LIVERPOOL MAY HAVE ALREADY FOUND THEIR MOHAMED SALAH REPLACEMENT

There is a standout candidate being tipped to replace the Egyptian King

GOODBYE: MOHAMMED SALAH
REUTERS

Liverpool may have already found their replacement for Mohammed Salah.

The Egyptian star announced on Tuesday that this season will be his last for the Reds, calling time on a trophy-laden nine-year spell on Merseyside.

Salah will hope to add to his bursting trophy cabinet during his final months at the club, having already picked up two Premier League winners' medals and lifted the Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

It has been reported that talks between Liverpool and Salah over a summer exit have been ongoing for months, with the idea of cutting his contract short first discussed in December.

Salah signed a new two-year deal last summer, but has forfeited the final 12 months - valued at around £20million - to be allowed to leave Anfield on a free transfer.

It has allowed Liverpool to begin casting their eye over potential replacements, and one name is ringing louder than others.

Yan Diomande is the favourite with the bookmakers to be Salah's replacement at Anfield.

The RB Leipzig star has been attracting interest from Europe's top clubs after a stellar first season in the Bundesliga, which has seen him rise to prominence after making his breakthrough with Leganes in La Liga.

Premier League pair Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen are joint-second in the market, followed closely by Tottenham duo Dejan Kulusevski and Mohamed Kudus, and Brighton's Yankuba Minteh.

The cheapest option may prove to be Harry Wilson, who left Liverpool to join Fulham and is currently set to be a free agent in the summer. Much like Salah, Christian Pulisic left Chelsea to prove his worth elsewhere and is now an attractive option at AC Milan.

Perhaps more eye-catching options include Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, both of Paris Saint-Germain, while Rodrygo has regularly been tipped to leave Real Madrid.

Mohamed Salah replacement odds

Yan Diomande: 3/1

Anthony Gordon: 4/1

Jarrod Bowen: 4/1

Dejan Kulusevski: 5/1

Mohamed Kudus: 5/1

Harry Wilson: 5/1

Yankuba Minteh: 5/1

Christian Pulisic: 7/1

Rodrygo: 8/1

Kenan Yildiz: 8/1

Michael Olise: 10/1

Desire Doue: 12/1

Bradley Barcola: 12/1

(Odds via BettingLounge, subject to change.)

- ALEX YOUNG

AC MILAN 1-1 FEYENOORD [1-2 ON AGG]: HERNANDÉZ SEES RED AS FEYENOORD PULLS OF UPSET

by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Feyenoord pulled off a dramatic upset at the San Siro, holding AC Milan to a 1-1 draw and advancing to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Feyenoord entered the second leg with a 1-0 aggregate lead but Milan’s winter signing Santiago Giménez, who joined from Feyenoord for €35 million, levelled the tie within a minute against his former club.

Just a few minutes into the second half, Theo Hernández was sent off after a second yellow for diving. Julián Carranza’s second-half header proved decisive, capitalising on Feyenoord’s numerical advantage. Despite dominating the first half, the Rossoneri were left to rue missed chances as Feyenoord’s makeshift squad, hit by injuries and suspensions, sealed their place in the knockouts.

As it happened

Milan made a dream start, drawing level on aggregate in the 1st minute. A well-worked short corner routine saw Christian Pulisic whip in a cross to the back post, where Malick Thiaw nodded it across goal for former Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez to tap home from close range. The San Siro erupted – though the Mexican striker refrained from celebrating his goal out of respect for his old team. The hosts dominated possession and created a flurry of chances, with Tijjani Reijnders and João Félix both testing Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. 

However, Milan’s momentum took a dramatic hit in the 51st minute when Hernández received a second yellow card for simulation in the box. Referee Szymon Marciniak wasted no time brandishing the red, reducing Milan to 10 men with almost an entire half remaining. 

