Bayern win shows Simeone's Atletico can challenge for the Champions League once again

Last season's beaten finalists produced another impressive performance against the German champions and look set to be a contender for the title they crave more than anything else

Atletico are starting all over again in the Champions League. While Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are looking to add to their collection of European titles, the Rojiblancos are still seeking their first crown in the continent's premier club competition. But on Wednesday's evidence, they will be in contention once again this time around.

Diego Simeone's side suffered heartbreak in Lisbon two years ago as a late leveller from Sergio Ramos cancelled out what had looked like the winning goal from Diego Godin and their local rivals Real won it in extra time. And in May of this year, history repeated itself in similar circumstances as Atleti lost out again to Madrid in the San Siro showpiece - this time in a penalty shootout.

The pain was etched upon the players' faces and even tough guy Simeone could barely hold back the tears in his post-match press conference. Would they be able to lift themselves again after such sadness and disappointment?

They already have. Simeone set about building a squad to compete in La Liga and in the Champions League this term and, after beating PSV Eindhoven in their European opener earlier this month, Atleti produced another impressive performance to defeat one of the continent's elite teams on Wednesday.

Yannick Carrasco's fine goal after 35 minutes was the difference, the Belgium winger attacking from deep and slotting home a low shot in off the post from 20 yards out. But the margin of victory would have been greater had Fernando Torres converted one of his two excellent opportunities and Antoine Griezmann not crashed a penalty against the woodwork late in the game.

Griezmann missed a penalty in the final of the Champions League at San Siro too and Atletico's spot-kick woes are something of a concern. Torres, who was excellent despite failing to score in this one, also erred from 12 yards out in the semi-final second leg against Bayern and it is perhaps time for Simeone to consider a change, with Koke, Saul and Gabi all options for the penalty-taking duties.

Nevertheless, the win was deserved and Atletico will continue to improve this season as Kevin Gameiro and Nico Gaitan adapt after moving in the summer to the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico's atmospheric arena is in its final season as the club are set to move to a new stadium at La Peineta from next August and, before kick-off against Bayern, the fans held up a spectacular

Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Freiburg: Aubameyang on target as hosts keep winning

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lukasz Piszczek and Raphael Guerreiro were on target for the home side to wrap up a third straight Bundesliga victory

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang marked his 100th Bundesliga appearance with a customary goal as Borussia Dortmund beat Freiburg 3-1 to continue their winning run.

Thomas Tuchel's side dismantled Legia Warsaw, Darmstadt and Wolfsburg after losing to Bundesliga new boys RB Leipzig, and their red-hot attack was once again in the groove.

RUMOURS: Bale tired of 'mistreatment' at Real Madrid

The Welsh winger was reportedly left furious at Zinedine Zidane's decision to substitute him on Wednesday and is far from happy with his status at the Santiago Bernabeu

Gareth Bale is growing tired at what he believes is the shabby treatment he receives at Real Madrid, according to Diario Gol.

The Wales international apparently exploded with rage after being substituted during Wednesday's draw with Villarreal, with an off-colour Cristiano Ronaldo playing the entire 90

Neymar case reopened in Spain

The Brazilian is to be investigated again, along with his father and former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, for alleged fraud and corruption in his move from Santos in 2013

The Spanish High Court has ordered a judge to reopen the investigation into the transfer of Barcelona forward Neymar from Santos in 2013.

The case was thrown out in July by judge Jose de la Mata due to a lack of evidence, but a group of

Xhaka in the middle and Sanchez to continue upfront? How Arsenal will line up against Chelsea

Arsene Wenger has a decision to make over Granit Xhaka while Olivier Giroud faces a late fitness test ahead of Saturday's huge Premier League match

Arsene Wenger has a selection dilemma on his hands ahead of Saturday’s mammoth Premier League clash against London rivals Chelsea.

Wenger regrets missing out on Diego Costa

The Frenchman faces a decision to make over who will start in central midfield, with summer signing Granit Xhaka pushing for a place in the XI after scoring in his last two games.

