Football

Manchester City, on the cusp of a historic second consecutive treble, face a formidable challenge as they host Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. The match marks a rematch of last season's Champions League semi-final, where City humiliated Madrid 4-0.Despite City's impressive form, Erling Haaland has faced criticism for his recent performances. The Norwegian striker, who has scored 31 goals in 38 games this season, has failed to find the net in City's three meetings with Madrid in the past year.Haaland's critics, including former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and ex-Manchester United captain Roy Keane, have questioned his all-around contribution, claiming he is a "luxury player" who lacks "world-class" status.The Spanish press has also been critical of Haaland's performance in the first leg of the Champions League tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, describing him as "impotent" and "clumsy."However, City manager Pep Guardiola has defended his star striker, highlighting his impressive goal record and the team's collective success since Haaland's arrival. Guardiola believes Haaland's presence creates space for other players, allowing them to score crucial goals.Despite the criticism, Haaland remains a key figure for City. His ability to score goals and create chances for his teammates makes him a valuable asset in their quest to retain the Champions League and complete the treble.City hold a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League and face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday. A victory over Real Madrid would further boost their chances of achieving their ambitious goals.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer stole the show on Monday night, scoring four goals in a dominant 6-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge. The England international's hat-trick within 30 minutes effectively ended the contest, with Nicolas Jackson adding another before halftime.Palmer's performance has been a beacon of hope in an otherwise disappointing season for Chelsea. The 21-year-old has now equaled Manchester City's Erling Haaland with 20 Premier League goals, putting him in contention for the Golden Boot.Despite the emphatic win, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed frustration over a penalty incident in the second half. Palmer had to fend off teammates Jackson and Noni Madueke to take the spot-kick, which he duly converted."We cannot behave in this way. I told them this is the last time I accept this type of behavior," Pochettino said.The victory extends Chelsea's unbeaten Premier League run to eight games, but they remain in ninth place. However, they are now just three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand.Everton, on the other hand, remain in a precarious position just two points above the relegation zone. Their demoralizing defeat leaves them facing a crucial relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest on Sunday."It's the most embarrassed I've felt as an individual and part of a team in my time in football," said Everton defender James Tarkowski.Palmer's performance has raised questions about why Manchester City allowed him to leave for Chelsea in September for a bargain £40 million. The youngster has been a revelation for the Blues, showcasing his exceptional skill and composure in front of goal.Chelsea will now turn their attention to Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, where they will hope to end the holders' quest for a second consecutive treble.

Arsenal's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich on Wednesday looms as a pivotal moment in their season, following their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League. The loss has reignited concerns about the team's ability to handle pressure, reminiscent of their collapse in the title race last season.Despite leading the league for much of the campaign, Arsenal's recent form has raised doubts about their title credentials. Manchester City's resurgence has put them back in the driver's seat, leaving Arsenal facing an uphill battle to secure their first Premier League triumph since 2004.The defeat to Villa was particularly disheartening, as Arsenal dominated the early stages but conceded two late goals to Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins. The result has left fans fearing that their title hopes may have been dealt a fatal blow.However, Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, has urged his team to remain positive and focus on their upcoming Champions League match. The Gunners have not reached the semi-finals of the competition since 2009, and Arteta believes this is the perfect opportunity to prove their mettle."It's the perfect game for a reaction," said Declan Rice, Arsenal's influential midfielder. "We need to show our character and leadership. It's time to go out there and hopefully get into the semi-finals of the Champions League."Arteta acknowledged that the defeat to Villa was a setback, but he emphasized the importance of bouncing back quickly. "We knew that this moment could come," he said. "Now it's about reacting and keep believing and doing what we can."Arsenal's task against Bayern Munich will be daunting, but the German giants are currently in a state of transition after losing their 11-year grip on the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen. The Gunners will be hoping to capitalize on Bayern's vulnerability and secure a place in the last four of the Champions League.

