Lamine Yamal scored his first goal of the season with a great strike from outside the box against Athletic Club.
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It's been a rough season for Chelsea fans this year, with the draw at home to a ten-man Burnley side over the weekend just the latest in a long line of embarrassing results.
Mauricio Pochettino has been unable to create a coherent and effective team out of the plethora of talented youngsters at his disposal, and it's looking increasingly likely that he won't be given another chance next year.
While some of the youngsters in the team, such as Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto, have impressed this campaign, Raheem Sterling, who is meant to be one of the senior stars, has not, and off the back of recent transfer news of his time in the team could be coming to an end.
According to a recent report from Football Insider, Brazilian winger Raphinha is set to be moved on by Barcelona in the summer as the Catalan club looks to raise more funds to help their dire financial situation.
The report has revealed that the former Leeds United star is still a transfer target of Premier League sides Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea, who are eyeing up the left-footed dynamo ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, with the massive finances involved, clubs from the Saudi Pro League are also keen to bring the tricky winger to the Middle East.
An earlier report from last month revealed that Saudi side Al-Hilal were willing to offer a £86m package – inclusive of the fee and wages – which may be too good to turn down for the Blaugrana.
Yet, the player wants to remain in Spain, so while that might not be possible, a move back to the Premier League, with Chelsea, for example, might become his most appealing option.
The first thing to clear up is that, yes, Sterling has primarily played as a left winger at Chelsea, and Raphinha has primarily played as a right winger throughout his career. However, the 22-capped Brazilian has also played plenty of games out on the left, 82 games to be exact, so it should be much of an issue for him to adapt at Stamford Bridge.
That said, how have the pair performed this year? Well, in his 37 games for the Blues this season, the former Manchester City ace has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists, meaning he has averaged a goal involvement every 1.9 games.
|
Raphinha vs Sterling this season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Raphinha |
Sterling |
|
Appearances |
29 |
37 |
|
Goals |
6 |
8 |
|
Assists |
10 |
11 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.55 |
0.51 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
||
In comparison, the former Peacocks star has scored six goals and provided ten assists in just 29 appearances, giving him a slightly better average of a goal every 1.8 games.
How about their underlying numbers, then? Well, unfortunately for the Englishman, he once again comes out second best, and this time, it's by quite some way.
|
Raphinha vs Sterling |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats per 90 |
Raphinha |
Sterling |
|
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists |
0.94 |
0.51 |
|
Non-Penalty Goals |
0.43 |
0.30 |
|
Assists |
0.60 |
0.20 |
|
Progressive Carries |
3.68 |
5.47 |
|
Progressive Passes |
4.36 |
3.50 |
|
Progressive Passes Received |
12.5 |
11.4 |
|
Shots |
4.09 |
2.26 |
|
Shots on Target |
1.45 |
0.84 |
|
Passing Accuracy |
74.9% |
73.2% |
|
Shot-Creating Actions |
6.31 |
3.74 |
|
Goal-Creating Actions |
0.85 |
0.59 |
|
Successful Take-Ons |
1.88 |
1.97 |
|
Aerial Duels Won |
0.77 |
0.10 |
|
All Stats via FBref |
||
Aside from successful take-ons and progressive carries, the "brilliant" Barça ace, as talent scout Jacek Kuilg described him, comes out on top in a host of key attacking metrics, from expected goals and assists to passing accuracy and shot volume.
Chelsea eyeing a "better prospect than Endrick" in £51m Palmer rival
The youngster is one of the most exciting talents in world football.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Apr 2, 2024
Ultimately, Sterling has been a fantastic Premier League player for over a decade now and likely still has several years left at the top, but based on his performances in West London, Chelsea would be getting a significant upgrade if they could sign Raphinha.
Therefore, the Blues must swoop to sign the former Leeds star, who experienced Premier League football at Elland Road, to come in and replace the England international.
