Europe's top clubs turn attentions to Champions League

With domestic football well and truly back underway across Europe, the continent's biggest clubs switch their focus to the Champions League as the illustrious competition returns on Tuesday.

Two of the Premier League's biggest hitters are on show as Manchester United host Bayer Leverkusen, while Manchester City face a tough trip to Plzen.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid are in Turkey to face a Galatasaray side led by Didier Drogba, Carlos Tevez is expected to line up for Juventus against FC Copenhagen, and Pep Guardiola's star-studded Bayern Munich take on CSKA Moscow.

With the final set to take place at Benfica's Estadio da Luz in May, Europe's biggest names are drawn to the competition like moths to a flame.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 09:00

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Manchester City's European hopes go up in smoke again

 

Having already crashed out of the Champions League, Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund capped another dismal campaign for Manchester City in Europe.

The loss at Signal Iduna Park resulted in Roberto Mancini's side finishing bottom of Group D, and in turn saw them miss out on the consolation prize of Europa League football.

Now, with only domestic matters to concern them for the remainder of the season, the Premier League champions can forget about a continental adventure for another year...

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Mancini keeps Silva safe at fortress Manchester City

 

Real Madrid face Manchester City in a mouthwatering Champions League tie at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

The trip to Spain marks a return to his homeland for David Silva, who is coveted by Jose Mourinho's side.

But, having tied the playmaker to a five-year contract on Monday, Roberto Mancini and the Premier League champions have made it very clear one of their prized assets is going nowhere.

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Ronaldo's stars align as he tops the Goal.com 50

 

This year's Goal.com 50 has been announced with Cristiano Ronaldo revealed as the top player of the past 12 months.

Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas was surprisingly placed second with Lionel Messi shunted down to third after Los Blancos' title-winning exploits in La Liga last term.
The list has sparked debate and intrigue among fans and pundits alike, and is likely to continue to do so for time to come.

Not everyone has the time to pore over the facts and stats of the list in full so we have brought the entire 50 to you in the simplest of forms.
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Moneybags Mancini leaves Russia in the cold

 

Roberto Mancini's new Manchester City contract has kept Russia from luring him away from the Premier League champions.

The World Cup 2018 hosts are currently looking for a top-class manager to take over from Dick Advocaat, who parted ways with the nation after their group stage exit at Euro 2012.

Mancini was rumoured to be top of their list, alongside the likes of Fabio Capello and Pep Guardiola, after the Italian took the Blues to their first league title in over 40 years last season.

The Italian's side beat Manchester United on goal difference in the end after two dramatic stoppage-time goals allowed them to beat QPR and snatch the title from the Red Devils' grasp, something that City are keen to build on with the Italian manager...

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Fans fly the Irish flag while players wave white ones

 

After a 3-1 defeat to Croatia in their opening game of Euro 2012, Republic of Ireland took on reigning world and European champions Spain, hoping to pull of a shock and keep their Euros dreams alive.
Unfortunately for the Irish, those dreams quickly turned into a nightmare as an early goal from Fernando Torres set the tone for a difficult evening for the Boys in Green.

Goals by David Silva, Cesc Fabregas and a second for Torres followed as Spain ran out 4-0 winners to put an end to Giovanni Trapattoni's hopes of a quarter-final berth, despite the magnificent backing from the Irish fans.
 

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Noisy neighbours

 

It had been billed as the biggest Premier League fixture of all time, and whilst there may not have been the drama and incident to match the hype, Roberto Mancini's men's 1-0 victory over Manchester United signalled another turning of the tide in the title race.

Vincent Kompany's first-half header set City on their way to a vital three points at the Etihad Stadium, and while tensions flared between Sir Alex Ferguson and his Italian counterpart, the Scotsman was unable to inspire his side.

Instead, the Red Devils were left to return to Old Trafford with their tails between their legs and their noisy neighbours are starting to become deafening.

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