Mourinho defends Pogba start - 'World record fee not a big deal'

The Red Devils paying £89million for the ex-Juventus man is not as shocking as other clubs spending £40m on one player, according to his manager

Jose Mourinho has defended Paul Pogba's sluggish start to his second spell at Old Trafford, stating the world-record fee paid for him by Manchester United is not a "big deal" in relative terms.

Pogba left United for Juventus in 2012 but returned in August in a transfer costing an initial £89million, making him the most expensive player in the world.

After impressing on his debut against Southampton last month, the France international came under

'We played like hell' - Klopp revels in Liverpool show

Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson led the Anfield club to victory with a brilliant first-half display, and their manager affirmed that he was delighted with the showing.

Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool "played football like hell" in their 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea on Friday.

The Reds put in an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge, taking a two-goal lead through Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson, who scored a sensational effort from 25 yards.

Diego Costa pulled one back for Chelsea in the 61st minute, but they failed to register a shot on target after the Spain international fired straight at Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet four minutes later.

Liverpool comfortably saw out their second successive win at Stamford Bridge, inflicting Antonio Conte's first competitive defeat since taking over at the Blues in the process.

Klopp enjoyed the way his team played football in the first half, but wants to see them control matches throughout the 90 minutes.

"We deserved the lead. We stopped playing how we needed at some points and Chelsea got back into it. We need to learn how we can manage the game with power and 100 per cent concentration," he told Sky Sports.

"We did it really well after they scored. So often Chelsea score in the last few seconds but I don't think they created much and we did well.

"Chelsea are too strong not to have space throughout the game, but in the beginning we were brilliant. We played football like hell and it was brilliant to watch, it was wonderful.

"In the second half it was getting more difficult, with less power, but after they scored their goal we managed it well and they didn't have many chances again.

"I told the lads before the game anything can happen, but if we lose we must lose in our way. There's no guarantee in football."

James Milner once again featured out of position at left-back but Klopp believes his team have proved critics of their activity in the previous transfer window wrong.

"Two weeks ago everybody was asking what's wrong with Liverpool in the transfer market – why have they not got five midfielders and eight new left-backs – but now these boys are starting in one of the most difficult fixtures in football, and we deserve the result tonight," he added.

The Liverpool boss also offered praise for captain Henderson, saying: "He's such a hard worker, he's a young lad with a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

"I don't think that he thought before the season that he'd be playing [at number] six but he's a good player and he can play anywhere."

Mane, Firmino, Sturridge, Coutinho - are Liverpool's new fab four the Premier League's best?

The Reds are the highest-scoring Premier League side for 2016, with Jurgen Klopp spoilt for choice in attack. Is he constructing the most fearsome front line in England?

For 20 minutes at the start of the second half, Arsene Wenger's frown had shown more resolve at the Emirates Stadium than his Arsenal side, the Frenchman shaking his head every so often, before despairingly resting it on the palm of his hand. In those moments on the opening weekend of the season, when Liverpool's attacking blur was so dizzying and so destructive, the hosts and their manager were utterly helpless.

The Reds celebrated prematurely after Sadio Mane's solo stunner, their fourth of the afternoon - "opening the door" for Arsenal's fightback, as per Jurgen Klopp's assertion - but the Merseysiders held on for a 4-3 victory.

Fast forward two weeks and, at White Hart Lane, Mauricio Pochettino cut a relieved figure as an

Diego Costa: I am a bad loser!

The striker admitted that he cannot stand the idea of defeat and attributes his emotions boiling over to always leaving everything on the pitch to avoid that fate

Chelsea striker Diego Costa says he hates to lose and admits he finds it hard to contain his emotions on the pitch if things do not go his way.

The forward – booked three times in the Blues' first four Premier League games - has often been criticised for his attitude on the pitch.

