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Category: Football

  • Nottingham Forest still in control of Champions League chase – Coach

    Nottingham Forest still in control of Champions League chase – Coach

    Nuno Espirito Santo says Nottingham Forest’s Champions League qualification bid is still “in our hands” despite back to back Premier League defeats.

    Losses to Aston Villa and Everton over the past two weeks have allowed Newcastle to leapfrog Forest into third place with just six games to go — four points behind second-placed Arsenal.

    Just five points separate Newcastle (59) from Villa, in seventh spot.

    Newcastle, Manchester City and Villa are all hitting form as they chase a top-five finish that would guarantee qualification for Europe’s elite club competition next season, with Chelsea also in the mix.

    Two-time European champions Forest could be sixth in the table by the time they play at Tottenham on Monday.

    Nuno, whose side has occupied a top-four spot since November, said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday that his men would not go quietly.

    “Nothing has changed since last week — it is up to us, it’s in our hands, we can’t control other teams, we can’t control the results,” he said.

    “We have to focus, and it’s about improvement. Now it’s about reacting and improving.

    “The expectation around us started the moment we were able to perform and get results.

    “We embrace the challenges, we are not stepping back. We are stepping in. We want to embrace it. We want to try and get it.”

    Forest have not played in Europe’s elite competition since the 1980/81 season, when they were two-time defending champions under former manager Brian Clough.

    Liverpool are on the brink of winning a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

  • Virgil van Dijk signs new two-year deal with Liverpool

    Virgil van Dijk signs new two-year deal with Liverpool

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to the Premier League club by signing a new two-year contract on Thursday.

    The Dutch centre-back follows Mohamed Salah in ending months of speculation by extending his stay at Anfield.

  • Commonwealth Games official’s ‘uncomfortable behaviour’ with volunteer

    Commonwealth Games official’s ‘uncomfortable behaviour’ with volunteer

    A “prominent” Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) official has been found to have breached its ethics code after a claim that they “spent an inordinate amount of time with a volunteer of the opposite sex” at a social event related to CGF business.

    In a decision published on the CGF’s website, the chair of an ethics commission panel states that the unnamed individual admitted allegations that they “failed to act with the highest standards of integrity”.

    The official – referred to only as ‘AB’ – is also said to have accepted acting “in such a way as to give the appearance of impropriety [and] to have the potential to bring the Commonwealth Games into disrepute”.

    As a result, it has been decided that, the reprimanded individual must be accompanied or met by a safeguarding officer, law enforcement official or a senior CGF figure when travelling overseas on CGF business, and undergo training “to further educate [them] in ethical conduct”.

    What’s the background?

    The CGF revealed that in October 2024, a senior CGF figure received a report that ‘AB’ “may not have acted with the appropriate level of ethical conduct whilst performing a CGF related role”.

    An investigation was then conducted by an unnamed London-based lawyer, referred to in the published decision as ‘CD’, who acted as an ethics officer in the case, and charged the official in February.

    Their report “included a summary and analysis of a first-person witness to the alleged unethical conduct”.

    “The report documents that AB, while at a social event related to CGF business, spent an inordinate amount of time with a volunteer of the opposite sex,” the CGF added.

    “The first-person witnesses were uncomfortable with AB’s behaviour…It is clear these witnesses had concerns about the potential to bring the CGF and/or CGF Officials into disrepute, to the extent that they took photographs of AB with the volunteer.”

    The ethics commission chair noted that the official insisted “nothing inappropriate happened at the event”, and “states that they have agreed to the allegations and acceded to the proposed sanction to allow the Ethics Commission to hear the matter with a chair as a single person panel”.

    However, the chair also concluded that “the evidence before me indicates that AB’s actions denigrated the perception of the integrity, of the potential for the appearance of impropriety, and the possibility of bringing the image of the Commonwealth Games into disrepute”.

    The chair added: “The appearance of unethical conduct by a Commonwealth Games Federation official, which raised concerns by others who were present is like the proverb, ‘Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion’. Not only do Commonwealth Games Federation officials need to have integrity; they need to be examples of integrity and ethical conduct and avoid negative scrutiny or attention.”

    ‘Highly inappropriate’

    In an intriguing twist, the panel chair also claimed that the lawyer acted inappropriately by proposing modified sanctions in March after the charges were initially delivered, giving the official “opinions or advice that goes well beyond the Ethics Officer role of providing information”.

