Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is ‘optimistic’ about tonight’s game against Northern Ireland, particularly because of Gennaro Gattuso’s ‘new’ approach, but warns that opponents deserve respect: ‘If you think it’s easy, then it will all become more difficult.’ Italy host Northern Ireland in Bergamo in a massive World Cup play-off semifinal tonight. Advertisement “I’m optimistic

All eyes are currently on Real Madrid’s medical department. The management of Kylian Mbappé’s knee injury has been the subject of scrutiny after RMC Sport reported that the La Liga giants did tests on the wrong knee. Mbappé began having issues back in December and it is only now in March, months later and following

Valverde’s Punishment Sparks Controversy in La Liga… Comparisons with Similar Cases The punishment imposed on Federico Valverde, Real Madrid player, sparked controversy in the Spanish league, following the decision to suspend him for just one match, despite the similarity of his case to other incidents that received harsher penalties, according to the Spanish newspaper ‘Mundo

For Real, however, signing a new central midfielder is one of the priorities for the summer transfer window. After Toni Kroos (retiring in 2024) and Luka Modric (who moved to AC Milan in 2025) left the club in quick succession over the past two years – the two players who had previously shaped Real’s midfield

1 Florian Plettenberg reports that Eintracht Frankfurt will not extend the contract of Mahmoud Dahoud (30) beyond the summer, meaning he will be available on a free transfer when his current deal expires with the player already receiving enquiries from ‘several clubs’. Dahoud, who joined Eintracht on a free transfer from Brighton in 2024, has

The shorter wait is the one worthy of considerably more attention. Four decades have passed since Northern Ireland appeared at a World Cup, which was their second tournament in succession. Any disappointment at finishing third in a group also involving Brazil and Spain was offset by hope of an imminent return. There has been no

Prosecution rules in favour of players According to a ruling accessed by Spanish outlet EL ESPAÑOL, the National Court Prosecutor’s Office has officially dismissed the lawsuit filed by the league against the players’ union. Following the events of matchday nine, where footballers paused for 15 seconds at kick-off to protest plans to relocate a fixture

The Premier League is on a hiatus for three weeks until games return on April 10. International football takes centre stage before the FA Cup and European competition return in early April, with teams competing for the remaining six places at the World Cup, or take part in friendlies. We asked our club writers which

It’s not every day a player moves from Norwich City to Barcelona. Yet that is what happened when Ajay Tavares, a 16-year-old England youth winger who also has Portuguese nationality, signed for Spain’s champions from the English Championship side in February. On March 1, with around 15 minutes left of a league match against Real

Real Madrid star Federico Valverde has on Wednesday been made aware of the extent of his La Liga ban. This of course comes after the Uruguayan was sent for an early bath during this past weekend’s Madrid Derby. Advertisement Valverde played a leading role in Real ultimately emerging triumphant over city rivals Atlético, netting his

MADRID (AP) — Barcelona moved closer to a record-extending eighth straight semifinal in the Women’s Champions League with a 6-2 rout of Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, while Manchester United made its last-eight debut with a 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. Ewa Pajor scored twice, and

Real Sociedad star Álex Remiro was this week drawn on the ongoing speculation linking him with a move to La Liga rivals Barcelona. And the shot-stopper did not definitively rule out a potential Camp Nou switch. Advertisement Goalkeeper Remiro’s name has emerged as a prominent one in the Spanish media headlines over the course of

BOSTON (AP) — Kylian Mbappé on Wednesday denied media reports that claimed Real Madrid examined the wrong leg when the France star sustained a knee injury late last year. The soccer show “After Foot” on French broadcaster RMC Sport reported this week that the Spanish club had initially scanned his right knee, rather than the

Who is Mo Salah’s wife Magi Sadeq? Premier League star’s childhood love who stayed before fame and avoids spotlight (Image via Getty) Mo Salah is one of the biggest football stars in the world today. Fans know him for his goals, records, and the nickname “Egyptian King.” But away from the stadium, there is one