Author: WebDesk

Pep Guardiola knows better than anyone what it means to be obsessed with the European Cup, or the Champions League as it is now known. FC Barcelona first reached the final in 1960-61, losing to Eusebio and Benfica in Bern. A quarter-century later, as red-hot favourites, they lost on penalties to Romania’s Steaua Bucharest. There was success in other European competitions, but the Holy Grail eluded them. It didn’t help that the European Cup had been dominated by Real Madrid, their great rivals, in the years after its inception. By the time Barcelona reached a third final in 1991-92, Real…

KL Rahul, a prominent Indian cricketer, candidly discussed the issue of social media trolling as he grappled with a slump in form over the past year. The 32-year-old has been subjected to considerable scrutiny and criticism on social platforms due to his underwhelming performances. Rahul acknowledged that trolling on social media occasionally takes a toll on his mental state, emphasizing that people often fail to consider the challenges faced by players and athletes during difficult phases. “That’s something that sometimes affects me and affects a lot of the other boys as well that when we athletes truly need support, people…

Overview It would be easy to see this match as some sort of formality. After all, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are right in the thick of the scrap for play-off places, while Sunrisers Hyderabad, along with Delhi Capitals, are already out of contention. But when you consider that Hyderabad have had the better of this rivalry, and also that Bangalore have an appalling record at this venue, it no longer seems like a free hit for Faf du Plessis and his side. Neither side comes into this encounter in great form. Bangalore enjoyed that thumping win in Jaipur, but have…

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has identified three promising talents – Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Omair Bin Yousaf – as potential superstars for the upcoming 2023 World Cup. He believes these players have the potential to establish themselves in the longer run and make a significant impact on the international stage. “As far as promising youngsters are concerned, Saim Ayub, Omair Bin Yousaf, and Mohammad Haris are potential superstars in my opinion. They just to focus hard and do simple things properly without burdening themselves with the pressure of international cricket,” said Babar Azam while speaking to Cricwick. When it…



-Swapnil Mukherjee Internazionale of Milan are into the final of the Champions League for the first time since 2010. Inter, who were also champions of Europe in 1963-64 and 1964-65, beat AC Milan, their city rivals, 1-0 in the semi-final second leg at the San Siro. A goal from Lautaro Martinez, their captain, midway through the second half was enough to seal a 3-0 aggregate victory against Milan, seven-times champions of Europe. Inter will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final in Istanbul in June. That tie is locked at 1-1 heading into Wednesday’s second leg at…

With only one year remaining for the 2024 T20 World Cup, former India captain and coach Ravi Shastri believes it is time to provide young players with the opportunities in the shortest format. He further expressed his intention to preserve the experience and form of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the challenges of ODI and Test cricket, while simultaneously nurturing and blooding talented youngsters in the exhilarating arena of the shortest format. “Virat (Kohli) and Rohit (Sharma) are right where Sachin, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav (Ganguly) and (VVS) Laxman were. So, you know there is a template before you.…

In I Think, Therefore I Play, Andrea Pirlo’s superb autobiography, there is a small passage about the 2005 Champions League final, where Liverpool came from 3-0 down at half-time to beat AC Milan on penalties. “There are always lessons to be found in the darkest moments,” writes Pirlo. “It’s a moral obligation to dig deep and find that little glimmer of hope or pearl of wisdom. You might hit upon an elegant phrase that stays with you and makes the journey that little less bitter. I’ve tried with Istanbul and haven’t managed to get beyond these words: for f***’s sake.”…