    “I have further determined that CD has, in effect, conducted what would be characterised as plea bargaining with AB, after AB had received the Notice of Charge” said the chair. “I find this to be highly inappropriate.

    “CD should not have made any modifications to the charges or the sanctions, as that is in the sole purview of the Ethic Commission at a hearing, and only after a hearing is requested by the covered person.”

    ‘Reputational risk’

    The chair also revealed that they rejected a suggestion by the reprimanded official to not publicly disclose the outcome of the case, stating that “not disclosing the decision could create a reputational risk for the CGF and possibly subject it to allegations of cover up.”

    However, the chair said that they have chosen not to reveal the individual’s identity because based on the investigation, “no harm was done to any person, there does not appear to be any risk of harm towards any person or persons”.

    They also noted that “AB is not the subject of a provisional or sanctioned suspension or expulsion where their identity must be provided in order to ensure compliance; and that the sanctions proposed by CD and accepted by AB are on the less severe end of sanctions spectrum”.

    It is also noted that the decision “shall be posted on the Commonwealth Games Website under the relevant section concerning the Ethics Commission, and shall not be posted on the ‘News’ feed. The decision will be posted for a period of 28 days only”.

    The CGF has declined to comment further on the matter.

  • ‘I’m joining the petition’ – Murphy in England frame?

    ‘I’m joining the petition’ – Murphy in England frame?

    If there is a petition to add Jacob Murphy to the England squad, his Newcastle team-mate Harvey Barnes wants to sign it.

    Winger Murphy scored one goal and assisted another as his side thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 to move up to third in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

    The 30-year-old’s 19 goal involvements this season are as many as in his past three campaigns combined.

    And, over his past five matches, Murphy has netted three goals, four assists and lifted the Carabao Cup.

    On Sunday, England manager Thomas Tuchel was watching as uncapped Murphy tore Manchester United apart.

    Murphy does have a few England youth caps, but so far the man who was born in Wembley, London has never received a senior England call-up.

    “He’s playing unbelievable,” said Newcastle winger Barnes.

    “He’s such a character in the changing room and deserves everything he’s getting. I’m joining the petition [to get him in the England squad].”

    ‘I did mean it, yeah’ – Murphy on opener

    It is quite odd for a player to have a breakthrough season aged 30, but that is exactly what is happening with Murphy, who did not start more than 17 Premier League matches in a single season until this campaign.

    Boyhood Toon fan Murphy joined the club from Norwich in 2017.

    For seven years he was on the fringes of the Newcastle squad, and had been loaned out to West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.

    But, this season, he has become a star – and a big reason is down to his connection with Alexander Isak.

    Only Mohamed Salah (18) has more assists than Murphy’s 11 in the Premier League this season.

    Seven of those assists have been for Newcastle striker Isak.

    If he sets him up three more times the pair will break a Premier League record.

    Murphy did not assist Isak on Wednesday night, but it was only because of the Swede’s poor finishing.

    In the first five minutes Murphy twice reached the byeline and put in deliciously dangerous crosses which Isak was unable to turn in.

    It was Murphy who did open the scoring, beating goalkeeper Dean Henderson for power with a shot which some may say suspiciously looked like a cross.

    “I did mean it, yeah,” Murphy told Sky Sports. “When the juice is flowing, you’ve just got to hit it.

    “The defender’s come out so it was going to be hard to get it through him so I thought ‘ah, just shoot here’. Lovely.”

    Murphy’s ball in for Fabian Schar at the end of the first half got the finish it deserved when the Newcastle defender glanced a header into the far corner to make it 4-0.

    Murphy had a goal, an assist and a whole host of other chances created all before half-time.

    It means, of all the English players in the Premier League this season, only Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins have more goal involvements than Murphy.

    Or, put another way, Murphy has a higher combined goals and assists total this term than Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze and Dominic Solanke – who were all in the last England squad.

  • Now or never for Postecoglou to save Spurs’ season – and his job?

    Now or never for Postecoglou to save Spurs’ season – and his job?

    Is it now or never for Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou?

    His side are 15th in the Premier League, out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and their one hope of a trophy – and final chance at redeeming a disappointing season – is through winning the Europa League.

    Tottenham visit Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday in the quarter-finals having drawn their first leg 1-1 at home.

    Even Postecoglou has admitted he is in the dark over whether he will remain as the club’s head coach beyond the end of the season.

