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According to a fresh report from The Athletic, Real Madrid’s chances of landing Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah could receive a significant boost if Xabi Alonso is named the next manager of Los Blancos.
The Leverkusen boss, who has enjoyed a stellar tenure in Germany, remains a serious candidate to take over from Carlo Ancelotti, especially if the Italian follows through with his expected move to manage Brazil.

Amidst this, Real Madrid are also preparing to reshuffle their central defence after a string of setbacks. Eder Militao has endured two serious ACL injuries, while Antonio Rudiger recently underwent surgery.
Add to that the likely departure of David Alaba, whose persistent fitness issues and hefty wages have reportedly prompted the club to consider moving him on, and the need for reinforcements becomes all the more pressing.

Tah fits the bill for Real Madrid

In this context, Tah has re-emerged as a viable and increasingly attractive option.

The outlet mentions that while Madrid turned down the chance to sign him when he was first offered earlier in the season, after having also discussed terms with Barcelona, his situation has changed significantly.
Tah is out of contract in June and has made it clear he will not renew with Bayer Leverkusen, effectively making him a free agent.
The real twist, however, is the Alonso factor. Tah has thrived under the Spaniard’s guidance in Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign, and the connection between the two could play a crucial role.
If Alonso does take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu, he is expected to push for the signing of key players he trusts, and Tah is one of them.
Still, the race is far from straightforward. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United are all keeping tabs on the German international. But Real Madrid could gain a major edge through Alonso’s potential appointment.

With financial concerns around Alaba and lingering doubts over Militao’s and Rudiger’s long-term reliability, Tah would offer Madrid a more stable and cost-effective alternative in defence.

In the other semi-final, Spain’s Real Betis take a 2-1 lead into the return fixture against two-time runners-up Fiorentina.
First-half goals from Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke put Chelsea in control in Sweden, before Nicolas Jackson grabbed a brace midway through the second period.
“It was (a perfect night), an important semi-final,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca told TNT Sports.

It’s a good result, but we have the experience from the Legia Warsaw game, where we won 3-0 there and we struggled a little bit (Chelsea’s only loss in the tournament came at home in the return fixture), so we need to be focused on the second leg.”
Maresca’s side have one foot in the final of the Conference League in their debut campaign in the third-tier European competition.
Lifting the trophy in the Polish city of Wroclaw on May 28 would add another continental title to the London club’s haul of two Champions Leagues, a pair of Europa Leagues and two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups.

Their opponents, on the other hand, don’t quite boast the same European pedigree, and in making the last four became the first Swedish side to play a semi-final in Europe since 1986/87.
To further add to Djurgarden’s underdog status, coach Jani Honkavaara only had 14 senior players fit to call upon for the visit of the Premier League giants.
Chelsea took the lead via Sancho on 12 minutes as the winger collected a lofted pass in the box and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper before the retreating Marcus Danielson sliced his attempted clearance against his own arm and into the goal.
The goal settled Chelsea, who slowly got more accustomed to the artificial surface in Stockholm and began to dominate Djurgarden.

Madueke made that dominance pay two minutes prior to half-time when he opened up his body to feint a cross-goal shot with his left foot, before sweeping a first-time finish inside the near post.

Jackson at the double

As the interval loomed, Djurgarden nearly caught Chelsea with a sucker-punch, only for the English club’s Swedish-born ‘keeper Filip Jorgensen to readjust brilliantly and tip Tokmac Nguen’s deflected strike behind for a corner.
Jackson put Chelsea three goals to the good one minute before the hour as he tapped in from close range following a defensive mix-up.

The Senegalese striker doubled up six minutes later, unleashing a fizzing shot with his left foot from the edge of the box.
Teenager Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta snatched a consolation for Djurgarden in the 68th minute with a powerful downward header for his first senior goal.
“Very good performance, the most important thing is that we won. It is one step forward and we hope to reach the final,” said Jackson.
In Andalusia, Betis had a dream start when Abde Ezzalzouli smashed the ball in off the crossbar on six minutes following battling centre-forward play by the in-form Cedric Bakambu.

Fiorentina came within a whisker of equalising midway through the first half, but Rolando Mandragora’s powerful header zipped inches wide of goalkeeper Fran Vieites’ upright.
Former Barcelona centre-half Marc Bartra had a chance to double Betis’ lead at the end of the first period but blasted over from a corner.
Manchester United loanee Antony then did get a second for the hosts with a fierce right-footed effort from outside the box which flew beyond David de Gea’s reach and into the top corner in the 64th minute.
Fiorentina halved the lead against the run of play with 17 minutes remaining as Luca Ranieri slotted home after being teed up by Robin Gosens.

