Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developmen...

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 13 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>Does Guardiola have any answers?</h3><p>Midway through Liverpool's otherwise dominant 2-0 win over Manchester City, the champions finally emerged from the rubble of an utterly one-sided opening half-hour with the ball. A lifeline was suddenly up for grabs. Liverpool had missed several chances to make it a blowout and began to retreat into their own end. But the opportunity came and went without much ado. City couldn't summon anything. They had 63% of possession between their first attempt on goal in the 38th minute and Mohamed Salah's game-clinching 78th-minute penalty but couldn't get a shot on target in that time. They couldn't disturb Liverpool, even as the hosts challenged them to do so.</p><p>Guardiola tried to inspire change beforehand, dropping Ederson for backup 'keeper Stefan Ortega and defender Josko Gvardiol for Nathan Ake. Removing Ederson and Gvardiol from the firing line seemed like a responsible choice; their errors precipitated at least a couple of City's recent losses.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Neither Ortega nor Ake could reset the side. Ortega conceded a penalty when he was left all alone with two Liverpool players, while Ake did his best to resist the press on his own. They just couldn't prevent the mistakes that have cost City over the past five weeks from repeating themselves here. They gave away the ball cheaply, attempted low-percentage passes at the wrong time, and committed silly challenges early on. The self-belief that made City seem unstoppable in previous years deserted them yet again.</p><p>Guardiola <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3146465" href="https://thescore.com/news/3146465">said</a> afterward that City will have to hit the reset button and start from scratch. But he's rarely had to do that with any team he's coached. He's not used to doing something so drastic midseason. And he's never had to rethink his entire approach amid such a startling downturn. City haven't won in seven games, and it's not unreasonable to think they could lose many more before the end of the season. They face sixth-placed Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and then have a tough run of fixtures against Juventus, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. That leads them like a pig to slaughter into the meat grinder that is the festive period, which is uncompromising at the best of times.</p><p>Now is probably the worst time to have an existential crisis.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Statement win for Amorim's United</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/cropped_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758279/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187190636.jpg?ts=1733068357 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Ruben Amorim's angry reactions were telling at the start of Manchester United's clash against Everton. With the visitors regularly venturing into United's half, Amorim went ballistic on a few of his players for underperforming in one of the most winnable games of the season. His patience was clearly running out just three matches into his United career. But after playing like Erik ten Hag's timid side to start the match, United started to show signs that Amorim's philosophies were taking hold. Amad Diallo was outstanding, while Joshua Zirkzee - a target of one of Amorim's early outbursts - ended his 17-game drought with a brace in United's biggest league win since 2021. The next test for Amorim's United is performing just as well against better opponents than relegation-threatened teams like Everton.</p><p><strong>If at first you don't succeed ...</strong></p><p>Daniel Munoz showed the power of persistence Saturday. The Colombian missed two glorious chances in the first half against Newcastle, one an open-net sitter with his left foot on the counterattack, the other a close-range tap-in denied on the goal line by a diving Dan Burn. But the Crystal Palace wing-back wasn't deterred. He kept taking opportunities to creep in at the back post, and it paid dividends when he finally scored his first Premier League goal, a 94th-minute equalizer that got Palace out of the drop zone. "He scored the most difficult chance," manager Oliver Glasner said after the 1-1 draw, according to <a href="https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/crystal-palace-boss-oliver-glasner-195125686.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jbXNhZG1pbi50aGVzY29yZS5jb20v&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABoxZvG_2o67V9IR1MhEd9CKldpDF316JC0rT94Lm_MqyV9kq_m0etTz0jVIwSVEayoqsAIuqfYMR89llBFm-Bl2P3f0sbjt6M_VGgWyQSc5VcF7ut1LF3VGdKk_BDdMUuXMayBa4bj0KTxuHEe3Nu0adoww-2pKtFhgy3bJB6rC">Yahoo Sports' Bobby Manzi</a>. "This shows his character, the character of the team, and the character of all of us."</p><p><strong>Kluivert holds his nerve</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/cropped_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758100/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187589859.jpg?ts=1732985902 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth / AFC Bournemouth / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Penalties often get dismissed when looking at a player's body of work. They're the easiest chances in the game to convert - you really <em>shouldn't</em> be squandering a free attempt from 12 yards out. And yet, so many do. Justin Kluivert had no such trouble Saturday, though, becoming the first player in the Premier League era to convert three spot-kicks in the same game. That hasn't happened in England's top flight since 1957. This was a showcase of mental fortitude from the Bournemouth forward as much as anything. Mind games are a key part of penalties, which is why many teams use different takers if they get multiple opportunities from the spot within a match. But Kluivert didn't get in his own head trying to outwit Wolves' Jose Sa - and made history.</p><p><strong>Brentford love home cooking</strong></p><p>The Gtech Community Stadium is a fortress. Brentford have been the best home team in the league so far this season, racking up more points on their own turf than any club. Thomas Frank's men are pouring it on against everyone who visits west London. They're unbeaten in seven home matches, winning six of those games. The Bees' 4-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday, powered by a hat-trick from Kevin Schade, gave them 16 goals in their last four home games in the Premier League (all wins). The tests get tougher in the new year - Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool make the trip in January. But Brentford's explosive attack, backed by boisterous support, can cause problems for anyone.</p><p><strong>RvN has huge task on his hands</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/cropped_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758105/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186992089.jpg?ts=1732988090 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Steven Paston - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>One person in attendance at the Gtech on Saturday who likely didn't enjoy what he saw was Ruud van Nistelrooy. Watching from the stands just one day after being named Leicester manager, the Dutchman looked on as his new team fell apart after scoring the opening goal. Jamie Vardy, now 37, continues to provide production up front, and Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, is making the leap, but there's little else to be excited about right now. The defense, which hasn't kept a clean sheet since Oct. 5, is slow and susceptible, while a lack of playmakers in central midfield puts all the burden on the aforementioned attack-minded players. There's plenty for the former Manchester United interim boss to fix.</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)</strong></p><p>The Premier League record for assists in a single season is jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, who each recorded 20 helpers in 2002-03 and 2019-20, respectively. That mark is in serious jeopardy of being eclipsed.</p><p>Saka is already up to 10 assists in the league this season after another terrific display in Arsenal's 5-2 dismissal of a woeful West Ham United side. He's played just 12 matches. Saka set up two goals against the Hammers, won his team a penalty with crafty footwork inside the area, and converted another spot-kick that he himself helped earn.</p><p>Some may scoff and claim the English winger inflates his numbers because he takes set pieces, an area where Arsenal are more lethal than any team in the league; indeed, one of his assists Saturday was a corner kick that Gabriel Magalhaes headed home. But that would be doing him a disservice. One of the reasons Arsenal have scored 20 goals from the corners since the start of last season - more than any team - is <em>because</em> of Saka's wicked swinging delivery, which causes instant havoc. With Martin Odegaard back and looking to feed Saka at every chance, Arsenal are humming again after a recent blip.</p><p>If Saka does eclipse the assist record shared by Henry and De Bruyne, he'll be hoping for a slightly different outcome to Arsenal's season; neither Henry nor De Bruyne won the Premier League title in their record-setting campaigns.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=789571:S%C3%A1nchez,859282:Munoz,188058:Burn,1458711:Murillo,1070052:Amad,956683:Gravenberch,1137705:Fern%C3%A1ndez,873289:Cucurella,961995:Saka,1083796:Schade,794253:Kluivert&amp;formation=3-4-3&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2013 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3><p>Justin Kluivert's historic hat-trick of penalties hogged all the headlines, but teammate Milos Kerkez scored the goal of the weekend with a left-footed rocket off a sweeping team move.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A brilliant team move ✅<br>A rocket of a finish ✅<br>First ever <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/afcb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#afcb</a> goal ✅<br><br>This goal has a bit of everything ️‍🔥 <a href="https://t.co/lujRmEBdB1">pic.twitter.com/lujRmEBdB1</a></p>— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) <a href="https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/1863161870435373352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>Arsenal have given traveling fans plenty to cheer about in 2024.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">5 - Arsenal have scored 5+ goals in five away games in all competitions in 2024, a joint-record by an English top-flight team in a single calendar year, along with Sunderland in 1892 and Manchester City in 1937. Relentless. <a href="https://t.co/1uWL5qexUr">pic.twitter.com/1uWL5qexUr</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1862941743437508999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>Pep Guardiola channeled his inner Jose Mourinho with the pettiest of replies to chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" during Manchester City's loss to Liverpool. "All of the stadiums want to sack me, starting with Brighton," he <a href="https://x.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1863309433264046553">said</a>. "Maybe they're right. Maybe I must be sacked for the result that we have, but I didn't expect (that) at Anfield. ... I didn't expect (it) from the people from Liverpool. But it's fine."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liverpool fans chant "you're getting sacked in the morning" to Pep Guardiola 🎶<br><br>Pep responds with six fingers, one for each Premier League title 😏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVMCI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVMCI</a> <a href="https://t.co/T4UUmuaNax">pic.twitter.com/T4UUmuaNax</a></p>— Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1863279288159522891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1.</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+18</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+14</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>+0</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Leicester</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18.</td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20.</td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>-15</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29269968/related

EPL Review: Liverpool plunge Man City into existential crisis

Bournemouth winger Justin Kluivert became the first player in Premier League history to score a h...

