Real Madrid started their Champions League title defence with a hard-fought 3-1 home win over Stuttgart on Tuesday, with late goals from Antonio Rudiger and Endrick guiding them to victory.
Last season s Bundesliga runners-up Stuttgart were arguably the better side for long periods at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu stadium, threatening a huge upset of the 15-time European champions.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a string of critical saves to keep Madrid level, keeping out Jamie Leweling and Angelo Stiller before half-time.
Dani Carvajal also diverted a Deniz Undav shot against his own crossbar as Los Blancos rode their luck, but Kylian Mbappe drew first blood shortly after the restart, finishing from close range after Rodrygo led a quick counter…
Danilo Rinaldi has scored the first goal of the 2022-23 Champions League campaign, just 24 days after Vinicius Junior s winner in the 2021-22 final.
Vinicius delivered the decisive strike as Real Madrid lifted their 14th European Cup – double the total of any other side – with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in Paris on May 28.
The next Champions League campaign is already underway with the preliminary qualifying rounds.
June 21 marks the first day of Champions League qualifying, with knockout rounds continuing until August 24 to decide which six teams will join the 26 sides who have confirmed places in the group stage.
And Rinaldi opened the scoring for San Marino s La Fiorita against Andorran side Inter Escaldes to kick off the continental campai…
The 2014/2015 season in top European leagues is done and dusted and while top football players, apart from those taking part at the 2015 Copa America, are enjoying themselves at exotic destinations, it s time to recap the campaign behind us and present you our team of the season. It goes without saying that superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both make the list, but read on to see who else is in the star-studded starting line-up.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
Jose Mourinho had a big decision to make when Thibaut Courtois finally returned to Stamford Bridge and he eventually handed the number one spot to the Belgian keeper, which proved to be a very good move. The 23-year-old showed incredible maturity for his age, producing some stunning saves through…
Carlo Ancelotti has lauded the “special” job his Real Madrid players are doing this season ahead of their trip to Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga on Thursday.
Madrid, sitting in second, have added David Alaba to their now six-man long injury list after the Austrian international damaged a cruciate ligament.
And Ancelotti praised his available players for challenging Girona at the top of the table and called for them to finish 2023 on a high.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid)
“We want to keep up the good momentum we’ve had in the last few games, get the three points and finish this 2023 campaign on a high note.” Ancelotti said.
“It’s a very complicated moment of the season.
“Fortunately, I have the players to thank …
The NFL season is coming down to the wire and with it comes a ton of opportunistic prop markets. We’re looking into every market to uncover some of the week’s best side, team, player, and derivative prop bets. We do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to!
We’re adding to our Week 17 prop list which includes fading one of the better quarterbacks in football while simultaneously riding with one of the worst passers in the league. We’re also betting on a fullback as well as a tight end coming off the COVID list.
Without further ado, we bring you our Week 17 free player prop picks and predictions.
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I feel like I should warn you: You are about to enter a 5-10 minute love fest for one of the most dynamic, exciting running backs in all of the NFL, who has gone from being a superstar to an absolute offensive weapon for the San Francisco 49ers — and also has one of the best nicknames in the sport.
All hail “Run-CMC.”
Can you tell I’m excited to spotlight Christian McCaffrey props this week? He’s got a very juicy Week 15 matchup against a floundering Seattle defense, and the NFL odds on CMC’s props are providing some intriguing value… although my free NFL picks aren’t going in the direction you’d think.
Here’s a hint: Both our 49ers vs. Seahawks betting preview and our best TNF player props are banking on big days from Niners pass-catchers… an…
If you’re like me, you’ve been putting some miles on the Christmas movies this month.
I’ve watched all the mainstays, like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, and sat down for a few holiday flicks with the kids, such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and every variation of “The Grinch.”
Most Xmas movies are formulaic. The protagonist is put into some sort of yuletide pickle, bad things happen, and they’re eventually bailed out by a Christmas miracle. Cue celebrating in the snow while the end credits roll to “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love.
My latest NFL picks could use a little of that holiday help in Week 16.
I’m on a 2-7 ATS slide in the NF…
NFL players won’t be the only ones testing the limits of their endurance this season. Football fans can also experience the thrill of outlasting the competition with our Covers $10K Pro Football Survivor contest.
This brand new competition is completely free to enter and offers a guaranteed grand prize. Simply pick one winning team each week throughout the NFL season. If you get eliminated early, you can join our $2,500 “second chance” mini-game starting in Week 8. Plus, if you make it to Week 12 without being knocked out, you’ll receive an automatic invitation to an exclusive private playoffs contest.
Are you ready to rise to the challenge? Sign up now and claim your place in football’s fiercest showdown! The deadline to enter is Sunda…
RB Leipzig have parted company with head coach Jesse Marsch after a poor start to the season. Last season’s Bundesliga runners-up were beaten 2-1 at Union Berlin on Friday, a third consecutive league loss that saw them drop to 11th.
Marsch was hired to replace Julian Nagelsmann, who join Bayern Munich in the summer, but has seen his team win just five of their 14 league games this season.
Jude Bellingham criticises referee after Dortmund go down to BayernRead more
The club said in a statement: “RB Leipzig and head coach Jesse Marsch have mutually agreed to part ways. The decision is the result of an in-depth analysis and intensive discussions after the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin.”
“During England Under-21s European Championship win, James Trafford made their second goal against Germany with a throw to Harvey Elliott. Which other goalkeepers have got an assist with their hands?” tweets Dan Griffin.
Elliott’s brilliant solo effort added more gloss to a tournament Trafford will never want to forget: no goals conceded, one created. Goalkeeper assists are increasingly common – there have been 95 in the Premier League era – though the majority involved a timely punt downfield rather than a throw.
Peter Schmeichel got the first of those 95 with a huge up and under at Bramall Lane on 15 August 1992. But his right arm was a much greater weapon than his right foot. When he joined Manchester U…