وجه توم كايرني لاعب وسط وقائد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي فولهام رسالة تحذير شديدة لجميع المنافسين من خطورة مهاجم ليفربول، محمد صلاح.
ويعد محمد صلاح أحد أبرز مصادر الخطورة في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز منذ انتقاله في صيف عام 2017 قادمًا روما إلى ليفربول.
اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | ماذا قدم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وباير ليفركوزن بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا؟
وقال كايرني في تصريحات عبر شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”: “محمد صلاح يمثل معنى التهديد المستمر، أنت تعرف جيدًا ما يريد أن يفعله”.
وتابع: “لكن لا يمكنك إيقافه، بمجرد أن يقطع بالقدم اليسرى، تتوقع ما سيفعله ومدى الخطورة التي سيقوم بها”.
واستمر: “هناك بعض اللاعبين الذين عندما يسددون، تتوقع أن تكون الكرة في شباك المنافس مثل هاري كين، وهو لاعب آخر دائمًا ما يشكل تهديدًا كبيرًا على جميع الخصوم”.
وسجل محمد صلاح هذا الموسم في الدوري الإنجليزي 7 أهداف وصنع 5 آخرين في 10 مباريات خاضهم مع ليفربول، بينما أحرز هدفًا وصنع 4 في دوري أبطال أوروبا.
West Indies played their part in a classic in Cuttack as the decider went down to the wire
The Report by Sidharth Monga22-Dec-2019West Indies’ tour of India ended the way it began: denied by the bat of Virat Kohli after they had put in a fight despite losing the toss. Only, the master of chases fell with 30 runs still required and it was left to Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur to calm India’s nerves and they did that in style.India were chasing 316 because of a stunning counterattack by Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard that lifted them from 144 for 4 in the 32nd over, but it was still a relatively easy chase on a ground that India had to fight hard to defend 381 in its last ODI. The chase became difficult despite fifties from the openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul because once the partnership broke, West Indies kept finding a way to keep taking wickets, bringing India’s dodgy lower order into the picture. Except they couldn’t go past Kohli, who didn’t make the kind of mistakes his team-mates did.As it had become apparent towards the end of the first innings, the little grip in the pitch that had tied the West Indies batsmen down had now given way to skiddy evening conditions. Sharma and Rahul had got India off to a fluent start with a 122-run stand in 21.2 overs. The dew had begun to play its part. Then Sharma fell driving Jason Holder on the up, Rahul got surprised by extra bounce from Alzarri Joseph, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant played slightly casual shots to Delhi Capitals team-mate Keemo Paul, and Sheldon Cottrell came back to clean Kedar Jadhav up.Virat Kohli drives through the off side•BCCIIndia were 228 for 5, needed 88 off 67, which should be straightforward on most Indian evenings, but Kohli’s mannerisms told a different story. When Iyer and Pant fell, he turned away and put his head down, visibly disappointed with the junior partners. He asked Jadhav to stand in front of the stumps because Cottrell was unlikely to bring a ball back in for the lbw. Cottrell somehow snuck one back in through the gate. Kohli didn’t have West Indies fielders chirping him this time, but he was pumped up just as he was in the chase in the first T20 international.Now was the time for Jadeja, back in the limited-overs set-up because of the batting depth he provides, to repay all the faith. This was the beginning of a partnership between India’s last recognised pair. Kohli was so excited he was probably taking runs that were not on. One such occasion brought West Indies a freakish opportunity, a chance that perhaps wouldn’t even have existed for other teams. Jadeja defended one just off the pitch, Kohli called him for what has become a regulation single these days, but Cottrell, the bowler, unleashed a right footer that surprised everyone and would have sent Kohli back had it not missed by inches.Had Kohli been run out then, India would have needed 73 with four bowlers and Jadeja standing. That West Indies needed such extraordinary efforts to even have a chance against Kohli spoke of the mastery of the charged-up batsman. In the next few overs, Kohli and Jadeja calmly steered India towards safety, getting boundaries without taking risks.Kieron Pollard whips one into the leg side•BCCIThe