Which European Power Is The Best Fit For Messi?
The Lionel Messi transfer saga has provided the excitement we've all craved during a quiet transfer window, as every club has hope of signing the world's best player (no, he's not going to MLS).
The Lionel Messi transfer saga has provided the excitement we've all craved during a quiet transfer window, as every club has hope of signing the world's best player (no, he's not going to MLS).
Former England captain Wayne Rooney believes Paris Saint-Germain has the speed and skill to exploit Bayern Munich's high defensive line in Sunday's Champions League final and punish them in a way Lyon could not.
Lyon forwards Memphis Depay and Karl Toko Ekambi missed gilt-edged opportunities in the opening 16 minutes of a 3-0 defeat to Bayern in the semifinal on Wednesday and Rooney has warned that PSG's front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Ángel Di María will not be so wasteful.
On paper, Bayern Munich scored a secure 3-0 victory against Lyon in the Champions League semifinals Wednesday, but the scoreline does not reflect the true nature of the match.
While Bayern was the better side for periods of the game, Lyon found itself one-on-one with Manuel Neuer on multiple ocassions but was unable to finish.
There where multiple times when you were left thinking, "How has Lyon not scored there?"
xG map for Lyon - Bayern
The retooling of Barcelona is continuing at a frantic pace with the firing of Quique Setién and hiring of Ronald Koeman as manager and the firing of Eric Abidal and hiring of Ramon Planes as technical director, but you can’t say that the club’s specter isn’t still haunting this season’s Champions League with former player Neymar and current loanee Philippe Coutinho set to do battle in the final.
LISBON — For the first time in 13 years, there is no Spanish team in the semifinals of the Champions League and the way in which Barcelona were dumped out, with an 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, emphatically ended the era of LaLiga supremacy.
There was one basic similarity in the way that Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid exited Europe this season — they simply looked too slow.
It is not that their players individually lack speed but that their styles of play lack the intensity and dynamism, the relentless pressing of the top German and English teams.
There was barely time for the full inquest into Juventus' exit from the Champions League to even begin before the club delivered their own blunt verdict — sacking their coach Maurizio Sarri.
Due to the financial hardships caused by COVID-19, this year's summer transfer window looks much different than in previous years. Transfer windows across Europe have been widely staggered because of the various ending dates of major leagues. The Ligue 1 window has been open for weeks, while the Serie A window doesn't start until September 1.
Furthermore, since revenue is down, many clubs are treading lightly in the spending department. Teams are relying more on free transfers and cheap signings to boost the quality of their squad while staying financially frugal.
Manchester City struggles to prevent the best teams from scoring against them and their central defenders could be targeted in Friday's Champions League clash against Spanish champions Real Madrid, former England skipper Wayne Rooney said.
Pep Guardiola's City leads Real after they won the away leg of their last-16 tie 2-1 in March, before Europe's elite club competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Norwich City manager Daniel Farke and sporting director Stuart Webber have been proactive in their attempt to rebuild the Canaries’ squad following relegation from the Premier League after this season’s last-placed finish.
Norwich secured promotion back to the top flight after finishing first in the 2018-19 Championship. The club endured a dismal Premier League campaign, winning just five games and finishing 14 points away from the safety of 17th place. Farke’s side scored a league-worst 26 goals in 38 games and also conceded the most goals in the division (75).