Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the club is considering allowing players to take short holidays during the season to address the increasingly congested fixture schedule. Ancelotti cited the toll on players, especially internationals, and the need to preserve their health and fitness for the club’s ambitious goals, including a potential seven titles in the 2024-25 season.
Get ready for the Premier League’s return as Ipswich Town hosts Liverpool at Portman Road. Find out the starting lineups and how to watch the match on Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar.
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new airline launching in 2025, has announced a multi-year partnership with Concacaf, the governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean. This collaboration aims to enhance Riyadh Air’s visibility in the global sports arena and support the growth of football across the region.
Bayern Munich dominated their German Cup match against Ulm, while Hoffenheim, St. Pauli, and Mainz all faced tough battles against lower-tier opponents, needing extra time or penalties to secure victories.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) kicked off their Ligue 1 season with a resounding 4-1 win against Le Havre, overcoming an early scare to secure a dominant victory. Despite a promising start, PSG faced a setback when new signing Goncalo Ramos sustained a potentially serious injury. However, PSG rallied in the closing stages, scoring three goals in the final five minutes to seal the win.
NorthEast United FC secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Odisha FC in their final Group E match of the Durand Cup, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Jithin M.S scored a brace, while Guillermo Fernandez and Thoi Singh added goals, along with an own goal by Odisha FC’s Tankadhar Bag. Paogoumang Singson scored the lone goal for Odisha FC.
Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, has called for patience from fans as he aims to revitalize the club after a series of disappointing seasons. Maresca, who led Leicester City to the Championship title last year, acknowledges the gap between Chelsea and top teams, but emphasizes the importance of time and a continued process. He also addresses the status of injured players, including captain Reece James and Conor Gallagher.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed his satisfaction with the current squad ahead of their La Liga opener against Valencia. Despite a relatively quiet transfer window, Flick trusts the club and is optimistic about the team’s prospects. He also addressed the availability of key players including Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal.
Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri has rejoined his boyhood club FC Basel after 12 years, signing a three-year contract. The 32-year-old midfielder, who recently retired from international football, expressed his excitement to be back home and looking forward to playing in front of the Basel fans again.
Memphis Depay has been omitted from the Netherlands’ preliminary squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. The Dutch coach, Ronald Koeman, has called up two English-based players, Crysencio Summerville and Jan Paul van Hecke, for the first time. Other notable inclusions include 18-year-old defender Jorrel Hato and the return of several key players.