    “No, no idea,” he said on Wednesday. “We have a game tomorrow night, but it’s not something I need to think about. I’ve never thought about those things in terms of what is important.

    “What is important is the game that’s a massive opportunity for this group of players and this football club to get closer to achieving what everyone wants to achieve.”

    So can Tottenham end their 17-year trophy drought? And even if they do, will under-pressure Postecoglou still survive the chop?

    ‘Fans would get back on board with Europa win’

    “It’s Europa League or bust and the competition seems wide open,” former Blackburn and Celtic striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport.

    “It looks winnable for all the teams that are left in it, and that’s why you can’t rule Tottenham out.”

    Tottenham haven’t won a trophy since lifting the League Cup in 2008.

    Postecoglou is in his second season at the club, and in September, he said: “I always win things in my second year.”

    Right now, his record looks to be in serious danger.

    But if you rewind to the start of this campaign, hopes of success under Postecoglou didn’t seem too outlandish.

    The Australian had led Tottenham to a fifth-placed finish last season where, in moments, his side looked brilliant.

    They were five points clear at the top of the league 10 games into the 2023-24 campaign, with Postecoglou named the Premier League’s manager of the month in August, September and October.

    Then, in November, came the injuries and suspensions. Inconsistency surfaced: Tottenham finished the season with five defeats from seven games.

    It was also around this time a smattering of fans started to voice their frustration with Ange-ball and Postecoglou’s lack of tactical plan B.

    Those cries have since got louder, with Spurs set for their worst league campaign since 2003-04, when they finished 14th. They haven’t ended a weekend in the top half of the table since November.

    After needing extra time to beat non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup, they were then knocked out in the fourth round at Aston Villa.

    They reached the EFL Cup semi-finals, where they beat Liverpool in the first leg but crumbled in the Anfield return for a 4-1 aggregate loss.

    The Europa League is now their last chance of salvation. Without the trophy and a place in the Champions League next season, Postecoglou may find it

    “He has his way of playing,” added Sutton. “Last season there was great excitement, this season it hasn’t worked.

    “They have had a lot of injuries, of course. He always had this argument of ‘we’ll be all right once my best players are back’ and people understood that, albeit every team has to cope with injuries, but the fact he has now got them all back and is still losing games, that does not help him.”

    “If he did win the Europa League, the fans would come back on board,” former England midfielder Danny Murphy said. “Ange would get that connection back, because success gives you that wonderful feeling as a whole club.

    “But if they go out of the Europa League with a whimper, I think it’s too big a U-turn for Ange to get the fans back.”

    Opta’s super computer gives Tottenham a 32.5% chance of winning their quarter-final return in Frankfurt.

    Eintracht, third in the Bundesliga table, won the competition three years ago and smashed Eredivisie leaders Ajax 6-2 in the last round of the competition.

    Whoever advances will face either Bodo/Glimt or Lazio for a place in the final.

    ‘You can’t be one-dimensional as a manager anymore’

    It’s no secret Tottenham’s team has been decimated by injuries this season.

    Of the 23 outfielders who have started in the league, only Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and January loanee Mathys Tel haven’t been sidelined for at least one match.

    Postecoglou hasn’t been able to pick his best XI once this season.

    The manager’s tactics may be blamed for that, though, as Spurs’ high-pressing style means they lead the league in total sprints and presses in the final third.

    They also lead the league in hamstring injuries, an injury associated with players being overworked.

    Meanwhile, Daniel Levy – chairman since 2001 – has become an increasingly unpopular figure for a perceived lack of investment to strengthen the squad.

    Spurs have won just the one trophy under his watch, the 2008 League Cup, and sold all-time top scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in 2023.

    Five of Tottenham’s past eight signings have been teenagers.

    “I think ultimately the question is should Tottenham be doing much better with the squad that they have got – and the answer is yes,” Murphy told BBC Sport.

    “They have lost too many games and their performances haven’t been good enough. They have conceded too many goals, and been beaten by teams they should not be losing to, with the players they have got.

    “You can’t be one-dimensional as a manager any more. You’ve got to win games differently at different stages of the season, based on the players you have got available, their fatigue levels and the opposition.”

  • Santos’ Neymar leaves pitch in tears after injury

    Santos’ Neymar leaves pitch in tears after injury

    Santos forward Neymar left the field in tears after injuring his leg just 34 minutes into his first start in the Brazilian Serie A Championship this season.

    The 33-year-old, who returned from six weeks out with a thigh injury against Fluminense on Sunday, was handed a start against Atletico-MG on Wednesday.

