FIFA World Cup Preview: Germany v Portugal

All eyes are likely to be on Cristiano Ronaldo when Portugal open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Germany in Salvador on Monday.

Question marks over the fitness of the FIFA Ballon d Or holder have dominated Portugal s build-up to the tournament.

The Real Madrid forward has been plagued by thigh and knee problems for several weeks, but is expected to feature from the start against Germany in a game both sides can ill afford to lose.

With Ghana and the United States representing potentially tricky future opposition, the European sides in Group G know an early defeat would severely dent their respective hopes of making the last 16.

Portugal will therefore be desperate for Ronaldo, their captain and undoubted star man, to lead from the front as they face a tea…

Rumour Has It: Milan in fresh talks over Donnarumma renewal

Gianluigi Donnarumma s future could become clearer soon.

The Milan goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move amid apparent interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

But Donnarumma could be set for a new deal at San Siro.

 

TOP STORY – MILAN IN FRESH TALKS OVER DONNARUMMA CONTRACT

Donnarumma s agent Mino Raiola was set for talks with Milan over an extension for the Italy international, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

It remains to be seen whether a deal will be done, but the report says the Rossoneri have expressed optimism about a renewal in recent weeks.

Milan are unbeaten through five Serie A games this season and hold a two-point lead at the top.

Donnarumma has played in fou…

Evra reunites with Moyes at West Ham

Patrice Evra has joined West Ham as a free agent, three months after being sacked by Marseille following an altercation with a supporter.

The former France international has signed a deal until the end of the campaign as he reunites with David Moyes following the Scot s short-lived tenure at Manchester United in 2013-14.

Evra was sent off before Marseille s Europa League game at Vitoria Guimaraes in November, for aiming a kick at a man s head following an argument with a group of travelling fans during the warm-up.

UEFA suspended Evra from its competitions for the remainder of the season, while Marseille terminated his contract, and on Wednesday it was confirmed the 36-year-old had secured a return to the Premier League, where he won five titles with United.

Bayer Leverkusen 0 Tottenham 0: Lloris heroics preserve point for Spurs

Hugo Lloris was Tottenham s hero as they held Bayer Leverkusen to a 0-0 draw at the BayArena in Tuesday s Champions League clash.

The France goalkeeper made a string of second-half saves the best of which came against Javier Hernandez to deny the home side a first win against English opposition since 2011 and keep Group E wide open after three matches.

Son Heung-min, making his first appearance against his old club, set up Vincent Janssen for a first-half tap-in that was ruled out for offside, but it was Spurs who looked the more threatening in a scrappy opening 45 minutes.

Roger Schmidt s side came to life after the break only to be kept at bay by the brilliance of Lloris, with the skipper denying Charles Aranguiz and Admir Mehmedi either side of a stunning reac…

Netherlands collapse rests heavily on De Ligt´s hulking shoulders

The Netherlands have been one of the most obviously entertaining and thrilling sides to watch at Euro 2020 and the opening stages of their shock 2-0 last-16 defeat to the Czech Republic in Budapest was no exception.

Frank De Boer s side were rapid and relentless down the flanks and, by the time Denzel Dumfries peeled infield and charged into the centre-forward position to collect Daley Blind s raking pass, a bedraggled Czech backline might have found it easier to be marking all 50,000 inhabitants of the Scottish town with which the rampaging right wing-back shares a name.

Tomas Kalas managed to force Dumfries wide and made a vital, scampering challenge. There is entertainment in such last-ditch defending too, although it rarely looks much fun for the protagonist.

Iran v Iraq: Pressure off for Queiroz & Katanec

Neighbours Iran and Iraq will renew Asian Cup acquaintances with much less on the line than in their dramatic 2015 encounter.

Top spot in Group D will be up for grabs in Dubai but, with both teams already sure of a spot in the last 16, the atmosphere at Al Maktoum Stadium promises to be relaxed.

That is in stark contrast to four years ago, when Iraq defeated Iran on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the quarter-finals, before losing to South Korea in the semis.

Long-serving Iran coach Carlos Queiroz is relishing what he expects to be an entertaining encounter on Wednesday. 

We are excited for the game because I am sure it will be a great game for both teams and for the fans of Iran and Iraq. So let s enjoy and have some fun, said the former Real Madrid bo…

Simeone proud at Atletico´s Madrid derby fight

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone again marvelled at his team s ability to compete with LaLiga s superpowers after the 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in El Derbi.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave the hosts a deserved 53rd-minute lead but Atleti hit back with gusto as Antonio Griezmann swiftly levelled and they almost led through Koke.

Atleti remain sandwiched between leaders Barcelona and third-placed Madrid in LaLiga, four points better off than their neighbours.

Simeone, who famously led Atletico to a stunning title triumph in 2013-14, pointed to Madrid s excellent recent performances against Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in the Champions League to underline the impressive nature of his team remaining unbeaten at the Santiago Bernabeu in Spain s top-flight for a fifth conse…

Pele would have been greater than Messi or Ronaldo claims Soccer Bowl foe Jocky Scott

Pele would have surpassed the achievements of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had he played in the modern era.

That is according to Jocky Scott, who faced the Brazil great in the final competitive game of his career in 1977.

Pele, who died last week aged 82, ended his remarkable playing career with a two-year stint at the North American Soccer League s New York Cosmos, helping them triumph in 1977 s Soccer Bowl against the Seattle Sounders before hanging up his boots.

The three-time World Cup winner s abilities are often compared to those of modern greats Messi and Ronaldo, as well as the legendary Diego Maradona, but former Scotland forward Scott believes he should be recognised as the greatest to play the game.

I think you ve got to recognise differ…

Jorginho says Rudiger departure will be felt by Chelsea as Real Madrid close in on deal

Jorginho says Antonio Rudiger will be a big loss for Chelsea as Real Madrid reportedly close in on a deal for the centre-back.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed following Sunday s late win over West Ham that Rudiger intends to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Tuchel suggested that Rudiger s decision was influenced by the financial restrictions imposed on Chelsea while a new owner to succeed Roman Abramovich is being sought.

According to widespread reports on Tuesday, Madrid have had no such problem agreeing terms with Rudiger and an announcement is expected to be made imminently.

The Germany international has spent five seasons at Stamford Bridge and Jorginho admits his team-mate s absence will be felt both on the pitch…

Dembele to have hamstring surgery on Tuesday, Barcelona confirm

Barcelona have confirmed Ousmane Dembele will have surgery next Tuesday after suffering a rupture to his hamstring.

Dembele sustained the injury in training on Monday, having been stepping up his recovery from a right hamstring problem that has sidelined him since November.

A statement on Tuesday confirmed Dembele suffered a complete proximal hamstring tear in his right thigh .

The club is still unable to provide any information about a potential return date, though media reports have suggested they do not expect him to play much of a role – if any – in the remainder of the season.

A Barca statement read: Barcelona player Ousmane Dembele will undergo surgery on Tuesday, February 11 in Turku, Finland, to treat a rupture to the proximal tendon of his ri…