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Unai Emery feels the attacker could play for the Ligue 1 club again before the end of the season as he aims to prove his fitness for the World Cup Neymar could yet feature for Paris Saint-Germain before the end of the season, according to head coach Unai Emery. The Brazil star suffered a fractured foot against rivals Marseille in February, with the injury initially putting his participation in the World Cup in doubt. But Neymar has recovered well and he could see some playing time before the end of the domestic campaign, offering a boost to club and country. "Neymar is close to coming back to training, based on the latest tests," he told a news conference. "He had a good medical examination and, when he gets here, I'm sure he will want to play. "He may have time to play for us before the end of the season. That's what we're working towards." Emery is widely expected to be replaced by Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season, but th...

New York City FC kept its unbeaten intact with a thrashing of Real Salt Lake, sending a message ahead of Sunday's showdown with Atlanta United NEW YORK — There is no debating that Toronto FC is wearing the crown as the king of Major League Soccer between its MLS Cup title and recent run to the CONCACAF Champions League title. That said, it is looking more and more like New York City FC will be the biggest challenger to the throne. Patrick Vielra's men thoroughly dismantled Real Salt Lake, with four different players scoring goals in a comprehensive 4-0 victory that maintained NYCFC's unbeaten record atop the league's overall standings. David Villa began the night on the bench for the fourth straight match as he recovers from an injury, and NYCFC once again showed it can score goals without him, rattling off three goals before Villa took the field in the 59th minute for his first action in a month. Wednesday's win was spearheaded once again by the atta...

The Real Madrid star netted his 10th career goal against Juventus in the competition, setting yet another record Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty deep into stoppage time on Wednesday sent Real Madrid through to the Champions League semi-finals, and also established yet another record for the Portugal star in the competition. With Madrid down 3-0 to Juventus on the night and the quarter-final tie level at 3-3 on aggregate, Ronaldo buried a penalty in the 97th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu. The goal – scored against Wojciech Szczesny after Gianluigi Buffon had been red carded in possibly his final Champions League game – was Ronaldo's 10th career goal against Juve in the Champions League. That figure is more than any other player has against a specific opponent in the competition. Prior to the game, Ronaldo shared the record with Lionel Messi, who has scored nine goals against Arsenal in the Champions League. Ronaldo scored three of Madrid's four goals in the q...

"That was a human reaction and I think he should have been understood." Massimiliano Allegri responded to Gianluigi Buffon's red card. Massimiliano Allegri defended Gianluigi Buffon's reaction after the Juventus captain and goalkeeper was sent off for protesting Real Madrid's stoppage-time penalty in the Champions League. Juventus were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, despite Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Madrid, who benefited from a dramatic last-gasp penalty at the Santiago Bernabeu. Buffon and Juve were poised to force extra time after remarkably erasing Madrid's 3-0 first-leg lead, until Cristiano Ronaldo broke their hearts with a spot-kick at the death. Two-time reigning champions Madrid were awarded a penalty after Lucas Vazquez was fouled by defender Medhi Benatia, sparking a furious protest from Buffon, who was shown a red card having confronted referee Michael Oliver. "There was too much confusion, and this is...

Neither team could find the back of the net on purpose, but Toluca defender Santiago Garcia sent the ball into his own net late in the Copa MX final Necaxa couldn't find the back of the net in Wednesday's Copa MX contest against Toluca, but Toluca did it for them. With the match scoreless in the 87th minute, Felipe Gallegos sent forward a long ball looking for forward Martin Barragan. Toluca center back Santiago Garcia intervened at the top of the box, but rather than clearing the ball out for a goal kick as intended he looped in a stunning own goal over the head of goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera. Necaxa had four titles in the Copa Mexico to its name, but all came well before the modern era. The team's last cup title was in the 1935-36 season. It also breaks a drought for a first-division trophy for Necaxa, although its not as long as the cup drought. Necaxa last won a first-division title when it won the league in the Invierno 98 tournament. The historic side h...

The Gunners boss and Shkodran Mustafi were amazed to see Roma stun Barcelona and are determined not to suffer a similar fate at CSKA Moscow Barcelona's stunning Champions League loss to Roma serves as a warning to Arsenal as they prepare to defend the same advantage against CSKA Moscow in the Europa League. Ernesto Valverde's men carried a 4-1 first-leg lead to Rome but were sensationally denied a place in the semi-finals eight minutes from time when Kostas Manolas sealed a remarkable 3-0 win for the Serie A side. Similarly, CSKA are three down but with an away goal to their name ahead of hosting Arsenal in the Russian capital on Thursday, with a place in the final four of the Europa League up for grabs. "I watched the other game [Manchester City v Liverpool], so only watched the last part of it," said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. "It was a typical game where they wanted to protect their advantage. They conceded early and it can happen, that's why ...

