Jurgen Klopp acknowledged Liverpool have a tough Champions League draw against Atletico Madrid, but he pointed out opposite number Diego Simeone would be disappointed to face the holders.
Liverpool topped their group ahead of Napoli and their bid for a second consecutive European crown takes them back to the Wanda Metropolitano the scene of last season s final to face dangerous LaLiga giants Atleti.
Klopp suggested he anticipated a return to Madrid, while recognition of a testing fixture was tempered by the strength of a last-16 draw containing only clubs from Europe s top five leagues.
It s an interesting draw, Klopp told his club s official website. Before the draw, I actually thought it would be Madrid either one of the two clubs and that s the way it is.
Eden Hazard said he aimed to increase his Premier League scoring power this season, after being named the PFA Players Player of the Year.
The Belgium international, 24, was crowned the best player in the English top flight by his peers, and was one of six Chelsea players in the Premier League team of the year.
Hazard said his personal success he has scored 13 goals in 33 games has helped contribute to putting Chelsea on the brink of re-claiming the league crown.
He remains one behind his 2013-14 tally of 14 league goals in 35 appearances.
We are almost champions, maybe this is the key, the midfielder said, according to the Daily Mail.
Last season we finished third and this season we have an opportunity to win the league. This has changed fro…
Few subjects illuminate Jose Mourinho as much as his admiration for Alex Ferguson.
When the Scot called time on his hugely successful dynasty at Manchester United in 2013, it was widely accepted that the modern game would never again witness a manager with such an all-consuming influence at a football club.
This fact remains, but the clinical control with which Chelsea have dominated England s top flight on their way to a fourth Premier League title means it is hard to imagine a coach who commands the levels of authority and respect that Mourinho does at Stamford Bridge.
The Portuguese spoke of owner Roman Abramovich hugging players in the Chelsea dressing room after they carried out their manager s arch-pragmatism to the letter in last weekend s much-discusse…
Group C of the UEFA Champions League appears wide open as Zenit St Petersburg and Malaga seek to capitalise on the decline of AC Milan.
Malaga have experienced two rollercoaster years following the arrival of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani as owner in 2010, spending their way to fourth place in La Liga last season, just three points behind European regulars Valencia.
After previously stating his intention to break the hegemony of Barcelona and Real Madrid, Al-Thani performed a bizarre U-turn in the close-season, apparently pulling the plug on his investment and leaving the club in limbo.
Financial uncertainty triggered a host of high-profile departures, chief among them the sale of playmaker Santi Cazorla to Arsenal for a reported fee of 19 million euros.
But …
Adelaide United midfielder Osama Malik is looking forward to facing former team-mate Marcos Flores in Friday s clash with Melbourne Victory.
Flores joined Victory as their international marquee player in July, ruling out a return to Hindmarsh Stadium.
The Argentinean played one season at Adelaide in 2010-11, winning the Johnny Warren Medal as the A-League s best player before moving to Chinese side Henan Jianye.
He was lured back to Australia by Victory and will come up against his old club for the first time in the A-League at Etihad Stadium.
Malik, who will play a large part in trying to negate the attacking midfielder, said there was no bad blood between the players.
It happens in football, people move on, Malik said.
He s a great pl…
Pablo Ibanez s gorgeous extra-time volley stunned Athletic Bilbao as Osasuna sealed their spot in the Copa del Rey final with a 1-1 draw at San Mames that secured a 2-1 aggregate win.
Jagoba Arrasate s men only held a slender 1-0 lead from last month s first leg in Pamplona, and for much of the match that looked unlikely to be enough.
Athletic deservedly levelled the aggregate score just after the half-hour, with Inaki Williams diverting Mikel Vesga s flick-on home from close range.
The Ghana international s younger brother Nico Williams seemed destined to put Athletic ahead in the tie during the second half, but the Spain winger wasted two glorious opportunities.
Athletic s profligacy coupled with Sergio Herrera s excellence between the posts ensured the…
Chelsea s dismissal of Graham Potter and decision not to rush into an appointment has generated speculation about their next permanent manager.
The Blues are destined to miss out on the Premier League s top four this season, thus will not qualify for the Champions League via the league.
As a result, there appears a lack of urgency as they look to get back on the right direction after sacking both Potter and Thomas Tuchel this term under new owner Todd Boehly.
TOP STORY – BLUES MULL OVER ENRIQUE, NAGELSMANN AND CONTE
Fabrizio Romano reports Frank Lampard will take over as Chelsea s interim manager, but that ex-Spain boss Luis Enrique is 100 per cent interested in the permanent position.
Enrique has flown into London for talks on the role, while …
Manchester City still hope to sign Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane in the coming days.
The Premier League champions appear likely to add his international team-mate first, with Jack Grealish reportedly close to a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Aston Villa have tabled a contract to keep their star man, but City are prepared to spend big to win his signature.
TOP STORY CITY CLOSE ON GREALISH DEAL
Manchester City are set to complete a £100million move for Jack Grealish in the next few days, according to multiple reports
The Mail says the 25-year-old England international will earn more than £200,000 a week upon joining Pep Guardiola s side.
Though City are expected to cut ties with some veteran players, adding Greali…
Last season s beaten A-League Grand Finalists Melbourne City suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Adelaide United.
City had started the new campaign with a 1-0 win at Brisbane Roar but Sunday s game turned on the dismissal of Scott Jamieson in the 65th minute for two yellow cards.
A poor challenge on Yaya Dukuly saw the left-back given his marching orders and from the subsequent free-kick Louis D Arrigo pulled the ball back for Tomi Juric to stroke home.
Captain Stefan Mauk doubled Adelaide s lead in the 76th minute as they claimed their first triumph of the 2020-21 season.
Central Coast Mariners have not won more than six games in a season in each of the past six campaigns but now have two wins from two this year after a 2-0 victor…
Mainz attacker Maximilian Beister has signed with A-League outfit Melbourne Victory on loan until the end of the season.
The German, 26, will officially join Victory next week as the club s fifth foreign player.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat talked up the versatility of the former Germany youth international.
We are constantly looking for ways to improve our squad, and we have actively been searching for player who can add depth to our midfield and attacking third, he said.
We have been in contact with Maximilian for some time, and we re thrilled to officially welcome him to the club.
He has proven over a long period of time that he can make an impact in one of the world s toughest leagues, and his versatility allows him to play in midfield and al…