football
Bahrain-based investors in talks to buy AC Milan
Bahrain-based private equity firm is in exclusive talks to buy seven-time European champion AC Milan and become the Italian league’s first Middle East investor, a person with knowledge of the process said.
The buyout by Investcorp could see the Serie A leader sold for around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion), the person told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the exclusive talks which began this month.
Read: Manchester City vs Liverpool 2022: The Match that Could Decide Premier League Champion
The U.S.-based hedge firm Elliott Management has owned Milan since 2018 after the former Chinese owner failed to repay part of a loan. Milan declined comment. Investcorp, which was founded in Bahrain in 1982, delisted from the Bahrain stock exchange last year after almost four decades as it continues its global expansion of investments.
The potential takeover comes with Milan on top of Serie A with six games remaining. Milan looks to win a first title since 2011, and a 19th overall, after a period of domestic dominance by Juventus broken by crosstown rival Inter Milan only last season.
The two Milan clubs share the San Siro stadium and they are looking to build a new stadium jointly as part of “The Cathedral” project.
Read: Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar to start peace-themed tour
AC Milan is also looking for investment that would allow the team to return to the pinnacle of European football having not won the Champions League since 2007. The team, which features Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, went out in the group stage in December after ending a seven-season absence from the lucrative UEFA competition.
AFC Cup play-off: Dhaka Abahani to face Mohun Bagan in Kolkata on April 19
Six-time Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Dhaka Abahani Limited will face Indian giant ATK Mohun Bagan in the second play-off match of the AFC Cup on April 19 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Earlier, the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit got a walkover against Club Valencia of the Maldives in their first play-off match of the AFC Cup, with the latter withdrawing in the last minute due to funds crunch.
Club Valencia players were due to arrive here on Sunday night to participate in the AFC Cup play-off match, but they informed the Bangladesh Football Federation and the apex body, Asian Football AFC, of their inability to participate in Tuesday's game.
On the other hand, ATK Mohun Bagan of Kolkata smartly qualified for the second and final play-off match crushing Blue Star Sporting Club of Sri Lanka by 5-0 in the first play-off game at Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Read: BPL Football: Sk Russel beat Swadhinata KS 2-1
The winners of the second play-off match between Dhaka Abahani Ltd and Mohun Bagan will qualify for the Group D of the AFC Cup, along with Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh, Gokulam Kerela FC of India and Maziya S&RC of the Maldives.
AFC Cup: Dhaka Abahani get walkover against Valencia of Maldives.
Dhaka Abahani Limited got a walkover against Valencia Club of the Maldives in a play off match of the AFC Cup Football.
Dhaka Abahani Limited scheduled to play Valencia Club of the Maldives in a AFC Cup play-off match on Tuesday (April 12) at Sylhet District Stadium, but the Valencia Club did not arrive here Sunday night as per schedule due to their financial crisis.
They informed the withdrawal of their team from the meet and duly informed it to the Bangladesh Football Federation and AFC in dying moment and the AFC cancelled the match awarding walkover to Dhaka Abahani against Valencia.
However, the official decision of the AFC is expected to reach here by Monday night.
READ: BPL Football: Sk Russel beat Swadhinata KS 2-1
Despite getting walkover, Dhaka Abahani will have to play another play-off match on April 19 against the winners of Kolkata Mohun bagan FC and Sri Lankan Blue Star SC.
If Abahani will able to win the 2nd play-off match on April 19 then they will qualify to play in the Group D of the AFC Cup alongwith Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh, Gokulam Kerela of India and Maziya Club of the Maldives.
Police investigate after Ronaldo knocked phone from fan
Police are investigating an incident that saw Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo apparently slapping a phone out of a supporter’s hand as he left the field after a loss at Everton.
The force in Liverpool is appealing for witnesses after footage was posted on social media following United’s 1-0 Premier League loss on Saturday.
“As players were leaving the pitch at 2:30 p.m., it was reported that a boy was assaulted by one of the away team as they left the pitch," Merseyside Police said Sunday. “Inquiries are under way and officers are currently working with Everton Football Club to review CCTV (video) footage and are carrying out extensive witness enquiries to establish if an offence has taken place."
Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo Officially Becomes Highest Goalscorer in Football History
Ronaldo said it was “never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing.”
