Goretzka could face surgery on troublesome knee injury, Nagelsmann confirms

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka may require surgery to rectify the troublesome knee injury that has kept him out of action for over a month, according to Die Roten coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The Germany international, who has two goals and two assists in 12 Bundesliga appearances this term, has not taken to the pitch since Bayern’s 3-2 win over rivals Borussia Dortmund on 4th December, in which he managed just over an hour after struggling with a previous knock. 

Speaking ahead of the champions home match against Borussia Monchengladbach, revealed that a decision on whether he requires surgery is due in the next couple of days.

It s complicated. Nagelsmann said of the situation. He [Goretzka] had two good days of training, then we had to decrease the str…

Ten Hag slams ´not good enough´ Man Utd after surprise friendly defeat to Rosenborg

Erik ten Hag slammed Manchester United as by far not good enough after their shock friendly defeat to Rosenborg on Monday.

The Red Devils suffered a late 1-0 loss at Lerkendal Stadion after Noah Holm s 93rd-minute winner.

An underwhelming performance in their first pre-season game was in stark contrast to their last outing before that, a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Rosenborg were denied by the woodwork on four separate occasions while attempting 22 shots to United s meagre five.

Ten Hag started the likes of Casemiro, Jonny Evans, Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount, leaving the United boss somewhat furious with their efforts in Trondheim.

The result is not secondary. We play pre-season but at Manche…

Real Madrid interested in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Real Madrid are interested in signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window as a replacement for Casemiro, according to . Brazil international midfielder Casemiro is leaving La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners Madrid for Premier League giants Manchester United, and Los Blancos are looking at bringing in Hojbjerg.

Hojbjerg has been on the books of Tottenham since 2020 when he moved from Southampton. The Denmark international midfielder has established himself as an important player for the North London club. The midfielder scored two goals and gave two assists in 36 Premier League appearances for Spurs last season.

Tottenham have sold their best players over the years, but club chairman Daniel Levy will want a lot of money for H…

Van Basten to leave Netherlands´ backroom staff for FIFA role

Marco van Basten is to depart his position as Netherlands assistant coach to take up a role at FIFA.

Van Basten managed the national team between 2004 and 2008, before returning to assist Danny Blind last year, although the side failed to qualify for Euro 2016 following a dismal campaign.

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Dick Advocaat would leave his role as assistant to take the manager s job at Fenerbahce, and on Tuesday Van Basten announced he will also be making an exit.

FIFA has approached me to go to work with them, Van Basten said in a statement on the KNVB website.

They are on the verge of renewal and reform in football and want to make use of my ideas and views on matters such as rules, regulations and programming.

I think it …

England´s Toney bites his tongue following ´cringey´ Arsenal jibes

Ivan Toney says he was forced to bite his tongue in the wake of Gabriel Magalhaes cringey social media taunt following Brentford s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Toney was limited to just two shots – totalling 0.14 expected goals (xG) – as Arsenal maintained their fine start to the Premier League season on Sunday, cruising to victory courtesy of goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.

The win ensured revenge for the Gunners after they began the 2021-22 campaign with a demoralising defeat to the Bees, after which Toney tweeted: Nice kick about with the boys.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta used that same message to motivate his squad ahead of February s reverse fixture – a 2-1 win for the Gunners – and it was repeated by Gabriel on social medi…

Aston Villa will not sell Emiliano Martinez in January

Aston Villa will not sell Emiliano Martinez in the January transfer window amid interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United, according to . The report has claimed that former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners United are looking at signing the Argentina international amid uncertainty over the future of David De Gea.

Martinez is the number one goalkeeper at Villa and has been superb for the Villans since his move from Arsenal in 2020. The Argentina international goalkeeper is one of the best in his position in the Premier League and is a key figure in manager Steven Gerrard’s team.

Villa will reportedly not sell Martinez in the January transfer window and will turn down all offers for the 30-year-old. The Villans are not having the best of times…

Koeman hopeful but ´not confident´ Messi will stay at Barcelona

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman remains hopeful Lionel Messi will opt to stay at Camp Nou, but is not confident about that outcome.

Messi is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

The 33-year-old wanted to leave last season after the club finished without a trophy and he fell out with then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Messi agreed to stay for the last year of his contract when Barca refused his request and has impressed under Koeman, scoring nine goals in his last 10 games.

But Koeman is not convinced a happier Messi this season will result in him remaining with the club for the long term.

I m not confident about that, Koeman said to The Athletic.

I m hopeful, ye…

Wolverhampton Wanderers scouting Ben Brereton Diaz

Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Wolves have been scouting the Chile international striker this season, and that the Premier League club could make a move for him when the transfer window opens in January.

Brereton Diaz is out of contract at Blackburn at the end of the season. The striker has reportedly told Rovers that he is not going to put pen to paper on a new deal, so the Championship club are now facing the prospect of losing the 23-year-old on a free next summer. Rovers could now be willing to sell Brereton Diaz for £10 million in the January transfer window.

The striker has scored nine goals and provided one assist in 20 Championsh…

Ramos´ goal in Lisbon may have changed history of European football – Modric

Sergio Ramos late goal in Real Madrid s Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid in 2014 may have altered the history of European football, according to Luka Modric.

Madrid trailed to Diego Godin s opener when Ramos forced extra time with a dramatic 93rd-minute header at Estadio da Luz.

Gareth Bale put Carlo Ancelotti s side in front and further goals followed from Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo to seal a 4-1 victory in Lisbon. 

It was Madrid s 10th European Cup known as La Decima but their first in 12 years after a series of near misses.

Victoria, gol, y líderes.

— Luka Modrić (@lukamodric10)

The Spanish giants have since added three more Champions Leagues to their collection, but Modric is unsure whether it would have be…

Braga 3-3 Wolves: Both sides through after six-goal thriller

Wolves were left stunned by Braga s second-half revival as both sides sealed progress to the last 32 of the Europa League following a 3-3 draw.

After storming back from a goal down to lead 3-1 at the interval, Wolves somehow let maximum points and top spot in Group K slip from their grasp in a thriller in the rain in Portugal.

The visitors, unchanged from the 2-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth, fell behind after six minutes when Andre Horta s deflected effort found the back of the net in sodden conditions.

But Raul Jimenez – involved in all three of his side s goals – swiftly levelled matters with his 15th of the season before a quick-fire double from Matt Doherty and Adama Traore put Nuno Espirito Santo s men in the ascendancy.

That was fa…