Power Rankings: Barcelona reclaim top spot as Man City slip; Liverpool climb

Alejandro Moreno examines Barcelona's reliance on Lionel Messi after he scored his 50th career hat trick in a win at Sevilla. After another dominant first-half performance against Barcelona, the FC crew attribute Real Madrid's defeat to poor finishing and defensive lapses. The Lionel Messi show, followed by an emphatic Clasico win, sees Barca back at No. 1. Elsewhere, the Premier League leaders move up. (function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk')); Dropping out: Tottenham. Agree? Disagree? Let us know, and watch Shaka defend his picks on ESPN FC TV.

Real Madrid have to learn Barcelona lessons from Copa defeat ... and fast

Having ended Real Madrid's chances of winning the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, and improved their own chances of claiming a third Treble, Barcelona now have an opportunity to definitively erase their rivals from the title race and create all-time Clasico history too. The greatest fixture in the history of club football is 90 years old this month -- for the record, it's tied at 95 league wins each -- but in all those years neither side has gone to the other's stadium twice in three days, let alone...

Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his best, Luis Suarez at the double as Barca reach sixth straight Copa final

MADRID -- Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey final for the sixth season in a row. Suarez opened the scoring in the 50th minute, firing home inside the area after good work from Jordi Alba and Ousmane Dembele. Barca doubled their lead when Raphael Varane turned Dembele's cross into his own net and Suarez put the gloss on the win from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Casemiro. Positives Barca's love...

If Real Madrid are aggressive against Barca in back-to-back Clasicos, they can ruin their rivals' season

If Santi Solari has any sense, this should be the message he'll give his players just before they stride out to try to beat Barcelona in a Bernabeu Liga, Copa del Rey or Champions League Clasico for just the third time in a decade: "Go for the throat right from the start!" Across those 10 seasons, Barcelona have gone to the heart of their historic enemies' citadel and won nine times, drawing twice. It's the most remarkable decade in the 90 years of their rivalry. But for Madrid to buck that trend,...

Messi on top of Player Power Rankings ahead of Sancho, Mbappe

Alejandro Moreno examines Barcelona's reliance on Lionel Messi after he scored his 50th career hat trick in a win at Sevilla. From another Lionel Messi masterpiece to a dramatic and bizarre Carabao Cup final, here's how Europe's top clubs fared at the weekend. When you directly contribute to all of your team's goals, against a team with Champions League aspirations, you have a chance at topping Player Power Rankings. Our global editors pick their top 10 performers from the weekend. (function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk')); Also receiving votes: Christopher Nkunku (Paris Saint-Germain), Ederson (Manchester City), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Arsenal), Troy Deeney (Watford), Remi Oudin (Stade Reims), Chiquinho (Moreirense). Let us know what you think of the countdown...

Messi 10/10 as Barcelona brush Sevilla aside to extend La Liga lead

Lionel Messi stole the show as Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga. Lionel Messi scored his 50th career hat-trick as Barcelona twice came from behind to beat Sevilla 4-2 at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday. Jesus Navas gave Sevilla an early lead but Messi levelled things up with a brilliant volley. The hosts moved back ahead before the break through Gabriel Mercado before Barca, led by Messi, improved in the second half. The Argentine curled home an Ousmane Dembele pass with his right foot to equalise for the second time. He then stole the three points late on with...

LIVE Transfer Talk: Barcelona eye Marcus Rashford move; Arsenal to swoop for Nicolas Pepe

The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world's media and set correspondents loose to see what's on the agenda for the summer. TOP STORY: Barca about to make a Rash choice? The words "Marcus Rashford" and "Barcelona" have appeared together in a few articles since the end of January and the rumour that the Spanish giants might splash to cash to bring the...

Transfer Talk: Barcelona to make a move for Marcus Rashford? Arsenal to swoop for Nicolas Pepe?

The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world's media and set correspondents loose to see what's on the agenda for the summer. Top story: Barca about to make a Rash choice? The words "Marcus Rashford" and "Barcelona" have appeared together in a few articles since the end of January and the rumour that the Spanish giants might splash to cash to bring the England...

Power Rankings: Man City stay top; PSG, Barca climb; Juve plummet

ESPN FC's Craig Burley believes Manchester City showed another facet of their game by coming from behind in a gritty contest against Schalke. Manchester City's quest for the quadruple continues on Sunday at Wembley as Pep Guardiola's side take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final. There is no change at the top, but there has been movement aplenty below Pep Guardiola's side. Plus, there's a new entry from the Turkish leaders. (function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk')); Dropping out:  Agree? Disagree? Let us know, and watch Shaka defend his picks on ESPN FC TV.

