Carlo Ancelotti said his Real Madrid players were suffering during their record sixth UEFA Super Cup triumph over Atalanta on Wednesday.
Ancelotti watched on as his side struggled in the opening exchanges, registering just three shots in the first-half with an expected goals (xG) total of 0.38.
Madrid s best chance in the first 45 minutes saw Rodrygo rattle the crossbar, but a much-improved display after the interval saw Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe strike to secure the win.
Ancelotti, who drew level with Miguel Munoz as the Madrid coach with the most titles (14), was delighted with the result, but acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter.
“It is an honour and a privilege to live these nights here, Ancelotti said. We were suffering, fight…
Barcelona have no intention of selling Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United, according to club president Joan Laporta, although he admitted the club s perilous financial situation could create the need for a sale.
Meanwhile, Laporta labelled Cristiano Ronaldo s apparent desire to leave United interesting but would not be drawn on whether the Blaugrana would target the Portuguese legend.
De Jong, who starred in Erik ten Hag s Ajax side before moving to Barcelona in 2019, has been touted as United s top transfer target since the Dutchman was announced as the club s new boss in April.
While the midfielder expressed his desire to stay at Barcelona in May, the club s need to reduce their wage bill has led to suggestions a sale could still be possible.
Laporta …
Ronaldinho shot to stardom with his silky skills and joyful approach to the game after joining Barcelona in 2003.
The virtuoso forward was the defining figure under Frank Rijkaard, helping to lay the foundations for one of the most successful eras in the Catalan club s history.
A two-time FIFA World Player of the Year during his time at Barca, Ronaldinho claimed two LaLiga titles and a Champions League crown when at the peak of his powers.
He produced a host of memorable moments in the famous shirt, from a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu to a dancing toe-poke against Chelsea, and here we take a look at the club s other Brazilian greats.
GAL MORNING!!!
Is this one of Ronaldinho’s best goals?
Today marks 11 years since this strike
…
Rennes kick-started their Ligue 1 campaign in confident fashion with a 3-0 victory over Lyon at Roazhon Park.
The home side s early dominance was rewarded with a goal, albeit fortuitously when a Benjamin Bourigeaud free-kick deflected in off veteran Nemanja Matic.
They doubled the lead two minutes later as the lively Amine Gouiri capitalised on a wayward pass back from Lyon s new signing Moussa Niakhate before rounding Lucas Perri and slotting into an empty net.
Lyon dominated possession in the second half and looked to have found a way back into the match after Lorenz Assignon bundled over Malick Fofana in the penalty box, but Steve Mandanda superbly saved Georges Mikautadze s spot-kick.
Gouiri was a menace throughout, going close to a second when he str…
Harry Kane broke the all-time scoring record for Tottenham as a 1-0 home win over Manchester City handed Arsenal a huge boost in the Premier League title race.
Leaders Arsenal s 1-0 defeat at strugglers Everton on Saturday offered City the chance to cut the gap to just two points, but Spurs did their north London rivals a favour a day later.
Kane s cool 15th-minute finish, which also marked his 200th Premier League strike, took him past Jimmy Greaves onto 267 goals for the hosts, who defended resolutely to see out victory despite a late red card for Cristian Romero.
Spurs, without head coach Antonio Conte after gallbladder surgery, moved within a point of the top four, while City trail Arsenal by five having played a game more.
267.
— Tottenha…
Leicester City have made one last move before the transfer window closed as they brought in on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, Sky Sports reports.
The have enlisted the services of the 26-year-old centre back until the end of the season, after they were keen on bringing him to England for over a year.
Reports state that the Austrian international completed his medical while out on international duty.
Dragović is in his second year of his five-year contract with , where he made 23 appearances for the Bundesliga club.
The Austrian defender started his career at his boyhood club with Austria Wien, and he worked his way into the first team in 2009. There he made over 80 total appearances before making the move to Basel in 2011.
After a three-year sti…
With another heavyweight Premier League fixture list this weekend, we have a string of intriguing affairs from up and down the country.
On a Saturday afternoon when Manchester City are desperate to make up some ground in the title chase, we also have some season-defining showdowns at the foot of the table.
Now in the midst of a rollercoaster festive schedule, we have taken an in-depth look at some of Saturday’s best Premier League betting markets.
Saturday, December 16th
15:00 Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
Managing to make what was a crucial return to winning ways as they eventually mounted a comeback away at relegation scrappers Luton, Manchester City will be desperate to produce a far more routine performance on Saturday afternoon. Breezing their way …
England host Australia in a sold-out friendly at Wembley on Friday evening.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at five of the main talking points ahead of the international encounter.
Some Ashes revenge for England?
There is a long sporting rivalry between these countries and revenge would be sweet after an epic Ashes summer ended with the urn returning Down Under. Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping by Alex Carey particularly stuck in the craw during a dramatic 2-2 series draw that saw emotions run high. England have the chance to exact a slither of revenge under the arch on Friday, when Gareth Southgate expects the sporting rivalry to “add an extra edge” to the occasion.
…or will there be a famous second Socceroos win?
This will be the first ti…
Antonio Conte s appointment as Luciano Spalletti s replacement at Inter may not be a hugely popular one among fans given his Juventus background, but it looks a smart hire.
Spalletti was dismissed on Thursday despite guiding Inter to successive fourth-place finishes in Serie A and the club announced Conte s arrival on a three-year deal the next day.
It marks Conte s return to football following his sacking by Chelsea at the end of the 2017-18 season, as the Blues missed out on Champions League qualification.
Conte s last job in Italy was with Inter s bitter rivals Juve, whom he coached for three seasons having represented them for 13 years as a player.
Some Inter fans might not be enthusiastic about Conte s hiring as a result of those Juve ties, but Opta …
It is July 1, meaning players who had run down their contracts at former clubs are now officially free to move.
Some, such as Aaron Ramsey, Diego Godin and Adrien Rabiot have already signed with new clubs, while the likes of Ander Herrera seem to have transfers all but finalised.
However, there are plenty of players yet to have secured their next destination.
Aaron Ramsey
Wales international Ramsey called time on his 11-year stay in February, signing a pre-contract agreement with Serie A champions Juventus.
While Massimiliano Allegri was in charge when Ramsey agreed to join, it is Maurizio Sarri who will have the midfielder at his disposal for the upcoming season and, after an injury-hit end to 2018-19, the 28-year-old will be eager …