Feyenoord grew into the game as Milan sat deeper, and their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute. Hugo Bueno delivered an exquisite cross from the left flank, finding Carranza unmarked inside the six-yard box. The Argentine striker rose high to power a header past Mike Maignan and put the visitors ahead on aggregate.

Milan threw everything forward in the final minutes, but Feyenoord’s defence held firm. Rafael Leão’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time, earning him a yellow card in a post-match fracas that also saw Givairo Read sent off for the visitors. 

Sergio Conceição’s Milan controlled large spells of the game but ultimately paid the price for wasteful finishing and poor discipline. Meanwhile, Feyenoord’s remarkable European journey continues with their first round of 16 appearance since 1974/75. They now await their last-16 tie, which will take place on March 5th and 12th, with either Arsenal or Inter Milan as potential challengers. A daunting challenge lies ahead, but Feyenoord will take confidence from their ability to grind out results under pressure.

The lineups

ACM: Maignan; Walker, Pavlović, Thiaw, Hernández; Musah, Reijnders; Pulisic, Félix, Leão; Giménez.

FEY: Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Moder, Milambo, Bueno; Paixão, Redmond, Hadj-Moussa.

- Xiao Wei

LIVERPOOL'S SET PIECES STREER SLOT & CO. TO WIN IN MILAN

Szoboszlai's second-half goal capped a good evening for Liverpool, who rallied from an early deficit to beat Milan in their Champions League opener. Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images

MILAN, Italy -- Liverpool cruised to a 3-1 Champions League win against AC Milan in their opening game of the new expanded competition, but Arne Slot's team had to fight back from conceding a third-minute Christian Pulisic stunner to seal victory in San Siro.

With seven-time European champions Milan facing six-time winners Liverpool, it was the perfect glamour clash for UEFA to launch their new-look league phase of the competition. Although Pulisic's goal gave Liverpool an early scare and offered Milan hope of a surprise win, the reality turned out to be different with Liverpool making easy work of the home side.

Mohamed Salah struck the crossbar twice before defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk both scored headers from set pieces to give Liverpool a 2-1 half-time lead. A Dominik Szoboszlai goal on 67 minutes made the game safe for Liverpool, but their win was never in doubt after they had cancelled out Pulisic's opener. -- Mark Ogden

Liverpool's set piece threat evident under Slot

It is still early days for Slot at Liverpool, but his team's first two goals against Milan showed a subtle change in approach under the former Feyenoord coach from his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp's Liverpool were all about the goals of his attacking players and midfielders rather than relying too heavily on the training ground work of converting set pieces. But goalscoring headers from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk in the first-half highlighted Slot's readiness to take advantage of the physical attributes of his defenders, who are both well over 6 feet tall.

First, Konate powerfully headed Trent Alexander-Arnold's free kick past flailing keeper Mike Maignan from inside the six-yard box, before Van Dijk did the same from a Kostas Tsimikas corner. Both goals were simple and direct, further proof of Slot's work with this team.

Arne Slot's side masterfully exploited set pieces to seize control of Tuesday's game in Milan. Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

It also bears noting that as impressive as Liverpool were in their execution, Milan were abject when it came to defending. Centre-halves Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic were far too passive in dealing with both deliveries, and Konate and Van Dijk will not have easier chances all season. Their aerial threat is without question and Liverpool will score more goals from set pieces by exploiting these strengths this season. -- Ogden

"Captain America" starts brightly before Milan fade

Christian Pulisic's night could not have gotten off to a better start. A lay-off from Álvaro Morata, a no-show of defense from Tsimikas and there he was, scything down the right flank and smacking a diagonal finish past Alisson, avoiding the recovery challenge of a desperate Alexis Mac Allister.

However, things went downhill from there, partly because Milan failed to get him the ball, and partly because, with Liverpool on the front foot, Pulisic found himself spending a lot of time tracking back to help Davide Calabria cope with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota on the left side of Liverpool's attack.