Nevertheless, he feels his occasionally petulant behaviour is all down to his desire to win after

Scholes urges Mourinho not to drop Rashford following Feyenoord loss

Despite not being able to prevent a defeat for Manchester United in their Europa League outing, the club legend thinks the young striker deserves to keep his starting berth

Paul Scholes believes Marcus Rashford has done enough to keep his starting place at Manchester United and urged Jose Mourinho not to drop him.

Teen sensation Rashford, 18, made his first start of the new campaign in Thursday's Europa League opener against Feyenoord after he made decisive contributions off the bench against Hull City and Manchester City in the Premier League.

Ibrahimovic: Mourinho and I are both winners

The Swedish striker believes he and the coach share many similarities and believes they will achieve further success together at Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he and Jose Mourinho share a winning mentality which will bring success to Manchester United.

The pair won the Serie A title together at Inter in 2008-09 before Ibrahimovic joined Barcelona.

Ibrahimovic, 34, has enjoyed a bright start since reuniting with

Conte reveals where David Luiz will play for Chelsea

The Italian insists his new signing's best position is at centre-back, prompting fresh speculation the head coach will utilise his preferred 3-5-2 formation

Antonio Conte has hinted at utilising his preferred 3-5-2 formation at Chelsea after revealing David Luiz will play as a centre-back.

The Brazilian returned to Stamford Bridge in a shock move on deadline day as Conte finally landed the defensive reinforcement he had been seeking for much of the summer.

Conte has used a three-man defence successfully with both Juventus and Italy and now has five first-team players - with Luiz joining Kurt Zouma, John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic - capable of playing at centre-back.

"I think David Luiz is a centre-back, he's played a lot of games in that position," Conte told the club's official website.

"I know sometimes he's played as a central midfielder but in my mind the idea is to utilise him in the right position which, for me, is centre-back.

"He's played with Chelsea previously and he will bring a good personality."

Juanfran: Simeone is world's best - I can't imagine Atletico without him

The Argentine coach is the best in the world, according to the right-back, who is sure he will remain in charge of the club beyond this season and into their new stadium

Juanfran expects Diego Simeone to remain at Atletico Madrid beyond this season, stating he cannot imagine the club without him in charge.

Simeone is under contract until June 2020, but has been linked with several top clubs and national teams after guiding Atletico to the Liga title in 2013-14, as well as two Champions League finals, losing to Real Madrid on each occasion. 

Atleti are set to leave their historic Vicente Calderon home at the conclusion of the 2016-17 campaign, with Spain international Juanfran convinced Simeone will want to lead the club through a period of off-field transition. 

The Argentine, though, may seek to reassess his future after FIFA rejected Atleti's appeal against a transfer ban, meaning the club will be unable to register and field new players for the next two transfer windows.

"I'm convinced that next year he will be our coach," Juanfran told the club's website before news of the judgement was released.

"He is excited, as we all are, with the new stadium. This year is the last in the Calderon, and all the Atleticos are going to live something special, I'm sure. 

"Everything in this life has to end, but to this day, I don't see an Atletico Madrid without Simeone. He's the best coach in the world and the best coach for this Atletico Madrid." 

Atletico have opened the league season with frustrating draws at home to Deportivo Alaves and away to Leganes.

Juanfran acknowledged it has been a disheartening start to the campaign, citing the increased expectations that accompany the team following their recent success as a factor. 

"The dressing room is better than ever," he said.

"We have had results that we would have preferred not having, but we only look forward to winning. I'm convinced that if we can win in Vigo, things will be seen differently. The team is doing well and we're getting players back from the national teams. 

"We will have a great match and we're going to win on Saturday. The team is doing well and we are not alarmed or nervous. 

"Atletico Madrid set the bar so high in the past few years that there is not a lot of patience. But we have a great squad. Every year we get better, and every year the club makes a bigger effort, and every year we have a better squad." 

