Milan Come from Behind to Beat Juventus 2-1 in Super Cup Semi-final

Soccer Football - Italian Super Cup - Semi Final - Juventus v AC Milan - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - January 3, 2025 AC Milan's Christian Pulisic scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
Soccer Football - Italian Super Cup - Semi Final - Juventus v AC Milan - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - January 3, 2025 AC Milan's Christian Pulisic scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
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Milan Come from Behind to Beat Juventus 2-1 in Super Cup Semi-final

Soccer Football - Italian Super Cup - Semi Final - Juventus v AC Milan - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - January 3, 2025 AC Milan's Christian Pulisic scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
Soccer Football - Italian Super Cup - Semi Final - Juventus v AC Milan - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - January 3, 2025 AC Milan's Christian Pulisic scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

AC Milan reached the Italian Super Cup final after coming from behind to beat Juventus 2-1 on Friday in Sergio Conceicao's first game in charge, setting up a derby decider with Inter Milan.

A second-half penalty from Christian Pulisic and an own goal by Federico Gatti completed Milan's comeback after Kenan Yildiz had fired Juve into a 21st-minute lead.

Milan will play Inter in Monday's final, after the Serie A champions overcame Atalanta 2-0 in their semi-final meeting on Thursday, where Conceicao could immediately get his hands on a trophy after replacing the sacked Paulo Fonseca as Milan manager on Monday.

The expected intrigue of a father against son battle failed to materialise, after Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao was named in the starting 11 but was withdrawn after picking up an injury in the warm-up, according to Reuters.

Conceicao's place was taken by Yildiz, and after a slow, cagey start to the game, it was the Turkish forward who broke the deadlock.

A through pass from Samuel Mbangula caught the Milan defence off guard and found Yildiz who took the ball into the area before smashing his shot into the roof of the net, beating Milan keeper Mike Maignan at his near post.

The second half began with another Yildiz effort going just wide in the opening seconds, and shortly afterwards, he played a low pass across the area but Dusan Vlahovic sent his effort wide.

Milan had a massive chance to equalise from a corner kick when the ball fell to Theo Hernandez, but he somehow managed to send a shot over the bar from close range.

The game at last opened up and Nicolo Savona's foul on Hernandez gave Milan a penalty kick in the 71st minute which Pulisic sent straight down the middle to beat Michele Di Gregorio.

Milan went ahead four minutes later, through an own goal. Yunus Musah's cross took a wicked deflection off Juve defender Gatti which took the ball past Di Gregorio who had come off his line.

"For our second-half performance, we deserved the final. In the first half I saw a Milan with many doubts, like a few weeks ago," Conceicao told SportMediaset.

"Then we spoke at halftime. We had to understand what we had to do to win and they were really brave."

Deep into added time, Juventus had one last chance to send the game to penalties, but Gatti's volleyed effort from close range went just wide.

The Milan manager embraced his son after the game before celebrating with his players, and Conceicao will now aim to stop Inter from winning their fourth consecutive Super Cup trophy.

"The second half was completely different, but we haven't done anything yet," Conceicao said.

"We have one less day of rest and this is an important factor."



Barca Face Espanyol Derby Dilemma Ahead of Atletico Return

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)
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Barca Face Espanyol Derby Dilemma Ahead of Atletico Return

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)

In the wake of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Atletico Madrid, coach Hansi Flick faces a dilemma for Saturday's La Liga derby clash against Espanyol.

With the champions seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table, Flick may be tempted to rotate heavily ahead of Tuesday's crucial second leg visit to face Atletico, trailing 2-0.

Alvaro Arbeloa's Madrid host Girona on Friday and could cut the gap down to four points with a victory, which would make Flick's choice harder.

Los Blancos are also in a tough spot following their 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but have a bigger gap between the Girona game and the second leg in Bavaria next Wednesday.

"We have also a derby in three days on Saturday, our next match, it's also important for us to win," said Flick.

"We will see, we will analyze everything, what kind of options we have."

The worst case scenario would be suffering a first league defeat at Camp Nou since its reopening before being eliminated from the Champions League anyway in the Spanish capital.

With the league Clasico against Real Madrid on May 10 appearing on the horizon, Flick is keen to maintain Barca's lead, but the Champions League may take precedence.

Several players who have been reserves for much of the season like Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji could come into the side to take on an Espanyol team in free-fall.

After a strong start to the season Manolo Gonzalez's team have failed to win in 2026, which began with a 2-0 home defeat by Barca that set off their slump.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez is fundamental for Barca but came off at half-time in the defeat by Atletico, with a minor physical issue.

