General Football Thread

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Leverkusen edge closer to Dublin as another record looms​

Agencies
May 9, 2024

LEVERKUSEN: Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso (C) conducts a training session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Wednesday.—Reuters

BERLIN: Xabi Alonso’s rampaging Bayer Leverkusen will have an additional incentive in Thursday’s home second-leg Europa League semi-final against Roma: breaking a 59-year-old European football record.

Avoiding defeat against Roma on Thursday will not only mean a trip to Dublin for the Europa League final, it will also extend their unbeaten run to 49 games — the best mark in European football history.

A Eusebio-inspired Benfica went on a 48-game unbeaten streak between 1963 and 1965. The record has stood since, but Leverkusen have a golden chance of blowing it out of the water.

 

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Man City do feel the tension of title race, says Guardiola​

LONDON: Manchester City will be affected by the nerves of going for a fourth consecutive Premier League title on...

 

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Postecoglou ‘misread’ Spurs’ fans desperation to deny Arsenal title​

AFP
May 15, 2024

LONDON: Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said the foundations he has built at the club are “fragile” after many fans took glee in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, which could deny north London rivals Arsenal the Premier League title.

Spurs’ chances of Champions League football were ended by Erling Haaland’s second-half double that took City back to the top of the table, two points ahead of Arsenal going into Sunday’s final fixtures.

Postecoglou had dismissed suggestions on the eve of the game that Tottenham supporters would want their own side to lose if it meant denying the Gunners a first title in 20 years.

But after a subdued atmosphere on Tuesday night, with chants mocking Arsenal in the final stages, the Australian admitted he had “misread” the situation.

“I think the last 48 hours have revealed to me the foundations are pretty fragile. That’s things I’ve got to go back to the drawing board on,” said Postecoglou.

The former Celtic boss was further pressed on whether his frustration was aimed at the fans or those inside the club.

“(I) Don’t care. Outside, inside, everywhere. It’s been an interesting exercise,” he added.

“I probably misread the situation in what it takes to make a winning team.”

Tottenham have made a habit of scoring late goals this season, including in a thrilling 3-3 draw against City at the Etihad earlier in the season.

Spurs had their chances to snatch at least a point, most notably when Son Heung-min missed a one-on-one against Stefan Ortega late on.

But there was no sign of encouragement from the crowd willing their side to put the defending champions to the sword.

“Of course it does (have an impact). It is what it is,” said Postecoglou on the atmosphere.

“I can’t dictate what people do. Yeah, when we’ve got late winners in games, it is because the crowd has helped us.

“What other people’s priorities are doesn’t interest me. I know what we need to build a winning team and that’s what I’m concentrating on.”

Tottenham still have work to do to guarantee fifth place and Europa League football next season, but only need a point when they travel to relegated Sheffield United on Sunday to do so.

 

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Chelsea being rewarded for patience, says Pochettino​

AFP

BRIGHTON: Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea’s late surge to the verge of European qualification was just reward for the club’s patience during a difficult season.

Pochettino’s side won 2-1 at Brighton on Wednesday to climb into sixth place in the Premier League with one game left.

Cole Palmer put them in front when he headed his 22nd league goal of the season in the 34th minute.

Christopher Nkunku’s 64th minute strike put Chelsea further ahead before Blues defender Reece James was sent off for kicking Brighton’s Joao Pedro.

Danny Welbeck reduced the deficit in stoppage-time, but Chelsea held on to secure a fourth consecutive league victory for the first time since October 2022.

With Newcastle losing 3-2 at Manchester United in Wednesday’s other game, Chelsea moved above the Magpies.

The Blues will be guaranteed a place in next season’s Europa League if they avoid defeat against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, or if seventh-placed Newcastle fail to win at Brentford.

Chelsea could even finish fifth if they beat Bournemouth and Tottenham lose at Sheffield United.

It is an impressive recovery masterminded by Pochettino, who has faced criticism throughout his troubled first season in charge.

Amid calls for his sacking, Pochettino even hinted recently that he could quit at the end of the season and said it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he was dismissed by chairman Todd Boehly.

But the Argentine was in more buoyant mood after Chelsea closed in on Europe, praising the club’s hierarchy for sticking with their plan.

‘It allows us to dream’

“We have improved results and performances. We talked about patience and when you need to build something you need time but it always looks like an excuse at a big club,” he said.