Pulisic's third-minute goal had things neatly poised for a fairytale Milan night at the San Siro, except Liverpool's rally rendered it a frustrating footnote. Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images

Pulisic's chemistry with Morata is also something that coach Paulo Fonseca will want to work on. Opening goal aside, the U.S. and Spain internationals failed to connect, especially when Morata dropped deep from his central striker position. Off the ball, he was his usual industrious self, but more menace toward Alisson's goal would have been welcomed. -- Gab Marcotti

Alexander-Arnold, Leão show their good and bad sides

The head-to-head encounter between AC Milan forward Rafael Leão and Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold perfectly summed up the strengths and weaknesses of two of the most talented but infuriating players in the game.

Leão's performance was more straightforward in that he produced only glimpses of his best for Paulo Fonseca's team. The Portugual international has pace and trickery -- enough to beat any defender on his day -- but there was no final product against Liverpool. On one first-half occasion, Leão ran 40 yards with the ball to excite the crowd, but rather than spot the unmarked runners either side of him, he ran into trouble and lost possession. It summed up his night until a rare flash of his talent when he hit the post in the 96th minute.

Alexander-Arnold had more good contributions than bad, but there is no question that he remains a problem defensively. On more than one occasion, centre-half Konate had to urge his teammate to get back into position after he had wandered into midfield or stayed forward after an attacking move. Had Leão been more aware of his surroundings, he would have targeted the gaps left by Alexander-Arnold and hurt Liverpool, but it didn't happen.

The England star also wasted possession too often, but he did create Liverpool's opening goal for Konate with his famed set piece delivery from a free kick.

It is the same as ever with Alexander-Arnold. He's great at what he's good at, but his weaknesses can be bad and ugly for Liverpool. -- Ogden

Maignan injury could hurt Milan in the long term

The sight of "Magic" Mike Maignan pounding the turf in frustration after picking up an injury in a collision with Fikayo Tomori early in the second half was rough for Milanisti to take, maybe even more than the defeat.

The French goalkeeper, who on three occasions had asked for treatment in the first half, was in visible pain as he exited the pitch. At best, he's a doubt for the Milan derby this weekend; at worst, we're talking a longer stay on the sidelines.

It's worth noting that he had been nursing an issue with his calf in recent days, but assured the team he was ready to play. Had Sportiello, who injured himself in preseason and is likely out until January, been fit, he may well have started. As it turned out, Maignan's fitness probably didn't help on either of Liverpool's set piece goals.

Maignan was in need of medical attention several times in the first half before finally being replaced early in the second. How long he's out could determine Milan's fortunes this season. Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Images via Getty Images

To make matters worse, his back-up, former Atalanta keeper Marco Sportiello, is currently injured, which explains why Fonseca had to turn to 19-year-old Lorenzo Torriani -- who had never before played a single minute of first-team football -- to replace Maignan. In fact, Torriani was only the third-choice keeper last year ... for Milan's under-21 side.

Talk about being thrown in at the deep end.

There wasn't much Torriani could do for the Szoboszlai goal, and he certainly looked confident on the pitch. He wasn't afraid to play out from the back like Maignan likes to do and, on one occasion, he raced out of his penalty box to boot away a long ball over the top. All in all, it wasn't a bad debut, but probably best for Milan if they don't need to see him again for a while. -- Marcotti

Why the subdued crowd?

On Saturday, 71,273 supporters -- a near sell-out -- filled San Siro to watch Milan take on newly-promoted Venezia in a Serie A match as the hosts romped to a 4-0 win. Four days later, just 59,826 showed up for the visit of six-time European champion Liverpool in the Rossoneri's opening game of the revamped UEFA Champions League.

How do you explain the missing 11,000-plus fans? It's obviously not the prestige of the occasion or the opponent; instead, a clue might be in the prices charged.

The cheapest available tickets cost €74 ($82) with the least expensive in the lower tier going for €124 ($138). By contrast, Liverpool's most expensive regular adult seats clock in at £61 ($80). This led to pushback from fans on social media and, predictably, several swathes of empty seats on Tuesday night.

