Barcelona midfielder Pedri conceded Lionel Messi s saved penalty was a big blow in their Champions League last-16 exit, but blamed wasting numerous chances.

The Catalans prematurely exited the Champions League 5-2 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain after a second-leg 1-1 draw in the French capital.

Pedri admitted Barca s 4-1 first-leg defeat left them with plenty to do in Paris but argued they had the better chances.

Messi cancelled out Kylian Mbappe s penalty opener before the Argentinian had a spot-kick saved by Keylor Navas on the stroke of half-time which could have given Barca the momentum to kick on in the second half.

Messi s miss was his first failed penalty attempt in the Champions League since February 2015, having scored his previous eight spo…

Mason Mount is relishing pitting his creative wits against the great Luka Modric when England take on Croatia in their Euro 2020 opener on Sunday.

Real Madrid playmaker Modric was influential as Croatia came from behind to beat Gareth Southgate s side 2-1 after extra time in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

A generation of exciting young talent will try to help England right that wrong at an expectant Wembley, with Chelsea star Mount one of the leading lights.

No Englishman created more goalscoring opportunities than the 22-year-old s 87 in the Premier League in 2020-21. Mount ended the top-flight campaign with six goals and five assists before laying on Kai Havertz s winner in the Champions League final against Manchester City.

Chelsea secured thei…

Montenegro have sacked their Serbian head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic after he refused to take charge of their Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo on Friday.

Tumbakovic reportedly came under pressure from fan groups in his home nation, which does not recognise Kosovo s independence, attained in 2008.

The meeting in Podgorica finished 1-1, while Montenegro s Serbian-born duo of Mirko Ivanic and Filip Stojkovic were also absent.

A statement from the Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG) read: The executive board held an extraordinary session due to events surrounding the national team before the third qualifying round for Euro 2020 against Kosovo.

The members of the board made a unanimous decision to replace Ljubisa Tumbakovic for deciding not to lead the …

Saul Niguez is very flattered by rumours linking him with Manchester United but says Atletico Madrid do not need to worry about speculation over his future.

The Spain international was touted as a target for United before the Premier League giants moved for Ajax s Donny van de Beek last week.

United great Rio Ferdinand urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign Saul earlier this year, describing the midfielder as the conductor in the Atletico side.

And Saul, who signed a nine-year contract extension with Atleti in 2017, is grateful to have been subjected to such praise from iconic defender Ferdinand.

I am very flattered that a club like Manchester United, or other teams that ask about me, take me into consideration, he told Marca.

For me it is very posi…

Asked about Messi, Fabregas told Cadena COPE: I speak with Messi and his idea has always been to end his career at Barcelona.

Many things can happen at a club but I am fully confident that his career will end at Barca.

Fabregas came through Barca s youth system, leaving at 16 to join Premier League giants Arsenal in 2003.

The Spaniard established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world before returning to Barca in 2011.

Despite his strong links to Barca, Fabregas has not ruled out coaching Madrid in the future.

The 32-year-old added: You can never say never, I know this very clearly. As a player, maybe, but as a coach it is different because you can manage 30 teams in your career.

As a player the contracts are longer but as…

Manchester United have been linked with a move for West Ham United s Declan Rice next summer, but isn t too sure that would be a wise move by his former club.

The 20-year-old, who mostly plays as a defensive midfielder while being capable of performing well as a centre-back, has impressed playing for the Hammers in the Premier League and has consequently attracted interest. As a young English talent (having chosen to represent England over Ireland at international level), Rice perfectly fits the bill for the type of players United are looking for, similar to Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Harry Maguire.

However, the former defender, now working as a pundit for Sky Sports after a short, unsuccessful spell as Valencia manager, isn t sure the youngster is worth the money believed t…

Lionel Messi remains the best footballer in the world and makes Barcelona a better team when he is in the side, says head coach Ronald Koeman.

The Argentina international was named among the substitutes for a LaLiga game for the first time since September 2019 in Saturday s 5-2 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou.

He had failed to score or assist from open play in six league matches this term before last weekend s contest, but Koeman denied he was dropped and put his absence from the side down to a knock.

Messi ended his open-play drought by powering home as a half-time substitute against Betis, having earlier scored his fifth penalty of the campaign in all competitions.

Koeman has reaffirmed he has full faith in the forward, who failed in an attempt to move …

Frank de Boer has been appointed as the new Netherlands head coach, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed on Wednesday.

Ronald Koeman left his post as national team boss last month to take over at Barcelona following the dismissal of Quique Setien.

De Boer, who made 112 Netherlands appearances and played at two World Cups for his country, has signed a two-year deal that takes him through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The 50-year-old enjoyed a promising start to his coaching career, leading Ajax to four straight Eredivisie titles between 2011 and 2014.

However, his appointment may come as somewhat of a surprise given a poor track record since departing the Amsterdam club.

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Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain ended the season on a disappointing note as they were beaten 3-1 at Reims on Friday.

PSG wrapped up the league title over a month ago, but a run of three wins in nine in all competitions – a stretch that included a Coupe de France final loss to Rennes – had put a slight dampener on their campaign even before they arrived at a raucous Stade Auguste-Delaune.

Reims were good value for their two-goal lead with strikes from Baba Rahman and Mathieu Cafaro either side of half-time, although Kylian Mbappe brought the visitors back into contention in the 59th minute.

But PSG mustered little more without the suspended Neymar and substitute Pablo Chavarria scored an opportunistic third in second-half stoppage time to compound their …

Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata were on target as Juventus cruised to a 3-0 victory over Malmo in Tuesday s Champions League Group H opener.

Alex Sandro was the unlikely scorer of the opening goal before Dybala added a second from the penalty spot after a foul on Morata, who netted a third on the stroke of half-time.

Substitute Moise Kean rounded Ismael Diawara in the second half, only for Juve to be denied a fourth goal by the offside flag as Malmo struggled in their first group-stage appearance since 2015-16.

Massimiliano Allegri, who led Juve to the final in 2014-15 and again two seasons later, may be winless so far in Serie A on his return to Turin but his side started their continental campaign impressively.

2 This is only the second match in which…