In a post on Instagram on Saturday, Ronaldo added: “I would like to apologize for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.”
Also read: Champions League 2021-2022: Will Messi and Ronaldo meet in the Round of 16?
United fell to seventh and six points behind the four Champions League qualification places.
BPL Football: Sk Russel beat Swadhinata KS 2-1
Former champions Sheikh Russel KC earned the 2nd victory in their 11th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football beating newcomers Swadhinata KS by 2-1 goal at their home ground--Bashundhara Sports Complex --here on Saturday.
With the day's long-cherished victory, Sheikh Russel KC moved up to the 8th slot in the league table securing ten points from eleven matches while Swadhinata KS remained at the bottom with six points from eleven encounters.
In the day's match, Manik Hossain Mollah put Sheikh Russel KC ahead in the 13th minute (1-0) while Kyrgyzstani defender Aizar Akmatov doubled the winners margin in the 20th minute from a penalty (2-0).
Uzbek defensive midfielder Nodir Mavlonov reduced the margin for Swadhinata KS in the stoppage time of the match (90+2 minute).
Read: BPL Football: Kings play 3-3 draw with Sk Jamal; Dhaka Abahani beat Uttar Baridhara 5-2
Later, Aizar got marching order after receiving 2nd yellow cards in the 77th minute of the match.
After the day's match, the first phase of the BPL Football completed with the domination of holders Bashundhara Kings.
Last two times champions Bashundhara Kings comfortably maintained their solo lead in the league table securing 26 points from 11 matches while Dhaka Abahani Ltd Sheikh Jamal DC and Chittagong Abahani Ltd followed them with 22, 21 and 21 points respectively.
Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Swadhinata KS are struggling at the bottom places securing seven and six points respectively.
Manchester City vs Liverpool 2022: The Match that Could Decide Premier League Champion
Manchester City have been on top of the Premier League standings for the past 16 weeks. They ascended to the top of the points standings in the first week of December 2021. Since then, Liverpool and Chelsea have attempted but failed to dethrone the league leader. Chelsea are already out of the title race, behind Manchester City by 14 points with eight games remaining. On the other hand, Liverpool are only one point behind the Citizens. Therefore, Manchester City vs Liverpool 2022 Premier League encounter on Sunday at Etihad Stadium might decide the season's winner.
Premier League 2021/2022 Season: The Points Standings Scenario
Reigning Champion Manchester City's season got off to a poor start. They won three, lost one, and drew one in their first five games. On the other hand, the Citizens steadily regained their momentum and took over the top spot in the points table in December. They haven't dropped to second place since claiming the top spot. Manchester City now have 73 points after 30 matches, while Liverpool have 72 points after the same number of games. If Liverpool win, they will overtake Manchester City as the top team in the Premier League. Oppositely, Manchester City will take a four-point lead over Liverpool if they win the match.
Read Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar to start peace-themed tour
The top four teams in the standings will qualify for the Champions League the following season. Therefore, the race for the top four spots is heating up. Third-placed Chelsea have a five-point lead over fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. As a result, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea are the favorites to finish first, second, and third in the Premier League 2021-2022 season points standings.
Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, West Ham United, and Manchester United are all battling for fourth place. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal both have 54 points, while West Ham and Manchester United both have 51. As a result, the remaining eight/nine-week games will be critical. Meanwhile, Everton, Burnley, Watford, and Norwich City are all fighting to stay in the Premier League. The bottom three teams in the points standings will be relegated to the EFL Championship.
Read Villarreal keeps on surprising, beats Bayern in CL quarters
Manchester City vs Liverpool 2022 Premier League Lineups
Portuguese defender for Manchester City, Ruben Dias is currently rehabilitating from a thigh injury. He, along with young midfielder Cole Palmer, will miss the match due to injury. Aside from them, the remainder of the players will be eligible for selection.
Predicted Playing XI (Manchester City):
Ederson Moraes (GK), Kyle Walker (RB), John Stones (CB), Aymeric Laporte (CB), Joao Cancelo (LB), Bernardo Silva (CM), Rodri (CM), Kevin De Bruyne (CM), Riyad Mahrez (RW), Phil Foden (CF), Raheem Sterling (LW)
Liverpool have no serious injury concerns, as all of the squad's players are available for selection in this crucial match. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita's fitness were questioned due to injuries. However, according to the latest reports, they are both fit to play against Manchester City. It may be difficult for Jurgen Klopp to pick his ideal starting XI for the match. The match will start at 9.30 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time) on Sunday at the Etihad stadium.