The second leg ties will take place next Thursday.

Two goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro’s first one since October saw United put one foot in the Europa League final. Who saw this coming?

Not Athletic Bilbao, who finished with ten men following Dani Vivian’s sending off – and a mountain to climb back in Manchester next week. Ernesto Valverde’s ‘Los Leones’ (Lions) were made to look like cubs.

And in a stadium nicknamed ‘The Cathedral’, it was the hosts left praying for a miracle, to keep alive a European dream which is supposed to reach a finale in their own backyard later this month.
United might have been the only unbeaten team remaining in Europe this season. But make no mistake, this was the acid test of United’s bid to win the competition themselves.

Bilbao had the best defensive record in La Liga, and had won all six home games in the Europa League this season. And it wasn’t difficult to see how, considering the hosts also had the advantage of a rocking stadium which wasn’t for the faint-hearted.
You couldn’t hear yourself think inside the San Mames. The atmosphere was ferocious. Which was a problem for United, who had to work out a plan to head back to Old Trafford next week still in with a realistic chance of reaching the final.
But this would go on to become one of their most famous nights. Football is like a religion around these parts, where the entire city revolves around their beloved club. And the passion and intensity flooding down from the stands was in danger of engulfing Ruben Amorim’s men. It felt like the entire population was inside the stadium.

It took just seven minutes for Bilbao to almost open the scoring, when Alex Berenguer charged forward and forced a smart save from Andre Onana. Yuri Berchiche headed just wide from the resulting corner.

Inaki Williams should have scored, but headed over the top from close range following Berenguer’s cross, before Victor Lindelof almost gifted a goal to Nico Williams. Lindelof made amends, with a crucial block on his own line to keep out Berenguer’s strike.

United looked scared stiff when attempting to bring the ball out from the back, and were clinging on for dear life. Then all hell broke loose as United ripped the script to shreds, with three goals in 15 incredible minutes.

They went ahead when Harry Maguire turned into Lamine Yamal on the right, twisting and turning before delivering a cross which Manuel Ugarte flicked into the path of Casemiro to finish at the back post.

Then moments later, Vivian pulled down Rasmus Hojlund to concede a penalty and get himself sent off for preventing a scoring opportunity. Fernandes was the coolest man in Bilbao, slotting past Julen Agirrezabala to double United’s lead.

And United were in dreamland on the stroke of half time, when Fernandes charged onto Ugarte’s back heel to make 3-0. The entire night had been turned upside down.

This was now a golden chance for United to turn the screw – and come away with a lead even they couldn’t mess up in the return leg. Bilbao’s heads had gone. But United couldn’t take full advantage when they needed to.

May 1 – After years of legal wrangling, shifting policies and uneasy compromise, the Football Association has determined that, from 1 June, only those born biologically female will be eligible to play women’s football in England.
The decision comes in the wake of a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that determined the legal definition of a woman as based on biological sex – a judgment that effectively rewrote the context in which sporting bodies like the FA can now operate.
Until this point, the FA had proposed a revised eligibility process, allowing transgender women to compete in women’s leagues if they could demonstrate hormone suppression and meet other criteria.
That approach, an attempt at inclusivity, had drawn criticism for being muddled and ultimately unworkable in a competitive environment. While well-intentioned, it placed governing bodies in the awkward position of deciding case-by-case who qualified for women’s competition, creating more subjectivity than clarity.
Now, the FA has binned that plan and moved to what it calls a “biological female only” participation policy, an approach already used by governing bodies in other sports, including swimming and cycling, and one the Scottish FA is set to copy.
“This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary,” the FA said.

“We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”
Critics of the move, including campaigners from Football vs Transphobia, have warned it could deter transgender people from engaging in sport altogether. Others, like Sex Matters, welcomed the FA’s stance as “overdue,” labelling the previous policy “nonsensical.”

Lamine Yamal and Denzel Dumfries shared top billing as Barcelona and Inter Milan could not be separated following a spellbinding 3-3 draw at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Dumfries teed up Marcus Thuram for a flashy finish after 30 seconds – the fastest goal in a Champions League semi-final – then the Dutchman acrobatically doubled the Serie A champions’ lead.

