Month: September 2024

15Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Champions League

New Champions League format explained and history of changes to groups and knockouts

Fans will have to get their heads around the first major change to the Champions League format for two decades as the new 36-team first-round league phase makes its debut for 2024/25. While the previous incarnation remained the same for several years, the competition is no stranger to change with lots of tweaks and adjustments taking place as UEFA sought the perfect formula for its prized event. The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will see the competition undergo the most dramatic change in its history this season, with the number of teams increasing and a full-scale revamp to the opening round. The competition proper will now see 36 teams competing for an opportunity at the biggest prize, up from 32, and the more recognisable group stage making way for an intriguing-looking league phase. h...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Serie A | Genoa 1-1 Roma: Dovbyk not enough for first victory

Artem Dovbyk scored his first goal in the Roma jersey, but Koni De Winter snatched a last-gasp equaliser for Genoa, so Daniele De Rossi still waits for his first win. The Giallorossi had Enzo Le Fée injured and Nicola Zalewski frozen out for rejecting a Galatasaray transfer, so Manu Koné got his first start. The hosts missed Junior Messias, Fabio Miretti, Alessandro Zanoli, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Alan Matturro and David Ankeye. Tennis champion Stefanos Tsitsipas took centre stage during the warm-up, as he has been a Genoa supporter since childhood and got to enjoy the atmosphere. Paulo Dybala had penalty appeals waved away after 12 minutes for a Koni De Winter challenge and Johan Vasquez charged down the Gianluca Mancini header on the resulting corner. Koné blasted over from the edge of the ...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Musiala’s 15-second goal, Kane’s hat-trick help Bayern win 6-1 at Kiel

Jamal Musiala scored after 15 seconds and Harry Kane tallied a hat-trick as Bayern Munich routed promoted Holstein Kiel 6-1 to continue Vincent Kompany's winning start as the team's coach on Saturday. Musiala seized on defensive errors to score his club's third-fastest Bundesliga goal in history and Bayern were 3-0 up after just 13 minutes thanks to a precise finish from Kane and an own goal from Kiel's Nicolai Remberg. Kane added another just before halftime and Michael Olise scored on a rebound in the 65th minute for his first goal since moving to Munich from Crystal Palace. Armin Gigovic salvaged a bit of consolation with a goal for Kiel, which has lost all three of its league games since promotion, in the 82nd minute. Kane completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in stoppage time ...

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15Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Bruno Fernandes sends message to Nottingham Forest star after shock Liverpool win

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has sent a message to former teammate Anthony Elanga after he made a telling impact off the bench at Anfield to help inflict a first defeat on new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. Ex-Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the winning goal in the game but Elanga was another to impress on the day for the visiting team. Liverpool had the vast majority of the possession but couldn't find a way through to goal, only then to be punished at the other end on the counter-attack. "That assist man," Fernandes commented on an Instagram post that Elanga shared following the Nottingham Forest victory. It was accompanied by a clapping hands emoji. Liverpool needs to bounce back quickly with matches against AC Milan and Bournemouth coming up this week in the ...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal keeping close tabs on £100m-rated La Liga midfielder

Arsenal are reportedly keen on the Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra. The Gunners are looking to add more quality and depth to their midfield and they have identified the La Liga midfielder as a potential target. The likes of Thomas Partey and Jorginho will be free agents next summer and Mikel Arteta is already looking at potential alternatives, as per Football Insider. Guerra has the quality to play for a big club like Arsenal and he has the technical attributes to thrive in the Premier League as well. The midfielder has a £100 million release clause in his contract but it is highly unlikely that any club would be willing to pay that kind of money for the 21-year-old. Arsenal will be looking to negotiate a more reasonable fee for the technically gifted midfielder and it remains to be seen ...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

“I am very happy to play with him” – Kylian Mbappe in awe of his Real Madrid teammate

Kylian Mbappe has been in excellent form, scoring for the second game in a row for Real Madrid, this time sealing the 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad with a well-taken penalty. The French star is growing in confidence with every match and is keen on developing a strong partnership with Brazilian teammate Vinicius Jr., believing their connection can greatly benefit the team. Reflecting on the match, Mbappe acknowledged the challenge they faced against a tough opponent, saying, “We knew before the game that it was going to be difficult and in the end, we won,” Mbappe said on Real Madrid TV (h/t Mundo Deportivo). “We suffered a bit playing against a great team but we go home with what we want, which is a victory. We have to continue like this because we have to win many games to get where w...