<p>Bournemouth winger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/90873" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/90873">Justin Kluivert</a> became the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick of penalties in a single match by converting all three of his attempts in Saturday's 4-2 win over Wolverhampton.</p><p>Teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167817" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167817">Evanilson</a> won all three penalties, including two off Wolves goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/67717" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/67717">Jose Sa</a>. No other player has done that in a single Premier League game.</p><p>Only three others have scored a hat-trick of penalties in the history of English top-flight football. Ken Barnes was the last to do so in December 1957 for Manchester City.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scoring three penalties in an English top-flight game:<br><br>Billy Walker for Aston Villa v Bradford in November 1921<br><br>Charlie Mitten for Man Utd v Aston Villa in March 1950<br><br>Ken Barnes for Man City v Everton in December 1957<br><br>Justin Kluivert for Bournemouth v Wolves in November 2024</p>— Will Jeanes (@will_jeanes) <a href="https://twitter.com/will_jeanes/status/1862899375988719990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Kluivert came into Saturday's fixture with just two goals in 12 previous league appearances.</p><p>The win moves Bournemouth up to 11th place, while Wolves drop into the relegation zone in 18th.</p>

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth scores a hat-trick of penalties to make it 4-2 during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemouth at Molineux on November 30, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29237458/related

Kluivert becomes 1st player to score hat-trick of penalties in EPL history

The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frene...

<p><em>The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frenetic hours. Below, theScore's soccer editors reflect on Matchday 5 in Europe's premier club competition.</em></p><h3>Key takeaway from Matchday 5 📝</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/cropped_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753990/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183147874.jpg?ts=1730986225 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Anthony Lopopolo</strong>: Kylian Mbappe is in a tailspin. He's scored two goals in his last nine matches and missed a penalty in Real Madrid's damaging 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday. His lukewarm display at Anfield comes as investigators in Sweden investigate rape allegations and while his team fights former club Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid bonuses. Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley was the latest opponent to get the best of Mbappe, keeping the Frenchman from turning on the afterburners and running into space Wednesday. While Mbappe is struggling to adapt to Madrid's system and finding it uncomfortable to flip between the left-wing and center-forward positions, even his pace and dribbling ability, widely considered his greatest strengths, have deserted him at times.</p><p><strong>Daniel Rouse</strong>: Let's give Angel Di Maria the respect he deserves. The winger, who turns 37 in February, produced two beautiful crosses to set up goals in Benfica's 3-2 comeback win over Monaco on Wednesday and now has the second-most assists in Champions League history with 41, one above Lionel Messi and one below Cristiano Ronaldo. His overall performance at Monaco was excellent - and this is far from a rare throwback performance in the autumn of his career. He hit a hat-trick, including a stunning bicycle kick, in a domestic cup game Saturday and scored twice in a 4-1 Primeira Liga dismissal of FC Porto before the international break.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Gianluca Nesci</strong>: Robert Lewandowski isn't slowing down any time soon. His two goals in Tuesday's win over Brest weren't particularly special - a penalty and a simple stoppage-time tally - but what they signified certainly was. The veteran striker, 36, became only the third player in Champions League history to crack the 100-goal barrier; he now sits at 101. Only Ronaldo (141) and Messi (129) have more. Company doesn't get more elite. One of the most lethal, consistent scorers of his generation, Lewandowski is soaring under Hansi Flick, and barring injury, there's no reason to think he can't mount a serious challenge to Messi's tally, which in itself is a huge achievement.</p><h3>This week's crisis club 😬</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/cropped_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757454/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187031294.jpg?ts=1732658251 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">James Gill - Danehouse / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: RB Leipzig. Apart from their second Champions League fixture, a seesaw 3-2 loss to Juventus, Leipzig have sleepwalked through each matchday. They lost all five games without much of a fight and were similarly absent-minded during Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Inter, which the Nerazzurri should've won by more. Leipzig have certainly had one of the most difficult run of fixtures in the Champions League - they've faced Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, and Celtic - but the whole point of their operation is to disturb the football establishment. Losing five straight games to direct rivals is a horrific blow to their development. They're lucky they still have a chance to earn a playoff spot. But that would require an unlikely turnaround and a perfect three wins out of three against Aston Villa, Sporting CP, and Sturm Graz.</p><p><strong>Rouse</strong>: Manchester City. Pep Guardiola had already suffered the worst run of his managerial career with five straight defeats before Feyenoord's visit, but how Manchester City folded after merely having a three-goal lead trimmed to two in Tuesday's 3-3 draw makes it the most troubling performance of their recent skid. This slump is down to more than the absence of Rodri or Ruben Dias or anybody else - it's due to a myriad of reasons, including a lack of resilience, lethargy spreading through the squad, and, perhaps most surprisingly for a Guardiola side, flawed tactics. And there's little time available on the training ground to fix City's alarming issues.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Paris Saint-Germain. The wheels are off. Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich and Wednesday's subsequent results left PSG in 25th place in the table, outside the qualification places for the knockout stage. On paper, the remaining schedule is forgiving. Red Bull Salzburg are even worse off right now, Manchester City are in full-blown crisis, and Stuttgart, their final opponent on Matchday 8, just got smoked by Crvena Zvezda. But there's no reason to think PSG can beat any of them right now. A team that was seeking more harmony by allowing its high-profile stars to depart instead looks more disjointed and fragile than ever. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3141404" href="https://thescore.com/news/3141404">Internal belief</a> remains, but PSG are in real danger of being the biggest flop of the opening round.</p><h3>Player of the week 🌟</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/cropped_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754604/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184021404.jpg?ts=1731260619 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Charles De Ketelaere. With two goals and three assists in Atalanta's 5-1 destruction of Swiss club Young Boys, De Ketelaere continued his transformation from bust to protagonist. AC Milan famously gave up on the Belgian midfielder after one season, sending him to Atalanta on a cut-rate loan deal that the club eventually made permanent last year. De Ketelaere has repaid them for their faith with 18 goals and 20 assists in one-and-a-half seasons. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is unlocking De Ketelaere's potential, and it's resulting in a steady supply of defense-splitting passes and goal-creating actions in and around the penalty area.</p><p><strong>Rouse</strong>: Julian Alvarez. The Argentine forward has overcome a slow start following his summer move from Manchester City, firing in seven goals in his past 10 outings for Atletico Madrid. His free-kick and narrow-angle finish (after a powerful run and one-two with the manager's in-form son, Giuliano Simeone) were excellent against Sparta Prague on Tuesday. And aside from his two goals, he was a creative force with a game-high four key passes and two completed dribbles. He also kept possession well for a player who takes risks with the ball in attacking positions.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Florian Wirtz. Bayer Leverkusen teammate Alejandro Grimaldo also made a strong case, but Wirtz gets the nod after collecting his fourth Man of the Match award in five Champions League outings. The mesmerizing German, 21, scored twice and set up another in Leverkusen's 5-0 thumping of Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday, helping his side get back on track after a humbling loss to Liverpool last time out. "We know how different he is for us," manager Xabi Alonso <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/leverkusen-boss-alonso-wants-help-wirtz-shine-more-after-huge-salzburg-win-2024-11-27/">said</a> of his prized player. Few other young stars possess the same type of game-breaking ability.</p><h3>Team that's back from the dead <a href="https://emojipedia.org/zombie">🧟</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/cropped_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757446/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186358293.jpg?ts=1732655009 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">-STR / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: AC Milan. The Rossoneri have rattled off three consecutive Champions League wins for the first time in 18 years and scored three goals in three straight European Cup matches for the first time since 1989. These are serious records for the seven-time European champions to break, especially given the current state of this team. Milan lost their opening two matches of the league phase and currently sit in seventh place in Serie A. But something has clicked in Europe. While Tuesday's 3-2 result at Slovan Bratislava was far sweatier than their previous victories over Real Madrid and Club Brugge, Paulo Fonseca's men have created more chances in the Champions League than they have in recent Serie A fixtures and are now in a position to clinch a playoff spot for the knockout phase.</p><p><strong>Rouse</strong>: PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch champions' hopes of securing an automatic knockout berth were on life support. Twice. Two points from their opening three matches put them in serious trouble. Then, after a morale-boosting win over Girona earlier this month, PSV were two goals down at halftime of a Champions League home game for the first time since 2008. But three goals from the 87th minute onward - two from Malik Tillman and one from fellow U.S. international Ricardo Pepi - sensationally clinched a 3-2 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. The result lifted Peter Bosz's side two points behind the automatic spots with winnable games ahead.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Celtic. A 7-1 annihilation at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 2 threatened to derail The Bhoys' Champions League adventure. Getting back on track after such a demoralizing defeat is no small feat, particularly for a club that's struggled to make headway in the competition for so long. But that's precisely what Brendan Rodgers' team has done. Celtic are right in the mix for a knockout place, four points above the elimination zone. They've "<a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cy0ge8nzrxko">grown and matured</a>" from past failures, as evidenced by Wednesday's draw with Club Brugge, in which the Scottish side recovered after a brutal own goal to earn what could end up being a critical point.</p><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><p><em>Here's the complete league phase table after Matchday 5. Remember: The top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, and the sides that finish ninth to 24th head to the new knockout phase playoffs, two-legged ties that determine who joins the eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16. The bottom 12 clubs are eliminated from the Champions League.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>+11</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>+7</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>+10</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
<td>+10</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>Leverkusen</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>Monaco</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>9</em></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>10</em></td>
<td>Sporting CP</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>11</em></td>
<td>Brest</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>12</em></td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>13</em></td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>14</em></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>15</em></td>
<td>Atletico</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>16</em></td>
<td>AC Milan</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>17</em></td>
<td>Man City</td>
<td>+6</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>18</em></td>
<td>PSV</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>19</em></td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>20</em></td>
<td>Celtic</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>21</em></td>
<td>Feyenoord</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>22</em></td>
<td>Club Brugge</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>23</em></td>
<td>Dinamo Zagreb</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>24</em></td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>Shakhtar</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>Stuttgart</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>Sparta Prague</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Sturm Graz</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>Girona</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>Crvena Zvezda</td>
<td>-8</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>Salzburg</td>
<td>-12</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Bologna</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>RB Leipzig</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>S. Bratislava</td>
<td>-14</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>Young Boys</td>
<td>-15</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

