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Mohamed Salah names the ‘best team in the Champions League’ this season

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Inter Milan secured a thrilling 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona to book their spot in the final.

Barcelona appeared poised to reach the grand stage at the Allianz Arena after overturning a two-goal deficit to lead 3-2 in the closing minutes. ..Continue Reading

However, Inter struck a late equalizer in normal time before sealing the win in extra time, in what will be remembered as one of the most dramatic ties in Champions League history.

Either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal will face Inter in the final, with the two teams meeting in Paris for their decisive second leg on Wednesday.

PSG holds a narrow 1-0 advantage following their hard-fought win at the Emirates Stadium last week.

While many pundits believe Arsenal has a real chance of mounting a comeback in Paris, Salah has cautioned that they will once again be facing the ‘best team in Europe’ in PSG.

The French champions eliminated Aston Villa and Premier League winners Liverpool on their way to the semi-finals, also thrashing Manchester City during the league phase.

Luis Enrique’s side dominated Liverpool at home but still arrived at Anfield trailing by a goal after Harvey Elliott’s late strike for the Reds.

Despite the setback, PSG responded with a crucial 1-0 away win before triumphing in the penalty shootout to keep their hopes alive of lifting their first-ever Champions League title.

‘I have to be very honest, PSG were playing a very good game in the first leg,’ Salah told French outlet L’Equipe.

‘We were so lucky that Alisson had his best game in the club’s history probably. Then they came to Anfield. We were so unlucky because we hit the post two to three times.

‘That game was honestly 50/50 who deserved it more. No one could say. We played a very good second half. They played a very good first leg. Nobody here would say they deserved it 100 per cent.

‘It was their day and I shook their hands and said to their players after “congratulations, go and win” and that’s it. We faced the best team in Europe in that tie.’

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, meanwhile, expressed his pride at his team after their semi-final defeat to Inter Milan.

‘I’m very disappointed that we’re out – but I’m not disappointed about the performance of my team. They tried everything,’ he said.

‘We’re out, but next year we’ll start again and we’ll make our fans, the club and everyone around us happy.

‘They [Inter] are a really good team, a strong team who defend well but also they have a really good striker.

‘In the second half we were really good. We gave everything but in the end it was like that and that’s what made me a bit sad.’

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08/05/2025
Van Dijk names two toughest players he ever faced in his career

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The Liverpool defender has tested himself against many of the most formidable attacking talents of his generation. ..Continue Reading

He is frequently recognized as one of the toughest opponents by fellow players—Martin Odegaard has described him as his most challenging adversary, while Sergio Aguero also admitted he found it difficult to compete against Van Dijk.

In an interview with GQ, Van Dijk was asked to identify the most difficult player he has ever faced.

The Dutch center-back singled out both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the two most formidable opponents he has encountered.

He acknowledged that defending against either of them posed a tremendous challenge.

Speaking to GQ, Van Dijk was clear in his assessment—Messi and Ronaldo were the hardest players he has ever had to contain.

Van Dijk stated via TBR Football: “Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both very, very, very good players.

“Very difficult to defend against. In my opinion, it is always a privilege to play against the best. You can continually challenge yourself, and you must always be at your absolute best — it is a beautiful thing.”

Van Dijk has gone up against Ronaldo five times, with the Portuguese forward getting the better of him on three occasions.

The Dutch defender has faced Messi three times, suffering defeat twice. However, his lone victory was a momentous one—Liverpool’s stunning 4-0 comeback at Anfield against Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-final, overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are now in the latter stages of their legendary careers.

Messi currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, while Ronaldo continues his journey in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.

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05/05/2025
Bukayo Saka names best team Arsenal have played against this season

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Arne Slot’s dominant squad celebrated their title win last Sunday with a commanding victory over Tottenham at Anfield, while the Gunners continue their fight to secure second place for the third consecutive year. ..Continue Reading

Despite falling behind Liverpool in the standings, Arsenal has performed admirably against the league’s top sides and held their own in a thrilling 2-2 draw against the champions earlier this season, with Mohamed Salah’s late equalizer salvaging a point for the Reds.

Mikel Arteta’s men remain unbeaten against the rest of England’s elite and have enjoyed a smooth path through the Champions League knockout rounds—until Tuesday, when Inter became the first team to defeat them in Europe this season.

