Real Madrid s Iker Casillas has targeted a treble this season, but recognises the challenge posed by Schalke in the UEFA Champions League.
The Spain international goalkeeper has had a trophy-laden career with the Bernabeu outfit, and counts five La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey medal and two Champions League triumphs on his impressive resume.
But Real have never completed the treble in their illustrious history. Indeed, the only Spanish outfit to achieve the feat was Barcelona in 2009 under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola.
Casillas is keen to buck that trend and collect a clean-sweep of trophies.
I’d like the last piece of news for this season to say that Real Madrid had won the treble, he said in an interview with Bwin. That on May 24, Real Madrid won the first…
Persuading Morgan Schneiderlin to stay at Southampton may prove to be the club s best piece of business, according to manager Ronald Koeman.
Schneiderlin was highly sought after by former coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was determined to take the France international to Premier League rivals Tottenham during the transfer window.
The 24-year-old, who has been at St Mary s since arriving from Strasbourg in 2008, also criticised Southampton for blocking his move away.
But despite Schneiderlin s discontent, Southampton refused to part ways after losing captain Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers and Rickie Lambert before the start of the season.
And Koeman s stubbornness appears to have worked, with Schneiderlin now back to his best, having s…
Thomas Muller inspired Bayern Munich to a commanding lead in their Champions League round of 16 tie with Besiktas, as they took full advantage of Domagoj Vida s early red card to run out comprehensive 5-0 winners in the first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Besiktas first ever knockout match in the competition looked like being a frustration occasion as soon as Vida was dismissed and, while they were not punished immediately, Bayern ultimately had little difficulty in Munich as a Muller double helped them take a huge leap towards the quarter-finals.
The Turkish side s positive start was wrecked after just 16 minutes when Vida, played into a hopeless situation by Atiba Hutchinson, was sent off for a mistimed tackle as the last man.
A Bayern breakthrough always�…
Franz Beckenbauer and Edwin van der Sar have claimed Manchester United could not find a better manager than Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal will quit his post as the Netherlands head coach after this year s World Cup and has firmed as favourite to take over at Old Trafford, following the sacking of David Moyes this month.
The 62-year-old Dutchman has won titles in the Eredivisie, La Liga and Bundesliga, while he led Ajax Amsterdam to success in the UEFA Champions League in 1995.
Beckenbauer was president of Bayern Munich when the Bavarian club lured Van Gaal to Germany and believes the veteran coach would be perfect for United, as the Premier League outfit look to rebuild following Moyes disastrous tenure.
He would be perfect for Man United because he is an internationa…
Brazil defender Dante has revealed he turned down an opportunity to play for Belgium four years before he made his international debut.
The 30-year-old was somewhat of a late bloomer and made his maiden appearance for Brazil in February 2013, although the Bayern Munich defender has rapidly become a key player for his country and looks likely to start their opening match of the FIFA World Cup against Croatia.
But Dante could have been preparing to play in Belgium s first World Cup finals appearance in 12 years this year, as the former Charleroi and Standard Liege man was once approached to represent the European nation.
Speaking in relation to Diego Costa s decision to turn his back on Brazil in favour of Spain, Dante claimed he never felt comfortable with the idea of g…
Fulham secured an admirable point in their fight against relegation in a rearranged Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening.
Harry Kane was predictably the man to open the scoring by netting with a diving header in the 25th minute. Heung-Min Son was extremely unfortunate not to double the advantage in the second-half as he steered his low effort onto the base of the post, with Ivan Cavaleiro then breaking Spurs hearts with a fantastic headed equaliser.
Here are three things we learned from the capital:
Kane on for most productive PL season?
Whilst he had a quiet evening in all, Tottenham skipper Harry Kane still managed to have a productive match. His excellent diving header from Sergio Reguilon s cross took his Premier League season ta…
UEFA has warned it is prepared to reopen closed cases relating to Financial Fair Play if new information suggests such action is needed.
European football s governing body insists FFP has without question been successful in helping clubs avoid spiralling debts since its inception seven years ago.
However, UEFA has confirmed it would be prepared to examine former cases if it decides there was a clear abuse of the system
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, as shown by new evidence.
In a statement, it said: FFP has led to a step change in the health of the finances in European club football. Seven years ago, European clubs had a cumulative debt of €1.7billion. Last year it was a profit of €600million. Without question, it has been a success for the game across Europe.
FFP is …
Jose Mourinho admits there can be no arguing with Manchester City s dominant Premier League campaign in 2017-18 and fears it will be tough for Manchester United to close the gap.
Pep Guardiola s champions are 19 points clear of second-placed United heading into Sunday s final round of matches.
A win against Southampton will see them set Premier League records of 16 victories and 50 points earned away from home in a single campaign.
City have already set a new best tally of wins (31) and goals scored (105) and they will break United s record for the biggest winning margin at the top of the table if they keep the gap at 19 points.
Given the spectacular nature of their form this season, Mourinho concedes City fully deserve to be champions and says United a…
This weekend is the final round of Premier League action before the international break – who wouldn t want to go into the pause top of their fantasy football league?
Well, hopefully that s where Stats Perform s Opta-powered Fantasy Picks can come in handy and give you the edge over your mates.
You ve all presumably already got Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah, so don t expect any more oh-so-obvious tips.
Without any further ado, here are the picks that could hand you the advantage ahead of matchday three of the 2021-22 season…
EMILIANO MARTINEZ (Aston Villa v Brentford)
Argentina goalkeeper Martinez was one of the buys of the season in 2020-21 and has established himself as one of the Premier League s best in that time.
Si…
Former LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid died on Tuesday aged 65.
Schmid, who won two MLS Cups during his career, stepped down from his role as Galaxy coach earlier this year.
His passing, due to a personal health matter , was confirmed in a statement from his family on Wednesday.
In a separate statement, MLS commissioner Don Garber paid tribute to Schmid.
Major League Soccer is devastated by the news of the passing of Sigi Schmid, he said.
Sigi will go down as one of the leading figures in the history of our league. From Los Angeles to Columbus and Seattle, Sigi won more games than any coach in MLS history and led his clubs to multiple championships, including two MLS Cups and five Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups.
Sigi s passi…