EURO 2016 preview, Group F: Ronaldo, Portugal favorites against relative new boys

By Nicholas MendolaJun 8, 2016, 3:00 PM EDT

Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

Portugal

Sixth-straight final, and seventh overall. Twice a semifinalist, including the 2012 tournament.

Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) — You know about this fella? Good at soccer.

[ EURO PREVIEWS: Group A | B | C | D | E ]

Ronaldo’s club championship mettle translates to the international stage, as Portugal wins its first two matches, rests its players for the third and then follows Ronaldo to the title.

But just like the World Cup, Ronaldo’s supporting cast lets him down. Pepe takes a red card, Nani misses a PK, and Iceland snares a knockout slot.

Iceland

First major tournament

Game schedule

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND - OCTOBER 10: Kolbeinn Sightorsson (1st R) of Iceland celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier match between Iceland and Latvia at Laugardalsvollur National Stadium on October 10, 2015 in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images). — Kolbeinn Sightorsson (1st R) of Iceland (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images).

Star player: Kolbeinn Sigþórsson (Nantes) — The 26-year-old ex-Ajax man has been prolific for his country.

The Icelandic team is a bit of an unknown entity, and its creative play and tactical acumen could cause problems for the other teams in the group.

But like the others in the group outside of Portugal, advancing in tournament play will be tricky due to the newness of it all.

Austria

Second Euro, the first being a group stage-only endeavor in 2008.

Game schedule

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - MARCH 29: Ozan Tufan of Turkey (L) competes for the ball with David Alaba of Austria during the international friendly match between Austria and Turkey at Ernst-Happel-Stadium on March 29, 2016 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images) — David Alaba of Austria Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

Star player: David Alaba (Bayern Munich) — Quick, versatile and energetic, Alaba could finally get deserved accolades free from his Bayern ‘mates.

Dominant in qualifying, Austria is buoyed by confidence and a relatively soft group, moving onto the knockout rounds.

Aiming to be an upstart team, Austria falls flat and finishes third in the group thanks to a game Iceland squad.

Hungary

Third Euro, but first in 44 years.

Game schedule

Star player: Balázs Dzsudzsák (Bursaspor) — Hungary’s 29-year-old captain dictates his team from the middle of the park.

If Group F decides to take the plucky Hungarians lightly, the disciplined unit can surprise and contend for the second slot.

Unfortunately, the lack of experience combined with an entertaining group of attacking teams should spell doom for the Nemzeti Tizenegy.

Who’s going through, who’s going home: Austria and Iceland go through, slipping past Portugal and Hungary.

Marquee match: Iceland vs. Portugal, June 14 in Saint-Etienne.

Top players to watch:

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
David Alaba, Austria
Gylfi Sigurdsson, Iceland
Joao Moutinho, Portugal
Kolbeinn Sigþórsson, Iceland

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Manchester City vs Inter Milan: How to watch Champions League Final, odds, predictions

By Nicholas MendolaJun 9, 2023, 6:05 PM EDT

Manchester City is on the chase for a historic treble and standing in the way is Inter Milan, one of Europe’s precious few clubs to claim such an honor.

[ LIVE: Manchester City vs Inter Milan ]

The Premier League winners three times running have an FA Cup under their belt after beating Manchester United on June 3 and the final jewel in their treble crown awaits with a win in Istanbul on June 10.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]

Pep Guardiola could lead a second club to a treble after he did it with Barcelona in 2008-09, and they would give heated rivals United domestic company on the treble stage right down the road.

Guardiola says it’s now okay to talk about the treble. We agree, and we’ve laid out why the achievement is so special after the jump.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Manchester City vs Inter Milan.

How to watch Manchester City vs Inter Milan live, stream link and start time

Dates: 3pm ET June 10, 2023
Online: Live updates via NBCSports.com
How to watch: TUDN, Paramount+

What Premier League clubs have won the treble?

Manchester United won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in 1998-99.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils are the lone Premier League club to win it.

That’s it. For now.

How many times has the treble been won?

Nine times in history has a team won its domestic league, top domestic cup, and the European Cup.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona have each done it twice, with Bayern doing it in 2012-13 and 2019-20 and Barca pulling it off in 2008-09 and 2014-15.

Celtic was the first to win a treble, doing it in 1966-67, while Ajax was the next in 1971-72.

PSV Eindhoven then won it in 1987-88 before Man United made it happen 11 years later. Inter Milan is the only Italian team to pull it off, winning in 2009-10.

(UEFA.com)

Champions League Final odds (Betting odds provided by our partner, BetMGM )

BetMGM is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on BetMGM for the first time after clicking our links.

Man City (-250) vs Inter Milan (+625) | Draw over 120 mins (+380)

Over 2.5 goals (-160). Under 2.5 goals (+110)

Champions League Final predictions

Joe Prince-Wright: Man City 2-1 Inter Milan
Andy Edwards: Man City 3-1 Inter Milan
Nick Mendola: Man City 2-0 Inter Milan

Manchester City team news, injuries, lineup options

QUESTIONABLE: None

Inter Milan team news, injuries, lineup options

QUESTIONABLE: Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Joaquin Correa. OUT: Dalbert.

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Lionel Messi rejects Saudi Arabia mega-offer, will sign with Inter Miami

By Andy EdwardsJun 9, 2023, 6:04 PM EDT

Lionel Messi will sign with Inter Miami, opting to move to MLS this summer rather than return to Barcelona or join Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple reports.