Yamal got the LaLiga leaders back into it with a candidate for goal of the season on the 17-year-old’s 100th Barcelona appearance and Ferran Torres levelled from six yards to end a riveting first half.
Dumfries put Inter back ahead just after the hour but they were quickly pegged back as Raphinha’s shot from distance cannoned off the goalframe and struck Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer before going in.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a goal disallowed for offside while Yamal struck the crossbar at the other end, leaving everything to play for in next Tuesday’s second leg at the San Siro.

A breathless first half started with Inter hitting the front almost straight from kick-off, with Thuram taking advantage of Inigo Martinez’s slip to audaciously backheel on the half-volley into the net.

Torres, deputising for the injured Robert Lewandowski, rifled wide as Barcelona tried to rally but Dumfries, who supplied the cross for Thuram’s jaw-dropping opener, scored a wonder goal of his own.
Federico Dimarco’s corner was headed towards goal by Francesco Acerbi and Dumfries reacted quickly by bicycle kicking high beyond Wojciech Szczesny in the 21st minute to leave the hosts shell-shocked.
Barcelona, who beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final at the weekend in a draining tie that went to extra-time, were in need of some inspiration and three minutes later Yamal provided it.
The teenager shrugged off Thuram on the right flank before gliding past Mkhitaryan into the box and curling a left-foot effort in off the post for a third jaw-dropper of the match – and probably the best.
Yamal might have had a second after another mesmerising run but his shot from near the byline had to be tipped on to the bar by Sommer.

But Barca levelled in the 38th minute when Pedri’s cross to the back post was followed by Raphinha cushioning a header back across goal and into the path of the onrushing Torres to tap in.
Lautaro Martinez pulled up on the stroke of half-time and the Inter captain was substituted on the resumption but the visitors took the lead once more as Dumfries bagged his second after 63 minutes.
It was a simple move as Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner to the back post was just too high for Yann Aurel Bisseck but Dumfries headed home after rising above Dani Olmo, who got the final touch.
Inter, though, were again pegged back, their lead lasting just one minute and 53 seconds as a corner was pulled back to Raphinha, whose 25-yard thunderbolt rattled the underside of the crossbar and went in via the unfortunate Sommer.

Mkhitaryan bundled in as Barcelona’s defending was exposed again but the Armenian was offside by the narrowest of margins while Yamal chipped off the bar and Sommer tipped over from another Raphinha pile driver as the tie finished all-square.

Paris Saint-Germain took a 1-0 lead over Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal on Tuesday, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma playing a decisive role.
The Italian goalkeeper was in imperious form at the Emirates Stadium, earning praise from pundits, fans, teammates, and even his opposite number, David Raya.
The performance marks yet another turning point in Donnarumma’s rollercoaster journey at PSG — one where he’s evolved from a question mark to a game-saving titan.

Donnarumma Saves vs Arsenal

Arsenal weren’t short of chances. Mikel Arteta’s side had five shots on target and came close on multiple occasions through Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. But Donnarumma, with cat-like reflexes and unshakable composure, denied them all.
The standout save came in the second half when Trossard cut inside and fired low across goal — only to be thwarted by Donnarumma’s lightning-fast reaction and firm hand.

David Raya and Mikel Arteta Praise Donnarumma’s Performance

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was gracious in defeat, reserving special mention for his rival. “Donnarumma made some brilliant saves,” he told Prime Video. “It’s only half time. We take a lot of positives, but credit to him — he kept them in it.”
Even Arteta admitted Donnarumma made the difference: “Those are the margins at this level. He did it against Liverpool. He did it against Aston Villa. And now against us.”

Donnarumma’s Redemption Arc

It’s hard to believe Donnarumma is still only 26. Since debuting for AC Milan at 16, his career has seen soaring highs and frustrating lows — from being hailed as Buffon’s heir to being blamed for errors in key games.
Earlier this season, in the group stage against Arsenal, his mistakes directly led to goals in a 2-0 loss. But fast forward six months, and Donnarumma looks every bit the world-class shot-stopper his supporters always claimed him to be.
He’s been PSG’s pillar through the knockout stages: saving penalties against Liverpool, making game-saving stops against Aston Villa, and now putting Arsenal to the sword. His leadership as Italy’s captain and his consistency for PSG are silencing critics game by game.

Champions League Semi-Final: Advantage PSG

With a narrow but precious 1-0 lead heading into the second leg at Parc des Princes, PSG find themselves in the driver’s seat. But as Arteta reminded the press, the tie is far from over.
Still, if Donnarumma’s current form continues, even the best strikers in Europe may find themselves locked out.