“The evolution of the team is there. We have kept working and being positive and to finish in a good way would be good for the club.”

Despite spending over £1 billion ($1.2 billion) on new signings in their two-year reign, Boehly’s consortium has left Pochettino with a young squad, whose lack of experience has often been their downfall.

But Pochettino said the win at Brighton showed they are fighting for the club.

“The Premier League is the toughest league in the world. Massive credit to the players, we fully deserved the victory. That’s why I’m so happy. It allows us to dream to play in Europe next season,” Pochettino said.

“The three points puts us in a very good position in the table to attack the last game against Bournemouth for the possibility to be in Europe.”

 

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Antoine Griezmann hat-trick fires Atletico into Champions League​

MADRID: Antoine Griezmann secured Champions League qualification for Atletico Madrid with a hat-trick in a 3-0..

 

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Brazil to host 2027 Women’s World Cup as Gaza overshadows FIFA meeting​

Bid includes 10 stadiums used for the men’s World Cup in 2014, with Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana lined up for the opening match and final.

 

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Sunil Chhetri: Indian football icon announces retirement from sport​

 

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Manchester City wins historic fourth straight Premier League title, edging Arsenal with a final day victory over West Ham​

By Matias Grez, CNN
May 19, 2024

Manchester City become the first English team in history to win four straight league titles.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
CNN —

Seventy-nine seconds. That’s how long Arsenal had hope for.

In the end, the drama and tension of the final day of the Premier League season lasted little longer than a minute, as Phil Foden’s stunning early strike set Manchester City on course for a comfortable 3-1 win over West Ham that ensured a historic fourth straight title for the club.

Two points ahead going into the last day, City knew only a win would guarantee it retained the title ahead of Arsenal, while the Gunners needed to win and hope that Pep Guardiola’s side either drew or lost.

Foden’s goal meant that what was happening 200 miles south in North London mattered little, though Arsenal took the fight to the bitter end with a 2-1 win at home to Everton to finish two agonizing points behind City.
“We’ve got ourselves in the history books, no team has ever done it,” Foden, who was also recently crowned the Premier League Player of the Season, told Sky Sports.

“You can see what it means to fans, to us. This Premier League title was a bit more [special] because no team had done it before, now we’re the first team to have done it. I’m lost for words. I’m shattered.

“We played this scenario a couple of times before and I think it helped with the nerves, I thought today we looked confident. We played our own football and it paid off.”

Phil Foden scored two first-half goals for Manchester City.
Dave Thompson/AP

Still only 23 years old, Foden has now won a remarkable six Premier League titles. It’s a feeling he certainly isn’t taking for granted.

“I never get bored of it,” he added. “I want this feeling every time. When you win something there’s no better feeling. I just want to keep winning as much as I can.”

City’s stroll in the sun​

Foden’s opening goal, a left-foot rocket into the top corner, settled any early nerves – if there were any at all - at a raucous Etihad Stadium. The remaining 88 minutes and 49 seconds were little more than an early trophy celebration as City’s fans and players basked in the Manchester sun.

The Englishman, a Manchester City boy born and bred, was living the dream, scoring the goal that clinched the league title for his hometown club – and it only got better from there.

Just 15 minutes later, Jeremy Doku’s pinpoint cross somehow made its way through three West Ham players and found Foden, who coolly side-footed the ball into the back of the net.

West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who has enjoyed a superb first season in the Premier League, briefly made matters interesting after his outrageous bicycle kick halved City’s lead just before half time.

Pep Guardiola celebrates Manchester City's second goal.
Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters

Back in north London, Everton took a shock lead five minutes before the interval but Arsenal hit back almost immediately to ensure the teams went into the break level.

However, any concerns City had about West Ham spoiling the party were banished just over 10 minutes into the second half, as Rodri’s low shot from the edge of the area squirmed under the hand of West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and into the net.

Now there was no doubt. The Premier League trophy was staying in Manchester.

The party had now well and truly started and City passed the ball around for the remainder of the match with a calmness and control that belied the enormity of the occasion, seeing out the final 35 minutes as though it was a training session.

As the match entered its final stages, Manchester City fans began celebrating with “the Poznań,” joining arms and jumping up and down with their backs to the pitch.

Back down in London, Arsenal did eventually get a winner against Everton in the 89th minute thanks to Kai Havertz, but it was the most meager of consolations.