"Pedri had some problems. No big problems but in this situation we need him (going forwards) -- so we made the decision to take him off the pitch," said Flick.

Flick will hope to have midfielder Frenkie de Jong available for the second leg at Atletico and the Dutchman returned to training this week after a hamstring injury.

The Dutchman has a chance of being included in the squad to face Espanyol, while Barca can also find encouragement in Gavi's performance against Atletico as a substitute.

It could buy the 21-year-old more game time at the weekend as he continues to find fitness following a long injury lay-off. "Gavi had a fantastic game," said Flick.

Atletico Madrid visit Sevilla on Saturday and Diego Simeone is certain to rest several key players.

The Argentine coach has been focused on the cup competitions in recent weeks with his team fourth in La Liga and unlikely to slip with Real Betis 12 points behind in fifth.

Player to watch: Vedat Muriqi

Mallorca's Kosovan target man Muriqi scored a vital goal last week to help the team beat Real Madrid and boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

The forward has 19 goals this season, trailing only La Liga's top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe and will look to add to his tally against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in another important game.


Bayern Eyeing Bundesliga Scoring Record at St Pauli

 Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)
Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)
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Bayern Eyeing Bundesliga Scoring Record at St Pauli

 Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)
Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)

Bayern Munich need just two goals at St Pauli on Saturday to break the 54-year goalscoring record for a Bundesliga season.

Vincent Kompany's runaway league leaders have already scored 100 Bundesliga goals this season -- just one goal short of the best mark in German top-flight history -- with six matches of the 34-game campaign still to play.

The previous record was set in 1971-72 by a barnstorming Bayern side featuring club legends Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Mueller and Uli Hoeness.

That Bayern have already brought up their Bundesliga century shows their dominance this term.

At their current rate, Bayern are on track for 121 goals, which would be a better mark than the record in either the Premier League or La Liga, which both have 38-game seasons.

Even the all-time mark in a top-five European league of 125, set by Torino in a 40-game Serie A season in 1947-48, would be within reach.

If Bayern may have to achieve the feat without Harry Kane, who is chasing a league record of his own.

With 31 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances, Kane is 10 short of the all-time record of 41 set by Robert Lewandowski in 2020-21.

Kane missed England's March internationals with an ankle injury but returned to score what proved to be the winner in Bayern's 2-1 Champions League win at Real Madrid on Tuesday.

However, the England captain did not look 100 percent and could be rested against St Pauli with Wednesday's quarter-final second leg in mind.

One player almost certain to start is Michael Olise, who is also on track for a record-breaking season.

Olise, who assisted Kane's goal against Real, has laid on 18 Bundesliga goals so far this campaign, three short of the all-time record set by Thomas Mueller in 2019-20.

One to watch: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)

Stuttgart midfield lynchpin Angelo Stiller's form not only earned him a return to the Germany national side last month, it has won him admirers from across the sporting spectrum.

Teenage darts sensation and Manchester United fan Luke Littler called Stiller his favorite German player in an interview at the Premier League Darts event in Berlin last month.

Speaking to DAZN, Littler singled out Stiller, saying "come to United -- we need help".

Stiller's return to form has coincided with an excellent run for Stuttgart, who have lost just two of their past 15 games to close in on a return to the Champions League.

"That's great, he's also my favorite darts player," Stiller said of Littler in an interview with the Bundesliga website on Friday.

Stiller said he was both honored and a tad annoyed by Littler's attempt to lure him to Old Trafford.

"It's part of the business that rumors arise and things are said. You should not deal with it so much and just do your own thing."


South America's CONMEBOL Backs FIFA President for 4th Term

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
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South America's CONMEBOL Backs FIFA President for 4th Term

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

South American football's governing body (CONMEBOL) gave Gianni Infantino its backing on Thursday should he decide to run for reelection as FIFA president for a fourth term.

While Infantino has yet to confirm whether he will run for the 2027–2031 term, CONMEBOL's council said in a statement that it "unanimously expressed its support" for the 56-year-old's leadership ⁠ahead of a ⁠potential bid.

"President Gianni Infantino, thank you for your continued commitment to the development of South American football and for the leadership exercised at a global level," CONMEBOL ⁠President Alejandro Dominguez said.

"We deeply value your closeness to our region and your vision to continue growing the game worldwide."

CONMEBOL is the first federation to express support for Infantino's re-election, Reuters reported.

The Swiss took office in 2016, taking over from Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and again ⁠in ⁠2023.

Infantino has pushed for the expansion of FIFA competitions during his tenure, with this year's World Cup in North America the first to feature 48 teams, while the women's tournament in 2023 expanded to 32 teams.

Infantino's tenure has also drawn some criticism over issues such as governance and calendar congestion.