RUMOURS: Chelsea to rival Man Utd for Griezmann

The two Premier League giants are long-time admirers of the Atletico Madrid star, with a €100 million release clause not putting off a potential move next summer

Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester United for the signing of Antoine Griezmann, according to The Telegraph .

The Stamford Bridge outfit have been tracking the Atletico Madrid for two years and are wary of United stepping up their own interest.

Griezmann has a €100m (£84m) release clause on the contract he signed in June, but the figure is not putting off Antonio Conte & Co.

The Italian made offers for both Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku during the summer, in addition to the £30 million signing of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille, and are now prepared to wait nearly a year to land a big-name striker.

'Don't go to Leicester, they're crap!' - Gerrard's advice to young Galaxy fan

The former Liverpool midfielder advised a Galaxy supporter to pick his old club, Barcelona or Real Madrid over the Foxes, suggesting they were not as good as one might think

LA Galaxy star Steven Gerrard might not be able to show his face around Leicester for some time, after bad-mouthing the Premier League champions to a young fan. 

The former Liverpool midfielder took part in a 'ride-along' with the lucky Galaxy supporter, who grilled him on the big issues of the day. 

And amid pearls of wisdom on the English weather, Zinedine Zidane and Landon Donovan, Gerrard was horrified when his guest stated he would love to play for the Foxes.

"Leicester?! Why?! What about Liverpool?" he exclaimed in astonishment. 

"Or Barcelona, or Real Madrid, don't go to Leicester, they're crap!"

We will have to wait and see what Claudio Ranieri's reaction to the video will be, although it might well reference the fact his "crap" club has one more Premier League title than Gerrard and Liverpool can boast.

RUMOURS: Pogba's ex-team-mates 'betrayed' by Manchester United move

The France international broke the world transfer record in the summer with his move to Old Trafford, but the decision to leave has apparently not gone down well in Turin

Paul Pogba's blockbuster move from Juventus to Manchester United has left his old team-mates feeling betrayed, according to Tuttosport. 

The France midfielder smashed the world transfer record with his return to Old Trafford, after a saga that lasted for weeks before his departure from Turin was finally confirmed. 

But according to reports, stars like Paulo Dybala expected Pogba to stay at least another season with the Italian champions and his decision to leave was not taken well in the dressing room. 

Barcelona looking to extend Ter Stegen contract

The Camp Nou side have added the goalkeeper to the list of players who deserve an immediate contract extension

Barcelona have their eyes set firmly on the future, with president Josep Maria Bartomeu looking to extend the contract of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. 

The Spanish champions were busy before the transfer window closed last week, bringing in several high-quality players to improve the squad's depth.

Barca have since stated their next intentions are to extend the contracts of the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic in the coming months.

And now Bartomeu has added Ter Stegen to the list, despite the 24-year-old Germany international still with three years left on his deal at Camp Nou.

"[Ter Stegen] is a fundamental piece in the future of Barcelona," Bartomeu told RAC1.

"Rakitic, Suarez and Messi, he is a lynchpin and our commitment to him is strong."

RUMOURS: Real Madrid eye Donnarumma

Milan's 17-year-old goalkeeper has been likened to Gianluigi Buffon, and Los Blancos are reportedly interested in bringing him to the Bernabeu

Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has emerged as a transfer target for Real Madrid, according to Sport.

The 17-year-old custodian, who has established himself as the Rossoneri's No.1 despite his tender age, became Italy's youngest player since 1911 when he made his debut against France this week.

And the Spanish publication believe Madrid president Florentino Perez is a big fan of the man who has been nicknamed the 'heir to [Gianluigi] Buffon'.

Manager Zinedine Zidane wants his 18-year-old son Luca to be Keylor Navas' successor at the Santiago Bernabeu, however.

RUMOURS: Kane to become Spurs' highest paid player

The England international will see his wage more than double when he signs a new contract, while Christian Eriksen is also to due for a pay increase

Harry Kane could become Tottenham Hotspur's highest paid player as he has entered talks over a new contract with the club, The Mirror reports.

