Football News
Head coach Brendan Rodgers has told his Celtic players to try and play on the front foot when they take on Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Bhoys suffered a 7-0 rout at the hands of Barca in the Camp Nou in their opening Group C game just over two months ago.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte believes the battle for the Premier League title this season is ‘perhaps the most difficult one ever’. The Blues rose to the summit with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Sunday, with the Londoners being closely pursued by Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, while Manchester United are currently nine points off the pace in sixth place.
JOE ALLEN is among the nominees vying for inclusion in the UEFA.com users’ Team of the Year.The Stoke City midfielder is of 15 first-time nominees pushing for selection alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Max Verstappen has had an impressive 2016 season but says he is ignoring the hype surrounding him and is concentrating on performances.The Formula 1 season comes to its conclusion in Abu Dhabi at the end of November with either Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg taking the drivers’ title.
Andy Murray is aiming to stay at the top of the world rankings for a long time after confirming his dominance of world tennis by beating Novak Djokovic on Sunday. The 29-year-old Scot brushed aside the Serb, who he usurped as the world number one earlier in the month, 6-3 6-4 in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
France international Geoffrey Kondogbia has played down speculation suggesting he is keen to leave Inter Milan. The 23-year-old says he is committed to the Nerazzurri and has moved quickly to refute comments made by his agent, Jonathan Maarek.
Antonio Conte is already looking forward to Chelsea’s next match against Tottenham after watching his side edge to a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Sunday. Diego Costa prodded home the only goal of the match at the Riverside Stadium just before half time as the Blues made it six Premier League victories – and six clean sheets – in a row.
Arsenal have been boosted by the news right-back Hector Bellerin has signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium. The 21-year-old Spain international has been linked with a return to former club Barcelona and Premier League rivals Manchester City having become a regular in boss Arsene Wenger’s Gunners’ line-up since he broke into first team in the 2014-15 season.
MARK HUGHES believes Bournemouth are even better equipped to make a mark in the Premier League this term. The Cherries enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign in the top-flight, defying the odds to retain their spot within the elite courtesy of a 16th place finish.
Gareth Southgate is unsure when he will be told whether he will be handed the England job on a permanent basis. Southgate was given the role on an interim basis in the wake of Sam Allardyce’s departure in September and Tuesday’s 2-2 friendly draw with Spain was his fourth match in charge.