In what was a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Napoli and Barcelona were forced to settle for a first-leg 1-1 stalemate at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
While Xavi’s side might have failed to find a first-half breakthrough on foreign soil, the Spanish giants eventually took a deserved lead on the hour mark as Robert Lewandowski produced a slick finish.
However, while Barca might have dominated large spells prior to the half-time break, the Catalonia icons missed out on what they had billed as a potential opportunity away from the Nou Camp.
With attacking talisman Victor Osimhen bagging a first goal of 2024 and salvaging Napoli a late equaliser in what was Francesco Calzona’s first game in charge, both camps will feel that they …
Hoffenheim goalkeeper Koen Casteels has undergone a successful operation on his broken leg.
The Belgian, who is set to miss the remainder of the season and the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, was forced off on a stretcher during his side s 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Hertha Berlin on Sunday after colliding with opposition striker Adrian Ramos.
The club confirmed the 21-year-old had suffered a broken tibia on their Twitter account on Sunday, and have now offered an update on his condition.
According to the doctors, the almost two-hour long procedure went without complications, read a statement on the club s website on Monday. It is expected on Wednesday Casteels will leave the Berlin clinic and can start after having first light rehab exercises in the TSG training centre in Zuze…
Ezequiel Garay has stressed that he is happy at Benfica but is unsure whether he will remain at the club beyond the end of the season.
The Argentina defender has long since been linked with a move away from the newly crowned Primeira Liga champions, who he joined from Real Madrid in 2011.
Premier League side Manchester United are among the teams said to be interested in the 27-year-old s services as a result of his impressive campaign.
Benfica secured a 33rd Portuguese title with a 2-0 win over Olhanense, but Garay gave no assurances over his future with the Lisbon outfit after the game.
I don t know, we ll see, Garay told A Bola when asked if he will stay at Benfica.
My wife and I are very happy here and I hope to stay more years.
Garay has made 37 …
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…