    The former Barcelona forward was wearing a special number 100 shirt to commemorate his 100th appearances at Santos’ Vila Belmiro stadium.

    But, after gesturing towards the bench following Alvaro Barreal’s goal to put the home side 2-0 up, Neymar sat on the field to await medical attention.

    It was quickly decided that he could not continue and a clearly-emotional Neymar was taken off the field on a buggy, holding the left-thigh area that had kept him out for the previous six weeks.

    Neymar was consoled by his own team-mates, as well as former Brazil team-mate and Atletico-MG forward Hulk.

    “It’s still too early to give any definitive answer, we don’t have a diagnosis yet,” said Santos coach Cesar Sampaio.

    “Now we really have to pray that it’s not something that will keep him out for a long time.”

    The former Paris St-Germain forward has made eight appearances for Santos and scored three goals since returning to the club from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

    Neymar, Brazil’s record scorer, has not played for the national side since October 2023 – when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

    The forward was named in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia but was forced to withdraw following injury.

  • A fluffed Panenka, controversy & ‘statement win’ for Arsenal

    A fluffed Panenka, controversy & ‘statement win’ for Arsenal

    It was a night Arsenal fans will never forget.

    A dramatic 2-1 win against Real Madrid in a hostile Bernabeu secured the Gunners just a third Champions League semi-final – and a first since 2009 – after an impressive first-leg 3-0 win.

    Bukayo Saka’s saved early Panenka penalty and Kylian Mbappe’s overruled spot-kick ensured the Gunners’ progress wasn’t without incident – but it was ultimately a win that will send a message to the rest of Europe.

    Saka made up for his indiscretion with a second-half opener and, despite William Saliba gifting Vinicius Junior an equaliser soon after, the Gunners never looked in trouble as Paris St-Germain await, with Gabriel Martinelli securing the win late on.

    “One of the best nights in my football career,” said manager Mikel Arteta.

    “We played against a team with the biggest history. It has been an inspiration for all of us on this competition.

    “The history we have in this competition is so short. The third time in our history of what we have just done and we have to build on that.

    “And now we have to continue to do that because I think we have some momentum now.”

    Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, speaking to BBC Sport, said: “Mentally, these Arsenal players are ready for the big time now.

    “What a statement result and performance by Arsenal.”

    ‘Arsenal’s aura is Arteta’

    There were impressive Arsenal performances throughout over the two legs, with Myles Lewis-Skelly defying his 18 years of age and Saka impressing again, but the standout was England midfielder Declan Rice.

    Following on from his two stunning free-kicks in the first leg, Rice was everywhere in Spain, defending resolutely and looking a threat going forward as he dominated Real’s superstars.

    The hosts did not have a shot on target before the 55th minute as Arsenal made a mockery of Real’s star-studded squad and their tag as tournament favourites.

    Not bad for a team without a recognised striker, with injuries to key players like Kai Havertz, Gabriel, and Gabriel Jesus and with makeshift striker Mikel Merino playing as a false nine.

    Arteta’s preparations for the tie were meticulous, including asking advice on the phone from his former Man City boss Pep Guardiola and testing his players in stressful situations in training.

    Arteta, said: “I called him (Guardiola) this morning because I am here thanks to him. As a player and a coach he has been an inspiration to me. I had four amazing years with him, and I will always be grateful to him.”

    “Mikel Arteta has built this Arsenal team from his mind and his connections with each individual talent in that team, and he’s built them to be one mind,” said Walcott.

    “When I say one mind, I mean he’s so serious and some people say he’s too serious, but everyone’s on the same path as him. And that’s why I think their aura is him.

    “That’s the difference about Arsenal, they don’t have the players with the big egos. They’re a team and I think Arteta takes it away from the team. I think its a good thing.”

    A tale of two penalties & Saka’s redemption

    Saka will be one relieved man after passing up the chance to extend Arsenal’s three-goal lead early on – seeing his Panenka penalty clawed away by Thibaut Courtois.

    The Real goalkeeper celebrated with a wild home crowd as Saka was left to ponder his choice of penalty.

    “It can happen,” he said. “I tried something, but it didn’t work. I was confident I was going to score tonight.

    “I learn in every moment. Tonight, I am more focused on enjoying the win and then I will review it properly.”

    While Arteta joked: “I would have liked to slap him. But the player has to make the decision, and he was bold enough to do it.

