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☆ Juventus suffer 4-2 defeat at Sassuolo after Szczesny blunders
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Eight minutes from time Szczesny inadvertently parried a rebound into the path of Andrea Pinamont, who headed home to make it 3-2 to Sassuolo. Juve had first equalised after 21 minutes when Sassuolo defender Matias Vina inadvertently poked the ball into his own net from close range while attempting to clear a cross. Sassuolo had a chance to make it 3-1 around the hour mark, but Lauriente fired over the bar from close range. Chiesa then levelled for the visitors in the 78th with a deflected shot before Sassuolo struck twice to take the points. In the post-match press conference, Allegri reaffirmed Szczesny as his starting goalkeeper but hinted at unspecified changes for the upcoming match.

Persons: Sassuolo's Matias Vina, Alberto Lingria, Wojciech Szczesny's, Armand Lauriente's, Szczesny, Andrea Pinamont, Federico Gatti, Massimiliano Allegri, DAZN, Juve, Matias Vina, Domenico Berardi, Federico Chiesa, Sassuolo, Lauriente, Chiesa, Allegri, It’s, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris, Clare Fallon Organizations: Soccer Football, Sassuolo, Juventus, Mapei, Tricolore, Reggio, Weston, Serie, Polish, Inter Milan, Empoli, Milan, Hellas Verona, Juve, Lecce, Thomson Locations: Reggio Emilia, Italy, Gdansk

☆ André Onana: Goalkeeper says he ‘let the team down’ during Manchester United’s 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Bayern Munich defeated Manchester United 4-3 in a chaotic Champions League game at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, after which Untied goalkeeper André Onana said that he was to blame for the loss. “It’s a difficult situation for us, for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down … We just have to move on,” Onana said on TNT Sports. “This is the life of a goalkeeper and, if we didn’t win today, it’s because of me.”He added: “The team went down because of that mistake. Thomas Müller hit the post with Bayern looking to increase its lead, before 18-year-old forward Mathys Tel scored his first Champions League goal moments later to make it 4-2. “It was a crazy finish,” Kane, who has now scored five goals from his first six appearances in Germany, told TNT Sports.

Persons: André Onana, Onana, Leroy Sané’s, Serge Gnabry’s, ” Onana, Erik ten Hag, Harry Kane, Sané, Gnabry, Jamal Musiala’s, Rasmus Højlund’s, United –, Kane, Matthias Hangst, Christian, Thomas Müller, Mathys Tel, Bruno Fernandes ’, ” Kane, it’s, “, they’ve, ”, Rio Ferdinand Organizations: CNN — Bayern Munich, Manchester United, League, Allianz Arena, United, Inter Milan, Bayern, TNT Sports, Champions League, Mathys, Brighton, ” United, Burnley, Premier League, VfL Bochum, Bundesliga Locations: Real Madrid, Germany, United

GENEVA (AP) — Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham made $100 million moves in the offseason and proved their worth Wednesday in Champions League debuts for their new clubs. England captain Kane and his likely successor Bellingham scored key goals for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively, to show why they are adored already by their new home fans. PSV Eindhoven was thrashed 4-0 in a no-doubt win sparked by England winger Bukayo Saka’s goal in the 8th. Late goals got Italian teams off to good starts in the last-ever group stage before the new Champions League format takes effect next year. OLD MASTERSReal Madrid was playing its 477th game in the European Cup or Champions League.

Persons: — Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Kane, Bellingham, ” Kane, Bayern “, ” Bellingham, Union Berlin, Bukayo Saka’s, Napoli, Sikou Niakaté, Lautaro Martínez, Union, Madrid’s, Jude Bellingham pirouetted, ”, Diego Armando Maradona, UNITED’S, Erik ten Hag, André Onana, Leroy Sané’s, Serge Gnabry, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Højlund, Casemiro, António Silva, Silva, Karim Konaté, Roko Šimić, Oscar Gloukh, Jonathan David, KÍ Klaksvík, ___ Organizations: GENEVA, League, England, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Tottenham, CBS Sports, Bayern, Union, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Champions League, PSV Eindhoven, Serie, Braga, Inter, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Copenhagen, Europa League, Sevilla, Lens, Real Madrid, Union Berlin, Servette, SC Motor Berlin, Napoli, Atalanta, Benfica, Salzburg, EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE, Europa Conference League, Lille, Slovenian, Olimpija Ljubljana, Slovan Bratislava, Conference League Locations: Real Madrid, England, Madrid, Spanish, Mali, Argentina, Istanbul —, Geneva —, East Germany, ” Madrid, United, Denmark, French, Portuguese, Croatian, Israel, Canada, Faeroe

