Willy Sagnol gets 5/10 in debut but Bayern make unwanted history in draw
For a second consecutive game and the first time in Bundesliga history, Bayern Munich squandered a two-goal advantage in a disappointing 2-2 draw at Hertha Berlin.
Beginning life after Carlo Ancelotti, it all looked plain sailing for the German champions after Mats Hummels' powerful header on 10 minutes and Robert Lewandowski's exquisite finish had chiselled out a hard-fought 2-0 lead in the capital. However, the gallant hosts refused to wilt and Ondrej Duda reduced the arrears from close range...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/bayern-munich/132/blog/post/3218624/willy-sagnol-gets-5-out-of-10-in-debut-but-bayern-make-unwanted-history-in-draw
Paul Pogba's 'long term' absence presents problem for Mourinho
The FC crew discuss the impact Paul Pogba's injury will have on Manchester United.
This article originally appeared on ESPN FC on Sept. 13, 2017 and has been edited to reflect the latest updates.
There was a pivotal moment in Paul Pogba's first season at Manchester United, albeit one that did not arrive until March. Injured in a Europa League tie with Rostov, Pogba missed the next three games.
The first one, a 3-1 win at nearly relegated Middlesbrough, went smoothly enough. The next two, home games against West Bromwich Albion and Everton, did not.
Both ended in draws -- 0-0 and...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/manchester-united/360/blog/post/3203073/paul-pogba-injury-absence-presents-jose-mourinho-with-a-problem
PSG defeat was 'last straw' for Bayern to sack Carlo Ancelotti - director
The guys respond to your tweets about Carlo Ancelotti, Arsenal turning things around and their thoughts on expected goals.
Raphael Honigstein explains what lead to Ancelotti's sacking and who is next in line for the Bayern job.
Alison Bender and Don Hutchison discuss who Bayern will look to next as they part ways with Carlo Ancelotti. MUNICH -- Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says the atmosphere within the team is not good, admitting the crushing 3-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain was the "last straw" leading to the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti.
Bayern parted company with Ancelotti on Thursday, one day after the heavy Champions League defeat in Paris.
"There is not a good atmosphere in the team," Salihamidzic said at a news conference. "We weren't playing good football and it wasn't getting any better. We saw weaknesses...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/bayern-munich/story/3216617/psg-defeat-was-last-straw-for-bayern-to-sack-carlo-ancelotti-director
Carlo Ancelotti sacked: Tactics trouble and player power rule at Bayern
The ESPN FC crew discuss what went wrong for Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich.
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 are five reasons why Bayern have acted ...
Not good enough. pic.twitter.com/Re0WkwVbWs— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 28, 2017
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...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/bayern-munich/132/blog/post/3216337/carlo-ancelotti-sacked-tactics-trouble-and-player-power-rule-at-bayernCristiano Ronaldo always shines under bright lights of Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo's brace against Dortmund was among the highlights of UCL Matchday 2.
Speaking after Real Madrid's victory over Apoel Nicosia in the opening round of European fixtures, Cristiano Ronaldo stressed the importance of the Champions League to the most successful club in the competition's history. "We want to win it. It's Real Madrid's competition," he said.
It certainly is the tournament that will provide the most gleaming footnote to Ronaldo's career when he has kicked his last ball as a professional and he was at it again on Tuesday. The Portugal international's brace...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3216252/cristiano-ronaldo-always-shines-under-bright-lights-of-champions-leagueWATCH: Oddities of UCL Matchday 2
From Messi's boot being kissed to Costa's awkward situation, check out all the strange moments from Matchday 2 in the UCL.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3216183/watch-oddities-of-ucl-matchday-2UEFA charge Sporting Lisbon after fan kissed Lionel Messi's boot
With many questions surrounding Barca during preseason, Ale Moreno feels they are certainly proving their doubters wrong.
Barcelona needed an own goal to stay top of Group D as they only just managed to scrape past Sporting Lisbon.
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Sporting Lisbon following the pitch invasion by a fan during Wednesday's Champions League Group D game against Barcelona in Lisbon.
