All articles tagged with #european football
Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, a club from a town of just over 40,000 north of the Arctic Circle, stunned Inter Milan in the Champions League knockout stages, driven by high‑intensity football, a talent‑spotting “X factor” recruitment approach, and a unique mental‑coaching regimen that has powered their unlikely rise from qualifiers to the knockouts.
Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in Lisbon, exposing Madrid’s defensive fragilities and instability without the ball. Courtois faced a relentless attack while Vinícius Jr. endured a poor night; Arda Güler impressed as Madrid’s brightest spark and Mbappé scored twice, but a series of defensive lapses and inconsistent midfield play left Madrid overwhelmed as reflected by the player ratings.
The European Commission has strongly opposed the idea of hosting European football matches in foreign countries, with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin expressing disapproval of plans to hold league games in the U.S. and Australia, citing concerns about the integrity and tradition of European football.
Gabriel Martinelli scored twice, including a quick goal after coming on as a substitute, leading Arsenal to a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in their Champions League opener, marking a strong start in their bid for European success.
Crystal Palace's appeal against their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning they will compete in the Conference League next season due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules, despite Palace's arguments of unfair treatment and inconsistent rule application.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the success of the revamped Club World Cup, which saw Chelsea win against PSG, amid strong political support from Donald Trump. The tournament was highly profitable for FIFA and participating teams, but faced criticism over player exhaustion and the tournament's impact on global football inequalities. Future plans include improved player welfare measures and infrastructure adjustments for the upcoming World Cup in North America.
Chelsea achieved a record-breaking 8-0 victory over FC Noah in the Conference League, highlighting their dominance in the tournament despite fielding a second-string team. Under manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have scored 16 goals in three games, making them favorites to win the competition. The match showcased the depth of Chelsea's squad, with fringe players like Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix excelling. Chelsea's presence in the tournament has sparked debate, given their high UEFA ranking and strong performances.
The Champions League's expansion to include non-champion teams has led to a weaker competition, as demonstrated by Napoli and Barcelona's decline in form. Both teams have struggled this season, with Napoli currently ninth in Serie A and Barcelona third in La Liga. The match between the two showcased their individual quality but also highlighted their tactical and performance issues. The winner of this tie may be the weakest side in the quarter-finals, reflecting the regression of last season's champions from the second and third-strongest leagues in Europe.
Kylian Mbappe is set to become the most sought-after free agent in Europe after confirming his departure from PSG this summer. Real Madrid is the most likely destination, with the club willing to make him their top earner and preparing the number 10 shirt for his arrival. Other potential suitors include Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City, with each club facing their own challenges in securing the signature of the French superstar.
Italian football club Juventus has been banned from participating in European competition next season by UEFA after being found guilty of breaking Financial Fair Play rules. The club has been accused of false accounting, which allegedly increased its capital by 700 million euros. Juventus will also have to pay a 10 million euro fine, which could double if the club fails to meet FFP requirements in the next three years. The club's management denies any wrongdoing but has decided not to appeal the decision to avoid further penalties.
Cristiano Ronaldo stated that the Saudi Pro League is better than MLS and expressed no interest in playing in the United States or returning to European clubs. He believes that European football has lost a lot of quality, with the Premier League being the only exception. Ronaldo also claimed to have paved the way for other top players to join the Saudi league and predicted its rise above the main Dutch and Turkish leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo, striker for Al Nassr, stated that the Saudi Pro League is better than MLS and that he has no plans to play in the United States or return to a team in Europe. Ronaldo believes that European football has lost a lot of quality and that the only valid league is the Premier League. He also mentioned that he opened the way to the Saudi league, as many players are now joining. Ronaldo's comments came after playing in a preseason match against Celta Vigo in Portugal.
UEFA has confirmed that the Europa Conference League will be renamed the UEFA Conference League starting from the 2024-25 season. The decision was made after research among fans and commercial partners indicated that removing "Europa" from the name would allow for further development as a stand-alone competition. The UEFA Conference League will continue to be closely linked to the UEFA Europa League, with both competitions delivering "Thursday Night Football" to fans across Europe and beyond.
Ange Postecoglou is set to become the next manager of Tottenham Hotspur, leaving Celtic after winning a domestic treble. Spurs finished eighth last season and will not have European football this season. The club is at risk of losing Harry Kane and has eight players going into the final year of their contracts. Postecoglou won trophies as a manager with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, and Yokohama F. Marinos, claiming the Asian Cup during his stint as Australia national team coach.
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a second-half collapse against Brentford, losing 3-1 and putting their hopes of European football in jeopardy. Harry Kane scored a stunning free-kick to give Spurs the lead, but Brentford equalized early in the second half before Bryan Mbeumo scored twice to secure the win. Yves Bissouma impressed in the first half for Tottenham, but Oliver Skipp struggled and was at fault for Brentford's third goal. Tottenham now face the risk of missing out on European football, which could have financial implications for the club.