Dani Alves insists things are going to change at Barcelona under Xavi, highlighting the way the Blaugrana had reinvented themselves in the past.

Barcelona sit a distant second in LaLiga, but despite watching rivals Real Madrid win their 35th title, can all but secure Champions League qualification by beating fifth-placed Real Betis on Saturday.

Alves announced his return to Camp Nou last November after originally departing in 2016, but had to wait until January to be eligible to play. Since then, the 38-year-old has made 10 league appearances, chipping in with one goal and two assists as Xavi looks to revive Barca s fortunes after the ill-fated tenure of predecessor Ronald Koeman.

As Barca close in on Champions League qualification, the Brazilian, who won 23 maj…

Roberto Martinez said it is difficult for me to talk about rumours after addressing speculation he could replace Ronald Koeman as Barcelona boss.

Martinez saw his Belgium side defeated 2-1 by Italy in Sunday s Nations League third-place play-off, having lost to the Azzurri by the same scoreline in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

Speaking after Sunday s game, Martinez was asked about links to Barca, with Koeman s position under threat after an indifferent start in LaLiga this season and back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Bayern Munich and Benfica in the Champions League.

It s difficult for me to talk about rumours. I ve been working with this team for five years and am fully concentrated on this role, Martinez told reporters post-match.

We came to the Nations …

Oliver Bierhoff says Germany will be itching for revenge against Netherlands in Euro 2020 qualifying.

Die Mannschaft endured a miserable 2018, with their World C
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up defence ending at the group stages, while they were relegated from League A of the inaugural Nations League.

The latter disappointment included a 3-0 loss to the Dutch in October before the return match finished in dramatic circumstances as late goals from Quincy Promes and Virgil van Dijk earned Ronald Koeman s men a 2-2 draw and a semi-final berth.

In a coincidental twist, Germany will have a quick chance to avenge those losses against their rivals after being drawn alongside Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Estonia and Belarus in Group C of qualifying for Euro 2020, much to the delight of …

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has conceded his side have serious problems in attack ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers that start later this month.

The Azzurri are the defending European champions, having beaten England on penalties at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final.

Mancini s men have been drawn in Group C with England again in qualifying, alongside Malta, Ukraine and North Macedonia – who they lost to in the World Cup play-offs.

Italy will be desperate to make up for the disappointment of not reaching Qatar 2022 and begin their latest campaign at home to England on March 23 before travelling to Malta three days later.

Speaking to Il Messaggero ahead of the international break, however, Mancini acknowledged concern over his side s attacking option…

Nicolo Barella has ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a new deal with Inter.

The Italy midfielder, whose existing contract was due to expire in June 2026, has put pen to paper on fresh terms, keeping him with the Nerazzurri until 2029.

Barella had been linked with a move away from San Siro, with Premier League sides Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United reportedly interested in securing his services.

The 27-year-old has made 235 appearances for Inter since arriving from Cagliari on an initial loan deal in July 2019, helping the club win two Serie A and Coppa Italia titles, and the 2019-20 Europa League and 2022-23 Champions League finals.

Nicolò Inter

— Inter(@Inter_en)

Today, I am extremely happy and mo…

Didier Deschamps was not impressed with France s first-half performance against Moldova, insisting Euro 2020 qualification did not justify a below-par showing in their 2-1 win.

France booked their place at next year s finals before playing on Thursday, as Turkey drew at home to Iceland to ensure the visitors could not catch either their opponents or the world champions.

But rather than celebrate in style, France started sloppily in a Group H qualifier packed with decisive errors in Paris.

Clement Lenglet handed Moldova s Vadim Rata the opener, but Raphael Varane profited from Alexei Koselev s mistake, before Olivier Giroud sealed victory from the penalty spot.

With France still battling for seeding in the Euros draw, head coach Deschamps was concerned by …

Paul the octopus, the oracle of the World Cup in South Africa, has become an official ambassador for England s bid to host the tournament in 2018, organisers said Friday.

Paul, who was hatched in England but has spent the last two years in an aquarium in western Germany, joins footballers David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and singers Noel Gallagher and Sting in backing the bid.

Paul has spent the last two years of his life in Germany, but he is definitely a proud Englishman and is therefore delighted to put his support behind England 2018, said Nicola Hamilton, manager at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre in southern England, where Paul was born.

We have had a number of football approaches from around the world but Paul was only eve…

Lucas Hernandez will miss France s Euro 2024 campaign after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during Paris Saint-Germain s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund will take a slender lead to the Parc des Princes for next week s semi-final second leg after Niclas Fullkrug s strike powered them past PSG in Wednesday s first leg in Germany.

Hernandez sustained a knee injury while chasing after Fullkrug in the build-up to the goal and was substituted after a brief attempt to play on.

On Thursday, PSG announced an MRI scan had revealed an ACL tear in his left knee, which will require surgery in the coming days.

Lucas, you ll come back even stronger. We re all with you.

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English)

He…

Erling Haaland got on the scoresheet but Norway lost 3-1 to Denmark as the latter concluded their Euro 2024 preparations in style.

Pierre-Emile Hojberg opened the scoring for the hosts in Brondby on Saturday, drilling home with a powerful right-footed effort in the 12th minute.

Defender Jannik Vestergaard added a second nine minutes later as he headed home Andreas Skov Olsen s teasing corner kick.

Manchester City star Haaland thought he had halved the deficit in the 65th minute only to see his effort ruled out after a VAR review, but he did score seven minutes later, finishing from Martin Odegaard s intricate pick out.

Yet the Danes would give their supporters the perfect send-off as they head to Germany, with Youseff Poulsen restoring their two-goal ad…

Mali head coach Eric Chelle believes playing against bordering Burkina Faso adds a bit of extra spice to their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash.

Chelle’s side advanced to the knockout stages by topping their group, beating South Africa before drawing against Namibia and Tunisia.

Burkina Faso stand in their way of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013 and Chelle admitted having the chance to get one over on their neighbours on Tuesday is an extra motivating factor.

“Of course, it’s a game with neighbouring countries just like we have seen in other matches. However, this one is more special because it is the knockout,” Chelle said in quotes on the tournament website.

“These are always interesting games to play and must be ap…