☆ Frattesi double gives Italy win over Ukraine in Spalletti's home debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Italy's Davide Frattesi struck twice for a 2-1 win over Ukraine in their Euro 2024 Group C qualifier on Tuesday to provide new manager Luciano Spalletti with a promising start on home soil. Italy were held to a 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia on Saturday in Spalletti's debut match so the pressure was on the former Napoli coach to deliver at San Siro. Italy are now second in the standings on seven points ahead of Ukraine on goal difference and with a game in hand on all their group rivals. "There was a lot of pressure in recent weeks, and I had to understand many things in a short time," Spalletti told RAI. Just before the half-hour mark Frattesi got his second goal by calmly slotting home once again from close range, capitalising on a ricocheted shot.

Persons: Italy's Davide Frattesi, Luciano Spalletti, Spalletti, it's, Mattia Zaccagni, Frattesi, I've, Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Locatelli, Tommy Lund, Clare Fallon, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ukraine, Napoli, England, RAI, Inter Milan, Inter, Thomson Locations: Italy, Macedonia, San Siro, Ukraine, Sassuolo, Gdansk

Santos, the club where Pelé and Neymar started, also doesn't accept that the Al-Hilal striker broke the record of the man the club and Brazilians call their king. Pelé scored twice in Brazil's 2-2 draw with Inter Milan in 1960. In 1960, he claimed a hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph over against a combination of Egyptian and Syrian national team players. “I want to say this (record) doesn’t mean I am better than him (Pelé) or any national team player,” he said in a short statement. “I always wanted to write my story in the national team and today I did that.”___

Persons: Neymar, Pelé, Neymar Jr, Ednaldo Rodrigues, ” Neymar, Rodrigues, “, Santos, Al, ”, Mauro Cézar Pereira, Renato Mauricio Prado, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo Organizations: SAO PAULO, —, Brazil's, FIFA, “ FIFA, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Sweden's, Pelé, Syrian national, Neymar, Brazil —, Argentina, Copa Locations: — Brazil, American, Bolivia, Hilal, Brazil, Sweden's Malmo, Northeastern, Pernambuco, London, Rio de Janeiro, Portugal, Copa America

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. The hugely ambitious project sees China strengthening trade ties with large infrastructure spending in countries along the historic Silk Road route via Asia to Europe and beyond. "China is willing to work with Italy to continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, explore opportunities for potential trade and investment... and promote further development of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership," said He Yadong, a commerce ministry spokesperson. SENSITIVE DIPLOMACYItaly's trade deficit with China grew by 22.3 billion euros ($23.9 billion) between 2019 and 2022, according to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So far, 90 countries have confirmed attendance, China's foreign ministry announced on Thursday.

Persons: Antonio Tajani, Henry Nicholls, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Italy's, Tajani, Joe Cash, Ryan Woo, Giselda Vagnoni, Alvise Armellini, Federico Maccioni, Kim Coghill, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Italy's, Conference, Rights, Initiative, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RAI, American Enterprise Institute, AC Milan, Inter, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, London, Britain, Rights BEIJING, China, Italy, Beijing, Asia, Europe, Rome, Inter Milan

☆ PSG, Dortmund, Milan, Newcastle in tough Champions League group
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MONACO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain will kick off their quest for a maiden Champions League trophy in a strong Group F featuring Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle United following the draw on Thursday. PSG, AC Milan and Dortmund have crossed paths on multiple occasions in Europe's elite competition, but it is a tough welcome back to the Champions League for Newcastle, who will be playing in the tournament for the first time in 20 years. Record 14-times winners Real Madrid will play Serie A champions Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin in Group C."It will be difficult. Braga and Union Berlin will be two very competitive teams," Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno told Spanish media. The Champions League group stage will begin on Sept. 19 and conclude on Dec. 13.