Transfer Talk: Manchester United to raid Barcelona for Luis Suarez?

The crew debate on whether Manchester United interim manger Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done enough to win the job, or if Mauricio Pochettino will be next in command. The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world's media and set correspondents loose to see what's on the agenda for the summer. United in shock move for Suarez? No, it's not April 1: Manchester United are being linked with a move to sign Luis Suarez from Barcelona, according to reports from Diario Gol (via the Manchester Evening News). Transfers How a transfer works With help from former Tottenham and Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli, we show you a step-by-step guide to a transfer. What's a medical like? Can a 44-year-old man cut it in the Premier League? Our writer suffers -- and suffers some more -- through a medical at Everton. Watch live games, ESPN FC TV and MLS Rewind on ESPN+ in the U.S. LIVE: Latest from Transfer Talk FC Exclusives - Real, United tracking 'new Ronaldo' - Bayern, Juve eye Henderson - United open talks with Rashford - Tottenham to move for £30m Soler The former Liverpool...

Luis Suarez's 4/10 performance hinders Barcelona in goalless draw at Lyon

Luis Suarez wasted Barcelona's best chance in a frustrating 0-0 draw at Lyon. LYON, France -- Barcelona wasted a string of chances as they were held to a goalless draw at Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on Tuesday. Luis Suarez missed their best chance in the second half after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had made two brilliant saves to keep the home side out at the other end. The two teams will meet again in the second leg at Camp Nou next month with a place in the quarterfinals up for grabs. Positives Barcelona wanted to win this game -- or...

Marcelo lurches from one disaster to another while Diego Simeone's renewal doesn't sit well

It's been a week of new beginnings in La Liga or at least, a week of new opportunities. One was merited, one is doubtful and one disastrous. The three characters on stage are Ernesto Valverde, Diego Simeone and Marcelo, so let's start with the disastrous and build from there. Even though it's the decision that, in all probability, cut the legs off Madrid's title chase, Santi Solari was well within his rights to think that Sunday's match against Girona was an acceptable opportunity to sharpen...

Gerard Pique, Carles Alena the standouts as Barcelona hold off Valladolid

Although Barcelona claimed yet another victory, Alejandro Moreno explains how a better team than Real Valladolid can give them big problems ahead. BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi scored one penalty and missed a second as Barcelona beat Real Valladolid 1-0 at Camp Nou on Saturday. Messi scored the only goal of the game just before half-time, firing home from 12 yards after Gerard Pique was fouled by Michel. Barca had the chance to add a second goal late on after Philippe Coutinho drew another penalty but Messi saw his spot kick saved by former teammate Jordi Masip. Positives After three draws in a row -- two in the league and one in the...

Power Rankings: Man City stay on top as Juve, PSG climb, Barcelona fall

Shaka Hislop reveals his latest power rankings which see Manchester City keep hold of the top spot and Manchester United drop out. Craig Burley breaks down how Manchester City were able to stretch N'Golo Kane, Ross Barkley and Jorghino, allowing their star play makers to run rampant. Manchester City remained on top of the heap after torching Chelsea, while Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain climbed up this week's edition of Shaka Hislop's Power Rankings. (function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk')); Dropping out: PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United Agree? Disagree? Let us know, and watch Shaka defend his picks on ESPN FC TV.

ESPN FC writers' Champions League round-of-16 predictions

France legend Frank Leboeuf joins ESPN FC to talk the ramifications for PSG should they fail to progress in the Champions League for yet another season. Bayern Munich great Bastian Schweinsteiger throws his support behind Niko Kovac and tells ESPN FC they can get back to the Champions League final this season. Which eight clubs will make it through to the Champions League quarterfinals? Here are our writers' predictions. The line-up is set for the Champions League Round of 16. Gab Marcotti Man United, Roma, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Barcelona, Juventus, Man City Mark Ogden Man United, Roma, Real Madrid, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Man City (function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk')); Graham Hunter Man United, Porto, Real Madrid, Tottenham, Liverpool, Barcelona, Juventus, Man City Raphael Honigstein PSG, Porto, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Barcelona,...

