BERLIN: Saturday’s German Cup final is not only a showdown of two of the country’s emerging football powerhouses but a battle between France strikers Christopher Nkunku and Randal Kolo Muani. Holders RB Leipzig and five-time winners Eintracht Frankfurt have emerged from the shadows of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to become two of Germany’s most … Read more
MILAN: Napoli’s dream season finally comes to an end on Sunday when they host Sampdoria, a last victory lap before the architect of their historic Serie A title triumph walks off into the sunset. Luciano Spalletti will leave Naples and return to his Tuscan vineyard this summer after ending the club’s 33-year Scudetto drought and … Read more
LONDON: Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City stars that Manchester United are capable of wrecking their treble dreams in Saturday’s FA Cup final. City will arrive at Wembley this weekend hoping to complete the second part of their incredible bid to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in a single season. … Read more
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain have wrapped up a record 11th French title but Monaco risk missing out on European qualification on the final night of the Ligue 1 season on Saturday, while eight-time champions Nantes are facing relegation. PSG will pick up the championship trophy after their home game against Clermont as the Qatar-owned club end … Read more
RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo’s first season in Saudi Arabia ended with a whimper, but with hundreds of millions in wages and unprecedented attention on Saudi football he may not be the last megastar to grace the oil-rich kingdom. The fireworks and euphoria that greeted Ronaldo’s gala unveiling in January were in sharp contrast to the close … Read more
BUDAPEST: Sevilla found their Europa League magic formula on Wednesday, beating Roma 4-1 on penalties in Budapest to make it a perfect seven out of seven in finals in the competition. The game finished 1-1 following extra-time after Paulo Dybala’s opener was earlier cancelled out by an own goal from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini. A … Read more
LONDON: England manager Sarina Wiegman said her plans to prepare the team for the Women’s World Cup are being put in jeopardy with clubs reluctant to release players in time to begin a training camp on June 19. The tournament in Australia and New Zealand kicks off on July 20 with England starting their group … Read more
BUDAPEST: Jose Mourinho threw his future as Roma manager into further doubt on Wednesday, saying he was “too tired” after the bitter pain of losing his first major European final to Sevilla. The Spanish team triumphed 4-1 on penalties after the game in Budapest finished 1-1, with Paulo Dybala’s opener cancelled out by an own … Read more
MILAN: Juventus will propose a plea bargain with Italy’s soccer authorities on Tuesday over a case involving alleged irregularities in its payment of players’ salaries, a source close to the matter told Reuters. A hearing with a court at the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) has been brought forward to Tuesday, the source added. It had … Read more
LONDON: Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha vowed to lead his club back into the Premier League as the former champions come to terms with their relegation. Leicester were condemned to the second tier on Sunday after Everton’s 1-0 win against Bournemouth rendered the Foxes’ 2-1 victory over West Ham irrelevant. They are only the second former … Read more