Donnarumma PSG Contract

Off the pitch, Donnarumma’s future appears secure. His current deal with PSG runs until June 2026, and his agent, Enzo Raiola, confirmed ongoing talks to extend his stay.
“Campos wants to keep Gigio, and we want to stay,” Raiola said. “He’s a leader for Italy and could be the same at PSG.”

Key Stats: Donnarumma This Season

Clean Sheets: 11 in 37 appearances for PSG

Goals Conceded: 37

Champions League Saves Against Arsenal: 5

Italy Caps: 72 (Captain since late 2023)

La Masia is famed as being one of the best academies in world football, and that has rung true as Barcelona have won the UEFA Youth League on Monday in rather convincing fashion – their U19 side were far too good for Trabzonspor, with the match ending in a 4-1 victory for the Catalans in Nyon.

Barcelona made a dream start to proceedings in Switzerland as they took the lead in the 11th minute, with the goal coming from Malian youngster Ibrahim Diarra, who joined the club back in December. He also had a hand in the second, which was scored seven minutes later as Andres Cuenca scored from close range after Diarra was denied by the Trabzonspor goalkeeper following a corner.

And Diarra was again involved in the final two goals that Barcelona scored. He played in captain Hugo Alba to make it 3-0, before scoring number four himself to complete a wonderful afternoon for Juliano Belletti’s side. The Turkish side found the back of the net in the 88th minute, but it was only a consolation in the end.

It has been a remarkable season for Barcelona’s U19s. They had already won their league and the Copa del Rey Juvenil, and their success in the UEFA Youth League means that they have completed the treble. The senior team will hope that they can follow in their footsteps, and they have already started their pursuit after defeating Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.

The success of Barcelona’s U19s is unlikely to go unnoticed within the club, and it would be no surprise to see some of the players at the heart of their performances this season make the step up to Barca Atletic for the 2025-26 campaign. The likes of Diarra will surely fancy themselves to then make the jump to Hansi Flick’s first team squad after that.

Premier League champions Liverpool will parade through the city on an open-top bus, it has been announced.
The Reds won 5-1 against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday to secure their second Premier League title, a record-equalling 20th top-flight trophy.
The bus will set off from Allerton Maze at 14:30 BST on Monday 26 May before travelling along a nine-mile (15km) route including Queens Drive and The Strand before finishing on Blundell Street.
Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to line the route to celebrate with Arne Slot and his title-winning squad.

Bumper bank holiday weekend’

The parade is expected to last between three and five hours.
Liverpool City Council Leader Liam Robinson said: “We’re delighted to officially invite Liverpool Football Club to parade around the city on 26 May.
“A Liverpool victory parade is more than football – it’s a celebration of our city’s pride, passion and community spirit.”
Robinson said it was going to be a “bumper weekend in Liverpool”.
Thousands of music fans will be heading to Sefton Park for BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May inclusive.
Liverpool will end their Premier League campaign on 25 May when Crystal Palace visit Anfield.
Rivals Everton play away on the final day of the season, a week after bidding an emotional farewell to their Goodison Park home.

What’s the parade route?

The Liverpool victory parade will set off from Allerton Maze and travel north on Queens Drive towards the Fiveways roundabout and Rocket flyover.
From there, it will make its way down the following roads:
• Queens Drive
• Mill Bank
• West Derby Road
• Islington
• Leeds Street
• The Strand
The parade will finish on Blundell Street.

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid. The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick’s reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion. Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.

However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.
“It was a good time to bring joy to our fans — we have to enjoy it but without forgetting the Champions League semis are coming,” Torres told La 1. Barca host Inter Milan on Wednesday.

“They can make a party — for today, it’s OK,” a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.
Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for appearing to throw an object onto the pitch towards the referee, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.

I don’t want to talk about the referee,” said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti.
“I don’t know what happened at the end.”
Madrid started with top scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury and lost Ferland Mendy early on with a thigh issue.
Ancelotti sent on Fran Garcia to take over the job of shackling Barcelona’s dazzling teenage winger Lamine Yamal.

The 17-year-old Spain star, who dyed his hair blond for the game, led the assault on Thibaut Courtois’ goal.
The Catalans, who won the first two Clasicos this season in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, scoring nine goals in the process, controlled the ball.
They took the lead after 28 minutes, Pedri placing the ball into the top corner with precision and power from the edge of the box.
It was a sensational goal, starting with a smart Pau Cubarsi interception in his own half, before Pedri spread the play to Yamal, who teed him up once the Canary Islander reached the area.

