Tuchel, Giroud 8/10 as Chelsea grab shock first-leg victory vs. Atletico Madrid
![]()
5:30 AM WIB
Danny Lewis
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Pinterest
Email
Chelsea's Champions League round-of-16 match against Atletico Madrid in Bucharest was always going to be a tight affair, and that's exactly how it turned out.
It was the Blues who managed to get the foothold in the game, as Olivier Giroud's superb overhead kick in the 71st minute was given after a lengthy VAR check, with the goal initially ruled out for offside.
They managed to see out the game from there and take a 1-0 advantage -- and an away goal -- into the second leg.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Tuchel blasts subbed sub Hudson-Odoi's attitude
Premier League fight for fourth: Liverpool to miss out? Breaking down the battle, key men
Positives
Chelsea were able to get plenty of good possession of the ball, with Diego Simeone's side dropping deep for large periods. Chelsea had the better of the game's chances, and it is a massive bonus that Giroud managed to get on the scoresheet. Despite Atletico also getting half-chances, there weren't too many clear openings for the home side, and Edouard Mendy was rarely worked.
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewer's guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more
Negatives
Chelsea were absolutely awful at the beginning of the game and could have easily found themselves a goal down within the first couple of minutes. Part of this was due to them giving the ball away in dangerous areas. Lastly, Mason Mount and Jorginho will miss the second leg due to bookings picked up in this game.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Thomas Tuchel's decision-making was questioned after he harshly took off Callum Hudson-Odoi in the last game, but it certainly won't be here. The German's side came up against a very resolute Atletico Madrid side and showed plenty of discipline, while also bagging the goal that gives them an advantage heading into the second leg.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Edouard Mendy, 5 -- Often looked uncomfortable. Was let off after a poor touch two minutes in and some of his kicking wasn't the best. His shot-stopping wasn't tested too much.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 8 -- Stepped up out of the backline well when Chelsea had the ball or when he had to follow a home attacker dropping deep. Did a good job of keeping Joao Felix quiet.
DF Andreas Christensen, 7 -- Occasionally gave away silly fouls but was disciplined and resolute in his defending.
DF Antonio Rudiger, 8 -- Played some wonderful long passes and held his own defensively, making a superb block shortly after Giroud's goal -- although he did have a scare when Luis Suarez dispossessed him early on. Almost lost his cool with the Uruguayan.
MF Callum Hudson-Odoi, 7 -- Had a fascinating battle with Thomas Lemar, with the pair both doing well in their defensive responsibilities. The Londoner also offered a threat going forward.
MF Jorginho, 6 -- Had plenty of good ideas with his passing, but the execution was just off, as was the case on the occasions when he tried to release Mount and Hudson-Odoi. Booked for a foul on Felix.
MF Mateo Kovacic, 6 -- The Croatian put in a combative performance and made some good runs forward, but his decision-making could have been slightly better at points.
MF Marcos Alonso, 7 -- There are questions over his defensive capabilities at times, but Alonso was brilliant in that regard. He got his head onto some awkward balls and remained composed in 1v1s. Provided real quality with some of his crossing.![]()
Olivier Giroud once again produced the spectacular, his moment of brilliance the difference in a tightly-contested first leg vs. Atletico Madrid. Getty
FW Mason Mount, 7 -- Booked a minute in for a foul on Felix, but continued to make an impact for Chelsea. Linked the play wonderfully at points and his battling led to Giroud's goal.
FW Olivier Giroud, 8 -- Held the ball up well at points but was always surrounded whenever he had it in a decent position. However, he made the most of his best chance with a wonderful overhead kick.
FW Timo Werner, 6 -- Missed a decent chance early on, but was always showing for the ball and looked very sharp in a lot of his play.
Substitutes
MF Hakim Ziyech, N/R -- Replaced Kovacic in the 74th minute and saw his best effort from range blocked.
MF N'Golo Kante, N/R -- Replaced Mount in the 74th minute and got to work breaking down Atletico's play immediately.
