List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

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Ben Davies insists Wales are determined to prove the doubters wrong by making Euro 2024 and reaching a fourth major tournament in five attempts. Wales are preparing for decisive Euro 2024 ties against Armenia and Turkey knowing qualification for next summer’s finals is in their own hands. Last month’s stunning 2-1 upset win over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia has set Rob Page’s side up for what could be another momentous week in Welsh football. Tottenham defender Davies, stand-in skipper for the injured Aaron Ramsey on the night and again this week, gave a rousing ‘huddle’ speech after the Croatia game that was caught on camera. Evoking the words of Dafydd Iwan’s Yma O Hyd – the 1980s folk protest song which has been adopted by the Football Association of Wales as an anthem and translates as “Still Here” – Davies declared that the Dragons never give in. “It was just a case of showing the reason why we’re here,” Davies said of a speech which came during a campaign in which Wales have had to adapt to life without the match-winning exploits of the retired Gareth Bale. “It was backs against the walls stuff, it was showing that people doubted us again but we’re still standing. “We’re standing up against the challenges and here we are with two games to go still in the fight. “We never stopped believing in this group. The mindset we’ve got is we can get a result against anyone. We’ve shown that.” If they fail to qualify automatically – dropped points will leave them relying on other results for a top-two place – Wales are guaranteed a play-off place through their elite status in the last edition of the Nations League. But overcoming Armenia and already-qualified Turkey might be an easier proposition than beating the likes of Norway, Poland and Ukraine in March. Automatic qualification, however, looked improbable after June’s 4-2 defeat to Armenia in Cardiff, and the subsequent 2-0 away loss in Turkey three days later. Davies said: “It was obviously disappointing to lose to Armenia at home in the summer. The mindset we've got is we can get a result against anyone. We've shown that Wales captain Ben Davies “In these groups your home record usually has to be very good, but we’ve been here before. “We’ve had our backs against the wall and we’ve given ourselves a chance. It’s exactly the same now. “It’s quite clear the second game doesn’t matter if the first one doesn’t go our way. “This week it’s full focus on Armenia. We had a tough result against them at home, it was a real wake-up call. “They’re a good side and showed that against us, and it’s important we go there knowing we’ve got a big job to do.” Davies, Ramsey and goalkeepers Danny Ward and Wayne Hennessey are the four survivors remaining from the squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Wales went 58 years before their first major tournament – the 1958 World Cup – and their second in France. But playing in Germany next summer would see them making four tournaments out of five – three successive European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. “Growing up it was a dream of Welsh football to be going to these major tournaments,” Davies said. “That dream still exists and this is another huge chance we’ve got. “We don’t want to sit on the success and say: ‘OK, we’ve been there and had a nice time’. “Once you get a taste of it you want to do it again. That’s exactly where we are as a group this time.” Wales qualified for Euro 2020 by winning their final two games, away to Azerbaijan and at home to Hungary, and obvious parallels exist with a far-flung trip to Eastern Europe followed by a sell-out clash at the Cardiff City Stadium. Davies said: “Of course there are similarities from the last time we qualified (for the European Championship). “It’s a tight group and they’re always going to come down to it (last games), whatever happens. Most of us have been in this situation before and it’s an opportunity for us to do it again.” Read More Britain’s Katie Boulter eager to build on her successful season in 2024 On this day in 2006: Gold Cup winning Desert Orchid dies at the age of 27 The sporting weekend in pictures Football to bid farewell to Sir Bobby Charlton on Monday San Francisco 49ers return to winning ways against Jacksonville Jaguars Oleksandr Zinchenko says Ukraine ready for ‘game of their lives’ against Italy

