List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

Fabio Capello reckons Manchester City are “the best team in the world” as Pep Guardiola’s side prepare for their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. The tie is a rematch of last year’s last-four clash, where City were knocked out in dramatic circumstances at the Bernabeu as Real mounted a stunning comeback to win after extra time. A Champions League trophy is the one piece of silverware that has so far evaded Guardiola during his nearly seven years with City. Speaking at the Laureus Awards on Monday, former England boss Capello highlighted the difference prolific striker Erling Haaland has made to City and his belief they are now the finest team on the planet. He said: “I think City is the best team in the world. This year makes the difference. “Last year, (they) missed the forward and this year you have a really important forward. Not only this – you have 24 players. “When you make the substitution, always a fantastic player is entering. Real Madrid, I think (have) 14, 15 players. “They probably will be a little bit tired (after winning the Copa del Rey on Saturday evening), but they have the best coach in the world, Carlo Ancelotti.” Two-time former Real Madrid boss Capello added: “Carlo knows everything about the openings, and we prepare the games really, really well. I hope, Carlo, we will win.” Ex-Inter Milan and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo echoed Capello’s sentiments about City’s improvement, but warned that they had their work cut out against the 14-time European Cup winners. “I think (Manchester City) are one of the best teams in the world now,” the former Portugal star said. “They are playing very good football, and in the last years, they are always in the competition, they have the experience already, they know already what to do so they don’t lose like last year. “But they play against the best club in the history of the Champions League. “Sometimes I think the history of the competition, that helps you in different kinds of moments and important moments in this competition, and everyone, I think they think that Manchester City is now a favourite for the games against Real Madrid. “But you have to count the history and count that Real Madrid is always alive until the last second of the game. “It will be nice to see, but I think for sure they are more than ready to win this beautiful competition.” Figo is hoping another of his former clubs, Inter Milan, can get the better of rivals AC Milan in the other semi-final. He said: “I expect that Inter can win, and probably that will happen, I hope! “I think Italy have to be proud this year that they have two teams in the semi-final. Fantastic performance in the Champions League. “You know anything can happen, but it’s beautiful in the same time that you have the chance to see two big games of the best club competition in the world in the same city.” :: Fabio Capello and Luis Figo were speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Find out more at www.laureus.com

These early college football bowl game projections have Texas football so incredibly back!One day, Texas will be back and we will have to talk about it when, and if, that day ever comes.It's not the rapture, but it sure as hell feels like it sometimes. The good news for the Longhorns is...

The Los Angeles Clippers will face some big decisions this offseason. Here are three players who will likely not be back.The Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2022-23 season with championship aspirations, once again, and it was warranted. Since joining forces in 2019, their superstar duo of Kawhi...

The 2023 NFL Draft has concluded, but how will college football teams like Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ohio State and more replace the first-round picks?The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone with all 259 selections being made. Now, the majority of the discourse is revolving around how former Alaba...

The National Basketball Association wants to open more retail shops in markets around the world, as the league

Ohio State's message boards revealed just how much some people hate LeBron James -- his son, Bronny James, is unfortunately caught in the crossfire.One would think that after all NBA legend LeBron James has achieved, his home state of Ohio would be on its knees thanking him. The town of Akr...

