Missing out on the knockout stages of the Champions League last season – the first time that had happened since the 2003-04 campaign – was considered the ultimate humiliation for Barcelona.
At a time when they were struggling domestically on the back of losing their greatest player of all time, and with their bleak financial situation there for all to see, finishing behind Benfica to drop into the Europa League was a nadir in the post-Messi era.
Almost a year on from then, with Xavi now settled in the technical area after replacing Ronald Koeman, things are a lot brighter for Barca both on and off the field. But while they may be top of LaLiga after a fine start to the campaign, they are once again at risk of missing out on post-Christmas football in UEFA s showpiec…
Girona coach Michel wants fans to relish their first taste of European football as he prepares his team to take on continental heavyweights in the Champions League.
Michel s side thrashed Osasuna 4-0 in LaLiga on Thursday, claiming their first win of the season in the process.
That victory came after Girona had found out who they will play in the new-look league phase of UEFA s flagship cup competition.
Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Milan PSV, Feyenoord, Slovan Bratislava and Sturm Graz are Girona s eight opponents.
I didn t have time to think about it but we are talking about top teams so I just want our fans to be well represented in this tournament and tell them they should go with their heads held high around Europe, Michel told DAZN on Th…
Mohamed Salah s goalscoring feats are underappreciated by those outside Liverpool, believes his Reds team-mate Virgil van Dijk.
Salah scored his 183rd goal for Liverpool to clinch a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, after Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White struck to cancel out Diogo Jota s brace.
The Egyptian s close-range finish saw him match Robbie Fowler s goal tally for Liverpool in 71 fewer appearances, taking him to joint-sixth in the club s all-time scoring charts.
Salah has scored 27 goals across all competitions during an underwhelming season for Liverpool, and he now has Steven Gerrard s total of 186 goals for the Reds in his sights.
Asked about Salah s goalscoring exploits after Saturday s win, Van Dijk suggested the forward is unde…
Tottenham have no intention of interviewing Julian Nagelsmann over the vacant managerial role, the PA news agency understands.
Nagelsmann has been heavily linked with the post since his shock departure from Bayern Munich at the end of March.
The 35-year-old was in the running for the Spurs job in 2021 before Bayern swooped in at the time to secure the services of one of the most highly sought-after young coaches in world football.
When Antonio Conte left Tottenham soon after Nagelsmann’s dramatic exit from the Bundesliga champions, it was anticipated the German coach would again be in the mix for the vacancy at the Premier League club.
Speculation has rumbled on since but while Tottenham have great respect for Nagelsmann, they will not be meeting or int…
AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has repeated his praise of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but insists the Serie A club are not yet focusing on new signings.
Ibrahimovic has been linked with a return to Milan, where he spent two seasons between 2010 and 2012 before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, after the 38-year-old left MLS club LA Galaxy.
Pioli has previously lauded Ibrahimovic, however, he insisted it was too early to talk about the upcoming transfer window in January.
Milan s coach was pressed for his thoughts on Ibrahimovic who is now reported to be a target for new Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho ahead of Saturday s clash with Napoli, but Pioli reiterated the Rossoneri are not yet focused on January arrivals.
I have already explained what I think, he is a great ch…
No [issues with Emery]. Definitely not. There s always speculation, everyone inside knew that our situation is positive, Ozil added.
It s frustrating [not playing]. I want to play in every game. Through injury I ve missed games but that s football.
As a footballer you always want to start games. The coach makes decisions which means you may not start but you have to keep going.
While Ozil intends to see out his contract, Wales international Ramsey is poised to leave for Serie A champions Juventus.
Having already agreed a deal with Juve, a hamstring injury sustained in Arsenal s Europa League quarter-final win over Napoli has denied Ramsey a send-off appearance.
Ahead of Arsenal s Europa League semi-final first leg against Valencia on Thursday,…
Milan technical director Paolo Maldini is increasingly confident that the club can complete new deals for Rafael Leao and Ismael Bennacer.
Portugal international forward Rafael Leao has been linked with a host of top clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The 23-year-old is contracted until 2024 and Maldini revealed prior to Milan s 1-0 Coppa Italia home loss to Torino that they were closing in on agreement on an extension, with the player keen to stay.
We are talking, there are videocalls too and not just in-person meetings, Maldini told Mediaset. We will try to reach an agreement. It seems like both parties want to continue together and we will try to close a deal.
We ve been trying to do that for the last yea…
Scott Sinclair boosted Celtic s chances of qualifying for the next round of the Europa League with the only goal in a 1-0 win at Rosenborg that ended the Norwegian side s hopes of progressing.
Sinclair headed in an excellent right-wing cross from James Forrest shortly before half-time to earn a crucial Group B victory at Lerkendal Stadium on Thursday.
Celtic host Salzburg who have already qualified as the pool s winners on matchday six next month knowing a draw is enough to send the Scottish champions into the knockout stages.
Tom Rogic and Odsonne Edouard missed Celtic s best chances in a lively opening from Brendan Rodgers side, who took the lead in the 42nd minute.
Forrest, who scored five goals in two games for Scotland over the international break, …
Bayern Munich have approached Newcastle over the possibility of signing Kieran Trippier this month, according to , but the Magpies have rejected their first approach, even though the England international is open to the idea of leaving St. James Park for the Allianz Arena. Apparently, the Magpies aren t interested in doing a deal at all they will surely need their first-choice right-back as they battle through what has so far been an underwhelming season, both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
The 33-year-old was one of Newcastle s first signings under the current owners when he joined from Atletico Madrid two years ago for €14 million. His well-known ability to find a teammate inside the opposition box has earned him eight assists in 28 appearances in all compe…
Luciano Spalletti says Italy’s players were “distraught” after Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo’s “traumatic” departure from the squad amid reports they are part of an investigation into illegal betting.
Newcastle midfielder Tonali and on-loan Aston Villa forward Zaniolo withdrew from the squad last week, meaning they will miss Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier with England at Wembley, after it emerged they were being investigated by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Spalletti revealed the dramatic manner of the pair’s removal from Italy’s training camp, saying: “It was traumatic for the team because we had the authorities almost in the dressing room and so everyone was surprised and upset.
“We had almost a whole day when we said goodbye t…