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Champions League, Matchday 5: Mbappe outshone, big clubs spiral

Andre Onana made a pair of point-blank saves in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town to preserve a...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/40714" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/40714">Andre Onana</a> made a pair of point-blank saves in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town to preserve a point for Manchester United on Ruben Amorim's debut.</p><p>Amorim's first Premier League match since replacing Erik ten Hag on the bench started brilliantly, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/66886" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/66886">Marcus Rashford</a> giving United the lead after just 80 seconds. But Ipswich slowly grew into the game and equalized in the 43rd minute when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/183578" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/183578">Omari Hutchinson</a>'s goal-bound strike earned a beneficial deflection off <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/100388" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/100388">Noussair Mazraoui</a>.</p><p>Onana prevented further damage by making himself big enough to deny two of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167323" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167323">Liam Delap</a>'s close-range efforts.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Amorim, the sixth permanent manager hired by United since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped away from the game in 2013, has backed himself to turn around the club's fortunes, but the evidence from Sunday's stalemate shows a lot of work must be done to achieve the long-term success that eluded Ten Hag.</p><p>United switched to a back three for the match at Portman Road, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/163335" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/163335">Amad Diallo</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/95294" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/95294">Diogo Dalot</a> pushed into wing-back roles. The switched paid off immediately for Diallo, who ate up space before setting up Rashford's first Premier League goal since September. It was less effective for Dalot, who came under constant pressure from Hutchinson and completed just 71% of his passes.</p><p>United struggled for control the rest of the match, and despite a number of inventive plays by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/23312" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/23312">Bruno Fernandes</a>, the front line couldn't convert any more of its chances.</p><p>"I think my players were thinking too much," Amorim told <a href="https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/1860757282893521013">Sky Sports</a>. "We lost some balls without pressure. But they really, really tried, and they want this."</p><p>Ipswich played positively after conceding and resisted United's best attempts to press them into mistakes. </p><p>Sunday's result follows the club's stunning 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, fueling hopes it can extend its first Premier League season in 22 years. </p><p>United move up a place to 12th, while Ipswich remain in the relegation zone in 18th place with eight points.</p>

Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim (L) shakes hands with Manchester United's Cameroonian goalkeeper #24 Andre Onana (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road in Ipswich, eastern England on November 24, 2024. Ipswich Town and Manchester United equalised 1 - 1.

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Amorim settles for debut point as Onana bails out Man United

Liverpool opened up an eight-point lead over defending Premier League champions Manchester City t...

<p>Liverpool opened up an eight-point lead over defending Premier League champions Manchester City thanks to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a>'s second-half brace in Sunday's 3-2 comeback win at Southampton.</p><p>Salah tied the match at 2-2 in the 65th minute with a clever finish past onrushing goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/53270" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/53270">Alex McCarthy</a> and clinched Liverpool's 10th league win in 12 matches with a well-taken penalty seven minutes from time.</p><p>Liverpool could extend the gap to 11 points if they beat City at Anfield next week.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Southampton were their worst enemy in a match they briefly led. Defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/92678" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/92678">Flynn Downes</a> gifted Liverpool the opening goal with a feeble attempt to play it out from the back, allowing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/93042" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/93042">Dominik Szoboszlai</a> to intercept and curl home. But the Saints were also a bundle of energy and surged into a 2-1 lead before the hour mark. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/28869" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/28869">Adam Armstrong</a> converted the rebound off his own penalty in the 42nd minute and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/190212" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/190212">Mateus Fernandes</a> finished a well-worked counterattack to put Southampton in a position to win just their second match of the season.</p><p>Then Salah took over. The Egyptian punished McCarthy's decision to rush off his goal line - one of a league-leading eight errors Southampton have committed in the lead-up to a goal - and buried a penalty awarded for handball.</p><p>Salah, who's out of contract at the end of the season, now has 12 goals across all competitions.</p><p>Southampton remain in last place in the Premier League with just four points from 12 matches.</p>

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Picture date: Sunday November 24, 2024.

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Liverpool extend EPL lead to 8 points after comeback win over Saints

Jonathan David's all-time leading 31st goal for Canada helped his country reach the CONCACAF Nati...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/159817" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/159817">Jonathan David</a>'s all-time leading 31st goal for Canada helped his country reach the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals on Tuesday.</p><p>Jesse March's side walked away with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Suriname following Tuesday's 3-0 win at BMO Field and Friday's 1-0 result in the first leg in Paramaribo.</p><p>Canada will face Mexico in the semis after the latter defeated Honduras 4-0 on Tuesday to advance. The United States will meet Panama in the other semifinal.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>David overtook teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/40740" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/40740">Cyle Larin</a> as Canada's top men's scorer when he calmly finished off a goalmouth scramble in the 23rd minute. It also moved the Lille forward up to 14 goals this season.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/159283" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/159283">Jacob Shaffelburg</a> doubled the lead seven minutes later with a slippery run past the goalkeeper that set up an unmissable shot into an empty net. He sealed the victory with a powerful finish from close range in the 67th minute.</p><p>A seeding table determined the semifinal matchups. Canada finished first thanks to a superior goal difference over the United States.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>#</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Pts</th>
<th>W-D-L</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>GF-GA</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Canada</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>2-0-0</td>
<td>+4</td>
<td>4-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>United States</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>2-0-0</td>
<td>+3</td>
<td>5-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Panama</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1-1-0</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>3-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Mexico</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1-0-1</td>
<td>+2</td>
<td>4-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Honduras</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1-0-1</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>2-4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The semifinals, which will switch to a winner-take-all format, kick off March 20 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The final is slated for March 23.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 13: Jonathan David of Canada reacts during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 third place match between Uruguay and Canada at Bank of America Stadium on July 13, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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David's historic goal helps Canada reach Nations League semifinals

Pep Guardiola has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Manchester City, The Athletic's Sa...

<p>Pep Guardiola has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Manchester City, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5931613/2024/11/19/pep-guardiola-new-man-city-contract/">The Athletic's Sam Lee</a> reports, ensuring he'll stay at the club beyond the end of the season.</p><p>Guardiola's pre-existing deal was set to expire in June.</p><p>The new agreement reportedly includes a one-year option that, if triggered, would extend his stay to the end of the 2026-27 season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The news appears to be a vote of confidence in a regime that's set to move on from longtime director of football Txiki Begiristain, the architect behind City's rise and the man who brought Guardiola to the Premier League in 2016. It also comes at a delicate time for the reigning Premier League champions, who've lost four consecutive games for the first time under the 53-year-old and are awaiting the results of a hearing into 115 charges of alleged financial wrongdoing over a nine-year period.</p><p>City have vehemently denied the charges.</p><p>There were doubts Guardiola would commit to the club with so much hanging in the balance. The coach <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3101922" href="https://thescore.com/news/3101922">admitted</a> last month that a "part" of him was leaving with Begiristain, who first trusted Guardiola to coach Barcelona in 2008.</p><p>"But I have the opinion the club is so solid, incredibly well-structured. It has to be like that. All families have to move on, and the club will move on," Guardiola said.</p><p>Sporting CP sporting director Hugo Viana will replace Begiristain next term.</p><p>City are chasing an unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title - and their seventh in eight seasons - but currently trail first-placed Liverpool by five points.</p>

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the Premier League match at American Express Stadium, Brighton. Picture date: Saturday November 9, 2024.