By the numbers: Chelsea suffer biggest defeat since 1991, Sergio Aguero levels with Alan Shearer

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 to climb up to second in La Liga, and are now -- aided by Barcelona's 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao -- just six points off the top. Juventus beat Sassuolo 3-0 -- Cristiano Ronaldo with a goal and an assist -- to go nine points clear of second-placed Napoli. Manchester United continued on their merry way with a 3-0 win at Fulham to climb into the top 4 for the first time since the opening day of the Premier League season, while Liverpool eased the pressure threatening...

Barcelona saved by 9/10 Ter Stegen in Bilbao as Suarez struggles

Barcelona were held scoreless in Bilbao, but still lead second-place Real Madrid by six points atop the La Liga table. Barcelona dropped points for the second league game in a row when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. The Liga leaders were second best for large parts of the game at San Mames but left with a point thanks to two stunning saves from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who denied Markel Susaeta and Inaki Williams. The hosts finished the game with 10 men after Oscar de Marcos was sent off in second-half stoppage time. Barca remain top of the league by six points, but Real Madrid are their...

LIVE Transfer Talk: Man United, Chelsea circling for Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho

The FC panel speculate if the pressure has gotten to Philippe Coutinho, or if he can recover the confidence needed to make an impact at Barcelona. ESPN FC's Alejandro Moreno delves into the marked differences he sees in Philippe Coutinho since he left Liverpool and joined Barcelona. The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world's media and set correspondents loose to see what's on the agenda for the summer. TOP STORY: Coutinho to return to England? Philippe Coutinho's teammates have been rallying around the "sad" Brazilian star, but speculation continues to grow about his long-term future. Sport is reporting that Coutinho's teammates...

Transfer Talk: Man United, Chelsea circling for Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho

The FC panel speculate if the pressure has gotten to Philippe Coutinho, or if he can recover the confidence needed to make an impact at Barcelona. ESPN FC's Alejandro Moreno delves into the marked differences he sees in Philippe Coutinho since he left Liverpool and joined Barcelona. The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world's media and set correspondents loose to see what's on the agenda for the summer. TOP STORY: Coutinho to return to England? Philippe Coutinho's teammates have been rallying around the "sad" Brazilian star, but speculation continues to grow about his long-term future. Sport is reporting that Coutinho's teammates...

Power Rankings: Man City rocket to the top, leapfrogging Barca and free-falling PSG

With Manchester City and Liverpool both having key fixtures in the coming weeks, the FC crew wonder who can avoid fatigue to get job done. Manchester City have made a six-place jump to the top of Shaka Hislop's Power Rankings, while PSG have taken a dramatic fall down the order. (function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk')); Dropping out: Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Porto Agree? Disagree? Let us know, and watch Shaka defend his picks on ESPN FC TV.

Barcelona, Real Madrid Clasico draw shows Copa del Rey not a priority

Alejandro Moreno says Real Madrid may live to regret not capitalising on numerous chances against Barcelona when Lionel Messi was on the bench. The FC panel speculate if the pressure has gotten to Philippe Coutinho, or if he can recover the confidence needed to make an impact at Barcelona. It's a testimony to how times have changed, not only in football but in the Clasico, that Barcelona will be more than content with a 1-1 draw at home against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal. Right now it's not important while reading this column whether Los Blancos or the Cup holders go on to win this trophy. Albeit that will seem a matter of life and death, state and anarchy, when the result comes at the end of this month. What's a fact is that this was a clear litmus...

Transfer Talk: Chelsea eye Coutinho if Hazard leaves for Real Madrid

The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world's media and set correspondents loose to see what's on the agenda for the summer. TOP STORY: Chelsea brace for Hazard exit Eden Hazard's on-off departure from West London could be about to reach its apparently inevitable conclusion. The Telegraph reports that the Belgian is ready to tell Chelsea that his...

Malcom, Gerard Pique stand tall but Barcelona draw first leg vs. rivals Real Madrid

Alejandro Moreno says Real Madrid may live to regret not capitalising on numerous chances against Barcelona when Lionel Messi was on the bench. BARCELONA, Spain -- BARCELONA, Spain -- Malcom's second-half goal salvaged a draw for Barcelona against Real Madrid and kept this Copa del Rey semifinal wide open heading into the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu later this month. Lucas Vazquez gave Madrid a sixth-minute lead at Camp Nou to silence the home supporters after good work from Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema. Barca eventually grew into the game and equalised in the second half when Malcom, who started ahead of the half-fit Lionel...