The Blaugrana crashed out of the Champions League on away goals after a shock 3-0 loss in Italy that sees their treble hopes go up in smoke The famous Champions League comeback happened after all on Tuesday – just not in the game everyone expected. While all of the talk in the build-up was about whether Manchester City could overturn a three-goal deficit against Liverpool, few gave Roma much hope of a turnaround at home to Barcelona. But the Serie A side pulled off a rousing remontada to dash the Catalans' Champions League dreams and also their hopes of winning the treble. Barca had not lost in Europe or in La Liga all season prior to this match, but some warning signs were there. Last Wednesday's 4-1 win over Roma arrived courtesy of two own goals and also a scoreline that flattered the Blaugrana hugely. Roma had been excellent in the Camp Nou clash and the final result was excessive punishment. The tie appeared to be over. But against Leganes on Saturday, ...

The Egypt and Brazil forwards have now netted eight times in this year's competition, a tally that had never been reached before by a Red Mohamed Salah and Robert Firmino have entered the record books for Liverpool as the highest scorers in a single Champions League campaign. The Egypt international was in sparkling form to help the Reds thrash Manchester City 3-0 in the quarter-final first leg last week. And he was on target again on Tuesday as Jurgen Klopp's side hit back to level the second leg at 1-1 and all but secure their place in the semi-finals after being outplayed in the first half. Salah's strike, moreover, was his eighth in this year's Champions League, a mark no Liverpool player had ever managed in the competition. Five of the forward's goals came in the group stage, while he was also on target in a 5-0 last-16 victory over Porto as well as in both quarter-final legs. Salah also hit in the qualifying phase against Hoffenheim, althoug...

The manager was left livid after a one-sided first half at the Etihad Stadium and was sent to the stands by the referee Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola watched the second half of the Champions League clash with Liverpool from the stands after being sent off following a clash with match officials. Having lost the first leg 3-0 at Anfield, City came out for the return leg loaded with attacking options and immediately put the Reds on the back foot. Gabriel Jesus cut the deficit to two with a second-minute strike, while Bernardo Silva crashed a shot against the post as the hosts went all out for victory. Guardiola, however, took apparent exception to some of the calls made by referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz, and at the half-time mark held a furious exchange with the official. Lahoz in turn sent Pep off as he walked towards the tunnel, meaning he was not able to take his place on the bench after the break. disallowed goal for City towards the end of the fi...

With the Wales international struggling to recapture his best form, a former Blancos striker and manager has torn into the fee paid for his servicesGareth Bale has been slammed by former Real Madrid player and coach Jorge Valdano, with the Welshman told “nothing he does is worth €100 million”.      The Blancos invested a then record-breaking transfer fee in the Wales international forward back in 2013.Bale is closing in on 200 appearances for the club and has helped them to La Liga, Copa del Rey and Club World Cup triumphs, along with three Champions League crowns.      He has, however, struggled for form and fitness at various stages throughout his time in Spain and his value has now been questioned by a man who has filled roles at Santiago Bernabeu ranging from goal-getting frontman to sporting director.      Valdano told El Transistor : “Nothing Bale does is worth 100 million euros, and that’s the price tag he carries around on h...

The 25-year-old put in an outstanding performance in the month under review and has been rewarded for the effort Mohamed Salah has won the PFA Player of the Month award for March.     The Liverpool forward scored six Premier League goals during the month in consideration, including four against Watford at Anfield. Salah has now nicked the prize four times this season after scooping it in November, December and February.      The former Roma player secured 80% of votes cast in an online poll to beat off competitions from Tottenham Hotspur trio Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son and Jan Vertonghen, including Manchester City pair Leroy Sane and David Silva.

     Pogba shrugged off a turbulent season and speculation over his future by scoring twice in as many minutes just after half-time to spearhead a stunning United comeback that was completed by Chris Smalling 21 minutes from time. Victory for City would have seen Pep Guardiola’s men crowned as champions and take a United record in the process by winning the title with six games to spare.     “If they won they are champions, for all the fans it would be like death,” said the Frenchman. “To lose against City and to see them celebrate, I couldn’t let that happen. At half-time in the dressing room we said we have nothing to lose.”      Barring an incredible collapse, City will still win the league in the coming weeks as the hold a 13-point lead over second-placed United. However, Pogba issued a rallying cry for United to win back the battle for supremacy in Manchester next season. “After a second half like this, we have to do that...

    A recent tour of the U.S. didn't yield wins, but it did give Americans a look at a team they might want to adopt as their own at the World Cup The recent international fixture window was a solemn one for American soccer fans, as they were once again reminded that the upcoming World Cup would be the first without the United States in 32 years. For some U.S. fans who had yet to settle on a new team to root for in Russia, watching the full slate of friendlies offered a chance to look at teams they might consider adopting for the tournament.       One potential candidate actually came to the United States in search of some good tests and also to showcase its incredible story. Iceland, the tiny Island nation of 338,349 inhabitants, played friendlies in San Francisco and New Jersey, giving U.S. fans — as well as the many Mexican and Peruvian fans in the United States — a chance to see the underdog team that made such a big splash at the 2016 European Ch...