pivotal moment was the gamble with Khary Pierre, who didn’t need to bowl in the last 10 as the fifth bowler’s quota had been exhausted. Pollard, though, offered him to Jadeja in the 43rd over. Jadeja refused to take the bait, took just one run off the first two balls, but Kohli dissected Pierre’s non-turners with precision. Boundaries through a late-cut and a flick through midwicket brought him the fours to bring the task down to 53 off seven overs.At the start of the 47th over, India needed 30, and Kohli exactly half of those for a century, but he chased a wide length ball and ended up playing on. This was only the fourth time he had been dismissed after the 45th over of a chase. This was only the first time in the last five years that he had crossed 80 in a chase and not converted it into a hundred. The crowd at Barabati Stadium didn’t know these stats, but they knew India had left it for their unfancied bowlers to get 30 runs. There was a loud hush around the stadium.Thakur, though, came out batting in a positive manner. He drove the first ball he faced on the up and got four through extra cover. With 22 required off the last three overs, West Indies went to Cottrell’s last over. He began with a wide, bowled another bouncer too high, and when he got the bouncer right, Thakur obliged with a top edge on the hook. However, he had swung hard enough for the edge to sail over the fence. He followed it up with a flamboyant Ajit Agarkar-like bat swing to a full ball to beat long-on and all but kill the game. Jadeja remained unbeaten on 39 off 31.Nicholas Pooran plays the pull•BCCIHaving come so close, West Indies might have some questions of the approach taken by Evin Lewis at the start of the innings when they were put in. They would have known they would need every single run if they were to perform the improbable task of denying India in a home chase with dew around. Lewis, though, faced 50 balls for 21 runs, his first shot in anger bringing his downfall. In Lewis’ defence, this was probably the time when the ball was not coming onto the bat.Kohli wasn’t satisfied with the wicket of Lewis. Even though Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were keeping the batsmen quiet, he went to his quicks in the middle overs. The return of Mohammed Shami brought the wicket of West Indies’ anchor man Shai Hope. Debutant Navdeep Saini, who was driven first ball for a four, came back to get rid of Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase with pace.At that time, it seemed India were looking at a facile chase, but Pooran and Pollard had other ideas. Pollard hit seven sixes in his 51-ball 74, and Pooran batted beautifully to end up with 89 off 64. Thanks to them, West Indies added 105 in the last eight overs, leaving India stunned and frustrated. Kohli’s displeasure was apparent then, but he ended up with a smile of satisfaction.
Arsenal and sporting director Edu are apparently willing to pay the release clause needed for a star signing, as they also ready a double-your-money salary offer for the player.
Arsenal signings Edu plans to make this summer
It is believed that the Gunners wish to strengthen in a few key areas, perhaps most notably further forward, with a striker and winger thought to be high on Edu and manager Mikel Arteta's agenda.
"Skilful" and "pacy" striker wants to join Arsenal with discount possible
The Gunners could still look to add a new forward.
ByEmilio Galantini Mar 11, 2024
As well as a new number nine and wide player, reports still surround the potential addition of a fresh midfield option. Indeed, Thomas Partey's future at Arsenal appears uncertain, with Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho also out of contract this summer as things stand,
The latter's deal includes an option to extend by another year, but it remains the case that Arsenal are considering a fresh face in the middle of the park.
“I do expect Arsenal to sign a midfielder this summer, but a lot will depend on what happens with the midfielders they currently have,” said reliable journalist Charles Watts to CaughtOffside this week.
“Ideally they would like Jorginho to stay, and then they have to sort out Thomas Partey’s future. Partey still has a year left on his deal and, just like last summer, Arsenal would not stand in his way of leaving should a decent offer arrive for the Ghana international.
