Football Insight

It is no longer news that Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as Bayern Munich manager on Thursday following a 3-0 humbling at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. While some have thought the decision was hasty, here's five reasons why Bayern have acted ... 1. Tactical mishaps It was billed as a battle between PSG's new money and Bayern's more traditional, hard-earned values -- a high-profile opportunity for the Bundesliga champions to demonstrate their more conservative transfer policy could take on PSG's lavish approach to taking on the European elite. Ancelotti came up with a plan against Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe based on shoring up central areas. Disastrously, this cunning plan went out of the window after only 85 seconds when Neymar waltzed through the porous Bayern defence, laying the opener on a plate for Dani Alves. Ancelotti provoked his own dismissal with a peculiar team selection, pairing the cumbersome duo Javi Martinez and Nikl...

Quick look at 5 defenders of this generation who deserve to win the Ballon d'Or Defenders are often ignored when it comes to individual awards, especially in Ballon d'Or ceremonies. However, this tendency is extremely unfair, because centre-backs and fullbacks are the back-bone of any successful side. To quote a coaching legend, the great Sir Alex Ferguson: "Attack wins you games. Defense wins you titles." It is about time that we realize the importance of defenders and how influential they can be. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are currently the world's greatest two footballers, can certainly not be blamed for getting hammered 4-0 by Germany in the World Cup. Likewise, it would be hypocritical to give them all the credits when they have an accomplished side working hard in order to provide them with the best possible conditions to express their talents atBarcelona and Real Madrid. For a team to succeed, it must rely on the hard-work of eleven indi...

The Reds haven't tasted Champions League victory in three years after failing to win at Spartak on Tuesday. Liverpool's 1-1 draw at Spartak Moscow on Tuesday extended the club's record Champions League winless run to seven matches. The Reds have lost three matches during the winless streak and drawn four – including a 2-2 result against Sevilla to open group play on September 13. Liverpool's last Champions League win came back in September 2014 with a 2-1 win against Ludogorets. It has been even longer since the club last kept a clean sheet in Champions League play, with Tuesday's draw the ninth consecutive match the Reds have conceded in Europe's top club competition. Liverpool will hope to end both of their unwanted runs when they take on Maribor in their next group match on October 17.

A 1-1 draw in Moscow cannot go down as a bad result for Liverpool, but the wins need to start coming soon and they will wonder how they did not produce one here. Philippe Coutinho swiftly cancelled Fernando's first-half strike in a game of two fine goals, but the disappointment will be that they did not push on against opponents who looked there for the taking. In the end, a glaring late miss from the substitute Daniel Sturridge was the crowning frustration on a night of spurned chances that may yet prove costly in the long run. Fernando's marvellous opener came against the run of play, with the evening already looking like an exercise in patience for Liverpool. Spartak, seemingly low in confidence and missing a number of key players through injury, began with a deep defensive block and sought to deny the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah room to run in behind. The ploy worked up to a point although Salah twice found pockets of space in the opening 17 minutes before A...

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as holders Real Madrid secured a 3-1 win at Borussia Dortmund to maintain their 100 per cent record in Champions League Group H. Wales forward Gareth Bale put the Spanish side, who have seen their LaLiga campaign get off to a slow start behind rivals Barcelona, in front with a well-taken volley on 18 minutes. Ronaldo, making his 150th appearance in European club competitions, doubled the lead at the start of the second half, converting a cut-back from Bale. Dortmund, the Bundesliga leaders following an unbeaten start to the new domestic campaign, reduced the deficit through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on 54 minutes. Ronaldo, though, had the final say when slotting in a third with 11 minutes left. Real, seeking a first away win over their German rivals, were soon on the offensive as Dani Carvajal saw his shot blocked. Only a last-ditch sliding tackle from Lukasz Piszczek prevented Bale from connecting with a low cross from Ronaldo at the far post a...

Edinson Cavani asked Neymar if he thought he was Lionel Messi when he walked into the PSG dressing room for the first time, according to a new report.

Gareth Barry set a new Premier League appearance record after starting for West Bromwich Albion in the 2-0 loss to Arsenal on Monday night -- his 633rd appearance. Barry, 36, eclipsed the 632-game record set by Ryan Giggs, having made his top-flight debut in 1998. He had equalled Giggs' record against West Ham, where he made his 600th start in the division -- 29 ahead of his nearest rival, David James.

Arsenal were worthy winners as two goals from Alexandre Lacazette helped them to a 2-0 victory over West Brom, but they had to survive some difficult moments in the first half in particular. Not least when Shkodran Mustafi was incredibly lucky not to concede an early penalty for a reckless sliding tackle on Jay Rodriguez.

La Liga champions Madrid romped to a 3 - 1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday night to secure a much needed three points to close the gap between them and Barcelona who have won their opening four games.

Arsenal hit the post and had a goal disallowed as an encouraging performance saw them take a point at Chelsea in a 0-0 draw.

Jose Mourinho is planning to invest heavily next summer to replace Michael Carrick by targeting Radja Nainggolan or Saul Niguez,  claim the Star .

After fending off relentless interest from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool could be set for a similar battle to retain the services of Sadio Mane,

After spending around €400 million to bring in Neymar and Kylian Mbappe over the summer, Paris Saint-Germain are now looking to recoup some of that enormous outlay with a host of January sales.

Ronald Koeman has warned Everton that their former star Romelu Lukaku's purple patch will continue if they do not improve defensively at Old Trafford.

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he will return from injury better than ever and said if it was up to him he would make his comeback "today."

Álvaro Morata has been speaking openly about his departure from Real Madrid and arrival at Chelsea over the summer , which comes as a timely reminder to the Spanish and European champions with questions being asked about their striking options.

The question about whether or not Ronaldo should play centrally has been a polarizing one among Madridistas. Should Ronaldo vacate the left wing he currently enjoys so much to go play in a position that may make him less effective?