Persons: Paris St Germain, Hans, Joachim Watzke, Pep, Emilio Butragueno, Harry Kane, Aadi Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: MONACO, Paris St, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United, PSG, Newcastle, Dortmund, Manchester, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys, G, City, Real Madrid, Serie, Napoli, Braga, Union Berlin, Spanish, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray, United, Bayern, England, Bundesliga, Inter Milan, Benfica, RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad, Europa League winners Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens, Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal, H, Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Celtic, Dutch, London's Wembley, Thomson Locations: Paris, Dortmund, Leipzig, Napoli, Union Berlin, Royal Antwerp, Lazio, Bengaluru

☆ Haaland wins UEFA award, Wiegman dedicates prize to Spain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Wiegman dedicated her award to the Spain women's team after the kiss incident involving federation president Luis Rubiales took the spotlight when Spain secured their first Women's World Cup title. "I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team - the tam that played in a World Cup such great football that everyone enjoys. World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati, who helped Barcelona to Women's Champions League and Spanish league title, won the women's player of the year award. The 25-year-old registered a competition-high 13 goal contributions in the Champions League with five goals and eight assists. "We have just won the World Cup, but they are talking about other things."

Persons: Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland, Massimo Pinca, Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, Aitana Bonmati, Sarina Wiegman, Kevin De Bruyne, Lionel Messi, Guardiola, Luciano Spalletti, Napoli, Simone Inzaghi, Wiegman, Luis Rubiales, there's, Sarina, Bonmati, Anita Kobylinska, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Monaco, FC Barcelona's Aitana, Rights, Manchester City, UEFA, City, Champions League, English Premier League, FA, Association, Serie, Inter, SPAIN England, Brazil, Wembley, Spain women's, Spanish, Women's Champions League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Spanish, Norwegian, Monaco, Inter Milan, SPAIN, Spain, Barcelona, Gdansk

☆ Champions League draw: Paris Saint-Germain in ‘group of death’ and Harry Kane to return to England
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —It’s time for Europe’s biggest soccer clubs to go head-to-head again and the draw for this season’s Champions League group stages didn’t disappoint in producing some mouthwatering fixtures. Jurij Kodrun/Getty ImagesIndividual awardsFollowing the Champions League draw, individual awards were handed out for the 2022-23 season. The Spaniard led Manchester City to a historic treble as the club picked up silverware in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. Bonmatí also had a brilliant season for club team Barcelona, where she was influential as it won a league and Champions League double. Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland were awarded for their part in helping Manchester City to a historic treble of trophies.

Persons: CNN —, Germain, Mbappé, Charly Triballeau, Harry Kane, Jurij Kodrun, Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, Haaland, Sarina Wiegman, Wiegman, Aitana Bonmatí, Bonmatí, Franck Fife Organizations: CNN, Europe’s, Champions League, Paris Saint, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle, PSG, Getty, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Galatasaray, League, Manchester City, G, Arsenal, Gunners, Real, Napoli, Braga, Union Berlin, UEFA, Spaniard, Premier League, FA, Manchester, England, Barcelona, Galatasaray Group B – Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven, Lens, Real Madrid, Union Berlin Group, Benfica, Inter Milan, RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad Group E – Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Celtic, Saint, RB Leipzig, Crvena zvezda, Star, Young Boys, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Locations: Paris, Newcastle, AFP, England, Copenhagen, Europe, Real Madrid, Spain, Manchester, Braga, Lazio, Barcelona, Porto, Royal Antwerp

☆ Messi to lead Argentina in opening World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Panama - Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - March 23, 2023 Argentina's Lionel Messi during the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUENOS AIRES, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi will lead world champions Argentina in their opening World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia, the captain's first internationals since joining Major League Soccer's Inter Miami. Coach Lionel Scaloni's 32-man squad also features stalwarts including Angel Di Maria, who returned to Benfica this year, and defender Nicolas Otamendi. Argentina host Ecuador in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7 and travel to play Bolivia five days later. SquadGoalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Franco Armani (River Plate). Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (AS Roma), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton & Hove Albion), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Exequiel Palacios (Bayern Leverkusen) and Bruno Zapelli (Athletico Paranaense).