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“Should that happen, then they would have to replace him and Martin Zubimendi is a player they believe can play the Partey role. Mikel Arteta knows Zubimendi well and is a big admirer of the Spain international
“Douglas Luiz is a player Arsenal have tracked for a couple of years now, but the price Aston Villa would demand for the Brazilian would make it a difficult one for Arsenal. Everton’s Amadou Onana could be one to watch out for. There were a lot of links with him in January. Again, I was told at the time that there was nothing concrete in that speculation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is someone Arsenal look at when the season ends.”
Arsenal ready double-your-money salary offer for Zubimendi
Zubimendi is a particularly interesting case, and it is believed Edu is prepared to push the boat out to seal a deal for him.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are readying a salary offer of around £115,000-per-week for Zubimendi, which will double the money he's currently earning at Real Sociedad.
On top of this, it is believed they have "no issue" with paying the Spaniard's £51 million release clause, but they want positive signals from his camp fast amid the growing clamour for his services this summer.
Zubimendi has been a key man for Sociedad for the last few seasons, scoring four goals and bagging an assist over 27 La Liga outings this campaign.
Things are finally looking up for West Brom as a seven and a half year spell under Guochuan Lai looks set to finally come to an end.
There appears to be a new man on the block as it was announced last week that Bilkul Football, who are a company owned by Shilen Patel, have agreed to buy an 87.8% stake in the Championship club.
So, with the recent news, we at Football FanCast have decided to compile a fact file on everything about Shilen Patel.
Shilen Patel is a businessman who founded, and became the CEO of, HealthAxis Group, who provides cutting-edge core administrative technology + BPaaS, BPO, staff augmentation, and consulting services based in Florida.
And, it has been claimed that Patel has additional links with MSD Holdings, who are the same investment firm that loaned the Midlands club around £27m, so it'll be interesting to see how that plays out.
Shilen Patel was born in June 1980, and resides in Tampa, Florida.
This makes him 43 years old.
Kiran C. Patel is a Zambian Indian American philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, hotelier and cardiologist.
He's achieved everything you could possibly think of in his fields so far.
Kiran started his career as a cardiologist, starting his own practice in 1985 in Florida. And, things soon started to take off as he opened 14 branches. As well as this, he transformed Well Care HMO, INC. into the 5th largest Medicaid HMO in the United States.
However, that wasn't the only company he gave a makeover, as he started up his own company and acquired two different health care plans. The amazing thing about this is he grew these companies to over 115,000 members and over $1 billion (£795 million) in revenue, which is when he decided to sell them to Anthem in April 2019.
This industry was where he completely built his fortune, and walked away from it with up to $400 million (£318 million).
Shilen Patel has completed the takeover of West Bromwich Albion for around £60 million.
Bilkul Football WBA, LLC, a company owned and run by Shilen and his father Kiran, is now the 87.8% majority shareholder of the Midlands club after acquiring Guochuan Lai's stake, which has been approved by the EFL.
An exchange and completion is expected to take place this week.
It's been reported by Birmingham Mail that Shilen Patel has a net worth just shy of £100 million. The official number stated is around $100 million (£79.5 million), which is a shadow of Kiran Patel's net worth at around $400 million (£318 million).
Patel's net worth comes from his career as an entrepreneur, investor in start-ups around Tampa, and leader in the healthcare IT sector.
He's a smart man, who knows that diversifying his portfolio can only benefit him, which can be seen with his various investments in technology, healthcare, property, finance, food, and now football. He is also a founding Director of Central Bank.
However, nothing can prepare him for the challenges of maintaining and controlling a football team, with fans to keep happy.
Shilen Patel's wife is called Parita.
They're a bit of a power couple when it comes to business. One thing Parita does it take part in philanthropic activities with Shilen, as they both have roles as chairs of the Glazer Children’s Museum’s.
However, it isn't just the businesses and investments that occupy the pair's time, as they have three kids all under the age of 11 to care for.