Read Another Benzema hat trick gives Madrid 3-1 edge over Chelsea
Predicted Playing XI (Liverpool):
Alisson Becker (GK), Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB), Joel Matip (CB), Virgil van Dijk (CB), Andrew Robertson (LB), Jordan Henderson (CM), Fabinho (CM), Thiago Alcantara (CM), Mohamed Salah (RW), Sadio Mane (CF), Luis Diaz (LW)
Match Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
Liverpool vs Manchester City: Head-to-Head
Manchester City and Liverpool FC have met 169 times in major competitions. Liverpool have a 78-45 advantage in the head-to-head match. They have played each other in the Premier League for the majority of their encounters. Liverpool have a 75-45 advantage over Manchester City in the Premier League head-to-head clash. 519 goals have been scored between these two teams, with Liverpool scoring 288 goals and Man City scoring 231 goals.
Read Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg Team News, Preview
Verdict
Manchester City and Liverpool are arguably the best two football teams in Europe right now. Therefore, Sunday's Manchester City vs Liverpool 2022 Premier League encounter promises to be exhilarating. Furthermore, the outcome of the match may alter the championship race scenario. Both sides will make every attempt to win the game, and neither can afford to lose. As a result, both Manchester City and Liverpool may adopt a defensive approach during the contest.
Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar to start peace-themed tour
Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar Donetsk will play a series of charity games on a government-backed “Global Tour for Peace” that will raise money for the country’s military in the war against Russia.
The depleted squad has gathered in Turkey to prepare for Saturday’s opening match against Greek league leader Olympiakos. The games will also raise money for Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war.
“Football diplomacy will help us involve millions of fans around the world in assisting Ukraine, which is really important,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Friday. “By this charity tour, we will continue attracting the world’s attention to Russian aggression against Ukraine and raise more funds for the Ukrainian army.”
Shakhtar is also set to play Fenerbahce, Hajduk Split and Lechia Gdansk, with other opponents still to be confirmed.
Soccer clubs around Europe have been offering to play games against Ukrainian clubs and host youth players after soccer in the country was shut down when Russia invaded in February.
Olympiakos has advertised the game as “Football For Peace – Stop war in Ukraine.” Tickets for the match in Pireaus cost 10 euros ($10.90).
“This shall be the opening match in a series of friendlies the Ukrainian outfit is going to play against top clubs in Europe and the U.S.,” the defending Greek champions said.
Shakhtar has not played a competitive game since mid-December. On Feb. 26, the league leaders were scheduled to resume the domestic season after a winter break. But two days before their game at Metalist Kharkiv, Russia launched its military invasion and Ukrainian soccer stopped.
Shakhtar typically provides several players to the Ukrainian national team, which was unable to play a World Cup qualifying playoff match against Scotland two weeks ago.
FIFA wants to stage that game in Glasgow in early June. The winner will play Wales several days later for a place at this year’s World Cup in Qatar. FIFA also removed Russia from the playoffs.
Shakhtar has relied on a core of Brazilian players to win 13 league titles over the past 20 years and become a regular in the Champions League. In December, Shakhtar finished last in a Champions League group that included Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
During the war, FIFA changed transfer rules to let players with Ukrainian clubs sign elsewhere. Shakhtar loaned Tetê to Lyon while Junior Moraes, who gained citizenship and played for Ukraine, went to Brazil to play for Corinthians.
The club’s success has continued despite being exiled from its home city Donetsk in 2014, when pro-Russia separatists took control of parts of eastern Ukraine. The team has been playing in Kyiv in recent years.
Nicknamed the Miners, the club is owned by billionaire Rinat Akhmetov and has become a symbol of its home region. The Donbass Arena hosted games at the 2012 European Championship.
The club said during the war it has so far provided 1.4 billion Ukrainian hryvni ($48 million) in “humanitarian aid to civilians, as well as assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Territorial Defense force in dozens of cities and towns.”
