From around the league
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
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![Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or case splits opinion after Zidane backing]()
Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or case splits opinion after Zidane backing
Zinedine Zidane says he would vote for Lionel Messi 100 times for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, while Ally McCoist says Messi does not deserve it.
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![Chelsea vs Leeds: Alonso treats the Carabao Cup as a real chance]()
Chelsea vs Leeds: Alonso treats the Carabao Cup as a real chance
Xabi Alonso says Chelsea must take Leeds seriously in the Carabao Cup, with cups important without Europe and kick-off delayed 15 minutes.
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![Manchester City sweat on UEFA report after Porto tunnel clash]()
Manchester City sweat on UEFA report after Porto tunnel clash
Manchester City’s 2-0 win at Porto was overshadowed by a half-time tunnel fracas, with UEFA scrutiny possible after pushing and claims over missed red cards.
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![Real Madrid vs Inter: Valverde says Courtois saved them]()
Real Madrid vs Inter: Valverde says Courtois saved them
Valverde said Thibaut Courtois “saved us” after Real Madrid beat Inter 2-1 in the Champions League opener, admitting a shaky second half.
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![PSG Champions League advantage and the format debate]()
PSG Champions League advantage and the format debate
PSG won the Champions League after league-phase finishes of 15th and 11th, a run that fuels debate about whether the format helps elite clubs.
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
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![Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt preview]()
Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt preview
Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt opens with Bayern at home and Bodo/Glimt unbeaten in 20 matches, after qualifying wins over Union Saint-Gilloise and NEC Nijmegen.
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![Ayyoub Bouaddi first Manchester City start points to a big future]()
Ayyoub Bouaddi first Manchester City start points to a big future
Ayyoub Bouaddi impressed on his first Manchester City start, with 54 of 55 passes completed and praise from Enzo Maresca and Erling Haaland.
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![Real Madrid vs Inter Milan: Mbappe and Valverde deliver]()
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan: Mbappe and Valverde deliver
Mbappe scored in the 14th minute as Real Madrid beat Inter in the Champions League, with Valverde capitalising on a Martinez mistake.
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![Serhou Guirassy's 100th Dortmund game was as chaotic as it was prolific]()
Serhou Guirassy's 100th Dortmund game was as chaotic as it was prolific
Serhou Guirassy marked his 100th Borussia Dortmund game with two goals and an own goal as Dortmund opened their Champions League campaign vs Villarreal.
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![Erling Haaland's double and Porto's blank first half tell the story]()
Erling Haaland's double and Porto's blank first half tell the story
Erling Haaland scored twice for Manchester City at Porto, who had no first-half shots. Haaland now has 36 Champions League goals in 40 City games.
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![Vinicius Jr backs Real Madrid to win the Champions League again]()
Vinicius Jr backs Real Madrid to win the Champions League again
Vinicius Jr backed Real Madrid to win the Champions League, warned Inter’s five-at-the-back shape could cause problems and said the team are ready for the
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![Konstantinos Karetsas taken to hospital after Champions League scare]()
Konstantinos Karetsas taken to hospital after Champions League scare
Konstantinos Karetsas was forced off for Borussia Dortmund against Villarreal after circulatory problems and is on his way to hospital for tests.
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![Simeone warns Atletico Madrid about the Anfield start]()
Simeone warns Atletico Madrid about the Anfield start
Diego Simeone warned Atletico Madrid not to switch off at Anfield, praised Liverpool's new coach, and said Julian Alvarez can help but is unlikely to start.
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![Real Madrid vs Inter line-ups shaped by absences and role changes]()
Real Madrid vs Inter line-ups shaped by absences and role changes
Real Madrid vs Inter opens with heavily changed line-ups, Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, Curtis Jones starting and Madrid missing several regulars.
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![Ballon d'Or Africa still waiting for a second winner]()
Ballon d'Or Africa still waiting for a second winner
Achraf Hakimi and Sadio Mane are nominated again, but Africa's Ballon d'Or record still shows one winner, 76 nominations since 1995.
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![Chelsea injury update: Palestra and Caicedo are out for Leeds]()
Chelsea injury update: Palestra and Caicedo are out for Leeds
Xabi Alonso says Chelsea will not rush Moisés Caicedo or Marco Palestra back for Leeds, with both still unavailable for the Carabao Cup tie.
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![Dembélé says the Ballon d'Or stays at PSG]()
Dembélé says the Ballon d'Or stays at PSG
Dembélé says the Ballon d'Or will stay with Paris Saint-Germain, with the 2026 ceremony set for 26 October in London.
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![Como Champions League debut shaped by a gesture bigger than the fixture]()
Como Champions League debut shaped by a gesture bigger than the fixture
Como's Champions League debut will be played in an 11,000-capacity stadium after UEFA cuts, with executives giving seats to elderly fans.
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![Real Madrid vs Inter: Mourinho puts winning first and keeps the team news vague]()
Real Madrid vs Inter: Mourinho puts winning first and keeps the team news vague
Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid must beat Inter and refuses to reveal Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role, while warning Endrick is only fit for 5 to 10 minutes.
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![FC Porto vs Manchester City injury updates point to a depleted opener]()
FC Porto vs Manchester City injury updates point to a depleted opener
Enzo Maresca says Jeremy Doku is back but not ready for FC Porto, while Nico O'Reilly is also expected to miss Manchester City’s opener.
