Real Madrid Advance to Champions League Quarter-Finals with 1-1 Draw Against RB Leipzig

Real Madrid Advance to Champions League Quarter-Finals with 1-1 Draw Against RB Leipzig

Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

The match started with both teams cautious, but it was Madrid who broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. Jude Bellingham, who had been impressive throughout the tie, initiated the move in his own half and surged forward before releasing a perfectly weighted through ball to Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian forward calmly slotted the ball past Janis Blaswich to give Madrid the lead.

However, Leipzig responded swiftly, with Willi Orban equalizing just three minutes later. The German defender headed home a corner kick to level the score and give Leipzig hope of a comeback.

Despite Leipzig’s efforts, Madrid held firm and managed to see out the match, securing their place in the last eight. The result extends Madrid’s impressive record in the Champions League, as they have reached the quarter-finals in 12 of the last 14 seasons.

Bellingham’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he became the third-youngest player to either score or assist a goal in six consecutive Champions League appearances. The 20-year-old midfielder has been in scintillating form this season and is attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

After the match, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his team had struggled to control the game. “We had to dig deep, more than we thought we might have to,” he said. “It was difficult and we played badly. Now we’re pleased to reach the quarter-finals.”

Ancelotti also highlighted the need for improvement in Madrid’s mental resilience. “When we have a small lead, we don’t know how to handle it mentally,” he said. “We don’t press and we lack intensity. That’s where we have to improve and evaluate what we didn’t do well.”

Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti Faces Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti Faces Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

Spanish prosecutors have requested a four-year and nine-month prison sentence for Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, alleging that he failed to declare earnings to the tax office. The charges stem from undeclared image rights earnings in 2014 and 2015, amounting to over one million euros.

Prosecutors accuse Ancelotti of establishing a complex system of shell companies to conceal his earnings from image rights and other sources. They allege that he “simulated” the transfer of his image rights to entities outside Spain to avoid paying taxes.

In 2014, Ancelotti earned 1.24 million euros from image rights sales, and 2.96 million euros in 2015. A Spanish court ordered him to stand trial in July, but a date has not yet been set.

Ancelotti has acknowledged the actions that deprived the treasury of money, according to court documents. This could lead to an agreement with prosecutors to settle the case without trial and avoid prison.

Spain has recently cracked down on tax evasion among high-profile football players. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jose Mourinho have all faced charges and received sentences.

Ancelotti took over as Real Madrid coach in 2013 and left in 2015. He has since managed Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton before returning to Real Madrid in 2021. He has won the Champions League four times and domestic league titles in multiple countries.

Paula Badosa Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open Due to Injury

Paula Badosa Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open Due to Injury

Paula Badosa’s injury woes continue to haunt her as the former world No. 2 was forced to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Spaniard, who made her biggest career breakthrough in Indian Wells in 2021, has been struggling with a myriad of injuries since then.

Badosa’s withdrawal from Indian Wells marks the fourth tournament out of six that she has either lost a match via a walkover or withdrawn from after the draw was made. She owns a 4-5 win-loss record on the year, with three of her victories coming on her way to the Australian Open third round.

The stress fracture in her L4 vertebra (low back) sidelined Badosa for the second half of the 2023 season. She returned to Indian Wells with a wild card, but her injury woes continue to plague her.

“So sorry I have to withdraw from my favorite tournament,” Badosa shared in an Instagram Story. “I tried everything to be able to play but (it) wasn’t enough. I’m having a very difficult time with my injury but I’m fighting every day to come (back) as soon as possible.”

Badosa has been struggling to get her 2024 season off the ground. She has been open about her struggles with injuries and the toll it has taken on her mentally.

“I wanna thank the fans that are sticking with me, (especially) this past year,” Badosa said. “I’m sorry I haven’t given what you are expecting from me and I’m just giving you sad news lately. (Trust me it’s the last thing I want also)…

“Hopefully soon the tears will be tears of joy again.”

