#international-break

#international-break

Nemanja Matic spent five years at Manchester United after choosing to be reunited with then manager Jose Mourinho, who had signed the player at Chelsea.The midfielder has now followed Mourinho to Roma and have booked their place in the Europa League semi-final this season.Speaking with Sky Sports, Matic has reflected on what it's like playing for Mourinho.

With Arsenal and Chelsea in Champions League action, attention turns to the battle to stay in the Women's Super League this weekend.The bottom four sides - Tottenham, Brighton, Reading and Leicester - are separated by just three points.By the evening of 27 May, one will have fallen into the Championship.

Scott McTominay started the 2022-23 season in Erik ten Hag's good books, with his impressive form even managing to keep Casemiro out of the team after he signed from Real Madrid.In his recent months his appearances for Manchester United have been fleeting and his form hasn't been great.Even with the injuries to midfielders Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek, he's struggled to get playing time in the league.

Pep Guardiola will need his players more than ever in the next few weeks if he is to achieve his goals for the season.Starting from the clash with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium immediately after the international break, City are heading into a crucial time in the campaign that could define the whole season.

Thomas Tuchel will not have had enough time with his Bayern Munich players to have a significant impact on Saturday's Klassiker, according to Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl.Former BVB boss Tuchel has been appointed Bayern coach, replacing Julian Nagelsmann ahead of a huge game against their title rivals.

4:30 PM GMT+1 Thibaut Courtois has seemingly recovered from a minor injury scare ahead of an important few weeks for Real Madrid / Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages Thibaut Courtois has been spotted back in Real Madrid training after a muscular strain prompted the goalkeeper to withdraw from Belgium's international squad.

Reece James has left the England camp and returned to Chelsea due to an 'ongoing issue'.The right-back was expected to start Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley after Kyle Walker played all 90 minutes of Thursday's 2-1 win away at Italy.But James has failed to prove his fitness and will reconvene with Chelsea at their Cobham training base.

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has backed Graham Potter for long-term success at Chelsea and says there are already signs of progress at Stamford Bridge.Potter succeeded Tuchel in the Chelsea dugout in early September, but his future was called into question following a run one win in 11 games to begin the year.

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood will miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury.The New Zealander, who joined on loan in January , was injured on 11 March but still went on international duty during the break, although he did not play.Manager Steve Cooper said Forest also have concerns over forwards Brennan Johnson and Andre Ayew, full-back Serge Aurier and midfielder Gustavo Scarpa.

Cristian Stellini will step up as head coach for the rest of the season, with former midfielder Ryan Mason his deputy.Paratici told the the players would not be distracted by talks of who will succeed Conte."We do not speak about other coaches or follow the speculation in the media because it is just speculation," said Paratici.

Everton have been referred to an independent commission over an alleged breach of the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules.he alleged breach is for the period ending with the 2021-22 season, when the Toffees avoided relegation by four points.Burnley, who were relegated from England's top division last season, and Leeds wrote to the league in May to question whether Everton's reported three-year losses of £371.8million

Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes has avoided a three-match ban after his red card in Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by Leeds was overturned by the Football Association.The unused substitute was dismissed for remonstrating with officials after Rodrigo's late goal for the visitors.Wolves felt it should have been disallowed for a foul in the build-up by Marc Roca on Adama Traore.

Tottenham forward Richarlison has denied he played a role in the departure of former manager Antonio Conte, insisting he had a lot of respect for the Italian coach.Conte left Tottenham by mutual consent on Sunday after relations between him and the club deteriorated at all levels in recent weeks.The former Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan boss launched a scathing attack on his players and the club's ownership following a 3-3 draw against Southampton before the international break.

A toe injury picked up in the FA Cup win over Fulham ruled the forward out of England's Euro 2024 qualifiers before he returned to individual workouts earlier this week.The 25-year-old has posted updates to social media of his hard work behind the scenes, writing of marginal gains during a session on Wednesday.

Christian Eriksen is one of three players Manchester United are currently without thanks to crunching tackles from opponents that went unpunished.Eriksen hasn't played for United since Andy Carroll hacked him down in the FA Cup tie back in January.He's missed 14 games so far but hopefully isn't too far away now.

Juventus ' month of March was over with more than just a few days before the actual month comes to a close.With springtime arriving in Italy, the same can pretty much said about an incredibly important Month of April when Juve gets back to business.We just don't know what shape the squad will be in come April 1.

Marcus Bettinelli committed his future to Chelsea after signing a new deal with the Premier League side.The goalkeeper put pen to paper on an extension to his existing contract, keeping him with the Blues until 2026.Bettinelli has mainly served as a back-up option to Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy since joining Chelsea from West London rivals Fulham in 2021.

2:41 AM ET


CloseEd Dove is a writer and scout who has a deep and enduring passion for African sport, politics and literature.Instagram: @EddyDove22, Facebook: @EddyDoveAfrica



We're passed the halfway stage in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with some of the continent's best on the brink of securing their places in the Ivory Coast... and others nervously watching over their shoulder.

There's one.You can always bet on it, folks.There is always one when an international break hits the midway point and we start to get within a few days of the club game getting going again.This time around, it just so happens to be about one of Juventus ' most reliable players come the turn of the calendar year.

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Wembley


Last updated on .From the section England
Bukayo Saka's development as a golden talent for Arsenal and England is moving at such a rapid rate that special moments no longer come as any surprise.The 21-year-old confirmed his growing stature as a jewel in England's crown by playing a key role in the space of three minutes to set up the 2-0 victory against Ukraine that gave them maximum points from their first two Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Bayern Munich's training camp got off to a tough start as Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala and Southampton 's Armel Bella-Kotchap both withdrew due to injuries."It's a pity for everyone that Jamal won't be with us in the next games.We hope that he can play again after the international break, especially for the last games of the season at his club," Flick said a press conference (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).