Persons: Lionel Messi, Agustin Marcarian, Lionel Scaloni's, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, Alan Velasco, Bruno Zapelli, Lucas Esquivel, Lucas Beltran, Paulo Dybala, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Atalanta, Emiliano Martinez, Aston, Walter Benitez, Franco Armani, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Juan Foyth, Marcos Senesi, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Athletico, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Facundo Buonanotte, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, Alejandro Garnacho, Thiago Almada, Ramiro Sandolo, Janina Nuno Rios, Ed Omsond Organizations: Soccer Football, Estadio Monumental, REUTERS, Argentina, Ecuador, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Benfica, FC Dallas, Athletico Paranaense, Italy's Fiorentina, AS Roma, Ajax Amsterdam, Aston Villa, PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Nottingham Forest, Villarreal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Olympique Lyonnais, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Bayern Leverkusen, Fiorentina, Inter, Manchester City, Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Panama, Buenos Aires, BUENOS AIRES, Bolivia, Ecuador, Real, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Olympique, Benfica, Brighton, Liverpool, Athletico, Inter Milan, Manchester

☆ Inter glide to a comfortable 2-0 win at Cagliari
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 28 (Reuters) - First-half goals by Denzel Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez earned Inter Milan a comfortable 2-0 win at newcomers Cagliari in Serie A on Monday. After 21 minutes, a midfield mishap by Cagliari gave Marcus Thuram the chance to skilfully thread the ball to Dumfries, who executed an angled drive to break the deadlock. Unipol Domus buzzed with passionate energy as Cagliari fans once again welcomed Serie A matches after a year-long absence, following their goalless draw at Torino in the first round. Cagliari's Zito Luvumbo appealed for a penalty after he went down following a collision with the Inter defence but the referee waved play on. Just before the conclusion, Paulo Azzi had a golden opportunity to score for Cagliari but Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer produced a reflex save from point-blank range.

Persons: Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, Martinez, Federico DiMarco's, Simone Inzaghi, DAZN, Hakan Calhanoglu, Cagliari's Zito Luvumbo, Inzaghi, Paulo Azzi, Yann Sommer, Tommy Lund Organizations: Inter Milan, Cagliari, Serie, Dumfries, Torino, Serie A, Inter, Thomson Locations: Gdansk

☆ Roberto Mancini named as Saudi Arabia’s national team coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Roberto Mancini was announced as the new head coach of Saudi Arabia’s men’s team on Sunday, just two weeks after resigning as manager of his native Italy. John Sibley/Pool/Getty ImagesMancini was head coach of Italy for five years, winning the men’s European Championship with the team in 2021. At club level, Mancini has managed Inter Milan and Manchester City most notably, as well as a stint with Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia. Saudi Arabia’s men’s national team sprung one of the surprises of the 2022 World Cup, defeating eventual champion Argentina 2-1 in the group stage. Saudi Arabia’s next fixtures are against Costa Rica and South Korea in September.

Persons: CNN — Roberto Mancini, Saudi Arabia’s, Mancini, “, ” Both Mancini, ” Mancini, John Sibley, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, James ’, Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: CNN, Twitter, Saudi, Qatar, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Zenit St, Manchester City’s, English Premier League, men’s, eventual, Argentina, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia’s, St, Newcastle United, Newcastle, Saudi Public Investment Fund Locations: Saudi, Italy, Europe, England, Ukraine, Petersburg, Russia, Costa Rica, South Korea, Gulf

☆ Factbox: Saudi transfers this summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Saudi clubs have spent over 750 million euros ($813.45 million)in the close season signing players with the new Saudi Pro League season having kicked off on Aug. 11. Following are the main clubs' recent large purchases:Al-Ittihad (manager: Nuno Espirito Santo since 2022)N'Golo Kante from Chelsea. (40 million pounds)Al-Ahli (manager: Matthias Jaissle since 2023)Edouard Mendy from Chelsea. (40 million euros)Otavio from Porto. (40 million euros)Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Persons: Nuno Espirito, N'Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Matthias Jaissle, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Allan Saint, Franck Kessie, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Luis Castro, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Seko, Sadio Mane, Jorge Jesus, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, Malcom, Yassine Bounou, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Steven Gerrard, Moussa Dembele, Jack Hendry, Jordan Henderson, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Nuno Espirito Santo, Manchester City, AS Roma, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Manchester United, RC Lens, Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Paris St Germain, Fulham, Olympique Lyonnais, Club Brugge, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Ittihad, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Celtic, Liverpool, Al, Ahli, Manchester, Newcastle, Barcelona, Porto, Hilal, Lazio, Paris, Sevilla, Gdynia