The Champions League is obviously a cash cow for clubs in terms of gate receipts, but obviously, you have to ensure you get those backsides into the seats. -- Marcotti

Milan too meek for Zlatan's liking

They waited, as they usually do, until deep in injury time and then let them have it.

Milan's players lined up in front of the Curva Sud, ostensibly to thank the club's black-clad hardcore Ultras fans for their support, but really to let them vent. And vent they did, singing "Let's see some b---s!" and "We're sick of this!"

Obviously, no fan is going to be happy with a 3-1 home defeat on the opening day of the new Champions League, but the manner spoke to a more complex issue engulfing the club: the idea that coach Paulo Fonseca is too much of a nice guy, that some players are soft and that there's a need for a hard man -- a "football man" -- to bring discipline.

That man, of course, is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is on the board of RedBird, the club's owners. Nobody doubts that he's a tough guy and a winner and his arrival in the summer was hailed as a coup. Finally, a former player upstairs who could command everyone's respect and be a conduit between dressing room, coach, front office and ownership.

Ibrahimovic had been away ("personal reasons," he said) prior to this match and before kickoff, he went straight into Zlatan mode. Referring to his absence, he said: "When the lion goes away, the cats come out. When the the lion returns, the cats disappear." He then added: "What's my role? It's simple. Plenty of people talk, but I'm in charge. I am the boss and everybody works for me."

If that's the case, he's got his work cut out for him, because Milan have won just one of their first five games this season in all competitions. Time will tell whether he's the butt-kicking boss who gets everyone onside or whether he's more like that old "Saturday Night Live" skit. -- Marcotti

- Mark Ogden & Gab Marcotti

CHRISTIAN PULSIC SCORES AS AC MILAN BEAT BARCELONA IN SHOOTOUT

AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic celebrates scoring the second goal against FC Barcelona during an exhibition match at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kim Hairston/staff)

AC Milan beat Barcelona in a shootout at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday night as the two teams prepare for their upcoming club seasons, which are only weeks away.

Robert Lewandowski scored twice to cancel out a goal and an assist by Christian Pulisic as Barca and Milan finished regular time tied at 2-2 before heading to a shootout.

Pulisic set up Luka Jovic early in the first half before scoring one of his own, clipping a clever shot from a tight angle past Barca keeper Marc-André ter Stegen to double Milan's lead.

After conceding twice, Lewandowski pulled a goal back for Barca before half-time after a defensive mistake by Milan left him free at the top of the area to curl a nice shot around Lorenzo Torriani to make it 2-1.

Barcelona drew level before the hour mark with Lewandowski scoring his second, this time shooting into a wide-open net after Pau Victor dinked a delicate cross right into his path in front of goal.

With Milan leading the shootout 4-3, Torriani saved Barca's sixth attempt of the evening to seal the preseason win for Milan.

The match wraps up the teams respective tours of the U.S., with Milan's preseason over ahead of their Aug. 17 start to Serie A against Torino. Barca, meanwhile, will play AS Monaco in the Trofeo Joan Gamper on Aug. 12 in Spain before a road game versus Valencia to begin the 2024-25 LaLiga season under new manager Hansi Flick.

Game Information

M&T Bank Stadium

2:30 AM, August 7, 2024

Coverage: ESPN+

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Over/Under: 3.5

Referees: Victor Rivas

PANAMA SCORE LATE GOAL TO STUN 10-MAN US AT COPA

USA TODAY Sports 

 Panama pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over the United States in a heated Group C encounter at the Copa America on Thursday after the hosts were reduced to 10 men following Tim Weah's red card in the 18th minute.

Jose Fajardo netted the winner in the 83rd minute for Panama, who had Adalberto Carrasquilla dismissed five minutes later for a crunching challenge on Christian Pulisic.

