European soccer information: Modric will get winner, USMNT gamers shine

It isn’t fairly spring but, however Europe’s high leagues have been heating up because the title races stay tight and the video games are getting that rather more intense.

Saturday noticed Arsenal actual revenge on Newcastle after shedding to them earlier within the season and Manchester United misplaced to Fulham, elevating contemporary questions on Erik ten Hag’s management. In different Premier League motion, Manchester Metropolis beat Bournemouth with a defense-first method, and U.S. males’s nationwide staff defender Chris Richards scored his first Premier League objective in Crystal Palace’s win over Burnley.

In the remainder of Europe, Barcelona seemed like their former selves in a thrashing of Getafe whereas Bayern Munich nonetheless did not appear to be their former selves in a win over RB Leipzig.

On Sunday, Liverpool have been topped Carabao Cup champions after defeating Chelsea with a last-minute winner from Virgil van Dijk, whereas LaLiga leaders Actual Madrid snatched a winner in opposition to Sevilla and it was a historic day for USMNT gamers within the high 5 European leagues.

There’s a lot to get to speak about, so let’s get to it.

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SUNDAY REVIEW

The lead: Modric steals highlight from Ramos in Madrid’s 1-0 win over Sevilla

All of the speak forward of Actual Madrid’s recreation with Sevilla on Sunday was about Sergio Ramos, however ultimately, it was one other veteran, Luka Modric, who stole the present.

Ramos was again on the Santiago Bernabeu as Sevilla’s captain, the primary time in 19 years that he had performed at this stadium as a customer. He had been cheered and whistled, concerned in crunching challenges and heated disputes, by the point Modric’s curling shot hit the again of the web within the 81st minute to present Madrid a 1-0 win and prolong their lead on the high of the LaLiga desk to eight factors.

Modric is 38, six months older than the 37-year-old Ramos. Two pillars of Madrid’s success within the final decade, the 2 gamers have taken totally different paths since. Ramos left Madrid in 2021, unable to agree a brand new contract. Modric has opted to remain, though he may not be right here for much longer. The Croatian has been sad together with his restricted recreation time this season, making simply 11 league begins, and will look to maneuver on this summer time.

Even with seven Madrid gamers lacking right here by harm or suspension — Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Jude Bellingham, Joselu, Dani Carvajal, and Eduardo Camavinga — Modric may solely discover a place on the bench, coach Carlo Ancelotti preferring Aurélien Tchouaméni, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde in midfield.

With quarter-hour left, and Madrid searching for a breakthrough, Ancelotti took off a defender, Nacho, and launched Modric, dropping Tchouaméni into the again 4. Six minutes after that, Modric had his objective. There was a ferocity in regards to the shot, letting rip after stepping inside Sevilla midfielder Boubakary Soumaré in addition to the celebration, roaring on the Bernabeu crowd, that prompt a sense of vindication, a reminder of simply what a participant Modric might be.

Even Ramos seemed shaken by the objective. His first involvement after that was to move the ball instantly out of play, throwing his arms within the air in frustration. Ramos has performed in opposition to Actual Madrid 4 instances, going again to 2004, in his first stint at Sevilla. This was his first loss.

On the last whistle, after hugs with Lucas Vázquez and Kroos, Ramos sought out Modric to swap shirts, two shut associates who’ve fought many battles collectively, now on opposing sides. — Alex Kirkland

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Sunday speaking factors across the leagues

Klopp retains quadruple dream alive on farewell tour

Step one in every of Jurgen Klopp’s good exit from Liverpool is full. The Reds edged previous Chelsea in Sunday’s Carabao Cup last at Wembley as Virgil van Dijk’s glancing header within the 118th minute gave Klopp a 1-0 win and his eighth main trophy in England.

It may very well be just the start of a wonderful finish. Liverpool are high of the Premier League, host Southampton at Anfield in Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round conflict and face a UEFA Europa League round-of-16 conflict with Slavia Prague subsequent month.

Liverpool pursued one other quadruple in 2021-22 solely to come back up brief within the UEFA Champions League and Premier League. The fallout of that exhausting season prompted questions over whether or not Klopp may construct one other nice facet however “‘Liverpool 2.0” as he rebranded them, have come roaring again to problem on 4 fronts as soon as extra.

And anybody anxious about life after Klopp leaves Merseyside on the finish of the season shall be enthused by how Liverpool beat Chelsea in London, given they have been lacking 11 first-team gamers and relied on three youngsters — James McConnell, Bobby Clark, and Jayden Danns — to assist see the sport out, the very best quantity fielded in a League Cup Last since 2007.