The supporter raced onto the Jose Alvalade stadium pitch late in the second half with the hosts 1-0 down and darted towards Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
He hugged the Argentina captain and kissed his boot before being whisked away by a steward. Barca prevailed, 1-0. On Thursday, UEFA announced it had opened...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/story/3215877/uefa-charge-sporting-lisbon-after-pitch-invader-kissed-lionel-messis-boot
Bayern's heavy defeat at PSG left them no choice but to fire Carlo Ancelotti
After getting trounced 3-0 by PSG, the FC panel call out Ancelotti's naive tactics against PSG's free-flowing side.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had threatened "quick consequences" at the banquet in the Paris team hotel on Wednesday night, and Bayern's executive chairman stayed true to his word. Shortly after the club's return to Munich, Carlo Ancelotti was fired.
"Our team's performances since the start of the season have not met our expectations. The match in Paris clearly showed we had to take immediate action," was how the official press release quoted Rummenigge, and those two sentences neatly explain the rationale...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3215384/bayern-now-in-damage-limitation-mode-psg-expose-deeper-problems
Borussia Dortmund advancing in UCL will be 'very difficult' - Michael Zorc
The ESPN FC crew discuss Borussia Dortmund's shortcomings in their 3-1 loss against Real Madrid.
Despite a strong penalty claim, Borussia Dortmund manager Peter Bosz had no complaints about his side's loss to Real Madrid.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has acknowledged that it will be "very difficult" to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League following Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.
Dortmund were outclassed on Tuesday as they suffered their first Champions League home defeat to Madrid in their seventh meeting with the Spanish side in Europe's biggest club competition.
The loss left the Bundesliga leaders without a point from their first two group-stage matches for the first time...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/borussia-dortmund/story/3215594/borussia-dortmund-will-find-it-very-difficult-to-reach-ucl-knockout-round-zorc
Vote: Were Batshuayi, Kane, Lukaku, Mbappe, Ronaldo the UCL stars?
The crew answer your tweets on where PSG rank among the top teams in Europe, the happier coach between Unai Emery and Pep Guardiola and more.
ESPN FC's Steve Nicol believes Man United deserve credit for not taking their opposition lightly so far in Group A.
While there's little doubt Kylian Mbappe is a star for the future, Craig Burley makes the case for him being the third-best player in the world today.
Another round of UEFA Champions League fixtures has come and gone, leaving us with a number of memorable performances during the second week of the group stage.
Several big names, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, had their usual strong performances. Others, such as Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi, struck when it counted.
Some teams have stated their case to move on to the knockout rounds (we're looking at you, Premier League), while others are continuing to struggle.
What...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3215471/batshuayi-kane-lukaku-mbappe-ronaldo-the-champions-league-stars
Atletico Madrid among Chelsea's top 5 Champions League away wins
On Wednesday night at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Chelsea produced the kind of away performance that Premier League clubs have proven almost entirely incapable of on the Champions League stage in recent years, dominating genuinely elite opponents in Atletico Madrid on their own pitch.
But where does it rank among Chelsea's best Champions League performances on the road?
ESPN FC runs through the top five ...
Valencia 1-2 Chelsea, April 2007
For much of this balmy spring evening at the Mestalla...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/chelsea/363/blog/post/3215533/atletico-madrid-among-chelseas-top-5-champions-league-away-winsSerie A moves above Bundesliga in UEFA coefficient rank after UCL wins
Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Mandzukic's second-half goals saw Juve past Olympiakos, who stifled the Italians much of the match.
Despite winning 2-1, Edin Dzeko believes Roma made life harder on themselves by allowing Qarabag to get back in the game. Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admits their defeat to PSG must have consequences.
Wins for Roma, Napoli and Juventus in the Champions League this week have seen Italy move above Germany in UEFA's five-year rankings for the first time in seven years.
Although Champions League reforms mean the top-four ranked nations receive four guaranteed group stage places from next season, promotion to a position that, ahead of the changes, would have also earned four berths and reduced the Bundesliga to three is nevertheless a psychological boost for Italian football.