DF Reece James, N/R -- Came on for Hudson-Odoi in the 80th minute and filled in to make it more of a back five as Chelsea saw out the game.
MF Kai Havertz, N/R -- Provided some clever touches in his three minutes on the pitch to help Chelsea see out the game.
MF Christian Pulisic, N/R -- The American got a late run-out and was intelligent in his play, drawing a foul from Lemar.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads© 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Atletico Madrid's Oblak plays down crisis talk: 'We'll get through this'
![]()
play
ESPN FC's Sid Lowe gives the lowdown on Atletico Madrid's recent struggles. (1:26)
7:01 AM WIB
Alex Kirkland
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Pinterest
Email
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak has denied Atletico Madrid are facing a "crisis" after a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday saw the La Liga leaders lose back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The round-of-16 first leg result in Bucharest -- which saw Olivier Giroud's overhead kick give the Premier League team the advantage ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 17 -- followed Atletico's domestic loss to Levante on Saturday.
- Chelsea ratings: Tuchel, Giroud 8/10 in Chelsea win
"I don't think it's a crisis," Oblak said. "Yes it's different to what we've experienced over the rest of the season, but [football] is like that. This team is strong. We'll get through this. We weren't perfect in December and January and we aren't bad now."
Atetico have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight games in all competitions, their worst defensive run during coach Diego Simeone's decade in charge.
"We'll work on it," Simeone said. "We have an important game with Villarreal on Sunday. We aren't getting the results... Seeing the effort of the team, and knowing the explanation for the moment we're in, I feel good. I trust in the team that we have.
"If you'd said to me in September that we'd lose this first leg 1-0 and be top of the league, I'd have taken it for sure. We'll deal with it. It's clear that this isn't a good moment."
Atletico's lead over Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table was cut to three points -- with a game in hand -- when they were beaten by Levante, and the Chelsea loss is another blow to morale.
"Defeats are difficult, but we always get back up," captain Koke said. "We're the same team that went on a run of eight wins in the league... We've had a bad week, that's the reality, but we have to keep fighting. Atletico Madrid always get back up. We have to go out to win the second leg."
He refused to blame Atletico's need to play their "home" leg in Bucharest -- due to restrictions on UK flights arriving in Spain -- for the performance, which saw the team fail to land a single shot on target.
"We know how the world is right now," he said. "We didn't get to play at home, but it doesn't matter. We have to adapt. We have to go to London and win. If we score twice, we'll go through."
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads© 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bayern Munich hammer Lazio in Champions League first leg
![]()
play
The FC crew credit Bayern Munich for showing why they're the reigning champs in their win vs. Lazio. (1:35)
4:53 AM WIB
Reuters
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Email
Lazio
1
FT
4
Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski became the Champions League's third top scorer of all time as holders Bayern Munich put one foot in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 thrashing of Lazio in their last-16 first leg in Rome on Tuesday.
The Polish striker pounced on a poorly judged back pass after nine minutes to steer in his 72nd goal in the competition.
- Notebook: Mourinho's future, why Utd passed on Upamecano
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
In doing so, he surpassed former Real Madrid striker Raul in the competition scoring charts to reach a total only bettered by Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo, with 134 goals, and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, with 119.
Bayern's 17-year-old midfielder Jamal Musiala doubled their advantage with a well-taken strike that made him the youngest English player to score in the competition.
Leroy Sane tapped in a third before the break and a Francesco Acerbi own goal stretched the visitors' advantage early in the second half, but Joaquin Correa soon pulled one back for Lazio, whose unbeaten run in the competition came crashing to an end.
"We attacked Lazio from the start," Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told Sky Sport.
"I liked our intensity, we showed our best face, different from what we've shown recently in the Bundesliga. We've certainly made our lives easier for the second leg."
It was an 18th consecutive match without defeat for Bayern in the Champions League, 17 of which have been victories, leaving the German champions in a dominant position ahead of the second leg in Munich on March 17.