The Blues were on course for a jubilant title party but for the second time in a matter of days they have crumpled to a bitter defeat It was all going so well for Manchester City. Okay, they missed a couple of chances which would have put them at least 3-0 up against their bitterest rivals, but they were just 45 minutes away from clinching the Premier League title all the same. "This Is How It Feels" by Inspiral Carpets, a song long sang by United to taunt City, blared from the PA system as the teams made their way down the tunnel. This is City's song now. It's their league, too. Highlights of their 5-0 win against Liverpool earlier this season played on the big screens, some of the attention already turning to Tuesday's Champions League clash against the Merseysiders. United, in many senses, were almost in the rearview mirror. All the momentum was building for City. Premier League title done, Champions League comeback next. Party time. And then it all wen...

            Mohamed Salah's absence left Liverpool lacking attacking quality as Everton held them to a 0-0 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.Liverpool missed the striking prowess of Mohamed Salah as they passed up a chance to go second in the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby. Salah, who has scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, was absent for Saturday's clash at Goodison Park due to the groin injury he sustained in the 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, and Liverpool's second string failed to deliver.      Dominic Solanke, starting down the middle with Roberto Firmino on the bench, was the main culprit as he wasted the two clearest chances of a drab encounter in front of England manager Gareth Southgate, while Loris Karius only had one Everton effort to deal with across the entire 90 minutes.The Toffees approach played ...

       Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer “did well” in a first training session since fracturing his foot but remains in limbo in terms of a return to competition, said coach Jupp Heynckes on Friday. “The session went well,” Heynckes said, a day after Neuer put on the gloves for the first time since injuring his foot last September.       “Given the circumstances, he’s doing very well. He’s in no pain and his foot is showing no negative signs.” While 32-year-old Neuer is hoping to return in time for the June 14-July 15 World Cup   in Russia, Germany coach Joachim Loew has hinted he would not take the Bayern shot-stopper if not fully fit.        That could leave Barcelona ‘keeper Marc Andre ter-Stegen as Germany’s number one in Russia. Heynckes, 72, said Bayern are sticking to a plan they have put together with the club’s medical experts. He added: “We will continue to discuss our plan. We will stick to it, t...

      Former Newcastle forward Remy Cabella struck in the 17th minute to put Saint-Etienne ahead, but he then missed a penalty and with the hosts unable to exploit the sending off of Presnel Kimpembe PSG earned an unlikely draw when Debuchy deflected a shot into his own net in the second minute of injury time.      “The first half was the worst we had played all season,” said PSG coach Unai Emery. “But I am happy with the way we reacted and for the work that we put in during the second half, we deserved a point.” PSG turned up knowing that a win and defeat for Monaco 24 hours later against Nantes would hand them the title with six games of the season remaining.      Kylian Mbappe started with Edinson Cavani on the bench, and Neymar no doubt keeping tabs on proceedings from at home in Brazil where he is recovering from an operation on a fractured foot. In-form Saint Etienne were looking to extend their unbeaten run to 10, a...

              Saturday’s eagerly awaited meeting at City’s Etihad Stadium offers Pep Guardiola the chance to make mathematically certain of the Premier League crown with a victory. It is a prospect that has left United supporters with a sense of dread as their bitter rivals prepare to lift English football’s greatest prize.       During his press conference on Friday, Mourinho reminded fans of the day, a dozen years ago, when he led Chelsea to a victory over United to win the title and claimed that the potential title decider is “just football”. “We beat United 3-0 and we won the title at Stamford Bridge in 2005-06. But it was not the end of the world, Manchester United didn’t finish. It was just football.       “The only thing I can say is that we want to win, we don’t want to offer them the game. We want to go there and want to compete and win the match if possible. That’s the only thing I can s...

         The ex-Barcelona star did get to work with the mercurial Argentine at Camp Nou, but wishes he had longer with a man who has become an all-time great.Ronaldinho considers Lionel Messi to be a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo and wishes he had spent longer alongside the Argentine at Barcelona.      The Brazilian icon was at the peak of his powers at Camp Nou when a fresh-faced teenager emerged from the famed La Masia academy system.The two South American stars complemented each other for a brief period, but Ronaldinho moved on to AC Milan in 2008.     Two-time World Player of the Year Ronaldinho has seen his former colleague in Catalunya go on to collect five Ballons d’Or and countless other records and awards, and he believes Messi tops Ronaldo as the best in the world.     Asked again during a promotional trip to Malaysia to pick between Messi and Ronaldo, Ronaldinho said: "Messi. I would have loved to c...

    Pep Guardiola's side can claim the Premier League crown with victory over their arch-rivals in Saturday's clash at the Etihad Stadium Manchester City will be chasing the “extra bonus” of securing the Premier League title on derby day against arch-rivals United, admits John Stones.      Pep Guardiola’s star-studded side have dominated the domestic scene in England throughout the 2017-18 campaign. They are now just three points away from adding the top-flight crown to a Carabao Cup triumph, and can get over the line in style with victory over their rivals.      Stones concedes that added incentive has been offered to City as they prepare to welcome the Red Devils to the Etihad Stadium, with it rare that success can be achieved on such an occasion.“It would mean a lot," the England international defender told Sky Sports . “If it was the other way round, I am sure they would say the same. You do not want it to happen, it is the braggi...