For Manchester City fans, Monday's night's crucial clash with United isn't simply the final battle of a season-long war. It isn't even just about clawing their way back into the race for the Premier League title. Their pain runs far deeper than that. City have lived in the shadow of their rivals for too long and they are desperate to break out into the light. You have to go back to 1991 to find the last time they finished above their rivals, a feat that was spoiled somewhat when United beat Barcelona to lift the now defunct European Cup Winners' Cup.
AC Milan are all but through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League after thrashing Arsenal 4-0 at the San Siro on Wednesday.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was again on target as AC Milan returned to the top of Italy's Serie A with a 2-0 victory at Cagliari on Tuesday.
Udinese have gone top of the Italian Serie A table on goal difference from Lazio after captain Antonio Di Natale was again on target in a 2-1 victory over Siena on Sunday.
AC Milan bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on a domestic double by beating Cagliari 4-1 on Saturday, with Robinho scoring twice.
AC Milan need only one more point to clinch an 18th Italian league title after a 1-0 win over Bologna Sunday.
Tottenham Hotspur are through to the quarterfinals of the European Champions League after a 0-0 draw at home to AC Milan gave them a 1-0 aggregate win on Wednesday.
RIO DE JANEIRO -- I took a wander from my apartment here on Monday and one of the first people I saw was Ronaldinho, sitting enjoying a leisurely beer in a temporary break from the revelries of Carnaval. Seated to his right was another Ronaldinho, doing the same thing. On his left, yet another ...
This is Tottenham's biggest match for almost 50 years: the first leg of a knock-out tie in Europe's biggest cup competition. Gareth Bale definitely won't be playing, Luka Modric is a doubt and Jermaine Jenas is suspended, but Rafael van der Vaart is fit, and Harry Redknapp is sticking steadfastly to the club's principles: "Attacking football is what got us here in the first place," he insists. "We have had a go all through this competition so we will have a right go again at San Siro."
AC Milan went three points clear at the top of Serie A after easing to a 3-0 win over struggling Brescia at the San Siro on Saturday night.
When Robinho completed his dramatic deadline-day transfer from Manchester City to AC Milan last month, he became the latest in a long line of flamboyant big-name players to move to the San Siro.
Juventus remain without a win after two Italian Serie A games after being held to a 3-3 home draw by Sampdoria.
Six weeks can be an eternity in soccer and in politics. On July 20, AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi showed up at the opening of the club's training camp and made one blunder after the other. For a man who is usually such a natural and effective communicator, it was an all-out debacle. Witness his pronouncements:
The European football transfer window has finally closed for the summer after a typically frantic last day's activity.
Brazilian striker Robinho, the most expensive player in English football history after Manchester City paid Real Madrid 42.5 million euros for him two years ago, has joined AC Milan on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
The World Cup is over and another summer of rampant transfer rumor-mongering is underway in the Premier League. The few clubs with cash are being linked with anybody and everybody -- but what positions should clubs be prioritizing as they hit the shops? Today, clubs M-W; the top half of the table was covered yesterday.
Brazil turned on the style to defeat their South American rivals Chile 3-0 on Monday and set up a World Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands.
Five-time winners Brazil opened their World Cup campaign with a nervy 2-1 victory over a spirited North Korea in Johannesburg after the Ivory Coast and Portugal had played out a 0-0 draw in Tuesday's other Group G match.
As befits a returning prodigal son, Robinho's entrance was anything but understated.
Brazil warmed up for their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday night.
updated: Tue Feb 09 2010 16:34:00
What's to blame for slow World Cup ticket sales in South Africa? CNN's Nkepile Mabuse reports.
Manchester City misfit Robinho made a winning second debut for Santos as he scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory against Brazilian rivals Sao Paulo on Sunday.
Bad boys. No, we haven't been holed up in Castle Limey watching tepid Will Smith action movies from the mid-1990s. Instead, we've been musing about the bad boys who are the subjects of the two biggest stories that have hit the headlines in the last couple of weeks.
In a month's time comes the lone FIFA date for international fixtures before the end of the European season -- the only time teams preparing for the World Cup have the opportunity to be at full strength, with all their players available.
Manchester City forward Robinho is to rejoin Santos on a six-month loan after the clubs reached an agreement on the deal.