Bayern came into the game with a point to prove after earning one point from two league games since winning the Club World Cup earlier this month.![]()
Robert Lewandowski scored Bayern's opener on Tuesday.. Getty
They soon demonstrated their pedigree against a Lazio side competing in its first Champions League knockout match since 1999.
Lewandowski anticipated a loose pass from Mateo Musacchio and rounded Pepe Reina to tap in, but Lazio were furious when penalty claims were waved away after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was felled in the box.
England Under-21 international Musiala, who is also eligible to play for Germany, fired into the bottom corner after 24 minutes.
Bayern then put the contest beyond doubt when Sane tapped in from a Reina parry and Acerbi diverted a cross into his own net either side of the break.
Lazio produced chances of their own, finishing the game with 14 attempts to Bayern's 13, but Correa's weaving run and finish was their only successful effort.
"We knew beating Bayern was difficult," Lazio midfielder Lucas Leiva told Lazio Style.
"But we helped them by how we played. This isn't the Lazio that we know, it was a difficult night.
"We need to learn from this defeat and take the experience, then we'll go to Munich to play with pride and mentality."
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Your California Privacy Rights
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads
About Nielsen Measurement
Do Not Sell My Info
Contact Us
Disney Ad Sales SiteCopyright: © 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Man City boss Guardiola on Villa's Grealish probe: Team leaks 'unprofessional, unethical'
![]()
play
ESPN FC's Craig Burley questions where Manchester City's flaws are after they extend their 17-match win streak. (1:34)
8:50 PM WIB
Rob DawsonCorrespondent
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Pinterest
Email
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said anyone leaking team news before games is "unethical and unprofessional."
Aston Villa have launched an investigation after news broke that midfielder Jack Grealish had suffered an injury in training ahead of their clash with Leicester City.
- Stream LIVE games and replays on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
Villa have also asked that their players no longer play fantasy football after some members of the squad removed Grealish from their teams before the defeat to Leicester -- seen as an indicator that the England international was set to miss out.
Guardiola keeps his selections close to his chest, but the City boss said he would take a dim view of anyone caught leaking information.
"I know the players play these games, but I don't know what fantasy football is," Guardiola said. "I've never played it, and I heard it for the first time in the headlines [on Monday]. I don't know what it is.
"Sometimes there's a selection, and players are friends with players from other teams and they talk. Sometimes it happens. It's unethical and unprofessional, but it can happen."
Guardiola was speaking as he prepares his team for the Champions League round-of-16 tie with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday. He has won the competition twice before, while in charge of Barcelona, but has never been beyond the quarterfinals during four years at City.
"All the times when we went out, we were in a high level and so close," Guardiola said. "We have to play well, and the desire is there.
"After that, we see the second leg and then on to the quarters if we are good enough. No more expectations than that."
A remarkable 18-match winning run has propelled City to the top of the Premier League table and raised the possibility of a quadruple if they can land the title, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League this season.
It would be an unprecedented feat in English football, but midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said the opportunity to make history is not on the players' minds.
"It's nothing that I have thought about until you just mentioned it and nothing that I will be thinking of," he said. "If it is going to happen, I will take it."
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads© 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
UEFA open probe after Zlatan Ibrahimovic racially abused at Red Star Belgrade
![]()
play
President of AFJA, Steven Levy-Cruz joins "The Conversation" to delve into how communities continue to be divided. (1:09)
10:30 AM WIB
Reuters
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Pinterest
Email
UEFA have opened a disciplinary investigation after AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic was subjected to racist abuse in last week's Europa League match against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, European football's governing body said on Wednesday.
Serbian media reported that Ibrahimovic, who has Bosnian roots, was insulted by an individual seated in the Red Star stadium's VIP box during the Feb. 18 clash..
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
"An Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed today to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding incidents which occurred during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match," UEFA said in a statement.
No fans attended the match because of COVID-19 restrictions and Ibrahimovic was seated in the stadium's west tier behind the dugouts along with other Milan substitutes and staff.
Red Star apologised to Ibrahimovic in a statement last week and said they would work with authorities to identify the offender.
Red Star drew 2-2 with Milan in the first leg of the round-of-32 clash, with Ibrahimovic an unused substitute for Milan.
5:30 AM WIB
Danny Lewis
Facebook Messenger
Chelsea's Champions League round-of-16 match against Atletico Madrid in Bucharest was always going to be a tight affair, and that's exactly how it turned out.
It was the Blues who managed to get the foothold in the game, as Olivier Giroud's superb overhead kick in the 71st minute was given after a lengthy VAR check, with the goal initially ruled out for offside.
They managed to see out the game from there and take a 1-0 advantage -- and an away goal -- into the second leg.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Tuchel blasts subbed sub Hudson-Odoi's attitude
Premier League fight for fourth: Liverpool to miss out? Breaking down the battle, key men
Positives
Chelsea were able to get plenty of good possession of the ball, with Diego Simeone's side dropping deep for large periods. Chelsea had the better of the game's chances, and it is a massive bonus that Giroud managed to get on the scoresheet. Despite Atletico also getting half-chances, there weren't too many clear openings for the home side, and Edouard Mendy was rarely worked.
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewer's guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more
Negatives
Chelsea were absolutely awful at the beginning of the game and could have easily found themselves a goal down within the first couple of minutes. Part of this was due to them giving the ball away in dangerous areas. Lastly, Mason Mount and Jorginho will miss the second leg due to bookings picked up in this game.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Thomas Tuchel's decision-making was questioned after he harshly took off Callum Hudson-Odoi in the last game, but it certainly won't be here. The German's side came up against a very resolute Atletico Madrid side and showed plenty of discipline, while also bagging the goal that gives them an advantage heading into the second leg.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Edouard Mendy, 5 -- Often looked uncomfortable. Was let off after a poor touch two minutes in and some of his kicking wasn't the best. His shot-stopping wasn't tested too much.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 8 -- Stepped up out of the backline well when Chelsea had the ball or when he had to follow a home attacker dropping deep. Did a good job of keeping Joao Felix quiet.
DF Andreas Christensen, 7 -- Occasionally gave away silly fouls but was disciplined and resolute in his defending.
DF Antonio Rudiger, 8 -- Played some wonderful long passes and held his own defensively, making a superb block shortly after Giroud's goal -- although he did have a scare when Luis Suarez dispossessed him early on. Almost lost his cool with the Uruguayan.
MF Callum Hudson-Odoi, 7 -- Had a fascinating battle with Thomas Lemar, with the pair both doing well in their defensive responsibilities. The Londoner also offered a threat going forward.
MF Jorginho, 6 -- Had plenty of good ideas with his passing, but the execution was just off, as was the case on the occasions when he tried to release Mount and Hudson-Odoi. Booked for a foul on Felix.
MF Mateo Kovacic, 6 -- The Croatian put in a combative performance and made some good runs forward, but his decision-making could have been slightly better at points.
MF Marcos Alonso, 7 -- There are questions over his defensive capabilities at times, but Alonso was brilliant in that regard. He got his head onto some awkward balls and remained composed in 1v1s. Provided real quality with some of his crossing.
FW Mason Mount, 7 -- Booked a minute in for a foul on Felix, but continued to make an impact for Chelsea. Linked the play wonderfully at points and his battling led to Giroud's goal.
FW Olivier Giroud, 8 -- Held the ball up well at points but was always surrounded whenever he had it in a decent position. However, he made the most of his best chance with a wonderful overhead kick.
FW Timo Werner, 6 -- Missed a decent chance early on, but was always showing for the ball and looked very sharp in a lot of his play.
Substitutes
MF Hakim Ziyech, N/R -- Replaced Kovacic in the 74th minute and saw his best effort from range blocked.
MF N'Golo Kante, N/R -- Replaced Mount in the 74th minute and got to work breaking down Atletico's play immediately.
DF Reece James, N/R -- Came on for Hudson-Odoi in the 80th minute and filled in to make it more of a back five as Chelsea saw out the game.
