Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich are unlikely to release stars Robert Lewandowski and David Alaba for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers in the UK due to the British variant of the Covid-19 virus. "We are not taking any risks. We want to have the players back in training and match rhythm straight away. That's what the […]

Berlin (AFP) – His decision to opt to play for Germany over England is said to have disappointed Gareth Southgate, yet teenager Jamal Musiala still relies on his mum to drive him to Bayern Munich training sessions. Musiala this month signed a five-year contract with Bayern, a week after his 18th birthday, which reportedly earns […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel admits Chelsea have been handed a major advantage by not having to travel for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. The first leg between the Spanish league leaders and the Blues was played in Romanian capital Bucharest as a result of coronavirus […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew confirmed Tuesday he plans to call up teenagers Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers. "I think you can already say that we are planning with both of them," Loew told broadcaster RTL/NTV. Musiala, who has dual nationality, has […]

Madrid (AFP) – Luis Suarez, despite his Champions League goal drought, and Joao Felix, whose future is in question, will start together as Atletico Madrid try to fight back in their second leg at Chelsea, coach Diego Simeone said on Tuesday. "Only one objective: victory," said Simeone, whose team face a 1-0 deficit in the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Holders Bayern Munich are waiting on the fitness of captain Manuel Neuer and winger Kingsley Coman for their Champions League last-16 second leg against Lazio on Wednesday. Bayern hold a 4-1 lead from the first leg ahead of the return game at the Allianz Arena. "Kingsley has some muscular problems, 'Manu' (Neuer) […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – New Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe raised the bar Tuesday for national teams in the continent by insisting one of them must win the World Cup soon. "An African team must win the World Cup in the near future," said the 59-year-old South African billionaire at a press conference […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Southampton striker Che Adams was Tuesday named in the Scotland squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers. The former England Under-20 international previously rejected an approach by the Scottish Football Association to switch allegiances. Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet has also received a first call-up, while Celtic defender Jack Hendry is in the […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to Sweden's squad after an almost five-year hiatus to play in World Cup qualifiers at the end of March, head coach Janne Andersson said on Tuesday. The player, known for his not-so-humble ways, also announced his return himself by posting a picture of himself on Instagram in the […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Dinamo Zagreb coach Zoran Mamic has resigned after being sentenced to four years and eight months in jail for a multi-million euro fraud involving Luka Modric's move to Real Madrid and other player transfers. The Croatian champions announced Mamic's departure late Monday as the club prepare to face Tottenham in Thursday's Europa […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Globe-trotting Japan star Keisuke Honda admitted to "mistakes and failures" as he pitched up in Azerbaijan's league, but refused to give up on playing at the Tokyo Olympics. The 34-year-old midfielder, who spent three-and-a-half years at Italian giants AC Milan, signed for Azerbaijani outfit Neftci until the end of the season on […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid's hopes of coming back against Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday may depend on Luis Suarez returning to form on his return to the country where he became one of the best in the world. Atletico trail 1-0 after Olivier Giroud's bicycle kick lit up an uneventful first game […]

Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp said he had no problem with winning "three dirty points" as Diogo Jota returned to haunt Wolves with the only goal in a 1-0 win at Molineux on Monday. A wretched run of six successive home league defeats has left Liverpool with an uphill task to qualify for […]

Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liverpool breathed new life into their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League as Diogo Jota returned to haunt Wolves with the only goal in a 1-0 win at Molineux on Monday. A disappointing night for the hosts ended with a bigger concern than just the result as […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored a spectacular double the same night he equalled Xavi Hernandez's appearance record for Barcelona, the Argentinian inspiring his team to a 4-1 win over Huesca on Monday. Messi tied Xavi's 767 games in all competitions for Barca and marked yet another milestone with a brilliant brace, a curling effort […]