BPL Football: Kings play 3-3 draw with Sk Jamal; Dhaka Abahani beat Uttar Baridhara 5-2
Last two times champions Bashundhara Kings played to a 3-3 draw with former champions Sheikh Jamal DC in the 12-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football '2021-22 at their home ground Bashundhara Sports Complex --here on Thursday.
The Kings also dropped with points with six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd in 2-2 affairs in the last match at the Sylhet District Stadium on Sunday.
Despite the day's draw, big budgeted and holders Bashundhara Kings comfortably maintained their solo lead in the league table securing 26 points from 11 matches while Dhaka Abahani and Sheikh Jamal followed with 22 and 21 points respectively, playing 11 matches each.
After a barren first half, Otabek, Sillah and Solomon scored one each for Sheikh Jamal DC while Eleta Kingsley struck twice and Stojan netted the lone goal for the Kings.
In the day's other league match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd outplayed Uttar Baridhara Club by 5-2 goals at the Sylhet District Stadium.
In the day's match, Russian World Cup playing Costa Rica booter Daniel Colindres scored twice, while Nabib Newaz Jibon, Abu Sayed and Raphael scored one each for the popular sky blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani.
Papon and Arif scored one each for Uttar Baridhara Club.
Villarreal keeps on surprising, beats Bayern in CL quarters
Villarreal pulled off another surprising Champions League result, this time against sixth-time champion Bayern Munich to boost its hopes of returning to the semifinals for the first time in 16 years.
After making it past the group stage and eliminating Juventus in the round of 16, the modest Spanish club took a big step toward reaching the last four by holding on to a 1-0 victory against favorite Bayern in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Also read:Another Benzema hat trick gives Madrid 3-1 edge over Chelsea
Arnaut Danjuma’s goal early in the first half was enough for Villarreal at the La Cerámica Stadium, with Bayern unable to get past the solid defense of Unai Emery’s squad and losing only for the second time in 30 Champions League matches.
Bayern was unbeaten in its last 22 away games in the Champions League, with 17 wins and five draws in a record run that had started after a loss in 2017 to a Paris Saint-Germain team coached by Emery.
The Germans struggled throughout the match on Wednesday and were glad to leave only one goal down.
“We’ll take the 1-0 result," veteran Thomas Müller said. “We know that things could have been a lot worse. We have to pay a lot of respects to our opponents. Now we need to pick ourselves back up for the return leg and hit back.”
The second leg is next week in Munich, where Villarreal will need a draw to get to the semifinals for the first time since its first last-four appearance in the Champions League in 2006. Villarreal stunned Juventus 3-0 in Italy after a 1-1 draw at home in the last 16.
In the other quarterfinal Wednesday, defending champion Chelsea lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the first leg in London.
“We deserved to lose. We weren’t good today,” Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “In the first half, we lacked power in defense and had too few chances. The second half was a completely wild game. We gave up control because we were desperate to score, but we could have conceded two more.”
Villarreal looked in control from the start and Bayern struggled to create significant scoring chances. The hosts threatened the most and had some good chances to add to its lead.
“There was talk about them being favorites and wanting to seal their place in the semifinals tonight, but we came out very hungry, very humble,” Villarreal midfielder Giovani Lo Celso said. “There’s no doubt they are one of the best teams in the world, but we managed the game well and could have scored even more goals.”
Danjuma opened the scoring in the eighth minute by redirecting a close-range shot by Dani Parejo as the Bayern defense was caught off guard. It was Danjuma’s sixth goal in nine Champions League appearances this season, and seventh in 11 career games in the competition.
Villarreal thought it had doubled the lead in the 41st but Francis Coquelin’s goal from a tough angle was disallowed for offside.
Also read:Mbappe runs the show in PSG’s 5-1 win over Lorient
Striker Gerard Moreno twice had opportunities to add to Villarreal's lead after that. First with a low shot from outside the area that hit the post in the 53rd, and 10 minutes later after intercepting a bad pass by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer near midfield and missing his long-range shot into the open net. The ball ended up curling too much as Neuer desperately tried to run back into position.
Bayern increased the pressure near the end but again it was Villarreal that nearly added to the lead when substitute Alfonso Pedraza missed from close range on a counterattack in the 87th.