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Report: Guardiola staying at Man City for at least 1 more season

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino is stepping down weeks after leading the MLS franch...

<p>Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino is stepping down weeks after leading the MLS franchise to a league-record 74 points in the regular season.</p><p>Martino had another year remaining on his contract. He's leaving for personal reasons, sources told <a href="https://www.givemesport.com/tata-martino-out-inter-miami-head-coach-sources/">GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert</a>.</p><p>Miami won the Supporters Shield as the team with the best MLS record but ended its season on a disappointing note, losing to No. 9 seed Atlanta United in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Martino joined the club in June 2023, just two weeks before Lionel Messi announced his move to MLS. Former Barcelona players <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1114" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1114">Sergio Busquets</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1341" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1341">Jordi Alba</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/4433" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/4433">Luis Suarez</a> eventually joined Messi in Miami, recreating the core of the group that won trophy after trophy with the Catalan side.</p><p>Martino coached all but one of those players during his only season at Barcelona in 2013-14. Suarez joined the club the following season.</p><p>That familiarity created the backbone of one of the best sides in MLS history. Inter Miami scored a regular-season high of 79 goals while accruing the largest points total in league history, beating the previous record set in 2021 by the New England Revolution by a single point.</p><p>Miami also won the 2023 Leagues Cup under Martino's watch.</p><p>Despite falling short of playoff success, Miami earned an invitation to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The end-of-season tournament will feature the best 32 teams from each of FIFA's continental confederations and kick off at Hard Rock Stadium on June 15.</p><p> </p>

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Gerardo Martino of Inter Miami arrives prior to the match against the Atlanta United during round one of the 2024 MLS playoffsat Chase Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Tata Martino done at Inter Miami after record MLS season with Messi

Juventus will terminate Paul Pogba's contract by mutual consent on Nov. 30, bringing the French m...

<p>Juventus will terminate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/13802" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/13802">Paul Pogba</a>'s contract by mutual consent on Nov. 30, bringing the French midfielder's second spell at the club to an unceremonious end.</p><p>"The club wishes Paul the very best for his professional future," Juventus <a href="https://www.juventus.com/en/news/articles/club-statement-paul-pogba-151124">said</a> in a short statement Friday.</p><p>Pogba is serving the final months of a doping ban that's sidelined him since September 2023. He's now eligible to return March 11 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his initial four-year ban to 18 months.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Shortly after the ruling, Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli all but confirmed Pogba's time at the club was over, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3102992" href="https://thescore.com/news/3102992">saying</a> the squad is "complete."</p><p>"There are times when things do not go as we would like, but one thing is certain: the bond I have with you, dear fans, will remain unforgettable," Pogba, who won four Serie A titles with Juventus before moving to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world-record transfer fee of €105 million, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCZyrTtsr3I/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">wrote</a> on Instagram. "You have given me so much, more than I can express in words, and I will always carry with me all the affection you have given me. You will forever be in my heart."</p><p>Pogba rejoined Juventus on a free transfer in July 2022 after six up-and-down seasons with United but struggled with knee and hamstring issues, limiting him to just 12 total appearances for Juventus and ultimately forcing him to miss the 2022 World Cup.</p><p>Pogba was also the victim of an extortion attempt led by his brother Mathias and held at gunpoint by childhood friends until he agreed to pay them €100,000.</p><p>He was then suspended in September 2023 after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone, a testosterone-enhancing substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list. The 31-year-old <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3090948" href="https://thescore.com/news/3090948">strenuously denied</a> ever "knowingly or deliberately" ingesting the substance. His representatives later clarified that the traces in his system had come from a food supplement a U.S. doctor prescribed to him.</p><p>Though Juventus initially suspended his estimated €8-million annual salary - instead paying him the league minimum of around €2,000 per month - the club waited until Friday to announce his contract was being terminated. He had another year and a half remaining on his deal.</p><p>Pogba told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41827512/paul-pogba-considered-retiring-doping-reprieve">ESPN's Julien Laurens</a> he considered retiring while waiting out the legal process. But he's currently training in Miami amid reports of interest from Major League Soccer and Saudi Pro League clubs.</p><p> </p>

TOPSHOT - French forward Paul Pogba waves as he arrives to attend the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Cagliari at the Allianz stadium in Turin, on October 6, 2024.

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Pogba leaving Juventus after contract termination

The latest edition of theScore's Eras project, which celebrates greatness in every major sport ov...

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The 5 greatest soccer players of the last 25 years

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Ranking the greatest soccer players since 2000 (Nos. 11-15)

