White players, in a press briefing on Sunday. Nagelsmann said it was madness that the broadcaster asked this question and said he agreed with midfielder Joshua Kimmich who described the poll as racist a day earlier. Another of the questions asked in the ARD survey was whether it’s a “pity that the current captain of the German national team has Turkish roots.” Gundogan is the team’s captain. In April, German soccer authorities said they would redesign the number “4” on the country’s national jerseys amid claims it resembles a logo used by Nazi paramilitary units. Euro 2024 host Germany will kick off the month-long tournament against Scotland at Munich’s Allianz Arena on June 14.

Persons: Julian Nagelsmann, Nagelsmann, Joshua Kimmich, “, Europe who’ve, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Antonio Rudiger –, Gundogan, Stefan Matzke, Kimmich, ” “, ” Kimmich, Karl Valks, ” Organizations: CNN, German, ARD, BBC, Nazi, German Football Association, DFB, Schutzstaffel, Scotland, Munich’s Allianz Arena Locations: Germany, Europe, “, Turkish

☆ Champions League: Xavi laments ‘really bad’ referee in Barcelona’s elimination to Paris Saint-Germain
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Xavi was shown a red card in the second half. “The red card marked the tie. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything. PSG manager Luis Enrique, who enjoyed two trophy-filled spells at Barcelona as a player and manager, said he thought his team would have won even without Araújo’s sending off. Obviously, the red card is a factor, but you still have to know how to play these games and not make mistakes.

Persons: Xavi, Germain, István Kovács, Barça, Ronald Araújo’s, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Araújo, Bradley Barcola, Kovács, Ousmane Dembélé, Hugo Pfeiffer, Kylian Mbappé, João Cancelo, clumsily, Dembélé, ” Xavi, It’s, “, Robert Lewandowski’s, José Ramón, Luis Enrique, Enrique, Kylian, Juan Medina, Reuters “, Lamine, ” Enrique, Atlético Madrid Organizations: CNN —, team’s Champions League, Paris Saint, Tuesday’s, Barcelona, Barcola, PSG, ESPN, Fuente, League, Reuters, ” PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League Locations: CNN — Barcelona, Paris, Romanian, Barcelona

☆ Manchester City report record profits to match best season on pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The 2022-23 season saw Manchester City scale new heights and set new benchmarks," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said in a statement. "In short, last season saw Manchester City achieve the greatest football and commercial year of its storied history." Commercial revenues accounted for 341.4 million pounds, followed by broadcast at 299.4 million and then matchday at 71.9 million, for a profit of 80.4 million, nearly doubling the previous year's record profit of 41.7 million pounds. Profits also benefited from significant player trading with 121.7 million pounds generated from transfers, up a significant 79.8% over the previous 12 months. On the pitch, manager Pep Guardiola guided City to a third successive Premier League title, an enthralling 2-1 FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester United, and a first ever Champions League title.

Persons: Lee Smith, Sheikh Mansour, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Pep Guardiola, Lori Ewing, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, Rights, Manchester City FC Ltd, Broadcasting, Champions League, FA, City, Brand Finance, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Deloitte Football Money League, soccer, Real, Club, Super League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Rights MANCHESTER, England, Real Madrid

☆ Man City 84% likely to win Premier League, predict Opta
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Chelsea - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 21, 2023 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with team mates after winning the Premier League Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City have one Premier League point less than they had after 12 games last season but according to data analysts Opta are overwhelming favourites to claim a fourth successive title. City, according to Opta Analyst, have an 84.6% probability of lifting the trophy again with Liverpool given only a 9.1% chance and last season's runners-up Arsenal on 5.6%. Back-to-back defeats for Tottenham Hotspur mean that, according to Opta, their title hopes are virtually non-existent at 0.3%, the same as Aston Villa. Manchester United, currently in sixth place, are predicted to finish seventh and only have a 5.9% chance of finishing in the top four, although that has risen slightly of late. Newcastle United have a 25% chance of a second-successive top-four finish while Chelsea are predicted to finish ninth.

