Carlo Ancelotti is not getting carried away over Real Madrid s Champions League prospects despite Tuesday s 2-0 win at home to Inter sealing top spot in Group D.
Madrid just needed to avoid a defeat to go through to the knockout phase as group winners, but they ultimately battled to a commendable victory over the Italian champions.
Toni Kroos netted a glorious first-half opener, before a similarly satisfying Marco Asensio curler wrapped up the win 11 minutes from time.
As such, Madrid will – theoretically – get a kinder draw than runners-up Inter in the last 16, potentially setting them up nicely to reach the quarter-finals.
Top of the group!
See you next year in the round of 16.
¡Nos vemos el año que viene en los octavos de final!
Manchester United are leading the race for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, according to . It has been reported that the Red Devils are in pole position to sign the 23-year-old defender, with Italian giants Inter Milan and AC Milan interested in the Serbia international as well.
The report in the Italian news outlet has claimed that Fiorentina are resigned to losing the Serbia international defender, adding that the 23-year-old is keen on playing in England.
According to , Milenkovic has scored three goals and provided one assist in 27 Serie A matches for Fiorentina so far this season. The defender made 36 starts and one substitute appearance in the league for the Italian club in 2019-20, scoring five goals in the process, and scored three goals in 34 league game…
Three of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad – including Jenni Hermoso – have been shortlisted for the FIFA Best Women’s Player award.
Spain’s World Cup success last month has been overshadowed by the behaviour at the final of Luis Rubiales, who resigned as the country’s football federation president on Sunday amid mounting criticism after he kissed Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation in Sydney.
Pachuca midfielder Hermoso, who said she did not consent to the kiss, has been nominated alongside Spain team-mates Aitana Bonmati and Salma Paralluelo. Barcelona star Mapi Leon, who was part of a group of players who quit the national team last year in protest at conditions in the Spain camp, has also been shortlisted.
The nominees for The Best FIF…
Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah have been announced as the three finalists for The Best FIFA Men s Player Award.
The attacking trio were named on a shortlist for the prize in November that also included Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Karim Benzema, Jorginho and N Golo Kante.
Lewandowski, Messi and Salah are the final nominees chosen following a public vote that closed on December 10. Jennifer Hermoso, Sam Kerr and Alexia Putellas are the finalists for the women s award for 2021.
The final three up for The Best FIFA Men s Coach award, confirmed on Thursday, are Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini and Thomas Tuchel. Lluis Cortes, Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman are the finalists for the women s coaching prize.…
Eredivisie club AZ have reached an agreement with Marco van Basten to take over as head coach until the summer of 2016.
The former Netherlands and Ajax boss had already confirmed his intention to leave Heerenveen at the end of the season and will move to the AFAS Stadion provided formalities have been completed.
A statement on AZ s official website on Friday read: AZ and Marco van Basten have reached a verbal agreement on a contract as head coach until the summer of 2016. The 49-year-old will succeed Dick Advocaat.
The last formalities will be completed in the next few days, after which the Utrechter can be presented.
A prolific striker during his playing career with Ajax and Milan, Van Basten moved into management in 2003 when he coached the Ajax youth team bef…
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Fulham will be taking on Blackpool on Saturday afternoon at Craven Cottage, in what will be the 28th Championship match of the season for both sides.
Fulham
The aim for the 2021-22 season is as clear as it can be for Fulham to book a place in the Premier League for next season, preferably by winning the league if possible. And it certainly is possible; it s positively likely at this point.
The Cottagers top the table with 57 points from 27 games, five more than Blackburn Rovers in second place who have played a game more, and eight points above third-place Bournemouth. The top two spots lead straight into the English top tier, while places three through six bring promotion play-offs for the teams occupying them at the end of th…
Didier Deschamps said a virus in the France squad impacted their woeful start to Sunday s World Cup final, though he stopped short of blaming it for Les Bleus defeat.
France failed to become the first team to retain the World Cup since 1962 as Argentina triumphed in a penalty shoot-out following a remarkable 3-3 draw at Lusail Stadium.
Before Kylian Mbappe s hat-trick enabled France to force extra time and penalties, Deschamps side made a slow start, becoming the first team to fail to attempt a shot in the first half of a World Cup final.
France had been without Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano due to illness in their semi-final win over Morocco four days earlier, and several other players reportedly experienced symptoms in the days preceding the final.
…
Liverpool and Sevilla eye progress, unwanted record threatens BVB – Champions League in Opta numbers
Many eyes will be trained upon Champions League Group E on Wednesday, where any of Liverpool, Spartak Moscow and Sevilla could finish top and none of the trio are guaranteed to progress.
They must envy the position enjoyed by Tottenham and Real Madrid in Group H, where Borussia Dortmund and APOEL fighting for third place remains the only point of intrigue.
Shakhtar Donetsk host Group F winners Manchester City, holding a three-point advantage over third-placed Napoli. Maurizio Sarri s swashbuckling side travel to already-eliminated Feyenoord.
Porto and RB Leipzig remain in contention to join Group G victors Besiktas in the last 16, with last season s semi-finalists Monaco left playing for pride.
Below, we examine the key Opta numbers behind Wednesday s cla…
Arsenal forward Lucas Perez says his time in Ukraine helped him mature and realise that he had to do everything within his powers to get a move to a big club.
The 28-year-old joined Karpaty Lviv in January 2011 and also enjoyed a spell with Dynamo Kiev before moving to PAOK in July 2013.
Perez then joined Deportivo La Coruna in 2014 and earned himself a move to Arsenal this year.
A few of us got the chance to go and play in Ukraine I went along with two other Spaniards, Perez told Arsenal Player.
It was a chance to play in Europe and looked a huge opportunity for us. The three of us weighed it up and decided to go for it. One thing led to another, I spent three years of my life in Ukraine.
It was really tough because of the distance, the cult…
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has warned Manchester United they could face a similar title drought if they fail to reach Europe this year.
United are currently nine points off the top four and have struggled for consistency in David Moyes first season at the helm, with a spot in the UEFA Champions League in doubt.
Their best chance of reaching next season s Champions League may be to win this year s edition, though they are facing elimination at the first knockout stage after a 2-0 first-leg defeat at Olympiacos last week.
And Rodgers, who has led Liverpool to a challenge at the top of the table this season, believes the Anfield club s recent struggles to mount a serious challenge could prove to be a precursor for United ahead of the sides meeting at Old Trafford on S…