List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Lautaro Martinez provided the finishing touch as Inter Milan cruised into the Champions League final with a 3-0 aggregate win over AC Milan. Martinez fired the only goal of a stop-start second leg to add to their 2-0 victory in last week’s opening instalment and Inter will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in Istanbul on June 10. Argentina’s World Cup winning-striker, who was outstanding throughout, pounced in the 75th minute as Inter clinched an eighth successive win in front of a crowd of 76,000 at the San Siro. It secures their first Champions League final since 2010 – when Jose Mourinho masterminded the treble before leaving to join Real Madrid – and keeps alive hopes of lifting a fourth European crown. Aware of the need for urgency in the 237th derby between the city rivals, Milan started fast and in the 14th minute they were presented with a chance to blow the tie wide open. Sandro Tonali skilfully created the space for Brahim Diaz to have a clear shot at goal but the Spain forward’s attempt lacked conviction and keeper Andre Onana made a simple save. Rafael Leao flashed a shot across the face of goal and if Milan were taking heart from their opportunities, that was offset by Inter’s own threat with Martinez going close on two occasions. On the second of those only a stunning reflex save by Mike Maignan kept out a dangerous header to keep Milan in the hunt. The importance of Milan’s missed chances was underlined when the second half opened with Inter taking charge of the ball, frustrating opponents who appeared to have run out of ideas. A sly off-the-ball stamp by Francesco Acerbi on the foot of Tonali incensed Milan’s players but referee Clement Turpin declined to act. Inter’s position was beginning to look unassailable and shortly after Romelu Lukaku stepped off the bench, the Belgian combined with Martinez to confirm their place in the final. Lukaku held the ball up in the corner of the area and when the right moment came, he threaded a pass to his team-mate who produced a fine first touch before beating Maignan at the near post. Martinez’s moment of brilliance was a rare highlight of a second half that became increasingly niggly, resulting in a spate of yellow cards, and Milan had nothing left to offer. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid unfazed by airport delay before Man City clash Man City remember club great as Real Madrid check in – Tuesday’s sporting social Nick Kyrgios on track to be fit for grass-court season and Wimbledon bid

Big 12 football fans are only going to have to wait a few months to see this puppy play out.The league may be going through a state of major transition, but what if I told you the Big 12 is actually operating from a vantage point of strength?Outside of the Big Ten and the SEC, the Big 12 loo...

The Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has raised his bid for Manchester United by making a fourth and last-ditch offer for the club, which is understood to be closer to £5 billion. The businessman has made a late intervention after the lifelong United fan, and petrochemicals billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe had submitted his third bid which valued United at a higher figure. As with all of Sheikh Jassim’s previous proposals, he is trying to buy 100 percent of the club, where the Glazer family are current majority shareholders. The Qatari has also pledged to clear United’s debt of £536 million and has promised a separate fund directed at the club and the community. Ratcliffe’s most recent bid allowed Joel and Avram Glazer, two of the six siblings whose father, Malcolm, bought the club in 2005, to retain a stake while aiming to complete a takeover in the next few years. The American merchant bank the Raine Group are overseeing the process for the Glazers. There have been three previous rounds of bids, without seeming to meet the Glazers’ valuation, though Ratcliffe had emerged as the favourite to complete a deal. Read More You’re asking the wrong person – Emma Hayes not interested in title permutations Ed Woodward accepts first job since Man Utd departure West Ham won’t consider any Declan Rice bids until season is over

Inter Milan are on course to reach the Champions League final after taking a two-goal lead in their semi-final tie against local rivals AC Milan. A strong first-half performance saw Simone Inzaghi’s side secured their advantage thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. As both teams play their home matches at the San Siro tonight’s encounter is an almost carbon-copy of the first leg. The difference being that most of the crowd inside the San Siro will be Inter fans as they are the designated hosts this evening. Based on their performance in the first leg AC Milan have serious work to do. Though they improved in the second half Milan were short of threat in front of goal all evening and with them needing to cut a two-goal deficit they cannot afford to be as wasteful tonight. Stefano Pioli will be overjoyed by the return of Rafael Leao. The forward has been passed fit to play after recovering from injury and will be required to play a key role if his side are to reach the European showcase. Follow all the action as Inter and Milan clash in the Champions League semi-final: Read More Being confronted by fans and returning star driving AC Milan bid to reverse history Glorious Milan derby proves football does not need Super League Aymeric Laporte says treble-chasing Manchester City ‘deserve many things’