Manchester City manager Robert Mancini has confirmed that the English Premier League side are in negotiations with two Brazilian clubs over a loan move for Robinho.
Arsenal became the latest big-name casualty in this season's English FA Cup as they slid to a 3-1 defeat at fellow Premier League side Stoke City on Sunday.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed Robinho will not be joining the La Liga champions after a bid for the forward was rejected by Manchester City.
Porto striker Hulk has been called up to the Brazilian squad for friendly internationals next month against England and Oman.
Manchester City's Brazilian striker Robinho has admitted that he would struggle to resist any future possible transfer to European champions Barcelona.
Manchester City duo Elano and Robinho are among five British-based players named in the Brazil squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.
Manchester City striker Robinho has been told he will not face charges following an investigation into allegations of a serious sexual assault, police in northern England said on Monday.
Pele has denied saying that Manchester City striker Robinho had taken drugs.
Brazil legend Pele has been threatened with court action unless he retracts a reported allegation that compatriot Robinho, the Manchester City striker, has taken drugs.
There's a lesson soccer teaches again and again: Never place too much importance on the results of friendlies. They can be very deceptive, and they're always forgotten once the competitive action gets underway.
Manchester City duo Elano and Robinho fired Brazil to a 2-0 victory in their prestige friendly international against world champions Italy at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
updated: Thu Jan 29 2009 02:02:00
CNN's Phil Black reports on the sexual assault allegations made against Britain's highest paid soccer star Robinho.
Brazilian football star Robinho denies any wrongdoing after being interviewed by English police over allegations of a serious sexual assault.
Premier League big-spenders Manchester City are set to fine record signing Robinho for his training ground walk-out in Tenerife last week.
Manchester City have confirmed that absent Brazilian striker Robinho will be back in time for the Premier League side's return to training next week.
Brazilian star Robinho is set to play in his first Manchester derby on Sunday after recovering from an ankle injury.
The highlight of covering soccer in South America has always been getting an early glimpse at the youngsters destined to become household names. It's like going to the movies and getting a sneak peak at the most anticipated coming attractions.
No one expected Robinho to sign for Manchester City, least of all Robinho himself. The Brazilian scored on his debut against Chelsea at Eastlands, kissing the badge on his shirt in delight as he dashed across the pitch, but if he had got his way he would have been playing for the other side that afternoon.
It's a brand new day here in Rankingsville, and an exciting season awaits us. I fully expect José Mourinho to take Chelsea to the next step at last, Ronaldinho to rebound fully with Barcelona, Robinho finally to become the man with Real Madrid and ...
Wow! I still can't get over it. A gazzilionaire I had never heard about comes out of nowhere to take over a Premier League football club, and just a handful of minutes later signs Robinho, one of the best players in the world.
updated: Thu Sep 04 2008 08:12:00
Abu Dhabi based holdings company completes a multi-million dollar takeover of Manchester City. CNN's Pedro Pinto reports.
Manchester City have completed a sensational transfer deadline-day swoop for Brazilian forward Robinho in an estimated £32.5 million ($58 million) deal with Real Madrid, following the English Premier League club's takeover by an Abu Dhabi group on Monday.
updated: Tue Sep 02 2008 16:20:00
Manchester City FC is on the verge of being the latest investment for wealthy Gulf investors. CNN's Jim Boulden reports.
Chelsea expect to complete the signing of Brazil forward Robinho from Real Madrid before the close of European football's transfer window on Monday.
Chelsea have confirmed they have made an undisclosed offer for Real Madrid forward Robinho -- believed to be in the region of $40 million.
Brazilian confederation officials have hit out at Real Madrid after the Spanish giants requested the release of Chelsea target Robinho from the squad for the Olympic Games.
Robinho has cast doubt on Real Madrid's bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo by revealing that he does not want to be part of a swap deal for the Manchester United winger.
Chelsea are interested in signing Real Madrid winger Robinho, according to the Brazilian's agent Vagner Ribeiro, who told Spanish Sports daily AS that he had spoken to Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen.
Mighty Brazil held on for a 3-2 narrow victory over Canada in their friendly international in Seattle on Saturday night.
Real Madrid are poised to clinch a second successive Spanish league title after going 10 points clear at the top with a 2-0 victory at Racing Santander on Sunday.
