Duren Merzenich 1-1 Bayern Munich: Kompany´s side held by fourth-tier opponents

Manchester City will look to end their recent slump against Stoke City having never won a Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium.

Jesus Navas believes Manchester City must rediscover their best form at Stoke City on Wednesday in order to halt their recent dismal run.

An injury-time free-kick from James Milner salvaged a 1-1 draw for the defending champions against struggling Hull City on Saturday as their winless run in the league extended to four matches.

Manuel Pellegrini s team now have 14 games to overhaul leaders Chelsea, who extended their advantage to seven points by beating Aston Villa at the weekend.

Even allowing for their pedigree in coming from behind to win the title in 2012 and 2014, Spain winger Navas concedes City have little ma…

Corinthians star Renato Augusto admits that he would like to return to German Bundesliga amidst speculation that he has become Schalke s primary target.

The Miners have been scouting the 30-year-old this season with a view of luring him to Veltins Arena in the January window.

With Augusto having just won the Brazilian league title with Corinthians and having just over a year left to run on his contract, Schalke hope the player would be interested in moving back to Germany.

And it looks as they are on to something, given that the Brazilian has all but confirmed his plans to return to the Bundesliga.

“I am very grateful to Corinthians, I only want good things for the club. But, I still have a goal to return to Europe,” Augusto .

“I would pref…

The Daily Star understands that Juventus have been linked with a surprise move for Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.

The Serie A champions are on the lookout for a new centre-back having sold Leonardo Bonnuci to AC Milan earlier this summer and have identified the England star as a potential target.

However, with the Premier League champions losing John Terry and Nathan Ake, and letting Kurt Zouma head out on loan this summer they are unlikely to entertain any offers for their captain.

Even with the Blues linked with a move for Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk manager Anotonio Conte will want to keep his key players with his side challenging on four fronts.

Cahill has racked up two hundred and forty-one appearances for the London club since signing from B…

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

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The tie is evenly balanced after the goalless draw in Wellington, but it is Peru who are regarded as clear favourites to go through. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be heavily relying on a counter-attacking approach, hoping the opposition forwards will all have a bad day at the office.

Even if they were not among the main candidates for a top 5 finish in the South American zone of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Peru fought bravely throughout, overcame a slow start and eventually secured a play-off berth thanks to back to back draws with CONMEBOL powerhouses Argentina and Colombia. La Blanquirroja were unfortunate to have key striker Paulo Guerrero banned for the play-offs after he failed a doping test…

Bayern Munich s winning start in the Bundesliga in Jupp Heynckes fourth stint in charge came to an end as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at in-form Borussia Monchengladbach.

Prior to Saturday s encounter with his former club Heynckes – Gladbach s record Bundesliga goalscorer – had won all five of his top-flight fixtures since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti.

However, Bayern never really got going in a low-key first half, with quick-fire goals from Thorgan Hazard – who converted from the spot after 39 minutes – and Matthias Ginter putting Gladbach in control at the interval.

Robert Lewandowski had struck the post before Ginter s goal and the Poland striker would have pulled one back for Bayern after the break if not for a series of crucial inter…

Suffering a collapse at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal watched their title dreams take a major dent as they had to settle for a lively 2-2 draw away at West Ham.

While Mikel Arteta’s side might have come flying out of the traps in east London as Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard stormed them to a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, the Gunners will instead by ruing a missed opportunity.

With Manchester City now firmly breathing down their neck, Arsenal would have been worried by the way that they capitulated across the capital.

With Said Benrahma converting from the spot 12 minutes before the half-time break, David Moyes will take plenty of positives away from a heavyweight comeback on home soil.

Watching England international Buka…

Carlo Ancelotti has criticised Real Madrid president Florentino Perez following the sacking of coach Rafael Benitez. 

Benitez was relieved of his duties at Madrid after just seven months into a three-year deal in the Spanish capital.

The Spaniard had helped the club top their Champions League group and was just four points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

And Ancelotti, who was sacked by Madrid a year after guiding the club to their 10th European Cup trophy, hit out at the decision to let Benitez go.

After many games this season, Real Madrid are still fighting for the titles in La Liga and the Champions League, but the president Florentino Perez decided to say goodbye to Benitez, Ancelotti told Sina Sports.

I know the job of a coach is…

Granada have announced the signing of Jeremie Boga from Chelsea on a one-season loan deal.

The 19-year-old joined Chelsea s youth academy in 2008 but is yet to make a professional appearance for the London club, and spent last season with Rennes in Ligue 1.

I m very excited to start working with Granada and to be able to play in the Spanish league, he told the club s official website.

I hope to help the team as much as possible and to continue learning as a player, and to enjoy this new project at Granada.

Boga, a France youth international, made 31 appearances in all competitions for Rennes last season.

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Russia are the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup and yet, come Thursday s opener, they will be expected to provide a nation-lifting performance against Saudi Arabia.

The hosts are somewhat ill-equipped to deliver the fireworks expected of such an occasion, having tumbled to an all-time low of 70th in the world ahead of a tournament that will be debated as much for events on the pitch as those that rumble on in the shadows.

Thankfully for head coach Stanislav Cherchesov, a former national team goalkeeper who was appointed to the top job in August 2016, the order of Group A fixtures has at least been kind.

Saudi Arabia are just three places better off in the FIFA rankings and present an opportunity for Russia to bank a precious three points at the Luzhniki Stadiu…

Former Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos has little doubt Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Ballon d Or and has joked the Portugal international probably already has the trophy at home.

Ronaldo enjoyed a successful year as he won the Champions League with Real Madrid, before helping Portugal to Euro 2016 glory.

The attacker has been struggling somewhat in the opening stages of the 2016-17 campaign due to injury, but Roberto Carlos is convinced he will beat the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to the prestigious individual award.

I think Cristiano Ronaldo already has the Ballon d Or at home but he just has not told anyone yet, Roberto Carlos said at a news conference.

He has taken time to get back to being himself after the knee injury, but from no…