Arsenal host Real Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie and the visitors have received a major boost on the injury front Thibaut Courtois has been injured since the international break (Image: Maria Jimenez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) Real Madrid have named Thibaut Courtois in their travelling squad ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal. Courtois, 32, has missed Madrid’s last three games due to injury. His deputy, Andriy Lunin, has also picked up an injury which forced Carlo Ancelotti to hand 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez his debut against Valencia on Saturday. Real were beaten 2-1 at the Bernabeu, denting their LaLiga title hopes. But Courtois could be back when the Champions League holders face Arsenal, having taken part in training
Category Archives: SOCCER
Mar
Barcelona ‘close in on Taylor Swift deal for El Clasico’ – as iconic popstar follows in footsteps of Drake, The Rolling Stones and Coldplay Barcelona signed a sponsorship deal with streaming giant Spotify back in 2022 For El Clasico fixtures, Spotify’s logo is replaced by that of a popular artist LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday Read more: The truth about Taylor Swift’s new drama By WILL PICKWORTH Published: 06:05 EDT, 27 March 2025 | Updated: 13:42 EDT, 27 March 2025 Barcelona are set to unveil a unique partnership with Taylor Swift ahead of the next El Clasico. Hansi Flick’s side currently sit top of LaLiga following an impressive first season for the German coach, although they are
Mar
… running for veep once again with his focus on genuine football development By Benedict Tembo For Justin Mumba, his humble personality and strategic football leadership is exemplified and set to inspire the next generation of administrators. Mumba, the incumbent Football Association of Zambia vice-president is a football administrator of note, with a proven track record that has driven results based on one word – excellence. Because of success and his unmatched passion, Dr Mumba has yet again offered his service to the leadership of FAZ and will be recontesting his position as vice president of FAZ. “As a qualified and dedicated football administrator, I have spent over two decades involved and shaping Zambian football through creativity, innovation, and a deep passion for the game. My journey began in 1995
Mar
Work is underway to build 11 stadiums in Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup One migrant worker fell to his death while building a stadium earlier this month LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is England’s squad good enough to win the World Cup? By SAM BROOKES Published: 07:16 EDT, 21 March 2025 | Updated: 07:20 EDT, 21 March 2025 A migrant worker has died in Saudi Arabia while building a stadium ahead of the 2034 World Cup, according to reports. Saudi Arabia was given hosting rights by FIFA back in December, and work has already begun on building 11 venues for football’s biggest global tournament. As reported by The Guardian, Muhammad Arshad from Pakistan fell to his death from the upper level of the Aramco Stadium on March
Mar
Liverpool prospect Stefan Bajcetic is impressing out on loan at Las Palmas, with the 20-year-old midfielder being compared to former Barcelona lynchpin Sergio Busquets Liverpool boss Arne Slot (Image: Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock) Liverpool could have the next Sergio Busquets on their hands, with 20-year-old prospect Stefan Bajcetic earning comparisons to the Barcelona legend during his loan spell at Las Palmas. Bajcetic only joined Las Palmas in the January transfer window after a disappointing stint at Red Bull Salzburg, but the midfielder has impressed in his seven LaLiga appearances so far. Bajcetic broke into Liverpool’s first-team as a teenager in 2022, but several serious injury problems derailed his progress and a loan move to Salzburg was meant to rejuvenate his career. However, he managed just one full 90 minutes at Salzburg and
Mar
Last week, Scott McTominay posted a picture on Instagram. In it, he and Billy Gilmour stand arm in arm, sunglasses on, waves rolling in to meet the Campanian coastline behind them as Mount Vesuvius peaks through the clouds. ‘A beautiful lunch with Maestro,’ McTominay wrote. We can only imagine he got a good recommendation in one of the world’s culinary hotspots. ‘Fratello,’ Gilmour responded. It means ‘brother’. La Dolce Vita seems to suit Scotland’s brothers-in-arms. Dine in the sunshine during the week, take Napoli tantalisingly close to the Serie A title at the weekend. It’s not a bad life. But the tranquillity of this pastel-coloured scene belies the pressure of the season run-in that awaits once the international break ends. Napoli’s season is at a crossroads. For much of 2024/25
Mar
Daily Mirror Icon Sport Football Julian Alvarez Atletico Madrid have dismissed claims that Liverpool have already made an approach to sign former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez in the upcoming transfer window Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has been linked with Liverpool (Image: Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Atletico Madrid have shut down rumours linking Julian Alvarez with a move to Liverpool, insisting the Argentine striker is not for sale. Despite his agent’s hints at a possible departure, Atletico’s sporting director Carlos Busero has made it clear that no official offer from Liverpool has been received and dismissed the speculation as mere rumours. Alvarez, who has netted 23 goals in 44 games this season, is seen as an integral part of Diego Simeone’s plans to chase La Liga glory
Mar
Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers this month after suffering a groin strain in Inter Miami’s victory over Atlanta at the weekend, his club confirmed on Monday. Messi was left out of Argentina’s squad for the world champions’ clash against Uruguay on Friday, which is followed by a showdown with Brazil on March 25. Inter Miami said in a statement that a scan had revealed Messi suffered a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” in the 2-1 win on Sunday. The statement gave no timetable for Messi’s return. “His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition,” Inter said. After missing three games for Inter earlier this month, the 37-year-old returned with a goal off the bench in a CONCACAF Champions Cup win. Argentina
Mar
Ruben Dias suggests what could be the reason behind Man City’s dismal season – but insists new signings are ‘starving’ to win back the title Man CIty sit fifth in Premier League and were dumped out of Champions League Defender Ruben Dias insists there’s ‘no need to panic’ despite dismal season LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why the League Cup final is Newcastle’s to lose By ABDI RASHID Published: 08:32 EDT, 15 March 2025 | Updated: 10:46 EDT, 15 March 2025 Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has opened up on the club’s struggles this season. Pep Guardiola’s side have endured a difficult campaign and are battling to return to the Champions League next season, a marked drop off having won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.