Dwight McNeil scored a second-half brace as Everton climbed into 16th and two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone to dampen Brighton’s European dreams with a thumping 5-1 victory at the Amex. It was a shocking first half for the seventh-placed hosts, who fell behind after just 33 seconds through Abdoulaye Doucoure, who later bagged a first-half brace. Albion’s woes were exacerbated when goalkeeper Jason Steele turned the ball into his own net and McNeil added another for Everton in the second half. Alexis Mac Allister was able to claw one back for the home side, but the rout was firmly recorded when McNeil scored his second late in stoppage time. Like their Merseyside rivals on Saturday, the away end largely spurned the call to commemorate the King’s coronation with the singing of the national anthem and attempted to drown it out with a rendition of Spirit of the Blues. Those chants quickly turned to elated cheers when Dominic Calvert-Lewin collected the ball with his back to Brighton’s goal and – with a neat pivot – crossed to Doucoure at the far post, who obligingly tapped home. Brighton worked a free-kick to Facundo Buonanotte on the right, but Jordan Pickford was alert to his nodded effort from a tight angle, picking it out of the air with little need for effort. It was the visitors piling on the pressure at the 25-minute mark thanks to some fine work from Alex Iwobi, who collected the ball inside his own half and cooly controlled it in the final third, where Albion were eventually able to shut down the initial wave of attack. Kaoru Mitoma tried to set up Danny Welbeck who could not make contact as he slid toward the Everton goal, while control once again began to feel like an elusive pursuit for the hosts, who found themselves at the mercy of Doucoure. This time he latched onto McNeil’s cross from the left before volleying the ball past Steele to double Everton’s advantage on 29 minutes. Brighton hoped that would be the end to their disastrous first half but McNeil had other ideas as he sent in a cross which Steele stooped forward to save, but instead further buried his side when the ball deflected in off the back of his leg. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to start the second half including the introduction of Evan Ferguson, who was available for the first time after missing four matches with an ankle injury. It was fellow substitute Solly March who first tested Pickford and lent the Seagulls a spark they had been sorely missing, getting stuck in and winning a corner. Ferguson came close on the subsequent set-piece as he forced a good save from the Toffees shot-stopper with a nodded effort at the far post. Albion finally started to resemble a superior-looking side and remained camped in Everton’s half as Ferguson came inches away from pulling one back with a left-footed effort tipped away by Pickford before Mac Allister hit the crossbar. It was the visitors, however, who extended their advantage against the run of play after Iwobi broke down the left and flicked the ball to McNeil, who evaded Lewis Dunk’s late sliding challenge and patiently tucked in the Toffees’ fourth. Three minutes later, Mitoma’s rebound took a fortunate bounce off Mac Allister and in, but McNeil was not done for the night as he netted Everton’s fifth in added time. Read More Dean Smith dismayed by Leicester’s heavy loss at Fulham Leicester’s survival hopes look slim on the evidence of woeful Fulham display James Tarkowski: I don’t regret joining Everton Scoring fewer, conceding more - Everton are heading for the Championship under Dyche Man City not motivated by revenge against Real Madrid says Guardiola Dean Smith dismayed by Leicester’s heavy loss at Fulham

Sampdoria have been relegated from Serie A for the first time in over a decade following a 2-0 defeat at Udinese. First-half goals from Roberto Pereyra and Adam Masina proved enough to confirm the visitors’ fate with four games of the season still to go. Relegation may prove to be the least of their worries as the club continues to battle a financial crisis which has led to fears of bankruptcy. Sampdoria won the Scudetto in 1991 and reached the European Cup final at Wembley the following year, when a team featuring the likes of Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli lost 1-0 to Barcelona. They have been uninterrupted members of the Italian top-flight since the 2012-13 season, but have increasingly struggled in recent years amid financial concerns. Meanwhile, Empoli effectively guaranteed their survival as goals from Nicolo Cambiagni and Francesco Caputo secured a 2-1 win over Salernitana, for whom Krzysztof Piatek replied late on. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Pep Guardiola insisted revenge was not his motivation as he prepares Manchester City for their Champions League semi-final rematch with Real Madrid. City were beaten in heartbreaking fashion by the Spanish giants in the last four a year ago and have a chance to make amends this term. The first leg of their latest encounter takes place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday and Guardiola is focusing on the game in hand rather than looking back 12 months. The City manager said: “It was tough but we made an exceptional first game in Manchester and played a really good game here. “In general it was a good performance but it was not enough. You congratulate them and accept it and now one year later we are here. “We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it. It didn’t happen last season as we played Real Madrid and in this competition they know exactly what they have to do.” Guardiola admitted, however, last season’s loss was hard to stomach at the time. City controlled the tie in the second leg and looked on course for the final, leading 1-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate heading into injury time. Yet they dramatically capitulated, conceding twice in quick succession and going on to lose in extra time. It added to the catalogue of near misses experienced by the club since Guardiola took charge in 2016, which includes defeat in the 2021 final. Guardiola said: “Seven years ago we wanted to win the Champions League. Last season it was (like) the end of the world but here we are again. “Being stable is the most important thing. The important thing is we are trying to get better every year. We were prepared last year too. We are the same manager, mainly the same players but completely different games. “The difference is the second leg is at home and everything will be decided in Manchester.” Unlike Guardiola, midfielder Rodri admitted revenge was on his mind. The Spanish midfielder said: “Football gives you the option to have revenge. “We have the philosophy you can always learn from past experiences. We did a great two games but football is like this and we didn’t go through. “We will fight again. We will try to learn from what we did bad in that moment.” City are without defender Nathan Ake after the Netherlands international suffered a calf injury in Saturday’s Premier League victory over Leeds.

