Despite controlling 73 percent possession and attempting 21 shots compared to just seven for PSG, Barcelona could only manage one goal at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday — which was canceled out by a controversial Kylian Mbappé penalty in a 1-1 draw — to crash out of the Champions League at the Round of 16 stage, 5-2 on aggregate.
When we look back at football in 2020/21 over the years to come, there will be no classics, no games to remember — because without fans, matches just don't have the same impact.
Of course, these changes were necessary to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, and, if current trends hold, it seems that fans will soon be allowed back in stadiums again.
MANCHESTER, England - Agreement on a new-look Champions League structure is close to being completed and should be sealed in the next two weeks, Andrea Agnelli, president of Juventus and chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), said on Monday.
Agnelli told reporters after an ECA General Assembly that clubs could sign "individual commitments" to UEFA's competitions to finally end speculation about a breakaway Super League. He also floated the idea of barring big money transfer deals between clubs competing in the Champions League to cut costs.
BARCELONA - Barcelona members elected Joan Laporta as club president on Sunday, turning to the man who oversaw one of their most successful periods to lead them out of an institutional and financial crisis.
Laporta, who was Barça president between 2003 and 2010, won a resounding 54.28% of total votes, while Víctor Font came second with 29.99% and Toni Freixa was third with 8.58%.
When Fulhamerica beats Liverpool at Anfield, you know that foreshadows a historic day for USMNT players in Europe. While Antonee Robinson got off the bench in that one (although Tim Ream didn’t), Sunday saw goals from a remarkable number of U.S. footballers abroad, including Josh Sargent, Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Boyd and Konrad de la Fuente.
We’ll start with Sarg in the Bundesliga. The 21-year-old striker scored Werder Bremen’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw with FC Köln. Sargent’s header was his second goal in as many games, giving him four in 22 appearances this season.
Rangers celebrated their first league triumph since 2011 after Celtic were frustrated by Dundee United in a 0-0 Premiership draw on Sunday to hand their bitter Glasgow rivals the title.
Rangers fans had flouted COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to gather outside Ibrox before and after Saturday's 3-0 win over St Mirren which moved the team to within a point of the title and Celtic needed a win to delay their celebrations. But despite dominating possession and having more than 25 shots during the game, visitors Celtic were unable to find a way past a determined United side.
American sports can be tacky at times (see cheerleaders, singing the national anthem and extensive commercial breaks), but one positive that has arisen from the heartland of this fine country is the extensive use of trophies.
MADRID - LaLiga leaders Atlético Madrid host neighbors Real Madrid on Sunday in a potentially pivotal game in the title race.
Real sit third, level on 53 points with Barcelona and five behind Atlético who have a game in hand on their rivals.
Zinedine Zidane's side dropped points on Monday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Real Sociedad and another slip-up could prove fatal in the bid to retain their crown.
In soccer, rivalries are an important part because playing a “Derby” or “Clásico” is a privilege. However, a special flavor to these duels is tasted when remembering those players who, without any remorse, put on the shirt of the hated rival and played for both teams. These are the authentic "Judases" of soccer that will remain in history for their controversial passage from one team to another.
Here we bring you the biggest players who played for the hated rival.
BERLIN - Borussia Dortmund could not have hoped for better timing ahead of Saturday's trip to Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga's Der Klassiker as they look to rescue their rollercoaster campaign with a late winning run.
Dortmund were considered title contenders at the start of the season but their early spark quickly faded leading to the departure of coach Lucien Favre in December.