Istanbul (AFP) – German striker Lukas Podolski said Thursday he is focussed on the end of his stint at Galatasaray rather than on his big money June switch to Japan's Vissel Kobe. The 31-year-old former Arsenal star, who has played for Istanbul giant Galatasaray since 2015, announced in March he was joining Vissel Kobe in […]

Alghero (Italy) (AFP) – Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has lashed out at vandals who tarnished the memory of "bitter rivals" but "close cousins" Torino near the site of the Superga Basilica days before the city derby. On Thursday, thousands of people — mostly fans of Torino football club — were set to walk up to […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he is prepared to bury the hatchet with old foe Jose Mourinho ahead of Sunday's home game with Manchester United. Wenger regularly clashed with Mourinho during the Portuguese's two stints as Chelsea manager, the rivalry spilling over into a touchline shoving match during an October 2014 game […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has defended himself against criticism of his attitude and says his nonchalant body language can be misleading. Ozil, 28, has been a peripheral figure as Arsenal's season has hit the skids, with Arsene Wenger's side slipping from the top four and being thrashed 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern […]

New Delhi (AFP) – The Indian men's football team on Thursday climbed to the 100th spot in the latest FIFA world rankings — their best rating in more than two decades. Despite having a population of well over one billion, India languishes as a footballing minnow, ranked equally alongside Nicaragua, Lithuania and Estonia in a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain are poised to make a 70-million-euro ($76.5 million) offer to Borussia Dortmund for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a report in Germany said on Thursday. Bild says the French-born hot-shot, who has scored 35 goals this season, has already met PSG director of football Patrick Kluivert in Paris and would double his […]

Monaco (AFP) – Two-goal hero Gonzalo Higuain urged his Juventus teammates to keep their feet on the ground after a brilliant 2-0 win in Monaco on Wednesday that left them on the brink of the Champions League final. Argentine striker Higuain was set up by Dani Alves to open the scoring in the 29th minute […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane says Tottenham plan on making Chelsea squirm this weekend as his title chasers look to pile pressure on the leaders with a win against West Ham on Friday. With Chelsea not in action until Monday's clash with Middlesbrough, Mauricio Pochettino's second placed side can temporarily move within one point of […]

London (AFP) – With the end of the Premier League season just two and a half weeks away, here are five issues that are still to be resolved ahead of this weekend's matches. 1. The title race Their fine 2-0 win over Arsenal having kept the heat on leaders Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur can trim the […]

Monaco (AFP) – Gonzalo Higuain scored both goals as an imperious Juventus beat Monaco 2-0 in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday to take a huge step towards next month's final in Cardiff. Both of Higuain's goals came from Dani Alves assists, with the Argentine hitman rounding off a breathtaking team move to […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal sustained an injured hamstring in his team's 3-0 victory over city rivals Atletico in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, the European champions announced Wednesday. Real said Carvajal "has been diagnosed with a grade 2 hamstring injury in his right leg. His recovery will continue to […]

Rome (AFP) – Roma club icon Francesco Totti will retire at the end of the season when the 40-year-old's contract expires, new sports director Monchi said on Wednesday. "I want him here right by my side. He is Roma. He can teach me what Roma is," said Monchi at his unveiling in the role, adding […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – On-loan Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore scored twice and grabbed an assist as Ajax trounced Lyon 4-1 in the first leg of Wednesday's Europa League semi-final. The Burkina Faso international nodded Ajax ahead after 25 minutes at the Amsterdam Arena before Danish teenager Kasper Dolberg rifled in a second from Traore's towering header. […]

Vigo (Spain) (AFP) – Manchester United's injury crisis has eased in time for Thursday's Europa League semi-final, first leg at Celta Vigo as Jose Mourinho confirmed Paul Pogba, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are fit to return in Spain. Mourinho will also have Eric Bailly and Juan Mata available to compensate for the season-ending injuries […]

New York (AFP) – David Villa has extended his stay in Major League Soccer for at least another season after inking a deal through to the end of 2018, New York City FC announced on Wednesday. The former Spain and Barcelona star, who joined the club in 2014 and is the reigning league Most Valuable […]