Ronaldo is on the top of the Rich List

Cristiano Ronaldo once again tops the Goal Rich List as footballers continue to get wealthier and wealthier

Tweet Follow @omomani

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has accused Carlo Ancelotti of telling a "white lie" and claims Real Madrid are interested in Paul Pogba

Tweet Follow @omomani

Higuain helps Napoli to win Supercoppa

Tweet Follow @omomani

Champions League last-16 draw delivers intriguing ties

Tweet Follow @omomani

Capello creates Ibrahimovic

‘He got the message very quickly’ - Fabio Capello on helping Zlatan Ibrahimovic score more goals

Tweet Follow @omomani

Royal rumble in Roma-Juve title clash

A dramatic Serie A title clash between reigning champions Juventus and challengers Roma almost descended into farce on Sunday evening, with a host of controversial decisions dominating post-match conjecture.

Referee Gianluca Rocchi awarded three penalties in the contest, as well as sending off Alvaro Morata and Konstantinos Manolas, though the decisions were very controversial, with both of the offences which resulted in penalties for Juve appearing to have happened outside the box.

Roma coach Rudi Garcia even found himself sent to the stands by Rocchi, before centre-back Leonardo Bonucci became the unlikeliest of heroes for the Old Lady by blasting an audacious volley into the bottom corner to seal a 3-2 win.

Giallorossi skipper Francesco Totti was furious with the refereeing afterwards: "We came here to play and the performance was good, but what happened [with the referee] conditioned the game.

"It's terrible to have to say it but these things that affect the game have been happening for years. Juventus certainly didn't beat us. There were three incidents that changed a game that we wanted to win. There's a lot of anger but we must lift our heads after a game like this.

"I've always said it: they should play in their own league. They always win by hook or by crook. We train to win but then these things happen. There's not even a need to look at the replays. We already saw everything on the field."

Monday, October 6, 2014 14:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

The Champions League returns

Just four months after Cristiano Ronaldo & co. were holding aloft the giant trophy in Benfica's Stadium of Light, the Champions League is back as the group stages kick-off on Tuesday night.

Holders Real Madrid are in action against Basel and will be eager to kick-start their season, having so far struggled domestically, while Italian champions Juventus will be looking for a longer-lasting European adventure this time around - and have been handed an easier draw, beginning against Malmo.

The Premier League is well represented too, with Arsenal travelling to Dortmund looking to repeat the victory they recorded last term, while Liverpool's absence from Europe's premier club competition is finally over as they begin against Ludogorets.

As ever, you can follow all the action as it unfolds LIVE with Goal.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 11:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

Van Gaal leads frantic Man Utd recruitment drive

With just a week left until the transfer window closes, Manchester United face a race against time to bolster a squad that has picked up just a single point from their opening two Premier League matches - their worst start in 22 years.

The Red Devils are already closing in on a deal to sign Real Madrid attacker Angel Di Maria, who could cost as much as £70 million, while Dutch duo Nigel De Jong and Daley Blind, of AC Milan and Ajax respectively, could be reunited with their old Netherlands boss.

Van Gaal admitted his appreciation for the Argentine, as well as Juventus's midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal, and there looks set to be a lot of activity at Old Trafford in the coming seven days as United look to bolster a squad that has struggled in the early stages of the new campaign.

Monday, August 25, 2014 12:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

Vidal snubs Manchester United

It appears Louis van Gaal will have to look elsewhere in order to bolster his midfield after Arturo Vidal ruled out a switch to Manchester United this summer.

"I don't know if I will stay at Juventus, I'm happy here in Turin," the Chile international told Sky Italy.

"I will talk with Allegri on Monday. I'm not going to Manchester."

Friday, July 25, 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Pirl-d'oh! Allegri takes over at Juventus

After Antonio Conte's shock departure from Juventus, the Italian champions have moved swiftly to appoint former AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri.

The news might not go down too well with every member of the bianconeri's squad, though, especially a certain Andrea Pirlo, who worked under the new Juve boss at San Siro.

The Italy international, however, was deemed too old by his former team, and manager, and offered only a short term deal, prompting him to leave the club on a free transfer.

Pirlo has since won three back-to-back Serie A titles, while Allegri was sacked by Milan, and both will hope their relationship can be more productive this time.

Thursday, 17 July 2014 13:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Ibrahimovic settles in for goal highlight reel

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored so many extraordinary goals that he is unable to recall all of them.

As a result, the Paris Saint-Germain striker has already made plans for how to spend his retirement years - watching clips of his acrobatic efforts.

"I'm spoiled to have scored so many exceptional goals," he said. "There are a few I will see on the internet when I retire and I'll tell myself they're amazing. I'll ask myself how even I could have achieved such feats.

"In a match, it happens like that. I don't train for these, they are instinctive actions, like my goal against Bastia when I scored with the backheel. I have to try things to have a chance against opponents.

"This is what makes the difference between a small and a large team. Crazy things can come out of nowhere. This is what is good about football, it's completely unpredictable."

Saturday, 29 March 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Llorente: I see Tevez more than my girlfriend

Fernando Llorente may be taking his strike partnership with Carlos Tevez a bit too far after admitting he spends more time with the Argentine than his girlfriend.

"We are both very different, but perhaps you need this to form a beautiful partnership. He is more aggressive than me, moves more, is smaller, you can see his desire to impress and score goals,” the Spaniard told Tuttosport.