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15Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Ligue 1

Perfect PSG stay ahead of Marseille and Monaco in Ligue 1

Ousmane Dembele scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat Brest 3-1 in Ligue 1 on Saturday, extending their perfect start to the French season and keeping them ahead of Marseille and Monaco at the top of the table. Brest, preparing to make their debut in the Champions League next week, took the lead at the Parc des Princes when Romain Del Castillo converted a penalty on the half-hour mark. However, Dembele headed in from a Marco Asensio cross to equalise for PSG shortly before half-time, and two goals in two minutes in the second half sealed their fourth win in as many outings so far this season. Fresh from scoring twice in Spain's 4-1 win in Switzerland last week, Fabian Ruiz curled in a fine strike to put PSG ahead on 73 minutes, and Dembele followed up to make it 3-1 ...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Lionel Messi scores for Inter Miami in his first game in three months

Lionel Messi made a statement in his return game with Inter Miami, scoring two goals in four minutes for his MLS side. Messi stepped back on the pitch for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina's Copa America title-winning game over Colombia in July. The Argentine sent South Beach fans on their feet scoring a quick brace to help his Miami take the lead over the Philadelphia Union. His first goal came in the 26th minute with the Herons down 1-0. Jordi Alba dribbled the ball down the middle before connecting with Luis Suarez. The former Barcelona trio completed the play after Suarez played a perfect one-touch pass around a Union defender. The ball ended up on Messi's feet, who touched the ball into space, spun his defender, and slotted the ball to the bottom-left corne...

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15Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Carlo Ancelotti provides injury updates on Real Madrid pair after Real Sociedad

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has on Saturday night provided early updates on the wellbeing of two leading members of his squad. This comes after both set alarm bells ringing in Los Blancos’ La Liga meeting with Real Sociedad. The Spanish champions are fresh off kicking their campaign back into gear, by way of a trip to San Sebastian to face Imanol’s Sociedad. When all was said and done, Real emerged on the right side of a 2-0 result, owing to a pair of penalties, on the part of Vinícius Jr, and Kylian Mbappé. On an otherwise positive evening’s work for the capital giants, however, a pair of concerns were also forthcoming, on the personnel front. After Brahim Díaz, first, was forced into a first-half departure from the action, Éder Militão then appeared to pick up a fitness proble...

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15Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Villarreal go third as Sevilla seal first win of 2024/25

Saturday’s La Liga action featured three early wins on the return from the September international break. Prior to the day’s final clash, as Real Madrid rallied late on to win 2-0 at Real Sociedad, their were victories for Villarreal, Espanyol and Sevilla. Mallorca 1-2 Villarreal Villarreal have been one of the form teams in the opening weeks of the 2024/25 season and they stretched an unbeaten run to five games in Palma. Logan Costa netted his first goal for the club, to ensure an early breakthrough, before Mallorca were given a route back into the contest, via Raul Albiol’s second half own goal. However, Villarreal have found themselves a man for the clutch moments in the opening weeks of the campaign, as Ayoze Perez clipped home the winner in added time. The former Premier League star n...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus held at Empoli ahead of their CL return; Bologna draw at Como

Juventus were held to a goalless draw at Empoli in Serie A on Saturday ahead of their return to the Champions League, while Bologna came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Como. Thiago Motta’s side take temporary lead of the Italian top flight, one point ahead of Inter Milan, Torino and Udinese, who are all yet to play this weekend. But Juve underwhelmed in Tuscany, creating very little in a performance that offered little to worry PSV Eindhoven, who visit Turin on Tuesday evening. Dusan Vlahovic went closest for Juve four minutes at half-time when he shot straight at Deviz Vasquez after being sent racing towards goal. And Juve had Federico Gatti to thank for a goal-saving tackle in the fifth minute of stoppage time which denied Emmanuel Gyasi which would have been a stunning winner. ...

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14Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late penalty secures 2-2 draw for Crystal Palace vs Leicester

Crystal Palace rescued a dramatic point against Leicester City at Selhurst Park, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stoppage-time penalty cancelling out Leicester’s two-goal advantage. The encounter showcased the resilience of Roy Hodgson’s side and highlighted the ongoing struggles of both teams in the Premier League. Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta and Leicester City's Victor Kristiansen (right) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park, London. Picture date: Saturday September 14, 2024. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) The match began with Leicester City asserting their authority, and Jamie Vardy was quick to capitalise on Palace’s defensive lapses. Midway through the first half, Vardy pounced on a pass from Wilfred Ndidi, round...

