Gerardo Martino says he hopes his Argentina side can replicate the performance which saw them beat Germany 4-2 when they come up against Brazil on Saturday.
The South American heavyweights renew their arch-rivalry in the Superclasico de las Americas this weekend in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Bird s Nest Stadium in Beijing.
It is almost two years since the two nations locked horns, when Brazil claimed the title on penalties in Buenos Aires.
Many had hoped that Brazil and Argentina would meet in the World Cup final three months ago, but Germany had other ideas as they thrashed the hosts 7-1 in the semi-final before beating Argentina in the final.
Both nations have since appointed new coaches, with Martino replacing Alejandro Sabella as Argentina b…
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah bemoaned loss of concentration for his team s 2-1 loss to the United States in Natal on Monday.
The USA scored in the first and 86th minutes to triumph at the Arena das Dunas, as Ghana missed out on points despite Andre Ayew s equaliser with eight minutes remaining.
Clint Dempsey gave the USA the lead when he burst onto Jermaine Jones pass, cut inside John Boye and slotted home the opening goal after just 29 seconds, while the Americans claimed victory with John Brooks header in the closing stages after he got away from the same Ghanaian defender to power a corner into the net.
Appiah s men dominated the Group G fixture at the FIFA World Cup with 456 passes to the Americans 276, while Ghana had 21 shots to eight but lacked the defensive composu…
James Rodriguez left Real Madrid on Tuesday to take a second bite at proving his talents with one of Europe s biggest clubs, agreeing a two-year loan deal with Bayern Munich.
Colombia international James was the breakout star of the 2014 World Cup but saw his first-team opportunities dwindle over the course of his three years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
As part of the deal that takes the 25-year-old to Germany, Bayern can reportedly make the move permanent for €35million, and a look at James stats since he arrived in Spain suggest that would be a bargain.
Despite making just 77 LaLiga appearances for Madrid 59 of those from the start James has been a prolific creative force in the Madrid attack when given the chance.
Since joining Madrid in 2014, only six…
Aitor Karanka is backing Alvaro Morata to be a Premier League hit with Chelsea, but feels Manchester United might have got the better deal with their big-money swoop for Romelu Lukaku.
Morata is set to become Chelsea s record signing on Thursday as he puts the finishing touches to a £70million switch to join Antonio Conte s men from Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old Spain striker came through the ranks at the Santiago Bernabeu when Karanka was on the coaching staff and the former Middlesbrough boss believes Chelsea have secured an elite operator perfectly suited to the challenge of the Premier League.
He s a really good player, I ve known him since he was 16 years old, Karanka told Sky Sports News.
He s in the Spanish national team, Chelsea are signing a re…
Arsenal are interested in signing Issa Diop from West Ham United this summer, according to the .
Football is currently at a standstill across Europe due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and it remains to be seen what the final solution to the problem of completing the 2019/20 season will be. The same goes for the summer transfer window, which will surely be affected in some way too.
But clubs and managers must continue making plans for the future, and to that end, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, tested positive for the notorious virus, is keen on resolving what he believes are still deficiencies in his defence, despite the arrival of Pablo Mari.
Diop arrived to the London Stadium in 2018 from Toulouse, and despite the rather poor campaign from the Hammers, his individual…
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been urged to leave Arsenal in order to fulfill his potential.
The 30-year old arrived to North London from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 for more than €60 million in what turned out to have been the last attempt from Arsene Wenger to put his team back on the right track. However, it wasn t to be and the Frenchman was relieved of his duties at the end of that season.
Nonetheless, Aubameyang showed his class straight away, and last season he shared the Golden Boot with Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane with 22 league strikes. He has become Arsenal s arguably best player, and his goals often made up for the team lacking quality in other departments, but the club hasn t been able to finish inside the top four or win any trophies…
Market: Servette win
Odds: 4/11 @
Hoping to skyrocket their way to the top of the Swiss Super League table on Wednesday night, Servette will welcome Lausanne Ouchy to the Stade de Geneve.
Starting with the hosts, while Servette might have eventually settled for a silver medal finish among Switzerland’s elite last season, the Maroons are in the midst of a real domestic flurry this time around. Although Rene Weiler’s men might have marked three return from March’s international break with a 1-0 loss away at Winterthur, the former Luzern boss will be smelling the chance to claim an immediate boost here. Knowing that they can officially climb to the top of the Super League table here, Servette will be excited by their continued success on home soil. Last seen …
John Stones lauded Gareth Southgate s unique management as the Manchester City defender prepares for England s Euro 2020 final showdown with Italy.
Stones has started every game for the Three Lions at the tournament, with only goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (570) playing more minutes than the centre-back (559), who has also attempted more passes (424) than any other England player.
The 27-year-old has helped keep five clean sheets, with England having set a new national record for not conceding a goal before Mikkel Damsgaard s free-kick found the net in Wednesday s semi-final win over Denmark.
Southgate has made some brave, and at times unpopular, decisions throughout the tournament, though the vast majority have so far come off, with England having progressed to the…
Lyon are hoping to use the embarrassment of a 2-1 home loss to Caen as motivation when they host APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League.
Remi Garde s side missed a chance to go third in the league after their slip-up against the lowly Caen, but can bounce back in the first leg of the round of 16 Champions League tie on Tuesday.
The fixture will mark the ninth year running that the French giants have made the last 16 and club president Jean-Michel Aulas is hopeful that reflection on Saturday s defeat will give them the impetus to win.
It is a disappointment. We re coming down to earth with a bump, Aulas told the club s official website.
We have to look into what went wrong and use this for the Champions League on Tuesday. We have to question ourselves on…
Roma coach Luis Enrique has reiterated his wish to stay at the Serie A club despite a recent run of poor form.
Sunday s 2-1 defeat to Lazio in the Rome derby left Enrique s side in sixth place in the standings, 10 points adrift of the last Champions League qualification spot.
Enrique has previously dismissed reports linking him with a return to Barcelona, where he coached the club s reserves between 2008 and 2011.
I will not leave, Spaniard Enrique said.
Reports have linked Andre Villas-Boas, who was sacked by Chelsea on Sunday, with the Roma job should it become available.
Roma, who have won only one of their last five league games, visit Palermo on Saturday.
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