Former Chelsea superstar Michael Essien could be set to line up for Melbourne Victory in the A-League next season.

Melbourne Victory made it two wins on the spin in pre-season friendlies against A-League opposition, disposing of an under-strength Adelaide United by a solitary first-half goal to Marco Rojas.

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Thursday's foray into Europe's elite is a timely reminder of just how much Ranieri's team achieved, writes Paul Hayward.

Highlights from the opening clashes, including PSG v Arsenal and Barcelona v Celtic.

Keep up to date with all the action from the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League.

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Paris St Germain's stuttering start to the season continued on Wednesday morning when they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Arsenal in their Champions League Group A opener.

Everton's Romelu Lukaku ended his longest goal drought in English soccer with an 11-minute hat-trick in an emphatic 3-0 win over Sunderland which lifted the Toffees into third place on the Premier League table.

Socceroo Tom Rogic is still basking in the afterglow of Celtic's Old Firm success but is under no illusion as to how big a test they will face against Barcelona on Wednesday morning.

Once he completes a successful comeback from a major knee injury, Newcastle Jets striker Labinot Haliti is hoping to fulfil a heartfelt ambition to play for the world's newest national team, Kosovo – the country of his birth.

Controversial striker Mario Balotelli has described his spell with Liverpool as 'the worst mistake of my life'.

Former Burkina Faso international Idrissa Ben Derme died after a suspected heart attack in a French Cup third-round tie at the weekend, his club said on Monday.

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are not yet ready to compete with Europe's elite but his side will be confident of opening their Champions League campaign with victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach.

South Melbourne's NPL Victoria championship winning coach Chris Taylor has blasted the A-League for being a timid competition too keen on recycling failed players.

Western Sydney have pulled off a major coup ahead of the W-League season, luring former Matildas midfielder Joey Burgess out of retirement.

Joe Hart's Torino debut was a day to forget for the England goalkeeper.

Diego Costa was centre stage and scored twice but could not prevent Chelsea losing their 100 per cent Premier League record in a controversial 2-2 draw at Swansea.

Marcus Schroen proves the difference as South Melbourne win championship decider against underdogs Oakleigh at Lakeside Stadium.

South boss Chris Taylor revealed that the FFV decision to dock the club three points earlier in the season was a key factor in driving his team forward towards the NPL Championship.

Ahmed Khalil, Ali Mabkhout and Omar Abdulrahman would all be box-office gold if recruited by Melbourne City.

Pep Guardiola got one over his old rival Jose Mourinho as Manchester City edged an absorbing derby clash against Manchester United 2-1 to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested Real Madrid should offer him a 10-year contract to ensure he sees out his career at the Spanish club.

Promoted Alaves dealt champions Barcelona a shock 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp, while Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury to help Real Madrid thrash Osasuna 5-2 and go two points clear at the top of La Liga.

Pep Guardiola drew first blood in his renewed managerial duel with Jose Mourinho as Manchester City deservedly won an absorbing Premier League derby 2-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Most 16-year-old girls trying to get a start in top level sport would simply be grateful to be given an opportunity to play the odd game in their senior team.

Is there a sporting code that is more aggressive and ambitious in targettng athletes from rival sports than Australian Rules Football?

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-secretary general Jerome Valcke, already banned from football for ethics violations, are facing a fresh investigation over the salaries and bonuses they received in office.

Canberra FC is seeking grand-final revenge against Canberra Olympic on Sunday.

In the 11 years since the first FFA chief executive John O'Neill coined the phrase "new football" to differentiate the A-League from the "old soccer" that had been its predecessor in the NSL, the links between the two sides of the same game have become closer.

There is a core belief shared by Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola which helps explain why, as long as the two managers are rivals, they can never be friends.