Europe

A squabble over seating arrangements on the team bus cost Club Brugge forward Emmanuel Dennis a place in the squad for Tuesday's Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported.

The 23-year-old Nigerian stormed off the bus after being told he was not allowed to sit in his preferred seat due to social distancing measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the report said, and he did not make the trip to Germany.

You know it’s serious when Antoine Griezmann shows up for his own special segment on Movistar+. Most infamously, Griezmann appeared on the network back in the summer of 2018 to announce — in the face of interest from Barcelona — that he was staying at Atlético Madrid with the resounding cry of “My fans, my team, my HOME.”

One summer later Griezmann was on his way to the Camp Nou after Barça met his $142 million release clause, but Monday’s appearance on Movistar+ has to do with what’s transpired since that fractious move. 

Mention Diego Lainez to USMNT supporters and they’ll immediately think of Matt Miazga’s relentless trolling of the diminutive winger back in September of 2018. What they won’t recall is that the then 18-year-old was the best player on the field in Nashville, form which he carried over into the Liga MX Apertura playoffs and a $14 million transfer to Real Betis. 

The USMNT’s future looks brighter than ever, especially after a promising 0-0 draw against Wales and a 6-2 thumping of Panama. A young squad with overflowing potential has fans ready for the new era of Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest and other American stars playing among Europe’s best clubs.

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be out of action for at least ten days after picking up a muscle injury in the 3-1 league win against Napoli at the weekend, the Serie A club said on Monday.

The 39-year-old scored twice before suffering the injury as the Serie A leaders recorded their first league win in Naples for more than 10 years. A club spokesperson said it could take between two and three weeks for Ibrahimovic to recover.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has joined other managers in lashing out at the packed European football calendar after deciding to rest Lionel Messi for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Dynamo Kyiv.

Barca lost Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto to serious injuries in Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in LaLiga, leaving them with only three defenders in the first team squad for the trip to Ukraine.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as Serie A leaders AC Milan beat 10-man Napoli 3-1 on Sunday to record their first league win in Naples for more than 10 years.

The 39-year-old powered a bullet header into the bottom corner in the first half before bundling in his second of the night after the break to take his league-high tally to 10 goals in six games this season.

Romelu Lukaku admitted that his flawed Inter Milan side still can't be considered a great team after his double helped to complete a thrilling second half comeback from two goals down to beat Torino 4-2 on Sunday, ending a four-match winless run in all competitions.

Simone Zaza struck late in the first half to give the visitors a deserved lead, and Cristian Ansaldi doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after the break.

Roma’s excellent start to the 2020-21 season continued on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Parma at the Olimpico. Since an opening day defeat to Hellas Verona, Roma has embarked on a 10-game unbeaten run across all competitions (seven wins and three draws) to move up to third in Serie A, as well as top of their Europa League group.

Barcelona were facing an injury crisis as well as a results crisis on Sunday after defenders Gerard Piqué and Sergi Roberto were ruled out for significant periods following injuries sustained in Saturday's 1-0 LaLiga defeat by Atlético Madrid.