Mar
Leon Balogun has revealed he asked God to help Jack Butland secure a penalty shoot-out win over Fenerbahce – and admitted he believes Rangers can now go all the way in the Europa League. The Ibrox outfit ran out 3-2 winners on penalty-kicks after Jose Mourinho’s side had cancelled out their 3-1 first-leg victory with a two-goal win earned through a brace from Polish ace Sebastian Szymanski. James Tavernier, Vaclav Cerny, and Tom Lawrence all scored for Barry Ferguson’s side in the shoot-out with Ianis Hagi seeing his effort saved. However, Butland was the hero in setting up a last-eight showdown with Spaniards Athletic Bilbao. He kicked things off by getting his body in the way of Dusan Tadic’s effort, but, with the scores balanced at 2-2 after Hagi’s miss
Mar
Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes (L) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League Last 16 Second Leg football match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 13, 2025. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) Bruno Fernandes led Manchester United into the Europa League quarter-finals with a hat-trick to beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday and 5-2 on aggregate. The first three goals on the night came via the penalty spot as Mikel Oyarzabal had slotted Sociedad into an early lead. However, Fernandes quickly restored parity and coolly scored again from the spot on 50 minutes. The Portuguese international then ensured United will face Lyon in the last
Mar
Paris Saint-Germain’s Italian goalkeeper #01 Gianluigi Donnarumma stops the penalty shot by Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker #09 Darwin Nunez (L) during the last 16 second leg UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) Paris Saint-Germain progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday after beating Liverpool 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out to win an epic last-16 tie between the clubs. Trailing 1-0 from last week’s first leg in Paris, PSG levelled the tie on aggregate thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s early strike at Anfield. There were plenty of chances but no further goals at the end of 90 minutes or extra time, taking the tie to a shoot-out. READ
Mar
Frank Lampard is sitting behind a small table in a small room and is poking a bit of fun at himself. Superstitions? Yeah, he’s had a few. ‘Yeah I used to,’ Lampard laughs. ‘I used to eat the same meal in the same proportions and then walk the dog the same walk, the same laps of the park. I had a certain order of putting my boots on and putting my kit on. ‘But it became really consuming because then you lose or play badly and you reboot a few of them and then it becomes a continuing nonsense. ‘Having said that, I still retain a few of them in my own way here but I am trying to get them out of my head because it can make life
Mar
Arsenal are plotting ahead of the summer transfer window, with Bayern Munich and Germany star Joshua Kimmich among the names to be linked with a move to the Emirates Andrea Berta is the favourite to become Arsenal’s new sporting director ( Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) February was filled with doom and gloom for Arsenal but so far March has been different story. The Gunners found their goalscoring grove again on Wednesday, pulling off a 7-1 win away to PSV Eindhoven. The result set a new Champions League record and means that Mikel Arteta’s men already have one foot firmly in the quarter-finals. Speaking of looking forward, the summer transfer window is edging closer, as is the conclusion of Arsenal’s hunt for a new sporting director. Andrea Berta is the
Mar
Football managers usually get sacked when clubs get desperate. At Manchester United, it may be the other way round. United are desperate, all right. Desperate not to go back to square one. Desperate not to have to start all over again. Desperate not to admit they’ve got it wrong once more. It’s all this that stands in favour of Ruben Amorim and a stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer. What it’s not in his favour – so far at least – is the football. Sometimes it’s worth writing some truths down, or saying them out loud, to believe and appreciate their sheer gravity. This is where we are with United. Amorim’s team are unfathomably poor to the point where we are almost immune to it and accepting of it.