The FC crew break down the 1-1 draw between Germany and Spain and how both proved they are among the primary contenders for the World Cup.
The cheap conclusion, after Spain’s 1-1 draw with Germany, is that Chelsea have already ruined La Roja’s outside chance of winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The match, which alongside Tuesday’s test against Argentina represents Julen Lopetegui’s penultimate chance to work out how Spain play with a centre forward, was rightly celebrated for its searing quality and competitiveness.
What it also showed is that the 2010 World Champions badly miss Alvaro Morata when he’s absent — particularly while…
Even in the midst of Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable scoring onslaught, two stark facts stand out.
Ronaldo actually had copious chances over his barren first half of the season to hit the net as regularly as he’s now managing, and had he done so, this would be shaping up as the most prolific goal performance of his already historic career … at the age of 33. Despite the now ridiculous fact that Ronaldo managed a paltry four La Liga goals by mid-January, his current 37 goals in 35 matches (all…
The ESPN FC panel explain why beating Chelsea is just another hurdle for Barcelona in their quest to reclaim Europe’s top prize.
Craig Burley and Alexis Nunes preview the return leg between Chelsea and Barcelona, and discuss whether the Blues can spring a surprise at the Camp Nou.
Craig Burley and Alexis Nunes preview the return leg between Chelsea and Barcelona, and discuss whether the Blues can spring a surprise at the Camp Nou.
Cesc Fabregas talks about playing his former club Barcelona in the Champions League and what he expects in the second leg at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona vs. Chelsea isn’t a “European Clasico” simply because every time they meet, the pitch is decorated with some of Europe’s most sumptuous talents. For a fixture to truly sizzle and fizz in the days and weeks before it is played, there needs to be some degree of a revenge or bad blood narrative, a rivalry that turns an infrequent continental match-up into the kind of “must win at any cost” derby like Milan vs. Inter, Rangers vs. Celtic, Manchester United vs. Liverpool or Madrid vs. Atletico….
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hailed his team performance as they won 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday’s Champions League round-of-16 second leg to ease through to the quarterfinals 5-2 on aggregate.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro helped Real Madrid seal their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 5-2 aggregate win over PSG.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro helped Real Madrid seal their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 5-2 aggregate win over PSG.
The FC crew break down Real Madrid’s win over PSG and assess PSG’s standing in Europe after their Champions League exit.
Whether or not Real Madrid now go on to shred records by winning their third straight Champions League title, we’ve already learned something important and impressive about Zinedine Zidane over the last few weeks.
Moreover, I would guess that this elegant, winning, admirable Frenchman has learned the same vital things about himself. The clearest evidence came from Madrid’s two principal heroes in the Parc Des Princes on Tuesday: Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio.
No, nobody has forgotten that football…
The FC crew praise Cristiano Ronaldo for his leadership, particularly with Karim Benzema, as Real Madrid’s captain in their win over Alaves.
Something extremely special and exciting is happening in Spanish football, and the weekend added copious proof of this phenomenon.
Because so much attention is lavished on the perpetual duel between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to demonstrate who wears the crown in La Liga, indeed in Europe, the fact that we’re living in a golden era for strikers in Spain drifts under the radar.
We are only just reaching March, yet a combination of four of Spain’s attack forces have hit the net 159…
The ESPN FC panel explain why they doubt the Champions League tie between Chelsea and Barcelona will be another instant classic.
The two club rivals Lionel Messi has faced most often in his record-shredding career are Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Across 72 matches against those La Liga foes, the Argentina international has scored 52 times and won 38 of them. Extraordinary stats.
The English teams who have most often tried to figure out a way to smother Barcelona’s No. 10 in the Champions League are, in order, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Against Arsenal, City and United he’s scored 17 goals…
MADRID — I have an image in my mind. One that began to take shape in the advanced stages of the second half of this extraordinary match in which Paris Saint-Germain continued their Spanish nightmare.
They’ve now lost their past two knockout ties against La Liga’s behemoths on a 9-2 aggregate despite being in control of both games with a mere handful of minutes left on each occasion. If you throw in the slapping the Parisians took in Munich at the end of their group campaign, roundly thumped…
With no goals or assists in his first four games, ESPN FC’s Sid Lowe explains why Barcelona shouldn’t worry about Philippe Coutinho just yet.
After a rain-soaked and fiery Catalan derby, ESPN FC’s Paul Mariner delves into the key talking points and Gerard Pique’s impact.
One of the things that will be troubling the bright, competitive mind of Ernesto Valverde is whether FC Barcelona currently have an unhealthy or even Pyrrhic relationship with Spain’s Copa del Rey?
“Unhealthy” is a concept you can understand quickly: all of us fall prey to things we know we shouldn’t do but that feel “irresistible.” If “Pyrrhic” isn’t a word you use daily, then think of it like this: it means a victory that actually comes at far too high a cost to make it worthwhile.
Getting…
The FC crew assess the impact Real Madrid’s “BBC” trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo had on the club’s win over Valencia in their first start together in 280 days.
Real Madrid have a gaping flaw right now, and it’s not one that Zinedine Zidane can fix. It’s one that dictates where they are now: no longer in contention for two of their top three competition targets, when they could, legitimately, be emulating Pep Guardiola’s 2008-2009 six-trophy debut.
It’s also a flaw that threatens to dictate a number of big issues: whether the right decision is made about Zidane’s future, whether Madrid rebuild adequately in the summer, whether they handle the Cristiano…
Zinedine Zidane says Cristiano Ronaldo is where he belongs at Real Madrid amid rumours of an exit.
Following a Spanish media report saying the majority of Real Madrid supporters want Ronaldo to leave the club, Gab Marcotti and the FC panel dive into the implications.
Mark Ogden and Rob Dawson explain why Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to swap Real Madrid for Manchester United.
Anyone who doesn’t understand how Cristiano Ronaldo can unleash his “you won’t like me when I’m unhappy” act. in order to pressure Real Madrid for a new contract at a time when his performance in front of goal is as poor as it’s been since he joined Manchester United as a teenager, really hasn’t been paying attention.
Nor should this be seen in old-fashioned terms, because this is far from a simple attempt at the traditional “one last big payday.” It is not his primary intention to leave the Bernabeu.
Here’s…