    “That could have been a turning point emotionally in the game because it gave them a lot of belief. But then the way he handled the situation, and the way he played afterwards was incredible.”

    Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I just can’t believe the selection of penalty here from Bukayo Saka. I am so surprised. It’s such a bad penalty.”

    Walcott added: “This man [Bukayo Saka] typified it from start to finish because he had a night where it could’ve gone the other way for him but, for me, he is such a resilient character in that dressing room.”

    Mbappe had already had a early goal ruled out for offside before Saka’s moment to forget, and the France striker was then involved in a moment of controversy that was to prove key.

    When he went down in the penalty area under the challenge of Rice, it looked as though Real had been handed a route back into the game when referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot.

    A five-minute delay followed before the decision was overturned after a video assistant referee review.

    “He has his arm round the inside of him and Kylian Mbappe has thrown himself to the floor. That is embarrassing,” said Upson.

    Saka, who was involved in a half-time bust-up with injured Real defender Danny Carvajal, then dinked home to give Arsenal the lead on the night and – despite Vinicius’ equaliser – the visitors never looked like losing control.

    The one blot on an otherwise memorable night for Arsenal was a booking for midfielder Thomas Partey, meaning he will miss the first leg of the semi-final.

    Arteta’s tenure has been a ‘rollercoaster’

    It hasn’t been an easy season for Arteta to say the least.

    In his five years at the club, he has helped Arsenal recover from mediocrity to become consistent challengers at the top of the game but – with just the 2020 FA Cup to his name – frustration has been growing in some quarters.

    Having to settle for second place again in the Premier League and going out of the FA Cup has started to test the patience for some supporters – even though other sections say injuries to players – plus the obvious lack of a striker have been a mitigating factor.

    The manner of this victory over Real should help to win over some doubters though as Arteta’s Arsenal again show their new-found big-game mentality.

    Over the past two years, Arsenal are unbeaten against the Premier League’s traditional big six in the league, winning 12 and drawing eight – a remarkable turnaround from an side who had previously performed atrociously against these teams.

    Between 2017 and 2023, Arsenal lost by three or more goals to just Liverpool and Man City nine times in the Premier League alone. But, as shown in their European run this season, this fear has disappeared.

    ‘PSG can beat anyone’

    So can Arsenal beat PSG and make their second Champions League final?

    The Gunners have the second-best defensive record in the competition, conceding just seven goals in 12 matches, while going forward only five teams have scored more.

    Standing in their way though are a youthful, vibrant PSG side, who many are tipping to win their first European crown.

    Julien Laurens, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Over 90 minutes, 120 minutes, I really believe PSG can beat anyone because they have that style of football, the intensity, the energy, the youth, they’ve got so much talent.

    “The two full-backs in Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, I think you can look at the Arsenal full-backs, Inter Milan full-backs, Barcelona, I just think they don’t have better full-backs in Europe right now.

    “And when you’ve got the midfield three that PSG have plus Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and [Bradley] Barcola and when [goalkeeper Gianluigi] Donnarumma is on his game, then you have a huge chance of course.”

    Arsenal though will take confidence from PSG’s second-half second-leg collapse at Aston Villa on Tuesday night, where Luis Enrique’s young side appeared to crumble against heavy pressure.

    The Gunners also comfortably beat PSG 2-0 in October, although Laurens says the French champions are now a different side.

    He said: “I think Arsenal are so good without the ball, they are so good defensively.

    “I know they’ve conceded goals lately but they’re still so strong and this is kind of more maybe than a team that attack you and play the similar style that PSG play, this is where they could be undone.”

    ‘For us to be here, it’s credit to the manager’

    Arsenal fans outside the Bernabeu on Wednesday night were in a buoyant mood.

    One supporter, Akkani, told BBC Sport: “Arteta’s tenure in general has been a rollercoaster. Now we are in our best moment. Given the context of our season, the adversity we have gone through. The ups and downs. It has been a great season.

    “It’s been the most beneficial season in our recent history. This season more than ever he has had to earn his stripes. He has exceeded all expectations. For us to be here, nobody expected it. For us to be here with this group of players, it’s credit to the manager.”

    Fellow Gunners fan Tyler, added: “I think from day one we had a depleted squad that wasn’t where we should be historically if you look at an Arsenal side.

    “He has done very well to get us to where we are now, everyone reading off the same hymn sheet. It’s exciting. The season hasn’t panned out how we expected.