The U.S. are second in the group, level with Panama on three points but with a better goal difference. The hosts must at least match Panama's result in the final group game to advance to the knockout rounds.

The U.S. play Uruguay while Panama face Bolivia on Monday.

"Emotional rollercoaster, but that's soccer at the end of the day," U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams said.

"We know what we signed up for and playing in Copa America we knew it was going to be a fight. Credit to Panama. They did their job. They got the result."

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said his team had executed the game plan perfectly.

"I'm very happy, in particular for the team, tactically and psychologically," he added.

"I try to make the best decisions by being calm, level-minded. And of course, everyone that went in contributed what we expected from them, and now we have a victory such as this one."

USA TODAY Sports 

It was a costly night all round for the hosts, with goalkeeper Matt Turner being substituted at halftime with a leg injury after a collision with Panama defender Cesar Blackman in the 12th minute.

Weah was sent off after a video review showed he had shoved Roderick Miller in the back of the head off the ball amid a tense and fiery start to the match.

After Weah's dismissal, Folarin Balogun delighted the crowd with a splendid strike from 17 yards to give the hosts the lead in the 22nd minute. However, the joy was shortlived as Blackman equalised from the edge of the box four minutes later.

"There were things before the red card that went against us," Balogun said. "Of course, we probably could have had a few decisions, but that's the nature of the game."

Ethan Horvath replaced the injured Turner in the U.S. goal at the break and nearly faced a penalty in the 64th minute but the decision against U.S. defender Cameron Carter-Vickers was overturned by video review.

The best opportunity for the U.S. in the second half came in the 81st minute when a header by Ricardo Pepi was saved by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

Panama then seized the initiative, scoring the winning goal when substitute Fajardo smashed home Abdiel Ayarza's cross.

"Moving forward, we need to control our emotions in certain situations," Adams said. "I think the team fought for everything after we got the red card. You definitely can't fault the effort.

"By winning the first game, we put still ourselves in a position that we can have everything to play for in the last game."

Weah had apologised to the team after the match, he added.

"Just respect to the rest of the team because they fought for every single ball, every single duel, every single minute, and we still created chances after going down 10 men, so it shows our quality."

- Reuters 

US BUILT CONFIDENCE BEATING BOLIVIA IN COPA

USA TODAY Sports 

 The United States will take a boost of confidence from their 2-0 win over Bolivia in the Group C opener at the Copa America on Sunday, team captain Christian Pulisic said, as the tournament hosts fed off the home crowd in Arlington, Texas.

Pulisic struck first with a sublime curling shot into the top corner in the third minute and he set up Folarin Balogun for another score in the 44th minute.

They squandered some scoring opportunities in the second half but "Captain America" Pulisic, who received a hero's welcome at the home of the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium, said the team had plenty to celebrate.

"We should build some confidence from this and feel good but the games are just going to get tougher and tougher as the tournament goes on so we've got to be ready," the AC Milan midfielder said in a televised interview.

It was exactly the kind of momentum the 11th-ranked team craved as they look to make an impact in South America's most important national team tournament after reaching knockout stages at the most recent World Cup.

The United States next play the 43rd-ranked Panama on Thursday in Atlanta, before facing 14th-ranked Uruguay in their final group stage match on July 1 in Kansas City.

"Getting off to a win to start with - massive for us," said defender Antonee Robinson.

"Build the confidence, show we're here to win, here to play and it puts us in good stead for the next game."

NOTHING SET IN STONE FOR COPA AMERICA ROSTER, SAYS US COACH

USA TODAY Sports 

 Veterans Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie headline the United States' 27-man training camp roster ahead of Copa America but coach Gregg Berhalter said on Monday that nothing was set in stone for the tournament.

The United States host Colombia on June 8 and five-times world champions Brazil on June 12 for a pair of friendlies, before Copa America kicks off on home soil on June 20.

"The messaging was very clear that although a large majority of this roster will make up Copa America, nothing's set in stone," said Berhalter.

