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Dortmund bosses to discuss coach Nuri Sahin's future after yet another defeat
CiarÁn Fahey, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 5:04 p.m. | Save Story
Bologna had never won a game in the Champions League before. Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 loss to the Italian team on Tuesday could be the last for coach Nuri Sahin who has now overseen four straight defeats this year. Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken says after the latest loss that the club's bosses will meet Wednesday to discuss how to proceed. Ricken says "We need wins. We need results. Now we've won once in nine games." He declined to say the club still had faith in Sahin to turn it around. Ricken said a decision on Sahin's future would be made before Saturday's home match against Werder Bremen.
Mohamed Salah scores landmark goal for Liverpool. Could this really be his final season at the club?
James Robson, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 4:42 p.m. | Save Story
If this is Mohamed Salah's final season at Liverpool, he is going out in style. The Egypt striker scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool and his 22nd in all competitions this season to help Arne Slot's team secure a place in the Champions League round of 16 with a 2-1 win against Lille. But despite being at his brilliant best for a Liverpool team that is top of the standings in the Champions League and the Premier League, the 32-year-old Salah has just months remaining until he becomes a free agent.
Slot praises referee after Barcelona's fightback against Benfica despite it costing Liverpool
James Robson, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 4:16 p.m. | Save Story
Barcelona's spectacular fightback against Benfica meant Liverpool would have to wait another week to be confirmed winner of the league phase of the new look Champions League. But manager Arne Slot was full of praise for referee Danny Makkelie playing so much stoppage time in the 5-4 win for Barcelona. Liverpool confirmed its place in the last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Lille. It looked set to advance as league winner until Barcelona's comeback at Estadio da Luz. Slot credited the ref for not allowing Benfica to stall and delay in the added time.
Liverpool beats Lille to reach Champions League round of 16. Barcelona wins 9-goal thriller
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 21 - 3:51 p.m. | Save Story
Liverpool became the first team to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the new Champions League format by beating Lille 2-1 on Tuesday, while Barcelona fought back from two goals down to stun Benfica 5-4 in a thriller. Harvey Elliott's bouncing, deflected shot gave Liverpool its seventh win from seven games, just after 10-man Lille had equalized following Mohamed Salah's opening goal. Raphinha scored in added time to complete a rousing comeback as Barcelona beat Benfica despite having been 4-2 down with less than a quarter of an hour remaining.
Benfica forward Pavlidis scores quick hat trick against Barcelona in Champions League
The Associated Press | Updated Jan. 21 - 3:47 p.m. | Save Story
Benfica forward Vangelis Pavlidis has scored the third-fastest hat trick at the start of a Champions League game on Tuesday, against Barcelona. The Greece international scored two minutes into the match and then in the 22nd and 30th minutes but Benfica conceded late goals in a 5-4 loss. According to stats provider Opta Joe, the fastest hat tricks had been scored in 23 minutes by Robert Lewandowski with the Catalan club in 2022 and by Marco Simone in 24 minutes in 1996.
Cristiano Ronaldo nets 2 and leads Saudi league in scoring
The Associated Press | Updated Jan. 21 - 2:16 p.m. | Save Story
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Al-Nassr in a 3-1 victory over Al-Khaleej to move atop the Saudi Pro League goalscoring standings above Aleksandar Mitrovic and Karim Benzema. The five-time Ballon D'Or winner fired Al-Nassr into the lead after 65 minutes. While Al-Khaleej made it 1-1 after 80 minutes, Sultan Al-Ghannam quickly restored the lead for Al-Nassr. Ronaldo sealed victory eight minutes into stoppage time from close range for his 13th Saudi Pro League goal of the season. He is one ahead of Mitrovic of Al-Hilal and two in front of Benzema of Al-Ittihad.
Prince William watches Aston Villa lose in the Champions League in Monaco
The Associated Press | Updated Jan. 21 - 1:57 p.m. | Save Story
Prince William was in Monaco to watch Aston Villa in the Champions League. But the future king of England couldn't bring his beloved team luck as the Premier League side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Stade Louis II. Television cameras captured the prince in the crowd, wearing a blue jacket and a grey sweater. He looked cold in the principality, rubbing his hands together as he spoke someone next to him in the stands. Arguably Villa's most famous fan, Prince William was in the crowd for the team's victory over Bayern Munich earlier in the competition.
Mainz signs US midfielder Lennard Maloney from Bundesliga rival Heidenheim
The Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 1:25 p.m. | Save Story
German-born U.S. midfielder Lennard Maloney has joined Mainz from Bundesliga rival Heidenheim where he was dropped last month after expressing his wish to leave. The 25-year-old Maloney who had informed Heidenheim he was going to join Mainz when his contract expired at the end of the season got his wish Tuesday when the clubs agreed on a deal. Maloney signed a contract to 2028. After 18 rounds of the league, Heidenheim is in the relegation playoff spot while sixth-place Mainz is on course for European qualification.