<p><em>The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frenetic hours. Below, theScore's soccer editors reflect on Matchday 4 in Europe's premier club competition while also taking a step back to survey the landscape at the midway point of the opening round.</em></p><h3>Key takeaway from Matchday 4 📝</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/cropped_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753785/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182456262.jpg?ts=1730849011 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Gordon Brunt</strong>: There's never a shortage of excuses after Arsenal lose. Some complaints about outside forces conspiring against them have even seemed justified. But this time it's their struggling attack that needs to shoulder the blame. The latest perceived injustice involved the ever-confusing handball rule in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Inter Milan. The decision to award Inter a spot-kick felt harsh on Mikel Merino, especially after he was denied one of his own after being punched in the head by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer at the other end. Another Arsenal grievance for the pile. From a perceived refereeing agenda against them to injuries that have proved costly, Arsenal routinely have something to moan about. But their lack of creativity after conceding right before halftime was the real reason they lost. The glaring issue that Mikel Arteta needs to fix is an Arsenal attack that can't cope when Kai Havertz is in a slump. Signing another proven striker last summer might've helped.</p><p><strong>Anthony Lopopolo</strong>: The little guys still stand a chance. In the tournaments of old, a newcomer like Brest, who had never qualified for the Champions League, would've been buried at the bottom of a group of heavyweights with zero chance of progressing. They would've simply enjoyed the ride. But here they are in fourth place in the Champions League table with 10 points out of a possible 12 after Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sparta Prague. Those 10 points should be enough for Brest to earn at least a playoff spot, according to Opta's projections. But with matches to come against 24th-placed PSV Eindhoven and 28th-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, Brest could reasonably finish with the 16 points likely necessary to earn automatic qualification to the knockout round. UEFA expanded the tournament to make it more profitable, but in a weird way, it has offered previously overlooked teams a lifeline.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Gianluca Nesci</strong>: Matchday 4 was a turning point in the competition. One of the biggest gripes about the new format, aside from fixture congestion and general resistance to change, was that the supersized opening round created less jeopardy for the top clubs, which had more time to recover from any setback because there were simply more points available. Even when some stumbled early, there was no sense of panic. That's changing now. Shocking - and comprehensive - losses for Real Madrid and Manchester City, the two overwhelming tournament favorites, have blown things open, while other teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, expected to cruise comfortably into the next round, still have lots of work to do and little time to do it.</p><h3>This week's crisis club 😬</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/cropped_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753820/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183149838.jpg?ts=1730899151 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">David Ramos - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Brunt</strong>: Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side is in panic mode after getting pummeled by Sporting CP. Manchester City's long list of injuries was a major talking point heading into the encounter, and rightfully so with stars like Rodri missing and Kevin De Bruyne not fit enough to start. But that didn't make Tuesday's 4-1 scoreline any less shocking. City did well to get back into the game, threatening to cut the deficit down to one goal before disaster struck when Erling Haaland's penalty rattled off the crossbar. Heads went down and the team showed an uncharacteristic lack of fight on its way to losing three straight games in a season for the first time since April 2018. Is this the beginning of City's downfall? Highly unlikely. But it presents a rare opportunity for rivals to take advantage of a City side that won't likely be down for long.</p><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti is on the hot seat after losing back-to-back matches at home to Barcelona and AC Milan. They conceded seven goals across the pair of games and looked entirely out of sorts in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Serie A's seventh-placed team. Kylian Mbappe doesn't look comfortable alongside Vinicius Junior, and Dani Carvajal's injury-enforced absence has allowed opponents to wreak havoc on Madrid's right flank. Jude Bellingham hasn't scored for Madrid in 177 days and seems unsure how to interpret his deeper midfield role. It doesn't get any easier for Los Blancos: Liverpool and Atalanta are up next, and they only have one more game to play at home. With just six points in the bag, Madrid have to win at least two of their final four games just to have a chance to make the playoffs.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: RB Leipzig. A last-second away loss to Atletico Madrid on Matchday 1? Aggravating, but not panic inducing. Blowing a lead, at home, against 10-man Juventus and losing? Rough, but it was one of "those" games. Falling to Liverpool, the best team in the tournament so far? No shame in that. But Leipzig followed up those results by getting outplayed - and comfortably beaten - by Celtic in a match they badly needed to have in order to keep their dwindling hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. <em>That</em> is cause for serious concern. Leipzig are one of only five teams in the competition without a point. Instead of tussling with Europe's elite, their peers at the bottom of the table are the likes of Slovan Bratislava and Sturm Graz. With no points and a tough remaining schedule, Leipzig now look destined for a very early exit.</p><h3>Player of the week 🌟</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/cropped_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753438/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182360914.jpg?ts=1730726301 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Gualter Fatia / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Brunt</strong>: Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker is finally getting the recognition he deserves. After more than a year of tormenting defenses in Portugal, it took scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City in Tuesday's Champions League win for the spotlight to <em>truly</em> beam on Gyokeres. While everyone's been in awe watching Haaland score at a record-setting pace in England, the 26-year-old Gyokeres has mastered his craft at Sporting to become one of the most prolific strikers in the world. He went from scoring 21 goals for Championship side Coventry City in 2022 to more than doubling that amount with 43 goals in his debut season for Sporting. And he's showing no signs of slowing down. Recording his third hat-trick of the season Tuesday gives him 23 goals in 17 games and launched him into a share of the lead atop the Champions League scoring chart with five tallies.</p><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Luis Diaz. The Colombian's evolution continued Tuesday with a hat-trick performance against Bayer Leverkusen, the first of his professional career and the strongest evidence yet that he can lead Liverpool's attack. A left-winger by trade, Diaz has played more centrally under head coach Arne Slot and reminded fans of Roberto Firmino with the way he hustled and pounced on opportunities in Liverpool's 4-0 win. Diaz chipped the 'keeper like he had done it a million times before, shrugged off his marker at the far post to score, and finished off an odd-man rush to complete the hat-trick. He can hurt opponents, and if he plays centrally, Slot can shelter Darwin Nunez on the wing where he'll have less pressure to score.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Edon Zhegrova. A baller, pure and simple. The winger was at his dynamic best in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Juventus, setting up Jonathan David's first-half goal with one of his many mesmerizing runs and incisive passes. The 25-year-old completed eight successful dribbles in the match, continually twisting Juan Cabal into a pretzel until the Juve left-back was mercifully substituted after chasing Zhegrova's shadow around for over an hour. Nobody has attempted more take-ons in this season's Champions League than the Kosovo international, who could dribble past an opponent inside a phone booth.</p><h3>Best XI so far 😎</h3><p><em>With the league phase officially hitting the midway point, here's a look at our standout players of the tournament thus far.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=268375:Martinez,279461:Lala,1027472:Singo,939780:Hien,671529:Tsimikas,868344:Reijnders,541820:Barella,696679:Raphinha,846033:Vinicius,664500:Gy%C3%B6keres,939569:David&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Champions%20League%20Best%20XI 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><p><em>Here's the complete league phase table after Matchday 4. Remember: The top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, and the sides that finish ninth to 24th head to the new knockout phase playoffs, two-legged ties that determine who joins the eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16. The bottom 12 clubs are eliminated from the Champions League.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>Sporting CP</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>Monaco</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>Brest</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>9</em></td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>10</em></td>
<td>Man City</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>11</em></td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>12</em></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>13</em></td>
<td>Leverkusen</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>14</em></td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>15</em></td>
<td>Celtic</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>16</em></td>
<td>Dinamo Zagreb</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>17</em></td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>18</em></td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>19</em></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>20</em></td>
<td>AC Milan</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>21</em></td>
<td>Feyenoord</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>22</em></td>
<td>Club Brugge</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>23</em></td>
<td>Atletico</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>24</em></td>
<td>PSV</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>Sparta Prague</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>Stuttgart</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>Shakhtar</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Girona</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>Salzburg</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>Bologna</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>RB Leipzig</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Sturm Graz</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>Young Boys</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>Crvena Zvezda</td>
<td>-12</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>S. Bratislava</td>
<td>-13</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

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The good, bad, and ugly as UCL opening round hits midway point

Substitute Angel Correa scored a dramatic winner with the last kick of the game as Atletico Madri...

<p>Substitute Angel Correa scored a dramatic winner with the last kick of the game as Atletico Madrid snatched a 2-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, kick-starting their Champions League campaign and casting a large cloud over the French club's European hopes.</p><p>It looked as if the game at the Parc des Princes would end in a draw after Warren Zaire-Emery's early opener for PSG was quickly cancelled out by Nahuel Molina in what was the first-ever meeting between the clubs.</p><p>PSG have been let down by their finishing in the Champions League all season and that was the case again here as they failed to convert a host of chances, but Atletico did not look like winning it until Correa struck in the 93rd minute.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Spaniards would have been the happier of the two teams with a draw, especially as goalkeeper Jan Oblak had been forced into several second-half saves.</p><p>Having lost back-to-back matches against Benfica and Lille, Atletico are back on track to at least make the play-off round of this new-look Champions League with the league phase now at the halfway stage.</p><p>The evening was also notable for the pre-match unfurling by PSG fans at one end of the stadium of an enormous banner in support of Palestinians in Gaza.</p><p>"War on the pitch but peace in the world," said the banner, which also featured a Lebanese flag.</p><p>That may lead to disciplinary action from UEFA, but that will probably be the least of PSG's worries right now.</p><h3>Parisian woes</h3><p>They may be comfortably on top of Ligue 1, but in the Champions League, last season's semi-finalists have just four points despite playing three of their four games so far at home.</p><p>Having edged Girona 1-0 on the opening matchday and then lost 2-0 away to Arsenal, the French champions have since drawn at home to PSV Eindhoven and now lost to Atletico.</p><p>They face a tough assignment next away to Bayern Munich and also still have to play Manchester City, meaning their hopes of finishing in the top 24 places and qualifying at least for the play-off round must be in doubt.</p><p>Luis Enrique's side will need to quickly improve in front of goal having now scored just three times in their last six Champions League matches, a run stretching back to last season's semi-final loss against Borussia Dortmund.</p><p>Atletico were missing two key defenders here in Jose Maria Gimenez and Robin Le Normand. French international Clement Lenglet therefore started at centre-back, and he was at fault as PSG took the lead in the 14th minute.</p><p>Lenglet, on loan from Barcelona, dithered on the ball in his own box and was dispossessed by Ousmane Dembele. He set up Zaire-Emery and the 18-year-old took his time before coolly clipping the ball over Oblak and in.</p><p>However, Atletico were level just four minutes later when a ball into the box by Giuliano Simeone - son of visiting coach Diego Simeone - came off a PSG defender and fell for Molina to fire in.</p><p>Atletico were then more than happy to soak up PSG's pressure, and the hosts could not find a second goal despite ending the game with almost 70 percent of possession and 21 attempts.</p><p>Oblak excelled in the second half with notable saves on two occasions from Bradley Barcola, as well as one from a Marquinhos header and another to deny Achraf Hakimi.</p><p>Then came the third minute of injury time in which Lee Kang-in was denied by the Atletico goalkeeper, and Hakimi failed to convert the follow-up.</p><p>Atletico then broke downfield and the ball came to Correa, who stroked a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma to leave the PSG fans stunned.</p>

Atletico's team celebrates after scoring and winning the UEFA Champions League, League phase - Matchday 4, football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Atletico Madrid, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on November 6, 2024.

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PSG sink to 25th place in UCL after Atletico's last-gasp winner

First Vinicius Junior tried to rev up the crowd. Then Rodrygo lifted his arms, begging for more n...