Persons: Lee Smith, Pep, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, League, Burnley, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa . Manchester United, Newcastle United, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, City

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is keeping his cards close to his chest before the first “clasico” of the season. They all returned to training Friday, a day before Madrid arrives with a one-point lead in the Spanish league standings. “I will play my best players, those that are 100% ready,” the Barcelona coach said. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesMadrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he wasn't worried who played for Barcelona as long as Jude Bellingham was ready to go. Regardless of who plays for the host team, Xavi has a huge task in finding a way to stop Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

Persons: Xavi Hernández, Robert Lewandowksi, de Jong, Pedri González, Jules Koundé, “, Ferran Torres, Carlo Ancelotti, wasn't, Jude Bellingham, Bellingham, Ancelotti, Xavi, Vinícius, ” Xavi, Ronald Araújo, De Jong, Oriol Romeu, Gavi Paéz, “ Oriol, ” Bellingham, Karim Benzema’s, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, “ Camavinga, Mendy, ” Ancelotti, Yamal, Fermín López Organizations: —, Madrid, Barcelona, Braga, Champions League, Bellingham, Manchester, Xavi’s, La Masia, Shakhtar Donetsk Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, — Barcelona, Barcelona, Lewandowski, Poland, Bellingham, Manchester City, Madrid, Saudi Arabia

☆ Bayern's Neuer prepares for imminent Bundesliga return with eye on Euros
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, Oct 26 (Reuters) - There is more at stake for Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer when he makes his possible return to action in the Bundesliga on Saturday against Darmstadt 98 almost a year after injury. He did not travel to Bayern's Champions League game against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday to continue training while a rumoured return in the league last week did not materialise. "We have to wait and see," Bayern's Tuchel said on Tuesday when asked whether Neuer will return this week. A Bayern comeback for Neuer would mean that veteran keeper Sven Ulreich, who has been outstanding in his absence, will quickly slip back into his usual reserve role. Victory over visiting Darmstadt, in 12th place, could move Bayern provisionally into top spot, with Leverkusen, also unbeaten, in action against Freiburg on Sunday.

Persons: Manuel Neuer, Thomas Tuchel, Neuer, Barcelona's Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Ilkay, Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern's Tuchel, Manuel, Sven Ulreich, Ulreich, Karolos Grohmann, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Darmstadt, Bayern's Champions League, Galatasaray, Bayern, Costa, Germany, Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, Victory, Leverkusen, Freiburg, Sunday, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, Qatar, Costa Rica, Germany, Darmstadt

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Germany removed Hansi Flick as coach of the men's national soccer team on Sunday, one day after a 4-1 loss to Japan deepened the gloom around the squad ahead of hosting next year's European Championship. Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesFlick won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020 and swapped the club for the German national team the following year. Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan backed Flick to remain after the Japan game but said the team sorely lacked cohesion and self-belief. The men's national team, four times a World Cup winner, has not made it to the quarterfinals in any of its last three major tournaments. The women's national team, a two-time World Cup winner, was eliminated in the World Cup group stage last month in one of the tournament's biggest-ever shocks.

Persons: Hansi Flick, Rudi Völler —, Germany hasn't, Bernd Neuendorf, Flick, Ilkay Gündogan, ” Gündogan, beIN, ”, Sandro Wagner, Hannes Wolf, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel Organizations: —, team, DFB, France, “, European, Champions League, Bayern Munich, German national, Bayern Locations: DUESSELDORF, Germany, — Germany, Japan, German, Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Qatar, Argentina, France, United States, Mexico

☆ Germany in freefall after 4-1 shock loss to Japan as Euro 2024 looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WOLFSBURG, Germany, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Euro 2024 hosts Germany slumped to a shock 4-1 home loss to Japan in their international friendly on Saturday, deepening the sense of crisis hanging over them after their third straight loss less than nine months before the continental tournament. "We have to be honest and say that Japan were better. They were better," Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan said. Ter Stegen denied Japan another goal when Ueda pounced on a defensive error a little later to charge through only to see his shot saved. Asano made amends in the 90th, slotting in to seal their second straight win over Germany before they added another in stoppage time with Ao Tanaka's header.