"That's the important thing. We want to have a good training camp, we want to have some good performances against Colombia and Brazil and we have to monitor a couple players for their fitness standpoint and a couple others for how (they're) performing."

A number of familiar faces from Berhalter's 2022 World Cup team will return, including captain Pulisic, Juventus midfielder McKennie, goalkeeper Matt Turner and his Nottingham Forest team mate Gio Reyna.

Forward Josh Sargent returns for the first time since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after he withdrew from the Nations League Final camp with injury earlier this year, while Tyler Adams got the call after missing the final game of an injury stunted season with Bournemouth.

"Trying to get Tyler and Josh in a place where they're healthy, they feel great going into Copa America," said Berhalter.

"Josh has a little bit of foot swelling going on that we want to get control of. Tyler has been training... we want to build him up again in the right way to get them ready."

The Copa America runs from June 20 to July 14 with 16 participating teams, 10 from CONMEBOL and six from CONCACAF.

- Reuters 

EUROPEAN SOCCER NEWS: DREAM GOAL FOR REAL MADRID'S GÜLER

Arda Güler scored on his first league start for Real Madrid to win 1-0 over Real Sociedad edging closer to the LaLiga title. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

 It's another weekend of exciting action across Europe and here we are again to bring you a review of all the sights, sounds and drama that has occurred.

In Spain, we saw Real Madrid get closer to the LaLiga title following a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad, while over in Serie A there was a lackluster 0-0 draw between Juventus and AC Milan. Bayer Leverkusen remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga after a dramatic 2-2 draw with VfB Stuttgart, but the real spectacle was in Leipzig where Marco Rose's side hit four past Borussia Dortmund.

Let's take a look back at what happened all across the continent this weekend.

SATURDAY REVIEW

Güler scores as Madrid grow their lead at the top

"Arda Güler will get the minutes he wants" was what Carlo Ancelotti said this week. On Friday, the Real Madrid coach was true to his word. The 19-year-old Güler got his first league start away at Real Sociedad and was rewarded with the goal that gave Madrid a 1-0 win to increase their lead at the top of the LaLiga table.

Güler has had to be patient this season. A pre-season meniscus injury disrupted his start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu, followed by two muscular problems which kept him out until January. Since then, more patience has been required, with Ancelotti reluctant to throw the raw teenager into a team looking to win LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League.

The playmaker scored his first Madrid goal off the bench against Celta Vigo on March 10, and almost got the goal of the season at Osasuna a week later, hitting the bar from the halfway line. ESPN has reported that some at Madrid feel Ancelotti should have given the teenager more opportunities to prove himself.

Those voices will have been happy with Güler's contribution in San Sebastian. His 29th-minute goal was a cool finish, slotting Dani Carvajal's cross first time through the legs of keeper Álex Remiro. Before that, Güler had been booked for arguing with the referee; later, he showed deceptive strength going shoulder-to-shoulder with defender Robin Le Normand. There were two second-half shots from distance before he was substituted in the 68th minute.

Güler's 2023-24 record now reads six LaLiga appearances -- one start here, after five as a sub -- and two goals, an impressive return given such limited minutes. His development might be best served on loan next season, playing every week, but Ancelotti won't hear it. "Arda will be a very important player for us in the future," the coach said post-match. "There's no doubt he stays with us next year." -- Alex Kirkland

Saturday talking points around the leagues

Dortmund collapse against Leipzig days before Champions League clash with PSG

In a battle for fourth place in the Bundesliga standings on Saturday afternoon, RB Leipzig comfortably eased past Borussia Dortmund to extend the gap between the two teams to five points with three games remaining.

Four days before their Champions League semifinal first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund lacked the luxury of resting key players. However, both Emre Can and Ian Maatsen missed the game in eastern Germany through suspension.