Blue Moon, City’s club anthem, echoed around the Etihad as the referee blew the full-time whistle to a deafening roar from the home fans. Hundreds of supporters ran onto the pitch to celebrate, filling the air with blue smoke set off from flares.

Takehiro Tomiyasu scored Arsenal's equalizer against Everton.
Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

Guardiola has built one of, if not the greatest team, in Premier League history.
Manchester City has now gone where no team in English football has gone before – and it will likely take a monumental effort from Arsenal, or perhaps Liverpool post-Jurgen Klopp, to dethrone this juggernaut next season.

 

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An emotional farewell to Jurgen Klopp as he manages Liverpool for the last time​

By Aimee Lewis, CNN
May 20, 2024

Jurgen Klopp embraces Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The journey’s end was as expected for someone so revered. How could there not be tears for a man who traded on emotion and transformed Liverpool Football Club, bringing hope first then glory during his near nine-year stay?
On a sun-soaked Sunday at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp managed Liverpool for the last time and salty tears filled eyes; from the man himself to his players and fans.

Klopp announced at the beginning of the year that this season would be his last for Liverpool. It was time, he said. Liverpool’s fans, on the other hand, have ever since reluctantly been preparing themselves for this day.

The club announced on Monday that Arne Slot will replace Klopp after leaving his role at Feyenoord. The Dutch coach will take up the position officially on June 1, subject to a work permit

 

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Scamacca makes new-look Italy squad for Euro title defence​

MILAN: Gianluca Scamacca has played his way into Italy’s provisional squad for Euro 2024 after a phenomenal end to...

 

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Lookman nets hat-trick as Atalanta stun Leverkusen in Europa League final​

DUBLIN: Ademola Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final...

 

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Man Utd stun Man City in FA Cup final​

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored goals in the first half

AFP
May 25, 2024

Manchester United players are celebrating their FA Cup victory. Photo: AFP

LONDON: Erik ten Hag made a convincing case to be spared the sack as Manchester United upset Manchester City to win the FA Cup with a shock 2-1 victory in Saturday's final.

Ten Hag was reportedly set to be dismissed regardless of the result at Wembley after a troubled campaign that even the United manager described as "terrible" this week.
But United's hierarchy might be having second thoughts after Ten Hag's tactical masterclass ruined City's history bid.

City were hot favourites to win a second successive Premier League and FA Cup double.
Yet Ten Hag found a way to neutralise Pep Guardiola's side as first half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put United on course to win the FA Cup for the first time in eight years.

Jeremy Doku squeezed an 87th minute strike past Andre Onana's weak attempted save but it was too late to rescue City.

Ten Hag celebrated by kissing the Cup as he held it aloft in the Royal box.

Asked if he was worried about his future, he said: "I don't know. The only thing I'm doing is preparing my team.

"This is a project for me. When I came in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are not where we want to be."

Guardiola added: "Congratulations to United. It was a tight game. It can happen. At the end they scored two goals and we couldn't score more."

 

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Barcelona beat Lyon 2-0 to win second straight Women’s Champions League​

BILBAO: Second-half goals from Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas earned Barcelona a 2-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais.

 

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PSG beat Lyon to clinch French Cup in Mbappe’s farewell appearance​

The Ligue 1 and French Super Cup champions won 2-1.

LILLE: Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe lifts the Coupe de France trophy as he celebrates with team-mates after the final against Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.—Reuters

VILLENEUVE D’ASCQ: Paris St-Germain beat Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 in the French Cup final on Saturday courtesy of first-half strikes from Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz to end the season with a domestic treble in Kylian Mbappe’s farewell match.

The Ligue 1 and French Super Cup champions dominated the first half at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy to secure their record-extending 15th Cup title and first since 2021.

“We played the final very well. We played with great intensity and were great on the ball,” said Luis Enrique. “I think we have had a very good season. We would have liked to stay around for another week and not go on holiday yet but that is life,” he said, referring to next weekend’s Champions League final.

“Nobody said football was fair, but it doesn’t matter. Next season we will come back stronger and will look to sign even hungrier players, who have even more desire to win.”
Of the departing Mbappe he added: “I think I have been lucky to coach Kylian but it has been a difficult season for him because after seven years and all he has achieved it is always hard to say goodbye.

“But he was always prepared to help the team and tonight was the cherry on the cake even if he didn’t score.”

 

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