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• Barcelona presidential candidate make Kane and Rashford claims in attempt to beat Joan Laporta in forthcoming election

  Barcelona presidential candidate Xavier Vilajoana has confirmed exploratory contact with Harry Kane’s camp, promising to sign the Bayern Munich star to replace Robert Lewandowski if elected on March 15.   ​Xavier Vilajoana has disrupted the Barcelona presidential race by announcing that his team has already held talks regarding a potential move for Harry Kane. Vilajoana, one of four candidates challenging favorite Joan Laporta, described the England captain as a “perfect fit” for the club’s associative style and a necessary elite addition to the squad. Kane reportedly possesses a £52 million release clause that becomes active this summer, though Bayern Munich remains hopeful of extending his current contract beyond 2027. ​The candidate’s aggressive transfer stance also places Marcus Rashford’s future at the Camp Nou in doubt. While Rashford has revitalized his career on loan from Manchester United, Vilajoana suggested he would prioritize academy talents like Jan Virgili over triggering the permanent £26 million clause for the forward. As the election nears, Vilajoana insists his plan focuses on elite balance, stating, “Only when we don’t have the talent at home should Barça be able to go to the market and attract the best talent.”

• Victor Pereira leads Nottingham Forest to dominant victory in Istanbul

  New manager Vítor Pereira enjoyed a perfect debut as Nottingham Forest secured a commanding 3-0 away win against Fenerbahçe in the Europa League playoff first leg.

  ​Forest took control through goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and captain Morgan Gibbs-White, placing them firmly in the driver’s seat for the return leg.

  Pereira, the club’s fourth coach this season, replaced Sean Dyche only days ago.

  The victory provides a massive boost for the Premier League side, who currently sit 17th domestically and face a daunting clash against Liverpool this Sunday.

  ​Elsewhere in European action, Genk secured a 3-1 victory in Zagreb, while Bologna edged out Brann 1-0 thanks to a Santiago Castro winner.

  Premier League counterparts Crystal Palace struggled, managing only a 1-1 draw against Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League.

  These two-leg playoffs determine which sides will join the top eight teams in the prestigious round of 16 next month.

• Preview: Embattled Xabi Alonso faces crisis match against Alavés

  Under immense pressure after winning only two of his last eight matches, Xabi Alonso takes his injury-plagued Real Madrid side to face an in-form Deportivo Alavés in a match where defeat could cost him his job.

  Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faces intense scrutiny as his side travels to Deportivo Alavés, having won just two of their last eight matches across all competitions.

  Following an impressive start of ten wins in 11 matches, the team’s form has quickly unravelled since a November loss to Liverpool.

  A defeat at the Estadio de Mendizorrotza on Sunday is widely speculated to be the “final nail” in Alonso’s coaching coffin.

  The match presents an unusually difficult challenge for Real due to a severe injury crisis, especially in defense. Alonso was without eight defenders against Manchester City mid-week, and key players like Militão, Alexander-Arnold, Mendy, and Carvajal are confirmed absentees for the Alavés tie.

  Further complicating selection are suspensions for Endrick, Carreras, and Fran García, making a functional starting XI difficult to assemble.

  Meanwhile, 11th-placed Alavés are on a decent run of form, entering the match on a two-game winning streak following victories in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

  Their top scorer, Carlos Vicente, with six goals this season, poses a threat to Real Madrid’s decimated defense.

  While a narrow 2-1 win is predicted for Madrid, the result may not be enough to secure Alonso’s long-term future.

• Guardiola vs. Real Madrid: The shifting dynamics of Europe’s defining rivalry

  The continued epic rivalry between Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Real Madrid highlights the sustained European power of Real, even as the fixture increasingly becomes a battle between Guardiola and his managerial “disciples.”

  This 49th meeting between Pep Guardiola and his great rival Real Madrid underlines the truth about the Champions League power balance.

  Despite Man City’s 2023 title, it is Real who continue to hold the real power, which Guardiola “always calls Real ‘the kings of Europe’.” City remains yet to dominate as many predicted after their first European win.

  The context shifts with City now perhaps in the “second bracket” of favourites, while Real remains in the top tier despite Xabi Alonso’s “awkward start.”

  The match is now also a contest against Guardiola’s legacy, as the Champions League is populated by top managers—including Alonso—who are his former players or assistants.

   

• Catastrophe for Real Madrid: Eder Militao’s four-month injury exacerbates defensive crisis

  ​Real Madrid’s defensive crisis worsened after star defender Eder Militão was diagnosed with a severe proximal tendon tear, ruling him out for approximately four months following an injury sustained in the club’s 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo.

  Real Madrid’s troubled start to the season has intensified following a devastating injury blow to defender Eder Militão.

  The Brazilian was forced off early during Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo, extending the team’s current run of defensive casualties and disciplinary issues which saw three red cards in the same match.

  Initial tests confirm Militão has suffered “a tear in the biceps femoris of the left leg, with involvement of the proximal tendon.”

  This serious diagnosis means the 27-year-old centerpiece of the defense is expected to be sidelined for “around four months,” crippling Real Madrid’s backline options until the new year.