Former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has taken interim charge of Serie B side Como following the departure of head coach Moreno Longo. Fabregas, who played at club level for Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, has stepped up from his role as the Italian outfit’s under-19 coach. The 36-year-old finished his playing career with Como last season and will now take his first senior role in management. Mirwan Suwarso, representative of the Como ownership group, said on the club’s Twitter account: “We thank Moreno Longo for all his hard work and dedication, especially after coming in following a difficult period last season. “However, we would like to embark on a new path that hopefully will provide more excitement and entertainment for the fans in Como and beyond. “We hope to make a new appointment for the head coach position in the near future. We thank the fans for understanding and their unwavering loyalty and support. As always, Forza Como.” Como, who are sixth in the table, are not in action again until Saturday, November 25 when they face bottom-placed Feralpisalo. Read More Rodri says Manchester City have ‘nothing to regret’ after thrilling Chelsea draw Palmer heads trio of uncapped call-ups as Southgate brings in England reinforcements Palmer believed when Man City did not - now Chelsea will reap the benefits

“We are in quite a good position,” said Erik ten Hag. In itself, the statement may have been an indication of how standards have slipped at Manchester United. Given United are sixth, it scarcely meets Sir Alex Ferguson’s definition of quite good. And yet there was a logic to Ten Hag’s comments. United have not been expelled from top-four contention. They can look down on Newcastle and Chelsea in the table, though the Tynesiders are entitled to feel their performance level has been considerably higher than United’s; the Londoners may think that, too. Tottenham have been hailed as early-season revelations but are now only five points ahead of United’s underachievers. Ten Hag argued the context made United’s decidedly mixed start better than it has often appeared. He noted that they have won four of their last five league games. “If you see all the trouble we had, we are in a very good position,” he insisted. “That is a reason to be optimistic.” But do the grounds for optimism extend beyond that? Ten Hag is entitled to imagine a rosier future with his strongest team. Luke Shaw may be back soon, giving him a high-class left-back. Yet Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez may not feature again in 2023 – and without the Argentinian, it seems as though Raphael Varane is not in his preferred line-up either – and now United are waiting to see if Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund will join them on the treatment table. The £72m striker has no Premier League goals but, with Anthony Martial his understudy, appears irreplaceable nonetheless. The counter-argument is that United’s league position flatters them. It is in part a product of an inability to draw, rewarding them in games of all or nothing, but their five defeats may be more telling than the seven wins. Thus far, the fixture list has been friendly: seven of their 12 games have been at home. None of their victories have come against the current top eight. They have played all three promoted teams and most of the stragglers. The seven matches to take them to the half-way point are against in-form Everton, then Newcastle, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa. United, yet to prove they can beat top teams, looking fallible against the mid-table outfits, risk slipping down the standings. Indeed, those seven victories have all come by a lone goal; fine margins may have benefited them and their expected points total, of 16.32, is far lower than their actual haul of 21, putting them below Brentford and Everton in that particular chart. United have a sole truly dominant performance to their name this season, against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. And issues abound across the team. A third of the way into the campaign, United have 13 league goals, three fewer than Wolves, under half Villa’s total. Ridiculously, United have just one from a forward. Perhaps it means individual droughts will soon become floods. “Rasmus Hojlund scored five goals in the Champions League,” Ten Hag noted. “[Marcus] Rashford scored 30 goals last season.” Now he has one. If Rashford was United’s player of the year last season, and there were several other compelling candidates, now there are too few. Halt the campaign now and the frontrunners for the Sir Matt Busby award might be Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay: men who have revived their United careers, but two who the club were willing to sell at the right price. Arguably no one else has played well enough to merit a mention. United’s season scarcely shows a strategy that is about to pay off with spectacular improvement. Ten Hag’s bench for Saturday’s win over Luton contained two of his flagship signings year summer, in Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount, each now behind McTominay in the queue for places in a midfield without the injured Casemiro, plus his biggest buy, in the eternally disappointing Antony. Rashford played on the right wing, his third best position; none of this seemed part of Ten Hag’s summer blueprint, just as his summer spending spree is yet to reap a dividend. Ten Hag’s makeshift line-ups stem from injuries – it is quicker to name the United players who have not missed games than those who have – but also from shifts in thinking, from desperate searches for a winning formula. His defence has been decimated and Ten Hag would say that affects the attack, both in terms of the continuity and understanding that bring routines, and with Shaw and Martinez’s ability to pass out from the back. Defensively, though, there are other difficulties. Unconvincing as Andre Onana has been, his worst errors have been confined to the Champions League. It can feel odd to see that, while sometimes conceding in damning fashion, he has one of the highest save percentages in the Premier League. Go by expected goals and United should have conceded more. Again, the numbers suggest they are poorer than the table indicated. In short, it could have been worse. And it could get worse. This should have been the easy part. In their last 12 matches in all competitions, United have had a Manchester derby but each of the other 11 would have been winnable for the team of last season. This year, they lost five of 12. Now, as the fixture list gets ominous, Ten Hag thinks United could get better. He may be right but, apart from the prospect of players returning to fitness, the last three months offer too few other reasons for optimism. “Quite a good position” could get become what is definitively a bad one. Read More Harry Maguire reveals how he reclaimed Man Utd place: ‘I had to be patient’ Man United can ‘make life easy by scoring goals’, says Erik ten Hag after Luton win Ten Hag to serve one-match ban after third booking for Manchester United Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag urges team to become more clinical Man United produce the bare minimum to avoid embarrassment against Luton Man United v Luton LIVE: Result and reaction from crucial Premier League clash

