Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Villarreal and Shakhtar closed in on the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with significant victories on Thursday.Dortmund were the biggest round of 16 first-leg winners, prevailing 3-0 against Tottenham with the help of two Marco Reus goals. Liverpool, meanwhile, came out on top in the evening's highest-profile fixture, Daniel Sturridge's first-half penalty and Roberto Firmino's close-range effort handing them the advantage over domestic rivals Manchester United in the clubs' first-ever European meeting.
Football Update
Ibrahimović calls on Paris to take ‘the next step’
It was another UEFA Champions League victory over Chelsea but this time it felt more significant than the one 12 months ago, an irresistible sign that this Paris Saint-Germain side could indeed answer the post-match call from Zlatan Ibrahimović and take the next step to greatness.Ibrahimović's challenge to his team-mates after his show-stopping performance on another thrilling west London occasion was to use their 4-2 aggregate win to take them to the next level. "Today we did well, but let's see what happens in the quarter-finals," he said after the Ligue 1 club's 2-1 second-leg triumph. "If we do well there, then it looks good."The Sweden captain believes Laurent Blanc's...
Dortmund and Tottenham have licence to thrill
Second in the Bundesliga takes on second in the Premier LeagueDortmund are 11 matches unbeaten in 2016, winning nineHome coach Thomas Tuchel predicts "a fast-paced game""It will be interesting to see which team can impose its style on the other", he saidChristian Eriksen poised for his 50th UEFA club competition appearancePossible lineupsDortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, S Bender, Hummels, Durm; Castro, Weigl, Gündogan, Mkhitaryan; Reus, Aubameyang.Out: Papastopoulos (groin)
Bale, Schürrle in official UEFA Champions League podcast
Hear from Gareth Bale and André Schürrle as our panel – host Rob Daly, Chris Parrott, Richard Kaufman and Richard Connelly – review Real Madrid and Wolfsburg's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg successes and preview Wednesday's action in the official podcast. You can listen in the player above or via Soundcloud, or download the podcast from iTunes.UEFA Champions League Matchday Live returns on Wednesday at the earlier time of 19.00CET with live second-half commentary of Zenit against Benfica and the full game between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in our MatchCentre and the official competition app. ...
Anderlecht v Barcelona preview
Story so farAnderlechtThe Belgian side came through the Domestic Champions path, beating Brann and Servette before an impressive 2-0 victory over Arsenal. The side coached by former forward Nicolás Frutos then lost at home to Dinamo Zagreb but were subsequently awarded a 3-0 win and reinstated as the visitors had fielded an ineligible player.
Zidane urges Real Madrid to look out for Roma
Zinédine Zidane says Gareth Bale and Marcelo will playMadrid lead 2-0 after first leg in Rome, when Cristiano Ronaldo was on scoresheetSpanish side aiming to reach quarter-finals for sixth season in a rowRonaldo became Spanish Liga's second-highest scorer of all time on SaturdayRoma have won last seven Serie A matchesPossible lineupsReal Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modrić, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Mayoral, Ronaldo.Out: Benzema (hamstring)Doubtful...
Barcelona stay on course, Benfica go top
SUNDAYEibar 0-4 Barcelona (El Haddadi 8, Messi 41 76pen, Suárez 84)Barcelona extended their Spanish record of games unbeaten in all competitions to 36 as Luis Enrique's men stayed eight points clear of second-placed Atlético. Lionel Messi scored twice to take his tally to 15 in his last ten matches, while Luis Suárez ended a three-game barren run in front of goal. Barça's trident of Messi, Suárez and Neymar have now notched 100 strikes this season.Atalanta 0-2 Juventus (Barzagli 24, Lemina 86)The Bianconeri restored their three-point lead at the summit and extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to 18 games in ...