☆ Arnautovic joins Inter on loan from Bologna
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Austria v Scotland - Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna, Austria - March 29, 2022 Austria's Marko Arnautovic during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 16 (Reuters) - Inter Milan have signed Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic from Bologna on loan, both Serie A clubs said on Wednesday. Italian media reported that Inter paid Bologna about 10 million euros ($10.87 million) for the 34-year-old with an obligation to make the deal permanent if certain conditions are met. "A physically imposing but technically-gifted player, Marko is the complete striker and is equally talented with both feet," Inter said in a statement. Arnautovic has won 108 caps for Austria, scoring 34 goals. Inter signed French forward Marcus Thuram on a free transfer earlier in the current window.

Persons: Ernst Happel, Austria's Marko Arnautovic, Leonhard Foeger, Marko Arnautovic, Arnautovic, Jose Mourinho, Marko, Marcus Thuram, Tommy Lund, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Scotland, REUTERS, Inter Milan, Serie, Inter, Bologna, Austria, French, Thomson Locations: Austria, Vienna, Austrian, Bologna, San Siro, Gdansk

☆ Inter's Germany midfielder Gosens joins Union Berlin
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Inter Milan's Germany midfielder Robin Gosens has joined Champions League debutants Union Berlin, the Bundesliga club announced on Tuesday. Union paid a reported a club record fee of 15 million euros ($16.35 million) for the 29-year-old who has signed a five-year deal, local media said. He helped Inter to two Italian Cups and an Italian Super Cup as well as runners-up spot in the 2022-23 Champions League. "I've always said it's my dream to play in Germany and the Bundesliga one day," Gosens told the club website. Union finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season to qualify for their first Champions League campaign.

Persons: Robin Gosens, Gosens, I've, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris Organizations: Inter Milan's, League debutants Union, Bundesliga, Union, Inter, Serie, Atalanta, Champions League, Nations League, Spain, Thomson Locations: League debutants Union Berlin, Italian, Germany, England, Gdansk

☆ Saudi league set to kick off after raiding Europe's top clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Soccer Football - Opening of 2023-2024 Saudi Pro League - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - August 7, 2023 General view of the trophy at the opening of the Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media Office/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 10 (Reuters) - When the new Saudi Pro League season kicks off on Friday it will herald a new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom which has spent close to half a billion dollars luring top players and coaches from traditional European powerhouses. Al-Ahli, in particular, are one of the few clubs that have benefited from the Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) project to invest in and privatise clubs, which also include reigning champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Saudi clubs spent nearly 450 million euros in the close season signing players, most from elite teams in Europe as the PIF created a blueprint for what football fans can expect in transfer windows to come. The league turned heads when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr last season soon after the World Cup in a deal which made him the highest-paid athlete on the planet. The Portugal forward's move paved the way for more household names to sign up for a Saudi league that has increased its size from 16 teams to 18.

Persons: Hazm, Al, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ronaldo's, Nuno Espirito, Karim Benzema, N'Golo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Mane, Luis Castro, Hilal, Jorge Jesus, Ruben Neves, Serbia's Sergei Milinkovic, Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Ettifaq, Gerrard, Henderson's, Shady Amir, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Pro League Saudi Pro League Media, REUTERS, Saudi Public Investment, Al, Champions, Saudi, Nuno Espirito Santo, Croatia, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barcelona, Liverpool, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Al, Ahli, Ittihad, Hilal, Saudi, Europe, Portugal, Ballon, Senegal, Portuguese, Riyadh, England

☆ Switzerland keeper Sommer joins Inter from Bayern
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 20, 2023 Bayern Munich's Yann Sommer during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO./File PhotoAug 7 (Reuters) - Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer has joined Inter Milan from Bayern Munich, both clubs said on Monday. Others, meanwhile, are born to play in goal, and this most certainly applies to Yann Sommer," Inter said in a statement. Sommer, who joined Bayern from Borussia Moenchengladbach, helped Bayern to their 33rd league title this year. Before switching to the Bundesliga, Sommer won the Swiss Super League with FC Basel four times in a row from 2010-11. Sommer has made more than 80 appearances for Switzerland having made his debut in a friendly against Romania in May 2012.