Football will pay tribute to one of its biggest stars on Monday as the game bids farewell to Sir Bobby Charlton. Fans and members of the public have been invited to play their part in a celebration of the World Cup-winner’s life and glittering career before a private funeral service at Manchester Cathedral. Thousands are expected to line the streets as the funeral cortege arrives at Old Trafford, where he is commemorated along with former team-mates Denis Law and George Best in the “United Trinity” statue, from Chester Road at around 1.30pm. The cortege will pass through a guard of honour comprising members of the club’s Under-18 and Under-21 squads and the statue before setting off for the cathedral via the A56, Trinity Way, Chapel Street and Victoria Bridge. Around 1,000 invited guests, including Sir Alex Ferguson, members of the club’s 1968 European Cup-winning team, players from the current first-team squad and leading sporting figures, are expected to attend the service, which is scheduled to start at 2pm and will be led by Canon Nigel Ashworth. The ceremony, which will not be filmed or broadcast, will include eulogies and tributes from former United chief executive David Gill, former Manchester United Foundation chief executive John Shiels and a personal tribute from Charlton’s family. Hymns will include Abide With Me, which is traditionally sung before the FA Cup final, Jerusalem and a rendition of How Great Thou Art by opera singer Russell Watson. The Charlton family and Manchester United would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and respect towards Sir Bobby Manchester United statement A United statement read: “It is expected that up to 1,000 guests will attend the cathedral to pay their respects to Sir Bobby and celebrate his incredible life as a husband, father, grandfather and, of course, as one of the finest footballers this country has ever produced. “The Charlton family and Manchester United would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and respect towards Sir Bobby.” The family has requested donations in lieu of flowers to a series of charities close to Charlton’s heart, the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s UK. The Ashington-born midfielder, who made 758 appearances and scored 249 goals for the Red Devils in a glittering 17-year playing career, died at the age of 86 last month. He survived the 1958 Munich Air Disaster which claimed the lives of eight of his fellow Busby Babes and went on to win the World Cup with England in 1966 alongside older brother Jack and the European Cup with United two years later. Charlton returned to the club with which he had made his name as a director in 1984 and continued to serve both it and football in general as a much-admired ambassador until his latter years. His stature in the game was reflected in the tributes which poured in after the news of his death was announced. Ferguson, who guided the club back to the pinnacle of European football under his watchful gaze, described him as a “tower of strength” during his 26-year spell at the helm. In a eulogy published in the matchday programme ahead of the derby against Manchester City, Ferguson wrote: “It’s no surprise to me that we’ve seen tributes to Sir Bobby from everywhere in the world, on every TV channel and in every newspaper, because he was without question the greatest English player of all time. “People loved him because of all those thunderbolt goals, but it was more than that. My dad used to say that humility in success is a sign of greatness, and that was Bobby. “He never used to boast about his own achievements; it was always about the team and the club.”