Real Madrid shrugged off a delay at the airport to arrive at the Etihad Stadium in relaxed mood ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City. The European champions had to wait for more than half an hour in the arrivals hall at Manchester Airport on Tuesday after their team bus was unable to collect them on time. Yet Carlo Ancelotti’s squad were soon transported to the stadium where they trained ahead of Wednesday’s clash, which will begin on a knife edge after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Bernabeu last week. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference: “I am very calm, full of hope, full of faith. “Tomorrow – game day – that’s when the worries come in and you think things through, whether (Erling) Haaland will score or (Kevin) De Bruyne will hurt you. “But I try to put it out of my mind. It is all about managing thoughts. “We are very happy to be here, we are feeling good. It is a usual event for us to be in a semi-final. “It’s 11 years out of 13 in the semi-finals. That’s not easy. We enjoy it while we can.” City may have the home advantage but, as 14-time European champions and the current holders, Real certainly have experience of delivering in such encounters. Ancelotti, who has won the competition twice as Real boss and twice with AC Milan, said: “It’s special for Real Madrid because of the history we have in the tournament. “In the 1950s it became important for the fans and players. It’s everything you work for. It’s something special to try to win European trophies, especially the European Cup. “It’s been important for them throughout their history. It is a club that has a special power to stay alive.” Ancelotti has a full squad available with Eduardo Camavinga having overcome a knock and Eder Militao back from suspension. The first leg was evenly matched with City dominating possession for large spells but Real repeatedly threatening on the counter-attack. These are the best two teams in Europe and I’m predicting an exciting game. Carlo Ancelotti Ancelotti said: “I don’t think it will be so different. “There may be some adjustment from both sides. There are things we can improve but I think they think that too. “These are the best two teams in Europe and I’m predicting an exciting game like the first leg.” Veteran midfielder Luka Modric is relishing the encounter. The Croatia international said: “We have good feelings and are eager to get going. I can’t wait. “These games are like finals. It is massive. You have to enjoy every minute.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Man City remember club great as Real Madrid check in – Tuesday’s sporting social Nick Kyrgios on track to be fit for grass-court season and Wimbledon bid You’re asking the wrong person – Emma Hayes not interested in title permutations

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes insists she has no time to monitor the Women’s Super League table, despite a scenario that could see her side seal a fourth straight title on Sunday. The second-placed Blues, fresh from lifting their third consecutive FA Cup, are one point behind Manchester United, but have a game in hand on the league leaders, who have just two remaining in their campaign. That means victory against West Ham on Tuesday and Arsenal on Sunday would be enough for Chelsea should United fail to beat Manchester City on the penultimate day of the season. Hayes was adamant she is unaware of how invested her players might be in potential permutations, saying: “I promise you I’ve got so much to do I’m not privy to some of their ridiculous conversations, thank goodness. “They don’t want me being part of them anyway. We’re all football fans too, but I know the dressing room and, as far as we’re concerned, we’re in control of what we want to do and that’s I think all we focus on. “I didn’t even realise we could go top if we won tomorrow until someone told me yesterday, so you’re asking the wrong person here about all of those things. I don’t pay attention to them because your head gets away with you, so I’ve learned now I never look at them.” West Ham are still in search of a first league win in 2023. Manager Paul Konchesky said: “It’s a tough time, for me, it’s a tough time for them and as a whole group at the club. We know we’re going through a tough time, but there are games where we have been really close to winning and we haven’t won. It even looks worse when we haven’t picked up points. “We haven’t been out of any game, we’ve been in most games we’ve played and it just hasn’t turned the corner for us.” Arsenal are fighting to retain their place in the Champions League for another season after selling out the Emirates Stadium for their semi-final against Wolfsburg earlier this month. With three European spots available, Jonas Eidevall will hope to put some distance between his third-placed side and Manchester City below them when the Gunners travel to Everton. Arsenal are level on 44 points with City but have played one game fewer and also have a better goal difference. Eidevall anticipates Tuesday’s opponents will be ready to bounce back from their thumping 7-0 defeat to defending champions Chelsea last time out. He said: “I always expect our opponents to be fully motivated. I expect us to be fully motivated as well, so my expectations are never different from that. I don’t want to draw too much conclusion on that result last week. “There were performances in that game that were good from Everton, and there were performances that were not so good, like in any football game you play, so we just need to prepare our way playing the game.” Everton manager Brian Sorensen assuaged fears that City loanee and England international Jess Park could be ruled out of World Cup consideration with the same shoulder injury that has forced her to miss the remainder of the domestic campaign. He said: “No, it’s a six-week injury and it was three weeks ago now. She should be ready to go on the pitch when we play the last game against City, I think that’s the time schedule. That’s the latest I’ve heard. She’s back at City, she’s in their hands. But last I spoke to her, it shouldn’t affect (it), so let’s cross our fingers for that.” The sixth-placed Toffees are assured of another top-flight season but, with 27 points, are well out of European contention. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Can Pep get the better of Carlo? – 5 talking points ahead of City’s semi-final Jon Rahm hoping to ‘ride the wave’ of success at US PGA Championship England are ‘hellbent’ on World Cup success, says head coach Jess Thirlby

