Soccer (FIFA)

Soccer (FIFA)

It is important that we go there to qualify though. We have our own objectives. We are not just going there to enjoy the experience. "We believe we can get a result. We have done well against big teams in the Champions League so far this season. The opportunity to play at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid is wonderful. I am excited.

Morocco had the chance to win the game, staged on home territory in Rabat, in stoppage time when Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf was adjudged to have pulled Brahim Diaz in the area when jostling at a corner. The incident came just minutes after Senegal had what appeared a legitimate goal ruled out by referee Jean Jacques Ndala for an apparent shove on Achraf Hakimi by Abdoulaye Seck.

Germany were met with a lot of criticism for their gesture in Qatar, but Jurgen Mittag, a professor of sports politics at the German Sport University Cologne, believes had they made the quarterfinals things might have been different. "But as it was, they were met with a great deal of ridicule because they were symbolically strong but sportingly weak," Mittag told DW.

Jacquet, a France under-21 international, is open to a move to the Premier League but Rennes are demanding more than €60 million (£69.72m) and are in a strong position to negotiate with the 20-year-old's existing contract set to expire in 2029. However, personal terms are not expected to be an issue and Chelsea are aiming to progress talks with Rennes in the coming days. Jacquet is a Rennes academy graduate and made his debut in January 2024. He has made 16 appearances this season and was sent off in a 5-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain last month.

That's what it's all about for me at every moment. I want our technically strongest players to have the ball, the four or five up front leading the line. These are the guys who make the difference. The question is: How do we get the ball to them? How do we create space for them? How do we give them three or four options? A dribble, a one-two, a cross... If they have the choice, we've done a good job. Then they can show what only they can do,

Liam Rosenior is eager to sign a defender and Chelsea have their eye on Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes. The Ligue 1 club want around 44m for the 20-year-old centre-back, a fee Chelsea may be willing to pay with Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo injured. The Blues could also consider selling skipper Enzo Fernandez, who is a target for Real Madrid. There may be a shortage of centre-backs at Internazionale soon.

Bayern kicked off the tournament in a rather rusty fashion, as they found themselves trailing 3-1 to Juventus in their opening game. However, because Bayern have made a habit of comebacks nowadays, they came back in style to win 4-3. Ribéry, Sebastian Rudy (remember him?), Mandžukić, and Mark van Bommel scored the goals. The second and last group game pitted the hosts against Eintracht Frankfurt.

"Actions of this manner simply do not belong in our society, let alone the sport we all love. "Unfortunately, as a football club, we can't change the way people think. "However, we can use our status and platform to continue to fight for those who are subject to such vile and cowardly abuse."

Image source, Getty Images In a controversy-filled Africa Cup of Nations final, Brahim Diaz's attempt to bring some calm only added to the chaos. Around 17 minutes passed between Morocco being awarded a penalty, deep into stoppage time, and Diaz beginning his run-up. The Real Madrid forward slowed as he approached the ball and dinked the ball down the middle but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy didn't move, comfortably caught it and the game went to extra-time with Senegal emerging victorious.

"It's going to be interesting because, for fans of certain clubs who need managers, you'll be thinking 'I wonder if we can get that person or that person'," former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It's the World Cup to add a bit of nuance to that as well. Some managers becoming available at what seems like the best time. Some managers' contracts being available. "Some managers trying to do well for their nations at the World Cup at the summer. It's really exciting and it feels like there's going to be a reset at so many clubs."

Surprise leaders Heart of Midlothian host second-top Celtic, with Rangers, third on goal difference, waiting to take advantage as they host Dundee. Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam, one-time Celtic and Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley and Barry McKay, who played on the wing for Hearts and Rangers, all agree it is too close to call and are relishing what is now a three-horse race.

It's always a bit tougher at a certain age. I'm 28, I've already experienced a fair bit. I've already played quite a few games and, yes, time always seems to pass so quickly. I actually still feel very young. You do notice that you're a bit older, but it's fun. I feel great and I feel I have many, many years left in me.

The 28-year-old won six Champions League titles with OL Lyonnes. Her most recent club was the NWSL side San Diego Wave, with whom she parted ways on Sunday by mutual agreement, having wanted to move back closer to home. She scored seven times in 34 games for San Diego after joining in the summer of 2024, and helped them win the second edition of the World Sevens Football tournament in December, but it is her time with OL Lyonnes that built her reputation.

Leon Britton has played for 13 Swansea City managers, coached under two and even had a hand in appointing one. There are few people who have a better idea, therefore, of what it takes to be a successful Swansea boss. And while these are early days in the reign of Vitor Matos, Britton has seen encouraging signs. "I've been highly impressed," says Britton, who has returned to Swansea as a first-team coach under Matos.

Image source, Getty Images Football's lawmakers will consider widening the remit for red cards when a goalscoring opportunity is denied at a meeting on Tuesday. However, Arsene Wenger's "daylight" offside proposal is set to be kicked into touch in favour of a different idea which is fairer for defences. Goalkeeper tactical timeouts, time-wasting and video assistant referee (VAR) tweaks are among other items on the agenda.

Said El Mala has burst onto the scene at FC Köln and he's quickly become a transfer target for several top clubs across Europe including Bayern Munich. His profile has been compared to that of Lennart Karl and Jamal Musiala with his pace, dribbling abilities, and finishing, but he's his own player and, by the looks of things, has quite a high ceiling ahead of him.

The latest is Xabi Alonso, who was yesterday given his marching orders by Real Madrid, despite a decent record of 24 wins from 34 games this season, an overall win percentage of 70.59.