Despite being 10-0 and 6-0 in conference play, the James Madison Dukes are not only ineligible for the New Year's Six and the Sun Belt title bout, they can't even go to a freaking bowl game? What gives, man?

A look at the details of the November international break including when it starts and ends, as well as when the Premier League returns.

Texas A&M fired Jimbo Fisher and the details of his buyout are staggering.

Oleksandr Zinchenko insists Ukraine will be preparing for the “game of their lives” when they face Italy next Monday in what could essentially be a play-off to qualify for Euro 2024. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Russia, the national football team have provided brief moments of enjoyment for embattled Ukrainians. Zinchenko will captain the team in the Group C fixture against Italy, held in Leverkusen as a “home” fixture for Ukraine – who have not played international football on their own soil in two years. If Italy beat North Macedonia on Friday night, the two nations will go into the final qualifier locked on 13 points behind England. Reigning European champions Italy will hold a slight advantage following a 2-1 win at San Siro last September and with head-to-head records counting over goal difference. But for Arsenal defender Zinchenko, the game means so much more to him and his compatriots. “It is going to be a massive game,” he said. We know that while we are wearing the Ukrainian shirt, it is absolutely the proudest moment of our lives Oleksandr Zinchenko “For sure it is going to be the game of our lives. Especially now, the toughest time since this country’s independence. To bring some positive news for Ukrainian people is so important. “To play in the Euros is an amazing achievement already and especially now. We know that while we are wearing the Ukrainian shirt, it is absolutely the proudest moment of our lives. “Since being a kid, you always dream of playing for the national team but especially now, with the war in our country, we understand completely that every single game, it doesn’t matter what one – even a friendly – when you win the game there are a lot of positives things for our people.” Zinchenko has been keen to use football as a driving force to shine a light on the tragedies in his homeland, raising money for the cause and speaking of the unity shared by all Ukrainians. He added: “Is it hard to be a player knowing what is going on? “Or is is hard for the people who are staying on the front line and giving their lives for our independence, for our people. So, which way is harder? That is the answer.”

