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Category: Football

  • Conference League glory would prove Chelsea are back – Maresca

    Conference League glory would prove Chelsea are back – Maresca

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca claims winning the UEFA Conference League would prove that his side must be taken seriously as trophy contenders.

    The Blues haven’t won a major trophy since the 2021 Champions League, when Thomas Tuchel was in charge at Stamford Bridge.

    Chelsea’s last domestic trophy was the 2018 FA Cup and they haven’t won the Premier League since 2017.

    The west London club are still waiting to win their first silverware since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over from Roman Abramovich in 2022.

    Thursday’s Conference semi-final second leg against Swedish side Djurgarden at Stamford Bridge offers a chance to move a step closer to a trophy.

    Maresca’s side hold a 4-1 lead over the Swedish team from the first leg.

    Should they reach the final on May 28 they would be strong favourites to defeat either Real Betis or Fiorentina and become the first club to win all three of UEFA’s current competitions.

    “Winning the Conference League trophy this season is a statement that you can say Chelsea is back,” Maresca told reporters on Wednesday.

    “If Real Madrid or different clubs don’t play in the Conference, it’s because they don’t deserve to play in the Conference. If we play in it, it’s because it’s where we are. We need to start from there.

    “If you’re in the Conference, that is the only trophy you can win. We are going to try our best on Thursday. It’s a good starting point for a winning mentality.”

    Maresca has come under fire from fans in his first season since arriving from Leicester.

    The Italian has been criticised for his cautious tactics but he has fifth-placed Chelsea on course to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish in the Premier League.

    Maresca has previously said his young squad need to “live experiences” in order to mature and become capable of challenging for major honours.

    Last season’s League Cup final defeat to a depleted Liverpool side at Wembley was the club’s first showpiece since Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s £1 billion recruitment drive began.

    That painful loss came with Mauricio Pochettino in charge.

    Maresca has had a much easier ride in the Conference League, in which Chelsea have cruised to the semi-finals by thrashing teams from Armenia, the Republic of Ireland and Kazakhstan among other underwhelming opponents.

    “It’s important because it shapes you,” Maresca said.

    “It’s nice to win trophies because you learn how to win. Chelsea is a big club with many important trophies in the past, but we need to learn how to win with this squad.

    “I try to convince the players that day by day you have to build a winning mentality.”

  • Wenger proposes ‘daylight’ change to offside rule

    Wenger proposes ‘daylight’ change to offside rule

    Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has proposed a change to the offside rule that would mean attackers are onside if any part of their body is in line with the last outfield defender.

    Wenger, head of global development at world governing body Fifa, said it would restore an advantage to the attacker that many feel was eroded by the introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR).

    Players are currently ruled offside if any part of the body, apart from hands and arms, is beyond the last defender.

    Wenger compared the suggested change to a similar move taken after the 1990 World Cup.

    Before and during that tournament, a player was considered offside if he was level with the last defender before the goalkeeper.

    There were an average of 2.21 goals per match in 1990, the lowest in World Cup history.

    “It was in 1990 after the World Cup in Italy when there were no goals scored,” Wenger told Bein Sports, recalling the rule change.

    “We decided that there is no offside any more when you are on the same line of the defender.

    “In case of doubt, the doubt benefits the striker. That means when there’s a fraction, the striker did get the advantage.

    “With VAR this advantage disappeared and for many people it’s frustrating.”

    Trials of the system have taken place in Italian youth football, and Wenger said further trials will happen before a final decision, which could come in 2026.

    Any change to the offside rule rests with the sport’s law-makers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab).

    Ifab agreed to further trials, conducted by Fifa, at its annual general meeting in March.

    It says the aim of the trials is to see whether they “foster attacking football and encouraging goalscoring opportunities while maintaining the game’s attractiveness”.

    Any potential rule change would only come after consultation with football stakeholders and advice from Ifab’s football and technical advisory panels.

    Those panels include experienced members from the football world such as former players and referees.

    The Premier League, Champions League and other major European leagues currently use semi-automated technology when a tight offside decision goes to a VAR review.

    Bespoke cameras monitor a variety of key elements that determine whether an attacking player’s body was beyond the last defender at the exact time the ball was played.

    The technology was first used in elite-level football in England in the FA Cup in February, before being adopted by the Premier League in April.

    As well as changes to the offside law, the modern back-pass rule and three points for a win as the global standard came in following the 1990 World Cup in an effort to encourage attacking play.

    There were an average of 2.71 goals per match at the 1994 World Cup.

  • Postecoglou hits back at Wenger over CL spot row

    Postecoglou hits back at Wenger over CL spot row

    Ange Postecoglou says “Spurs does crazy things to people” in response to Arsene Wenger’s suggestion that the winners of the Europa League should not qualify for the Champions League.

    Former Arsenal manager Wenger, now Fifa’s chief of global football development, has questioned why the winners of the Europa League qualify for next year’s Champions League.

    Postecoglou’s Tottenham have a 3-1 lead going into Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Bodo/Glimt’s Aspmyra Stadion.

    But they are 16th in the Premier League table, while Manchester United – who have a 3-0 lead over Athletic Club in the other last-four tie – are a point ahead in 15th. The winners will face each other in Bilbao on 21 May.

    The pair will not qualify for Europe through the league but Postecoglou does not understand Wenger’s argument.

    “It’s a debate that’s been raging for years, at least the last eight days…I’ve never heard it before,” said the Australian in Norway. “Spurs does crazy things to people.

    “You put that club into any sentence or any issue and invariably they all come out and try to diminish it as much as they can.

    “It’s Spurs mate, they love it.

    “It’s competition rules. Why wasn’t it an issue before and is it an issue now? What’s the difference? Last year fifth [in the Premier League] didn’t get you into the Champions League, this year it does. What does that mean?”

    Uefa amended its rules in 2014 to allow the Europa League winners to qualify for the following season’s Champions League tournament, but Wenger disagreed with the policy.

    Asked if this was “right”, he told BeIN Sports: “No, they should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League – especially when you’re in the Premier League where already five teams qualify. I think it’s something [for Uefa] to think about and to review.

    “On the other hand, people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize [of qualifying for the Champions League].”

    Tottenham face Bodo in Norway without James Maddison, with Postecoglou confirming the England midfielder is out for the season with the knee injury he suffered in the first leg.

    Striker Dominic Solanke has travelled and should be fit after being forced off in the 3-1 success with a quad problem.

  • PSG PSG 2 1 Arsenal

    PSG PSG 2 1 Arsenal

    Arsenal’s bid to reach the Champions League final ended in failure as they were beaten by Paris St-Germain on a night of drama at Parc des Princes.

    The Gunners’ attempt to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit ran aground on another magnificent display by PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    The Italian, outstanding in the first leg at Emirates Stadium, delivered a repeat performance with a series of stunning saves to keep Arsenal at bay early on.

    He made an outstanding stop from Gabriel Martinelli, then an even better save from Martin Odegaard’s low long-range drive as PSG were rocked back.

    PSG cashed in to take the lead on the night when Fabian Ruiz collected Thomas Partey’s headed clearance to flash a 20-yard finish past Arsenal keeper David Raya with the help of a slight deflection after 27 minutes.

    In thrilling encounter, Donnarumma produced another stunning save to deny Bukayo Saka, before Raya got in on the act by saving Vitinha’s poor spot-kick after Myles Lewis-Skelly was penalised for handball.

    Partey was the culprit when PSG extended their lead after 72 minutes, losing possession before Achraf Hakimi scored on the turn.

    Saka did finally beat Donnarumma with an angled finish four minutes later, but it was not enough to spark a comeback, although he then shot over an open goal, and PSG will now meet Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Munich.

    Brave Gunners empty-handed again

    Arsenal delivered a top-class display in Paris, but the bitter truth is they could not deliver enough of the “magic moments” manager Mikel Arteta had demanded and their barren run without a trophy now extends to five years.

    They stunned PSG and their supporters with a blistering early salvo, but Declan Rice headed a great chance wide before Donnarumma again broke their hearts and hopes of a comeback.

    Arteta could not have asked for more from his players against this talented PSG team, who beat Manchester City in the league phase, then eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa in the knockout rounds.

    Arsenal could not turn their early domination into the goal that would have applied pressure on a nervous PSG in those opening stages, leaving them at risk from the danger Luis Enrique’s side possess.

    And so it proved with Georgian genius Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hitting the post and Bradley Barcola forcing a fine save from Raya before Ruiz broke the deadlock.

    How Arsenal cried out for a natural striker when they had control. Emergency striker Mikel Merino provided a focal point but little else in terms of attacking threat.

    Arsenal’s players, understandably, looked crestfallen as Parc des Princes was engulfed in wild scenes of celebration.

    Arteta now has to lift them to ensure they finish in the Premier League’s top five and return to the Champions League next season.

    Can PSG finally break Champions League curse?

    Donnarumma’s name echoed around Parc des Princes as PSG celebrated reaching only their second Champions League final.

    And rightly so, because the giant Italian goalkeeper has been just as instrumental as PSG’s brilliant attack in their thrilling run to Munich.

    There was talk that Donnarumma’s indifferent form earlier this season might result in him being dropped for the last 16 second leg at Liverpool, but head coach Luis Enrique kept faith – and how he has been rewarded.

    He was outstanding in the penalty shootout win at Anfield before producing a virtuoso individual display at Villa Park, then shining in both games against Arsenal.

    PSG deserve their place in Munich, where they hope they will finally find their Holy Grail, and bring the Champions League trophy back to Paris.

    They lost their previous final against Bayern Munich in 2020, but Luis Enrique’s side have moved on the “Bling Bling” era of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to benefit from a reconstructed team ethic.

    Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and the rest of this emerging young PSG team will grace the Champions League final, a mouth-watering prospect after Inter Milan’s sensational win against Barcelona over two legs.

  • Nottingham Forest held by Crystal Palace, UCL dream slips further away

    Nottingham Forest held by Crystal Palace, UCL dream slips further away

    Nottingham Forest’s bid to qualify for the Champions League suffered a setback as they were held to a damaging 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday.

    Nuno Espirito Santo’s side needed a victory to keep pace with their top five rivals.

    But Eberechi Eze’s second-half penalty put Palace ahead and, although Murillo equalised soon afterwards, Forest left south London outside the Champions League places.

    Sixth-placed Forest’s attempt to appear in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 1980-81 is now out of their hands.

    They sit two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and fourth-placed Newcastle, with third-placed Manchester City three points ahead of Forest.

    Forest have three games left, with winnable fixtures against Leicester and West Ham before what could be on a final-day shootout against Chelsea.

    Nuno’s team were without injured winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who instead joined the away fans in one corner of Selhurst Park.

    FA Cup finalists Palace dominated the early stages, with some eye-catching interplay between Eze and Adam Wharton in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.

    Their first chance arrived when Tyrick Mitchell whipped in a cross which fellow full-back Daniel Munoz met on the volley, forcing a save from Matz Sels.

    But Forest grew into the game and Elliot Anderson hit the side netting from a deep Nicolas Dominguez cross.

    They almost made the breakthrough two minutes before half-time with a trademark counter-attack as Dominguez and Wood combined to tee up Anthony Elanga, but his finish was too close to Dean Henderson.

    A frantic start to the second half saw Ismaila Sarr head Munoz’s cross wide at the near post.

    Forest countered and Wood was denied the opening goal by Maxence Lacroix’s block as his shot rolled narrowly wide.

    Palace went ahead on the hour after Mitchell was felled by a combination of Dominguez and Selz in the area.

    Referee Andy Madley did not initially give the penalty but changed his mind after a look at the replay, with Eze tucking away the spot-kick.

    Wharton went off with an ankle injury as Palace boss Oliver Glasner took no chances with his influential midfielder before the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

    Henderson made a stunning save to keep out an Elanga free-kick.

    But Forest levelled in the 64th minute when Murillo stuck out a leg to flick Neco Williams’ shot past the wrong-footed Henderson.

    Forest rode their luck late on as Eze clipped the crossbar with a 20-yard curler before Eddie Nketiah had the ball in the net, only to be flagged offside.

  • Luton crash into League One after second successive relegation

    Luton crash into League One after second successive relegation

    Luton suffered a second successive relegation as their slump from the Premier League to League One was confirmed with a 5-3 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the Championship season on Saturday.

    After their fairytale rise to the top-flight in 2023, the Hatters have plunged into the third tier in the space of just two seasons.

    Tom Fellows and Callum Styles both scored twice for Albion and Daryl Dike also netted as the hosts raced into a 5-1 lead.

    Millenic Alli’s double and Jordan Clark’s goal were rendered irrelevant as Luton faced up to their first season in League One since 2018-19.

    The Hatters are the first club since Sunderland in 2018 to drop from the top-flight to League One in consecutive seasons and only the fourth in the Premier League era after Swindon in 1994-95 and Wolves in 2012-13.

    Furious Luton fans chanted “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” at their crest-fallen players after the final whistle.

    Matt Bloomfield’s side started the day just outside the relegation zone.

    But their loss at the Hawthorns and Hull’s 1-1 draw at Portsmouth condemned them to relegation on goal difference.

    Matt Crooks put Hull in front and the Tigers survived by the slenderest of margins despite Christian Saydee’s second half equaliser.

    Plymouth were already effectively relegated due to their three-point gap to safety and vastly inferior goal difference heading into the last round of matches.

    A 2-1 loss to Leeds at Home Park confirmed Plymouth’s demise and wrapped up the title for Daniel Farke’s team.

    Leeds finished on 100 points, level with second-placed Burnley, who had also confirmed promotion prior to the last weekend.

    On-loan Tottenham forward Manor Solomon bagged Leeds’ winner in stoppage-time after Wilfried Gnonto netted in the 53rd minute to cancel out Sam Byram’s 18th minute own goal.

    Scott Parker’s team beat Millwall 3-1 at Turf Moor to ruin the Lions’ hopes of sneaking into the play-offs,

    Coventry sealed their place in the play-offs thanks to a 2-0 home win against Middlesbrough.

    Jack Rudoni scored both goals as Frank Lampard’s side booked a play-off semi-final against Sunderland, who lost 1-0 against QPR to make it five successive defeats.

    Bristol City finished in the final play-off berth after a 2-2 draw with Preston at Ashton Gate secured sixth place.

    Ross McCrorie struck twice for City after Emil Riis and Milutin Osmajic scored to put Preston two up.

    City’s play-off semi-final opponents are third-placed Sheffield United, who drew 1-1 with Blackburn at Bramall Lane.

    Derby and Stoke celebrated survival after the strugglers played out a 0-0 draw at Pride Park.

  • Premier League win one of ‘best days of my life’, says Liverpool boss Slot

    Premier League win one of ‘best days of my life’, says Liverpool boss Slot

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Friday that winning the Premier League title at Anfield was one of the best days of his life as he turned his thoughts towards next season.

    The Reds crushed Tottenham 5-1 on Sunday to seal a record-breaking 20th English league title with four games to spare, basking in a sensational atmosphere at their packed home ground.

    “Maybe for all the Liverpool fans, but for many of them, one of the best days of their lives, and I think it was the same for me,” said Slot.

    “The way the whole day went, arriving at the stadium, how intense the fans already were, then during the game going 1-0 behind, so it even felt like, ‘Oh, they’re not going to give it to us, we have to work for it’.

    “Scoring the goals, seeing how much it meant to the players but also to the fans, for me, was really special to be part of.”

    Liverpool travel to face fifth-placed Chelsea on Sunday before taking on Arsenal, Brighton and Crystal Palace in their remaining games.

    “It’s nice that we play some very strong teams with Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Palace, so that gives immediate challenge to those games,” said Slot, 46.

    “It’s the end of the season but we also have to look at this as the start of next season already.”

    The Dutchman said he was surprised by the 22-point between his side and Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, whom he felt were the better team when they met in October, even though Liverpool won 2-1.

    “We found a way to win, and that is a quality that we didn’t need a lot, because mostly we were the better team on the pitch,” he said.

    “But in that game we had to suffer more than any other game, maybe. So to be so many points ahead of them is a big compliment for everyone here at this club.”

    The former Feyenoord boss said he would rotate in the final games of the season.

    “Some of them deserve to play already earlier this season because they’ve trained so well,” he said. “They are good enough to play for this club but I mainly chose the same players.

    “And I think this is also a moment to see where they are, also looking towards next season maybe a bit already. But definitely also because they deserve to play this season.”

