European Soccer Advisory
To help with your planning, here is what AP has moved for the coming European soccer season. For questions, please email the London sports desk at lonsports@ap.org. You can also call (212) 621-1630; Sports Photos, ext. 1918; Graphics, ext. 6907. For up-to-the-minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477
Monday, Aug. 1
SOC-ENGLISH PREVIEW
The best team in the Premier League just bought one of the world's best players, Erling Haaland, in a position it was most short in. Can anyone stop Manchester City in what could be Pep Guardiola's last season in charge? By Steve Douglas. SENT: 970 words, photos.
SOC-ENGLAND-THE CHALLENGERS
Who is best placed to make that leap this season and contend with Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title? Tottenham has a great manager in Antonio Conte, Chelsea has a strong squad as usual but will be going through a transition with new ownership, Arsenal has done well in the transfer market and Manchester United will be rebuilding again under yet another new manager. SENT: 960 words, photos.
SOC-FRENCH PREVIEW
PARIS - Lionel Messi had a subdued first season at Paris Saint-Germain. But with the World Cup coming up in November, it could be time to see the Argentine back at his best as a new coach takes over at the club. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 760 words, photos.
SOC-LYON-NEW OWNERS
PARIS - Lyon has a new American owner in businessman John Textor as it tries to win the French league title for the first time since it won seven straight from 2002-08. By Jerome Pugmire and Samuel Petrequin. SENT: 710 words, photos.
SOC-GERMAN PREVIEW
BERLIN - Can anyone stop Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga? Can anyone even come close? The 10-time defending champion is favored to win yet again. By Ciaran Fahey. SENT: 550 words, photos.
SOC-DORTMUND-BELLINGHAM'S TIME
Jude Bellingham is entering his third season at the heart of Borussia Dortmund and has only just turned 19. After Erling Haaland left for Manchester City, Bellingham is the young star at Dortmund and is looking to England's World Cup campaign. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is a particular fan of his. By James Ellingworth. SENT: 550 words, photos.
Tuesday, Aug. 2
SOC-SPANISH PREVIEW
MADRID - Since the departure of Lionel Messi, Barcelona has been in crisis. The team has struggled financially and needs to find solutions to compete on the field with Real Madrid. By Joseph Wilson. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
SOC-REAL MADRID-BENZEMA
MADRID - Karim Benzema is coming off his best season yet, having led Real Madrid to titles in the Spanish league and the Champions League. Can the 34-year-old France striker stay in top form for yet another season? The club bets that he can, and has not added any new forwards to its squad. By Tales Azzoni. SENT: 540 words, photos.
SOC-SPAIN-THE CHALLENGERS
MADRID - Atlético Madrid had a lackluster season after winning another Spanish league title, now the team led by Diego Simeone will try to contend again amid doubts over whether the coach can keep the team competitive. Sevilla will look to stay close to the top, while Real Betis, Villarreal, Valencia, Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao will hope to be among the outsiders. By Tales Azzoni. SENT: 600 words, photos.
SOC-ITALIAN PREVIEW
ROME - AC Milan made its way back to the top of the Italian league. Now comes the task of trying to stay there. By Daniella Matar. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
SOC-ROMA-MOURINHO
ROME - Jose Mourinho led Roma to first Europa Conference League title. But are lower-tier trophies the only ones he's shooting for these days, or does he have his set on winning the biggest titles in soccer? By Andrew Dampf. SENT: 670 words, photos.
SOC--NEWCASTLE-SAUDI OWNERS
Newcastle will be playing its first full season under Saudi ownership, with the focus on both winning matches and sportswashing. By Steve Douglas. SENT: 870 words, photos.
Wednesday, Aug. 3
SOC-STRANGE SEASON
GENEVA - This season will be unique in the 135-year history of domestic leagues in Europe. They will stop for a month or more while players leave for Qatar and the first World Cup ever in the European winter. The Champions League will pause for three months instead of two after the group stage. It means another congested season with an earlier start, later finish and yet more midweek games. By Graham Dunbar. SENT: 770 words, photos.
SOC-MAN UNITED-FERGUSON'S LEGACY
The end of the coming season will mark a decade at Manchester United since Alex Ferguson retired. The team has struggled for consistency since his departure and gone through several managers. What will it take to restore the team's dominance in the Premier League? By Steve Douglas. SENT: 970 words, photos.
SOC-PLAYERS TO WATCH
PARIS - A look at 10 players to watch from across the continent this season. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.
Thursday, Aug. 4
SOC-PREMIER LEAGUE'S DOMINANCE
GENEVA - Can any league compete with the wealth of the English Premier League, which has sent four different teams to Champions League finals in the past four years? Investment from Middle East states and American billionaires plus spiraling revenue from overseas broadcast deals are driving English clubs to new heights. A look at what other leagues are doing to try to close the gap. By Graham Dunbar. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
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