Persons: Yann Sommer, Angelika Warmuth, Sommer, Manuel Neuer's, Simone Inzaghi's Inter, Andre Onana, Samir Handanovic, Alex Cordaz, Romania's Ionut Radu, Yann Sommer's, Jan, Christian Dreesen, Manuel Neuer, Anita Kobylinska, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Bundesliga, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Allianz Arena, Bayern, Inter Milan, Inter, Manchester United, Premier League, AFC Bournemouth, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Swiss Super League, FC Basel, Romania, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, Switzerland, deputise, Gdansk

☆ Man Utd sign Danish striker Hojlund from Atalanta
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - AFC Bournemouth v Atalanta - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - July 29, 2023. Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File PhotoAug 5 (Reuters) - Manchester United have signed Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund from Serie A side Atalanta on a five-year contract until 2028, the Premier League club said on Saturday. "It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy, and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player," Hojlund said. Hojlund, who previously played for FC Copenhagen and Sturm Graz, joined Atalanta at the start of the 2022-23 season and scored nine league goals in a breakout campaign. "Working under Erik ten Hag and his coaches will provide Rasmus with the perfect development platform," Manchester United football director John Murtough said.

Persons: Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, Matthew Childs, Rasmus Hojlund, Hojlund, Wout Weghorst, Erik, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Erik ten Hag, Rasmus, John Murtough, Andre Onana, United, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC Bournemouth, Atalanta, Manchester United, Denmark, Serie A, Premier League, FC Copenhagen, Sturm Graz, Inter Milan, Champions League, League, Thomson Locations: Bournemouth, Britain, Old Trafford, Denmark, Mount, Chelsea, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ Senegal's Mane joins Saudi side Al-Nassr from Bayern
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 1 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich's Senegal forward Sadio Mane has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr after one season with the Bundesliga champions, both clubs said on Tuesday. Mane has signed a four-year contract, Al-Nassr added on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Mane moved to Bayern last year with high hopes after netting 120 goals in 269 games for Liverpool where he won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup. "We want to thank Sadio Mane for the past season," Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told the club website. Mane joins an Al Nassr outfit who have strengthened their squad since the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo last term.

Persons: Sadio Mane, Mane, Nassr, Leroy Sane, Jan, Christian Dreesen, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Seko, Alex Telles, Ahmed Musa, Rohith Nair, Anita Kobylinska, Osama Khairy, Ken Ferris Organizations: Bayern Munich's, Saudi Pro League, Al, Bundesliga, Twitter, Bayern, Liverpool, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Africa, Nations, FC Bayern, Inter Milan, Manchester United, FIFA, Leicester City, Thomson Locations: Bayern Munich's Senegal, Merseyside, Senegal, Lens, Leicester, Bengaluru, Gdansk, Cairo

☆ Saudi soccer dominance could still take 'decades' despite reported $332 million Mbappé bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty ImagesSaudi Arabian soccer club Al-Hilal reportedly tabled a world record 300 million euro ($331.9 million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, a further signal of the kingdom's efforts to shake up the sport's global order. Al-Ahli snapped up Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, and have just agreed a £30 million ($38.54 million) deal to bring in forward Riyad Mahrez from reigning English Premier League and European champions Manchester City. A medium-term threat Soccer isn't the first sport to be rocked by a sudden wave of Saudi investment. This is more like a couple of decades before I think we could see some significant impact." Cristiano Ronaldo stands prior to the Saudi Pro League week 28 soccer match between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab at Alawwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, 2023.

Persons: Kylian, Paris Saint, Germain, Le, Aurelien Meunier, Hilal, Mbappé, Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Ronaldo, Ballon, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Mahrez, Anmar Al, Khalid Alhaj, Al, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, LIV, Michael Goldberg, DBRS Morningstar, Goldberg, Jude Bellingham, Mohammed Saad Organizations: Paris Saint, Campus PSG, PSG, Getty Images, Al, French, country's Public Investment Fund, Real, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Saudi, — Al, Saudi Pro League, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, King Abdullah Sports City, Premier League's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Senegalese, Lazio, UEFA, Champions League, England's Premier League, Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, Italian Serie, isn't, DBRS, CNBC, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: POISSY, France, Paris, Le Havre, Getty Images Saudi Arabian, Qatar, Real Madrid, Spanish, Saudi, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli, JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Italian, Barcelona, Liverpool, Shabab, Riyadh

