Hugo Lloris was part of the Tottenham side that lost the Champions League final five years ago and the decisions taken by Daniel Levy before the match didn't sit well with the goalkeeper
In exclusive extracts from his autobiography, the goalkeeper tells of his dismay at a well-meaning gesture by Daniel Levy before 2019 Champions League final Less than a year after the World Cup final, I found myself in the Champions League final against Liverpool. In doing so, I became one of a very select band who had played in a Euros final, a World Cup final and then a Champions League final in succession. The day before the match, in Madrid, I ran into Dejan Lovren, the Reds’ defender and my former teammate at Lyon. ‘Hey, Hugo,’ he called out. ‘You got the World Cup, you can let me have the Champions League!’ I did not let him have it. It was snatched from us. The penalty awarded by referee Damir Skomina 24 seconds into the match – when the ball struck Moussa Sissoko’s body and rebounded on to his hand – killed the final and wiped us out. From 2 June 2019, a change in the rules meant that a penalty would no longer follow if the ball struck a player’s hand after touching another part of their body. The final took place on 1 June 2019, and something which wouldn’t have been an offence the following day sealed the fate of the final before it had really begun. Continue reading...
Paul Pogba has gone on to enjoy a fine career since progressing through the academy ranks at Manchester United and has now been backed to return to his old club for a third spell
Live updates from the 5.45pm (GMT) kick-offAny thoughts? You can share them with Niall 1 min: Youri Tielemans’ every touch is being booed, because he used to play for Anderlecht. That Belgian beef runs deep. We will have a minute’s silence before the start, in memory of the victims of flooding in Valencia. Unai Emery has close ties to the region, having managed Valencia and Villarreal previously in his career. Continue reading...
Robert Sánchez is the latest goalkeeper to be unconvincing for the Blues, who still have a plethora of other options By Ben McAleer for WhoScored Chelsea have a goalkeeper problem. It is an issue that has stemmed since Thibaut Courtois departed for Real Madrid in 2018, with the Blues seeking to cover the Belgian’s exit with the record-breaking signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga in the same summer. The Spaniard, now on loan at Bournemouth, has flattered to deceive during his time in west London, but is not the only one that has failed to nail down the No 1 spot. Édouard Mendy has come and gone, while Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrovic have also moved to the capital as Chelsea tried and failed to bring in a worthy successor for Courtois. Petrovic has arguably the most successful in that regard, only to be carted off on loan to Strasbourg. Continue reading...
Tottenham have already got one over on Manchester United this season and Paul Pogba has been quizzed on whether the north Londoners are now the better outfit - but he's hit back
In Antwerp an examining magistrate has arrested a suspect in connection with an attempted burglary at footballer Toby Alderweireld’s. Last week, thieves tried to break into the footballer's villa in Kapellen (Antwerp Province) while he was due to play with FC Antwerp. During their escape, the two burglars fell into Alderweireld's swimming pool and during the subsequent police chase crashed their car.
Kylian Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid was met with enormous fanfare but has also given Carlo Ancelotti a tactical headache, with Los Blancos currently nine points behind rivals Barcelona
Julien Stéphan’s side were once a guide for sustainable growth, but has player-churn policy led to Ligue 1 slump? By Eric Devin for Get French Football News Have Rennes taken it too far in their constant churn of players? The likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Jérémy Doku and Ousmane Dembélé have all benefited from their time at Roazhon Park, a club which has made its name selling and producing young players and investing the proceeds. In recent years, the club also became a regular in Europe, having not missed out since 2017-18 – at least until this season. With their coffers swelling from their turnover in player sales and regular participation in European football, one would have thought that recent heavy investment in their playing staff – Enzo Le Fée, Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo each cost more than €20m, a statement sum for any team aside from Paris Saint-Germain – would have kept this going at a canter. Continue reading...
Kevin De Bruyne made his long-awaited return to the Manchester City squad during their defeat to Bournemouth but Pep Guardiola admits he might not be in action quite yet
Nine of first team squad could miss trip to Bournemouth‘Sometimes if you have problems you have to play’ Pep Guardiola has stated Manchester City’s fit squad members will have to continue playing through any pain because of a mounting injury crisis. Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Kevin De Bruyne have long-term problems and Jack Grealish, Jérémy Doku and Kyle Walker may not return before the international break. Josko Gvardiol, Savinho and Manuel Akanji are doubts for City’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday Continue reading...
Vinicius Junior missed out on the Ballon d'Or to Manchester City star Rodri, but his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema says he will bounce back from the unjust decision
Belgian striker and Kvaratskhelia on target in victoryConte’s team now lead Serie A by seven points Napoli extended their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points as goals from Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sealed a 2-0 win at Milan. Lukaku and Kvaratskhelia both struck in the first half as Napoli extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches after their opening-day defeat at Verona. Continue reading...
Manchester City will struggle unless injuries ease, he saysManager praises Amorim and offers Ten Hag invitation Pep Guardiola has revealed Kevin De Bruyne’s thigh injury is causing greater concern than anticipated. The manager said Manchester City will be in trouble if players do not return to fitness soon. De Bruyne will miss the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Tottenham on Wednesday night along with five teammates. The Belgian has not featured since coming off injured against Intern in the Champions League on 18 September. Guardiola expected the midfielder to be available by this point but, despite a return to training, De Bruyne remains on the sidelines. Continue reading...
