Berlin (AFP) – Bastian Schweinsteiger expects to shed a few tears on Tuesday on his final Bayern Munich appearance during his testimonial against current club Chicago Fire. The 34-year-old former Germany captain will play a half each for Bayern and Chicago at the Allianz Arena (1830 GMT). It will be his farewell appearance in Munich, […]

Milan (AFP) – Seven-time reigning champions Juventus beat Lazio 2-0 and last season's runners-up Napoli came from two goals down to edge AC Milan 3-2 as the Italian league favourites both continued their perfect start to the season with a maximum six points after two games. Here are five talking points from the Italian Serie […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says Jose Mourinho is an inspiration despite his current frustrations at Manchester United as he prepares his side for Monday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford. United have had a turbulent start to the new season, with Mourinho appearing to be at odds with the club's executive vice-chairman […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui insisted after a come from behind 4-1 win at Girona that a 'keep calm under pressure' attitude would deliver the goals previously scored by the prolific but now departed Cristiano Ronaldo. Seeking their second win of the new La Liga season the European champions fell behind before […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho insists he is only interested in the future prosperity of Manchester United rather than his own position at the troubled club. Mourinho has found his future as United manager the subject of much discussion after a tempestuous period, dating back to a frustrating close-season transfer window. That led […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa are a seeded club in danger of elimination as the struggle for CAF Champions League quarter-finals places reaches a climax Tuesday. The Pretoria outfit must win at home to prevent opponents Horoya of Guinea qualifying at their expense from a mini-league already won by title-holders Wydad Casablanca […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Axel Witsel and Anthony Modeste played a major part getting Tianjin Quanjian into the Asian Champions League quarter-finals but the Chinese side must contest the biggest game in their short history without the star duo. Belgian international Witsel joined Borussia Dortmund earlier this month and striker Modeste is set to sign for […]

Madrid (AFP) – Karim Benzema netted twice and Gareth Bale scored a trademark goal as Real Madrid overcame an early scare at Girona to win 4-1 on Sunday. Seeking their second win of the new La Liga season, the European champions went behind after Borja Garcia opened the scoring for Girona with a superb goal […]

Paris (AFP) – Bordeaux grabbed their first points of the season as they beat Monaco 2-1 at home on Sunday and the club's owner insisted Thierry Henry could still join as coach. Francois Kamano's superb curled finish in second-half injury time added to the Guinean's 48th-minute penalty for Bordeaux at the Matmut Atlantique. That spot-kick […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan, considered among the Serie A title challengers this season, lost further ground by letting a two-goal led slip to draw 2-2 with Torino on Sunday with Luciano Spalletti's side collecting a single point from their first two games. Champions Juventus beat Lazio 2-0 and last season's runners-up Napoli came from […]

Berlin (AFP) – The opening weekend of the Bundesliga season was blighted by a barrage of complaints about the video assistant referees (VAR) with Bayern Munich boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge calling for a task force to improve the system. "It must be remedied as soon as possible, a task force should be formed to finally take […]

Newcastle (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Maurizio Sarri joined the chorus of disapproval for the negative tactics employed by Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez as Chelsea won 2-1 at St James' Park on Sunday. Sarri said he was stunned by the Benitez's defensive approach as Newcastle put nine men behind the ball and played with one striker, despite […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma's Dutch international midfielder Kevin Strootman is poised to join French club Marseille in a deal reported to be worth 25 million euros ($29 million), sources close to the Italian club said on Sunday. "He will be in Marseille tomorrow (Monday)," a spokesman for the Roman club told AFP with the transfer […]

Berlin (AFP) – Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel scored with a stunning bicycle kick on his Borussia Dortmund debut as the home side roared back with a 4-1 win against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga despite conceding after just 31 seconds on Sunday. Dortmund scored four goals without replay in an impressive display to better Bayern […]

Newcastle (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Maurizio Sarri said he was shocked by Newcastle's defensive approach as Chelsea snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at St James' Park on Sunday. Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez sent out his injury-hit team with a massed defence often featuring all 10 out-field players. The ultra-cautious approach worked for 76 minutes as […]