Before Saturday's game, RB Leipzig had prevailed in four of their five previous meetings with Dortmund, with Leipzig's intense pressing style often neutralizing BVB's efforts in possession. During the opening quarter, the dynamic between the two teams looked quite familiar. Dortmund were indebted to their two center-backs, Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck, for surviving the game's early stages without conceding.

Once Jadon Sancho scored the go-ahead goal for the visitors, all hell broke loose at both ends of the pitch. But Leipzig converted their chances for a 2-1 lead at halftime. Moments after the break, Dortmund were caught off guard again, as Leipzig advanced down the field at a rapid pace to set up a Mohamed Simakan goal. Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for BVB, Hummels had to be taken off with what appeared to be a muscle injury, putting his availability for Wednesday's game against Paris in jeopardy.

A lackluster Dortmund failed to mount a second-half comeback. Leipzig remained more dangerous offensively and added a fourth goal in the 80th minute. While Dortmund have normally played better in Champions League games this season, this performance in a crucial league game does not bode well for their chances against a Kylian Mbappé-inspired PSG side.

Dortmund's chances of finishing fourth in the Bundesliga are now incredibly slim with Leipzig five points ahead. However, the Bundesliga will likely be granted a fifth spot for next year's Champions League, thanks largely to strong results by Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Dortmund in European competition this campaign. -- Constantin Eckner

Juve and Milan serve up forgettable draw

Once again, Serie A has been great this season. Inter Milan are superb champions, Bologna and manager Thiago Motta have been a beautiful revelation, Atalanta a breath of fresh air, Fiorentina a joy to watch, and Daniele De Rossi a pleasant surprise for Roma. We have had some great games, amazing derbies and late drama. And then we had Juventus against Milan on Saturday. The most disappointing 0-0 draw of the season. 90 minutes of not much between a Turin side that has been average all season (to be kind) and a Milan team who had not won any of their last four matches and suffered a historic defeat in the Derby della Madonnina on Monday to crown their arch-rivals and neighbouring champions.

Christian Pulisic and his teammates are second in the table and for them, the only objective in this game was simply not to lose. They played for a 0-0 draw and they got it. They didn't create anything, had zero shots on target and mere expected goals of 0.31.

Juventus tried a bit more at least. They had two big chances saved by Marco Sportiello, in front of Danilo with a great acrobatic move and on a Arkadiusz Milik header. The Bianconeri were poor in the first half but had to push a bit more after the break because their third place is not guaranteed at all considering their current form: only two wins in their last nine games. They are only three points clear of Bologna in fourth and seven on Roma in fifth who both have a game in hand while Atalanta are 11 points behind in sixth but with two games in hand. This could be a very tense end of the season for them with four matches to go! And Saturday's game didn't do much good for head coach Max Allegri's future at the club. This team and this club are going nowhere with him at the helm.

For Milan, it is all about seeing out the season now after a disappointing last few weeks, losing to Roma in the Europa League quarterfinals and handing the title to Inter. Manager Stefano Pioli is also under pressure regarding his future at the club and today's performance would not have really helped him either. -- Julien Laurens

Americans abroad: Sargent scores, Americans in Italy disappoint

The huge highlight coming from the USMNT players abroad on Saturday came in England where Josh Sargent scored in Norwich City's 2-2 draw against Swansea City as the striker now has 16 goals to his name in the EFL Championship.

With that goal, he becomes the leading top American goalscorer in England's second division, surpassing Coventry City's Haji Wright by one goal. The Canaries are still pushing to get promoted to the Premier League as they currently sit in fifth place in the league table, in a qualification spot for the play-offs as they look to join Leicester City and another side to England's first division next season.

Meanwhile, in Italy, we saw an all-American affair as Juventus of Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie took on AC Milan of Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah in a heavyweight clash between two historical giants in Serie A.

