Even before a ball was kicked, Manchester United bosses expected a hard season in 2019-20. Everton more than matched the asking price to loan defender Marcos Rojo on deadline day but the deal was canned at the last minute over fears that Marco Silva already had a stronger squad. Chris Smalling was told he could
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LAS ROZAS DE MADRID, Spain — The handle turns, the door opens and Saul Niguez bursts into the room. There’s just enough space to slip quietly past, out towards the training pitch and up to the players’ residence for lunch, but he’s not about to do that. He’s been listening in from a small office
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are setting a relentless early pace in the Premier League. Eight games into the 2019-20 Premier League season, Liverpool have made a record start by winning all eight fixtures so far to sit eight points clear of the chasing pack heading into the international break. For Jurgen Klopp’s team, the season
Another busy weekend in Europe means it’s time for another bumper edition of Monday Musings. Gab Marcotti is here to recap the big stories around soccer. Jump to: Juve too good for Inter | Man City in crisis? | Barca ride their luck again | Man United go from bad to worse | Real continue
There are different paths to beating your opponent in a football match. You can outrun them, and you can outmuscle them. You can out-will them, and you can outwit them. All of the above are probably more satisfying to a coach whose job is to prepare, condition and motivate his players. After all, it shows
Juventus bought Cristiano Ronaldo to improve their chances of winning the Champions League, so when they were knocked out by Ajax, many considered his first season with the Bianconeri to be a failure. However, since joining Juventus, his general performances have been far better than those in his final couple of years at Real Madrid, even if
When the first half ended in Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Club Brugge on Tuesday night, Thibaut Courtois made his way off the pitch, the whistling loud in his ears, and everyone else’s, too. Real were losing 2-0, and the goalkeeper who had conceded twice headed down the tunnel, into the dressing room and
Craig Burley and Stevie Nicol say Nicolas Pepe looks like “a flash in the pan” after failing to live up to the hype so far at Arsenal. Arsenal romped to their second win of the Europa League group stage with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Standard Liege at the Emirates. Gabriel Martinelli scored twice inside
Steve Nicol breaks down Eden Hazard’s slow start at Real Madrid and how he can turn it around. Real Madrid’s uneven start to the campaign continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Club Brugge at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Belgian side led 2-0 through an Emmanuel Dennis brace, but a revived Real
On the flight back to Paris from Bordeaux on Saturday evening, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were sat next to each other. While some on board were sleeping (or trying to), watching some shows on Netflix or playing the new Mario Kart game on their phones, the two best friends were messing around, playing music and
Another busy weekend in Europe means it’s time for another bumper edition of Monday Musings. Gab Marcotti is here to recap the big stories around soccer. Jump to: Derby draw suits Atletico, Real | Will Liverpool’s luck run out? | Barca still lacking minus Messi | Man City’s Bernardo mess | Alexis is Inter’s hero
Manchester City ran out 3-1 winners at Goodson Park after a close-fought contest. It’s a result that will be felt across Stanley Park, with City’s win reducing Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points. City took the lead on 24 minutes after a fine Kevin De Bruyne cross perfectly
With Lionel Messi set to miss more games with a groin injury, the FC crew question if Ernesto Valverde can turn Barca’s fortunes around. Craig Burley says Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde’s struggles can only get worse if Lionel Messi’s injury against Villarreal sidelines the star man. Luis Suarez and Junior Firpo were on target as
The first Madrid derby of the 2019-20 La Liga season has a lot riding on it because both sides of the Spanish capital want nothing more than to usurp Barcelona. But only one can. If you drive west around Madrid, the city’s very own wacky racetrack, the M30, still takes you underneath the main stand
Fabian Ruiz has been a revelation in the Napoli midfield and was recently scouted by Barcelona. Five rounds into the 2019-20 Serie A season, we thought it would be fun to highlight the players who have really caught the eye so far. You’ll be aware of some but others will come as a surprise. When
All you need to know about this weekend’s Premier League action, all in one place. Jump to: Liverpool need to rotate | Man United’s defensive test | Watch Wolves vs. Watford | Everton need luck vs. City | Fantasy tips | Weekend guarantee | Pulisic’s last stand? | Reckless predictions THE WEEKEND’S BIG QUESTIONS Just
Major League Soccer: Jackson Yueill (35′) San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Philadelphia Union. For more MLS, sign up for ESPN+. The Philadelphia Union are back in second place in the East following a comeback that saw VAR play a pivotal role. For more MLS, sign up for ESPN+. The Toe Poke Daily is here every day
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi says hard work and a desire for more titles has given him longevity at the top after winning best men’s player at FIFA’s The Best awards. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says he was proud to even be nominated as he lost out to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi at FIFA’s The
Tammy Abraham was a menace up front but Chelsea fell short in their bid to end Liverpool’s winning run in the Premier League. Chelsea are still yet to win at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard following another defeat on home soil. League leaders Liverpool left west London with all three points in a 2-1 win
“If the ball goes in, everything will change,” said Valencia president Anil Murthy. It was 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday night and just under two hours later, the ball did go in. With 17 minutes left at Stamford Bridge, Dani Parejo‘s clipped free-kick found Rodrigo Moreno dashing across the face of the Chelsea six-yard box. A