Barcelona’s opener brought Madrid out of their shell — and also Mbappe off the bench to warm up.
The excellent Jude Bellingham netted but was offside. Vinicius Junior would have won a penalty as Inigo Martinez hacked him down but had also strayed off in the build-up.
Barcelona could have doubled their lead, with Dani Olmo’s corner hitting the post and Cubarsi unable to turn home as Dani Ceballos held him back.

Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was lenient with some heated Madrid tackles, perhaps cowed by Friday’s drama as the Spanish champions seethed at his pre-match comments denouncing attacks on officials by the club’s television channel.
Madrid sent Mbappe on for Rodrygo Goes at half-time and soon he and Vinicius began to work Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

End to end
Mbappe pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute.
The striker surged forward and was brought down on the edge of the box. He then fired the free-kick home off the post.
Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni heading Arda Guler’s corner past the helpless Szczesny.
Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard pipped both to the ball and rolled home.

Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.
Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger appeared to fell Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure from Raul Asencio.
However the referee, called to review the incident by VAR, overturned his decision.
In extra-time Barcelona were ascendent.
They found their winner when Kounde intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from range, sparking wild celebrations.

Rudiger’s dismissal and Madrid’s pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on. The teams meet again in La Liga in May in a potential title decider.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has been named La Liga’s Player of the Month for April after starring for Hansi Flick’s side.

The midfielder has starred in games against Real Betis, Leganes, Celta Vigo and Mallorca this month as Barcelona have continued their title charge.
Pedri’s brilliance saw him set La Liga records in Barcelona’s last two games and he walked off with the MVP award against Mallorca last time out.

Both Hansi Flick and Mallorca boss Jagoba Arrasate praised Pedri after the 1-0 victory over Mallorca as the Canary Islander showed he was a cut above the rest once again.

Barcelona’s midfielder saw off competition from Atletico’s Julian Alvarez, Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Javi Puado of Espanyol, and Mallorca’s Sergi Darder to win April’s award.
Pedri is now set for more crucial games in the coming week. Barca take on Real Madrid next in the Copa del Rey final and then face Inter in the Champions League.

Jamie Vardy’s glittering Leicester City career will end this summer with the club announcing his departure after 13 years at the King Power Stadium.
Vardy, perhaps the greatest player in City history, is out of contract at the end of this campaign and after months of speculation, it has now been confirmed that his time at the club is over.

He will leave with a Premier League title, an FA Cup triumph and two Championship promotions to his name.

But his career at the club ends on a relegation, one that he described as a “total embarrassment”.

It is not expected that 38-year-old Vardy will retire and he will now look for his next club.
He has five more games, including two at the King Power Stadium, in which to represent the club and potentially add to his tally of 198 goals.

That puts him third in the club’s all-time scoring ranks. He also ranks third for appearances on 496.

Vardy’s departure will signal the end of an era at City, with the number nine the last remaining squad member from the 2016 title win still playing for the club.
In a statement, City chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Jamie is unique. He is a special player and an even more special person.

He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City, and he certainly has my deepest respect and affection. I am endlessly grateful for everything he has given to this football club.

“Although Jamie’s time with us as a player is ending, he and his family will always be welcomed back to King Power Stadium with open arms after all he has achieved.
“On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I wish Jamie and his family the very best for the future and I know our supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he deserves at the end of this season.”

The Portugal international scored a last-gasp winner against Aston Villa on Tuesday to lift Pep Guardiola’s men to third in the table, four points ahead of seventh-placed Villa.
With Liverpool on the brink of the Premier League title and Arsenal sitting comfortably in second place, five clubs are battling for the three remaining places in Europe’s top club competition next season.

Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Chelsea are the other sides in the mix for a top-five finish.
City, who were hunting a fifth straight league title at the start of the season, suffered a costly collapse in form from late October.
But they can still end their season on a high, with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Forest at Wembley coming hot on the heels of their vital win against Unai Emery’s Villa.

This is our Premier League trophy now, to qualify for the Champions League,” Nunes said after scoring his first league goal for City in his second season at the club.
“I think it’s massively important for us, in terms of everything, the club, in terms of the players, the mentality.”

The 26-year-old admitted though that Champions League qualification for the 15th season running and FA Cup glory would not equal a good campaign.
“The club’s standards are much higher than this,” he said. “We know that there is not the standards we want this club to be at.
“But this is our reality now and we have to accept it. And we just have to go for it like it’s the Champions League, the Premier League trophy.”