Clara Mateo believes France can put their pre-World Cup difficulties behind them as they look to unite under new head coach Herve Renard.
Les Bleues were embroiled in a pre-tournament saga involving a group of leading players and former coach Corinne Diacre, who oversaw their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2022.
A revolt from several players – including captain Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer – ultimately led to Diacre s dismissal, with two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Herve Renard installed in her place.
With the drama over, Mateo is hopeful the squad can put their troubles behind them in Australia and New Zealand, where they face Jamaica, Brazil and Panama in the group stage.
I think there s a very good understanding between the players an…
Takumi Minamino is officially a Liverpool player. A transfer story that broke suddenly has been wrapped up well before Christmas, let alone the January window opening.
The Reds had barely touched down after playing Salzburg in the Champions League when journalists in the know began reporting a potential deal. Within hours, the Austrian club officially confirmed negotiations were taking place after a reported £7.25million release clause was met.
Liverpool saw what the Japan international can offer during the two games between the teams in Europe.
Indeed, Minamino has already scored at Anfield, finding the net in a 4-3 loss back in October. There is a video on Twitter of Jurgen Klopp nodding his head approvingly at that goal, cheekily suggesting he knew all alon…
Allan has joined Atletico Mineiro from Liverpool after failing to make a senior appearance for the European champions.
The 22-year-old has completed a move back to his native Brazil after the Reds accepted a reported fee of £3.2million.
Allan moved to Liverpool from Internacional in 2015 but spent his career at Anfield on loan with other clubs, initially due to work permit issues.
Having played for SJK and Sint-Truiden, he joined Hertha Berlin for the 2016-17 season, making 15 Bundesliga appearances.
Allan played 22 times for Apollon Limassol and then made just four appearances back in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt.
He enjoyed a more productive loan on his return to Brazil with Fluminense last year.
Everybody at Liverpool FC wishes …
Real Madrid have a positive dynamic as they prepare to face local rivals Atletico Madrid in a potentially decisive LaLiga clash, defender Nacho believes.
Madrid won 4-2 at Leganes on Wednesday to remain two points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, with Alvaro Morata scoring a hat-trick for Zinedine Zidane s much-changed side.
Next up for Madrid is a derby against Atletico at the Santiago Bernabeu before a Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich and Nacho said the Spanish capital club are in good shape ahead of the challenges to come.
We started as we had spoken about: very strong, he told Movistar. Putting ourselves ahead with a quick goal was very important and made us a lot calmer.
We relaxed a little bit at 3-0. The second half …
According to a recent report from Sky Sports News, former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is set to stay in China with Dalian Yifang until at least the end of the current Premier League season. There had been some suggestions that indicated he could jump over to London in order to manage West Ham United, with Manuel Pellegrini being consistently linked with the sack.
Regardless of what happens to Pellegrini during his immediate future at the London Stadium, however, Benitez seems to pretty happy where he is.
The Spaniard’s exit from the club was met with a great deal of anger and sadness in equal measure by the Magpies faithful, many of whom believed he was the man to take them back to the heights that Sir Bobby Robson had them soaring at well over a decad…
Neil Lennon cancelled holiday plans when he got the call to replace Brendan Rodgers as Celtic manager.
The Scottish champions, who are in pursuit of a third consecutive domestic treble, have turned to their former boss Lennon on an interim basis until the end of this season following Rodgers departure to Leicester City.
The 47-year-old led Celtic between 2010 and 2014, winning three league titles, but expected to be taking in some sunshine rather than facing the media on Wednesday.
My Speedos were packed, the factor 50 all done and now I am stuck here with you guys! I am sure you are all delighted about that, Lennon said.
It was a no-brainer, I m very grateful to be here. The board have put their faith in me to see out the season.
Lennon apprec…
I haven t heard any more but I will wait and reserve judgement until we get any news and then see where we go from there. We ll find out very soon days, I think.
Those are the words of Chelsea manager Frank Lampard who has revealed that we’re close to learning whether or not the club’s transfer ban will be held up in the January transfer window or taken away. They were initially handed a two-window transfer ban in relation to breaking transfer rules in relation to minors, but after serving one half of that ban, many wonder whether or not they’ll be permitted to sign players once again in the upcoming window.
Regardless of whether or not it happens this has all been a very bad look for Chelsea, and a bad thing to have on the books for them – especially as…
Espanyol breathed life into their Europa League qualification hopes with a surprise 3-0 win over a lacklustre Atletico Madrid at RCDE Stadium on Saturday.
Diego Godin s own goal on the stroke of half-time and Borja Iglesias double after the interval lifted Rubi s side to within three points of seventh-placed Real Valladolid, who entertain Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Atletico, having watched Barcelona sew up the LaLiga title last weekend, looked very much like a team with little to play for as they slumped to a sixth league loss of the season.
Diego Simeone s men still require a point from their final two fixtures to ensure Real Madrid cannot sneak into second.
The Panda is on fire! | | |
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol)
Es…
Serge Aurier has joined LaLiga side Villarreal after leaving Tottenham on transfer deadline day last month.
The full-back ended his time with Spurs after agreeing a mutual termination of his contract.
Aurier will continue his career in Spain, joining the Europa League holders on a deal until the end of the season, with the option of extending his stay by a further two campaigns.
The 28-year-old Ivory Coast captain made 110 appearances for Tottenham following his move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, scoring eight goals.
Aurier helped the London club reach the Champions League final in 2019, as well as the EFL Cup showpiece two years later.
He also has vast experience at international level, winning 70 caps for his country.
Unbeaten Vil…
Germany coach Joachim Low has ruled out international recalls for experienced Bayern Munich duo Thomas Muller and Jerome Boateng plus Borussia Dortmund s Mats Hummels.
Low sent the three players into the international wilderness in March 2019 as he looked to build towards the future after Germany flopped at the 2018 World Cup.
Attacking midfielder Muller (100 caps), and defenders Boateng (76 caps) and Hummels (70 caps) boast 246 appearances for Germany between them and were all in the team that won the World Cup in 2014, but the trio are all over the age of 30.
Germany have qualified for Euro 2020 but their defence in particular has been shaky in recent games, shipping seven goals in their last three matches, leading to calls for Boateng and Hummels to be reconsi…