Villarreal did a good job containing Robert Lewandowski throughout the match and he had few opportunities inside the area. He entered the match as the Champions League’s leading scorer with 12 goals from eight matches and had scored seven goals in his last five games in all competitions. The Poland striker is ranked third on the all-time list of Champions League scorers, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Bayern's Canadian player Alphonso Davies made his first appearance since Dec. 17 after a long injury layoff because of cardiac issues.
Villarreal, based in a city of about 50,000 people, is playing in the quarterfinals for the first time in 13 years. It qualified for the Champions League by winning last season’s Europa League.
Bayern was eliminated by PSG at this stage last season. The German club made it to the last eight 10 times in the last 11 seasons. The team is playing in the quarterfinals for a record 20th time.
The winner will play either Benfica or Liverpool in the semifinals. Liverpool won the first leg in Lisbon 3-1.
Another Benzema hat trick gives Madrid 3-1 edge over Chelsea
Back-to-back Champions League hat tricks just reinforce the enduring value of Karim Benzema's clinical finishing to Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti sees so much more being provided by the 34-year-old forward he compares to a fine wine.
“He is more of a leader every day,” the Madrid coach said after Benzema's goals produced a 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. “He feels more and more important in this team and I think that’s what makes the difference. He has so much more personality. He is an example for everyone.”
Also read:Villarreal keeps on surprising, beats Bayern in CL quarters
This latest goal burst could end Chelsea’s title defense, barring the type of second-leg collapse by Madrid that Paris Saint-Germain endured last month at the the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Benzema now has 37 goals in 36 games in all competitions this season, including the three that turned around the last-16 meeting with PSG.
“They’re magic nights,” Benzema said. “Today we came out to win, to show we’re Real Madrid. Things worked out well for us as we played well, from the first minute to the last.”
The France international is almost single-handedly keeping the Spanish giants on the path to a record-extending 14th European Cup — and a fifth for himself — and powering them to regaining the La Liga title.
Of Madrid's last 11 goals, 10 have been scored by the mainstay of the team for the last 13 years.
The first two at Stamford Bridge were thumping headers inside three first-half minutes in the driving rain, while the third was gifted to him in a manner that raised doubts about whether Chelsea can muster a comeback in Madrid on Tuesday.
“I think it helped us that our build-up play from the back was good,” said Ancelotti, who won the 2010 Premier League with Chelsea. “We found space between the lines. And then with Benzema and Vinicius we were dangerous.”
Chelsea had given itself hope of recovering when Kai Havertz reduced the deficit with a header five minutes before halftime from Jorginho’s cross.
But only a minute of the second half had elapsed when Chelsea’s slack defending proved so costly.
Edouard Mendy was about 30 yards out from goal when the ball came to him and the goalkeeper brought it down with his chest. Rather than clearing down the field, he sent a short pass tamely to the dawdling Antonio Rüdiger. It was a gift for Benzema to intercept before striking into the unprotected net with Mendy still stranded outside the penalty area.
“I’m happiest to have scored the third," he said, "as I missed one in the first half and I was thinking about that chance because it’s very important to score goals. Then I got another and I’m very happy.”
The precision of Benzema’s first-half headers -- after getting on the end of crosses from Vinicius Jr. in the 21st minute and Luka Modric in the 24th — was in contrast to the shortcomings of Chelsea’s No. 9. Substitute Romelu Lukaku had a great chance with a header of his own when there was still more than 20 minutes to go, but glanced it wide of the post, resulting in groans around Stamford Bridge.
“Very important," Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said of the miss.
An all-English semifinal is looking less likely. The winner of this quarterfinal will face Manchester City or Atletico Madrid, with City ahead 1-0 after Tuesday's first leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Also read:UEFA Champions League 2022: Top favourites to reach the semi-finals
Asked whether his quarterfinal was still alive, Tuchel sharply replied: “No.”
It showed his frustration after his team's hold on third place in the Premier League was loosened by a surprising 4-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday.
“We have to find our level back,” Tuchel said, “but we don't know where it is.”
The most significant action might not even have been on the field for Chelsea on Wednesday. Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly flew in for the game as the tussle to buy the team from sanctioned Russian owner Roman Abramovich intensifies, with the contenders whittled down in recent weeks.
It just adds to the uncertainty hanging over the west London team.
"I will not accept it as an excuse," Tuchel said.
There was a surprise in Wednesday’s other quarterfinal with Bayern Munich losing 1-0 at Villarreal.