If you’re like most of the football world on Tuesday, you were focused on the battle between the world’s two richest sides, PSG and Manchester City. As sad as Bernardo Silva was after his miss in that match, there was no one sadder on Tuesday than Diogo Costa, the Porto goalkeeper who was caught disastrously out of position by Roberto Firmino.
Manchester City looked like a world beater in its first Champions League match of the season, the type of team that can score at will, whenever it wants. Match Day 2 was a different story for Pep Guardiola’s side, and the Bernardo Silva miss vs PSG may haunt the Citizens if they’re unable to claim first place in Group A.
It was billed as the most expensive football match in the world — the $1.10 billion squad value of PSG against the $1.16 billion of Manchester City. There was also the subplot of the most expensive transfer of the summer, City’s Jack Grealish at $135.5 million, versus PSG’s acquisitions of Lionel Messi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi. All five started.
More famous than our smartest minds, richer than our most corrupt politicians, footballers are the pinnacle of cultural relevance in today’s society, especially in Europe. All the best footballers have, at one time or another, been paid to appear in an advertisement to promote a product. So what is the best soccer commercial of all time? I submit for your viewing pleasure, Peter Schmeichel’s bacon promo.
"Goalkeepers are a different breed," as the old adage goes, but what exactly makes the pair of keepers different from the other 20 players on the pitch?
The ability to use their hands is what formally sets these shot-stoppers apart, yet I'd argue that the biggest distinction between keepers and field players is their mindsets on the pitch.
There's a certain mentality you need to have to be able to succeed as a goalkeeper, and it requires you to disregard your body and do whatever it takes to keep the ball out of the net.
PARIS - Lionel Messi's sensational transfer to Paris St Germain was a surprise for everyone, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said, adding that he hopes the Argentine plays in Tuesday's Champions League group game between the two sides.
Messi joined PSG in August when he left Barcelona after the Spanish club — where he had spent his entire career — were unable to finance a new deal for the forward.
The 34-year-old suffered a knock on his left knee last week and is a doubt for the clash against the team led by his former Barça coach Guardiola.
LONDON - Jadon Sancho's lack of game time at Manchester United is "hurting the soul" of the man who sanctioned his $100 million move to Old Trafford, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
The 21-year-old England international has started only two of United's five Premier League games and was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.
LONDON - Kim Little scored twice for Arsenal as they trounced an injury-depleted Manchester City 5-0 on Sunday with a classic counter-attacking display to climb to the top of the Women's Super League (WSL).
It took Arsenal only 34 minutes to effectively claim Sunday’s derby match against Tottenham at the Emirates thanks to early goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameynag and Bukayo Saka.
The young trio of Rowe (21), Saka (20) and Martin Ødegaard (22) danced through Tottenham’s static defense with an enthusiasm and desire that made Harry Kane look like a beached beluga, and it was Ødegaard, Saka and Rowe that combined on the opener in the 12th minute.
⚪️ ¡ARSENAL YA GANA EL DERBI DE LONDRES!
SOUTHAMPTON - Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Southampton 1-0 at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday, extending the Saints' winless run to six Premier League games, after striker Raúl Jiménez scored his first goal in nearly a year.
The Mexican's solo effort in the second half was his first league goal since last October. The 30-year-old suffered a fractured skull the following month, prematurely ending his season and eventually requiring surgery.