Paris CNN —Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his partner were attacked and robbed in his apartment in Paris on Thursday evening, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. “An investigation has been launched into charges of armed robbery, gang kidnapping and aggravated violence following the events that took place overnight at Mr. Donnarumma’s place,” the prosecutor’s office told CNN. Donnarumma’s agent told CNN in a statement that the goalkeeper and his partner “are in shock at what happened but doing well under the terrible circumstances. This is not the first time a PSG player has been robbed. In March 2021, both the homes of PSG players Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria were raided and robbed in the Paris region.

Persons: Saint Germain, Gianluigi Donnarumma, “, CNN also, BFMTV, Angel Di Maria, Donnarumma Organizations: Paris CNN —, PSG, Paris, Mr, CNN, French, Marquinhos, Cerezo Osaka, Inter Milan Locations: Paris CNN — Paris, Italy, Paris, Japan, Osaka, Saudi Arabian, Tokyo

☆ Mbappe excluded from PSG's Asian tour squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 21 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe has not been included in Paris St Germain's squad for their Asian pre-season tour amid reports that he has been put up for sale by the Ligue 1 side. PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let him go for free after the club spent 180 million euros ($200 million) to sign him. Mbappe was injured for the first leg and said they were "helpless" in the second. PSG will also face Japan league's Cerezo Osaka and Serie A side Inter Milan before travelling to South Korea to take on Jeonbuk Motors. ($1 = 0.8990 euros)Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico CityOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mbappe, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Luis Enrique's, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, Japan league's, Janina Nuno Rios Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, Mbappe, PSG, Real Madrid, Reuters, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Japan, Osaka, Serie A, Inter Milan, Jeonbuk Motors, Thomson Locations: Paris, Japan, South Korea, Mexico City

☆ Luis Suárez Miramontes, one of Spain’s greatest footballers, has died aged 88
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Luis Suárez Miramontes, considered one of the greatest Spanish football players in history, has died at the age of 88. In a statement on Sunday, Barcelona confirmed that Suárez had died in Milan, Italy. Putellas recalled meeting Suárez and how he inspired her on Twitter, saying: “[You’re] part of history in football. In 1961, he left for Inter Milan where he continued picking up trophies – winning three Serie A titles and two European Cups. Following his playing career, Suárez managed a number of clubs including Inter Milan and Deportivo.

Persons: CNN — Luis Suárez Miramontes, Alexia Putellas, Féminin, Suárez, “, ”, Putellas, Don Luis Suarez, ” Suárez, –, Javier Zanetti Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Inter Milan, Twitter, Ballon, Barcelona, Deportivo La Coruña, La Liga, Inter, Inter Milan’s, Deportivo, Spanish national Locations: Barcelona, Spanish, Milan, Italy, Barça

☆ Windrush Day: Manchester United great Andy Cole opens up about Jamaican roots and racism
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Darren Lewis | James Oware | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On one of the first voyages, 492 Caribbean islanders onboard the HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK on June 22, 1948. That generation of immigrants became the namesake of that ship, and their arrival date is now celebrated as Windrush Day. However, Cole says racist abuse and a lack of acknowledgement for his achievements meant that in adulthood, he recognized his father was right. Speaking on the inevitability of racist abuse that Black footballers face when missing penalties Andy outlined, “I think we’re just waiting, okay, what’s happening on social media? A clinical striker in his playing career, maybe one day Andy can transfer his wealth of knowledge to the boardroom.

Persons: Andy Cole, “, Darren Lewis, Cole reminisced, ” Andy, Windrush, Cole’s, Cole, Douglas Miller, ” Cole, Norma Gregory, Lincoln, ”, Caribbeans, Mark Leech, Andy, Devante, George Wood, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Vinícius, Romelu, Tom Jenkins, Vinicius Organizations: CNN, League, Champions League, CNN’s, Commonwealth, Caribbean, Hulton, Coal Miners, Heritage, English League, Barnsley, English, England, Inter Milan, FIFA, UEFA, Italy, Real Locations: Britain, Nottingham, Jamaica, Commonwealth, Runnymede, British, England, Real Madrid, Italian, Brazil, European

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