<p>First Vinicius Junior tried to rev up the crowd. Then Rodrygo lifted his arms, begging for more noise. The Santiago Bernabeu barely responded. There were more whistles than cheers during Tuesday's match against AC Milan. Some of them were for Milan. Most of them were for Real Madrid.</p><p>Briefly, the mood shifted. Antonio Rudiger rifled in a rebound with nine minutes to go, making it 3-2. Madrid's anthem started to play. Then the video assistant stepped in and ruled Rudiger offside. </p><p>Just like that, the inevitable comeback, the key ingredient of Madrid's most impressive Champions League victories, didn't seem so inevitable. A number of chances came and went. Vinicius steered a header wide. Brahim Diaz couldn't beat Mike Maignan from point-blank range. Eder Militao skied a volley well over the crossbar. And it was over. Milan won 3-1, beating Madrid for the first time since 2009.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It all seemed so desperate. Madrid made so much of their recent history from losing positions, refusing to accept defeat with the clock running out. They showed composure when most teams would melt. But they were in a puddle on Tuesday. The team of match-winning moments couldn't produce another.</p><p>Milan, meanwhile, played with real courage in the Spanish capital. You could argue they had no choice. They're seventh in Serie A and entered the week 25th in the Champions League table. They had to show something.</p><p>The Rossoneri could also take encouragement from the way Lille beat Madrid last month and the manner in which Borussia Dortmund so easily soared to an early 2-0 lead at the Bernabeu two weeks ago. But this result wasn't just an upset. It was convincing. Madrid conceded nine shots on target Tuesday - more than they have allowed in any home game at this stage of the competition since the start of the 2003-04 season.</p><p>Madrid have conceded a lot before and still found a way to win. They teased their opponents, giving them a lead only to snatch it back for good. Carlo Ancelotti - and Zinedine Zidane before him - trusted his players to problem-solve their way to victory. Ancelotti and Zidane let them do their thing, knowing they'd come good.</p><p>But they didn't when Barcelona swarmed them in El Clasico last weekend, and they didn't here. The comeback win over Dortmund - in which they turned a 2-0 deficit into a 5-2 finish - now feels like the exception.</p><p>Los Blancos used to play with a sense of restraint and control when they went down, as if they knew what was going to happen next, waiting for their chance to show up and doing everything to take it. They have none of that conviction now. They go end-to-end and suffer the consequences. Players who should know better give up the ball in neutral situations. They press, but only briefly, letting teams like Milan snake their way out from the back.</p><p>If Ancelotti wants rock-and-roll football, the stars of the band have to nail each note. But they haven't. Kylian Mbappe doesn't look comfortable as the target man. Jude Bellingham doesn't look happy doing the dirty work in midfield. Rodrygo is in and out of the lineup and without a goal in six matches. </p><p>It's like they've lost their compass. Karim Benzema isn't there to score in stoppage time. Nacho Fernandez isn't there to keep heads cool at the back. Toni Kroos isn't there to play tidy passes. It's not that these players could deliver on command. It's that Madrid knew they would.</p>

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Real Madrid are losing the aura that made them seem invincible

Aitana Bonmati became the second woman to win the Ballon d'Or two years in a row on Monday, beati...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/122471" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/122471">Aitana Bonmati</a> became the second woman to win the Ballon d'Or two years in a row on Monday, beating out competition from Barcelona teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo to claim the sport's highest individual honor in Paris.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122479" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122479">Alexia Putellas</a> won the Ballon d'Or in 2021 and 2022, giving Spain and Barcelona complete ownership of the award over the last four years.</p><p>Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe are the only other players to earn the honor since it was inaugurated in 2018.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I always say this is not something that you can do alone, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful players who help me to keep growing into a better player. So thank you to my teammates because without them I wouldn't be here," Bonmati said upon receiving the trophy once more.</p><p>Prior to receiving her individual accolade, Bonmati and some of those teammates took the stage as Barca was recognized as the best women's team of the year.</p><p>Bonmati played a key role in Barcelona's historic quadruple, recording 19 goals and a single-season career-high 18 assists while helping the team win La Liga F for the fifth consecutive year, the Women's Champions League for a third time, and the Copa de la Reina and Supercopa de Espana.</p><p>The 26-year-old - who dispatched the decisive goal in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Lyon in the Champions League final - was also named the competition's best player for a second season running.</p><h3>2024 Ballon d'Or Feminin rankings</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1. Aitana Bonmati 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2. Caroline Graham Hansen 🇳🇴</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3. Salma Paralluelo 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4. Sophia Smith 🇺🇸</td>
<td>Portland Thorns</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5. Lindsey Horan 🇺🇸</td>
<td>Lyon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6. Mallory Swanson 🇺🇸</td>
<td>Chicago Red Stars</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7. Marie-Antoinette Katoto 🇫🇷</td>
<td>PSG</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8. Mariona Caldentey 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Arsenal/Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9. Trinity Rodman 🇺🇸</td>
<td>Washington Spirit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10. Alexia Putellas 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11. Patricia Guijarro 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12. Barbra Banda 🇿🇲</td>
<td>Orlando/Shanghai RCB</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13. Lauren James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14. Ada Hegerberg 🇳🇴</td>
<td>Lyon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15. Khadija Shaw 🇯🇲</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16. Tabitha Chawinga 🇲🇼</td>
<td>Lyon/PSG</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17. Alyssa Naeher 🇺🇸</td>
<td>Chicago Red Stars</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18. Gabi Portilho 🇧🇷</td>
<td>Corinthians</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19. Giulia Gwinn 🇩🇪</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20. Lucy Bronze 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Chelsea/Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21. Mayra Ramirez 🇨🇴</td>
<td>Chelsea/Levante</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22. Glodis Viggosdottir 🇮🇸</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23. Tarciane 🇧🇷</td>
<td>Houston/Corinthians</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24. Lea Schuller 🇩🇪</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25. Sjoeke Nusken 🇩🇪</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26. Yui Hasegawa 🇯🇵</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27. Manuela Giugliano 🇮🇹</td>
<td>Roma</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28. Lauren Hemp 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29. Ewa Pajor 🇵🇱</td>
<td>Barcelona/Wolfsburg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30. Grace Geyoro 🇫🇷</td>
<td>PSG</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>U.S. trio Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman entered the ceremony with a decent shot of dethroning Bonmati after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. France's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Antoinette_Katoto">Marie-Antoinette Katoto</a>, who finished seventh in voting, had high hopes herself after finishing as the tournament's top scorer with five goals.</p><p>The United States' success in Paris didn't go unrecognized on Monday though, as bench boss Emma Hayes was named the best women's coach after leading the team back to the top step of the Olympic podium.</p>

Barcelona's Spansih midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2024 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024.

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Barcelona's Bonmati claims Women's Ballon d'Or for 2nd straight year

Manchester United are set to pay the €10 million required to hire Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim as E...

<p>Manchester United are set to pay the €10 million required to hire Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag's replacement, Sporting CP confirmed Tuesday.</p><p>United entered talks with Sporting hours after firing Ten Hag as manager on Monday.</p><p>There's now hope to have Amorim in place for Sunday's match against Chelsea, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42070645/man-united-hope-hire-ruben-amorim-chelsea-clash-sources">ESPN's Mark Ogden</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to take charge of United's League Cup match against Leicester City on Wednesday.</p><p>Sporting said in a statement obtained by <a href="https://x.com/MiguelDelaney/status/1851285231581499496/">The Independent's Miguel Delaney</a> that United had expressed willingness to trigger Amorim's €10-million release clause in his contract, which still has a year and a half left. Sporting are obligated to report all financial information to the Securities Market Commission in Lisbon.</p><p>Sporting have also moved quickly to replace the 39-year-old, with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/29/manchester-united-ruben-amorim-sporting-replacement">The Guardian's Marcus Christenson</a> reporting Joao Pereira, head coach of the club's reserve team, as their next manager.</p><p>Pereira won the Primeira Liga under Amorim in 2021 before retiring and becoming an assistant for the club's under-23 side.</p><p>Amorim has been linked with a number of job openings in England over the last two years. Chelsea reportedly approached the 39-year-old before hiring Mauricio Pochettino in 2023, and he was on Liverpool's short list of candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp. Amorim flew to London to interview for the vacancy at West Ham United in May but later apologized to fans in Portugal for doing so.</p><p>United <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3110918" href="https://thescore.com/news/3110918">parted with</a> Ten Hag and installed assistant and former striker Van Nistelrooy as caretaker manager days after a 2-1 loss to West Ham extended their worst start to a season in 35 years. The Red Devils are also winless in the Europa League after three matches.</p><p>It's the first managerial change INEOS has overseen since founder Jim Ratcliffe purchased a minority stake in February. The club extended Ten Hag's contract until June 2026 after conducting an internal review and interviews with outside candidates, including Thomas Tuchel, who was briefly available after leaving Bayern Munich.</p><p>England's national team appointed Tuchel as Gareth Southgate's permanent successor earlier this month.</p><p>United have reportedly held Brentford's Thomas Frank in high esteem for some time but would have to pay double the amount to release him from his contract.</p><p>Amorim has enjoyed another incredible start at Sporting. The team is currently 9-0-0 in Portugal's Primeira Liga with 30 goals scored and just two against. It's also in eighth place in the Champions League table - good enough to qualify automatically for the knockout round - after winning two of its first three games.</p><p>Sporting are also set to lose sporting director Hugo Viana to Manchester City. Viana reportedly struck a deal with the reigning Premier League champions to replace Txiki Begiristain as their new director of football, sparking rumors that Amorim would follow him to the Etihad as Pep Guardiola's eventual successor.</p><p>United have anticipated any move with a preemptive strike of their own.</p>

LISBOA, PORTUGAL - 2024/09/27: Head Coach Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP seen in action during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between GD Estoril Praia and Sporting CP at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota. (Final score: Estoril Praia 0 - 3 Sporting CP).