Footballers' goal celebrations caught in mid-air are a thing of beauty

Gonzalo Higuain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marcus Rashford -- three high-flying Premier League strikers. Gonzalo Higuain and Marcus Rashford both marked scoring in the Premier League this weekend with some serious elevation by leaping as high as they could go. The Chelsea and Manchester United strikers kept up a long tradition of leaping celebrations that are spectacularly caught on camera by match photographers. In reverential tribute to that singular thrill of seeing still images of footballers suspended in that glorious moment in time, here is a whole gallery full of them, accompanied by a suitable...

Footballers caught in mid-air as they celebrate goals is a sight to behold

Gonzalo Higuain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marcus Rashford -- three high-flying Premier League strikers. Gonzalo Higuain and Marcus Rashford both marked scoring in the Premier League this weekend with some serious elevation by leaping as high as they could go. The Chelsea and Manchester United strikers kept up a long tradition of leaping celebrations that are spectacularly caught on camera by match photographers. In reverential tribute to that singular thrill of seeing still images of footballers suspended in that glorious moment in time, here is a whole gallery full of them, accompanied by a suitable...

LIVE Transfer Talk: Chelsea eye Coutinho if Hazard leaves for Real Madrid

The FC crew assess how Maurizio Sarri's comments towards Eden Hazard may have played a role in the Chelsea star's cryptic message about his future in London. Is Eden Hazard trying to engineer a move to Real Madrid and become the next Galactico? ESPN FC's Alejandro Moreno delves into the marked differences he sees in Philippe Coutinho since he left Liverpool and joined Barcelona. The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world's media and set correspondents loose to see what's on the agenda for the summer. TOP STORY: Chelsea brace for Hazard exit Eden Hazard's on-off departure from West London could be about to reach its apparently inevitable conclusion. The Telegraph reports that the Belgian is ready to tell Chelsea that his...

Valverde and Solari, producing diamonds under pressure of Barca and Madrid, are brothers in arms

In many ways Ernesto Valverde and Santi Solari -- vastly different as men, footballers, in ages, nationalities and experience levels -- are as alike as peas in a pod right now. At Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, the amount of actual coaching they need to do is in directly inverse proportion to the amount of man management, problem solving and team-spirit building. As the two men prepare to face each other in a Clasico for a first time, try to analyse and outguess what their rival will...

Guardiola's gamble pays off, Barca's Messi dependency, Juve's implosion, more

Part of the luxury of being Pep Guardiola is, evidently, confidence of the sort that lets you take risks that others might not. On Tuesday, his Manchester City side lost at St James' Park against a Newcastle team that had previously won just three of 12 home Premier League games. In those circumstances, page 17 of the "Proper Football Man's Coaching Manual" tells you to play it safe and get back to basics in your next game which, incidentally, was by no means a gimme. Arsenal may be rebuilding,...

By the numbers: Ronaldo tops Serie A charts, Messi best in Europe

Manchester City dismantled Arsenal 3-1 to go within two points of leaders Liverpool (who play West Ham later tonight) while Manchester United continued their run under new management with a squeaky 1-0 win over Leicester City. In Turin, Cristiano Ronaldo's brace wasn't enough as Juventus squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Parma, and across the Mediterranean, a Lionel Messi brace found Barcelona coming back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 against Valencia. Oh, and Lyon stunned PSG 2-1 at home,...

Messi an 8/10 as brace leads Barcelona comeback in draw vs. Valencia

Lionel Messi's brace brought Barcelona back from two goals down to salvage a draw vs. Valencia. BARCELONA, Spain -- Two Lionel Messi goals helped Barcelona come from behind to draw 2-2 against Valencia at Camp Nou on Sunday in La Liga. Kevin Gameiro and a Dani Parejo penalty helped Valencia take a two-goal lead before half-time against the league leaders. Messi pulled one back before the break from the penalty spot, though, and then earned Barca a point in the second half with a fine finish from the edge of the box. Postives Barca reacted well to going two goals down. Led by Messi, they...

Pique's dress sense mocked by Barcelona teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng

He may have only been at Barcelona a week or two, but Kevin-Prince Boateng has already settled in at Camp Nou. So much so that the journeyman midfielder -- whose 10 previous clubs include Tottenham, Dortmund and AC Milan but more recently Las Palmas, Eintracht Frankfurt and Sassuolo -- feels comfortable mocking his new teammates' fashion choices on social media. Boateng, who recently sealed a shock loan move to the defending champions of La Liga, shared a photo on Instagram of himself and Gerard...