    “With the tools we have, he has done very well and probably exceeded expectations. It will be a fantastic achievement for us to reach a semi-final and maybe a second final in our history.”

  • ‘The message will be clear – it’s time for Ancelotti to move on’

    ‘The message will be clear – it’s time for Ancelotti to move on’

    In the build-up to Wednesday’s night Champions League quarter-final tie at the Bernabeu against Arsenal, it felt like there was only one word on every Real Madrid fan’s mind – remontada.

    That is Spanish for comeback, and while Real Madrid sides of the past have produced stirring fightbacks from difficult positions to triumph, that never looked likely with this current team.

    Real were 3-0 down from a disappointing first-leg display at Emirates Stadium but, bar a brief moment of belief when Vinicius Jr cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s second-half opener within two minutes, the holders never threatened to overturn the deficit.

    It was Arsenal instead who fashioned a success to become the only side to win their first two games against Real at the Bernabeu. Gabriel Martinelli struck in stoppage time to secure a stunning 2-1 victory and 5-1 success on aggregate.

    It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

    When the Spanish giants signed Kylian Mbappe in the summer after his contract expired at Paris St-Germain, a lot of people were wondering how this Madrid team full of superstars could be stopped. Many pundits suggested they couldn’t., external

    But after losing their European crown following the limp exit to Arsenal and facing a big fight to defend their La Liga title with Barcelona four points clear in top spot, Real’s season is already being seen as a failure.

    “This Real Madrid team is not at the level that these supporters expect,” former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson told BBC Radio 5 live.

    “That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some changes at some point.”

    Ancelotti’s future has been a subject of discussion in Spain for the majority of the season.

    The 65-year-old has won 11 trophies in his second stint, including two league titles, two Champions Leagues and the Fifa Club World Cup.

    Ancelotti is contracted until 2026 and – linked with the vacant Brazil job – has previously said he will discuss his future in the summer.

    Asked if he would still be in charge by the time the Club World Cup begins in June, Ancelotti said: “I can’t speak about this right now.

    “It could be that the club decide to change [coach]. It could be this year – or the next when my contract expires, there’s no problem.

    “It could be tomorrow, in 10 days, in a month or a year, but all I can do will be to thank the club – if my contract’s up or not, I don’t care.”

    Ancelotti’s managerial record is impressive and deserves respect, having won 20 major trophies, including five Champions Leagues, with two of them at AC Milan.

    But, with Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso linked with a return,, external the club’s hierarchy could decide now is the time to make the change.

    “He won’t be there next season,” French football journalist Julien Laurens said on BBC Match of the Day.

    “This was an embarrassment for Real Madrid. To lose 5-1 against a very good Arsenal team, but you still are the reigning champions and have some of the best players in the world.”

    Balague added: “Ancelotti thrives in environments with quality players who don’t need to be over-coached.

    “His job, in many ways, has been to keep the dressing room harmonious, egos balanced, and the belief high that Real Madrid can win any game, simply because they are Real Madrid. And that worked, to a point.

    “But this season has highlighted the limits of that approach. Madrid have run less than their opponents in key games, while the second tier of talent – Arda Guler, Brahim Díaz and even Endrick when available – have been underused.

    “The load has fallen on a core group that now looks physically and mentally exhausted.”

    How do Real Madrid rebuild?

    The post-mortem has already begun and, as Real Madrid face up the prospect of not being in the Champions League semi-finals for just the third time in 12 seasons, Carlo Ancelotti knows the questions about him and his players won’t be going away anytime soon.

    “We have the dark side and we have the bright side,” said the Italian, who took charge of Real for a second spell in 2021 and has won the Champions League three times with the club.

    “We have managed the bright side many times, we have won titles, we have won games. We have been eliminated [from the Champions League but] we have three more competitions we need to stay focused for.”

    Spanish football expert Guillem Balague added: “Real Madrid stand at the crossroads. They have a squad in need of refreshing.

    “The defeat to Arsenal hasn’t caused a reset, it has simply confirmed the need for it. For Ancelotti the message will be clear – it’s time to move on.”

    Many would argue the summer dismissal of Ancelotti would be an overreaction.

    After all, the Spaniards are still in with a shout of defending their La Liga title and have a Copa Del Rey final looming against Barcelona.

    But after winning a 15th Champions League and La Liga last season, there’s no hiding the fact this one has been disappointing so far.