[ MORE: UEFA Champions League final, Manchester City vs Inter Milan ]

The deal will reportedly include profit sharing with two of MLS’s biggest commercial partners, Apple and Adidas, alongside his playing contract. According to reports, it could also include an option to purchase a minority stake in the club, which is partially owned (and operated) by David Beckham, who signed a similarly unique deal when he joined MLS in 2007. Beckham’s contract gave him a $25-million option to purchase an expansion franchise, which he exercised in 2018.

Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire on June 30 and the Ligue 1 club announced earlier this month that the Argentine superstar — widely considered the greatest player of all time — will leave the club this summer.

A statement from Major League Soccer. pic.twitter.com/wq6mOdbr4r

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) June 7, 2023

MORE: Five players to watch in the Premier League’s summer transfer window ]

Perhaps Inter Miami and MLS weren’t Messi’s first-choice option this summer, as his father previously stated his son’s desire to return to Barcelona, where he famously won 21 major trophies before an unceremonious exit amid financial troubles in the summer of 2021, but those issues still linger two years later. The offer from Saudi Arabia would have reportedly paid Messi, 35, $1.6 billion over three years.

Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who previously worked with Lionel Messi at Barcelona (2013-2014) and Argentina (2014-2016), is reportedly the leading candidate to replace the recently departed Phil Neville as head coach.

Inter Miami, who currently sit bottom (15th) of MLS’s Eastern Conference with 15 points from their first 16 games, parted ways with Neville last week. In his two full seasons in charge, Neville guided the club to regular-season finishes of 11th (of 14) and 6th (of 14) in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022.

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UEFA Champions League Final: Key battles for Inter Milan vs Manchester City

By Nicholas MendolaJun 9, 2023, 6:03 PM EDT

Manchester City’s quest for the treble hits its final obstacle when Inter Milan goes toe-to-toe with the Premier League and FA Cup champions in Istanbul at Saturday’s UEFA Champions League Final.

Pep Guardiola’s weren’t at their very best against Manchester United in the FA Cup Final and still walked away with its second trophy of the season.

But City’s final two Premier League matches saw dropped points. The stakes were non-existent and the team quite changed by Guardiola, who’s known to fancy a tactical wrinkle. How will things change this weekend?

[ MORE: Man City vs Inter Milan preview, watch info ]

It would be stunning if Inter boss Simone Inzaghi came out in anything but a 3-5-2, which has been his go-to formation for Inter Milan this season regardless of opponent.

But might Inzaghi have something up his sleeve?

Inter’s only losses in the Champions League came in the group stage versus Bayern Munich. Add in their setbacks in Serie A and there’s still been no standard recipe for beating Inter. There isn’t one for Man City, either, of course.

Kevin De Bruyne vs Marcelo Brozovic

If there’s a single player capable of messing with Pep Guardiola’s plan to control the game and get the ball to his creators in dangerous spots, it’s Croatian veteran Marcelo Brozovic. The 30-year-old is a force who can both be the club’s metronome and break up the opposition’s best attacks. There are few players in the world like De Bruyne, but he needs to be found in space and City needs the ball to do that. Brozovic can be a big part of limiting both of those things.

Erling Haaland vs Francesco Acerbi

Maybe the two names need to be switched in order, because Acerbi is going to have his hands full with Haaland. The question is whether the 35-year-old Acerbi, still very good but no longer in his prime, can use his nous and vast experience to limit Haaland’s chances to do the exceptional. Haaland, meanwhile, just has to be himself. Ask yourself who’s being asked more.

Andre Onana vs Man City’s attack

Picking one player, even Haaland or De Bruyne, for this battle is unfair to the exercise because let’s be real. There is no chance that Inter Milan wins this game without a supreme moment or two from its goalkeeper. Andre Onana has played every Champions League match for Inter and has had his fair share of outstanding performances. He’s outperformed expected goals on target by 6.7 goals over the course of the tournament.

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How many times has a team won the treble? Man City goes for history

By Nicholas MendolaJun 9, 2023, 6:02 PM EDT

There’s been a lot of treble talk these days, talk that’s found a new level of buzz since Manchester City moved within one win of joining the club.

It’s an elite club, by the way, of teams that have won their domestic league, top domestic cup, and the European Cup.

Nine times in history has a team won the treble, and only once has it been done by a Premier League club.

[ MORE: Recalling Zlatan’s “unicorn” career ]

That’s why Man City’s defeat of Manchester United earlier this month in the FA Cup Final rings so true for the Citizens; The blue side of Manchester would join the red side as treble supporters, as United won the treble in 1998-99.

Man City goes for the third jewel of its treble crown on Saturday versus Inter Milan in Istanbul when it kicks off the UEFA Champions League Final.

For more treble trivia, head below the jump.

How many times has the treble been won?

Bayern Munich and Barcelona have each done it twice, with Bayern doing it in 2012-13 and 2019-20 and Barca pulling it off in 2008-09 and 2014-15.

Celtic was the first to win a treble, doing it in 1966-67, while Ajax was the next in 1971-72.

PSV Eindhoven then won it in 1987-88 before Man United made it happen 11 years later. Inter Milan is the only Italian team to pull it off, winning in 2009-10.

(UEFA.com)

Follow @NicholasMendola

Premier League news

How to watch Manchester City vs Inter Milan live, stream link and start time

What Premier League clubs have won the treble?

How many times has the treble been won?

Champions League Final odds (Betting odds provided by our partner, BetMGM )

Champions League Final predictions

Manchester City team news, injuries, lineup options

Inter Milan team news, injuries, lineup options

Transfer news

Kevin De Bruyne vs Marcelo Brozovic

Erling Haaland vs Francesco Acerbi

Andre Onana vs Man City’s attack

Premier League news

How many times has the treble been won?