MF Kai Havertz, N/R -- Provided some clever touches in his three minutes on the pitch to help Chelsea see out the game.
MF Christian Pulisic, N/R -- The American got a late run-out and was intelligent in his play, drawing a foul from Lemar.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads© 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Atletico Madrid's Oblak plays down crisis talk: 'We'll get through this'
ESPN FC's Sid Lowe gives the lowdown on Atletico Madrid's recent struggles. (1:26)
7:01 AM WIB
Alex Kirkland
Facebook Messenger
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak has denied Atletico Madrid are facing a "crisis" after a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday saw the La Liga leaders lose back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The round-of-16 first leg result in Bucharest -- which saw Olivier Giroud's overhead kick give the Premier League team the advantage ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 17 -- followed Atletico's domestic loss to Levante on Saturday.
- Chelsea ratings: Tuchel, Giroud 8/10 in Chelsea win
"I don't think it's a crisis," Oblak said. "Yes it's different to what we've experienced over the rest of the season, but [football] is like that. This team is strong. We'll get through this. We weren't perfect in December and January and we aren't bad now."
Atetico have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight games in all competitions, their worst defensive run during coach Diego Simeone's decade in charge.
"We'll work on it," Simeone said. "We have an important game with Villarreal on Sunday. We aren't getting the results... Seeing the effort of the team, and knowing the explanation for the moment we're in, I feel good. I trust in the team that we have.
"If you'd said to me in September that we'd lose this first leg 1-0 and be top of the league, I'd have taken it for sure. We'll deal with it. It's clear that this isn't a good moment."
Atletico's lead over Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table was cut to three points -- with a game in hand -- when they were beaten by Levante, and the Chelsea loss is another blow to morale.
"Defeats are difficult, but we always get back up," captain Koke said. "We're the same team that went on a run of eight wins in the league... We've had a bad week, that's the reality, but we have to keep fighting. Atletico Madrid always get back up. We have to go out to win the second leg."
He refused to blame Atletico's need to play their "home" leg in Bucharest -- due to restrictions on UK flights arriving in Spain -- for the performance, which saw the team fail to land a single shot on target.
"We know how the world is right now," he said. "We didn't get to play at home, but it doesn't matter. We have to adapt. We have to go to London and win. If we score twice, we'll go through."
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads© 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bayern Munich hammer Lazio in Champions League first leg
The FC crew credit Bayern Munich for showing why they're the reigning champs in their win vs. Lazio. (1:35)
4:53 AM WIB
Reuters
Facebook Messenger
Lazio
1
FT
4
Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski became the Champions League's third top scorer of all time as holders Bayern Munich put one foot in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 thrashing of Lazio in their last-16 first leg in Rome on Tuesday.
The Polish striker pounced on a poorly judged back pass after nine minutes to steer in his 72nd goal in the competition.
- Notebook: Mourinho's future, why Utd passed on Upamecano
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
In doing so, he surpassed former Real Madrid striker Raul in the competition scoring charts to reach a total only bettered by Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo, with 134 goals, and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, with 119.
Bayern's 17-year-old midfielder Jamal Musiala doubled their advantage with a well-taken strike that made him the youngest English player to score in the competition.
Leroy Sane tapped in a third before the break and a Francesco Acerbi own goal stretched the visitors' advantage early in the second half, but Joaquin Correa soon pulled one back for Lazio, whose unbeaten run in the competition came crashing to an end.
"We attacked Lazio from the start," Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told Sky Sport.
"I liked our intensity, we showed our best face, different from what we've shown recently in the Bundesliga. We've certainly made our lives easier for the second leg."
It was an 18th consecutive match without defeat for Bayern in the Champions League, 17 of which have been victories, leaving the German champions in a dominant position ahead of the second leg in Munich on March 17.
Bayern came into the game with a point to prove after earning one point from two league games since winning the Club World Cup earlier this month.
They soon demonstrated their pedigree against a Lazio side competing in its first Champions League knockout match since 1999.
