Football

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti faces a crucial task as he seeks to guide his team past Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. Despite earning a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Bavaria, Ancelotti acknowledged that Real Madrid failed to reach their full potential."Bayern are very dangerous, they were at their best and we weren't -- we have time to improve for Wednesday," Ancelotti said after the first leg.Real Madrid secured the La Liga title with a 3-0 win over Cadiz on Saturday, but celebrations were muted as the team's focus remained on the Champions League. The players reported for training on Sunday morning and refrained from joining fans at Plaza Cibeles, where they typically celebrate major titles."We would like to celebrate with all the fans, but they understand because on Wednesday we have a very important challenge," Ancelotti said. "It's contained joy -- we have the most important game of the season coming up."Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez echoed his coach's sentiments. "We're on the verge of reaching another final, we're going to give our all to get there -- that's why we can't celebrate too much," he said.Ancelotti's goal is to secure a fifth La Liga and Champions League double for Real Madrid. The Italian coach has won 12 trophies at the club and is close to matching Miguel Munoz's record of 14 titles, achieved between 1960 and 1972.To reach the final at Wembley, Ancelotti must find a way to neutralize Bayern's dangerous wingers, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala, who posed a constant threat in the first leg. Dani Carvajal will return from suspension at right-back to try and contain Musiala, while Jude Bellingham and others may be tasked with tracking back to help Ferland Mendy stop Sane."It was important when we began to defend with collective commitment," Ancelotti said, emphasizing the team's improved defensive performance this season. "The big effort was made by the forwards, rather than the defenders -- injuries helped us understand that it wasn't about individuals but a team effort."Ancelotti could also introduce Eduardo Camavinga to add energy and disrupt Bayern's build-up play. If his tactical adjustments fail, Madrid can always rely on the "magic" of the Santiago Bernabeu. The stadium has witnessed remarkable comebacks in the past, including Real Madrid's run to the 2022 Champions League final."It's time to have a magical night at the Bernabeu," Vinicius said after the Bayern draw, invoking the stadium's legendary atmosphere.

Malaysian Footballer Faisal Halim Suffers Acid Burns in Shopping Mall AttackMalaysian national footballer Faisal Halim has become the victim of a horrific attack, sustaining second-degree burns after being splashed with acid at a shopping mall over the weekend. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Malaysian football community and has raised concerns about the safety of athletes.According to Najwan Halimi, a sports official in Selangor state, Faisal was attacked on Sunday in the Petaling Jaya district outside Kuala Lumpur. The 26-year-old winger for the Selangor Football Club suffered burns on his neck, shoulder, hands, and chest."I strongly condemn this violence and urge the police to bring the perpetrator to justice," Najwan said in a statement.Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan confirmed the arrest of a male suspect on Monday, but did not disclose a motive for the attack. A photo of Faisal with visible burn marks on his body has been circulating online, eliciting widespread sympathy and outrage.The attack on Faisal comes just three days after another national player, Akhyar Rashid, was injured in a robbery outside his home in the eastern state of Terengganu. Akhyar, 25, was struck with an iron rod by two unidentified suspects and suffered injuries to his head and leg that required stitches.Football Association of Malaysia president Hamidin Mohamad Amin expressed his dismay over both attacks. "The people of Malaysia pray that Akhyar and Faisal recover quickly and get back to action," he said.The incidents have highlighted the need for increased security measures for athletes in Malaysia. The authorities have been urged to investigate the motives behind the attacks and take appropriate action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool may have missed out on the Premier League title, but the drama continues for the German manager, who will step down at the end of the season. Last week, he clashed with Mohamed Salah as Liverpool effectively dropped out of the title race. While Salah opened the scoring in a 4-2 win against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday, it was Harvey Elliott who brought the broadest smile to Klopp's face with a stunning long-range goal."What a goal," Klopp said. "In the game you only see it flying in and I thought, 'That was a good shot.' The goal I saw afterwards, there was not a lot of space left or right. It went exactly where it should be. Top goal.”Elliott's strike, after goals from Salah, Andy Robertson, and Cody Gakpo, fired Liverpool into a 4-0 lead before the hour mark. What followed was an unlikely fightback from Spurs that could have made this another frustrating day in what has ultimately been a disappointing finale for Klopp at the end of nearly nine trophy-filled years.Goals from Richarlison and Son Heung-min made it a much closer contest than it had ever looked like being. And it needed two outstanding saves from Alisson, a goal-line clearance from Joe Gomez, and a VAR call to prevent it from being closer still.“It's a little bit of a mirror of the season. Really, really, really, good until we were really rubbish and then, we were okay again," Klopp said.A nervy finish didn't stop the home fans from beckoning Klopp to produce his trademark post-match triple fist pump to the crowd after his penultimate home game in charge, with Feyenoord coach Arne Slot set to take over next season.Mathematically, at least, it is not over for third-place Liverpool, which sits five points adrift of leader Arsenal with two games remaining. But, in reality, a late-season slump has killed Klopp's hopes of walking away with a second Premier League crown of his reign.His team had been heavily rebuilt over the past two seasons and was not expected to contend at the top so soon. But this season at one point offered Liverpool the hope of a quadruple of trophies. Now it feels like it is ending on an underwhelming note.Still, Klopp, who delivered the English League Cup in February, will walk away from a team that is on the up and leave his successor with plenty of young talent to work with.The 21-year-old Elliott is a prime example and he showcased his ample potential with an assist and a goal as Liverpool threatened to run riot. His perfectly placed curling cross provided Gakpo with the simple task of heading in Liverpool's third and then he swept an unstoppable shot from around 20 yards (meters) into the top corner and beyond Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.“Harvey is exceptional. Still so young. So exceptional,” Klopp said. “In the midfield position, it was probably one of the top three performances from him today. The goal was exceptional. Everyone needs moments to gain more confidence. It was a good moment. That helps definitely.”