Harry Maguire feels vindicated in his decision to stay and fight for his spot at Manchester United, having forced his way back into Erik ten Hag’s team. The 30-year-old’s future seemed set to lie away from Old Trafford after the blow of losing his starting place was compounded by being stripped of the captaincy over the summer, but a potential move to West Ham – or elsewhere – did not materialise. And Maguire’s self-belief never wavered, with the under-fire defender repeatedly underlining his confidence about winning back his place at United. That sounded far-fetched to many, but is precisely what he has managed, with the England international starting their last eight matches in all competitions. Asked it feels like personal vindication for staying at United, Maguire said: “Of course. I have got that (run of games) now, I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. Harry Maguire “I played a few games last year, 16 or 17 starts, and I felt like I performed really well in the games I played in. I just didn’t play as many as I would have liked. “On the other hand, Rapha (Varane) and Licha (Lisandro Martinez) were playing brilliantly and kept numerous clean sheets. I had to bide my time and be patient. “I had two or three opportunities last season to get a run of games but I broke down with illness, I broke down with injuries twice, so I never got the rhythm and never got the run of games that I could prove myself to the manager. “I have got that now, I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. “I was willing to stay and fight for my place and we have four, five top international centre-backs at this club and the competition for places is really high.” Maguire has capitalised on injuries over the past six weeks and showed an impressive mentality, which is perhaps unsurprising for a player used to relentless mockery in recent years. England boss Gareth Southgate said the treatment he faced was “ridiculous”, “a joke” and “beyond anything I’ve ever seen” after September’s win in Scotland came to a backdrop of Hampden Park abuse. Maguire brushed it off as “banter” as he continued to block out criticism and abuse, saying his career to date has helped him retain a self-belief many would have seen dented. “Working hard in training is the main thing and making sure you’re ready,” the United defender said. “But I started 16 or 17 games last year and felt like my form was there. “There was a lot of talk about me because I wasn’t playing games, but that is the way it is. “I was playing well for my country, went to the World Cup and played well and always thought my form was there. “But I am up against some top, top-level centre-backs and last year they were playing amazing, so I didn’t get as many opportunities as I would have liked. “This club demands competition for places and that is what we have in my position.” Maguire’s focus now turns to England matters before United reunite and refocus on improvements after edging past Luton 1-0 on Saturday. It was a fourth win in five Premier League matches but improvements in front of goal are needed. At the moment we are not scoring enough goals and we know that. But we aren’t keeping enough clean sheets as well - that’s how I look at it. Harry Maguire Misfiring Marcus Rashford has scored just once this term, with Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Anthony Martial yet to open their Premier League accounts. “That’s what everyone will be talking about,” Maguire said. “I see (the forwards) day in, day out in training and I play with internationals next week at England and the lads in training at United. “The top players all have the ability to score goals. At the moment we are not scoring enough goals and we know that. “But we aren’t keeping enough clean sheets as well – that’s how I look at it. “I think in the past you’ve seen our attackers are top-quality players and can do it. “Maybe a little bit of luck will turn and they’ll get the first one and the goals will follow. I am sure they will because they are all very good players.” Hojlund’s struggles domestically are particularly surprising given nobody has scored more Champions League group-stage goals than the summer signing. “Ras is a top player,” Maguire added. “I think you’ve seen his work ethic and what he brings to the team in recent weeks. He does a lot more than scoring goals. “He scores goals in training, you’ve seen him score goals in the Champions League and I am sure it is a matter of time before he bangs a few in the Prem as well.” Read More Oleksandr Zinchenko says Ukraine ready for ‘game of their lives’ against Italy Robert Lewandowski rescues Barcelona as Inter Milan retake Serie A top spot Mauricio Pochettino sure Chelsea can compete with best after Man City thriller From Aguero winner to Keegan dismay, Chelsea-City joins Premier League classics Unai Emery demands consistency from Aston Villa after victory over Fulham I don’t like English referees – Roberto De Zerbi unhappy after Brighton held

Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Spanish champions Barcelona recovered from an early shock to beat Alaves 2-1 in LaLiga on Sunday. Teenager Samu Omorodion stunned Barca when he struck after just 18 seconds at the Olympic Stadium following a mistake by Ilkay Gundogan. Samu then missed a gilt-edged chance to double the lead but the hosts hit back with a Lewandowski header in the 52nd minute and then won it when the Pole added a penalty 12 minutes from time. Barca remain third in the table, four points adrift of leaders Girona and two behind Real Madrid. Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Villarreal 3-1 with goals from Axel Witsel, Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino. Gerard Moreno had given Villarreal a 20th-minute lead at the Civitas Metropolitano. Ayoze Perez cancelled out an Ivan Rakitic opener as Real Betis claimed a 1-1 draw in their derby at Sevilla. Italian champions Napoli conceded a late goal to slip to a surprise 1-0 home loss to Empoli. Viktor Kovalenko scored the clincher for the visitors in stoppage time, leaving Napoli fourth in Serie A. Inter Milan returned to the top of the table as they beat Frosinone 2-0 with goals from Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu, the latter from the penalty spot, either side of half-time. Fiorentina beat Bologna 2-1 to climb above their opponents in the table. Nicolas Gonzalez scored the winner from the penalty spot after 48 minutes. The Lazio-Roma derby clash ended goalless while Ederson’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured Atalanta left Udinese with a 1-1 draw. Bayer Leverkusen reclaimed leadership of the Bundesliga with an emphatic 4-0 win over bottom side Union Berlin. Alejandro Grimaldo, Odilon Kossounou, Jonathan Tah and Nathan Tella were all on target for Xabi Alonso’s side, who moved back above Bayern Munich. An early goal from Xavi Simons gave RB Leipzig a 1-0 win over Freiburg while Werder Bremem and Eintracht Frankfurt played out a 2-2 draw. In France, struggling Lyon finally claimed their first Ligue 1 win of the season as a Jake O’Brien header gave them a 1-0 win at 10-man Rennes. The hosts had Guela Doue sent off for a dangerous tackle after just five minutes and Lyon eventually made their numerical advantage count through Irishman O’Brien in the 67th minute. Lille moved up to fourth with a 1-1 draw at home to Toulouse while Clermont won their basement battle with Lorient 1-0. Metz beat Nantes 3-1 and Lens edged out Marseille 1-0 with a last-minute Jonathan Gradit winner. Read More Mauricio Pochettino sure Chelsea can compete with best after Man City thriller From Aguero winner to Keegan dismay, Chelsea-City joins Premier League classics Unai Emery demands consistency from Aston Villa after victory over Fulham I don’t like English referees – Roberto De Zerbi unhappy after Brighton held We’ve just thrown it away – Steve Cooper frustrated as Forest lose at West Ham Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart lead Britain to Billie Jean King Cup win over Sweden

Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea will approach the rest of the season confident in the knowledge they can compete with the best teams after dramatically drawing 4-4 with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer struck a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to deny the club with whom he won the Premier League title in May and snatch a sensational point at the death in west London. City thought they had won it via Rodri’s deflected strike four minutes from the end, his effort spinning into the goal past the wrongfooted Robert Sanchez off Thiago Silva’s outstretched foot. Earlier, the lead had been passed back and forth on a topsy-turvy afternoon, Erling Haaland opening the scoring from the spot after 25 minutes before Silva nodded his team level from a corner. Raheem Sterling scored against his old team to give Chelsea the lead from Josko Gvardiol’s mistake, but they could not hold on until half-time as Manuel Akanji was afforded space from a corner routine to equalise on the stroke of the interval. Haaland struck again to make it 3-2 moments after the restart, Nicolas Jackson thumped home on the rebound when Ederson failed to hold on to Conor Gallagher’s drive from outside the box for 3-3, before the late drama for which a stunning match will be best remembered. And Pochettino predicted the performance and the result would have a transformational effect on his young side as they continue their recovery from an indifferent start to his tenure. “I’m very proud,” he said. “I’m so happy. The players deserve credit, the performance this evening was amazing, against for me the best team in the world. “Many circumstances that happened during the game that made me proud, the way that we managed the game was really, really good. “There are things to improve, but it’s the process. When you want to build a project from zero, this type of thing is really good. “These types of experiences will improve a lot out play and our team. But now we need to translate in the future. “I am so tired, after Monday (the 4-1 win against Tottenham) and Sunday. I don’t want to be wrong when I assess, but if I go back, we were very disappointed (in earlier) results but this is a process. It’s a young team, you feel the pressure to win. “This type of performance will build belief and confidence. (But) we have to have patience in some games.” Having struggled for goals during August and September, Chelsea have now netted eight times in their last two matches following Monday’s frenetic win at Spurs. It is the third time this season they have scored four times in a league game. By contrast, the team did not manage to do so throughout the whole of the last campaign. “It showed the character, showed the mentality, showed that we can go for the goal against a team like Man City and to dominate and have the capacity to create chances,” said Pochettino. “I think it’s really important today to build our confidence and to believe more in the way we are working. “We’re still far away. But that’s the process. It’s a different moment, this period. But of course this type of performance we need to use for the future. “We go step by step, maybe we can jump two steps. But caution. Today was a massive motivation.” City boss Pep Guardiola reflected on a fair result as his team moved a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. “It was a good advert and entertaining game for the Premier League and both teams wanted to win,” he said. “I wouldn’t have expected differently. Chelsea have a fantastic team and players. “We had momentum, two or three transitions one-on-one which we could not finish. But the game was in the moment at the end. “A tight game, but a fair result. I congratulate the team, we go into the break and we qualify for the Champions League and we come back (after international break) and go.”