Badosa’s withdrawal from Indian Wells is a major blow to the tournament. She was one of the top contenders for the title and her absence will be felt.

Dinesh Karthik to Retire from IPL, Mulls International Future

Dinesh Karthik to Retire from IPL, Mulls International Future

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is set to bid farewell to the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, marking the end of an illustrious career in the tournament. Karthik, who turns 39 in June, will also make a decision on his international future soon.

Karthik, who began his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), is one of only seven players to have featured in every season of the IPL since its inception in 2008. He has missed just two matches in 16 seasons, a testament to his durability and commitment.

Despite a disappointing 2023 IPL season with the bat, Karthik enjoyed a stellar campaign in 2022 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Playing the role of a finisher, he scored 330 runs at an average of 55 and a strike rate of 183.33, helping RCB reach the playoffs.

Karthik’s IPL form earned him a berth in the 2022 T20 World Cup, but he struggled to make an impact. He has represented six IPL teams throughout his career, including Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and RCB.

In 240 IPL matches, Karthik has amassed 4516 runs at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 132, with 20 half-centuries. As a keeper, he is second only to MS Dhoni in overall dismissals (133) and stumpings (36).

Karthik has also captained in the IPL, leading Daredevils on six occasions and Knight Riders for 37 matches. He has a captaincy record of 21 wins, 21 losses, and one tie.

As he prepares to retire from playing, Karthik has already embarked on a second career in broadcasting. He has worked as a pundit for the World Test Championship final and the Hundred, and is currently commentating on the India-England Test series.

RCB will open their IPL campaign against defending champions Chennai Super Kings on March 23 at Karthik’s home ground in Chepauk.

Andy Murray Defeats Goffin, Sets Up Rublev Clash at BNP Paribas Open

Andy Murray Defeats Goffin, Sets Up Rublev Clash at BNP Paribas Open

Andy Murray, a former world No. 1, made a strong start at the BNP Paribas Open, defeating David Goffin in straight sets to set up a second-round clash with Andrey Rublev. Murray, who has hinted at retiring in 2024, showed glimpses of his former brilliance in the 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has battled back from a hip resurfacing to become a Top 50 fixture. However, he has endured a difficult stretch since last fall, losing nine of 10 matches. Despite the setbacks, Murray remains determined to finish his career on a high note.

Goffin, a former world No. 7, has also struggled in recent years. Since falling out of the Top 100 last spring, he has played a mix of ATP Challengers and tour-level qualifiers. Murray boasts a 7-0 head-to-head record against Goffin, including a victory in 2022 when Goffin retired after the first set.

In the opening set, Murray played a clean game, striking eight winners to just five unforced errors. Goffin, on the other hand, was more erratic, hitting more winners but also twice as many errors. A big serve gave Murray the first set.

Murray continued his momentum in the second set, breaking Goffin’s serve to start. He then held his serve comfortably and broke Goffin again to take a 4-2 lead. Murray blasted a backhand into the open court to earn an insurance break and served for the match. He earned three match points and sealed the victory with an ace.

Murray’s next opponent, Rublev, will be playing his first match since being defaulted from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for verbally berating a lines judge. Rublev, a 10-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, was fined $36,400 but retained his ranking points after appealing the decision.

Murray and Rublev are deadlocked at 1-1 in their head-to-head, but Murray’s lone win over the young Russian came in 2017. Rublev got the better of Murray indoors in Rotterdam in 2021.

Ben Sears to Debut for New Zealand in Second Test Against Australia

Ben Sears to Debut for New Zealand in Second Test Against Australia

New Zealand’s bowling attack will undergo a significant change for the second Test against Australia in Christchurch, with fast bowler Ben Sears set to make his debut. The 26-year-old replaces Will O’Rourke, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first Test in Wellington.

Sears has impressed with his pace in recent T20I matches against Australia and has a solid first-class record, having taken 58 wickets at an average of 27.03 in 19 matches. His inclusion adds an extra dimension to the New Zealand bowling attack, which has been heavily reliant on pace in the first two Tests.

