Jude Bellingham has not travelled to Germany for Real Madrid’s Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash against RB Leipzig due to an ankle injury.
The England midfielder was not named in the Real squad for the trip after a sprained ankle forced him off in Saturday’s 4-0 win over surprise LaLiga title rivals Girona – but not before he had scored a brace.
Bellingham has scored 20 goals in 31 appearances for Real and rapidly become one of their most important players but manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident his side can cope.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid)
“We have to think that Bellingham isn’t here, but we’ve won four out of four games without him,” the Italian said at his pre-match press conference. “Those who have repl…
While France might have once again struggled to find much fluidity on Monday evening, Les Bleus punched their EURO 24 quarter-final ticket thanks to a nervy 1-0 victory against Belgium.
Although many of Europe’s biggest superstars might have stolen centre stage in Dusseldorf, chances came at a real premium as both sides struggled to make much of a statement.
While France might have edged ahead of the Red Devils in many departments, Belgium had that chance to snatch a famous late winner of their own as Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne saw his effort denied by Mike Maignan.
However, in a showdown that almost appeared destined to be heading for extra-time, former Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen was left heartbroken as Randal Kolo Muani’s effort was deflec…
According to , Newcastle are very much interested in signing Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, and they re prepared to pay a fee of around £35 million to secure the services of the 22-year-old defender.
Thiaw is believed to be the first choice for the Magpies to strengthen their centre-back department, since Tosin Adarabioyo left Fulham to join Chelsea. With long-term injuries currently keeping Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman away from the training ground, it has become a worrying area for manager Eddie Howe. Newcastle s initial valuation of the player apparently stood at £25 million, which Milan do not consider sufficient, but it will become hard for the Rossoneri to resist if the offer is raised by £10 million more.
The 6 4 defender, who has three Germany caps under his …
Houssem Aouar has joined Al-Ittihad from Roma for a reported €12million fee.
The Algerian penned a four-year deal with the Saudi Pro League club, becoming Laurent Blanc s first signing as head coach.
Aouar signed a five-year contract with Roma in June 2023, making 25 appearances for the Giallorossi and scoring four goals.
However, he struggled for regular action following Jose Mourinho s dismissal in January.
Before that, he impressed for Lyon, with his final season at the club being played under Blanc, who he has now reunited with his former manager.
Houssem Aouar Officially Joins the Tigers
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en)
…
England manager Roy Hodgson expects Wayne Rooney to be one of the first players on the plane for Euro 2016 but warned the captain that his spot in the starting XI is not certain.
Rooney has been out of action since February after suffering knee ligament damage, missing England s international friendlies against Germany and Netherlands last month.
In the Manchester United skipper s absence other players pressed their claims for a spot in England s Euro 2016 squad, with Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy scoring, while Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck also featured.
However, Hodgson has no intention of leaving Rooney s name out of the 23-man squad, as long as he is fit and ready to go.
I have no thoughts of jettisoning Wayne Rooney and I certainly would…
Gareth Southgate has pledged England will learn from Friday s shock 1-0 defeat to Iceland ahead of their Euro 2024 campaign starting next week.
England s Wembley Stadium send-off fell flat as they produced a disjointed performance against a stubborn Iceland side, with Jon Thorsteinsson s low strike the difference.
Despite Southgate picking a strong starting lineup featuring Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, the Three Lions managed just one shot on target and only recorded 0.89 expected goals (xG) from 13 total attempts.
It is the first time they have lost their final game prior to an international tournament since Euro 1968, having won 15 and drawn five of their previous 20 such matches.
While Southgate was in no mood to excuse England s below-par…
Nolito is dreaming of playing for Spain at Euro 2016 after he scored his first international goals in a 3-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Switzerland.
The Celta Vigo forward, 29, had not scored in his first six caps, but had a double within the first 18 minutes of his seventh appearance on Sunday.
Emir Spahic got a goal back for Bosnia before being sent off and Chelsea forward Pedro sealed the victory in stoppage-time.
Head coach Vicente del Bosque now has to cut a final two members of his provisional squad for the Euros as Spain look to retain their continental crown in France and Nolito hopes he has done enough in his 60-minute appearance to book a seat on the plane.
It is clear that the whole world knows the level at the Spanish national team is very…
Following Jayden Danns’ brief debut appearance for Liverpool in their home win against Luton, visiting boss Rob Edwards, in conversation with Jurgen Klopp, was seen mouthing: “I played against his dad!”
Striker Danns, 18, is the son of former Crystal Palace, Bolton and Bury midfielder Neil Danns and is not the only offspring of a once-famous footballer to have made a breakthrough this season.
Here, the PA news agency looks at five more young talents with dads you may remember.
Bobby Clark
Liverpool’s academy has more teenagers with famous fathers, including Bobby Clark, son of former Newcastle and Fulham midfielder Lee. Bobby, 19, made his Premier League debut against Bournemouth at Anfield last season, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute with the Red…
Competition: Euro 2016
Market: Wales and Slovakia to draw
Odds:
Wales and Slovakia lock horns in their opening Euro 2016 Group B clash at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux tonight, in a game that could be too close to call. It’s a match that has been billed ‘Bale v Hamsik’ due to the two players’ influence on their respective national teams to help them through qualifying.
Wales are deemed the underdogs given their poor form ahead of the 2016 European Championships. Chris Coleman’s side have lost three of their last four games in all competitions, picking up just one win in their previous six. They’ve scored just one goal in their last three too, and an in-form Slovakia will be looking to take advantage.
Slovakia are full of confidence given…
With the Premier League officially making its return this weekend, defending champions Manchester City will steal centre stage on Sunday afternoon.
Watching the Sky Blues travel to Stamford Bridge when they meet Chelsea for what should be a heavyweight showdown from west London, we have a pair of eye-catching battles on the cards.
For those of you looking to stick on a Sunday flutter, we have found a pair of the most intriguing Premier League betting tips.
14:00 Brentford vs Crystal Palace
While Crystal Palace might have only appointed Oliver Glasner back in February, the Eagles embarked on a sensational rise under the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a stunning performance at Selhurst Park as they stormed their wa…