As well as being the CEO of HealthAxis over in Flordia, Shilen enjoys investing in start-ups in the Tampa Bay area back home. Evidence of this is the fact that he co-founded and chairs the TiE Tampa Bay Angel Fund, which aims to back Florida startups and promote angel investing among local investors. So he's a bit of a local hero in the eyes of some.
However, the hard work doesn't stop there as Shilen also chairs the Creative Entrepreneurship Lab, which is a non-profit initiative, aiming to enhance entrepreneurial activity in the USF area. As well as being a founding director of Central Bank as previously mentioned.
West Bromwich Albion fans certainly won't have a hard time forgetting about Guochuan Lai's time at the Hawthornes.
The Chinese businessman was unveiled as the controlling shareholder back in 2016 after purchasing his stake for around £175 million.
But, there always seemed to be a lack of transparency during his seven and a half years at the club, as there was debt, which still stands now, as well as relegation and a lot of concern from the fan base and those within.
Interestingly, when Lai purchased the club he inherited a £3.7 million loan that the Albion holding company owed to the football club. And, due to interest mounting up due to the debt not being paid, in May 2019, the debt was £4.1 million.
Lai loved an excuse, as he told the club that restrictions on foreign investment from the Chinese government were halting his efforts to pay the £4.1million debt that was owed.
Due to all the messing around, shareholders of the Midlands club succeeded in their attempt for an independent investigation to be launched into the loan, with the club agreeing to fund the investigation.
The thing that really annoyed fans was the release of the club's accounts as it came out that Laid had taken £4.95 million of the club's money and gone and put it into another one of his firms Wisdom Smart Corporation Limited. Bear in mind that the amount owed to the club due to interest had risen to around £5 million by this time.
And, to make matters worse, it was revealed that the Chinese businessman borrowed another £2 million in September 2021 for another one of his companies.
For a club with the history of West Brom, a Premier League place is what's craved. But, under Lai, he seemed to go out of his way to make this seem like a distant dream, certainly over the past few years.
Manchester United have had a relatively quiet January in terms of transfers, with the club failing to bring anyone in, unlike last season.
Erik ten Hag must be content with his current squad amid the return of key players after recovering from injuries.
With a full squad finally available, Red Devils have won their last two games, scoring eight goals in the process, but let's take a look at the next star who could get even more minutes in the first team.
The recent talk about Michael Olise has been regarding a potential move to Man United in the summer, just as much as his outstanding performances. The Crystal Palace winger could become the first signing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's reign in a deal worth less than his £60m release clause.
Nevertheless, the France star has netted six goals and provided three assists this season in just ten games, with an average of 74 minutes per match. The 22-year-old has contributed to a goal in each of his last five games, including a goal and two assists in this week's 3-2 win over Sheffield United.
However, United could already have an Olise-esque player in their academy, which would allow the club to spend their funds elsewhere.
There's no two ways about it: Antony's £86m move from Ajax to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 has been nothing short of a failure, and another piece of evidence to prove United's recruitment strategy is a mess.
Over 68 matches since his arrival, the Brazilian has scored nine goals and registered four assists, which is not up to scratch for a player who has such an expensive price tag. His first goal contributions this season came in last weekend's 4-2 win over Newport County, where he picked up a goal and an assist, but in the Premier League he's blanked in 18 matches.
A player who has overtaken Antony's goal-contribution record in the Premier League despite playing just 16 minutes in the competition is young winger Omari Forson. The 19-year-old linked up with Kobbie Mainoo to secure the last-minute winner in United's recent 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he has shown his quality in the youth teams, as the table below highlights.
|
Forson's 2023/24 Stats |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stats |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Premier League 2 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
UEFA Youth League |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
EFL Trophy |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
FA Cup |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Premier League |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
As you can see by his dominance in the youth teams, it is the right time for him to step up into the first team, especially with Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri leaving the winger options very light.
