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Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke feels the reigning Bundesliga champions deserve more respect from Bayern Munich.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness said earlier this week that Dortmund are only a regional brand, whereas Bayern Munich are Germany s most popular team all over the world, and Watzke feels Dortmund s recent results merit a different treatment.

I am always talking respectfully about Bayern s performances in the past decade. I would like it if we could get some respect as well for what we have achieved in recent years. That s evidently a bridge too far, though, Watzke told Bild.

There s no doubt about it that Bayern are a better-known brand abroad. However, the gap between Bayern and Dortmund has become significantly smaller in recent years.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko insists Ukraine will be preparing for the “game of their lives” when they face Italy next Monday in what could essentially be a play-off to qualify for Euro 2024.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Russia, the national football team have provided brief moments of enjoyment for embattled Ukrainians.

Zinchenko will captain the team in the Group C fixture against Italy, held in Leverkusen as a “home” fixture for Ukraine – who have not played international football on their own soil in two years.

If Italy beat North Macedonia on Friday night, the two nations will go into the final qualifier locked on 13 points behind England.

Reigning European champions Italy will hold a slight advantage following a 2-1 win at San …

Thomas Tuchel s Bayern Munich tenure started with a resounding 4-2 victory over rivals Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena.

Tuchel replaced Julian Nagelsmann during the international break, and his first game at the helm saw him tasked with shifting his former club Dortmund from top spot in the Bundesliga.

It was a fantastic start for Tuchel on the other side of the Klassiker rivalry, with Gregor Kobel s calamity and Thomas Muller s double putting Bayern 3-0 up inside 23 minutes.

Kingsley Coman nudged Bayern further ahead, though Emre Can s penalty and Donyell Malen s neat finish somewhat reduced the embarrassment for Dortmund, who lost in the league for the first time since November.

3 Thomas Tuchel saw his team score three goals in his first 23 Bundeslig…

Benfica have confirmed Atletico Madrid have submitted an offer worth €126million for highly rated attacking midfielder Joao Felix.

The 19-year-old talent enjoyed a stunning breakout season in Portugal s Primeira Liga in 2018-19, scoring 15 goals and setting up another seven in 26 matches.

Joao Felix s form for Benfica resulted in his first call-up to Portugal s senior side and he represented them as they clinched Nations League success earlier this month.

Atletico emerged as the favourites to sign him ahead of Manchester United and Manchester City after Antoine Griezmann announced his intention to leave the Wanda Metropolitano, paving the way for Joao Felix to replace the Frenchman.

Although links between Griezmann and Barcelona have gone quiet, Atle…

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to his Liverpool team following their Club World Cup triumph over Flamengo, claiming he has difficulty putting his respect for his players into words.

Liverpool were pitted against Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo in Saturday s final in Doha.

The score remained goalless at the end of the regulation 90 minutes, but Roberto Firmino finally ended his compatriots resistance in the 99th minute.

Despite Flamengo enjoying some late pressure, Liverpool held on to secure a first triumph in the competition, and Klopp found it difficult to describe his feelings.

I struggle to find the words to express my respect for the boys, it was incredible. We did so many good things, Klopp told reporters in Doha.

I saw so many sensati…

Burnley have confirmed winger Johann Gudmundsson has signed a new long-term contract to commit his future to Turf Moor.

Gudmundsson, who joined the club from Charlton Athletic in July 2016, is expected to be named in Iceland s World Cup squad on Friday.

The 27-year-old has been one of the key players in Sean Dyche s men securing European qualification for the first time in over 50 years, recording eight Premier League assists this term in addition to goals against Liverpool and Manchester City.

This season has been a good season for myself and the team and being rewarded with a new contract is a great thing, Gudmundsson told Burnley s website.

Big Burnley boost as signs new Turf Moor deal

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial)

It s somethi…

Joachim Low has told Manuel Neuer he must gain match practice if the Germany captain is to be part of his country s World Cup defence.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer was named in Low s provisional 27-man party for Russia 2018 on Tuesday despite not playing since September following foot surgery, although he has now returned to full training.

The 32-year-old could make a high-profile return in Bayern s DFB-Pokal showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, while Germany have scheduled pre-tournament friendlies against Austria and Saudi Arabia.

Neuer is back in full training and we want to see and judge him in the training camp, said Low, who has named Barcelona s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Bayer Leverkusen s Bernd Leno and Kevin Trapp of Paris Saint-Germain as hi…

Newcastle United have told Queens Park Rangers that they will only lay out £12m for Charlie Austin, .

The striker, who is expected to leave Loftus Road this summer, has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs with Bournemouth, West Ham United and even champions Chelsea monitoring the situation.

However, it is the Magpies who appear to be front runners in the race for his services though they have said that they will not pay over £12m due to concerns over his injury record.

The former Burnley man failed a medical at Hull City in 2013, with the issue believed to be his shoulder while he missed part of QPR’s promotion winning 2013/14 campaign with a similar issue.

In seventy-three appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, the 26 year …

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has signed a one-year contract extension with the Chinese champions.

Scolari s new deal includes the option of a second year after Evergrande set a new record by winning a sixth successive Chinese Super League title last week.

The 67-year-old World Cup-winning boss looked to be on the way out with his contract due to expire and former coach Marcello Lippi signing a pre-agreement, but Evergrande cancelled the latter s deal after he took charge of China.

We firmly believe that Scolari, as the core of a world-class champion coach, will help Guangzhou continue to maintain their leading position, the Chinese powerhouses said in a statement on their website.

Scolari has enjoyed significant success since joi…

The saga of Jorginho s transfer from to the Premier League is becoming a long one. After being initially linked with Liverpool and Manchester United, the midfielder was set to make his move to . Manager Pep Gaurdiola wants him to share the work-load with the 33-year-old Fernandinho and to eventually replace him a regular starter.

However, it seems the negotiations with the Italian club aren t going as smoothly as expected for City. According to the Mirror, Napoli value the Brazil-born Italy international at £60million, while the Premier League champions aren t willing to pay more than £43million. With such a notable gap in valuation of the player, Manchester City may be forced to look elsewhere, and they have reportedly marked Real Madrid s Mateo Kovačić and Southampton …