Benfica justified their status as the favourites in the first leg of their clash with Spartak Moscow in the third round of the Champions League qualifications on Wednesday evening at the Otkritie Arena in Moscow. Goals from Rafa Silva and Gilberto have given the Portuguese side a considerable advantage ahead of the rematch in Lisbon.
Surprising dynamics
The first legs in any kind of knockout competitions are usually slow affairs, especially in the beginning. Both teams will often take a most cautious approach, rarely taking risk by sending too many players far upfield.
However, it was rather different on this occasion. Both sides sought to take control of the ball and play closer to the opposition goal than their own, and with just five minutes gone, chances started co…
Manchester City s owners aim to buy a club in India this year, according to chief executive Ferran Soriano.
The City Football Group (CFG) expanded its portfolio of clubs to seven last month when it purchased Chinese third-tier side Sichuan Jiuniu.
New York City were established as Manchester City s first sister club in 2013 and the CFG also owns or has shares in A-League team Melbourne City, Girona of LaLiga, Uruguayan outfit Club Atletico Torque and J.League club Yokohama F. Marinos.
With all these developments we have to be patient, Soriano told reporters.
We have some interest in some markets and countries where there is a genuine football passion and opportunities, like China, but also India. So there might be other opportunities in Asia.
W…