Add in Harvey Elliott (20), Conor Bradley (20), and Jarell Quansah (21) — the latter coming off the bench — and Liverpool seem nicely set to thrive in a post-Klopp period. Earlier than that, nevertheless, comes the finale of his 9 years in cost. And it may but be probably the most magnificent denouement conceivable. — James Olley

Atalanta frustrate Milan and Leão

It was the conflict of the weekend in Serie A: AC Milan, third within the desk welcoming fifth place Atalanta who’re solely seven factors behind. Regardless of a fairly underwhelming 1-1 draw, we received affirmation of two issues on this recreation. The primary one is that Rafael Leão is unquestionably world class when he desires to be. The second is that Atalanta are for actual this season, like within the good previous days.

Let’s begin with Leão. The Portuguese worldwide scored one of many objectives of the season after simply three minutes. A double nutmeg on the left-hand facet in between two defenders, coming inside and putting the ball within the reverse high nook in a loopy tight angle. Merely a factor of absolute magnificence. Not many gamers are able to doing issues like this in video games of this calibre. Leão is one in every of them. He additionally created 4 possibilities and two large possibilities.

Will we see his genius sufficient although? Most likely not. He’s able to extra? For certain. Rather more even. We pay to observe him play, anticipating this sort of brilliance on a regular basis. He isn’t there but. There are good indicators, at instances, that he shall be constantly decisive and hardworking for the staff. And different instances, he would not appear too bothered and positively solely cares about himself. At 24, he’s nonetheless younger however nights like Sunday remind us of how particular a participant he’s.

Milan are fortunate to have him and Atalanta are fortunate to have Teun Koopmeiners. The Dutch midfielder is barely 25 however he is likely one of the gamers of the season. He has been carrying this facet, scoring 9 objectives already and offering 4 assists to this point this season. In his finest season in Italy, he recorded 10 objectives and 4 assists.

It is solely February and Koopmeiners has already just about surpassed that mark. His penalty was sufficient to get a degree away at San Siro and to proceed to dream a couple of return to the Champions League. For now, they’ll rejoice an enormous attract Milan and they’re going to even be occupied with their subsequent Serie A recreation on Wednesday. And guess what, they are going to be again in Milan, this time to play Inter. — Julien Laurens

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People overseas: McKennie the standout on a historic day for USMNT gamers

On a Sunday that noticed many USMNT gamers flourish for his or her golf equipment throughout the continent, the primary star was in Italy and particularly for Juventus as Weston McKennie’s two assists helped his staff defeat Frosinone 3-2 to proceed their push for the Serie A title.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t pleased information for the American midfielder as he could not end the complete match and needed to be subbed out within the 87th minute attributable to a dislocated shoulder, thus lacking the last-minute winner from Daniele Rugani. His supervisor Massimiliano Allegri later confirmed the harm however could not present an replace on how severe it was.

General, it was nonetheless a memorable and historic day for the People overseas within the high 5 leagues as for the primary time because the 2006-07 season, 5 USMNT gamers contributed to a objective within the high 5 European leagues in a single day.

We had Folarin Balogun scoring the opening objective in Monaco’s 3-2 win over Lens, Johnny Cardoso scoring the third and last objective in Actual Betis’ 3-1 win over Athletic Membership, Luca de la Torre offering an help for Iago Aspas’ opening objective for Celta Vigo of their 2-2 draw in opposition to Cádiz and Timothy Chandler present an help to Omar Marmoush’s last-minute equalizer to assist Eintracht Frankfurt earn a degree in a 2-2 draw in opposition to Wolfsburg.

An eventful day for the People overseas! — Roberto Rojas

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Information of the day

• Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos got here off the bench to exchange Kylian Mbappé and rating the last-minute equalizer to present his facet a degree in a 1-1 draw in opposition to Rennes. PSG proceed to paved the way in Ligue 1, unbeaten now of their 18 league matches and maintain an 11-point lead over second-placed Brest.

• Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has stated Chris Kavanagh did not “have the extent” of the Carabao Cup last after criticizing the referee for failing to take any motion in opposition to Moisés Caicedo for his sort out on Ryan Gravenberch in his facet’s 1-0 win on Sunday. “There have been two groups combating very laborious, and the referee did not have the extent of the sport,” Klopp stated. “It [Caicedo’s challenge] was not even a foul? Then the fourth official explaining we can’t give a card… good thought.

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And eventually, on Sunday …

The objectives carry on coming for Lautaro Martínez as league leaders Inter ran away with a 4-0 win over Lecce to proceed high of the Serie A, 9 factors above second-placed Juventus. The Argentine scored twice on the day however it was a historic second for the striker as he scored his a centesimal and one hundred and first league objectives respectively, whereas additionally turning into the fifth participant within the final 65 years to attain greater than 20 objectives in three consecutive Serie A seasons.