Lewandowski anticipated a loose pass from Mateo Musacchio and rounded Pepe Reina to tap in, but Lazio were furious when penalty claims were waved away after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was felled in the box.
England Under-21 international Musiala, who is also eligible to play for Germany, fired into the bottom corner after 24 minutes.
Bayern then put the contest beyond doubt when Sane tapped in from a Reina parry and Acerbi diverted a cross into his own net either side of the break.
Lazio produced chances of their own, finishing the game with 14 attempts to Bayern's 13, but Correa's weaving run and finish was their only successful effort.
"We knew beating Bayern was difficult," Lazio midfielder Lucas Leiva told Lazio Style.
"But we helped them by how we played. This isn't the Lazio that we know, it was a difficult night.
"We need to learn from this defeat and take the experience, then we'll go to Munich to play with pride and mentality."
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Your California Privacy Rights
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads
About Nielsen Measurement
Do Not Sell My Info
Contact Us
Disney Ad Sales SiteCopyright: © 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Man City boss Guardiola on Villa's Grealish probe: Team leaks 'unprofessional, unethical'
ESPN FC's Craig Burley questions where Manchester City's flaws are after they extend their 17-match win streak. (1:34)
8:50 PM WIB
Rob DawsonCorrespondent
Facebook Messenger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said anyone leaking team news before games is "unethical and unprofessional."
Aston Villa have launched an investigation after news broke that midfielder Jack Grealish had suffered an injury in training ahead of their clash with Leicester City.
- Stream LIVE games and replays on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
Villa have also asked that their players no longer play fantasy football after some members of the squad removed Grealish from their teams before the defeat to Leicester -- seen as an indicator that the England international was set to miss out.
Guardiola keeps his selections close to his chest, but the City boss said he would take a dim view of anyone caught leaking information.
"I know the players play these games, but I don't know what fantasy football is," Guardiola said. "I've never played it, and I heard it for the first time in the headlines [on Monday]. I don't know what it is.
"Sometimes there's a selection, and players are friends with players from other teams and they talk. Sometimes it happens. It's unethical and unprofessional, but it can happen."
Guardiola was speaking as he prepares his team for the Champions League round-of-16 tie with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday. He has won the competition twice before, while in charge of Barcelona, but has never been beyond the quarterfinals during four years at City.
"All the times when we went out, we were in a high level and so close," Guardiola said. "We have to play well, and the desire is there.
"After that, we see the second leg and then on to the quarters if we are good enough. No more expectations than that."
A remarkable 18-match winning run has propelled City to the top of the Premier League table and raised the possibility of a quadruple if they can land the title, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League this season.
It would be an unprecedented feat in English football, but midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said the opportunity to make history is not on the players' minds.
"It's nothing that I have thought about until you just mentioned it and nothing that I will be thinking of," he said. "If it is going to happen, I will take it."
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Interest-Based Ads© 2020 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
UEFA open probe after Zlatan Ibrahimovic racially abused at Red Star Belgrade
President of AFJA, Steven Levy-Cruz joins "The Conversation" to delve into how communities continue to be divided. (1:09)
10:30 AM WIB
Reuters
Facebook Messenger
UEFA have opened a disciplinary investigation after AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic was subjected to racist abuse in last week's Europa League match against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, European football's governing body said on Wednesday.
Serbian media reported that Ibrahimovic, who has Bosnian roots, was insulted by an individual seated in the Red Star stadium's VIP box during the Feb. 18 clash..
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
"An Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed today to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding incidents which occurred during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match," UEFA said in a statement.
No fans attended the match because of COVID-19 restrictions and Ibrahimovic was seated in the stadium's west tier behind the dugouts along with other Milan substitutes and staff.
Red Star apologised to Ibrahimovic in a statement last week and said they would work with authorities to identify the offender.
Red Star drew 2-2 with Milan in the first leg of the round-of-32 clash, with Ibrahimovic an unused substitute for Milan.
Comments
Post a Comment