Celta Vigo's dramatic 3-2 victory over Villarreal on Sunday has boosted their chances of La Liga survival, while Granada's 3-0 defeat at Sevilla has all but sealed their relegation.Anastasios Douvikas' late goal secured Celta's triumph at Balaidos against a depleted Villarreal side, who had Santi Comesana dismissed after just 17 minutes for a reckless tackle. The Galicians now hold an eight-point advantage over the relegation zone with four matches remaining.Granada's hopes of avoiding the drop took a significant blow with their heavy defeat at Sevilla. The Andalucians appear destined to join Almeria in the second division next season, while Cadiz, currently 18th, still harbor hopes of salvation.Despite losing to Real Madrid on Saturday, Villarreal's chances of survival were boosted by Rayo Vallecano's 1-0 defeat at Almeria on Sunday. Cadiz trail Mallorca by six points and Rayo and Celta by eight.Alaves dealt a blow to Valencia's European aspirations with a 1-0 victory at Mestalla, leaving Ruben Baraja's team eighth in the standings. Real Betis, seventh, secured a 2-0 win at Osasuna to move five points clear of Valencia in the race for European football. With Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao already guaranteed a Europa League spot, a top-seven finish will secure continental qualification.

Sporting Lisbon has emerged victorious as the champions of Portugal for the second time in 21 years, following Benfica's defeat on Sunday. The triumph marks a remarkable achievement for Sporting, who have dominated the league with an impressive 92 goals in 32 matches.Ruben Amorim's side secured the title after a convincing 3-0 victory over Portimonense on Saturday, while their rivals Benfica stumbled to a 2-0 loss at Famalicao. With just two games remaining in the season, Sporting holds an unassailable eight-point lead over Benfica.Amorim's team has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the campaign, losing only twice. Their success is largely attributed to the prolific goalscoring of Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres, who has netted 27 times this season. Gyokeres's contribution has been instrumental in Sporting's title triumph.The club's resurgence under Amorim is a testament to his tactical acumen and leadership. The former Benfica player has now guided Sporting to two league titles in his tenure, including the 2020/21 season.Sporting's triumph is a significant milestone for the club, which has a rich history in Portuguese football. The victory marks their 20th league title, trailing only Porto (30) and Benfica (38).The club's success is not limited to the league. Sporting will face Porto in the Portuguese Cup final on May 26, aiming to secure a double. A victory in the cup final would cap off a remarkable season for Sporting and further cement their status as one of Portugal's top clubs.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) face a daunting task as they aim to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final return match on Tuesday. The stakes are high for the French giants, who are determined to end Kylian Mbappe's illustrious seven-year tenure at the club with a historic triumph at Wembley.PSG's previous appearance in the Champions League final in 2020 ended in disappointment, with a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich behind closed doors in Lisbon. This time, the prospect of playing before a packed crowd of 90,000 against either Real Madrid or Bayern again would be a transformative experience.Mbappe, who has informed PSG of his intention to leave at the end of the season, is eager to depart on a high note. The 25-year-old has become PSG's all-time top scorer with 255 goals in 305 appearances, including 43 this season. He has also netted 48 times in the Champions League, and Tuesday's match against Dortmund presents an ideal opportunity to reach the half-century mark.Luis Enrique's Dortmund team underwhelmed in the first leg, but PSG are under immense pressure to turn the tie around at home. A repeat of their 2-0 victory over Dortmund in the group stage last September, with Mbappe scoring the opener from the penalty spot, would suffice."We are sure we are going to turn it around and qualify for the final," Mbappe declared confidently. "There is a lot of pressure on us, but it's normal because there is a place in the Champions League final at stake."PSG's defensive frailties have been exposed this season, and they suffered a major setback when Lucas Hernandez ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the first leg. Nuno Mendes, who has recently returned from injury, also struggled against Jadon Sancho.Despite the defensive concerns, PSG's experience and the support of their home crowd could prove decisive. They have already wrapped up the French title and will be fresh for the second leg, while Dortmund may be fatigued after a grueling weekend fixture.With Mbappe leading the charge and the Parc des Princes roaring behind them, PSG will be determined to overcome the first-leg deficit and book their place in the Champions League final.

