Scotland captain Andy Robertson believes lessons have been learnt while urging his teammates to turn things around as soon as possible following their 5-1 defeat to Germany in the opening game of Euro 2024 on Friday. The Germans wasted little time in the contest as Florian Wirtz netted inside 10 minutes and Jamal Musiala added a second minutes later. The Scots were reduced to 10 men after Ryan Porteous was sent off for a bad challenge on captain Ilkay Gundogan inside the penalty area — a resulting spot kick which Kai Havertz converted to give the hosts a commanding lead…
Author: Somto Isaac
Spain are set to lock horns with Croatia in their opening Group B game of the 2024 European Championship on Saturday – and will be without a key player in their defensive setup. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente revealed that Aymeric Laporte will not be available for after being ruled out due to an unnamed “issue”. Highlighting that, although Laporte was fit enough to be on the pitch, De la Fuente said in his press conference that he was not going to consider the defender for selection. The 62-year-old said to newsmen: “Aymeric Laporte didn’t get injured, he just…
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has called on his side to avoid any sort of pressure which Scotland will look to take advantage of, when they play their first game as hosts on the 2024 European Championship on Friday. The 36-year-old also stated that the self-belief and hunger for success among his charges is also going to be a big propeller in their quest to be crowned European kings. Understanding his players will no doubt feel the necessary pressure, the former Bayern and RB Leipzig manager insisted the team is fit and prepared to go. Speaking in a press conference…
England captain Harry Kane believes the team can make history due to the extreme desire to make amends after their loss in the Euro 2020 final to Italy. The Three Lions begin their quest to win their first major international title since 1966 – as they face Serbia in their first game of the 2024 European Championship against Serbia on Sunday. Speaking to Spiegel, a German magazine, in an interview — “I’m not saying we’ll definitely win the tournament, but we have a really good chance.” The 30-year-old netted 44 times in 45 appearances across all competitions for Bayern Munich…
Spain midfielder Pedri has hammered on the abundance of leadership and the strong bond in the Spain dressing room as their biggest attribute to aid their quest to win the 2024 European Championship. It is worthy to note that most of the youth and the talented core of the La Roja have worked extensively with current manager Luis de la Fuente, who worked as part of the national team’s youth setup between 2013-2022. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the 21-year-old said: “I think that these last few days we have talked about it, that the greatest asset we have is…
After interviewing and monitoring other candidates, the Manchester United board have decided to continue with Erik ten Hag as manager of the club ahead of the 2024-25 season, with a contract extension set to follow, according to reports in England. The decision was taken by INEOS after an end-of-season review, with the co-owners agreeing to continue with the Dutchman – who lifted the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City. Before lifting his second silverware with the Red Devils in the final in May, widespread reports making the rounds suggested Ten Hag was set to coach the…
Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid have clarified reports stating that the European champions would not take part in the FIFA Club World Cup, with the Italian saying his statements had not been interpreted the way he intended. The Los Blancos gaffer had been quoted by Italian publication, Il Giornale, in an interview on Monday saying the world football’s governing body had attached no proper value to the compensation the LaLiga champions would get in the 32-team tournament. Ancelotti was quoted saying: “FIFA can forget it, footballers and clubs will not participate in that tournament.” The record Champions League winning manager,…
Paul Onuachu is brimming confidence ahead of the Super Eagles’ FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic on Monday. The Nigeria striker has also voiced his pleasure at reunion with former coach Gernot Rohr. Nigeria’s 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo against South Africa was their third successive share of the spoils in group C of the 2026 qualifying series. Finidi George and his charges will now attempt to use Monday’s game to bounce at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Ivory Coast, to bounce back — a tie which they are seen as favourites to win.…
Roberto Martinez believes Portugal will largely depend on the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo to aid their goal winning the European Championship in Germany. The 39-year-old, who will be appearing in his sixth European Championship, the highest scoring player in men’s international football history, recording 128 goals in 204 games. Ronaldo made his Euros debut in 2004, winning the tournament in 2016 and Martinez is confident that, despite his move from Europe to Saudi Arabia in 2023, the Al-Nassr striker can still offer big things. “Cristiano had very consistent performances at his club. There is no doubt that he is an…
Finidi George has lashed out at the critics, stating he and his technical crew should be allowed to make decisions freely in their role, following the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against South Africa. George officially took over as the manager of Nigeria’s senior male national team in April and Friday’s draw in Uyo was his first competitive game on the touchline. The ex-international is currently tasked with making sure Nigeria qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – which now seems a more difficult battle following the share of the spoils at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Themba Zwane…