The England international signed a new deal with Spurs in February, which ties him to the club until 2021.

However, he is poised to commit to the club once more, with a massive wage increase coming his way. 

The newspaper reports that he will see his £50,000-a-week wage rise to £120,000. Including bonuses, he could earn £7.5 million per year.

Meanwhile, it is said Christian Eriksen will also pen a new deal to take his wage up to £70,000 each week.

Barcelona sign Ronaldinho... again!

It has come to light that the Brazilian, who earned hero status at Camp Nou after helping the Blaugrana return to their former glory, will work with the club once more...

Ronaldinho is back at Barcelona! But don't get too excited, fans, as it is in a non-playing role...

The Brazilian, 36, is teaming up with the club he helped return to its former glory between 2003 and 2008 to act as an ambassador.

Barcelona are opening a new office in New York, USA, to enhance their growth internationally on 6 September, which has brought about them re-signing Ronaldinho.

The Catalan giants will certainly prove to be a hit in the States if Ronaldinho is good an ambassador as he was with his feet back in his heydey at Camp Nou...

'Bad player, wonderful hater!' - Balotelli hits back at Carragher

The former Liverpool defender criticised the Italian after he joined Nice from the Reds earlier this week, and the striker took to Twitter to respond

Mario Balotelli has slammed 'bad player' Jamie Carragher after the ex-Liverpool defender poked fun at the Italian striker's move to Nice.

Balotelli joined the Ligue 1 outfit from the Reds earlier this week after a miserable two years on the books at Anfield.

Carragher quipped that Nice had paid over the odds by signing Balotelli on a free transfer, but the former Manchester City and Milan striker has hit back at the Sky Sports pundit.

"Jamie Carragher, bad player, wonderful hater," the 26-year-old wrote on Twitter. "Who cares."

Jamie Carragher, bad player, wonderful hater @Carra23 ,who cares.pic.twitter.com/onbY0WUgOc

 Carragher has been critical of Balotelli in the past, telling the Daily Mail in March: "I can’t believe we signed Mario Balotelli! The thing with Balotelli is everyone always says it’s the off-the-field antics, but I wouldn’t care if he was doing it on the pitch. 

"People tell me he’s got talent but I can’t remember him having a good game."

OFFICIAL: Balotelli leaves Liverpool for Nice on permanent deal

The Italian forward's nightmarish spell with the Merseysiders is finally over after discussions on deadline day led to a move to Ligue 1 on a permanent deal

Liverpool and Mario Balotelli have finally ended their malfunctioning association, with the striker signing for Nice on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old was only due to be out of contract next summer, but the Reds pushed to get him off the books completely 737 days after taking a £16 million gamble on the Italian.

The Ligue 1 side had originally slated a season-long loan for Balotelli, but negotiations continued well into deadline day for a more permanent solution, which was agreed after he passed a medical. 

Nice ousted FC Sion and Palermo to acquire the talented yet troubled forward. He will train for the first time with his new team-mates on Thursday morning, before being officially unveiled on Friday.

Club president Jean-Pierre Rivere, the driving force behind the deal, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Mario.

“We hope that Nice, in a family atmosphere, will help him rediscover his joy for the game. 

“We both know that nothing will be easy, but with the desire and support of all our fans, we’ll help him to flourish and bring his talent to the service of the team.”

Negotiations over a transfer had not been straightforward since Balotelli travelled to the south-east coast of France for talks last week.

An initial consultation with Rivere and senior officials following the Europa League draw proved obstructive to an agreement.

The three-time Serie A winner gave off the impression that Nice would be lucky to have him, rather than displaying a willingness to recalibrate his career at the club.

However, a follow-up meeting on Saturday morning proved more productive. There was also a separate gathering with the coaching staff to determine their thoughts on working with Balotelli. 

Manager Lucien Favre needed some convincing, but a vote was held in the affirmative to push on with proceedings.