The youth star is left-footed and he can play across the attack, yet he is at his best on the right due to his ability to use both feet comfortably, unlike Antony, who is frustrating due to his "refusal to use his right foot," as per journalist Mike Keegan.
Forson can also score goals and provide opportunities for others, yet United Academy director Nick Cox has labelled the winger as "exceptional," but in regards to his mentality and resilience rather than his technical abilities, which is even more important at this stage of a player's development.
It won't be long until Forson is given a chance to overtake the underperforming Antony, while also ensuring that United can save millions in the transfer market by removing the need to snap up Olise this summer.
England have completed one of the great comeback victories in Test history after bowling out Ireland for 38 in the fourth innings at Lord’s.Not since 1907, when England defeated South Africa in Leeds despite having made just 76 in their first innings, has a side won a Test having made such a low first-innings score. But despite England being bowled out for 85 before lunch on the first day, a devastating spell of new ball bowling from Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad saw Ireland bowled out in just 15.4 overs to leave England the victors by 143 runs. It is the fifth lowest first-innings total in history to have resulted in a win and the first Test since 1887 in which two sides have each been bowled out in a single session.Ireland had been set just 182 to win after Stuart Thompson struck with the first ball of the morning. But in gloomy conditions, Woakes and Broad bowled with great control and gained sharp movement to dismiss them for the lowest total in the history of Tests on this ground (the previous lowest was 42 made by India against England in 1974) and in the fewest number of deliveries (94).It is the seventh lowest total in Test history and the lowest anywhere since South Africa were bowled out for 36 in Melbourne in 1932. Woakes finished with 6 for 17 – his Test-best figures – in completing the third five-for of his Test career; all three have come at Lord’s.While Ireland looked every inch the equal of England for much of this game, in the defining moments the extra experience and quality showed. And sensing Ireland’s nervousness in gloomy conditions, Broad and Woakes seemed to raise their game in a manner they struggled to achieve in the first innings. Supported by some fine catching in the cordon, England will know the final margin of victory – and the fact that it was achieved in just seven sessions – does not fully reflect the competitive nature of the entire match.The day had started well for Ireland. Stuart Thompson bowled Olly Stone with the first ball of the day – one that nipped back sharply down the slope to send the leg-stump cartwheeling – to end the England innings and dismiss them for 303.But perhaps that degree of movement boded ill for Ireland. Play was first delayed and then interrupted by rain and, with the floodlights on and the conditions murky, it was pretty much ideal for England’s seamers. And in such conditions and with this Duke’s ball, they are a tough proposition.While Ireland would have hoped for a steady start to settle nerves in a dressing room hunting a first win in Test cricket, they lost their captain, William Porterfield, in just the fourth over. Forced to play at one angled across him, Porterfield edged a low chance which was brilliantly taken, one handed and diving to his left, by Jonny Bairstow. Andrew Balbirnie, perhaps unsettled by Broad’s pace and hostility, was drawn into poking at one he could have left – Joe Root took the chance at first slip – before Paul Stirling, set up by one that lifted and left him, was bowled next ball by one that came into him up the slope; a fine piece of bowling from Woakes.From there things became really ugly for Ireland. They lost three wickets with their score on 24 – James McCollom edging a well-directed outswinger; Gary Wilson leg before to one that came up the slope – a decision won by reviewing the umpire’s original not out call – and Kevin O’Brien was trapped in front by one that nipped back sharply to strike him on the pad.While Mark Adair pulled a six off Broad, the bowler immediately had his revenge as he beat a lavish drive with a fuller delivery, Thompson steered one to slip and Andy McBrine poked at one that left him. By the time Tim Murtagh, unfortunate to be on the losing side after claiming 5 for 13 on the first morning, was bowled Ireland were reeling. England had not successfully defended such a low target in a Test this century.England will know they will have to improve their performance substantially if they are to prevail in the Ashes. They collapsed in both innings, after all, and were saved by a most improbable intervention from their nightwatchman, Jack Leach, who was named man of the match for is batting. But they will be encouraged that, under pressure and with the match to be defined, they were able to step up their standards considerably.For Ireland this innings will sting for some time. And perhaps they will rue their first innings, too: at 132-2 they had this game at their mercy. Had they been able to bat into the second day, in far better batting conditions, they could have taken this game beyond England. But perhaps they, too, can take encouragement from the fact that they – in their third Test – were right in the game for the first three innings against a side playing their 1,011th Test. Give more opportunity, given more experience they will take these opportunities.Either way, for the second time in as many weeks, this old ground has served up a wonderfully dramatic, impossibly entertaining and absurdly unlikely match. A reminder, surely, that whatever the format, cricket’s charms remain undimmed.
