Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich this summer, before he made the move to Liverpool, but they ended up signing his brother instead.
Thiago and Rafinha Alcantara are brothers, but while Rafinha represents Brazil at international level, Thiago plays for Spain. And according to their father Mazinho, PSG sporting director Leonardo wanted Thiago very much.
As Mazinho told France Football, he and Leonardo spoke about a potential transfer this summer, but Thiago had his heart set on Liverpool and being excited about working with Jurgen Klopp, he had already agreed to join the Premier League champions. Leonardo apparently wasn t immediately interested in Rafinha, but PSG needed a midfielder of flair and creativity, and he ended u…
The games are coming thick and fast and after another busy week of European football it is straight back into the Premier League.
One of the Premier League s most iconic rivalries has its latest instalment on Sunday as Manchester United host Arsenal, while early leaders Everton go to Newcastle United on the same day.
Before that, though, how will champions Liverpool cope with their mounting injury problems against West Ham on Saturday? Can Manchester City rediscover their best domestic form at Sheffield United?
Ahead of another round of fascinating games, have a go at our Opta-powered quiz. Find the answers at the bottom of the page.
TOP SCORERS 2020/21
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— Premier League (@premierleague)
1. City w…
Bayern Munich spurned a host of chances as Leon Bailey s double earned 10-man Bayer Leverkusen a 2-1 win and inflicted a first defeat on Hansi Flick.
The champions had won each of their four matches without conceding since Flick was named interim boss following Niko Kovac s sacking, but they came unstuck in Saturday s Bundesliga clash at the Allianz Arena.
Thomas Muller scored his first goal in 21 league matches to cancel out Bailey s early opener, only for the Leverkusen winger to restore his side s advantage 115 seconds later.
Despite Jonathan Tah being dismissed nine minutes from time, a mixture of poor finishing and impressive goalkeeping from Lukas Hradecky left Bayern – who rattled the woodwork late on through Leon Goretzka and an unusually wasteful Rober…
Juventus earned a 3-1 win over 10-man Sassuolo as goals from Danilo, Aaron Ramsey and Cristiano Ronaldo kept them in touch with Serie A leaders Milan.
Sassuolo had frustrated the Bianconeri in the first half but their combative approach saw Pedro Obiang sent off moments before half-time.
Danilo put Juve ahead five minutes into the second half with a powerful long-range strike, yet Sassuolo equalised with a fine finish from Gregoire Defrel.
Sassuolo looked on course to take a point but late goals from Ramsey and Ronaldo secured the victory for Andrea Pirlo s side.
FT | | THREE GOALS AND A BIG THREE POINTS!
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)
A slick Juve passing move opened up the Sassuolo defence early on but Gianluca Frabotta could only…
Sean Dyche has been sacked by Burnley after almost 10 years in charge at Turf Moor.
The shock announcement comes with Burnley mired in relegation trouble, sitting 18th in the Premier League and four points adrift of Everton with eight matches to play.
Burnley have just one win from their past seven matches, losing five times in that run, and the Clarets board have opted to make a change for a crucial run-in.
Firstly, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Sean and his staff for their achievements at the club over the last decade, Burnley chairman Alan Pace said via a club statement.
During his time at Turf Moor, Sean has been a credit both on and off the pitch, respected by players, staff, supporters, and the wider football community.
With the A-League season beginning on Monday, just how important is round one?
Amid a coronavirus outbreak in New South Wales, the opening round has been rejigged, with Western United to host Adelaide United in the first game of the season.
Brisbane Roar host Melbourne City on Tuesday before the Western Sydney Wanderers take on Macarthur and the Central Coast Mariners face the Newcastle Jets in the F3 Derby on New Year s Eve.
The opening round would seem like just another game, but history shows otherwise.
With the help of Opta data, we assess just what round one means in the A-League.
We re ready!
— A-League (@ALeague)
Opening loss and trophies become difficult
Incredibly, only twice in A-League history has a team th…
Manchester City’s Champions League draw with Real Madrid took their unbeaten run to 21 games.
Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten since early February, with 17 wins and four draws, as they peak in familiar fashion for the end of the season and a potential trophy treble.
Here, the PA news agency looks at their seemingly unstoppable form.
Treble chase
City are chasing glory on three fronts, looking to emulate the feat of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season achieved by local rivals Manchester United in 1998-99.
Thirty-seven points from the last 39 available have helped them haul in long-time league leaders Arsenal, leading by a point and with four games remaining to the Gunners’ three.
They have beaten thei…
Having struggled for three decades to reach the heights that were absolutely their rightful place once, Liverpool have finally got there under Jurgen Klopp. The German s charisma endeared him to the club s supporters from day one, and they ll always remember October the 8th, 2015, as a huge turning point in their recent history.
Six years have passed since then. The Merseysiders managed to win their sixth Champions League trophy in that time, along with the 19th title in the English top flight, and while the ole big ears they snatched in Madrid in 2019 takes them to the double tally of their nearest English rival Manchester United, the 2020 Premier League title leaves them still one short of their fiercest foe.
Yet, even that might change at the end of the season. Kopp …
Everton new boy Dele Alli has issued a message of gratitude to former club Tottenham after making a deadline day move to Goodison Park – and made special mention of former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Alli s seven-year spell at Tottenham came to an end on Monday, leaving for Merseyside in what is said to be an initial free transfer.
Everton will reportedly be obliged to pay £10million for the midfielder after he makes 20 appearances, with subsequent performance-based add-ons that may take the eventual figure as high as £40m.
The 25-year-old recorded 67 goals and 55 assists in 269 games for Spurs, having moved to White Hart Lane from MK Dons in 2015.
Alli took to social media on Tuesday to thank his former club, saying they will always be in …
Real Madrid have been crowned LaLiga champions for a record-extending 36th time after Barcelona went down to Girona.
Madrid beat Cadiz 3-0 earlier on Saturday, but Carlo Ancelotti s team could still have been caught by Barca.
Yet the Blaugrana s slim hopes were ended when they lost 4-2 to Girona.
That ensured Los Blancos lead at the top, with four games remaining, is unassailable.
Madrid have won 27 of their 34 league matches so far this season, losing just once.
Ancelotti s focus will now turn to the Champions League, with Madrid to host Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.
Vinicius Junior s double secured a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Munich.
WE ARE THE LALIGA 2023/24 CHAMPIONS!
— Real Mad…