    Slot said Liverpool’s Premier League triumph would be a boost in terms of recruitment.

    “Winning the league, having these fans, I think this is a big attraction to every player we want to bring in, and that’s definitely helpful,” he said.

    Captain Virgil van Dijk and top-scorer Mohamed Salah have recently signed new contracts to stay at the Liverpool but Slot said there was no update on Trent Alexander-Arnold, who continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

  • Mahrez aims to land first Asian Champions League for Al Ahli

    Mahrez aims to land first Asian Champions League for Al Ahli

    Riyad Mahrez has vowed Al Ahli will “fight for every second” to deliver a first Asian Champions League trophy for the Saudi club, when they contest the final against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

    Al Ahli, effectively the home team since the final stages have taken place in Jeddah, are competing in the showpiece for a second time in the Champions League era having lost to South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai in 2012.

    However, they remain unbeaten in this season’s competition.

    Speaking on Friday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Mahrez said Al Ahli are aware of the expectations surrounding the club, especially given that they will enjoy a raucous backing at their home stadium.

    “Of course, we feel everything around the final,” the former Manchester City player said. “You can take the positive of this fervour, all these people behind us.

    “The positive is to motivate you to give everything for all these fans who deserve it and never won the Champions League. And we want to achieve something as a team as well with everyone who is working in the club who deserve this.

    “That’s why we’re going to fight for everything, every minute, every second of the game, to lift the trophy.”

    Mahrez, a Champions League winner in Europe with City in 2023, leads the tournament in assists, with eight, while a goal in the final would draw him level at the top of the scoring charts on 10.

    The Algerian is hugely decorated having also won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with his country.

    “This is a trophy, but in another continent, in Asia,” Mahrez said. “I’ve been lucky enough to play in teams that won a lot of trophies with big players, but when you play any trophy, any cup, it’s always exciting.

    “I’m really looking forward to it. I really want to win a trophy with this team, with this club and, like I said, I will give everything tomorrow.”

  • ‘I wanted to slap him!’ – Arteta reveals reaction to Saka’s penalty miss

    ‘I wanted to slap him!’ – Arteta reveals reaction to Saka’s penalty miss

    Mikel Arteta joked he wanted to “slap” Bukayo Saka after his early penalty miss against Real Madrid but praised the winger’s quick recovery in Arsenal’s dramatic 2-1 win at the Bernabeu.

    Leading 3-0 from the first leg, Arsenal had a chance to strike early in the return leg when awarded a 13th-minute penalty. But Saka’s chipped Panenka was easily saved by Thibaut Courtois.

    “I didn’t want to die but maybe I wanted to slap him,” Arteta said.

    “He made that decision, he was bold enough to do it and he missed. I was more concerned about the emotional part. What it could do for us.”

    Saka soon made up for it, however, giving Arsenal the lead with a composed lofted finish after a pass from Mikel Merino.

    Real Madrid hit back two minutes later through Vinicius Jr, capitalizing on a William Saliba error.

    But Gabriel Martinelli sealed a memorable win in stoppage time, again assisted by Merino, sending Arsenal to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.

    “The personality he showed at his age, in the first time he played in this stadium, incredible,” Arteta added.

    Arsenal also became the first English club to win twice at the Bernabeu. They now face PSG in the semi-finals, with Barcelona or Inter Milan potentially awaiting in the final.

  • Ancelotti set to leave Real Madrid after Copa del Rey final

    Ancelotti set to leave Real Madrid after Copa del Rey final

    Carlo Ancelotti’s second spell at Real Madrid is reportedly coming to an end, with the Italian manager expected to depart in the coming weeks.

    Following Real Madrid’s recent Champions League exit at the hands of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, the pressure has mounted.

    Sources from Sky Sport UK suggest that Ancelotti’s departure is all but confirmed.

    Club president Florentino Perez is said to be planning a respectful farewell for the veteran coach, likely to take place after the Copa del Rey final on April 26.

    Meanwhile, Roma have emerged as a potential destination for Ancelotti.

    The Serie A side has been repeatedly linked with him in recent months, viewing the experienced tactician as a possible successor to Claudio Ranieri.