‘Enormous anticipation’ as Bayern plot Barcelona defeat in Champions League
Treble-chasing Bayern Munich is relishing its Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona in Lisbon after Robert Lewandowski netted twice to seal a 4-1 home win over Chelsea on Sunday in the last 16, return-leg tie. “The anticipation is enormous. Barcelona has a good team with very good players, but if you look at the last few weeks, we can fly […] The post ‘Enormous anticipation’ as Bayern plot Barcelona defeat in Champions League appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Barcelona coach says ‘too soon’ to discuss future after horror defeat
Barcelona’s embattled coach Quique Setien offered no indication that he would resign in the immediate aftermath of Friday’s 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich, as club president Josep Maria Bartomeu promised to “take decisions” in the coming days. “It’s too soon to think about whether or not I will continue,” Setien said. “It […] The post Barcelona coach says ‘too soon’ to discuss future after horror defeat appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Lazio, Bayern collide in crucial Champions League match
It’s SS Lazio versus Bayern Munich on Thursday, February 15, in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League......»»
PSG sign South Korea’s Lee from Mallorca
Paris Saint-Germain has signed South Korean international Lee Kang-in from Real Mallorca, the Ligue 1 champions announced on Saturday. The 22-year-old becomes PSG's fourth signing of the close season. "It's incredible to be able to join Paris Saint-Germain, it's one of the biggest clubs in the world, with some of the greatest players in the world," said Lee in a statement. "I can't wait to start this new adventure." Lee made his first-team breakthrough at Valencia as a winger after coming through the club's academy, but can also play more centrally. He scored six goals in 39 matches for Mallorca last season and has made 14 international appearances, including featuring in all four of South Korea's matches at last year's World Cup. Lee follows Marco Asensio, Milan Skriniar, and Manuel Ugarte in joining PSG this summer. The capital club has also replaced Christophe Galtier as coach with former Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique. The post PSG sign South Korea’s Lee from Mallorca appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Messi future decision drawing near with Barca return hopes fading
With Lionel Messi's time at Paris Saint-Germain drawing to a close, the Argentine forward will soon reveal his future -- but hopes of a romantic return to Barcelona are fading. Messi, who turns 36 in June, is Barcelona's all-time record goalscorer and biggest icon and was forced to wave a tearful goodbye in 2021 at the end of his contract, with the club unable to afford to keep him. Coach Xavi Hernandez has been pushing hard for the World Cup winner to come back, but Messi's camp has told Spanish media no offer from Barcelona has arrived yet. "For me, there is no doubt that if Messi comes back he will help us on a footballing level, that's what I've let the president know," Xavi told Spanish daily Diario Sport. Barcelona is waiting for La Liga to approve a financial viability plan ahead of spending in the summer transfer window. "At the moment it seems difficult for Messi to return to Barca," said La Liga president Javier Tebas in April. "Barca are not like PSG, who have a fuel tap and money for a big salary." La Liga's financial fair play rules currently limit Barcelona to spending 40 percent of any savings made through salary cuts or player sales, because of the club's losses. Even if they bring in enough new income to break free of the league's financial handcuffs, what they can offer Messi would be modest. By contrast, elsewhere Messi will be paid a king's ransom, into the hundreds of millions. A source close to the deal told AFP in May the forward has an agreement to move to the Saudi Arabian league, joining his former Real Madrid sparring partner Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf state. [caption id="attachment_139853" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Graphic showing the main statistics of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi[/caption] Risks Many Barcelona fans and coach Xavi would like Messi to add a much-needed coda to a story left incomplete by his shock departure. The forward arrived at Barcelona at 13 years old and departed without a proper goodbye to supporters, who at that point were still shut out of stadiums because of the pandemic. Messi showed by leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar that he can still deliver at the elite level when motivated. The forward is the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or and remains sublime at breaking down stubborn defenses, something Barca has struggled with even on their way to winning La Liga this season. His return would be costly in terms of wages but, without a transfer fee, could still represent good value for a club hungry for short-term success. "Reclaiming" Messi's legacy is positive in its own right, ensuring he finishes his career at the club where he spent two decades. The romance of a fairytale return and a chance to seal his glorious chapter in the club's history are tempting, but with Barcelona moving forward and transforming, it could be a mistake for both club and player to turn back to the past. Some believe Barca should not direct a significant chunk of their limited financial resources towards an aging great when there are clear areas where the squad needs improvement. Xavi has said replacing veteran holding midfielder Sergio Busquets, who is departing, is the key to any success next season. Barcelona also needs a first-choice right-back, a backup for striker Robert Lewandowski and a left-winger. Some fans are worried a return for Messi may tarnish his brilliant legacy at Barcelona and hamper the team's progress at the same time. Messi may consider that in terms of his legacy, there is more to lose than gain by returning to Barcelona. French champions PSG host Clermont in their final Ligue 1 match of the season on Saturday, with Messi's future set to take center-stage after that. The post Messi future decision drawing near with Barca return hopes fading appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sub-plots galore for Manchester City-Inter Milan UEFA Champions League finals
The 2008-09 season for FC Barcelona is considered perhaps the greatest in this club’s long and illustrious history, and one of the greatest teams of all time......»»
Read: Read!