Former Manchester United executive vice-chair Ed Woodward has accepted a first job since departing Old Trafford last year. Woodward has joined the board of educational esports company EStars as a non-executive director. EStars is “at the heart of the fastest-growing sport in the world”, using esports to bring classmates together, both during and after school hours, to foster great academic goals, inclusion, diversity and positive outcomes. Ex-Newcastle, Netherlands and current Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul has been a shareholder in the company since its inception in 2017 and Woodward explained his decision to accept the new role. He said: “When you put together esports, education and a dynamic region such as the Middle East, where curriculum decisions can be made faster than Europe, it is a recipe for success. “Joining the team is an easy decision when you add the exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial energy of Mags [founder Mags Byrne]. I’m excited about EStars delivering a path of learning for the next generation in the (relatively) new industry of esports.” Having qualified as a chartered accountant and then worked at JPMorgan as an investment banker, Woodward joined Man United in 2005 to oversee their commercial operations, having advised the Glazer family on their purchase of the club. He was appointed to the board of directors in 2008 and became executive vice-chair in 2013 when David Gill retired. He became an incredibly unpopular figure at Old Trafford due to his association with a Glazer regime that fans turned against and despite the £1bn he sanctioned in transfer fees, his tenure is regarded as a failure, with the club struggling on the pitch – in relative terms at least – in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. It has been mooted that he could help the Glazer family negotiate any potential sale of Manchester United as the takeover saga drags on. Read More What would a Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover mean for Manchester United Erik ten Hag unsure what funds will be available to strengthen Man Utd’s squad Louis Van Gaal suggests Ed Woodward’s departure from Man Utd could spell success

The ACC spring meeting might be more drama-filled than Jimbo Fisher vs. Nick Saban in Destin.Things have been better in the ACC, as illustrated by the incredibly tense spring meeting down in Amelia Island, Florida.The last time we saw something get this intense in a Floridian spring meeting,...

Pep Guardiola insists the coming weeks will not define his legacy at Manchester City because it is “already exceptional”. City are on the brink of their fifth Premier League title in six years under the Spaniard and could land the treble as they also chase FA Cup and the so far elusive Champions League glory. Wednesday brings the chance to reach the final of the European competition as they host Real Madrid in the second leg of a semi-final delicately poised at 1-1. Winning the Champions League has long been viewed as the club’s ultimate goal, but Guardiola – a two-time European champion with Barcelona who has collected nine major trophies in total with City – does not think his reputation depends on it. He said: “My legacy is already exceptional! “(We have been) here many times already. We are not stupid, (we) know how important tomorrow is – maybe the most important since we’ve been here. “I say to the players, live it, enjoy the moment and how fortunate we are. It’s in our hands, it depends on us. “We don’t have to do anything exceptional – be ourselves, give everything. I have an incredible feeling about the team. Whatever happens, thank you for bringing us here again. “The legacy is that we’ve had one hell of a time and for many years they (the fans) will remember a generation of players who for five or six years scored lots of goals and conceded very few, and that we won lots of things and won very well, and people should remember that. It would be a good book. “Whether or not they will remember us I don’t know, but we have had a good time.” City dominated for large spells of last week’s first leg at the Bernabeu but Real were more incisive on the counter-attack and created more clear-cut opportunities. City now have home advantage for the return but Guardiola feels his side will have to take their performance up a level. He said: “The emotion is there and will be high – (it) has to be high – but just this is not going to beat a team like Real Madrid. “We need a bit better gameplan, to adjust a little bit, create more chances for our strikers. “We play against Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League, the toughest opponents. It’s a challenge but we go for it. “We arrive really good. We’re in the FA Cup final, one game from the Premier League, but we have to play better than Madrid. We have to perform well, not just have the desire.” City are again without defender Nathan Ake due to a hamstring injury but otherwise have a fully-fit squad. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rory McIlroy lowers expectations for US PGA Championship after his Masters agony Manchester City ‘owe’ club’s owners Champions League success – Kyle Walker Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun’s switch from England to USA approved by FIFA