Mohun Bagan Super Giants emerged victorious in the Indian Super League (ISL) final, defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium. The triumph marked the first time the Kolkata-based club had won the league shield.The match began with a packed stadium, with the crowd serving as the 12th player for Mohun Bagan. The team's determination was evident from the start, as Liston Colaco opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header. Colaco's second goal came eight minutes later, giving Mohun Bagan a comfortable lead.Mumbai City FC fought back in the second half, with Lallianzuala Chhangte scoring a late goal in the 89th minute. However, Mohun Bagan held on for the victory, with Jason Cummings scoring the team's second goal in the 80th minute.The win was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Mohun Bagan coach Juan Ferrando praised his players for their performance, saying, "We played with a lot of heart and passion. We knew it would be a tough game, but we never gave up."Captain Subhasish Bose echoed Ferrando's sentiments, saying, "This is a dream come true. We have worked so hard for this moment, and it feels amazing to finally win the league shield."The victory also earned Mohun Bagan a berth in the Asian Champions League 2, a significant achievement for the club. The team's success is a testament to the growing popularity of football in India and the passion of its fans.

Claudio Pizarro, the legendary Peruvian footballer, recently visited India for the first time, leaving an unforgettable mark on the country's football scene. During his brief two-day stay, Pizarro participated in a friendly match with the All Stars club, which included renowned actors and filmmakers.Pizarro's visit was part of Bundesliga's initiative to identify and nurture Indian football talent, in collaboration with Big-Hit. The former Bayern Munich star expressed his admiration for India's rich culture and history, expressing a desire to return for an extended stay.Despite retiring from professional football in 2020, Pizarro remains actively involved in the sport as a club ambassador for Bayern Munich. He has consciously chosen to avoid coaching roles, prioritizing time for himself and his family.Pizarro acknowledged his limited knowledge of Indian football but expressed keen interest in learning more. He praised the skills of Indian players, particularly Sunil Chhetri, and expressed his belief in the country's potential to develop football talent.When asked about his favorite English Premier League clubs, Pizarro revealed a preference for Chelsea, where he once played, and Manchester United, where he has friends. He expressed his admiration for both clubs and their rich history.Pizarro's visit to India has sparked excitement and enthusiasm among football enthusiasts. His presence has inspired aspiring footballers and highlighted the growing interest in the sport in the country.

Indian Contingent Departs for Special Olympics South Asia Unified Football TournamentA 28-member Indian contingent, including both male and female athletes, has embarked on a journey to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to participate in the Special Olympics South Asia Unified seven-a-side football tournament. The contingent comprises 22 players and five coaches representing eight different Indian states.The team underwent rigorous training at a camp in Faridabad, Haryana, in preparation for the tournament. Harpreet Singh, the sports director of Special Olympics Bharat, expressed confidence in the female team's ability to secure a medal. However, he acknowledged that the men's team requires further improvement in their skills, particularly in defending the goal.Special Olympics Bharat is the National Sports Federation for individuals with intellectual disabilities, recognized by the Ministry of Sports. Intellectual disability refers to significantly below-average intellectual functioning, often characterized by an IQ below 70, and impairments in daily life and social adaptation.Ankita, the captain of the women's football team, shared her transformative experience with Special Olympics Bharat. She emphasized the organization's positive impact on her understanding, compassion, and work ethic. She expressed her determination to make India and her parents proud and to give her all to secure the gold medal.The tournament will also feature teams from Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the Maldives. The Indian contingent is hopeful of achieving success and representing their country with pride.

Liverpool's recent performances have been a stark contrast to their earlier season dominance. After being in contention for a historic quadruple, they now face the prospect of ending the season with only the League Cup. The team's struggles have coincided with their ongoing search for a successor to manager Jurgen Klopp, raising questions about whether the uncertainty is affecting their on-field performance.In the past week alone, Liverpool have suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League and a disappointing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. These results have left them third in the league standings, behind Manchester City and Arsenal.The team's poor form has been particularly evident in their home matches. After losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford, they were held to a draw by the same opponents at Anfield. The defeat to Crystal Palace was their first home loss in the Premier League since April 2021.Klopp's impending departure at the end of the season has cast a shadow over Liverpool's campaign. The club's hierarchy has been actively searching for his replacement, but no concrete decision has been made. The uncertainty surrounding the managerial position has reportedly caused unrest within the squad, with players eager to give Klopp a fitting send-off.Liverpool's pursuit of Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim as potential successors has been met with setbacks. Alonso ruled out a move to his former club, while Amorim denied reports of an agreement with the Reds. These rejections have further fueled speculation and uncertainty within the club.Despite the challenges, Liverpool must now focus on salvaging their season. They have already secured the League Cup and will be determined to add more silverware before Klopp's departure. The team will need to rediscover their form and put aside the distractions to give their manager a memorable farewell.

