Basler: Time for Buffon to retire

Gianluigi Buffon s less-than impressive showing in Juventus Champions League draw with Tottenham on Tuesday is evidence the Italy legend should retire, according to Mario Basler.

After Juve raced into a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes in Turin, Buffon made a point-blank save to deny Harry Kane.

However, he could do nothing to stop Spurs fightback as first Kane and then Christian Eriksen beat the 40-year-old to earn a 2-2 draw for the visitors.

An onrushing Buffon was beaten by Kane for Tottenham s first goal after 35 minutes, and he was caught by surprise as Eriksen fired home a late free-kick.

Buffon has previously said the 2017-18 season would be his last, but his future has been subject to huge speculation, with many calling for him to carry on.

Ju…

Van Gaal dismisses Chelsea rumours as ´fake news´

Louis van Gaal says speculation he is set to take over at Chelsea is fake news .

After Van Gaal was spotted in London he took in Sunday s EFL Cup final at Wembley it was reported the former Manchester United manager is being lined up by the Stamford Bridge club as a replacement for under pressure Antonio Conte.

Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in Van Gaal, who has been out of work since leaving United after winning the FA Cup in May 2016.

But Van Gaal, who lists Barcelona and Bayern Munich among his previous employers, suggested the reports are false.

They saw me at the airport I suppose and that’s how the fake news was born, Van Gaal told Dutch outlet Ziggo.

I m used to people who want to take a picture with me  and you …

Scolari´s Brazil tenure over

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has resigned following the host nation s FIFA World Cup failure.

Scolari, whose contract was coming to an end, stepped down after Brazil were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals and suffered a 3-0 loss to Netherlands in the third-place play-off in front of their home fans.

Brazil were considered pre-tournament favourites to claim a sixth world crown but came up short, denying Scolari the opportunity to add to the title he won in 2002.

And it was announced on Monday that the 65-year-old had called time on his tenure.

“Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his fellow coaching staff surrendered their positions to the board of the Brazilian Football Confederation, a statement said.

The resignation was accepted by pre…

Reading and QPR relegated from the Premier League

Reading and QPR s relegation from the Premier League has been confirmed by the sides 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Both teams required a win at the Madejski Stadium to prolong their stay in the English top flight and consign their opponents to the Championship.

However, a stalemate has sealed the pair s fate, ensuring that they will play in the second tier when the 2013-14 campaign kicks off.
QPR and Reading have earned just 25 points from their 35 fixtures thus far, and will battle to avoid finishing rock bottom over the remaining three games.
Reading s relegation comes just one season after they were promoted to the Premier League as champions under the stewardship of Brian McDermott.
The Englishman was replaced by Nigel Adkins in March, despite having just earned the Manager of…

Prediction: Lazio vs Napoli

Best Odds: 3/2

Bookmaker:

Desperate to try and find some stability as we inch closer to the Christmas break, Lazio will welcome Napoli to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Lazio

Starting with the hosts, while Lazio might have really impressed many across Serie A as they managed to secure a Champions League return last season, the Eagles have struggled to match that level this time around. Last seen earlier in the week when having to settle for a 1-1 draw away at top-flight returners Benevento, I Biancocelesti find themselves sat way down in ninth and are a side who are desperately seeking a bounce. Although Head Coach Simone Inzaghi might have seen his squad manage to secure their spot in the knockout stage of this year s Champions League, the Light Blues ha…

Bitesize Prediction: Osasuna vs Cadiz – 20/08/22

Market: Osasuna win

Odds: 1/1 @

Hoping to claim back-to-back La Liga victories this weekend, Osasuna will welcome Cadiz to the El Sadar on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Osasuna might have opened the 2022/23 campaign with a tough test at the El Sadar, Los Rojillos put in a stellar display. Laying down what was a shock marker on home soil, Head Coach Jagoba Arrasate saw his side claim a thrilling 2-1 victory against Sevilla last weekend. Impressing almost everyone across Spain last season as they pinched a top-half finish, the Navarre-based outfit have also enjoyed an eye-catching summer run. Along with a 2-1 victory away at Dutch side Feyenoord last month, Osasuna won each of their final three pre-season matchups. With it looking like the moo…

Juve on the same level as Madrid and Barcelona – Dybala

Paulo Dybala believes Juventus are on the same level as Real Madrid and Barcelona, with only bad luck preventing the Turin outfit from winning the Champions League in recent seasons.

Juve have been dominant in Serie A of late, scooping the Scudetto in each of the last five campaigns.

Massimiliano Allegri s men are also two-time defending champions of the Coppa Italia, but are yet to turn their domestic purple patch into continental glory.

Champions League runners-up to Barca in 2014-15, Juve were beaten by Bayern Munich in extra time in last season s round of 16.

But Dybala is confident the club can count themselves among Europe s elite.

Juventus are a great team, exactly like Real, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, he told Gazzetta dello Sport. <…

Napoli plan to limit media commitments

Napoli have claimed the club s head coach and players will not speak to the press after late kick-offs away from home this season.

Last season s Serie A runners-up came two goals down to draw 2-2 at Pescara in the opening game of their Serie A campaign on Sunday, thanks to a Dries Mertens double in the space of three minutes just past the hour mark.

However, Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri did not address journalists after the final whistle.

Napoli went long periods of 2015-16 without fulfilling their media duties, but the club has claimed Sarri s latest failure to attend a post-match news conference was prearranged. 

Napoli did not enact any press silence yesterday, the club posted via its official Twitter account. 

In fact, [Marek] Hamsik release…

Bamford loaned to Middlesbrough

Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford will enjoy a second loan spell in the Championship after joining Middlesbrough until January 1.

The England Under-21 forward spent the second half of last season on loan at Derby County, scoring eight goals in 14 starts and nine substitute appearances.

Prior to that temporary stint away from Stamford Bridge, Bamford who joined Chelsea from Nottingham Forest in 2012 had enjoyed productive periods as a loanee at MK Dons.

And the 20-year-old will now get the opportunity to gain further first-team experience with Aitor Karanka s Middlesbrough.

It s taken a while but I m glad to finally be here, Bamford told Middlesbrough s official website.

I had a chat with Aitor about 10 days ago, but there was a hold up in the pape…

Real interest in Verratti confirmed; Marseille boss reveals failed transfer targets

Real interest in Verratti confirmed

Real Madrid have attempted to sign Italian midfielder Marco Verratti from Paris Saint-Germain, the player s agent has revealed.

Los Blancos were believed to be hot on the trail of the Italy international, but they ultimately failed to lure him to Santiago Bernabeu, signing Toni Kroos instead.

Nevertheless, Verratti s official representative has confirmed that Real Madrid wanted to sign his client this summer.

“Did Real Madrid attempt to recruit Marco Verratti this summer? You could say that,” agent Donato Di Campli told Sky Sport Italia.

“But, if there is no agreement with the club, we do nothing. Therefore, Marco remained in Paris.”

Marco Verratti, 21, has largely impressed since joining the Saints…