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Man United set to pay €10M to hire Sporting's Amorim as next manager

Erik ten Hag is gone, and Manchester United's managerial search is on.  Ten Hag left United on Mo...

<p>Erik ten Hag is gone, and Manchester United's managerial search is on.</p><p>Ten Hag <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3110861" href="https://thescore.com/news/3110861">left United</a> on Monday, with assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy taking over on a temporary basis. But the Dutchman is widely expected to relinquish the role to a permanent successor.</p><p>So who's fit and ready to take the job? Several would-be candidates, including Inter Milan's Simone Inzaghi and Marseille's Roberto De Zerbi, are under contract for the foreseeable future. Former Barcelona boss Xavi is reportedly committed to a year-long sabbatical, ex-Chelsea coach Graham Potter doesn't seem ready to handle another pressure-cooker situation, and Gareth Southgate has already ruled himself out of the running.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Below, we assess five candidates with the resumes to win over co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his newly hired suite of executives, offering our probability of each manager being hired.</p><h3>Ruben Amorim</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/625742/cropped_GettyImages-2147989212.jpg?ts=1713800023" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/625742/w220xh124_GettyImages-2147989212.jpg?ts=1713800023 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/625742/w320xh180_GettyImages-2147989212.jpg?ts=1713800023 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/625742/w640xh360_GettyImages-2147989212.jpg?ts=1713800023 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/625742/w768xh432_GettyImages-2147989212.jpg?ts=1713800023 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/625742/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2147989212.jpg?ts=1713800023 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Probability</strong>: 60%</p><p>Amorim has been linked with virtually every big Premier League job over the last year and is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3111185" href="https://thescore.com/news/3111185">now in talks</a> with United. Chelsea reportedly interviewed the Sporting CP boss before electing to hire Mauricio Pochettino in 2023, and he was apparently on Liverpool's short list of candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp. West Ham also flew in Amorim for an interview - which the Portuguese coach later apologized for doing - earlier this year. Now may be his best chance to seal a move to England. He's won two Portuguese titles with Sporting and claimed big Champions League results against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur. His team is 9-0-0 in the Primeira Liga, with an impressive 30 goals scored and two against, and is currently unbeaten in the Champions League. His contract expires in 2026, but he reportedly has a €10-million release clause, which United seem all too happy to pay.</p><h3>Thomas Frank</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741601/cropped_GettyImages-2166553480.jpg?ts=1723994095" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741601/w220xh124_GettyImages-2166553480.jpg?ts=1723994095 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741601/w320xh180_GettyImages-2166553480.jpg?ts=1723994095 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741601/w640xh360_GettyImages-2166553480.jpg?ts=1723994095 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741601/w768xh432_GettyImages-2166553480.jpg?ts=1723994095 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741601/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2166553480.jpg?ts=1723994095 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">John Walton - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Probability</strong>: 20%</p><p>Frank is currently one of the longest-serving managers in all of England's professional tiers and has never publicly courted interest from other teams. He <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/video/12606/13243544/thomas-frank-very-happy-at-brentford-despite-man-utd-links-lets-see-in-the-future">reiterated</a> hours after Monday's news broke that he's "very happy" at Brentford and did his best to skirt every follow-up question. But he deserves to move up a level after what he's achieved at Brentford. He's helped consolidate the club's position in the Premier League after earning promotion in 2021 and adapted his tactics along the way, resisting the temptation to push the kind of high-risk football that has cost many other promoted teams their top-flight status. United already hold Frank in high esteem and reportedly considered him for the job before handing Ten Hag an extension in the summer.</p><h3>Massimiliano Allegri</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/558666/cropped_GettyImages-1461770322.jpg?ts=1675703046" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/558666/w220xh124_GettyImages-1461770322.jpg?ts=1675703046 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/558666/w320xh180_GettyImages-1461770322.jpg?ts=1675703046 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/558666/w640xh360_GettyImages-1461770322.jpg?ts=1675703046 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/558666/w768xh432_GettyImages-1461770322.jpg?ts=1675703046 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/558666/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1461770322.jpg?ts=1675703046 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Probability</strong>: 10%</p><p>Allegri was fired by Juventus in May for an explosive outburst that marred the team's big win in the Coppa Italia final. The cameras caught him roasting officials and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli in a fiery final act that had been bubbling underneath the surface for some time. While he won five Serie A titles over two stints at Juventus, Allegri's overly cautious football seemed to keep the club from moving forward. That's not to say he's a bad choice for United. The Red Devils have conceded an alarming number of chances and late goals, rendering any improvements in attack useless. Allegri would certainly provide structure to a side lacking an identity. Even if his football isn't the most pleasing, we at least know what to expect from him. The same couldn't be said for Ten Hag and his United.</p><h3>Sergio Conceicao</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/531621/cropped_GettyImages-1243174651.jpg?ts=1663162237" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/531621/w220xh124_GettyImages-1243174651.jpg?ts=1663162237 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/531621/w320xh180_GettyImages-1243174651.jpg?ts=1663162237 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/531621/w640xh360_GettyImages-1243174651.jpg?ts=1663162237 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/531621/w768xh432_GettyImages-1243174651.jpg?ts=1663162237 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/531621/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1243174651.jpg?ts=1663162237 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Probability</strong>: 5%</p><p>Conceicao is one of the most interesting candidates. After leaving Porto and reportedly holding talks with AC Milan and Marseille, the Portuguese is clearly waiting for the right opportunity. He can work right away and has a track record of managing established players and helping talented youngsters grow. Porto won the league three times under the 49-year-old's watch and competed well in the Champions League. As a hard-nosed coach who demands a high work rate, Conceicao would increase accountability at United, where such an attribute has been lacking. Even if he can't speak English well, United's captain, Bruno Fernandes, could help him give instructions. A number of players on the team - including Diogo Dalot and Casemiro - also speak Portuguese.</p><h3>Zinedine Zidane</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/630568/cropped_GettyImages-2154394599.jpg?ts=1716914349" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/630568/w220xh124_GettyImages-2154394599.jpg?ts=1716914349 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/630568/w320xh180_GettyImages-2154394599.jpg?ts=1716914349 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/630568/w640xh360_GettyImages-2154394599.jpg?ts=1716914349 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/630568/w768xh432_GettyImages-2154394599.jpg?ts=1716914349 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/630568/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2154394599.jpg?ts=1716914349 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Probability</strong>: 5%</p><p>Zidane is a pipe dream. Any club would love to hire the Frenchman, not only for his charisma but also because of his winning record with Real Madrid, whom he led to three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016-18. But he's been elusive since leaving Madrid for a second time in 2021. He also doesn't speak English and doesn't seem to be in any rush to learn it. The consensus is that he'll eventually replace Didier Deschamps when he steps down as manager of the French national team. But it's worth calling Zidane just to see if he has any interest at all. After persisting with a disciplinarian in Ten Hag, United would benefit from Zidane's more calming presence.</p>

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Man United should consider these 5 candidates to replace Ten Hag

Mario Balotelli is set to seal a headline-grabbing return to Serie A after agreeing to join Genoa...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///itaci/players/137" href="https://thescore.com/itaci/players/137">Mario Balotelli</a> is set to seal a headline-grabbing return to Serie A after agreeing to join Genoa.</p><p>"Save for any surprises, he will be a Genoa player tomorrow," Genoa sporting director Marco Ottolini <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3109902" href="https://thescore.com/news/3109902">said</a> Sunday.</p><p>He added: "We've decided to go all-in with Balotelli. We're hoping for real enthusiasm, he has shown a huge desire to come back (to Italy) and play for Genoa."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 34-year-old agreed to reduce his salary to sign a deal until the end of the season with Genoa, transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1850224003366998155">Fabrizio Romano</a> reports. It means the striker will again play in Italy, where he previously suited up for Inter, AC Milan, Brescia, and Monza.</p><p>Balotelli spent two of the last three seasons in Turkey with Adana Demirspor, scoring 25 goals in 49 Super Lig appearances. He left as a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.</p><p>Genoa will become Balotelli's 12th professional club. He began his career at Lumezzane and played under Jose Mourinho at Inter before winning the Premier League with Manchester City in 2012. He then joined Milan in 2013 for the first of two stints with the Rossoneri. He floundered during his single season with Liverpool in 2014 but enjoyed a mid-career renaissance with Nice and Marseille before returning to Serie A with Brescia in 2019.</p><p>A short stint with Monza, then in Serie B, preceded his time at Adana. He also spent a season at Switzerland's Sion in between spells in Turkey.</p><p>As much attention as Balotelli brings, Genoa can't afford to waste time. The club is currently in 18th place in the Serie A table with just six points from its opening nine matches. Genoa are also facing an ownership crisis, with majority shareholders 777 Capital being ordered by court to wind up its operations over unpaid debts.</p><p>Balotelli will find a familiar face in Alberto Gilardino, a former striker who now coaches the Grifoni. The two were teammates on the Italian national team from 2010-13.</p><p>Balotelli hasn't played for the Azzurri since 2018.</p>

ADANA, TURKIYE - APRIL 13: Balotelli (9) of Adana Demirspor in action during the Turkish Super Lig week 32 football match between Yukatel Adana Demirspor and Mondihome Kayserispor at New Adana Stadium in Adana, Turkiye on April 13, 2024.