Borussia Dortmund, the 1997 Champions League winners and 2013 finalists, face an uphill battle as they host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Madrid, Dortmund will need to summon the spirit of their Westfalenstadion fortress to overturn the deficit.Despite a poor start in Madrid, Dortmund composed themselves and were arguably the better side for the remaining 60 minutes. However, two defensive mistakes gifted Atletico the upper hand. Dortmund's trump card is their 80,000-strong Westfalenstadion, where they have not lost since November 2021.Dortmund have been impressive in Europe this season, topping a tough group containing PSG, Milan, and Newcastle. Their home form has been particularly impressive, with nine unbeaten games since November 2021. They have scored 15 goals and conceded just two in that time.While often unpredictable, Dortmund have been defensively solid under Terzic this season. However, they gifted two goals to Atletico in the first leg. Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels will be hoping for a recall to the Germany squad ahead of Euro 2024 on home soil.Dortmund will be buoyed by Atletico's poor away form this season. Diego Simeone's men have won just five from 15 in the league and just one of four in Europe. They have not kept a clean sheet away from home.Dortmund thumped Atletico 4-0 the last time the sides met in Germany in 2018-19. However, present-day Dortmund under Terzic are less easy on the eye but have a fighting spirit similar to that of Simeone's best Atletico sides.This was exemplified in Saturday's hard-fought 2-1 win away to Borussia Moenchengladbach. Reduced to 10 men, Dortmund dug in and hung on for a crucial victory in their top-four bid.If Dortmund are to get past Atletico and into the Champions League semi-finals for the fourth time in their history, they will need to match the steel and grit of that performance against a team known for mastering those particular skills under Simeone.

Barcelona, the five-time Champions League winners, are poised to host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, hoping to exorcise the ghosts of past failures and reclaim their place among Europe's elite. The Catalans' stunning 3-2 victory in the first leg in Paris has ignited dreams of a return to the final four.Coach Xavi Hernandez has instilled a new sense of belief in his young squad, which features two of the youngest players ever to grace the Champions League knockout stages: 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi. Their youthful exuberance has brought a fresh perspective to a team that has been burdened by a string of disappointing European campaigns.Barcelona's last triumph in the competition came in 2015, when they were led by the formidable trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez. Since then, they have endured a series of humiliating defeats, including a 4-0 collapse at Anfield in 2019 and an 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in 2020.The psychological scars of those defeats have weighed heavily on Barcelona's veteran players, many of whom have since departed. However, Yamal and Cubarsi are untainted by those failures, and Xavi has praised their resilience."Yamal is very calm and mature," said Xavi. "He handles everything that happens to him so well, despite his young age."Cubarsi's composure was evident in Barcelona's victory over Napoli in the last 16, where he played a key role in securing their progression."He has a very well-furnished brain," said Xavi.Barcelona's young stars will be crucial in helping the team overcome the psychological barriers that have haunted them in recent years. They must "put the ghosts aside," as goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen put it, and focus on the task at hand.The Bayern Munich defeat in 2020 served as a wake-up call for Barcelona, who have since twice crashed out in the group stage. President Joan Laporta has pledged to restore the club to its former glory, and the team is now on the verge of reaching the final four for the first time in four years.Critics have questioned Laporta's decision to sell Messi and invest heavily in new signings, but the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha have all played a significant role in Barcelona's resurgence.By winning La Liga last season, Barcelona proved that they are on the right track. Now, they must complete the job they started in Paris and demonstrate that their progress is not limited to domestic competition.