Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho got the call-up from Brazil coach Tite on Friday after a year-long absence for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. Coutinho, 29, was sidelined by a knee injury, but has recently resumed playing regularly with Barca. "He's a midfielder who creates plays, a great […]

London (AFP) – Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers believes Youri Tielemans has become "one of Europe's top midfielders", with the Foxes player reportedly attracting interest from some of the continent's leading clubs. Both Bayern Munich and Liverpool have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old Belgium international, whose contract with Leicester expires in 2023. Tielemans' […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo said Friday he is relaxed about the long-term future of Dele Alli, who is again finding it tough to break into the first team. The England international, who was frozen out last season under previous Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, was unable to make a nine-man bench […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann hopes to end his 14-day quarantine, having tested positive for Covid-19, in time for next Tuesday's Champions League match against Benfica. "If everything goes to plan, I will be on the sidelines," Nagelsmann said in a press conference Friday, hoping to be back on the bench against […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vowed on Friday to "fight back" after his side's humiliating 5-0 drubbing by Liverpool left him in a perilous position at Old Trafford. The Norwegian boss has been under intense scrutiny since last week's home defeat, which left United seventh in the Premier League table after […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday he has received glowing reports about Xavi Hernandez's credentials as coach and admitted he would like to have him as Barca coach during his presidency. But Laporta refused to confirm Xavi will succeed Ronald Koeman, who was sacked on Wednesday night, and maintained Barca have […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says there are "no secrets" to his success during his tenure at Manchester City as he prepares to take charge of his 200th Premier League game. Since arriving in 2016, the Catalan has guided City to the league title three times, the FA Cup once and the League Cup four […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta has refused to confirm Xavi Hernandez will replace Ronald Koeman but said he has "very good references" about the Spaniard's credentials as a coach and "knows very well what he thinks of the team". Laporta's enthusiastic assessment of Barcelona's legendary former midfielder will be taken as a strong […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta has revealed several members of his Arsenal squad are still struggling with a sickness bug ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Leicester. The virus ruled defender Pablo Mari out of Tuesday's League Cup match against Leeds and Arteta confirmed the same problem forced centre-back Ben White off early. England […]

Mexico City (AFP) – Monterrey defeated Club America 1-0 to clinch their fifth CONCACAF Champions League and a place in the Club World Cup on Thursday after an all-Mexico final. Argentina-born Mexico international striker Rogelio Funes Mori scored the only goal at Monterrey's BBVA Stadium in the ninth minute, sidefooting into the net from close […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich boss Hasan Salihamidzic has ordered the shell-shocked Bundesliga leaders to show a response at Union Berlin on Saturday after their historic 5-0 thrashing at Borussia Moenchengladbach. A full-strength side offered little resistance at Borussia Park on Wednesday as Bayern suffered a club-record defeat in the German Cup. Salihamidzic described Bayern's […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona begin life without Ronald Koeman against Alaves on Saturday as they look to close the gap on La Liga's top four and restore confidence ahead of a Champions League trip to Dynamo Kiev. Barca B coach Sergi Barjuan will be in charge at Camp Nou after Koeman's sacking was confirmed on […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australia will play their first match on home soil in 763 days after next month's World Cup qualifying clash with Saudi Arabia was Friday confirmed for Sydney. The Socceroos last played in front of their fans against Nepal in Canberra in October 2019 before being forced overseas when Australia's borders slammed shut […]

Milan (AFP) – While the Old Lady of Juventus is faltering, AC Milan are rising to take her place, carried in part by old men, but on Sunday they face an ancient foe. Last season, as the nine-year Juventus domination ended, Milan, despite their financial problems, rose to second, their highest finish in nine years, […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has survived to face Tottenham on Saturday despite incessant speculation over his future at Manchester United following their humiliating 5-0 drubbing by Liverpool. But away from the issue of the manager's job, pride is at stake for United's expensive collection of world-class talents, who are under pressure […]