Napoli defeated Feyenoord...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/story/3215521/serie-a-moves-above-bundesliga-in-uefa-ranking-after-ucl-wins
Moreno: Barca building confidence and momentum
With many questions surrounding Barca during preseason, Ale Moreno feels they are certainly proving their doubters wrong.Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3215524/moreno-barca-building-confidence-and-momentum
Bayern CEO: PSG defeat will have consequences
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admits their defeat to PSG must have consequences.Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/video/3215522/bayern-ceo-psg-defeat-will-have-consequences
Luka Modric, Anthony Martial, Harry Kane in Champions League Best XI
The ESPN FC crew discuss Harry Kane following his Champions League treble for Tottenham.
The ESPN FC crew discuss Harry Kane following his Champions League treble for Tottenham.
With the second games in the group stage complete, Nick Ames picks the best Champions League XI -- with Harry Kane making his second successive appearance.
Do you agree? Have your say in the comments below.
ESPN FC's Champions League Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: Artem Rebrov (Spartak Moscow)
Perhaps this should be joint award for Spartak's two goalkeepers, who thwarted Liverpool brilliantly at different points in their 1-1 draw. Rebrov, 33, made a stunning first half save to deny Roberto Firmino and repelled a Philippe Coutinho free kick...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3083416/luka-modric-anthony-martial-and-harry-kane-in-champions-league-best-xi
Alvaro Morata: Antonio Conte 'is tactically the best or one of the best'
Atletico Madrid rarely concede at home, which makes Chelsea's 2-1 away win all the more impressive to the FC crew
Cesc Fabregas says Diego Costa's loss has been eased by Alvaro Morata settling in at Chelsea so easily.
Alvaro Morata described Antonio Conte as one of the world's best tactical managers after he masterminded Chelsea's dramatic 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Michy Batshuayi struck in the 94th minute to complete a remarkable Chelsea fightback at the Wanda Metropolitano after Morata's seventh goal of the season cancelled out a first-half penalty from Antoine Griezmann, with Diego Costa watching from the stands.
Chelsea controlled the match for long periods, and Morata...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/3215499/chelseas-alvaro-morata-antonio-conte-is-tactically-the-best-or-one-of-the-best
Alonso disappointed with Costa departure
Marcos Alonso believes Alvaro Morata is an excellent addition to the Chelsea squad, but admits he was sad to see Diego Costa leave.Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/video/3215490/alonso-disappointed-with-costa-departure
Fabregas: Morata adapting quickly
Cesc Fabregas says Diego Costa's loss has been eased by Alvaro Morata settling in at Chelsea so easily.Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/video/3215489/fabregas-morata-adapting-quickly
Bayern chief wants 'consequences' amid Ancelotti crisis meeting report
Dani Alves, Edinson Cavani and Neymar all found the back of the net in PSG's big win over Bayern Munich.
After getting trounced 3-0 by PSG, the FC panel call out Ancelotti's naive tactics against PSG's free-flowing side.
Kylian Mbappe shows exactly why PSG acquired his services during the build-up to PSG's third goal against Bayern.
Relive the top moments from Wednesday's Champions League group stage games, including PSG's stomp, Lukaku's brace.
ESPN FC's Julien Laurens believes PSG's victory over Bayern shows they are serious UCL contenders.
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called for "consequences" following the club's 3-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night amid reports of a "crisis meeting" being arranged at which Carlo Ancelotti's future as coach will be discussed.
"What we've seen tonight was not Bayern Munich," Rummenigge said at the Bavarians' traditional midnight banquet.
SportBild reported on Thursday morning that a meeting will be held later in the day once the travelling party arrives back in Munich....
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/bayern-munich/story/3215463/bayern-chief-wants-consequences-amid-ancelotti-crisis-meeting-report
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar take PSG to the next level in Champions League
ESPN FC's Julien Laurens believes PSG's victory over Bayern shows they are serious UCL contenders.
PSG's 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday has put Unai Emery's men in control of Group B -- two wins from two matches; eight goals scored without reply -- and now they must maintain that form in a doubleheader against Anderlecht.
Although they were dominated at times by Bayern at Parc des Princes, PSG showed a ruthless side that they had never exhibited on the continental scene before now under Oryx Qatar Sports Investments' (QSI) ownership.
"We got the three points and that is great," coach...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3215412/kylian-mbappe-and-neymar-take-psg-to-the-next-level-in-champions-league
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/uefa-champions-league/2/index