Persons: Hansi, Ilkay Gundogan, Junya Ito, Leroy Sane, Ueda, Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Ter Stegen, Takuma Asano's, Kaoru Mitoma's, Asano, Karolos Grohmann, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Japan, France, Germany, Thomson Locations: WOLFSBURG, Germany, Japan

☆ Barcelona sign Portuguese defender Cancelo from Man City
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Barcelona have signed Portuguese full back Joao Cancelo from Premier League champions Manchester City on loan until June 2024, both clubs said on Friday. "The Club wishes to thank the player publicly for the financial effort made and his desire to wear the Barca shirt," the LaLiga club said in a statement. The 29-year-old joined City from Juventus in 2019 and made a total of 154 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 22 assists, before going on loan in January to Bayern Munich. Cancelo will now be reunited with former City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who also joined the Spanish club on a free transfer following his departure from the treble winners. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; editing by Martyn HermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joao Cancelo, Cancelo, Pep Guardiola's, Ilkay Gundogan, Angelica Medina, Martyn Herman Our Organizations: Premier League, Manchester City, City, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Portugal, UEFA Nations League, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Portuguese, Mexico City

☆ Relentless Man City seek record four titles in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

However, such is the nature of the Premier League that City will certainly not have everything their own way. Juergen Klopp's side's failure to qualify for the Champions League would have stung, especially with Manchester United finishing eight points above them. Newcastle United, who finished fourth last term, will be determined to prove it was no flash in the pan, although they will need to juggle the demands of battling for a top-four finish with the Champions League this time. The additions of winger Harvey Barnes from Leicester City and Sandro Tonali from Milan will certainly help. Postecoglou is the first Australian to manage in the Premier League and faces a big challenge at the north London club who endured a toxic 2022-23 campaign under Antonio Conte.

Persons: Phil Foden, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, pacesetters, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic, Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Juergen, Erik ten Hag, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali, Ange Postecoglou, Antonio Conte, Harry Kane, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester, Victory, Champions League, FA, Premier League, Manchester United's, League, Inter Milan, pacesetters Arsenal, City, Arsenal, Etihad, LIVERPOOL Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Luton Town's, Luton, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Manchester City, Abu Dhabi, Spanish, Istanbul, Barcelona, Al, Ahli, Saudi Arabia, City, Milan, Postecoglou, London, Fulham

☆ Barcelona sign Gundogan on free transfer after Man City exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 26 (Reuters) - Barcelona have signed Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer after his departure from treble winners Manchester City with the German midfielder signing a two-year contract, the LaLiga club said on Monday. "For me it has been a total privilege and pleasure to be part of Manchester City for the last seven years," Gundogan said in a statement. "Manchester has been my home and I have felt part of a very special family at City. Gundogan leaves City having made over 300 appearances, scoring 60 goals and grabbing 40 assists in all competitions. "Ilkay has truly cemented his place in the history of Manchester City and we all wish him well in the next chapter of his career."