However, it was a mere dull encounter as both teams played to a scoreless draw, meaning that Milan continue in second below the newly crowned champions and neighbors, Inter but above Juve by five points as both teams look to qualify for next season's Champions League. -- Roberto Rojas

News of the day

Mohamed Salah has refused to reveal the reasons behind the touchline disagreement he had with manager Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with West Ham. The Egyptian forward was quoted in the mixed zone saying: "There is going to be fire today if I speak." Klopp had declined to elaborate on the reasons about the argument saying: "We spoke about that in the dressing room and it's done for me, that's all."

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says her team were "robbed" in their UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal loss on Saturday, describing the penalty awarded to Barcelona as the "worst refereeing decision in women's Champions League history."

And finally, on Saturday ...

46 matches unbeaten in all competitions. An insane number continues to increase as the new reigned Bundesliga champions from Germany in Bayer Leverkusen snatched another last-minute result that keeps their unbeaten streak to 46 games following a comeback 2-2 draw at home to VfB Stuttgart.

It was looking like it was going to go the way of the visitors as two goals from the second half came from Chris Führich and Deniz Undav in a span of 10 minutes meaning that Xabi Alonso's unbeaten streak was going to be broken right at the near end of the Bundesliga season. However, this is Bayer Leverkusen we're talking about. They don't give up as they have repeated done so in the league and also in the Europa League.

A goal from Amine Adli 29 minutes from time restored some hope for Leverkusen and they kept attacking by putting more pressure on Stuttgart until the final ball came in the 96th minute, as off a free kick, the ball was found to Robert Andrich and struck it into the back of the next to secure a point and keep his team's streak alive as they head into their Europa League semifinal tie against Roma this upcoming week.

A even crazier stat? Bayer Leverkusen have now scored an equalizer or game winner in stoppage time on 10 different occasions! An insane amount as they look to cap off a historic season with possibly three trophies. But for now, the unbeaten streak continues. -- Rojas

- ESPN

LIVERPOOL TO FACE ATALANTA IN UEL; LEVERKUSEN GETS WEST HAM

Jurgen Klopp celebrating after Liverpool's 11-2 aggregate win over Sparta Prague on Thursday. Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

 Liverpool were drawn against Atalanta in the Europa League quarterfinals as Jurgen Klopp's team continue their quest to complete the quadruple in the German coach's final season in charge.

Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, who came back in remarkable fashion to overcome Qarabag in the round of 16 with two stoppage-time goals, are to face West Ham.

The semifinal draw means that Liverpool and Leverkusen, the two favourites for the competition, cannot meet until the final, set for May 22 at the Dublin Arena in Ireland.

Should the two teams progress through the next two rounds, it would be one of Klopp's final fixtures in charge after more than eight years at the helm and would pit him against Alonso who has been heavily linked with taking over at Anfield after his departure.

"Tricky, Atalanta, we played them, it's not like I watched them 500 times since then, but still the same manager, similar structure, so it means uncomfortable to play against, very well organised," Klopp told a news conference on Friday.

"But it's quarterfinals, I didn't expect, with all the teams involved, any easy opponent."

The last eight will also see an all-Italian clash between Christian Pulisic's AC Milan and AS Roma, who beat Slavia Prague and Brighton respectively.

The draw was rounded out with three-time Europa League finalist Benfica coming up against Marseille.

For the semifinals, the winner of the tie between Liverpool and Atalanta will face Benfica or Marseille, and Milan or Roma will come up against Leverkusen or West Ham.

The quarterfinals will take place on April 11 and 18 for the first and second legs respectively, with the semifinals set for May 2 and 9.

In the marquee clash of the Europa Conference League, UEFA's third-tier competition, Aston Villa were drawn against Ligue 1 outfit Lille in the quarterfinals.

Europa League quarterfinal draw:

AC Milan vs. AS Roma

Liverpool vs. Atalanta

Bayer Leverkusen vs. West Ham

Benfica vs. Marseille

Europa League semifinal draw:

Benfica / Marseille vs. Liverpool / Atalanta

AC Milan / AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen / West Ham

- ESPN