The sight of Luis Enrique observing Spain training from a scaffolding platform ahead of Saturday s 2-1 win over England felt somewhat apt for a coach put in place to oversee international football s most intriguing rebuilding job.
It really did not have to be this way. Spain s house was impeccably in order heading into the 2018 World Cup. A 3-0 qualification win over Italy and 6-1 friendly shellacking of Argentina suggested La Roja were ready to emulate their class of 2010.
Unfortunately, Julen Lopetegui chucked in a stick of dynamite by agreeing to take charge of Real Madrid. Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales lit the fuse on a misguided matter of principle and sacked his head coach.
The collapse was not instant, as shown in the sho…
Erin Cuthbert’s second-half brace helped Chelsea take control of Group D in the Champions League with a 3-1 win at Hacken.
The two teams had played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last week, which left the Swedish outfit top after three matches, but Emma Hayes’ side were able to finish 2023 with a crucial victory.
Sam Kerr broke the deadlock with her ninth goal of the campaign and, while Clarissa Larisey scored for Hacken to ensure it was 1-1 at half-time, Cuthbert netted twice in the space of 12 minutes after the break.
It ensured the Women’s Super League champions moved into top spot of the group after four matches and hold a one-point advantage over Hacken while Real Madrid, who they will host on January 24, are no longer able to qualify for the k…
AC Milan will negotiate with Real Madrid over the possibility for Brahim Diaz to remain at San Siro following the expiration of his current loan deal at the end of the season, director Frederic Massara has revealed.
We want to keep Brahim Diaz, we trust him. Let’s see if there will be conditions to negotiate with Real, he said.
However, Milan s idea about the 23-year-old and his future is likely to prove difficult to get done. with the way he has developed in Italy and have decided to make him a part of their project for next season. They are believed to have already drawn up a proposal of a new contract for Diaz to consider, and even if he doesn t accept it straight away, the matter is completely in their hands as they have him tied up until 2025 already.
S…
Never a guy who’d go on to attract the media attention with over-the-top hairstyles, eye-catching tattoos or flaunting dressing style, the Spanish maestro Andres Iniesta has always been a man of little things with a big effect.
Whether it s a defense-splitting pass, out-of-this-world piece of skill or simply the way he would use simple magic to work his way out of being trapped and enclosed by five or six opposing players, Andres Iniesta kept dazzling for years.
The 33-year-old magical midfielder stood inconspicuously in the shadow of the more prominent football stars – both in the ranks of his own team Barcelona and across the footballing map – but his perfect on-pitch attitude saw him constantly grab the spotlight for all the right reasons.
A look back o…
Girona boss Michel says he is confident his side have what it takes to be contenders for the LaLiga, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles after a season in which they lit up Spanish soccer as a surprise package.
Backed by the wealth of their Abu Dhabi owners and only four years after being promoted to Spain s first division, Girona went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the title race last season, beating Catalonia rivals Barcelona twice before finishing third and qualifying for European football for the first time.
We have a balanced squad, perfect to go out there and compete in all competitions, Michel told a press conference ahead of his side s LaLiga clash at Sevilla on Sunday.
We are the team that recovered the most balls in the opposition s half in the f…
And Walker believes with 20 matches still to come, trailing leaders Liverpool by five points, now is when City will come into their own.
“On the back of winning the Champions League we desperately wanted to win (in Saudi) and finish off the piece. It was good to go and finally tick that off the list,” said the 33-year-old.
“It’s important now to draw a line under it and it’s a big end to the season when we’re in the competition we want to fight for again.
“I don’t think there was many things going wrong on the field except the results. We were playing well, but this game is about winning and we weren’t doing that.
“But that’s football and in the Premier League you can never let your guard down, you’ve got to keep going until the la…
I ve been waiting for my chance and the gaffer has given me the opportunity to show my desire and be competitive, Giroud said.
I m determined to do my best to help the team. It s been five games and I ve really enjoyed it. I feel really good and I want to bring something more to help us win games.
Those are the words of Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud who has made it crystal clear that he is happy at the club although he concedes that he s not quite sure what the future holds for him.
The Frenchman is quite clearly a fringe player within this Blues team but if he can put together a consistent run, then there s a decent chance he could go on to become a regular first teamer with the club. If not, a big move abroad almost certainly awaits in the next few month…
Cristiano Ronaldo has broad shoulders and is ready to return for Juventus Serie A clash with Udinese on Saturday, coach Massimiliano Allegri has said.
Ronaldo, who was suspended for Tuesday s Champions League win over Young Boys, has firmly denied a rape allegation after Kathryn Mayorga accused the Portuguese of sexual assault in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.
The forward called the claims fake news and then issued a further statement on social media in which he strenuously denied the allegations and called rape an abominable crime .
Both Juve and Ronaldo s international head coach Fernando Santos have offered unwavering support to the 33-year-old, although he was left out of the Portugal squad for the upcoming matches against Poland and Scotland, and Allegri h…
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In what could prove to be another action-packed MLS battle in midweek, Los Angeles will welcome Atlanta to California in the early hours of Thursday.
Los Angeles FC
Starting with the hosts, suffering major Concaf Champions League heartbreak at the hands of Mexican outfit Leon last weekend as they eventually slumped to a 3-1 aggregate defeat, Los Angeles suddenly find themselves in the midst of a recent rut. In fact, losing each of their last three appearances across all competitions, LAFC have the feel of a squad seeking a much-needed boost. Likewise, last seen on domestic duties getting hit with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of local rivals LA Galaxy on May 23rd, Steve Cherundolo’s side have also recorded just one win from any of their …
Alexis Sanchez landed in Milan on Wednesday and is expected to complete a loan move from Manchester United to Inter.
Sanchez has yet to feature for United this term, having fallen out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Inter have already signed one forward from Old Trafford in August, landing Romelu Lukaku for a club-record fee of €80million (£74m).
Chile international Sanchez has endured a miserable time in Manchester since his arrival in January 2018, scoring three Premier League goals in 32 appearances.
The former Arsenal attacker looks set for a return to Serie A, having represented Udinese between 2008 and 2011, and a reunion with Lukaku under new Nerazzurri boss Antonio Conte.
Sanchez was snapped in Milan after flying into Italy, with …