Before battling it out for this year's Women's Champions League title, finalists Barcelona and Lyon are unsurprisingly well-represented in GOAL's XI
Barcelona and Lyon will battle it out for the Women's Champions League title on Saturday in Bilbao in a match that all-but signals the end of the season for most of the women's leagues in Europe, as attention prepares to turn to international breaks and the Olympic Games.
It's been a campaign all about defending titles, with Barca, Lyon, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Roma retaining their league crowns in the continent's biggest leagues, and the Catalans will certainly hope that remains the theme on the continent as they set out for back-to-back titles, albeit against an opponent that has beaten them in their two previous meetings in the final.
Before that huge fixture takes place this weekend, though, it's a chance to reflect on the season that has been and its star performers. So, without further ado, here is GOAL's European Women's Team of the Season…
The Spanish full-back and German midfielder were among the top performers in the decisive clash at Wembley Stadium
Real Madrid did it again! The Spanish club won an incredible 15th Champions League title by beating Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. After Dani Carvajal opened the scoring in the second half, Vinicius Junior produced a fine finish to wrap up the game and deliver the trophy.
It was the end of a long journey for both Madrid and Dortmund, who overcame some of Europe's top teams to reach the final in London. While the German team impressed for large spells of the final showdown, Madrid showed they truly are the kings of the competition with their second half performance.
Carlo Ancelotti's team secured their sixth European crown in the last 11 seasons and, with the help of the FedEx Performance Zone, GOAL takes a look at the stars who stood out in the final game of the competition.
Getty ImagesDani Carvajal | Real Madrid | 117 points
Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal was a pivotal figure in overpowering of their German opponents.
Not only did the Spain international head in the opening goal – meeting a Toni Kroos corner in the Dortmund box – he impressed all over the field.
Carvajal was a danger at corners even before he nodded past Gregor Kobel in the 74th minute and proved effective at the other end, too, by making an important clearance.
AdvertisementGettyToni Kroos | Real Madrid | 93 points
What a way to bow out! German midfielder Toni Kroos waved goodbye to club football on Saturday and he left the stage a European champion.
His sixth Champions League final success will have a sweeter taste than the others after a lovely performance in the last game of his career at club level.
The 34-year-old oozed class from the middle of the field with his excellent passing, carving out chances all through the game before he whipped in a dangerous corner for Carvajal to knock in the first goal of the game.
GettyMats Hummels | Dortmund | 54 points
His team may have lost out in the end, but Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels was an impressive figure at the back throughout.
He was awesome all the way through the competition and he maintained that reliability at Wembley, too.
He made plenty of important tackles to keep Madrid out, completed some massive clearances, won two headers and even had two shots at goal. Sadly for the Germany star, it wasn't enough.
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Getty ImagesNico Schlotterbeck | Dortmund | 54 points
Standing alongside Hummels in the heart of the Dortmund defence was Nico Schlotterbeck.
The 24-year-old centre-back dug in with tackles, was solid in the air and was always there to sweep up when Madrid looked like breaking through.
The German defender might have another crack at the European crown in his future considering how solid he looked on their journey to the final.