Month: February 2023

9:23 AM ET Sam Marsden Moises Llorens Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he is targeting a domestic double after being knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United on Thursday. Barca lost 4-3 on aggregate to United over two legs, meaning the Catalan club will be left without European football in the month of

How Newcastle United turned things around in just one season (and without big spending) It’s no surprise Newcastle have gone from the relegation zone to the top-four since their takeover, but ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, let’s look at how they did it so quickly. (And no, it’s not just about spending.)

9:45 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Manchester United are set to face Wrexham in the United States this summer, sources told ESPN. Wrexham, owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will face Erik ten Hag’s team in San Diego in July. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The game will form part of

The most successful player in Real Madrid‘s history isn’t Alfredo Di Stefano, Raul Gonzalez, Sergio Ramos or Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior: you know him as Marcelo. The left-back won a club record 25 trophies — six LaLiga titles, five Champions Leagues, two Copas del Rey, five Spanish Supercopas, three UEFA Super

9:53 PM ET Associated Press Six people have been detained for their alleged involvement in a scheme to possibly fix a Copa del Rey game, Spanish police said on Friday. The game under investigation was Levante‘s 8-0 victory at lower-tier Huracán Melilla on Dec. 2, 2021. The game was in Melilla, one of Spain’s two

5:30 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has said he is constantly having to control his aggression towards his opponents in order to avoid picking up suspensions. Martinez has impressed at Old Trafford since his summer move from Ajax, winning plaudits especially for his combative style. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga,

5:30 PM ET Graham Potter left Brighton to replace Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea manager last September. Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images Graham Potter has revealed both he and his family have received death threats from Chelsea supporters frustrated at the team’s disappointing form. The Blues have won just two of their last 14 matches across

3:57 PM ET Associated Press The union for Major League Soccer players criticized FIFA, its rules-making body and the league for failing to allow trials of temporary substitutes to replace players suspected of sustaining concussions. The International Football Association Board said Jan. 18 that no consensus was reached on the proposal for trials by MLS

3:08 PM ET Cesar Hernandez LA Galaxy‘s Major League Soccer season-opener against crosstown rivals LAFC has been postponed due to a winter storm that has battered the West Coast, the clubs have confirmed. Initially scheduled for Saturday at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, a new date has yet to be determined for the El Trafico rivalry match.

1:42 PM ET Adriana Garcia Spanish referee Xavier Estrada Fernandez has filed a criminal lawsuit in a Barcelona court against former senior referee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira for alleged sporting fraud, according to reports. Negreira is being investigated by the Spanish prosecutor’s office for receiving payments from Barcelona between 2016 and 2018 for consultancy work,

11:49 AM ET Adriana Garcia Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has said he believes red-hot Vinicius Junior will lead the team’s attack for many years to come. Vinicius, 22, scored twice, set up another goal and was voted UEFA’s player of the match in Madrid’s come-from-behind 5-2 win at Liverpool in the Champions League round

11:21 AM ET Former Real Madrid defender Marcelo has signed a two-year contract with his previous club Fluminense after leaving Greek champions Olympiakos, the Brazilian Serie A side said on Friday. Marcelo signed a deal until December 2024 with an option to extend until the end of 2025, the club said. – Stream on ESPN+:

9:07 AM ET Liverpool must “change things” in order to find stability and consistency in the midst of a trying season, coach Jurgen Klopp said ahead of their Premier League game at Crystal Palace on Saturday. Klopp’s side are eighth in the Premier League table on 35 points, and have been eliminated from the Carabao

10:16 AM ET France captain Wendie Renard said on Friday that she will not play at this year’s Women’s World Cup to preserve her mental health, adding that she “can no longer support the current system.” Renard, who is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in women’s football, played for France in

5:28 AM ET Sid LoweSpain writer Could Saturday be Diego Simeone’s last Madrid derby as Atletico manager? Berengui/DeFodi Images via Getty Images Once more into the fray? Saturday night will be the 39th time manager Diego Simeone has led Atletico Madrid into a derby against Real Madrid — the 40th if you include the day they

7:59 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Erik ten Hag has said Manchester United‘s Carabao Cup final opponents Newcastle United are an “annoying team to play against.” United and Newcastle meet at Wembley on Sunday with Ten Hag looking to win the first trophy of his Old Trafford reign. The club’s last piece of silverware came in

6:40 AM ET Reuters Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email Manchester United were drawn against Real Betis in the Europa League round of 16 on Friday, while Arsenal will take on Sporting CP. Erik ten Hag’s side edged a thrilling playoff with Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate thanks to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in