Argentina defender Javier Mascherano has been left impressed by Venezuela s improvement under new coach Rafael Dudamel ahead of their quarter-final meeting at the Copa America Centenario.
A 3-0 win over Bolivia on Tuesday confirmed Argentina as Group D winners, meaning they will face Group C runners-up Venezuela in the last eight of the tournament on Saturday.
But Venezuela have been no easybeats at the special-edition centenary tournament, defeating 15-time champions Uruguay and Jamaica on their way to the quarters, while also playing out an admirable 1-1 draw with Mexico.
Their improvement has been substantial under Dudamel, who took over in April after Venezuela lost five of their opening six 2018 World Cup qualifiers to be rooted to the bottom of the…
Italy will face San Marino for only the second time in their history on Sunday, as they warm up ahead of World Cup qualification resuming.
Cesare Prandelli has named a strong squad for the fixture, with his side preparing to face the Czech Republic before heading out to Brazil to participate in the Confederations Cup.
However, Giacomo Bonaventura of Atalanta and Cagliari pair Michael Agazzi and Marco Sau have also been included, and could make their international debuts in Bologna.
Italy will be keen to put an end to their recent poor run in friendly games, having not won outside of a competitive environment since November 2011.
But they will fancy their chances against FIFA s lowest-ranked team, with San Marino s record of one win in 117 matches placing them 207th in the world …
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 …