Persons: Gundogan, Pep Guardiola's, Txiki Begiristain, Ilkay, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Manchester City, City, Premier League, FA, League, Borussia Dortmund, Barca, Barcelona, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spanish, England, Manchester, City, Bengaluru

☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

☆ Manchester City dance in the rain to celebrate treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Manchester City Victory Parade - Manchester, Britain - June 12, 2023 Manchester City's John Stones is pictured holding the Champions League trophy alongside Erling Braut Haaland and teammates during the parade REUTERS/Phil NobleJune 12 (Reuters) - Even a thunderstorm could not dent Manchester City's rousing victory parade on Monday as the players and manager Pep Guardiola celebrated completing the long-awaited treble after winning the Champions League trophy over the weekend. The blue side of Manchester were all euphoric as the team and fans also celebrated becoming only the second English club to win the treble, equalling the 1999 milestone of their fierce rivals Manchester United. "What a parade, what an afternoon, it had to be the best parade with this rain, otherwise is not Manchester. We don't want sunshine," said Premier League manager of the year Guardiola in front of thousands of fans. As the players left the stage, the celebrations seemed far from over for the City fans who were ready to party on long into the night.

Persons: John Stones, Erling Braut Haaland, Phil Noble, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, I've, Kalvin Phillips, Janina Nuno Rios Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester, Victory, Champions League, League, City, FA Cup, Premier League, Inter Milan, European, Manchester United, United, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Mexico City

☆ 'We made history': Emotional Man City players hail treble success
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 11 (Reuters) - Manchester City must be considered one of soccer's heavyweight clubs after winning the Champions League to complete a rare treble, captain Ilkay Gundogan said, while a teary-eyed Jack Grealish hailed manager Pep Guardiola as a "genius". Players were in tears after Rodri's emphatic second-half goal against Inter Milan in the final secured a 1-0 victory and City's first Champions League title on Saturday, having wrapped up the Premier League and FA Cup last month. Today, we made history," Gundogan told BT Sport. "This team deserves the highest recognition and winning the Champions League elevates us to the very top of the game. The pressure was there, but this team is built to handle the pressure in the best possible way."

Persons: Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Pep Guardiola, City's, Gundogan, Grealish, I'm, I've, Guardiola, you've, He's, Striker Erling Haaland, Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, We'll, It's, Hritika Sharma, Tim Hart, Edmund Klamann Organizations: League, Inter Milan, Premier League, FA, BT Sport, City, Aston Villa, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Hyderabad, Istanbul

The unassuming and soft-spoken German never displayed the same flashy traits as his fellow superstars, instead quietly going about his business - overlooked by many but always an integral cog in the City winning machine. Haaland may have scored 52 times this season but Gundogan has always been a constant threat. In a tense title race where City had played catch-up for months, Gundogan scored twice against Leeds United as City maintained their advantage at the top of the Premier League in the home stretch last month. He then repeated his heroics with a brace against Everton as they kept Arsenal at bay to win a fourth league title in five seasons. Gundogan then stunned arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup with another double, scoring his first by volleying home 12 seconds into the game.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, Ilkay, Gundogan, Yaya Toure, Guardiola, Erling Haaland, pip Liverpool, volleying, what's, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Manchester City, Germany, Guardiola, City, Leeds United, Premier League, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United, League, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Istanbul, City, Bengaluru

☆ Man City 1-0 Inter Milan: Rodri's goal wins Champions League final as Pep Guardiola's team complete treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Adam Bate | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ilkay Gundogan (C) of Manchester City lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy after the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match against Inter at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Manchester City completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul. Having already overhauled Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy and beaten Manchester United to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, this victory saw them match the achievement of their city rivals in 1999. City's task was made more difficult when Kevin De Bruyne trudged off injured in the first half, the second time in three seasons that he has departed a Champions League final with the game in the balance. The midfielder measured his finish, bending it beyond two Inter defenders and into the corner of the net to break the deadlock.

Persons: Ilkay Gundogan, Federico Dimarco, Ederson, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne trudged, Rodri, Erling Haaland, Lukaku, Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji, Guardiola, Akanji, Bernardo Silva Organizations: Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Champions, Inter, Ataturk, Inter Milan, Champions League, Ataturk Olympic, Arsenal, Premier League, Manchester United, Wembley, Guardiola Locations: Manchester, Istanbul, Rodri's, Romelu Lukaku, City, Europe, Turkey

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