Arturo Vidal has called on Chile to build on their Copa America Centenario victory over Bolivia as they look to seal progression to the knockout stages against Panama.
The defending champions made a stuttering start to the defence of their 2015 crown as they were beaten by Argentina in the opening game of Group D.
In a repeat of the final 12 months prior, Chile were unable to replicate their triumph and found themselves needing a win over Bolivia to boost their hopes of qualification.
That duly arrived, though it came courtesy of a controversial late penalty decision, and Juan Antonio Pizzi s side now only need a point against Panama to secure their progression thanks to a superior goal difference.
Vidal, the scorer of both goals against Bolivia, insists …
Fulham striker Moussa Dembele said he is happy at the club, despite interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Dembele, 24, signed for the west London club in August 2010 and has scored seven goals in 60 Premier League appearances for the Cottagers.
The Belgian initially moved to the club as a striker, but has since been deployed further back, first in an attacking midfield role, and more recently in a deeper-lying central midfield role.
I m very happy at Fulham, so I m not in a hurry, he told Sky Sports.
Of course, it s normal they are big teams. In the end, we will see what s good for me.
Dembele has only one year remaining on his contract at Fulham and could leave the club for as little as 10 million pounds this summer.
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Fabio Capello has revealed he expects Juventus to confirm their status as Serie A favourites on Saturday with a win over Roma.
Fabio Capello has revealed he expects Juventus to confirm their status as Serie A favourites on Saturday with a win over Roma.
The Old Lady lead the Italian top flight by five points and travel to the capital on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 Champions League victory at Celtic.
The Giallorossi, in contrast, are yet to win a league game in 2013 and recently sacked coach Zdenek Zeman.
Capello, who guided Roma to the Scudetto in 2000 before taking charge of Juventus four years later, made it known that while he is an admirer of the Olimpico side and their efforts to reinvent themselves, the Turin giants remain the benchmark on t…
Napoli will not be parting ways with Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, according to a report in the .
Manchester United, who have been actively pursuing their interest in the defender, have apparently been informed that even €150 million would not be enough to prize him away from Naples.
Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti has recently confirmed that the Senegalese international s contract runs for four more years, with a buyout clause set at €130 million which doesn t kick in before the summer of 2021. The Serie A side are therefore in the strongest position possible and do not plan to accept any bids whatsoever.
Ancelotti expressed his belief that Koulibaly is the best centre-back in the world, and he will be a vital part of the team that will look to bring the eight…
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The 2018-29 season in Spain will come to a close this Saturday at Estadio Benito Villamarín, home of Real Betis. This venue will host the Copa del Rey final between FC Barcelona and Valencia. The reigning Liga champions will aim to end the season on a high note, while Los Che will try to secure another title to end their campaign strongly following a poor start to the year. This match will kick-off at 20:00 hrs BST.
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona might have suffered a huge disappointment in the UEFA Champions League, but they cruised their way towards claiming another La Liga title and also won the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla. Can they complete the domestic treble by winning the Copa del Rey…
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain go to Ligue 1 leaders Lyon in a mouth-watering encounter that could shape the title race.
Paris Saint- Germain boss Laurent Blanc has expressed his pleasure with Thiago Silva s return to form ahead of their crucial Ligue 1 battle at Lyon.
Two of the league s heavyweights will clash at the Stade de Gerland on Sunday, with leaders Lyon hoping to extend their two-point lead on both Marseille and the Parisians.
The match shapes as crucial in what appears to be a three-way Ligue 1 title race and Lyon are without key men Alexandre Lacazette (hamstring) and defender Milan Bisevac (knee).
But while Lyon will lick their wounds, Blanc is thankful towering defender Silva is back to his best form.
The Brazilian miss…
Real Madrid have a one-point lead on rivals Barcelona in La Liga, but will be backing up from European action this weekend.
Real Madrid will have to back up from mid-week European action when they travel to Elche on Sunday, while Barcelona host Malaga on Saturday in La Liga.
Barca can go provisionally top with a win at Camp Nou, and Real will be battling fatigue after playing in Germany on Wednesday when they were 2-0 winners over Schalke in their last-16 first leg.
While trying to defend their European crown, Real are also trying to reclaim the domestic title something midfielder Toni Kroos said was a priority.
Every game in the Champions League is of the highest international level, against the best players in Europe. Battles like that help you gain ex…
I am writing this piece before England’s game in Belarus and therefore realise that if England have been beaten, one of the main points of the article will have blown up in my face!
Chuffed
I was absolutely chuffed to read about how honest stand-in captain Rio Ferdinand has been about the whole England set-up before Fabio Capello arrived. He has voiced what so many fans and journalists have said over the past few years and to hear it coming from a player is utterly refreshing.
Ferdinand has said that he believes, as do so many of us, that the 2006 World Cup campaign, which stuttered and stumbled along until the inevitable defeat on penalties, was damaged by the celebrity culture surrounding the squad.
He said,
We became a bit …
Franck Ribery left the pitch with ice on his left knee following a clash with goalkeeper Steve Mandanda during France training here on Saturday on the eve of their clash with Uruguay.
However the player said on leaving the pitch it s nothing and the signs are he will be available for selection for Wednesday s friendly at the Stade de France friendly.
The 25-year-old Ribery s start to the season had been blighted after tearing ankle ligaments in Euro 2008 meaning a three-month hiatus, returning in mid-September.
…
Juanfran has been diagnosed with a hamstring problem, adding to Atletico Madrid s injury issues.
Fellow full-back Filipe Luis fractured his fibula in Thursday s Europa League defeat of Lokomotiv Moscow and is expected to miss the World Cup.
While Juanfran s injury is less serious, it adds to Atletico s issues after the January departures of Yannick Carrasco, Nicolas Gaitan and Miguel Angel Moya reduced Diego Simeone s options.
Juanfran was taken off during half-time in our Europa League match against Lokomotiv Moscow due to some muscular discomfort, Atletico said in a statement.
He underwent medical exams in Madrid and was diagnosed with an injury to his left hamstring.
Medical exams can confirm has fractured his left fibula. Here’s to a spe…