Bayern Munich s France midfielder Franck Ribery admitted Sunday he is impatient to face compatriots Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday when all French eyes will be on him.
Finally, the Champions League game is here, an excited Ribery told Die Welt on Sunday ahead of the Group F clash at Munich s Allianz Arena.
The 25-year-old only returned from injury a week ago after three months out with torn ankle ligaments playing for France in Euro 2008 and missed Bayern s opening Champions League win at Steaua Bucharest earlier this month.
It is a very special match for me, as it is against Lyon, and I am very impatient for the match to start.
I am quite conscious that this Tuesday all of my country will have their eyes turned towards me.
Ribery …
Striker Kevin Kuranyi has explained why he walked out on Germany and admitted he was wrong to leave the team without permission during the 2-1 World Cup qualifier win over Russia.
The 26-year-old watched Saturday s game from the stands as one of two squad players not involved, but having been granted permission to meet friends at half-time, he failed to meet the team bus after the game.
Friends went to the team s hotel in Duesseldorf to collect his possessions early on Sunday morning and Germany coach Joachim Loew announced on Sunday he will not pick Kuranyi again for die Mannschaft.
We could not tolerate Kevin s actions, said team manager Oliver Bierhoff on Tuesday.
Kuranyi now admits he was wrong and apologised to Loew on Sunday, but the coach insi…
Liverpool s injury problems worsened ahead of the Club World Cup as Georginio Wijnaldum was forced off with an apparent hamstring problem in the second half of Saturday s Premier League clash with Watford.
Already missing Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Fabinho amid a hectic run of fixtures, Jurgen Klopp saw Wijnaldum pull up lame early in the second half on Saturday, with the Reds a goal to the good.
Wijnaldum was unable to continue after brief on-field treatment and limped off to be replaced by Andy Robertson, with James Milner switching from left-back to midfield.
Liverpool will head to Qatar after the Watford game for two Club World Cup fixtures, starting with a semi-final contest on Wednesday. It now remains to be seen whether Wijnaldum will be fit for that tr…
Mohamed Elyounoussi says Pep Guardiola congratulated him on his performance after he inspired Basel to a 2-1 win over Manchester City on Wednesday.
The Norway international cancelled out Gabriel Jesus opener and set up Michael Lang for the winner at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League last-16 second leg.
His performance helped Basel become the first team to beat City at home since Chelsea in December 2016, while reports have emerged that Arsenal have joined the race to sign the 23-year-old at the end of the season.
The attacking midfielder has revealed even Guardiola took time to praise him for his display in Manchester.
Basel
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)
Pep Guardiola came to me after the match and said I did a …
England defender Rio Ferdinand has retired from international football, effective immediately.
Ferdinand, 34, made the announcement on Wednesday, with the Manchester United defender citing the large crop of talent coming through the ranks as the reason behind his decision.
Ferdinand who was captain of England briefly under Fabio Capello won 81 caps but has not played for his country since appearing in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in June 2011.
After a great deal of thought, I have decided the time is right to retire from international football, Ferdinand said.
I feel it is right for me to stand aside and let the younger players come through, which allows me to concentrate on my club career.
The team looks in great shape and there is an influx of young, talented …
Russell Martin is confident Norwich City have the armoury to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
Norwich s three-year stay in the top flight came to an end last season when they were consigned to relegation along with Cardiff City and Fulham.
Their quest for an immediate escape from the Championship begins with a visit to Molineux to face newly-promoted Wolves on Monday, which will be the first time the two sides have met since they locked horns in the Premier League in March 2012.
Wolves are riding on the crest of a wave after winning the League One title, so Norwich can expect a stern test against Kenny Jackett s side.
Norwich will be out to make a statement of intent, though, and captain Martin is confident everything is in place for a pr…
Mohamed Salah believes under-fire Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is a top coach , while the Liverpool forward acknowledges there is already a little bit of pressure on Liverpool heading into Monday s clash with their old rivals.
Jurgen Klopp s Reds make the trip to Old Trafford this weekend seeking a first win of the new Premier League campaign, having so far been held to draws by Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Liverpool are still in a better position than United, though, with new manager Ten Hag suffering consecutive defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford.
United s only goal under Ten Hag to date was a Brighton own goal, while their defensive failings have been ruthlessly exploited.
Despite those issues, Salah still believes United prese…
Ivan Toney wants to leave Brentford in the January transfer window amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, according to . The report has claimed that Toney has told Brentford that he wants to leave when the window opens in January. The England international striker is on the sidelines at the moment serving a ban for breaching betting rules and will become available to play only in January 2024.
Arsenal are interested in Toney, according to 90min, who have claimed that London and Premier League rivals Chelsea are also interested in him. Both the Gunners and the Blues have held talks with the representatives of Toney.
Brentford are ninth in the Premier League table at the moment with 16 points from 11 matches, seven points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. Toney has made 68…
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Now facing a must-win contest on Friday, England s young Lions will face Romania in Cesena on Friday evening.
Starting with Aidy Boothroyd s England side, suffering late heartbreak and throwing away a 1-0 lead against France earlier in the week, the Three Lions know that victory is crucial on Friday. While the former Watford boss might boast a squad that is glittering with Premier League talent, there remains plenty of concerns over England s recent defensive issues. Shipping a pair of goals against both Les Bleus and Germany in their last two appearances, they have now failed to record a single clean sheet since the middle of November, a six-match run. Despite failing to win any of their last three outings, the Whites will be…
Victor Moses struck the winner as Chelsea edged a tight 2-1 Premier League victory against Burnley, Antonio Conte having named Eden Hazard among the substitutes with an eye on the FA Cup semi-finals.
Burnley looked set to claim a point thanks to Ashley Barnes lucky equaliser, but Moses came up with the decisive goal in the 69th minute to boost his side s slim hopes of Champions League qualification.
Winning at Turf Moor on Thursday moves Chelsea within five points of London rivals Tottenham in the battle for a top-four finish, Conte s decision to leave Hazard and Willian on the bench at kick-off ahead of Sunday s clash with Southampton at Wembley justified by the result.
Kevin Long s own goal gave Chelsea the lead, the defender bundling a Moses centre in after …