Football

Borussia Dortmund stunned Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday, thanks to a brilliant goal from Niclas Füllkrug.Dortmund, roared on by a raucous home crowd, started brightly and maintained their intensity throughout the match. In the 36th minute, defender Nico Schlotterbeck sent a long pass over the top for Füllkrug, who controlled it with his first touch and fired it past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with his next.The goal gave Dortmund a narrow advantage heading into the second leg in Paris next Tuesday, where the French champions will need to overturn the result to keep their hopes of winning the Champions League alive.PSG, under pressure to finally win the competition after years of heavy investment, started slowly and struggled to create clear-cut chances. They pushed hardest early in the second half, with Kylian Mbappé hitting the right post and Achraf Hakimi striking the left post. However, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made several crucial saves to keep his team in the lead.Füllkrug missed further good chances for Dortmund, while Marquinhos made a crucial block to deny Julian Brandt late on."It would have been nice if we could have made our counterattacks count to get a second goal at the end," said Dortmund veteran Mats Hummels. "But now we have to come through in Paris."PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted his team lacked intensity in the first half but created clear chances in the second. "We couldn't score," he said. "But we still have a chance in the second leg."Dortmund coach Edin Terzić praised his team's performance and said they would need to be even better in Paris. "We played with a lot of heart and passion," he said. "We defended well and took our chance when it came. We know it will be difficult in Paris, but we believe we can get the result we need."The winner of the two-leg tie will play either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in London on June 1.

Chennaiyin FC has extended the contract of goalkeeper Samik Mitra, ensuring his services with the club until 2027. Mitra joined Chennaiyin from Indian Arrows in 2020 and has since made 22 appearances for the team across various competitions, showcasing his impressive skills and potential.Head coach Owen Coyle expressed his confidence in Mitra's abilities, stating that he believes the young goalkeeper can continue to grow and develop within the team. "We believe in giving chances to youngsters at the club, and Samik Mitra is someone who has great potential," Coyle said. "He is young, and we have already seen his capabilities in the matches that he has played for the team. It's important that such talented players stay at the club, and I believe that he can continue to grow with the team."Mitra expressed his excitement about the contract extension, acknowledging the club's role in his development. "I'm really excited for another season with Chennaiyin FC," Mitra said. "We qualified for the playoffs this season and want to do even better in the coming year. This club is the right place for me to grow and learn from some of the best coaches and players in the country. I have grown a lot in the last few years and want to continue the upward trajectory in my career."Mitra's contract extension is a testament to his hard work and dedication, as well as the club's commitment to nurturing young talent. With his impressive performances and the support of the team, Mitra is poised to make significant contributions to Chennaiyin FC in the seasons to come.

Bayer Leverkusen, riding an astonishing 46-match unbeaten streak, sets its sights on revenge against Roma in the Europa League semi-finals. Last season, Roma's "Mourinhoed" tactics led to Leverkusen's agonizing penalty shootout defeat in the last four.Leverkusen's remarkable run, including a first-ever Bundesliga title, has made them favorites to reach the final in Dublin. Their ability to score late goals, with 16 in stoppage time this season, has been a key factor in their success.Roma, under the guidance of Daniele De Rossi, has had a hectic schedule in recent weeks as they aim for a third continental final in as many years. Despite their fatigue, they will be boosted by the return of Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala.Leverkusen CEO Fernando Corro expressed the team's desire for revenge and hunger to reach the final. Coach Xabi Alonso praised his team's resilience and hopes it will continue for the rest of the campaign.Roma's De Rossi acknowledged Leverkusen's unbeaten record but emphasized that they are not unbeatable. He believes his team must be perfect to overcome Leverkusen's late-game heroics.The first leg of the semi-final will take place at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, with the second leg scheduled for next week in Leverkusen. The winner will face either Manchester United or Real Betis in the final.

Aston Villa, under the guidance of seasoned European tactician Unai Emery, embark on their first European semi-final in over four decades against Olympiakos on Thursday. Emery, a four-time Europa League champion, aims to add the Europa Conference League trophy to his illustrious resume and complete Villa's transformation from a sleeping giant.When Emery took over in November 2022, Villa languished near the Premier League relegation zone. However, he steered them to a seventh-place finish, securing European qualification for the first time since 2010. Captain John McGinn praised Emery's meticulous approach and obsession with football, crediting him with transforming the club's culture.Villa's European campaign has been marked by memorable victories, including a 4-0 triumph over Ajax and a dramatic penalty shootout win against Lille. Their impressive performances have earned them the tag of favorites to lift the trophy.Despite a recent setback in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea, Villa remain confident heading into the semi-final. Olympiakos, currently fourth in the Greek league, is not expected to pose a significant threat. The winners will face either Fiorentina or Club Brugge in the final.Emery's contract extension until 2027 has further boosted Villa's optimism. His track record of success at clubs aiming to compete with the European elite bodes well for the club's future.Emery's attention to detail and unwavering belief in his players have created a squad hungry for European glory. Villa fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of their first Champions League appearance since 1982, a testament to the remarkable transformation under Emery's leadership.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. Vinícius Júnior was the star for Madrid, scoring twice to cancel out goals from Leroy Sané and Harry Kane.Bayern dominated the opening stages, but Madrid took the lead against the run of play when Vinícius Júnior raced onto a through ball from Toni Kroos and slotted past Manuel Neuer. Bayern equalized in the second half through Sané, but Kane put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot just four minutes later.Madrid were awarded a penalty of their own late on when Kim Min-jae brought down Rodrygo, and Vinícius Júnior made no mistake from the spot. The result leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg in Madrid on May 8.Vinícius Júnior's performance was particularly impressive. The Brazilian forward was a constant threat to the Bayern defense, and his two goals were crucial in keeping Madrid in the tie.Toni Kroos also played a key role for Madrid. The German midfielder returned to his former club and put in a typically composed performance, dictating the tempo of the game and creating chances for his teammates.Bayern will be disappointed not to have won the first leg at home, but they will still be confident of reaching the final. The German champions have a strong record at the Allianz Arena, and they will be looking to use their home advantage to their advantage in the second leg.