    They have lost 11 games in all competitions, while their performance in both legs against Arsenal were alarming.

    They were a distant second best in the first leg and, while their fans did their part in the return with plenty of noise at the Bernabeu, the players failed to do theirs.

    Real did not manage a shot on target until 10 minutes into the second half, while their leveller came about after an uncharacteristic mistake by William Saliba.

    “There was no plan tactically, it was an absolute mess,” Laurens added.

    “They have to change, they have to change their policy and their manager.”

    Balague admitted: “The warning signs have been there for months.

    “Their Champions League elimination at the hands of Arsenal feels like a reckoning, the culmination of a season where, despite results, things have often looked off.

    “Every match has been a grind. This Real Madrid side has looked like a team running on fumes.”

    Change has already started for next season.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to arrive from Liverpool in the summer, while there could be some high-profile exits to follow.

    “They need to make big calls now,” said Laurens. “Do you keep Vinicius Jr? What do you do with Rodrygo. It just cannot continue because that front four cannot work together.”

    Balague also believed the squad needed a significant refresh to get the club back to where they want to be.

    He said: “This is a squad that needs new energy. Toni Kroos has never truly been replaced, the midfield lacks control. While Luka Modric remains a legend, the need for someone who can control the tempo without being 39 years old is obvious.

    “The club has to face hard decisions this summer. Modric and Lucas Vázquez [contracts] may not be renewed. David Alaba, if a good offer comes in, could be allowed to leave.”

    Real Madrid have some big decisions to make in the coming months as they look to ensure they are quickly battling for Champions League titles once again.

  • ‘No problem’ if Real Madrid replace me – Ancelotti

    ‘No problem’ if Real Madrid replace me – Ancelotti

    Carlo Ancelotti accepted Real Madrid may look to replace him as coach after Arsenal knocked out the Champions League holders in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

    The Italian oversaw a 2-1 home defeat with the Gunners progressing 5-1 on aggregate to the semi-finals.

    Real Madrid suffered their 12th defeat of the season, by contrast to just two across the whole of the previous campaign.

    “It could be that the club decide to change (coach), it could be this year — or the next when my contract expires, there’s no problem,” Ancelotti told reporters.

    “The day that I leave here I can only thank the club.

    “It could be tomorrow, in 10 days, in a month or a year, but all I can do will be to thank the club — if my contract’s up or not, I don’t care.”

    Madrid have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, who played for Los Blancos, and former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

    Ancelotti said his team were still in the fight for La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup this summer.

    “The team gave everything in terms of attitude, but we weren’t able to do it,” said Ancelotti after the Arsenal defeat.

    “To be honest Arsenal defended very well, we found it hard to find space, in terms of intensity we were better but it was not enough.”

  • Neymar injured just 34 minutes into Santos comeback

    Neymar injured just 34 minutes into Santos comeback

    Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has suffered another devastating injury blow just 34 minutes into his highly anticipated return for Santos in the Brasileirão.

    The setback, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, adds to a growing list of physical troubles that have marred the twilight years of his career.

    “Neymar Jr leaves the pitch with a new injury as Santos started him tonight in the Brasileirão. After 34 minutes, Neymar has been subbed off,” Romano wrote on Wednesday.

    This incident is the latest in a series of injuries that have plagued the 33-year-old, casting further doubt on his ability to return to peak form. Neymar had only recently terminated his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in January 2025, ending a short-lived stint marked by recurring injuries and limited appearances.

    Al-Hilal, which signed Neymar in August 2023 on a reported $104 million-per-year deal, released a statement thanking him for his contributions and wishing him well. The forward played just seven matches for the club, with injuries, including a ruptured cruciate ligament sustained during a Brazil World Cup qualifier in October 2023, limiting his time on the pitch.

    A further hamstring issue during his attempted comeback in late 2024 added to his woes. Al-Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus expressed concern at the time: “He can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”

    Despite mounting setbacks, Neymar remains committed to representing Brazil in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” he told CNN in January.

    Following his Al-Hilal departure, speculation swirled around a return to Santos—the club where Neymar first rose to international stardom. His appearance in the Brasileirão was meant to signal a fresh chapter in his storied career. Instead, it has reignited concerns about his long-term fitness and future in the sport.

    Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 127 appearances. Once hailed as the successor to Pelé, he starred for Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, before making a record-breaking €220 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Despite five Ligue 1 titles and a UEFA Champions League final appearance, his time in Europe was often disrupted by injuries and internal discord.