Bucharest (AFP) – Fiorentina goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu has been a rock in a Romania side that has thrown up an impressive defensive shield on the road to the European Championship finals. First-choice goalkeeper for Romania since his international debut in 2010, the 30-year-old, capped 34 times, anchored a defence that conceded just two goals in […]

Geneva (AFP) – Multi-million dollar transfer rumours surround Granit Xhaka which is increasing pressure on the Swiss midfielder to perform at the European Championship finals. Despite being just 23, the rising star has been capped 40 times, with former Swiss national coach Ottmar Hitzfeld branding Xhaka a "young (Bastian) Schweinsteiger," in a widely quoted comparison […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp was happy enough with Liverpool's low-key 2-0 victory over Watford at Anfield after goals from Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino sank the Hornets. This contest failed to capture the imagination as both teams have virtually finished caring about the Premier League this season. Watford are mathematically safe after a wonderful […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United have the glinting incentive of a Champions League place in their sights as they prepare for an emotion-charged Premier League contest at West Ham United on Tuesday. Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the weekend means that United can pip their cross-town rivals to a top-four spot if they […]

Tirana (AFP) – Five things about Albania who make their major tournament debut at Euro 2016 in Group A against France, Romania and Switzerland. The Italian job Not many coaches are decorated with state honours for their work but Gianni De Biasi managed it for steering Albania into the uncharted waters of successful qualification for […]

Tirana (AFP) – Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri is not the only Italian coach to have brought unprecedented success to an unfancied football team: Gianni de Biasi has become a national hero in Albania. The canny 59-year-old steered the Balkan country to Euro 2016, their first major tournament, a feat that prompted Albania's president to […]

Milan (AFP) – Gonzalo Higuain's 33rd strike of the season maintained Napoli's bid to secure Champions League football as evergreen striker Luca Toni bid farewell to the game with a cheeky 'Panenka' in Verona's shock 2-1 win over 10-man Juventus. Roma, looking for a third consecutive runners-up spot after Juventus clinched a record-equalling fifth consecutive […]

Lausanne (AFP) – The international sports tribunal will on Monday rule on Michel Platini's final appeal against a six-year ban imposed by FIFA and decide whether he can return as UEFA president. Platini was banned for "conflict of interest" over a suspect two million Swiss franc ($2 million) payment authorised by former FIFA leader Sepp […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Robbie Keane returned from knee surgery to score two goals and Steven Gerrard added another in a 4-2 win over New England that made the Los Angeles Galaxy the first team to win 300 Major League Soccer matches. Ireland forward Keane, sidelined since surgery on his ailing right knee in March, […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Outgoing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini strived to put on a brave face after his team's chances of Champions League qualification were compromised by a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Sunday's result at the Etihad Stadium means that City can only finish in the top four if Manchester United drop points […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Ronny Deila says his side's Scottish Premiership title is every bit as special as the rest after his side clinched their 47th top flight championship with a 3-2 win over nearest challengers Aberdeen. A double from Patrick Roberts and a Mikael Lustig strike seemingly put Celtic in an insurmountable position […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham must start dreaming about bigger goals than finishing above Arsenal if they want to win the Premier League next season. Despite losing 2-1 against Southampton on Sunday, Pochettino's side are still on course to end the season ahead of hated neighbours Arsenal for the first time in 21 […]

Milan (AFP) – Verona striker Luca Toni says he will cherish memories of his final Serie A game "forever" after a fairytale swansong saw him score a cheeky 'Panenka' spot-kick in 2-1 win over champions Juventus on Sunday. "It will be a match I remember forever. It was my last, but it came at the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insists he believes his side can snatch the La Liga title away from Barcelona in a dramatic final day showdown on Saturday. Barca hold a one-point lead over Real and will retain their title with victory at Granada next weekend after thrashing Espanyol 5-0 on Sunday. However, […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manuel Pellegrini could not conceal his disappointment after his final home game as Manchester City manager ended in a damaging 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. The result means that City's hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four and qualifying for the Champions League are no longer in […]