Kyle Walker feels Manchester City owe it to club owner Sheikh Mansour to win the Champions League. City are eyeing up European club football’s top prize once again after years of near misses in their quest to land the trophy for the first time. Losing to Chelsea in the final two years ago is the closest they have come, but Wednesday brings another opportunity to reach the showpiece fixture as they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final. The tie is delicately poised after a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week. City have won the Premier League six times since the sheikh bought the club in 2008 – and are on the brink of a seventh domestic title – but the Champions League has long been viewed as their ‘holy grail’. Right-back Walker said: “The club is missing that one and, (with) the owners and the amount of money they have pumped into this club and the investment they have done, we owe that to them. “To get to the Champions League final against Chelsea and not perform as well as we can, we owe that to ourselves and get some revenge for ourselves because we know that was below par on that day. “But we have a tough opponent to get past to get to the Champions League final. It’s a ‘final’, anything can happen. The first thing is getting past Real Madrid and then let’s see about the final.” City dominated the first leg at the Bernabeu in terms of possession, but Real were incisive on the counter-attack and created more clear-cut opportunities. Walker was involved in a tough battle with the pacey Vinicius Junior, who scored Real’s goal, and the City defender is relishing another encounter with the Brazilian. The pair embraced in a sign of respect after last week’s meeting, but Walker has revealed there was also extra significance in the gesture. He said: “I went to hug him because he tried to rainbow flick me, so it was kind of like, ‘Please don’t try that again – I don’t want to be a meme’. “But boxers fight, have a good battle, and then they shake hands after, and that is the level of respect I do have for him. I will give him the respect he deserves (after the final whistle), but before then it is dog eat dog Kyle Walker on Vinicius Junior “It’s the same with any other player, when it is a good game, you go and give them that level of respect because they deserve it. “I will give him the respect he deserves (after the final whistle), but before then it is dog eat dog. “It is a personal battle where you are coming up against one of the best players in the world. “I have faced many over the years who have been just as good as him, but I think he is in the best form of his life, so whoever is picked to play in that position to defend against him it is going to be a great battle.” It could be a memorable week for City, who will also retain the Premier League title if they beat Chelsea on Sunday. Walker said: “I think it is big to everyone in that dressing room. We know the goals at the end of it – it is a massive week for the club.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun’s switch from England to USA approved by FIFA Forest fined over pitch invasion after 2022 play-off semi against Sheff Utd England agonised over dropping Ben Foakes for Jonny Bairstow – Rob Key

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has switched allegiance from England to the United States, FIFA has confirmed. The New York-born 21-year-old, who is currently on loan at French club Reims, has represented England at Under-21s level but has opted to play his senior international football for the country of his birth. A FIFA spokesperson told the PA news agency said: “The change of association of the player Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun from England to the USA has been approved.” The news comes just weeks before England are due to launch their European Under-21 Championship finals campaign in Georgia and Romania. Balogun has made 13 appearances for Lee Carsley’s side, but withdrew from the squad in March due to injury. Having been born in America, Balogun moved to England when he was two years old and also qualifies for Nigeria through his parents. Qualifying players are allowed to switch associations before they have played a competitive match for a nation’s senior team. Balogun has made 10 first-team appearances and scored two goals for the Gunners, and spent the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan at Sky Bet Championship Middlesbrough. However, he has made a name for himself in Ligue 1 this season with 19 goals in 34 appearances to date. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Nottingham Forest have been fined over the pitch invasion at the end of their Championship play-off semi-final against Sheffield United almost a year ago. A Forest fan was jailed after headbutting Blades striker Billy Sharp during the incident at the end of the second leg at the City Ground on May 17 last year, while Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie was cleared last December of stamping on another pitch-invading Forest fan. The Football Association had charged Forest with failing to ensure their supporters conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening or violent behaviour while encroaching onto the pitch following the final whistle. The charge was partially admitted by Forest, and a £50,000 fine was imposed by an independent regulatory commission. The FA said half of the fine had been suspended by the panel until the end of next season, provided there were no further breaches of FA rule E20. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live