Dwight McNeil scored a second-half brace as Everton climbed into 16th and two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone to dampen Brighton’s European dreams with a thumping 5-1 victory at the Amex. It was a shocking first half for the seventh-placed hosts, who fell behind after just 33 seconds through Abdoulaye Doucoure, who later bagged a first-half brace. Albion’s woes were exacerbated when goalkeeper Jason Steele turned the ball into his own net and McNeil added another for Everton in the second half. Alexis Mac Allister was able to claw one back for the home side, but the rout was firmly recorded when McNeil scored his second late in stoppage time. Like their Merseyside rivals on Saturday, the away end largely spurned the call to commemorate the King’s coronation with the singing of the national anthem and attempted to drown it out with a rendition of Spirit of the Blues. Those chants quickly turned to elated cheers when Dominic Calvert-Lewin collected the ball with his back to Brighton’s goal and – with a neat pivot – crossed to Doucoure at the far post, who obligingly tapped home. Brighton worked a free-kick to Facundo Buonanotte on the right, but Jordan Pickford was alert to his nodded effort from a tight angle, picking it out of the air with little need for effort. It was the visitors piling on the pressure at the 25-minute mark thanks to some fine work from Alex Iwobi, who collected the ball inside his own half and cooly controlled it in the final third, where Albion were eventually able to shut down the initial wave of attack. Kaoru Mitoma tried to set up Danny Welbeck who could not make contact as he slid toward the Everton goal, while control once again began to feel like an elusive pursuit for the hosts, who found themselves at the mercy of Doucoure. This time he latched onto McNeil’s cross from the left before volleying the ball past Steele to double Everton’s advantage on 29 minutes. Brighton hoped that would be the end to their disastrous first half but McNeil had other ideas as he sent in a cross which Steele stooped forward to save, but instead further buried his side when the ball deflected in off the back of his leg. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to start the second half including the introduction of Evan Ferguson, who was available for the first time after missing four matches with an ankle injury. It was fellow substitute Solly March who first tested Pickford and lent the Seagulls a spark they had been sorely missing, getting stuck in and winning a corner. Ferguson came close on the subsequent set-piece as he forced a good save from the Toffees shot-stopper with a nodded effort at the far post. Albion finally started to resemble a superior-looking side and remained camped in Everton’s half as Ferguson came inches away from pulling one back with a left-footed effort tipped away by Pickford before Mac Allister hit the crossbar. It was the visitors, however, who extended their advantage against the run of play after Iwobi broke down the left and flicked the ball to McNeil, who evaded Lewis Dunk’s late sliding challenge and patiently tucked in the Toffees’ fourth. Three minutes later, Mitoma’s rebound took a fortunate bounce off Mac Allister and in, but McNeil was not done for the night as he netted Everton’s fifth in added time. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Alex Sanderson confirms interest in bringing Luke Cowan-Dickie to Sale Sharks Lionel Messi cherishes ‘special honour’ after winning Laureus award in Paris Sunderland snatch play-off spot on dramatic Championship final day

Pep Guardiola insisted revenge was not his motivation as he prepares Manchester City for their Champions League semi-final rematch with Real Madrid. City were beaten in heartbreaking fashion by the Spanish giants in the last four a year ago and have a chance to make amends this term. The first leg of their latest encounter takes place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday and Guardiola is focusing on the game in hand rather than looking back 12 months. The City manager said: “It was tough but we made an exceptional first game in Manchester and played a really good game here. “In general it was a good performance but it was not enough. You congratulate them and accept it and now one year later we are here. “We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it. “It didn’t happen last season as we played Real Madrid and in this competition they know exactly what they have to do.” Guardiola admitted, however, last season’s loss was hard to stomach at the time. City controlled the tie in the second leg and looked on course for the final, leading 1-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate heading into injury time. We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it. Pep Guardiola Yet they dramatically capitulated, conceding twice in quick succession and going on to lose in extra time. It added to the catalogue of near misses experienced by the club since Guardiola took charge in 2016, which includes defeat in the 2021 final. Guardiola said: “Seven years ago we wanted to win the Champions League. Last season it was (like) the end of the world but here we are again. “Being stable is the most important thing. The important thing is we are trying to get better every year. “We were prepared last year too. We are the same manager, mainly the same players but completely different games. “The difference is the second leg is at home and everything will be decided in Manchester.” Unlike Guardiola, midfielder Rodri admitted revenge was on his mind. The Spain midfielder said: “Football gives you the option to have revenge. “We have the philosophy you can always learn from past experiences. We did a great two games but football is like this and we didn’t go through. “We will fight again. We will try to learn from what we did bad in that moment.” City are without defender Nathan Ake after the Netherlands international suffered a calf injury in Saturday’s Premier League victory over Leeds. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Dwight McNeil bags brace as Everton ease past Brighton in battle against PL drop Alex Sanderson confirms interest in bringing Luke Cowan-Dickie to Sale Sharks Lionel Messi cherishes ‘special honour’ after winning Laureus award in Paris

Padres star Fernando Tatís Jr. recently got slighted by an ESPN announcer on Sunday Night Baseball when his team played the Dodgers.ESPN commentator Eduardo Perez would like to apologize to anyone he offended when he insinuated that Fernando Tatís Jr. was not a superstar.On Sun...