Cesar Luis Menotti, the legendary Argentine coach who guided his nation to their maiden World Cup triumph in 1978, has passed away at the age of 85. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced the sad news on Sunday, expressing their profound sorrow at the loss of a true football icon.Menotti's coaching career spanned 37 years, during which he managed 11 clubs and two national teams, Argentina and Mexico. However, his legacy will forever be intertwined with the 1978 World Cup, held on home soil during a tumultuous period in Argentina's history.Despite the political turmoil, Menotti's Argentina team emerged victorious, defeating the Netherlands 3-1 in extra time in the final. The tournament was marked by the brilliance of Mario Kempes, who scored twice in the final, and the absence of Johan Cruyff, who had boycotted the World Cup.Menotti's decision not to select the teenage prodigy Diego Maradona, who had made his international debut the previous year, remains a topic of debate. However, his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his players were undeniable.After his World Cup triumph, Menotti continued to coach at the highest level, including a stint with Spanish giants Barcelona. He also had a successful spell with the Mexican national team, where he is fondly remembered for his contributions to the development of Mexican football.Menotti's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from the football world. Argentine President Javier Milei expressed his "deep pain" at the loss of a leader who had brought immense joy to the nation. Former Mexican international Carlos Hermosillo hailed Menotti as a "teacher of teachers" and credited him with his success as a goal scorer.Spanish journalist Jose Ramon Fernandez, who worked alongside Menotti as a broadcast analyst, praised his intelligence, erudition, and pleasant demeanor. Barcelona also extended their condolences, acknowledging Menotti's contributions as their former coach.Cesar Luis Menotti's legacy as a football visionary and a master tactician will endure for generations to come. His impact on the game, both in Argentina and beyond, is immeasurable.

Aston Villa's Champions League aspirations suffered a major setback as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. The loss, coupled with Tottenham Hotspur's victory over Liverpool, leaves Villa's top-four hopes hanging in the balance.Villa's performance was a far cry from their impressive display against Manchester City in midweek. They struggled to create clear-cut chances and were punished late on by Joao Pedro's 87th-minute goal. The Brazilian forward headed home the rebound after Robin Olsen saved his penalty, which was awarded for Ezri Konsa's foul on Simon Adingra.The defeat was Villa's second in four days, following their 4-2 loss to Olympiakos in the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg. It raises concerns about their ability to maintain their form in the final stretch of the season.Villa remain in fourth place, but their lead over Tottenham has been reduced to seven points. With two games in hand, Tottenham could leapfrog Villa into the top four if they win both matches.Unai Emery's side will face a tough test in their remaining two fixtures. They host Liverpool at Villa Park before traveling to Crystal Palace on the final day of the season. A victory in either game would secure their return to the Champions League for the first time since 1982-83.Meanwhile, Chelsea kept their hopes of European qualification alive with a resounding 5-0 victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were in dominant form throughout the match, scoring five goals without reply.Cole Palmer opened the scoring in the 15th minute, followed by Conor Gallagher's stunning volley 15 minutes later. Noni Madueke added a third just six minutes later, before Nicolas Jackson scored twice in the second half to complete the rout.The victory moves Chelsea above Manchester United into seventh place, but they still need to secure a top-six finish to qualify for Europe. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure to deliver a strong finish to the season, with his future at the club uncertain.West Ham's defeat was their third in a row and leaves them in ninth place. The Hammers have come under fire for their negative style of play under manager David Moyes, and speculation is growing that he could be replaced at the end of the season.

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi unleashed an unstoppable attacking force on Saturday, leading Inter Miami to a resounding 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Suarez's hat-trick and Messi's record-breaking five assists propelled Inter to a dominant second-half performance, avenging their earlier defeat to the Red Bulls.After a lackluster first half, Inter's fortunes turned dramatically with the introduction of Matias Rojas. The Paraguayan substitute ignited the rout with a stunning goal just three minutes into the second half. Messi then took control, orchestrating Inter's attack with his trademark precision.Messi's five assists, a new MLS record, showcased his unparalleled vision and passing ability. He repeatedly found Suarez in dangerous positions, allowing the Uruguayan to showcase his clinical finishing. Suarez's hat-trick brought his season tally to 10 goals in 11 games, proving that his predatory instincts remain sharp despite his advancing age.Messi's influence extended beyond his assists. His telepathic understanding with Suarez, honed during their time together at Barcelona, allowed them to create scoring opportunities with ease. The Argentine maestro's through balls and incisive passes sliced through the Red Bulls defense, leaving them helpless.Inter's victory was a testament to the star power of Messi and Suarez. Their partnership, once feared by opponents around the world, has been rekindled in Miami, bringing joy to the club's fans and sending shockwaves through the MLS.