In anticipation for World Book Day, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain and Intramuros Administration invite visitors on 22 April (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to Instituto Cervantes de Manila in Intramuros to enjoy a bevy of activities promoting the joy of reading. From fiction to non-fiction, poetry to prose, thousands of books will be gathered around Instituto Cervantes’ premises in Intramuros. Día del Libro will feature Manila’s top bookstores and publishing houses that will be selling a wide array of books with 20-percent discount. Following the tradition in Spain, every book purchase comes with a free rose. Apart from the book market, visitors to Día del Libro will be treated to poetry recitals, free Spanish classes, book presentations, street art, games, exhibits, storytelling sessions, and Spanish food. First introduced in Manila by Instituto Cervantes in 2006, the tradition of Día del Libro began in Barcelona, Spain. The tradition is celebrated on St. George’s Day (23 April), during which Spanish people exchange roses and books. This date also honors two of history’s greatest writers—Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare—who coincidentally died on the same day, 23 April 1616. These significant incidents prompted Unesco to declare 23 April as “World Book and Copyright Day” to instill the love of reading among the youth and promote respect for the rights of authors over their works. April is also the birth month of the classic Filipino poet Francisco Balagtas. To honor him, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts declared April as National Literature Month. In the spirit of this year’s celebration, Unesco has chosen the theme “Read for the Future” to emphasize the role of books in shaping our collective future. In a world that is constantly changing, books provide us with the knowledge and imagination to navigate the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. In this edition, to commemorate the Day of Miguel de Cervantes, Instituto Cervantes is challenging visitors to join a Quixotic attempt: to handwrite Don Quixote de La Mancha. The final hand-written book will be deposited in the Library of Instituto Cervantes. People interested in taking part in the writing of Don Quijote can join on the same day with no prior registration. Participants in the handwriting chain will receive a rose. Through the 2nd Recital of Filhispanic Poetry, Instituto Cervantes is inviting poetry lovers to recite verses written in Spanish by Filipino poets. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet authors who will be signing their works. Among the writers who will be signing copies are Jessica Zafra, Charlson Ong, Wilfredo Liangco, Katrina Martin, Kannika Claudine D. Peña, or Vince Groyon. Día del Libro is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Intramuros Administration. Admission to all Día del libro activities is free. The post Read: Read! appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PSG holds breath in Messi waiting game
Paris—Paris Saint-Germain supporters have been gathering in anticipation of the arrival of Argentina superstar Lionel Messi after his emotional Barcelona departure at the weekend......»»
Champions KO stages begin under virus cloud
Paris---This week the glamour of a tie between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain heralds the dawn of the Champions League knockout phase, but the world’s most lucrative and compelling club competition returns still overshadowed by the coronavirus crisis as well as by looming changes to the tournament itself......»»
Barcelona, Juventus join Chelsea, Sevilla in last 16
Paris---Juventus, Chelsea, and Sevilla all claimed last-gasp wins as they qualified for the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, while Martin Braithwaite grabbed a double in Barcelona’s 4-0 victory at Dynamo Kiev as they also secured a place in the knockout rounds......»»
Ronaldo still positive for coronavirus before Barcelona game
Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive again for coronavirus on the eve of Juventus’ Champions League clash against his great rival Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, according to media reports in Italy and Portugal. Portuguese TVI reported that Ronaldo “has once against tested positive for COVID-19” following a swab test carried out by Juventus. The 35-year-old is now […] The post Ronaldo still positive for coronavirus before Barcelona game appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bayern Munich s 23-match winning streak ends with Hoffenheim loss
European champions Bayern Munich suffered a first defeat for 10 month when their 23-match winning run was ended by a shock 4-1 Bundesliga loss at Hoffenheim on Sunday......»»
Bayern worthy winners in strangest Champions League season
It will be remembered as the strangest of Champions League seasons but it has ended with a familiar name on the trophy after Bayern Munich got the better of Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday's final in Lisbon, with their deserved success the result of the remarkable job done by coach Hansi Flick......»»
Bayern beats Lyon 3-0, to play PSG in Champions League final
Bayern beats Lyon 3-0, to play PSG in Champions League final.....»»
‘Rock bottom’: Barca reeling after 8-2 humiliation by Bayern
LISBON, Portugal — The postmortem from Gerard Piqué was as brutal as the humiliation dished to Barcelona by Bayern Munich. “It’s a disastrous result,” the defender said. “An embarrassment, that’s the word.” The numbers were 8-2. Another number? 74. It’s that many years since Barcelona conceded as many goals in a game. “We have hit rock bottom,” […] The post ‘Rock bottom’: Barca reeling after 8-2 humiliation by Bayern appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
MLB season begins
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers take center stage on Thursday as Major League Baseball’s new season gets under way on US soil against the backdrop of a gambling scandal that has engulfed its brightest star......»»
Creamline still team to beat
Creamline’s dramatic, come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed that it’s still the superpower in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.....»»
Rest of PVL catching up to perenially dominant Cool Smashers?
Creamline’s dramatic come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed it remained the team-to-beat in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference......»»
Van Sickle, Petro Gazz pummel Capital1
Petro Gazz used hammer, Brooke Van Sickle and sword as it overpowered Capital1 Solar Energy, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, Tuesday to revive its semifinal hopes in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.....»»
Gathering of champions
The stars descended on the Okada Grand Ballroom last Sunday as former world boxing champions gathered to celebrate the launch of the 1st Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman as guest of honor and speaker......»»
Angels rebound, Crossovers roll on
Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo carved out contrasting wins over Capital1 Solar Energy and Nxled, respectively, and stayed in the thick of the fight for the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena last night......»»