Champions League

David Beckham has revealed he was proud to be honoured with the 2018 UEFA President’s Award ahead of the Champions League group stage draw. The award was presented to him ahead of the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco for his work with children around the world. “It’s amazing to be up there with some of the best,” Beckham told the UEFA’s official website. “So I’m very honored, honored to be here, to be part of such a special event.” “I’ve been lucky to have played with some of the biggest clubs with some of the best …

Ajax reached the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in four years after a 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev. The Dutch superpowers took a 3-1 advantage to the Olimpiyskyi Stadium in Kiev and protected their lead, despite a strong start from the home side. Ajax weathered the early storm and could have extended their aggregate lead from the penalty spot, but Dusan Tadic could only strike the woodwork. Dynamo Kiev couldn’t make the most of the lifeline as Ajax tightened their grip on the tie, spurning chance after chance. It’s four years since Ajax last made the group stages …

Gerard Pique believes that just trying to win the Champions League would be ‘suicide’ for Barcelona. Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015 and Pique says they can’t afford to concentrate only on the European trophy. Barca Blaugranes reports. “To only try and win the Champions League would be suicide. In the way we operate, we’re stronger when we don’t let everything ride on a single match,” Pique said. “If we concentrate on LaLiga, it’s better, because it’s the measuring stick we use to see where we currently stand. “Barça have never won the Champions League without winning LaLiga too. If …

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan believes his team can win the Champions League this season thanks to the team’s maturity. Pep Guardiola’s men were eliminated by Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite their dominance in the League. Gundogan, who has been instrumental to City’s campaign so far, feels the English giants are ready to challenge for the European crown. “I dream of winning the Champions League title with Manchester City and a title with Germany,” he told WAZ. “In Manchester last season we had the feeling that we are ready for it. It was not enough. This year nothing …

Liverpool FC are closing in on a deal for Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson Becker as they are set to wrap up negotiations with Serie A side Roma. Reports from Italy suggest the Reds have made a bid believed to be around £66.8m in what will become a record signing fee for a goalkeeper in the history of the game. They also report that Alisson will not travel with Roma’s squad for their pre-season tour in the United States. The Merseyside club made attempts to sign the goalkeeper in the past, but their offers were rebuffed. Klopp has struggled to resolve issues …

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on his desire to complete a move to Serie A Champions Juventus for a fee believed to be around £88m. Ronaldo prompted questions about his future after their 3-1 Champions League final victory over Liverpool in Kiev, promising an announcement “soon.” The former United hitman cast serious doubt on his future in Madrid moments after winning a third successive Champions League in Kiev and Juventus appear to be testing the club’s resolve as he angles for an improved contract. It now appears Juventus have made the first move to lure him away …

Roma has confirmed the signing of Javier Pastore from Ligue 1 Champions Paris Saint Germain on a five-year contract for a fee of £22million. The Argentine midfielder, who missed out from Jorge Sampaoli’s list, joined the French Champions in 2011 and made 269 appearances across all competitions for the Parisiens. Pastore, 29, has 29 caps for Argentina under his belt and had a successful career with the Ligue 1 side winning five French league titles along with 14 other domestic trophies in seven years. The new Roma signing couldn’t hide his delight after completing the switch to the Serie A …

Radja Nainggolan has completed a move to FC Internazionale Milano on a four year deal from Serie A rivals FC Roma. The transfer fee for the Belgian midfielder is reported to be in the region of £21million with two players – veteran fullback Davide Santon and 18-year-old midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo – heading to Roma in a swap deal. The combative midfielder was a surprise omission from the Belgium squad in Russia 2018, a move that led to his retirement from International football. Most Serie A fans believe that former Roma boss Luciano Spalleti played a massive role in the player’s decision …

Cristiano Ronaldo has eclipsed Ferenc Puskas record with his recent strike against group B opponents Morocco that took his tally to 85 goals more than any other player in the continent’s history. The Portuguese forward started the game on 84 goals after scoring a hat-trick in the opening group match vs. Spain. The three goals recorded in that match equaled the number of goals scored by the Hungarian legend. The 33-year-old Real Madrid forward scored in the fourth minute against Morocco to give Portugal the early lead and is now only behind Ali Daei of Iran, on 109 goals, in …

Manchester City are close to wrapping up a deal in the region of £46.5m for Napoli midfielder Jorginho, according to Sky Sports News. Reports from Italy suggest that both sides are yet to finalize a deal, but City are keen on snapping up the player. It’s believed that issues such as payment schedules, add-ons and a possibility of a pre-season friendly between both clubs are still to be sorted out before completing the deal. Jorginho,26, whose country Italy missed out in the World Cup tournament posted a picture on Instagram boarding a flight to Brazil with his family members. He …

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is confident of wrapping up a deal with Real Madrid over the transfer of Gareth Bale, according to transfer expert Duncan Castles. With the Red Devils set for another summer spending spree having agreed on a deal for Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk and defender Diogo Dalot from Porto FC, attentions have switched to signing a big name player that would add another dimension to United’s attack. The Welsh superstar has hinted he could leave Real Madrid this summer after growing frustrated with his reduced playing time at the club. The 28-year-old played an essential …

Liverpool are believed to be in contention for the signature of Chelsea’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois according to recent reports. The Chelsea shot-stopper has been linked to a move away from the club with European Champions Real Madrid keen on bringing him back to Madrid. Jürgen Klopp is currently looking for a decent goalie to solve the problem at the backline as they are set to mount a title Challenge next season. The Reds have been linked to so many goalkeepers across Europe, with the likes of Alisson(Roma), Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) and Donnorumma(AC Milan) top of the list. However, reports …

Zinedine Zidane has left his post as Real Madrid manager despite leading the club to an unprecedented treble in Europe. The news came as a shock for most Madrid fans who thought the French man will continue as Los Blancos manager next season. Zidane, 45, was brought in as a replacement of Spanish boss Benitez who had a turbulent campaign in January 2016. He went on to guide the club to a Champions League triumph that same season. On the other hand, he has come under intense scrutiny and criticism for not replicating his success in the home front with …

German goalkeeper Loris Karius has admitted his mistakes in the Champions League final cost Liverpool the chance of winning their sixth European Cup. The former Mainz shot-stopper has apologized to everyone at the club for the two errors he committed that gifted Los Blancos the title for an unprecedented third time running. Real Madrid ran out 3-1 winners on the night but were helped by the Liverpool goalkeeper who threw the ball straight to Benzema that scored from close range to open the account for his team. Sadio Mane equalized afterward from a corner. However, Bale’s brilliant overhead kick put …

Reports from the Capital city of Ukraine shows that some Liverpool fans were attacked by hooligans in a restaurant near the Stadium. The Ukrainian security officials confirmed that some arrests have been made in connection to the brawl. They said it was a case of ‘group hooliganism’ after two people they described as ‘foreigners’ were injured. The fracas, which occurred around 11 pm local time on Thursday, happened while Liverpool fans were at a restaurant in the Ukrainian capital. Mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, has said that the Liverpool fans were attacked like a ‘pack of dogs’ and told the …

Philippe Coutinho may well end up with a treble this season following Liverpool’s decision to hand him a Champions League medal for his contribution to the team. The Brazilian superstar is one of the 25 players who featured for the Reds in the Champions League, and Anfield top executives have concluded that the player’s services should be rewarded, despite securing a £142m move to the Nou Camp. According to UEFA rules, Coutinho was ineligible to feature for Barca in the competition after playing for his former employers. Liverpool coped with the exit of their key man as they secured another Champions …