However, the final decision on the team’s composition rests with captain Tim Southee, who will play his 100th Test in Christchurch. Southee has hinted that a choice between pace bowler Scott Kuggeleijn and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner could be made, with the latter potentially coming into the side to provide more variety.

Kuggeleijn, playing his second Test, struggled in Wellington, claiming only two wickets and scoring 0 and 26 with the bat. Santner, on the other hand, has a proven track record in Test cricket and could be a valuable asset on a pitch that is expected to offer more spin than the previous two venues.

Head coach Gary Stead has acknowledged that New Zealand made a mistake in leaving out Santner in the first two Tests, with the pitches in Hamilton and Wellington providing more assistance to spinners than anticipated. Glenn Phillips took five wickets in Australia’s second innings of the first Test, while Nathan Lyon claimed ten in the match.

Hagley Oval, the venue for the second Test, has the highest spin-bowling average of any ground in New Zealand, with wickets taken at 55.79. This could sway the decision in favor of Santner, who has the ability to extract turn and bounce from the surface.

Australia, meanwhile, is expected to name an unchanged XI, meaning their frontline bowling attack will have played all seven Tests during the season against Pakistan, West Indies, and New Zealand. The tourists will be looking to maintain their dominance and secure a series victory in Christchurch.

Rodón's Struggles Continue as Yankees Fall to Rays

Rodón’s Struggles Continue as Yankees Fall to Rays

Carlos Rodón’s struggles continued on Wednesday as he surrendered two more homers in the New York Yankees’ 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The AL batting champion, Yandy Díaz, greeted Rodón with a first-pitch homer, while Richie Palocios launched a two-run drive off his final offering. Rodón’s outing ended after 3+ innings, allowing three runs on five hits.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Rodón’s lackluster fastball velocity, but praised his performance between the first and last pitches. Rodón’s injury-plagued 2023 season saw him post a 3-8 record with a 6.85 ERA. He is now in the second year of a six-year, $162 million contract.

Rodón expressed his frustration with his inability to stay healthy, emphasizing that he is a formidable pitcher when fit. His recent simulated game resulted in four homers allowed to Yankees minor leaguers, while his other spring training start yielded a solo homer.

Alex Verdugo returned to the Yankees lineup after recovering from a bruised leg, but struck out in all three at-bats. Reliever Tommy Kahnle, hampered by a shoulder injury, indicated that he may not be ready for opening day and could start rehab games in the first week of the regular season.

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani continued his impressive spring training performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 2 for 2 with a walk against the Chicago White Sox. The Japanese star has recorded seven RBIs in 12 at-bats so far.

Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox will seek a second opinion on his ailing right elbow in Alabama. Manager Alex Cora revealed that Giolito will consult with Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas to explore treatment options, including surgery.

Cody Bellinger made his spring training debut for the Chicago Cubs, drawing a walk in three plate appearances. Eddie Rosario has agreed to a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals, pending a physical exam.

Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays is focused on staying healthy after two injury-marred seasons. Dylan Crews, the Nationals’ No. 2 overall pick, hit his first spring training homer against the Miami Marlins. Adolis García homered in his first Cactus League appearance for the Texas Rangers.

On Launches Tennis Collection, Bringing Swiatek and Shelton's Kits to Fans

On Launches Tennis Collection, Bringing Swiatek and Shelton’s Kits to Fans

On Unveils Tennis-Specific Collection, Bringing Swiatek and Shelton’s Kits to Fans

Swiss sportswear giant On is set to release its first tennis-specific collection in April, marking a significant milestone in its growing presence in the sport. The collection, developed in collaboration with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and rising American star Ben Shelton, combines cutting-edge materials with thoughtful design to provide athletes with unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement.

On’s entry into the tennis world began a year ago with the signing of Swiatek and Shelton to head-to-toe deals. Since then, the players have provided valuable feedback to the brand, shaping the development of the new collection.

