FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick claims his side will not be concerned about winning the title just yet, preferring to claim the bragging rights over rivals Real Madrid when the two teams clash on Sunday. ”When you ask the players, they want to win the El Clásico. It does not matter what effects it has on the table. The only focus is to give everything for the three points,” Flick said. The Catalan giants have dominated Los Blancos this season, beating them 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the league, 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup Final in Riyadh, and 3-2 at La Cartuja in the Copa del Rey Final. Having been dumped out of the Champions League semi-final by Inter Milan, who won 4-3 on aggregate — Barcelona will want to get back to winning ways, and what better cure for their European wounds than a fourth win over Madrid in a single season? However, despite their dominance over Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season, Flick is wary of the threat they possess, as they sit in second-place — four points behind league leaders Barcelona. “Everyone knows that in the El Clásico, you have to be at your highest level. This is what the team has to do tomorrow. I want to see our intensity and dominance on the pitch. We all know Real is a fantastic team, but we play at home. I am really appreciative of our fans, and they support us a lot,” said Flick. Barcelona were handed a boost as Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado were passed fit to play on Saturday after injury. Midfielder Casado has been missing for almost two months after a knee ligament injury, while Balde missed the last month with a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, star striker Robert Lewandowski returned from his injury to play as a substitute against Inter on Tuesday. Flick said all three players were more likely to feature on the bench than as starters. 04No. of points that separate league leaders Barca from Real Madrid This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 09:33 AM IST | Barcelona | AgenciesAhead of their clash with Premier League champions Liverpool, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta conceded that his side has regressed this season. However, he remains adamant that they will end their 21 year Premier League title drought soon. “In the Premier League we’ve done a step backwards. But with the amount of points we have generated in the last few seasons, we could have two Premier Leagues. So, we know how close [we are to winning the title],” said Arteta. Mikel Arteta “We are providing the numbers that win titles, but [we have to] still do better to make sure that nobody has a season better than us,” he added. The Spanish coach also urged his side to use the frustration of having to give Liverpool a guard of honour on Sunday as fuel to win the league next season. “Something has to drive you, motivate you. The pain [of losing the title] is a good motivation for next season,” Arteta said. He also said that Slot’s team have set a benchmark for the rest to follow. “They’ve been the best team, they’ve been the most consistent, and what Arne and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating, it’s been really good. They fully deserve it. If somebody is better, you have to accept it and try to reach that level,” he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 09:33 AM IST | London | AFPManchester City were held to a shock goalless draw by relegated Southampton on Saturday, slowing their charge for a Champions League spot. Pep Guardiola’s men were expected to waltz to three points on England’s south coast and pull level with second-placed Arsenal on 67 points. But although they dominated possession, they could not break the deadlock, despite the return to action of star striker Erling Haaland. The point for Southampton takes them to 12 for the season, meaning they have avoided the tag of being the joint-worst team in Premier League history. They are now one point clear of Derby County’s tally of 11 points which they accrued in the 2007-08 campaign. Despite the draw, third-placed City remain well-placed to finish in the Premier League top five, which would secure qualification for the Champions League next season. With two games to play, City are four points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, though their rivals all have a game in hand. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 09:33 AM IST | London | AFPRuben Amorim’s Manchester United are one match away from qualifying for next season’s Champions League after a 4-1 (7-1 agg) win over Athletic Bilbao to set up a Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils came into Thursday’s second leg at Old Trafford with a comfortable 3-0 cushion. But the 4-1 scoreline gives a misleading impression of the match as the nervy home side struggled to gain a foothold after falling behind to a superb Mikel Jauregizar strike in the 31st minute. However, Amorim’s decision to bring on attacking midfielder Mason Mount and winger Amad Diallo shortly after the hour mark changed the game. Mount, who has been a peripheral figure since joining United in 2023 due to injuries, scored the equaliser after pirouetting and shooting in one swift motion in the 72nd minute. Also Read: Critics want to ‘tear down’ our achievement: Postecoglou Ruben Amorim Veteran midfielder Casemiro then gave Amorim’s team the lead with a 79th minute header via a cross from Bruno Fernandes. Six minutes later, off-colour striker Rasmus Hojlund netted from close range following a cut-back from Diallo, who was causing mayhem down the right flank. Mount then doubled his tally for the night with a lofted shot from 30 yards out to create a party atmosphere at Old Trafford. “I think if you look at both games, it was so much tougher than if you look just at the result,” said Amorim. “We have so many weaknesses, but we are fighting and we managed to pass [through to the final]. I think we deserve it,” he added. Amorim admitted the title clash in Bilbao, on May 22, would be his biggest match so far at the club. “To win a title as a coach gives the feeling that we can do good things, the feeling to give something to our fans, especially in this kind of [turbulent] season. I’m stressed already because of the final. If we don’t do it [win the title], it means nothing,” Amorim concluded. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 May,2025 08:44 AM IST | Manchester | AFPLiverpool boss Arne Slot is optimistic of finding a replacement for the outgoing Trent Alexander-Arnold from within the club. The right-back announced on Monday he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season and is widely tipped to join Real Madrid. Also Read: IPL 2025 | "Everyone felt we should stand united as a nation": Chairman Arun Dhumal His exit leaves the Reds short of cover in his position, with Conor Bradley, 21, their only other right-back. However, Slot expressed full faith in Liverpool unearthing the next talent from within their team. “The experience I have is that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up and that probably will happen now,” said Slot. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 May,2025 08:38 AM IST | London | AFPThe Indian senior women’s team will play two FIFA international friendly matches against Uzbekistan in the May-June window, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Thursday. Also Read: Precise PSG shoot down Gunners The two games against Uzbekistan will be played on May 30 and June 3 at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bangalore. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 May,2025 07:44 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIParis Saint-Germain (PSG) clinched a place in the Champions League final as Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scored to give them a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday, securing a 3-1 aggregate triumph. Donnarumma delivers Arsenal threw everything at the Parisians right from the off. Declan Rice headed wide in the third minute before PSG custodian Gianluigi Donnarumma produced two sensational saves: first, to deny Gabriel Martinelli from close range and then thwarting Martin Odegaard’s drive from outside the box, all inside the opening eight minutes. Also Read: Dramatic scenes as spectators evacuated from Dharamsala stadium during IPL game PSG did eventually settle and found the breakthrough as Ruiz crashed in a left-footed volley from the edge of the area in the 27th minute. Luis Enrique PSG then saw Vitinha have a second-half penalty saved after Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly’s hand brushed the ball. Donnarumma then came up trumps once again to deny Saka (64th min) with his fingertips. Eight minutes later, Hakimi scored PSG’s second before Saka finally breached the home side’s defence in the 76th minute. However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished after he blazed one over the bar in front of an open net four minutes later. PSG’s will now face Inter Milan on May 31 for European football’s ultimate crown. “Over the two legs we scored more goals than them and in football it’s the most important thing,” said PSG boss Luis Enrique. ‘We were clinical’ “The statistics showed we were one of the best teams in Europe, and once we started to be more clinical we have shown that we deserve to be in the final,” he added. How psg out-gunned Arsenal . 27th min: PSG’s Fabian Ruiz hammers a net-piercing volley from the edge of the Arsenal box... 1-0. 72nd min: PSG’s Achraf Hakimi scores after being neatly teed up by teammate Ousmane Dembele... 2-0. 76th min: Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka nips in front of PSG’s Lucas Hernandez to score a consolatory goal... 2-1 01No. of times PSG have entered the UCL final before This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 May,2025 07:41 AM IST | Paris | PTIDavide Frattesi fired Inter Milan into the Champions League final on Tuesday with an extra-time winner that gave the Italians a 4-3 win over Barcelona, sealing the tie 7-6 on aggregate. Midfielder Frattesi settled a thrilling contest in Milan when he lashed home in the 99th minute at a packed San Siro. “I was lucky to finish the game, I celebrated so much I was dizzy and nearly had a blackout,” said an ecstatic Frattesi. Also Read: I can accept EPL defeats for Europa success: Amorim Yann Sommer Goal-scoring record The tie turned out to be the joint-highest scoring last-four encounter in UCL history — Liverpool had beaten Roma by the same score in 2017-18.With two minutes of regulation time remaining, Inter seemed all but out until centre-back Francesco Acerbi forced home Denzel Dumfries’ cross in the second minute of added time after a lung-busting run into the box. Until then, Barcelona fans were celebrating a successful comeback from two goals down. They had lost early ground to Simone Inzaghi’s side after first-half goals from Lautaro Martinez (21st min) and a penalty converted by Hakan Calhanoglu (45+1 min). Barcelona began the second-half in menacing fashion as Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo pulled them level with goals in the 54th and 60th minutes, both from sumptuous Gerard Martin deliveries. Superhero Sommer Inter custodian Yann Sommer had to be at his very best to thwart a red-hot Blaugrana attack. He produced multiple brilliant stops, but saved his best for last, flying to his left to deny Lamine Yamal in the 113th minute to put his team one step away from claiming their fourth Champions League title. Inzaghi showered abundant praise on the performance that his players put up across two legs. “The players delivered two monstrous performances to reach this final, and I’m very proud of them, they gave everything,” said Inzaghi. Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick questioned the referee’s decisions. “Each decision that was 50-50 went for them. They [the players] did everything they could and did a really good job. We’ll learn from this and be back next season” said the German manager. Goals galore and more... . 21st min: Inter’s Lautaro Martinez nets from close range after being slipped through by teammate Denzel Dumfries. 1-0. 45+1 min: Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu converts from the spot after Martinez is brought down by Pau Cubarsi. 2-0. 54th min: Barca’s Eric Garcia hammers in a volley offGerard Martin’s cross. 2-1. 60th min: Barca’s Dani Olmi nods home off Martin’s cross. 2-2. 87th min: Barca’s Raphinha is denied by Inter goalie Yann Sommer, but tucks in the rebound. 2-3. 90+3 min: Inter’s Francesco Acerbi converts Dumfries’s low cross after a lung-busting run. 3-3. 99th min: Inter’s Davide Frattesi places one into the bottom-left corner after being teed up by Mehdi Taremi inside the box. 4-3 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2025 08:13 AM IST | Milan | AgenciesRuben Amorim’s Manchester United are preparing for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao knowing only a calamity will prevent a likely showdown with Tottenham later this month. The Red Devils came away with a 3-0 win in Spain last week, putting them one step away from contesting for silverware in a season of ceaseless turmoil. Also Read: Chelsea look to seal spot in final “We are losing games in the Premier League, but we are fighting for the Europa League, so we need to accept that think about Thursday as the most important game for us,” said Amorim, following their 3-4 loss to Brentford. Winning the competition would not make up for a disastrous Premier League campaign, but it would bring a place in the 2025-26 Champions League — a potential game-changer for United financially and for their ability to attract top players. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao’s slim chances of qualifying were dealt a further blow with injuries to key trio Nico Williams, Inaki Williams and top-scorer Oihan Sancet. For United, Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who had returned from injury last week, looks set to miss the second leg after sitting out training on the eve of Thursday’s semi-final. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2025 08:11 AM IST | Manchester | AgenciesChelsea will look to seal a spot in the Conference League final when they take on Djurgarden at Stamford Bridge. Having won the first leg 4-1, the Blues will be hoping to wrap up the tie without much of a fuss. Also Read: India men’s and women’s teams enter finals They’ll also want to avoid injuries that may not only scupper their chances of winning a title but hamper their shot at finishing in the top five of the Premier League. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2025 08:09 AM IST | London | AgenciesArsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has urged his team to ‘stick together’ after their recent failures as they aim to defy the odds in Wednesday’s decisive Champions League semi-final second leg showdown with Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners head to the Parc des Princes faced with the daunting task of having to beat the French champions to reach the Champions League final for the second time in their history. Mikel Arteta’s side trail by a goal after Ousmane Dembele secured the win for the Parisians in the first leg in north London. Also Read: Madrid may pay transfer fee to get Trent for Club World Cup PSG have already eliminated Premier League champions Liverpool in the Round-of-16 and Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, after beating Manchester City in the group phase. Arsenal are on the brink of becoming PSG’s latest English scalp this season. Their preparations for the second leg in Paris could not have gone much worse as they slumped to a 1-2 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday. Arteta said Arsenal were full of ‘rage and anger’ after two painful losses and urged his side to use their frustration as fuel against Luis Enrique’s team — a sentiment mirrored by Gunners captain Odegaard. “We’re disappointed now, but we have to move on and be strong and stick together to prepare for a massive game,” Odegaard said. “When you’re disappointed, angry and frustrated, you can use all those emotions vs PSG. We know what we’re playing for,” he added. Arsenal will be hoping to recreate their 1994 Cup Winners’s Cup success. The Gunners were underdogs in the semi-final 31 years ago against a PSG side featuring George Weah and David Ginola, but emerged with a 2-1 aggregate victory. If Arsenal can overturn the deficit against this iteration of PSG, it will go down as one of the greatest results in the club’s history. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 May,2025 07:45 AM IST | London | AFPADVERTISEMENT
