Key events
Philipp Lahm: “My role is that of a mediator”
Euro 2024: âAs the tournament director, I see the Eurosâ potential to enhance the best of our way of life and to set aside ugly resentments,â writes the former Germany international. âWe are now experiencing an era when Europe must live its values and sport can be a piece of the mosaic.â
Europa League: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang became the competitionâs all time top scorer with 31 goals as Marseille booked their place in the last 16 at Shakhtar Donetskâs expense. Roma, Benfica, Qarabag, Freiberg, Sporting, AC Milan and Sparta Prague also advanced last night.
Carabao Cup final: A five-times winner of the League Cup with Manchester City, Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling will face another of his former teams, Liverpool, in Sundayâs final. The dynamic is intriguing, writes Jacob Steinberg.
Friday football blog …
The weekend is upon us, with all it entails: Premier League action, Sundayâs Carabao Cup final at Wembley and a whole lot more besides.
Join us as we check in on the press conferences of football managers the length and breadth of the country and diligently report their every utterance, however inspiring or banal they might be. Except no knock to go unreported as the day unfolds.
And with five British teams left in the Europa League and Europa Conference League, weâll bring you news of who theyâll face in the last 16 when the draws are conducted later this morning.
Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton and Rangers are in the Europa League draw, which takes place from 11am (GMT). The favourites for the competition, Aston Villa will discover their Europa Conference League opponents at noon.