Now, Arsenal faces a major challenge in their quest for a place in the final in Munich, after Ousmane Dembele’s decisive goal secured a first-leg victory for Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG has developed significantly since their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal earlier this season, leading Saka to declare them the strongest side he has encountered all campaign.

‘100% they were like a different team,’ said Saka in an interview with Sky Sports, when asked to rate PSG’s performance in midweek.

‘I know they only changed two players from the line-up against us previously but how much cohesion they have, how they flow, how they move the ball they were a lot better and they impressed me to be fair.

‘I would say so probably yes. They have a lot of threat up at the top end of the pitch and I think in the midfield as well they keep the ball really well and try and make you run. I don’t think anyone likes to run if I’m honest’.

Saka got the better of his opponent Nuno Mendes when the two clashed back in October, but it was a far more even contest in midweek.

‘It was a good battle, he’s a top full-back he’s so quick,’ said Saka. ‘I enjoy those battles and look forward to going against next week.’

Despite a far from ideal scenario heading to the Parc des Princes, the England star remains confident his team are capable of raising their game and overturning a one-goal deficit.

He said: ‘I think it’s important to stay calm but obviously we know we have another level to go and I think we’re going to show it in Paris and I’m confident we can turn it around.

‘It was tough to find space, they put a lot of bodies around me, they defended well and I’m looking at the space I can find in the second leg.’

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04/05/2025
Alan Shearer names the five teams to challenge Liverpool for the title next season

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Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions on Sunday with several games to spare, securing their record-equalling 20th English league title. ..Continue Reading

They currently sit 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal and 21 points ahead of last season’s champions, Manchester City.

City were aiming to achieve an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title but fell short, giving rivals an opportunity to reclaim the crown.

Arsenal and Chelsea showed glimpses of a challenge, though Liverpool’s eventual success seemed inevitable for weeks, if not months.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have suffered only two league defeats this season and look poised to accumulate over 90 points. Shearer believes Liverpool are well-placed to defend their title but anticipates much tighter competition among top teams in the coming campaign.

‘I would be amazed if Liverpool won it as easily next season,’ Shearer said on The Rest is Football podcast. ‘I don’t see that happening at all.

‘There are so many teams waiting to improve, Arsenal being one, Man City being another, Newcastle and Aston Villa as well. Chelsea are another one.

‘There are so many teams that are willing and have to improve next year. If Liverpool win it next year, it won’t be as easy.’

Fellow former England striker Gary Lineker also expects a ‘tighter’ title race to unfold next campaign and has tipped Arsenal and Man City to push Liverpool much closer.

‘I would think Liverpool will challenge for the title for the next couple of seasons now,’ he said.

‘What I think will happen though is both Man City and Arsenal will put up a better fist of things and probably not have the amount of injuries they’ve had this season.

‘I think it will be a lot closer. I don’t think for one minute they can win it as easily next season but who knows.

‘I suspect Man City get back to somewhere approaching their best, I would be shocked if they had another season like this one.

‘I think Pep Guardiola will want it even more next season, if that’s possible, because that drive hasn’t gone.

‘I think the title race will be a lot tighter, it has to be. They’ve won it at a canter this year.

‘I think it will be a great season actually and hopefully a bit more competitive at both ends of the table.’

Considering Liverpool’s commanding performance in the Premier League, it’s easy to overlook the initial skepticism surrounding the team at the beginning of the season.

Many analysts questioned how the Reds would cope after the departure of Anfield icon Jurgen Klopp, who reshaped the club during his transformative nine-year tenure.

However, former Feyenoord manager Arne Slot is now poised to claim the Premier League title in his debut season in England, having outclassed Liverpool’s domestic challengers.

‘It feels great,’ Slot said after Liverpool secured the Premier League title. ‘I don’t think I want to say a lot.

‘The only thing now is to send my appreciation to Jurgen Klopp. I am 99.9% sure that if I pick up my phone there will be a message from Jurgen.

‘So many moments in the season the two of us have had contact. I think he showed last season what a wonderful human being he is by introducing me.

‘But what mattered most is the team he left behind that was able to win the trophy.’

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28/04/2025