timesofindia.indiatimes.com - LaLiga: Champions Real Madrid ready to frustrate Barcelona's all-star line-up

LaLiga: Champions Real Madrid ready to frustrate Barcelona's all-star line-up

Real Madrid will begin their LaLiga title defence against promoted Almeria on Sunday but they will be under no illusion that the biggest obstacle in their pursuit of a 36th title will be a revamped and hungry Barcelona side. Real completed the double last season by claiming a record-extending 35th LaLiga title before conquering Europe too, winning a record-extending 14th Champions League title. Carlo Ancelotti will be relying on almost the same group of victorious players to leave their mark on this season. The additions of former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as a free-agent and France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco for a fee that could rise up to 100 million euros will further strengthen the squad. With 34-year-old French striker Karim Benzema and 22-year-old Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr forming a potent duo up front, Real have a fine mix of youth and experience to tackle the toughest challenges, such as in their amazing run of comebacks against Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City in last year's Champions League. Determined to end their three-year La Liga title drought, Barcelona were Europe's biggest spenders in the close season as they splashed out around 150 million euros ($155.21 million) to assemble an all-star team, signing Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich, Brazil winger Raphinha from Leeds United and defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

Two Pakistan boxers missing in Britain after Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, a team official told local media Thursday. Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah Khan failed to show up for the team's scheduled departure, Pakistan Boxing Federation secretary Nasir Tang said.

Rivals jostle for AC Milan's Serie A crown

AC Milan have their Serie A rivals snapping at their heels ahead of their title defence, with the big boys bolstering their squads over an eventful summer which has left the league with no clear Scudetto favourite. Stefano Pioli's side kick off the new season against Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday as teams gear up for a 15-match sprint between now and the World Cup in Qatar.

Delhi Football Club wins Shaheed Bhagat Singh Football Cup 2022

Football Club won the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Football Cup 2022 organised by the Kejriwal government on Wednesday. The winners of the cup were felicitated by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia at Thyagraj Stadium.

Ross Taylor recalls racial 'insensitivity' in New Zealand cricket

Ross Taylor has revealed he was offended by race-based remarks from team-mates and staff in New Zealand dressing rooms during his career and said the country's cricket board could do more to bring Polynesian talent into the sport. Taylor, who has Samoan heritage on his mother's side, described in his book "Ross Taylor Black and White" how he and other team mates endured insensitive "banter" from white players. "In many ways, dressing room banter is the barometer," wrote Taylor, who played his last international match in April. "A team mate used to tell me, 'You're half a good guy, Ross, but which half is good? You don’t know what I’m referring to.' "I was pretty sure I did. Other players also had to put up with comments that dwelt on their ethnicity. In all probability, a Pakeha (white New Zealander) listening to those sorts of comments would think, 'Oh, that’s okay, it’s just a bit of banter'. "But he’s hearing it as white person, and it’s not directed at people like him. So, there’s no pushback; no one corrects them."

Fulham sign Issa Diop from West Ham United

Fulham FC have signed French defender Issa Diop from West Ham United, both Premier League clubs announced on Wednesday. The 25-year-old, who signed a five-year deal, played 26 games, scored one goal and made two assists for West Ham last season.

AIFF Mess: SC tells CoA, Centre to speak to FIFA

FIFA threatened to impose a ban on India and away the rights to host the U-17 Women's World Cup, the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday asked court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) and the Centre to hold talks and engage with the international body to ensure that the tournament is held in the country smoothly. The apex court also told state football association not to act as spoilers. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan brought to SC's notice that former president of All India Football Federation, Praful Patel, and some state associations were orchestrating a campaign to delay implementation of SC's order to hold election for executive committee of AIFF which was needed to be done on urgent basis.

Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 for record-equalling fifth UEFA Super Cup win

Real Madrid outclassed Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 on Wednesday to clinch the UEFA Super Cup for a record-equalling fifth time and kick off their season with a trophy. A first-half goal from David Alaba and another from Karim Benzema in the 65th minute, which lifted him to second in Real's all-time scoring list with 324 goals, wrapped up the title for the Spaniards. Europa League winners Eintracht had offered some resistance in the first half and had chances to score but were eventually overrun by the Spaniards.

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Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Sport News

LaLiga: Champions Real Madrid ready to frustrate Barcelona's all-star line-up

Two Pakistan boxers missing in Britain after Commonwealth Games

Rivals jostle for AC Milan's Serie A crown

Delhi Football Club wins Shaheed Bhagat Singh Football Cup 2022

Ross Taylor recalls racial 'insensitivity' in New Zealand cricket

Fulham sign Issa Diop from West Ham United

AIFF Mess: SC tells CoA, Centre to speak to FIFA

Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 for record-equalling fifth UEFA Super Cup win