Mönchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski equalised as defending champions Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach in a hard-fought opening game of the new Bundesliga season on Friday. "It wasn't perfect football from us," Lewandowski told broadcaster Sat1. "We made a lot of mistakes, but the first game is over, […]

Mönchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski equalised as defending champions Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach in a hard-fought opening game of the new Bundesliga season on Friday. Gladbach deservedly took the lead when French striker Alassane Plea fired past Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with just ten minutes gone. Lewandowski […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Enyimba should be happier than Bayelsa United after the Nigerian contenders for the CAF Confederation Cup discovered on Friday who they will face in the qualifying rounds. The draws for the preliminary and first rounds in Cairo were kind to Enyimba, who received a bye into the round of 32, where they […]

Berlin (AFP) – World Cup winner Thomas Mueller has said he has no intention of hanging up his boots for Germany and is eager to play on under new national head coach Hansi Flick. The Bayern Munich star, who turns 32 next month, was recalled for the Euro 2020 finals, along with Mats Hummels, after […]

Brasília (AFP) – Neymar will face his new clubmate Lionel Messi in a South American grudge match after being named to the Brazil team on Friday for three World Cup qualifiers. Coach Tite also called up six members of the squad that retained the Olympic title by beating Spain in extra-time on August 7. Dani […]

Liverpool (AFP) – James Rodriguez will miss Everton's Premier League opener against Southampton on Saturday with the Colombian one of five players self-isolating. The playmaker's future at Goodison Park has been thrown into doubt following Carlo Ancelotti's return to Real Madrid and Rafael Benitez's appointment as Everton manager. James previously thrived under Ancelotti at Madrid, […]

Brasília (AFP) – Neymar will face his new clubmate Lionel Messi in a South American grudge match after being named Brazil captain on Friday for three World Cup qualifiers. Coach Tite also called up six members of the squad that retained the Olympic title by beating Spain in extra time on August 7. Dani Alves, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Refusing to be drawn on whether the club might yet lure Kylian Mbappe from PSG, Carlo Ancelotti insisted Friday Real Madrid have plenty of young talent coming through. With French World Cup winner Mbappe out of contract next year, Real are widely believed to be ready to pounce should the striker decide […]

London (AFP) – Leicester reinforced their defence ahead of the new Premier League season with the signing of Danish international Jannik Vestergaard from Southampton on Friday. The 29-year-old moves to the King Power Stadium for a reported fee of £15 million ($21 million) and has agreed a deal until 2024. "It's a special club that […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle secured the signing of Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock on Friday on a permanent deal after an impressive loan spell on Tyneside last season. Willock, 21, scored eight goals for the Magpies in just 14 Premier League appearances, including matching Newcastle legend Alan Shearer's record of scoring in seven consecutive games to […]

London (AFP) – Patrick Vieira says his young, fresher-looking Crystal Palace side will play "good football" while retaining some of the club's traditional values such as "commitment and hard work." The 1998 World Cup winner and Arsenal legend faces a tough first challenge as Palace manager against Champions League holders Chelsea on Saturday. The 45-year-old […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian coach Mauricio Pochettino on Friday hailed superstar arrival Lionel Messi as an "incredible" talent who will lift his team to new heights this season. "I see him as happy with incredible energy," Pochettino said after overseeing training at the club's Saint-Germain-en-Laye base west of Paris. Messi, 34, met his […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane trained with Tottenham Hotspur on Friday with club manager Nuno Espirito Santo saying he would decide on Saturday whether the England captain played against Manchester City who have said they would like to buy him. City manager Pep Guardiola revealed last week that the champions were interested in acquiring the […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel expects club-record signing Romelu Lukaku to have a "huge impact" at Stamford Bridge but played down suggestions his side are now favourites to win the Premier League title. Lukaku rejoined the Blues on Thursday costing a reported fee of £97 million ($135 million) from Inter Milan. The Belgian […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United's headline signing Jadon Sancho will play a role in Saturday's opening Premier League match with Leeds United but Raphael Varane will be absent due to his deal not being completed. England midfielder Sancho — a £73 million ($100 million) signing from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund — […]