Juventus are firm favourites to win Champions League / Image via goal.com

Highly-eventful Champions League season has come down to four best clubs vying for the coveted big-eared trophy.

The semi-final ties will see , whereas the other half of the draw has pitted Madrid rivals Real and Atletico against each other in the replay of last season’s final showpiece.

And although the world is expected to focus all of the attention on La Liga derby in Europe’s elite club competition, it is the other clash that has been drawing most of attention. Rightfully so, we might add, as it is a duel of two great contrasts – of teams who both dazzled throughout the season with their formidable exploits.

AS Monaco’s explosive feats have been well-documented and talk…

Salomon Kalou has opted to remain at Hertha Berlin after signing a new contract with the Bundesliga club.

The former Chelsea forward s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but Kalou has decided to pen fresh terms and extend his spell in Germany.

Hertha did not reveal the exact length of the new agreement when they announced it on Wednesday.

I feel very comfortable in Berlin and I still have plenty that I want to achieve with Hertha, said Kalou. 

I would like to help the team continue to progress as it has in the last few years.

has today signed a contract extension with Hertha!

— Hertha BSC English (@HerthaBSC_EN)

The 31-year-old signed from Lille in 2014 and has been a regular throughout his time wit…

Mitchell Duke s departure from Western Sydney Wanderers was confirmed as the forward reportedly nears a move to Saudi Arabia.

Duke, 29, has been linked with a switch to Al-Taawoun after a season and a half with the Wanderers.

The six-time Australia international, who was made captain ahead of 2019-20, scored 18 goals in 37 games for the Wanderers.

Duke s exit from Western Sydney was confirmed on Thursday despite the A-League club saying they put forward a substantial offer .

The offer from the Wanderers made it very difficult for me to make this decision, but I have been presented an amazing opportunity in Asia that is in the best interests of my family and it is one that I couldn t turn down, Duke said.

I will never forget my time here at the W…

Walking a Tightrope

One could argue that Hazard was laying foundations for a possible January exit if things did not work out under Maurizio Sarri as any self-respecting professional would. Eden Hazard would have only been taking care of his personal career without disrupting the fantastic relationship he’s enjoyed with Chelsea thus far.

“I am very happy with this club, with the team, my family is happy here. I love the fans – I think the fans love me,” Eden Hazard said.

Be it as it may that Eden was only keeping all of his options open by refusing to commit to Chelsea and by casting admiring glances toward Real Madrid, there is not a single Chelsea fan who could claim Eden Hazard did not give his absolute best after a frustrating season under Antonio Conte.

…

(GSM) Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb earned a somewhat surprising 2-0 win over Villarreal in UEFA Europa League Group D on Thursday, while Club Brugge and PAOK held each other to a 1-1 draw.

Ante Rukavina put Dinamo in the lead after 18 minutes in the Croatian capital, after which Villarreal began a desperate hunt for an equaliser.

That task was made practically impossible for the Spaniards when Euro 2008 winner Marcos Senna received his second yellow card in the 74th minute.

And another six minutes, Dinamo secured the victory as Brazilian midfielder Jorge Sammir added a second goal, 2-0.

After a goalless hour at Club Brugge versus Greek side PAOK, the Belgians finally broke the deadlock through Dorge Kouemaha.

It would not be enough for three point…

(GSM) Milan star Robinho has said that he wants to score against his former employers Real Madrid when the two most successful sides in the Champions League meet on Tuesday.

The Brazil international left Santiago Bernabéu in 2008 to join Manchester City for £32.5 million but now plies his trade in Milan after two unsuccessful years in England.

Despite admitting he would love to hit the back of the net against Jose Mourinho s men, the Brazilian was quick to show he is a team player first and foremost.

I would love to score a goal in the Champions League against Real Madrid, he told Marca. But it s not important for me to score, as long as we can win. I want to score important goals, but also give my assistance to the team.

If we can win at the Bernab…

FC Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and new signing Ivan Rakitic have praised Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after the controversial figure apologised for biting Italy s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

Suarez, a reported transfer target for Barcelona, has been banned from all football-related activities for four months and will be unable to represent Uruguay for nine competitive international matches. He has also been handed an €80,000 fine.

After initially denying biting Chiellini, Suarez released the following statement via Twitter: After several days being home with my family. I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect on the reality of what occurred on during the Italy-Uruguay match.

Independent from the fall…

Joe Ledley scored against his former club Cardiff City to plunge them into relegation danger as Crystal Palace secured a crucial 3-0 win.

Jason Puncheon also scored twice at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday as Tony Pulis side gave their Premier League survival hopes a huge boost.

With only five points separating the two sides heading into the game, Pulis had insisted his side would do Cardiff no favours, despite the Welshman having watched the club during his youth.

His words certainly bore truth in a spirited first half as a fierce drive from Puncheon saw Palace lead 1-0 at the break.

The hosts pushed for a leveller in the second half, but they were caught out when Marouane Chamakh – returning from a month-long hamstring lay-off – saw a header parried in…

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc dismissed claims Manchester City have a buy-back option on Jadon Sancho, insisting they only have a matching right .

Sancho has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence in the Bundesliga since joining Dortmund in August 2017, with his form this season earning him his first call-up to the senior England team.

City were unable to convince Sancho to sign a new lucrative contract and allowed him to depart in a reported £8million deal, with the winger then going on to make 12 Bundesliga appearances in his first campaign.

Although often used as a substitute this term, Sancho has already featured 11 times in the league and been instrumental – scoring four and setting up six goals – in Dortmund sensational start to the seas…

Chelsea have agreed deals in principle for Cagliari s Nicolo Barella and Zenit s Leandro Paredes, according to .

Barella is a highly talented 21-year-old box-to-box midfielder. A tireless runner with a fine ability to pick a pass, he will certainly have a part to play in Maurizio Sarri s team next to the likes of Jorginho, Ross Barkley, N Golo Kante and Mateo Kovačić. He should fit well into the squad space left open by the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Monaco.

Chelsea s middle section will be further strengthened by the presence of 24-year-old Paredes. The Argentina international is a highly versatile midfielder, capable of sitting deep in front of the back four, running from box to box or playing just behind the striker.

Having completed the Fabregas deal, M…