Liverpool's title hopes took a significant blow with a disappointing draw against West Ham United, marred by a heated on-field altercation between star forward Mohamed Salah and manager Jurgen Klopp.As Salah was brought on as a substitute in the 79th minute, he engaged in a heated exchange with Klopp on the touchline. Salah's animated gestures and body language suggested frustration and disagreement with the decision. Despite attempts by teammates Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez to intervene, the confrontation continued.Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton placed the blame squarely on Salah. "I didn't like it, but I think Mo Salah is the one who was out of order," Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.Salah's frustration may have stemmed from being benched for most of the match, leaving him with limited time to make an impact. However, Sutton emphasized that the manager has the authority to select the players he believes are best suited for the game.Salah's recent form has been a concern, with the Egyptian forward struggling to regain his scoring touch after recovering from an injury. Klopp's decision to bench him was likely based on his assessment of Salah's current performance level.With Liverpool's title challenge fading, the race for the Premier League trophy now rests between Manchester City and Arsenal. Arsenal currently lead the table by one point, but Manchester City have a game in hand.The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both teams. Manchester City must win all their remaining matches to secure the title, while Arsenal will need to maintain their consistency and avoid any slip-ups.Manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his belief that Arsenal will not drop any points, putting the pressure on Manchester City to perform at their best in every game.

Declan Rice's decision to join Arsenal over Manchester City has raised eyebrows, given City's recent dominance in the Premier League. However, Rice has revealed that he was drawn to Arsenal's "more exciting" project."I believe we're on to big things here," Rice said, despite Arsenal's 20-year title drought.Rice's arrival has been compared to Manchester City's Rodri, a testament to his defensive prowess. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta envisions Rice as a number 6 rather than an 8, requiring him to contribute more offensively.Arsenal's title hopes hinge on winning their remaining three matches and hoping Manchester City falters in their four. Liverpool's recent struggles have made the race a two-horse affair, with City holding a slight advantage with a game in hand.Rice's six goals this season have been crucial, but he will need to continue scoring if Arsenal are to challenge for the title. The Gunners' European ambitions have been dashed after a disappointing Champions League campaign.

Kyle Walker, the stalwart defender of Manchester City, has emerged as a coveted target for Bayern Munich. The German giants are reportedly keen on acquiring Walker's services in the upcoming summer transfer window.Walker has been a cornerstone of City's success in recent years, forming a formidable partnership with Rodri in the heart of the defense. Despite the spotlight often shining on attacking stars like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, Walker's contributions have been equally crucial.Bayern's interest in Walker stems from their belief that he would bolster their defense, which has struggled at times this season. Despite boasting the likes of Harry Kane, Bayern have failed to dominate the Bundesliga and are looking to strengthen their squad for a potential Champions League triumph.This is not the first time Bayern have attempted to lure Walker to Munich. They previously made an unsuccessful bid, but Walker ultimately signed a three-year extension with City. However, according to Spanish publication Nacional, Bayern have now "convinced" Walker to make the move to Germany.For Manchester City, Walker's potential departure would be a significant blow. He has been an integral part of Pep Guardiola's team, and replacing him would be a major challenge. Guardiola's immediate focus, however, is on securing the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal.City's title hopes received a boost with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, but tougher tests lie ahead, including a clash with Tottenham Hotspur. Bayern's pursuit of Walker adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming transfer window, as City look to retain their star defender while Bayern seek to bolster their squad for future success.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Indian football team's historic triumph in the 1974 AFC Youth Championship with a grand felicitation ceremony in New Delhi. The event honored the members of the victorious squad that shared the title with Iran after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the final, even after extra time.This remarkable achievement marked the last significant international triumph for Indian football, following the bronze medal won by the senior team at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey presented mementos to six members of the squad who were present at the ceremony: captain Shabbir Ali, C.C. Jacob, Dilip Palit, Shishir Guha Dastidar, Ranjit (Gobinda Das), and S.P. Kumar.Coach Arun Ghosh, who guided the team to victory, was unable to attend due to health reasons. His son-in-law, former National table tennis champion Nupur Santra, received the memento on his behalf.Chaubey expressed his admiration for the team's accomplishments, acknowledging that they had achieved something truly special. However, he also lamented the lack of international exposure for Indian football in the decades that followed."For almost five decades after India's independence, we never focused on utilizing the international friendly windows, the FIFA World Cup, or even to collaborate with the world of football," Chaubey said. "We chose not to look beyond the Olympics and the Asian Games at that time. That seems to have cost us important international exposure."Chaubey emphasized the need to bridge the gap with other footballing nations, acknowledging that India had lost valuable time in developing its international presence.The felicitation ceremony served as a reminder of the golden era of Indian football and the potential that the country holds in the sport. It also highlighted the importance of investing in international exposure and collaboration to foster the growth and development of Indian football on the global stage.