Alessia Russo is leaning on the advice shared by ex-England captain and “heartthrob” David Beckham as the Lionesses prepare for their World Cup quarter-final.
The 24-year-old won England’s starting centre-forward role over Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly, and opened her account four minutes into England’s 6-1 win over China to conclude the group stage.
Russo is now hoping to extend her maiden World Cup campaign with a win over Colombia in Saturday’s last-eight clash in Sydney, with the former Manchester United great’s pre-tournament words of wisdom still ringing in her ears.
She said: “It was amazing actually. He has been one of my idols – and heartthrobs – ever since I was a little girl.
“It is one of my biggest highlights off the pitch t…
Santiago Solari expressed pride in Vinicius Junior s ability to break down the door and win Real Madrid fans over, ahead of their pre-season friendly with his Club America side.
After coming up through the club s reserve ranks, Solari was faced with the unenviable task of being Real Madrid s caretaker first team coach in a post-World Cup year when Julen Lopetegui was sacked in October 2018.
The 45-year-old lasted less than five months, but Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti arguably went on to reap the benefits of his integration of players such as Vinicius and Federico Valverde, while shifting Isco and Marcelo to the periphery. Vinicius was a particularly inconsistent case initially, before enjoying a breakout season last term, culminating with his goal in May s Champ…
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were the goalscorers as Arsenal started the new Premier League season with a routine 2-0 victory over Wolves at Emirates Stadium.
Germany international Havertz had the home fans on their feet midway through the first half thanks to a fine assist from Saka in sunny north London on Saturday.
David Raya had to make a brilliant save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen a debut Wolves goal midway through the first half.
Havertz and Thomas Partey went close for the hosts after the break before a revival from the visitors should have seen parity restored when Matheus Cunha shot straight at Raya after pouncing on a poor misplaced pass from William Saliba.
The brilliant Saka then ensured there would be no misstep to start a campaign in which Ar…
Ange Postecoglou is unequivocal in his belief that Tottenham will come through this tough period but has warned his squad, life will never be comfortable during his reign.
Spurs claimed an unwanted Premier League record on Thursday night when they went ahead for a fifth-consecutive Premier League match, but again failed to hold on with West Ham able to secure a 2-1 away win.
It continued the club’s poor run of results, which has coincided with their squad being depleted by injuries and suspensions but the latest example of Postecoglou’s team taking the lead and throwing it away sparked debate over the historic ‘Spursy’ tag.
“It’s how focused and committed you are to really go on the path that you’ve started. I’m unwavering with that.”
An…
Bremer highlights Chiellini and Bonucci influence as Juventus new boy targets Brazil World Cup squad
Gleison Bremer revealed Juventus greats Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have been invaluable sources of advice since he joined the Bianconeri, as he targeted a spot in Brazil s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
Having been named Serie A s 2021-22 Defender of the Year while starring for Torino, Bremer joined Juve in a reported €40million move after Matthijs de Ligt was sold to Bayern Munich last month.
Bremer led the way across Europe s top five leagues for interceptions last season (105), as well as making more recoveries (284) and winning more aerial duels (132) than any other Serie A player.
The Brazilian has taken Chiellini s number three shirt after he departed for Los Angeles FC, and is doing his best to learn from both him and current Juve skipper …
A frustrated Dele Alli felt Tottenham were justly punished for letting their lead slip against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final, insisting we can t keep doing this .
Spurs deservedly took the lead 11 minutes into Saturday s encounter at Wembley when Alli pounced to turn home a cross from Christian Eriksen.
However, goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera turned things around in London and sent United into the final, with Spurs now having lost in all eight of their most recent appearances in the last four.
Mauricio Pochettino s side suffered a similar collapse at home to Juventus in the Champions League last-16 second leg, with Giorgio Chiellini rather scathingly describing the result as the history of Tottenham , adding they always miss something at…
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Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan, both in search of their first Champions League Group F victory, will face off at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday.
In their opening match of the group stage, Edin Terzic s team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Milan, on the other hand, played to a frustrating 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in their first group stage match.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund faced a challenging task in their opening Champions League match against PSG, and they were unable to secure a positive result at the Parc des Princes. PSG s superiority led to a 2-0 defeat for Dortmund, with Kylian Mbappe converting a penalty in the 49th minute after Niklas Sule s handball, and former Dortmund wing-back Achra…
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape by French prosecutors, it was announced on Friday.
The Morocco international was accused by a 24-year-old woman who made a complaint to police on Sunday, February 26.
That has now been followed five days later by a formal indictment against the 24-year-old former Inter, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid player, AFP reported.
After the initial complaint, PSG issued a statement to French media that was supportive of Hakimi, stating he had firmly denied the accusations and trusts justice .
The club added in that statement: PSG is an institution that promotes respect on and off the pitch.
L Equipe quoted Hakimi s lawyer, Fanny Colin, as saying Hakimi firmly denied the accusations m…
You ll know Galatasaray and Fenerbahce more globally than Besiktas because financially, they re always helped by wealthy businessmen no matter what, he said. Besiktas are a club by themselves, they thrive off their fans. They don t thrive off wealthy businessmen on the side who come to the committee and say here s €10-20million, buy who you want.
Besiktas own their own stadium, where other clubs have rented out their stadiums or sponsorships to invest into the stadium. That s big credit to the president because he came in when the club were financially in a bad crisis… there was a time players weren t being paid for nearly a year but it s Besiktas so you ll always get your money. But it s the struggles you went through to get where you are today. I was one of those players…
Aymeric Laporte is on the verge of becoming Manchester City s record signing after Athletic Bilbao confirmed the defender has paid his release clause.
In a statement on their official website, Athletic confirmed the payment of the clause – which stands at €65million (£57m) – was made by Laporte, such are the mechanics of transfer deals under Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP) regulations.
City were not mentioned in the statement but Pep Guardiola is now poised to make the 23-year-old the Premier League leaders biggest individual signing, outstripping the £55m paid to Wolfsburg for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.
Athletic also tweeted a brief statement from Laporte, where he thanked a club he joined as a youngster in the 2009-10 season.
I want to thank yo…