✅ 101 objectives in Serie A
✅ 22 objectives in 23 league appearances in 23/24

Fairly merely, El Toro 🙅‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/96UEwttEAA

— Inter (@Inter_en) February 25, 2024

“El Toro” continues to paved the way within the Capocannoniere race because the league’s high goalscorer with 22 objectives, seven greater than Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović, who’s in second place. Whereas he was unfortunate to not rating in Inter’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid within the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie, Martinez will look to be again in full kind earlier than the return leg in Spain the place he hopes he can avenge his loss final yr by the hands of Manchester Metropolis the place he may help Inter win a league and continental cup double. — Rojas

SATURDAY REVIEW

The Saturday lead: Defensive-first win helps Man Metropolis slender hole with Liverpool

After solely two clear sheets in 14 Premier League video games, Manchester Metropolis have now gone two matches in a row with out conceding a objective, and their 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday introduced them again only a level behind Liverpool having performed the identical variety of video games now.

For Man Metropolis to win Premier League once more for the fourth time in a row, amid an exciting title race with Liverpool and Arsenal, it could come all the way down to defence. Targets will all the time come for Metropolis, however defences are what win trophies. So for supervisor Pep Guardiola, getting defensive solidity out of his males often is the key.

To that finish, the presence and health of John Stones has been necessary. This was solely his ninth begin of the season in league play, and he confirmed how indispensable he’s for this staff, enjoying as a centre again and a central midfielder, like he did within the second half of final season on the best way to the treble.

On the opposite finish, Phil Foden scored the one objective of the sport and can rightly get many of the plaudits. The 23-year-old was excellent once more in a central place for Metropolis, within the absence of Kevin De Bruyne who was left on the bench by Guardiola. Whether or not KDB will not be totally match or Foden merely retains him out of the staff would not matter a lot — the actual fact is that Foden is clearly taking one other dimension this season.

Saturday’s objective was Foden’s sixteenth of the season in all competitions (9 within the Premier League), already equalling his finest scoring tally season from 2020-2021, and we’re solely in February. Until one thing dramatic occurs, he’ll smash his report. Foden additionally has 10 assists in all competitions to this point on this marketing campaign, only one wanting his season better of 11 from 2021-2022.

When Stones is obtainable and at his finest, when Foden is in this sort of kind — like we noticed on Saturday — then the present champions are even tougher to play in opposition to. And so they maintain the keys to their success, as a lot as anybody else, like Erling Haaland, Éderson or De Bruyne. — Julien Laurens

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Saturday speaking factors round Europe’s leagues

Final-gasp Kane winner over Leipzig retains Bayern title hopes alive

4 days after the announcement that supervisor Thomas Tuchel will depart Bayern Munich on the finish of this season, the report German champions discovered themselves with their backs in opposition to the wall. Bayer Leverkusen edged previous Mainz on Friday, that means Bayern trailed the league leaders by 11 factors on the desk going into their conflict with RB Leipzig.

Bayern Munich discovered the much-needed 2-1 win on Saturday over Leipzig, which closes the hole between them and first-placed Leverkusen to eight factors.

Tuchel’s facet took the lead after Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager did not clear the ball in opposition to Jamal Musiala and as an alternative the ball was directed in the direction of Harry Kane, who opened the scoring. Leipzig, nevertheless, began to be extra proactive and levelled within the seventieth minute due to skipper Willi Orbán making an look within the last third and helping Dani Olmo and Benjamin Šeško. The Slovenian striker’s shot would in all probability haven’t examined Manuel Neuer, however Leon Goretzka deflected the try previous his goalkeeper.

As soon as once more, following a positive help by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, it was the prolific Kane who fired into the again of the web within the first minute of added time.

Regardless that Bayern have been dealing with the fifth-placed staff, the sport proved one-way site visitors for lengthy durations as Leipzig sat deep inside their very own half, defending with admirable self-discipline. The guests have been apparently striving to take the air out of Munich’s Allianz Area — and have been fairly profitable in doing so.

After halftime, Tuchel took out a steel tools field and positioned it in entrance of his dugout to take a seat nearer to the motion. The 50-year-old coach had determined to make use of Joshua Kimmich at right-back due to ongoing harm woes which have considerably weakened Bayern’s choices. Whereas Kimmich dislikes enjoying on the proper facet as an alternative of central midfield, Tuchel is not afraid to harm anybody’s emotions, as he indicated throughout his first press convention following the revelation of his departure.

Though they appear far off the tempo in the intervening time, Bayern do stay in competition for the title they usually may handle a comeback just like final season — it is simply that they not often safe victories as convincingly as they used to. — Constantin Eckner

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Barça lastly look the a part of LaLiga contenders — however is it too late?

Barcelona cruised previous Getafe on the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, successful 4-0 to maneuver inside 5 factors of LaLiga leaders Actual Madrid and hold their faint title hopes alive. Raphinha opened the scoring earlier than the break, with João Félix, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López all on course within the second half as Barça delivered their finest efficiency of 2024.