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Balotelli deal excites Genoa director: He showed 'huge desire' to join us

<p><em>The supersized Champions League resumed this week, with all 36 teams back in action over 48 frenetic hours. Below, theScore's soccer editors reflect on Matchday 3 in Europe's premier club competition.</em></p><h3>Key takeaway from Matchday 3 📝</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/cropped_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751351/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179698095.jpg?ts=1729721296 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Anthony Lopopolo</strong>: What happened to Red Bull's swashbuckling sides? RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg are each without a point after three matches. Salzburg haven't even scored yet. Leipzig at least have an excuse, opening their campaign against Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Liverpool. And while they dropped all of them, Leipzig played well enough in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Reds, controlling the tempo for large chunks of the game. Leipzig also had two goals disallowed for offside. But the project is over a decade old now. Leipzig have lost steam in Europe since reaching the semifinals in 2020. Salzburg have never made it past the round of 16. This is an inflection point for Red Bull. Jurgen Klopp, its new head of soccer operations, may have a real job on his hands.</p><p><strong>Gianluca Nesci</strong>: The proverbial "big" teams actually have to work for this. Concern that more matches in the new <s>group</s> league phase would give the bigger, richer contenders more leeway to coast through to the next round was a fair critique, but it's clear through three games that many of those sides can't put things into cruise control. Paris Saint-Germain are 19th in the table after three forgettable performances. Bayern Munich have lost two straight and sit 23rd. After a bright start, Juventus was trucked at home by Stuttgart and tumbled down the standings. Atletico Madrid are in one of the elimination places. Teams will need roughly 11 points to get into the knockout playoffs, while 15 or 16 points could secure an automatic berth in the round of 16. Some of Europe's most decorated clubs need to turn things around quickly to reach those benchmarks.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Which fairy-tale team do you most believe in? 🦄</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/cropped_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w220xh124_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w320xh180_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w640xh360_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w768xh432_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Sporting CP. They're unbeaten after 12 matches to start the season and have one of Europe's most reliable scorers in Viktor Gyokeres, who already has 13 goals across the Primeira Liga and Champions League. While Manchester City and Arsenal will surely test the Portuguese side in its next two Champions League fixtures, the rest of its schedule is winnable, with matches against Club Brugge, Leipzig, and Bologna. This team has scored in all but one of its last 21 matches in European competition, and with seven points in tow, Sporting can even afford a couple of slip-ups on the path to qualifying.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Aston Villa. Despite this being their first appearance in Europe's top-tier competition since 1983, nobody thought Villa would be a pushover going into the Champions League. But let's be real: not even the most ardent supporters could have expected <em>this</em> level of success. Unai Emery, who arrived in Birmingham with the club mired in relegation trouble, has Villa sitting atop the 36-team Champions League table with a 100% record after beating Bologna on Tuesday. They haven't conceded a goal in the tournament thus far and have a relatively friendly schedule the rest of the way. Their league form - Villa sit fourth in the Premier League - crystalizes what everyone on the continent is quickly learning: Aston Villa are for real.</p><h3>This week's crisis club 😬</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/cropped_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751349/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179609397.jpg?ts=1729721132 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Paris Saint-Germain. Luis Enrique's side could only convert one of its 26 attempts on goal in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven, leaving the club with just four points from three matches ahead of a challenging slate of games. PSG face Atletico, Bayern, and Manchester City and may have no choice but to accept a play-off spot when it's all said and done. The problem is that they don't have composure in front of goal. They have two goals for the 62 shots they've fired thus far. That's the third-most any team has attempted in the Champions League and a conversion rate of a little over 3%.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone's team, synonymous with solidity for so many years, is having an identity crisis. Atletico dropped their second straight Champions League match Wednesday, throwing away a lead and crumbling late in a 3-1 loss to Lille. That comes on the back of a 4-0 shellacking against Benfica. Once Europe's most miserly defensive unit, playing against Atleti was like running headfirst into a brick wall. But that wall and the aura that came with it have crumbled as the club has tried to evolve and play a more ambitious attacking game. Atleti, without a clean sheet in nearly a month, occupy one of the automatic elimination places near the bottom of the Champions League table. It's time to stick or twist.</p><h3>Player of the week 🌟</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/cropped_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w220xh124_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w320xh180_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w640xh360_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w768xh432_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743273/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2169614706.jpg?ts=1725124609 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Caparros / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Vinicius Junior. Once Real Madrid got their comeback effort underway, the Brazilian took over, flying past defenders as he completed a hat-trick in the second half of their 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund. His second goal was breathtaking. Vinicius collected the ball in Madrid's half of the field before galloping up the pitch and bending a perfect shot past the goalkeeper. It was the kind of goal only a match-winner would score. And Vinicius has been exactly that. Like Karim Benzema before him, the 24-year-old always comes up clutch when Madrid are desperate for a reaction. But he didn't just provide the breakthrough. He recovered the ball five times in the second half, showing the hunger to make something happen, even when he was dozens of yards away from the opposition third. Vinicius' energy clearly rubbed off on his teammates.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: Raphinha. What a turnaround. Many Barcelona fans were longing for the club to sign Nico Williams this summer to relegate Raphinha to the bench - or have him shipped out entirely. Not anymore. The Brazilian is quickly becoming the poster child of Hansi Flick's revitalized and reinvented team. He scored a sublime hat-trick in Wednesday's 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich, wearing the armband and leading his club to a cathartic win over an old foe. With four Champions League goals on the campaign, Raphinha has already surpassed his total from last season's tournament. In all, he has nine tallies on the season, thriving in a nominal left-wing role that gives him more freedom to drift inside and attack the heart of the opposition backline.</p><h3>Should Vini win Ballon d'Or on Monday? 🏆</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/cropped_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w220xh124_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w320xh180_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w640xh360_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w768xh432_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747900/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2174753643.jpg?ts=1727793481 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Lopopolo</strong>: Absolutely. You could find players who scored more last season, but Vinicius excelled in virtually every attacking category, producing in big moments and electrifying fans with a season-high 37 successful take-ons in the Champions League last term. His two goals in last year's quarterfinals against Bayern Munich helped propel Madrid to the final, where he also scored. Also, Los Blancos never lost a game in which Vinicius found the net last season. All told, he was the most valuable player on the team that won the Champions League and La Liga. Why shouldn't he win the Ballon d'Or? That's the more interesting question.</p><p><strong>Nesci</strong>: He's going to, and he's fully deserving. But it's a little disconcerting how much of a foregone conclusion this seems considering the body of work by his closest challenger. Rodri, inarguably the most important player on a Manchester City team that made history by winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2023-24, followed up that continued success at club level by earning Player of the Tournament honors during Spain's run to the Euro 2024 crown. Fair or not, Ballon d'Or voters have always placed outsize importance on international competitions when deciding who takes home the sport's most coveted individual trophy. Vinicius' Brazil flopped badly at the Copa America, while Rodri was critical to Spain's Euro triumph. Are we sure this is so cut-and-dried?</p><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><p><em>Here's the complete league phase table after Matchday 3. Remember: The top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, and the sides that finish ninth to 24th head to the new knockout phase playoffs, two-legged ties that determine who joins the eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16. The bottom 12 clubs are eliminated from the Champions League.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>Man City</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>Monaco</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>5</strong></td>
<td>Brest</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>6</strong></td>
<td>Leverkusen</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>7</strong></td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>8</strong></td>
<td>Sporting CP</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>9</em></td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>10</em></td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>11</em></td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>12</em></td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>13</em></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>14</em></td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>15</em></td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>16</em></td>
<td>Feyenoord</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>17</em></td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>18</em></td>
<td>Stuttgart</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>19</em></td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>20</em></td>
<td>Celtic</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>21</em></td>
<td>Sparta Prague</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>22</em></td>
<td>Dinamo Zagreb</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>23</em></td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><em>24</em></td>
<td>Girona</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>AC Milan</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>Club Brugge</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>Atletico</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>PSV</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Bologna</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>Shakhtar</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>RB Leipzig</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>Sturm Graz</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Crvena Zvezda</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>Salzburg</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>Young Boys</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>S. Bratislava</td>
<td>-10</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

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Champions League, Matchday 3: Big teams wobble, but Barca are back

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Gianluca Nesci

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News Editor

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