Robinho's 65th-minute strike was enough to settle a lackluster encounter at chilly Croke Park and send the Republic of Ireland back to the harsh reality of their increasingly frustrating managerial hunt.
Real Madrid moved nine points clear in Spain with a 3-2 victory at home to third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robinho scored second half goals to give Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory over Zaragoza to restore their seven-point advantage at the top of the Spanish Primera standings.
Real Madrid secured top spot in Champions League Group C with a 3-1 home win against a sorry Lazio side that failed to even secure a UEFA Cup place.
There is an air of expectation at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid are currently enjoying their best start in a long, long time.
Brazilian striker Robinho scored twice as champions Real Madrid beat Real Mallorca in a 4-3 thriller to stay top of the Spanish Primera Liga.
Champions Real Madrid maintained their superb start to the Spanish season with a 5-1 victory over slumping Valencia in the Mestella on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid reclaimed top place in Champions League Group C after beating 10-man Olympiakos with three second-half goals at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Real Madrid will discipline Brazilians Robinho and Julio Baptista because of their delay in returning from international duty last week.
OK kids, let's get this over with -- we're all looking ahead to the loads of international action this weekend. The bell may be tolling for England as far as qualification for Euro 2008, and Spain and the Netherlands face uphill battles.
The Copa America -- the world's oldest international football tournament -- has been devalued in recent years by the prior importance placed in South America on World Cup qualifying (effectively a continental league) and by the ever-greater demands of the European football calendar.
David Beckham trained with Real Madrid again Friday and is expected to start in the title-deciding match against Mallorca -- his final game before joining the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Sevilla and Real Madrid kept the pressure on leaders Barcelona with home wins in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Ronaldo has been left out by Brazil again after coach Dunga named his squad for this month's friendlies against Chile and Ghana in Sweden.
Brazil have recalled Werder Bremen star Diego on Monday for a friendly international against Switzerland in Basle on November 15.
Brazil forward Robinho will miss Tuesday's World Cup second round match against Ghana due to a thigh injury.
Brazilian striker Robinho is considered a doubtful starter for the five-time world champions second round clash with Ghana on Tuesday.
Brazil striker Robinho ended training early on Saturday after suffering a twinge in his right thigh, team doctor Jose Luis Runco said.
Real Madrid climbed above Valencia into second place in the Primera Liga on Thursday with a 3-2 away win over relegation-threatened Racing Santander.
Real Madrid kept up the pressure on leaders Barcelona with a sixth consecutive Primera Liga win, sweeping aside lowly Alaves 3-0 at the Bernabeu, to move up to second place.
Two stunning free-kicks in the space of four minutes helped Real Madrid to overturn a one-goal deficit and beat Cadiz 3-1 to move within 10 points of Primera Liga leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid strolled into the last eight of the King's Cup when they crushed a sorry-looking Athletic Bilbao 4-0 at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid moved top of the Primera Liga on Saturday after goals from Robinho and Alvaro Mejia gave them a 2-0 win over struggling Real Betis.
FIFA have published their shortlist for this year's World Player of the Year award - with Brazilian players featuring heavily.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has named an attacking line-up as his team look to clinch a World Cup berth with victory against Chile on Sunday in South American qualifying.
Brazilian international Robinho insisted Tuesday that he is ready to give up the millions that are due to him financially in order to secure a move to Real Madrid.
Robinho's agent will resume negotiations with Real Madrid over a transfer from Brazilian champion Santos, news agency Efe reported Thursday.
World player of the year Ronaldinho gave a dazzling display as Brazil thrashed minnows Hong Kong 7-1 in a one-sided friendly on Wednesday.
Real Madrid are close to signing young Brazilian forward Robinho from Santos, the player's agent has said.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Tuesday the club would consider bids for out-of-favor striker Fernando Morientes.
Kidnappers have freed the mother of Santos forward Robinho, one of Brazil's most talented players, 40 days after seizing her at gunpoint.
Brazilian star Robinho, reported to be on the brink of a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, faces an anxious wait after his mother was kidnapped at gunpoint from a Sao Paolo suburb.
Striker Robinho scored twice as Santos routed bottom club Parana 5-1 to become clear leaders in the Brazilian championship.
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