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14Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Victor Boniface nets brace in Bayer Leverkusen’s drubbing of Hoffenheim

Super Eagles Victor Boniface scored two goals and supplied an assist for Bayer Leverkusen in their 4-1 drubbing of Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena, football flame reports. SINSHEIM, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 14: Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates scoring his team's third goal from the penalty spot with team mates Robert Andrich and Victor Boniface of Bayer 04 Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at PreZero-Arena on September 14, 2024 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) Nigerian star Boniface returned to Bundesliga action after failing to score during the international break. Before the break, the Nigerian striker had reclaimed his starting shirt in the team, and he started for them against Hoffenh...

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14Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd survive horror half hour to breeze to 3-0 victory vs Southampton

Manchester United appeared cool, calm, and collected as they secured a comfortable 3-0 away win over the recently promoted Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates scoring their second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United FC at St Mary's Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images) Coming off a second straight defeat before the international break, Man United were in desperate need of three points in order to restore confidence in their supporters, particularly given the mounting frustration being directed at manager Erik ten Hag. It was the newly promoted team that appeared more likely to score early on,...

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14Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Why Erik ten Hag could be doomed if Man United lose at Southampton

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is at risk of an unwanted Red Devils first in Saturday's Premier League clash with Southampton, which history suggests could cost him his job. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, writes on a notepad during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) The Dutchman was surprisingly given a stay of execution by Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the summer, as the Red Devils ended a challenging 2023-24 season with a shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City. That Wembley triumph marked Ten Hag's second piece of silverware in two seasons at the helm, although he also oversaw Man United's...

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14Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

PSG Club Chief Hints at AC Milan and Roma’s Interest in Veteran Defender

Milan Skriniar has yet to play for Paris Saint-Germain this 2024-25 season as the capital club couldn’t offload the Slovakian this past summer transfer window. LEIPZIG, GERMANY - AUGUST 10: Milan Skriniar of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the pre-season friendly match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on August 10, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Luciano Lima/Getty Images) However, sporting advisor Luis Campos hinted at two Italian clubs who might have inquired about the player. Skriniar doesn’t fit what manager Luis Enrique wants from his center-backs, so the former Inter Milan standout’s name was in the rumor mill toward the end of the transfer window. However, no club ended up landing the 29-year-old. The defender remains at PSG, b...

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14Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Onana — “I grew as a man at Everton”

Amadou Onana has spoken of how his experience playing through Everton's emotional battles against relegation has shaped him ahead of his reunion with the Blues at Villa Park this evening. The Belgian midfielder comes face-to-face with his former team-mates for the first time since he signed for Aston Villa in a £50m deal when Sean Dyche takes his team to Birmingham for a televised clash on Sky Sports. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Everton's Amadou Onana during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Sheffield United at Goodison Park on May 11, 2024 in Liverpool, England.(Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images) Onana played 63 times for Everton over two seasons after arriving from Lille in the summer of 2022 and played his part as Dyche first steered the Clu...

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14Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund survive Heidenheim scare as Adeyemi shines with brace

Karim Adeyemi scored a first-half brace and laid on a goal for Donyell Malen as Borussia Dortmund survived a late scare to beat Heidenheim 4-2 at home yesterday. Dortmund ran out to a 2-0 lead after 17 minutes and Adeyemi was on the spot to score a third just two minutes after Heidenheim had struck back through Marvin Pieringer. DORTMUND, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 13: Karim Adeyemi of Dortmund scores his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at Signal Iduna Park on September 13, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Heidenheim cut the deficit to a goal late in the second half through a Maximilian Breuning penalty, giving Dortmund bad memories of the same fixture last year when they let a 2-0 lead slide...

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14Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Milan and Inter scrap latest plan to solve their San Siro saga

AC Milan and city rivals Inter have rejected a plan to renovate their Stadio Meazza home at San Siro but revived proposals to build a new joint stadium in the same area. The move is the latest twist in a saga involving the two Serie A clubs and local authorities for the past five years. Mayor Giuseppe Sala said: “After an in-depth analysis the clubs concluded that the (San Siro) stadium cannot be revamped in an affordable way … they don’t think it is feasible. MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 30: General view inside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 30, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) They have put forward the idea of going back to a new stadium in the San Siro area.”Inter and Mi...

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14Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Betis fire late goals to sink Legane in Spanish league

Vitor Roque scored on his home debut as Real Betis left it late to overcome newly promoted Leganes 2-0 in the Spanish league. SEVILLE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 13: Vitor Roque of Real Betis celebrates after scoring the teams second goal during the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and CD Leganes at Estadio Benito Villamarin on September 13, 2024 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) Betis had never lost in four previous home encounters with Leganes and although on top for most of the match they had to wait until the last quarter to secure all three points. Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli finally broke the deadlock with 16 minutes remaining when he turned home a cutback from Héctor Bellerin. Substitute Roque made sure of the win four minutes from time. ...

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