Enrique must outwit Guardiola when PSG meets Man City in Champions League
Jerome Pugmire, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 21 - 12:42 p.m. | Save Story
Luis Enrique credits Pep Guardiola with inventing arguably the "perfect model" of attacking soccer. He must now outwit him when Paris Saint-Germain faces Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday. It is a match both teams must win to avoid the prospect of early elimination in the new-look format. Enrique says "it's a special game" for him against "a friend who I shared many great moments with." They both played in midfield together for Barcelona and both coached the club to Champions League glory. Guardiola then turned City into a force and won another Champions League.
Erling Haaland loves his massive City contract extension because it is 'a bit unusual'
Jerome Pugmire, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 12:40 p.m. | Save Story
Erling Haaland's mammoth contract extension with Manchester City took the soccer world by surprise. Which suits him just fine. Haaland says "of course it's a bit unusual and it's not normal. But it's something I like." One of the most lucrative deals in soccer covers 10 years from the start of this season for the 24-year-old Norwegian, who has scored 111 goals in 125 games for City. The deal until 2034 is the longest in the Premier League and Haaland is relishing "spending many more years in Manchester." He faces Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Man City signs teenage Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis for $36 million
James Robson, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 21 - 12:14 p.m. | Save Story
he has all the attributes needed to be one of the best."
Teenager arrested in probe of online abuse of Kai Havertz's wife
The Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 12:00 p.m. | Save Story
Police say a teenager has been arrested in connection with the online abuse sent to the wife of Arsenal forward Kai Havertz. Sophia Havertz had publicly shared direct messages sent to her after Arsenal was knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on Jan. 12. Hertfordshire Police say a 17-year-old boy from St Albans north of London was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications. He was released on bail. Sophia Havertz shared posts on her Instagram story including one where someone threatened to "slaughter" her unborn baby. Arsenal had lost on penalties to Cup holder United.
Midfielder Jonathan Bamba moves to MLS's Chicago Fire from Celta Vigo
The Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 11:53 a.m. | Save Story
Winger Jonathan Bamba was acquired by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire from Spanish club Celta Viga and agreed to a three-year contract that includes a team option for 2028. The 28-year-old, a member of Ivory Coast's team that won last year's Africa Cup of Nations, will be a designated player whose compensation and acquisition cost exceed the $743,750 salary budget charge maximum. Bamba has played for Saint-Etienne, Paris FC, Sint-Truiden, Angers, Lille and Celta. Chicago is entering its first season under former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter.
U.S. midfielder Luca de la Torre loaned by Celta to hometown expansion MLS team in San Diego
The Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 11:48 a.m. | Save Story
U.S. national team midfielder Luca de la Torre was loaned to Major League Soccer's expansion team in his hometown of San Diego by Spanish club Celta Vigo after making just one four-minute appearance for the team during the first half of the season. A 26-year-old who has played for the national team 24 times, de la Torre signed a four-year contract with Celta in July 2022 and appeared in 28 Spanish league matches in his first season and 32 in his second. He was limited by a thigh injury this season and made his only league appearance on Dec. 6 against Mallorca.
Sports on TV for Wednesday, Jan. 22
The Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 8:10 a.m. | Save Story
(All times Eastern)
Mbappé says change in mentality helped him to start playing better for Real Madrid
Tales Azzoni, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 6:14 a.m. | Save Story
Kylian Mbappé says a change in mentality is what allowed him to start playing better for Real Madrid. Mbappé has struggled in his first season with Madrid but he has been starting to meet the expectations that came with his high profile. Mbappé extended his scoring streak with a brace as Madrid routed 10-man Las Palmas 4-1 in La Liga on Sunday. He has four goals in his last four matches. He said last year after a loss to Athletic Bilbao that he had hit bottom with Madrid and it was time to change.
Bayern signs German youth international Bischof for free from Hoffenheim
The Associated Press | Posted Jan. 21 - 5:20 a.m. | Save Story
Bayern Munich has signed highly rated German midfielder Tom Bischof from Bundesliga rival Hoffenheim for next season. The Bavarian powerhouse says the 19-year-old Bischof is getting a contract through June 2029 after he arrives on a free transfer. Bischof's contract with Hoffenheim is due to expire at the end of this season. He was the club's youngest ever player in the Bundesliga when he made his league debut aged 16 years, 263 days in March 2022. That was the first of 41 appearances in Germany's top division, where Bischof established himself as one of Hoffenheim's most important players.
Chelsea ends 5-game winless run in Premier League with commanding 3-1 victory over Wolves
The Associated Press | Updated Jan. 20 - 3:38 p.m. | Save Story
Chelsea has ended a five-game winless run in the Premier League by beating Wolverhampton 3-1. Tosin Adarabioyo put the home side ahead after 24 minutes only for Matt Doherty to equalize against the run of play. However, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke got two decisive goals in the second half to lift the London club above Newcastle and Manchester City and into fourth place in the Premier League. Wolves remains in 17th, above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Villarreal scores 4 goals in 8 minutes in first half to hammer Mallorca 4-0
The Associated Press | Posted Jan. 20 - 3:31 p.m. | Save Story
Villarreal scored four goals in an eight-minute spell midway through the first half to hammer close rival Mallorca in Spain's La Liga. Logan Costa, Alejandro Baena, Dani Parejo and Yeremy Pino all scored as Villarreal took its goal tally for the league season to 38, behind only Barcelona and Real Madrid. The result consolidated its fifth place. Mallorca remains in sixth.
