Atletico Madrid will not dwell on how Saturday s derby defeat to Real Madrid may have impacted their LaLiga title aspirations, captain Koke says.
Early leaders Atleti suffered their first league loss of the season, ending a club-record 26-game unbeaten run, as Casemiro s header and a Jan Oblak own goal proved their undoing.
Koke accepted Madrid deserved victory as Atleti failed to attempt a single shot before the break for the first time in a derby since Opta records began in 2003-04.
The visitors tested Thibaut Courtois only once in the second half, too, as Madrid closed to within three points of their city rivals at the summit.
But Atleti, who had won their previous seven league games, still sit top and Koke is confident they can recover…
Another weekend of Premier League football is officially in the books and with the turnaround being so short this week, many teams don t have much time to learn from whatever happened over the course of the last few days. That s particularly true for Chelsea who, after going on a strong run of form in recent weeks, hit a brick wall in the form of an Everton side who managed to grind out an impressive 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
Help from the fans
Carlo Ancelotti himself claimed that the impact of having 2,000 fans in the stadium helped massively for Everton, and even if you want to cast a shadow of doubt over that estimation, you could definitely feel a stronger atmosphere than we ve seen for the majority of 2020. Everton knew they were the big underdogs heading into this one ba…
Former Brazil international Juninho does not believe the national team s showing at the Copa America Centenario should define their progress under head coach Dunga.
The 1994 World Cup-winning captain returned for a second spell in charge of Brazil in the aftermath of their humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat at the hands of Germany on home soil, souring their hosting of the 2014 tournament.
Dunga s Brazil bowed out at the quarter-final stage of last year s Copa America, losing on penalties to Paraguay, while they lie sixth in the CONMEBOL qualifying section for the 2018 World Cup after six matches.
But ex-Middlesbrough and Atletico Madrid midfielder Juninho believe the coach, who has faced criticism for a perceived negative playing style, has Brazil on course to ch…
Barcelona have vowed to press charges against the judge presiding over their tax fraud case, claiming they have not been afforded the chance to present their evidence.
The Camp Nou club have faced a legal battle for over a year, after a club member asked for full details of striker Neymar s signing to be published – which revealed an apparent misappropriation of funds in the deal.
Judge Pablo Ruz revealed on Friday that he had finished his investigation into the matter and that Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, his predecessor Sandro Rosell and the club itself would all stand trial.
However, Barcelona released a tetchy statement later in the day, claiming to have received no official notice of Judge Paz s decision.
Barcelona expressed conce…
He said in a statement issued on social media: “It has the meant the absolute world and more to be able to pull on the green jersey with honour, step out onto a football pitch – especially at the Aviva Stadium – to represent our great country, standing singing Amhran na bhFiann ready to go out into battle with your fellow countrymen.
“Nothing has ever come close. I gave absolutely everything I had of myself to ensure that I did the jersey, the fans and the country proud, and know that I never took it for granted each time. I hope that showed.
“It will be heartbreaking not to be involved beyond this year, but I feel now is the right time to step aside without any regrets.
“I lived my own and every young Irish footballer’s dream – and represented th…
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Hungary and Serbia will lock horns with each other in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group G this weekend. The match between Marco Rossi’s side and Dragan Stojković’s team will be held at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 pm UK time on Saturday.
Hungary
Hungary have a rich footballing history, but they have not done particularly well in recent times. However, things could be changing soon. There is a very good chance that Hungary will be playing at the UEFA Euro 2024 finals.
Marco Rossi’s side are at the top of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group G at the moment with 10 points from four matches. They are level on points with second-placed Serbia, who hav…
Paul Pogba dedicated his stunning goal in France s 3-1 win over World Cup hosts Russia to his late father.
The Manchester United midfielder s dad passed away in May 2017, and would have turned 80 on Tuesday.
Following his goal, Pogba lifted up his jersey to reveal a message in French that translates as Happy Birthday, Dad. May Allah have mercy on him .
He later added on Twitter: Happy birthday Dad, merci for watching over me and my brothers @equipedefrance great win team!
Pogba, whose form at Old Trafford has faced severe scrutiny of late, scored and assisted a goal in an international match for the first time, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice at Krestovsky Stadium.
Happy birthday Dad, merci for watching over me and my brothers great win team! <…
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez urged Romelu Lukaku to leave Manchester United ahead of the new Premier League season to get his career back on track.
Lukaku fell out of favour at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the second half of the 2018-19 campaign with Marcus Rashford being preferred.
Reported Inter target Lukaku has acknowledged he would be interested in a move to Italy and hinted last week he may be on his way out of Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old scored 15 goals in 45 appearances for United in all competitions last term and Martinez stressed the importance of Belgium s leading man finding a new club.
We keep improving! Another good win for us and what a way to finish off the season!
— R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@RomeluLukaku9)
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France surged into the semi-finals of Euro 2016 as they ended Iceland s fairytale run in brutal fashion with a 5-2 win at the Stade de France on Sunday.
Iceland stunned the football world by coming from behind to beat England 2-1 in the last 16, but were run ragged by France, Didier Deschamps side easing through to book a last-four meeting with Germany in Marseille on Thursday.
Blaise Matuidi set up Olivier Giroud to break the deadlock and the floodgates quickly opened, France 4-0 up by half-time. Paul Pogba answered some of his critics by heading in France s second and fine finishes from Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann had them in complete command by the interval.
Debutants Iceland restored some pride through Kolbeinn Sigthorsson s close-range finish befo…
Swansea City winger Modou Barrow has agreed a new three-year contract with the Premier League club.
The 23-year-old joined the Welsh side in August 2014 and, having had loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers, established himself in the first-team squad last season by making 22 Premier league appearances.
Fresh terms for Barrow mean he is now contracted to the club until June 2019, an additional year to the length of his previous deal.
I m delighted to have signed a new contract, Barrow told Swansea s official website.
Winger signs a new three-year deal with the
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial)
Now I have signed a longer contract, I really want to push on here. There is a real sense of excitement for the new s…