"Off the field me and Tevez hang out a lot. We both are very family orientated, he has his wife and children, I have my girlfriend and parents when they come and see me.

"The fact remains that between training sessions I spend more time with Tevez than I do my own girlfriend."

Sunday, 23 February 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Time's up! Who sealed their deadline-day deals?

It was a frantic close to transfer deadline day, even if some of the big deals did not go through.

There was still plenty of action, with Dimitar Berbatov swapping Fulham for Monaco and Kostas Mitroglou replacing him from Olympiakos.

Dani Osvaldo clinched his move from Southampton to Juventus, and Adel Taarabt also left for Serie A, namely AC Milan.

Arsenal had been hopeful of signing Julian Draxler throughout January but would not match Schalke's valuation. They also wanted Blaise Matuidi and considered Mogran Schneiderlin, but ended up with Kim Kallstrom on loan from Spartak Moscow.

There was bad news for Liverpool, too, as they missed out on a late deal for Yevhen Konoplyanka.

If you want to find out how deadline day panned out in more detail, check out Goal's in-depth guide.

Saturday, February 1, 2014 10:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Hell freezes over! Galatasaray - Juventus clash abandoned

Galatasaray fans are famous for giving opposition teams a fiery reception in Istanbul, displaying banners reading 'Welcome To Hell'.

But the atmosphere was anything but hot on Tuesday night as a severe snowstorm struck, causing their Champions League clash with Juventus to be canceled.

The match has plenty riding on it, with second spot in Group B and a place in the knockout stages up for grabs for both sides.

But with Galatasaray needing to win and a point enough for Juventus to advance, the Italians might attempt to make the most of the frosty conditions.

The match is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 10:45

Tweet Follow @omomani

Where's Wenger: Arsenal keep tabs on Llorente & El Shaarawy

After being knocked back in his attempts to sign Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic, Arsene Wenger might be trying a more discreet approach to player recruitment.

The Arsenal boss is keeping tabs on Fernando Llorente and Stephan El Shaarawy with a view to a January transfer, but while Juventus and AC Milan are not exactly keen on letting their attackers leave, Wenger should probably keep a low profile...

Monday, November 4, 2013 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Rampant Rossi trips up Old Lady

Juventus may have thought they had another Serie A victory in the bag when 2-0 up against Fiorentina with 25 minutes remaining. But oh no.

A Giuseppe Rossi hat-trick and a further strike from Joaquin handed the Viola a famous and much-celebrated win against one of their most hated foes.

It is a remarkable return from Rossi, who missed over a year with serious knee problems. The Italy striker has scored eight goals in as many matches and looks set to play a major role in his team's fortunes this season.

Monday, October 21, 2013 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Moyes keen to grab Fabregas after failed Thiago pursuit

 

After spending much of the summer chasing unsettled Barcelona starlet Thiago only to be trumped by Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola's sudden charm offensive, Manchester United need a transfer rethink.

A midfield playmaker remains a priority and Cesc Fabregas, Thiago's former team-mate at Camp Nou and another long-term United target, has risen to the top of the wanted list.

Barcelona are currently considering a £25.9 million bid from the Red Devils and, while it is unlikely to be accepted, it surely signals just the start of David Moyes' formal pursuit of the disillusioned Catalan.

There are, however, numerous obstacles to a deal. The Spanish champions are unlikely to simply jettison a player they fought so hard to prise from Arsenal, while the Gunners enjoy first option on any move.

Tito Vilanova revealed on Tuesday that Fabregas is happy at the Camp Nou, leaving United facing another difficult - and possibly fruitless - battle in the transfer market. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Bayern men show their mettle to crush Juventus

 

Bayern Munich further displayed their Champions League credentials with a 2-0 win over Juventus on Tuesday night.

David Alaba and Thomas Muller were the Bayern superheroes, scoring in the first and 63rd minute as the home fans marvelled over the performance at the Allianz Arena.

With Juventus needing to score three unanswered goals in the return leg to progress, it looks as though the Bayern men are ready to march on into the semi-final. 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Champions League elite prepare for quarter-final battle

Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw served up four intriguing clashes as Europe's elite continue their hunt for a place at Wembley in May.

Barcelona have been paired with Paris Saint-Germain, which will see Zlatan Ibrahimovic face his former club, although the Swede is suspended for the first leg.

Last season's beaten finalists Bayern Munich face a tricky tie against Serie A champions and current leaders Juventus.

Jose Mourinho will be reunited with two of his former players in Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder as Real Madrid take on Galatasaray.

While in the final tie of the round, Malaga will be in action against German champions Borussia Dortmund. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Celtic cry foul over Juventus' rough & tumble

 

Celtic huffed and puffed on Tuesday evening but Neil Lennon's men were eventually punished for failing to take their chances as Juventus escaped with a 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

After the defeat, Lennon blasted the performance of referee, Alberto Undiano Mallenco, after replays highlighted Juventus players grappling with Celtic's Gary Hooper in the visitors' penalty box before several corners.

"It's not rugby we're playing, it's soccer," said Lennon.

"They were being fouled, manhandled. Every time one of my players tried to move he was held. He should have given a penalty on at least two occasions.

"I'd like to know what the interpretation of the rules are in Italy or Spain, because it's blatantly different to what they are in Britain from what I've seen tonight.

"They were fouling on every opportunity and he was staring right at it. 

Tweet Follow @omomani