Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has revealed the chance of UEFA Champions League glory was one of the reasons he opted to leave Liverpool at the end of last season.
The Uruguayan s 31 goals almost propelled Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2013-14, before he departed for Camp Nou.
Without Suarez, Liverpool s Champions League campaign was ended in the group stage, while Barca are preparing for Wednesday s quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital.
Asked if the desire to win the competition was behind his transfer, Suarez told Champions Matchday: Of course. Barcelona are always a candidate to win the Champions League.
That s a plus here, as the clubs I ve played for before didn t really have the chance to win big […
Scott McTominay predicted Scotland s fans will talk about Tuesday s win over Spain in 30 years time after his brace helped the Tartan Army maintain their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying.
Having also scored twice in Saturday s 3-0 win over Cyprus, McTominay netted in both halves as Scotland handed Luis de la Fuente his first defeat as Spain boss, triumphing 2-0 at a buoyant Hampden Park.
Scotland have now won their first two games of a World Cup/Euros qualification campaign for the first time since September 2006, putting them three points clear of Spain at the Group A summit.
Manchester United midfielder McTominay, meanwhile, has four goals in his last two international appearances after netting just once in his first 37.
Speaking after the full-ti…
Paris St-Germain coach Paul Le Guen was linked with a sensational switch to the club s arch-rivals Marseille in the French media on Wednesday.
Leading sports daily L Equipe reported that Marseille are seeking a replacement for their Belgian trainer Eric Gerets and have already taken tentative steps towards appointing Le Guen.
Both coaches contracts expire at the end of the season and L Equipe claims Le Guen could be tempted south from Paris even if Gerets leads Marseille to both the league title and the UEFA Cup this term.
Former Kaiserslautern and Wolfsburg manager Gerets is rumoured to be considering a return to Germany and the paper states that Le Guen heads a shortlist of potential replacements.
Le Guen has not given any clear indications (about his…
Mikel Arteta is in London to finalise a deal to become the new Arsenal head coach, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
Arteta has long been tipped to succeed Unai Emery at Emirates Stadium but the move has reportedly been held up due to disagreements between the two clubs over a compensation package.
However, Guardiola says the man who has been his assistant at City for the past three years is close to becoming the Gunners new boss.
Mikel is in London, Guardiola said on Friday. He is close to doing a deal with Arsenal. That s what I know.
It s almost done. Yesterday, he didn t train. He didn t train today.
Guardiola also suggested City would not appoint a replacement for Arteta this season, adding: We stay with the same peo…
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is excited about the Reds future following their Champions League success in 2018-19.
Jurgen Klopp s men enjoyed a fine season last term, claiming a sixth European crown and finishing second to Manchester City in the Premier League.
That does not quite tell the entire story of their domestic campaign, however, as they amassed a remarkable haul of 97 points, the most ever collected by a side who failed to win the title. City got 98.
Klopp s side were praised for their vibrant style of play and presence of youth, with Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez all having prominent roles.
Considering Liverpool s achievements and the squad they have assembled, Van Dijk – who was named Professional Footballers Ass…
Former Chelsea player-manager Gianluca Vialli has been impressed with the way Antonio Conte has started life at Stamford Bridge.
Conte, who took charge in July after leaving his post as Italy head coach following Euro 2016, has claimed three wins and a draw from his first four Premier League matches.
Vialli, who won the domestic double and the Champions League alongside Conte at Juventus, says the signs are encouraging for Chelsea following their dismal campaign in 2015-16.
I think Conte is already doing a great job at Chelsea, said Vialli. He arrived at the right moment after a disappointing season. He has had a very good team in his hands and he tried to bring in more quality players.
I think players have no choice but to follow him. They are used to …
James Rodriguez wants to continue his stay at Bayern Munich after his loan from Real Madrid ends and admits the Bundesliga has surpassed his expectations.
The Colombia international has impressed at the Allianz Arena since joining on a two-year loan deal last July.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed last month that they have the option to sign James on a permanent deal for €42million, although he stressed there was no rush over triggering the clause.
James himself admits he would be delighted to stay in the Bundesliga, telling reporters after Bayern s 3-1 win over Cologne on Saturday: I m doing very well.
It s a good league here in Germany, the stadiums are full. I came here with a different perception.
I m fine, I hope I stay h…
Barcelona keen on Di Maria
Champions League winners Barcelona are considering an ambitious bid for Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria, .
The Catalans aim to recruit a creative central midfielder who can be effective in the final third and the Argentina star is one of the players they are looking at.
Barcelona have not been put off by Di Maria s poor performances in English Premier League and they could come forward with an official proposal in the coming weeks.
The Argentine has largely struggled for form and playing time in the second part of last season and it is believed he plans to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Di Maria, 27, did manage 3 goals and 10 assists in 27 Premier League outings, but he hasn t quite managed to justify the h…
Nigel Pearson has been sacked as boss of Leicester
Premier League Leicester City have dispensed with the services of boss Nigel Pearson, who guided the Foxes to an extraordinary great escape from relegation last season.
The decision has shocked the football world, especially after the Foxes performances at the end of last season.
Breakdown
The reason cited for his sacking was the breakdown of the working relationship with the clubs owners. The Foxes issued a statement explaining the Pearson’s exit. Here is an extract of that statement:
The board of directors recognises the success Nigel has helped to bring to Leicester City during his two spells in charge of the club, particularly during the last three and a half years.
However, it ha…
Crystal Palace s Wilfried Zaha wants move to the Premier League in the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old England international has attracted interest from a number of leading clubs, including Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, and has revealed if a Premier League club made an offer for him in the transfer window, then he would leave.
I want to establish myself in the Premier League and in international football, he told the Mail on Sunday.
I m not a teenager any more, I ve played more than 100 first-team games and this year is crucial to develop my football career.
I ve played a lot in the Championship so having that new challenge in the Premier League, where everyone wants to be, would be great.
To be honest, if I had the chance…