Barça have been far too good for a cussed Getafe facet, who’ve precipitated them issues in recent times, together with within the first week of the season when the assembly between the 2 groups ended goalless. Raphinha was despatched off in that match, however he gained some revenge right here, ending brilliantly to open the scoring after latching on to Jules Koundé’s lengthy ball.

Xavi Hernández’s facet continued to seek out pleasure with lengthy passes, discovering Raphinha repeatedly in behind Getafe’s excessive line. The Brazilian blazed one probability over the bar and undercooked a move for Felix on one other event. These misses may have made for a nervy second half, however Barça have been way more scientific after the break.

Felix struck the second from a positive cross from Andreas Christensen, as soon as once more enjoying in midfield, and De Jong added the third. Substitute López accomplished the scoring after Vitor Roque’s shot was saved.

It was a show that might foster a lot wanted confidence for the remainder of the season. Barça are nonetheless alive within the Champions League after drawing 1-1 at Napoli within the first leg of their round-of-16 tie in midweek, whereas in LaLiga, having performed a recreation extra, they’re now second, forward of Girona and simply 5 behind Madrid, who play Sevilla on Sunday.

“We nonetheless have time,” Xavi stated when requested if this efficiency arrived too late to resuscitate Barça’s up-and-down marketing campaign. “The Champions League is open. We’re within the battle for LaLiga. Now we have time — not within the [Spanish] Supercopa or the Copa del Rey — however within the different competitions.

“I’ve stated we can’t throw within the towel. That is 13 factors from 15 in LaLiga now, we’re in good kind. Till it is mathematically unattainable, we are going to hold attempting to place stress on Girona and Madrid. To try this, we’ve got to do our job, which is to win like we’ve got accomplished at this time. We would have liked an enormous efficiency like this.” — Sam Marsden

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People Overseas: Richards’ scores first Premier League objective; Reyna watch continues

An American scored has scored his first objective within the Premier League — sound the USMNT klaxon!

Chris Richards, the 23-year-old centerback from Alabama, nodded the ball into the again of the web for Crystal Palace, scoring what is going to technically go down because the game-winner in opposition to Burnley.

It was a 3-0 rout for Palace after Burnley suffered an early pink card earlier than the objectives began. Burnley’s Josh Brownhill noticed straight pink within the thirty fifth minute for a takedown on an apparent goal-scoring alternative off a poor back-pass in entrance of objective, earlier than Richards discovered a breakthrough within the 68th minute.

AMERICAN CHRIS RICHARDS COMES UP BIG FOR CRYSTAL PALACE. 🇺🇸

The Alabama native heads residence on the again submit to present the Eagles an important lead! pic.twitter.com/lWaMQW8mY1

— NBC Sports activities Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 24, 2024

This objective comes at a fairly nice time for Richards — it was the primary match for brand spanking new supervisor Oliver Glasner, and Richards’ objective undoubtedly made a powerful first impression. Richards has but to determine himself as a lock for the nationwide staff — he featured in simply six of the USMNT’s 18 matches in 2023, however is broadly seen as an necessary prospect for the longer term.

Richards wasn’t the one USMNT participant who had Saturday:

In the meantime, “Gio Reyna watch” continues — as in, let’s watch and see if he really performs for brand spanking new his membership, Nottingham Forest. He did play on Saturday, however solely as an 81st-minute substitute who did not impression the sport in any respect.

Reyna may have one other probability to make his first Forest begin within the FA Cup on Wednesday when Forest host Manchester United (stream it reside on ESPN+, U.S. solely). — Caitlin Murray

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Information of the day

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And eventually …

Queens Park Rangers confirmed late on Saturday that membership icon and former England worldwide Stan Bowles has handed away, aged 75.

Referred to as “Stan the Man,” Bowles turned a cult determine within the Seventies for his maverick tendencies each on and off the pitch. A Manchester Metropolis graduate, Bowles joined QPR in 1972 and went on to make 315 league appearances for the membership, scoring 97 objectives, and narrowly lacking out on successful the previous First Division in 1975-76, ending runners-up to Liverpool.

As soon as implored by then QPR supervisor Tommy Docherty to “Belief me, Stan!” Bowles famously quipped: “I might somewhat belief my chickens with Colonel Sanders.”

All the time an individualist, Bowles as soon as signed sponsorship offers with two totally different boot firms for a similar match and proceeded to put on one in every of every.

Capped 5 instances by England, Bowles’ well being deteriorated in his later years after being identified Alzheimer’s illness in 2015. QPR have stated they’re planning a “becoming tribute” to “a darling of the Loftus Highway terraces [and] undoubtedly one of many biggest gamers to have ever pulled on the well-known blue and white hoops.” — Mike Clever

Stan Bowles.

Gone however by no means, ever to be forgotten.

The final word Loft legend 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/knhPJI6K1A

— QPR FC (@QPR) February 24, 2024