Antonio Conte wants Italy to bridge the gap to the strongest sides at Euro 2016 by working harder than any of their rivals.
Italy finished top of their qualifying group after going unbeaten in their 10 matches, but the Euro 2012 finalists are not widely considered among the major candidates to dethrone holders Spain in France later this year.
Conte, who will step down from his role as head coach at the end of the tournament, concedes that some squads boast more quality but has challenged his players to fight harder than the rest in order to go one better than four years ago.
I am really willing to work well. I am excited because we have a very important rendezvous in June. We have worked two years to get there, he said.
I am really fired up and ready t…
Luis Suarez believes it was written in the stars for him to make his Barcelona debut against Real Madrid.
The Uruguay star is in line to make his long-awaited Barca bow at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 25 a day after the expiry of his four-month ban for biting Italy s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
Suarez looked sharp in his country s friendly against Oman on Monday, scoring twice in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
The former Liverpool man has now set his sights firmly on El Clasico and feels destiny has decreed that he will debut for Barca at the home of their fiercest rivals Real.
It s a huge coincidence but I m looking forward to the experience, Suarez told Barca Magazine.
You know, I m the kind of person who believes that things happen…
Neymar’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain has initiated a ripple effect that is bound to once again interlace the futures of Maxwel Cornet and Ousmane Dembele, the two highly-exciting attacking prospects Europe has been buzzing about over the past couple of years.
Again? You would ask. Let us explain.
The 20-year-old Ivory Coast forward Maxwel Cornet started his professional career at Metz, but it wasn’t until he arrived to Lyon in 2015 that he started making a name for himself.
Having made his Ligue 1 debut at his new club in a game against his old one, Cornet came on to replace injured Alexandre Lacazette in a 2-0 victory over Metz. What Lyon fans got on that 25 January 2015 was the natural successor to their key man who is as of this summer plying his trade over …
James Rodriguez was satisfied with a trophy-winning debut for Bayern Munich, but says more is to come as he settles into life with the Bundesliga champions.
Real Madrid loanee James pulled the strings as Bayern beat Werder Bremen to lift the Telekom Cup on Saturday, making his maiden outing in the week that he signed to play under Carlo Ancelotti for a second time.
James won the World Cup Golden Boot in 2014, but struggled to make an impression under Zinedine Zidane last season as Madrid won a league and Champions League double.
But, having started his Bayern career with a win, the Colombia playmaker is now targeting a return to full fitness.
I am happy with that. I hope to get fit in the following days, James told reporters.
Goals from a…
With the midweek schedule taken over by the return of international football, we aren t short of action throughout Thursday. On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a midweek acca, we have found you a handful of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.
Thursday 8th October
BST 03:00 Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake
Starting with the MLS in midweek, Seattle will be looking to cash in on what has been an eye-catching run of form after what was another dominant display over the weekend. Managing to extend their spot at the top of the Western Conference to three points, the Greens have now landed back-to-back 3-1 victories against Vancouver and LA Galaxy. With many tipping Brian Schmetzer s men as one of the leading contenders to reclaim th…
Newcastle United have agreed new terms with star winger Allan Saint-Maximin, extending his contract by a further 12 months to keep him at St James Park until 2026.
Saint-Maximin has quickly established himself as Newcastle s most exciting player since signing from Nice in a reported £20million transfer at the start of last season.
The 23-year-old signed a six-year deal upon his arrival at St James Park and has made the same commitment again just over a year on, although reportedly now on wages in line with Newcastle s top earners.
I ve played for a lot of clubs Monaco, Nice, in Germany but Newcastle, I feel, is like my home, Saint-Maximin told the club s official website.
The supporters give me a lot of love, the coach, too, and my partners on the pitc…
Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has signed a two-and-a-half year contract extension at the Brittania Stadium on Tuesday.
The Danish shot-stopper tweeted: Just signed a new contract this morning. Proud to be a Potter for another two and a half years.
The 35-year-old was Tony Pulis first choice-keeper during their successful first season back in the Premier League in 2008-09, but soon found himself constrained to the substitute s bench following Asmir Begovic s emergence into the first team.
Sorensen did play in last season s FA Cup final defeat, having featured throughout the competition.
However, the former Sunderland man has reclaimed the number one jersey after a dip in form from Begovic.
…
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans look set to bolster Manchester United’s beleaguered backline at Chelsea as Erik ten Hag’s side continue to search for answers to their ongoing injury problems.
The Red Devils have been besieged by issues during a difficult second season for the Dutchman, with the side struggling in the Premier League and dumped out of Europe before Christmas.
United face an uphill battle to qualify for next year’s Champions League and produced one of their worst displays on Saturday at Brentford, where Victor Lindelof became the latest player to pick up a muscle injury.
The boss provided a positive update on , and Jonny Evans ahead of Thursday night. ||
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
The Sweden international’s hamstring …
Brazil striker Nilmar could be heading to Roma from Villarreal in January.
Nilmar had already been linked with a move to the Serie A club in the close season but the transfer could happen much sooner.
I can only say talks are going very strong, Nilmar s agent Orlando Da Hora told Super Deporte.
I think we can soon close up the deal with Roma.
The 27-year-old has been with Villarreal since the start of the 2009-2010 La Liga season and made his senior Brazil debut in 2003.
…
Several English Premier League side have expressed interest in signing Olympiakos forward Kevin Mirallas, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claims.
The Belgian striker has kick-started his career in Greece following an unsuccessful spell at Saint Etienne, and his latest showings could earn him a move to the English Premier League.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Newcastle, Sunderland, Fulham and Everton are all weighing up moves for the Belgian international.
The 24-year-old has a contract until June 2014 at Karaiskaki, but the Belgian newspaper believes he would be allowed to leave for a fee of €7 million.
Mirallas started his professional career at Lille and was considered one of the brightest prospects in Europe when he moved to Saint Etienne in…