The comprehensive collection includes 17 pieces of apparel and footwear, designed to transition seamlessly from on-court to off-court. From Shelton’s pink-accented tank top to Swiatek’s signature two-piece match outfits, the collection emphasizes sleek, modern designs that make a statement.

“The design and advanced technology not only enhance my comfort during matches but also empower me to perform at my best while feeling confident,” said Swiatek.

The collection will debut in Europe on April 1, 2024, and will be available online at On.com and in stores in North America on April 5.

In addition to the tennis collection, On has also released THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro, its first on-court model designed for casual but competitive tennis players. The shoe combines the performance features of THE ROGER Pro with the heritage style of other “Roger” models.

“Tennis, padel, or even, dare I say it, pickleball,” said Federer, describing the versatility of the Clubhouse Pro.

THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro is now available at On.com and in stores and sports retailers worldwide.

Gary Vaynerchuk: Unconventional Success Through Self-Belief and Defiance

Gary Vaynerchuk: Unconventional Success Through Self-Belief and Defiance

Gary Vaynerchuk’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to his unwavering determination and unconventional approach. From his humble beginnings as an immigrant from the Soviet Union, Vaynerchuk’s entrepreneurial spirit manifested at an early age.

Vaynerchuk’s success stems from his unwavering belief in self-love and acceptance, instilled in him by his mother. Despite his family’s financial struggles, he was taught that happiness is not contingent on material wealth. This early realization became a driving force in his pursuit of success.

Vaynerchuk’s unconventional path to business success is evident in his disregard for societal norms. He embraced casual attire and profanity in his public speaking engagements, defying industry expectations. His unwavering belief in his own values allowed him to stand firm against criticism.

Vaynerchuk’s bond with tennis star Nick Kyrgios is rooted in their shared audacity and curiosity. Both have challenged conventions in their respective fields, with Kyrgios’s unconventional playing style and Vaynerchuk’s disruptive business practices.

Vaynerchuk emphasizes the importance of defining work-life balance on an individual basis. He believes that fulfillment lies in prioritizing one’s own needs and desires over societal expectations. By auditing relationships and releasing what no longer serves them, individuals can create a life that aligns with their true selves.

Vaynerchuk’s message resonates with entrepreneurs and individuals seeking to forge their own paths. His emphasis on self-belief, unconventional thinking, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment provides a roadmap for success in both business and life.

Bangladesh Levels T20 Series with Eight-Wicket Win over Sri Lanka

Bangladesh Levels T20 Series with Eight-Wicket Win over Sri Lanka

Bangladesh’s Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led his team to a resounding eight-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the second T20 international, leveling the three-match series. Shanto’s unbeaten half-century and a solid partnership with Towhid Hridoy proved decisive in the chase.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 165-5. Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis provided a solid foundation with a 66-run partnership, but Bangladesh’s bowlers fought back to restrict the visitors. Soumya Sarkar dismissed Kusal for 36, while Kamindu was run out after making 37.

In response, Bangladesh’s openers Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar gave their team a strong start, adding 68 runs in just 6.5 overs. However, Matheesha Pathirana broke the partnership by dismissing Sarkar for 26 and Das for 36.

Hridoy and Shanto then took control of the chase, adding an unbeaten 87-run stand for the third wicket. Shanto played a captain’s knock, hitting a 38-ball 53 with four fours and two sixes. Hridoy contributed with a 25-ball 32, including two fours and a six.

Bangladesh’s bowlers also played a crucial role in the victory. Taskin Ahmed removed Avishka Fernando for a duck, while Soumya Sarkar dismissed Kusal. Mustafizur Rahman got the better of Sadeera Samarawickrama, who had scored a half-century in the previous match.

Sri Lanka stand-in captain Charith Asalanka admitted that his team fell short of runs and that Kamindu’s run-out was a turning point in the game. He emphasized the need for his batters to make big runs in challenging conditions.

Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka added 53 runs for the sixth wicket, but it was not enough to prevent Bangladesh from leveling the series.

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