Hungary remain the underdogs to qualify for Euro 2016 despite their first-leg play-off win, according to coach Bernd Storck.
The Hungarians have one foot on the plane to next year s tournament in France after debutant Laszlo Kleinheisler earned the visitors a 1-0 victory over Norway in Oslo on Thursday.
Kleinheisler, 21, scored the only goal of the match midway through the first half as Hungary drew first blood.
Storck, however, said via UEFA.com: Norway remain favourites they have excellent players.
We need to play like we did today, or we will have problems [in Budapest on Sunday].
We are in a good position [leading 1-0 after the first leg]. We did this for Hungarian football. We want to complete this job on Sunday we need success.
…
Chelsea keeping tabs on Williams
While there might be continued speculation that have potential FPL breaches hanging over their head, it has been suggested that the Blues are once again planning a summer spend at Stamford Bridge.
With making it clear that he wants reinforcements ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, it has been reported that the former Premier League champions are seeking new attacking options.
Although Chelsea might have remained heavily linked with a summer move for Napoli talisman Victor Osimhen, the west London hierarchy have identified another potential target.
Enjoying what has been an eye-catching campaign with Spanish side Athletic Bilbao, have attracted plenty of European interest and it appears that Pochettino is a huge admirer of the 21-…
Scotland host Northern Ireland in a friendly at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.
Although Scotland are the side preparing for Euro 2024 after Northern Ireland missed out, the visitors might be in more confident mood after recent results.
Here the PA news agency looks at the key talking points ahead of the game.
Stopping the rot
Scotland flew out of the traps in their European Championship qualifying group by recording five wins out of five and sealed their place in Germany with two matches remaining. But momentum has stalled since then and Steve Clarke’s side have now gone six games without victory, conceding 18 goals during that spell. Opponents have included France, Spain, England and Netherlands but Clarke admitted victory was more important than performance …
Jamal Musiala has no regrets and is very happy with his decision to represent Germany over England ahead of Monday s Nations League clash at Wembley.
Born in Stuttgart, Musiala spent a significant part of his childhood in England and was with Chelsea from 2011 until 2019, while he also captained the Three Lions at youth level.
However, he returned to Germany in 2019 to join Bayern Munich and elected to represent Hansi Flick s side last year.
Musiala will now face off against the side he could have represented on Monday and made it clear he has no regrets about the decision on his international allegiance.
I feel good to be here in England. I am very motivated. England are a very strong team and my past makes me want to play even more, he said.
I…
Toni Kroos is on the right track to sign a new deal with Real Madrid.
The former Germany midfielder is only under contract with Los Blancos until the end of the season and had stated that he could retire this year.
Kroos joined Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 and has played a big part in their success during his long spell at the club.
The 33-year-old suggested he is set to extend his stay in the Spanish capital.
He told reporters: Everything is on the right track, but I also respect what the club wants: how and when it communicates.
There is a good relationship that I have with the club over the years and this issue has already been discussed for a while.
successful london trip!
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos)
Kroos add…
Bournemouth have completed the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Kepa spent last season out on loan at Real Madrid, with Los Blancos signing the Spaniard as a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
However, Kepa failed to cement his place in Carlo Ancelotti s starting XI, with Andriy Lunin preferred for much of the campaign.
The 29-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, returned to Stamford Bridge but has now joined Andoni Iraoloa s team for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
Kepa played 14 times in LaLiga last season for Madrid, making 30 saves, recording a save percentage of 76.9% from 148 shots faced.
Hang on, NOW it s confirmed
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemout…
Jordan Nobbs has been backed to cement her place in the England team after ending a 12-year Arsenal career by making a surprise move to Aston Villa.
The 69-cap midfielder is a former Lionesses vice-captain whose career has been hit by knee and ankle injuries in recent seasons.
The switch to Women s Super League rivals Villa, announced on Thursday, gives Nobbs a fresh start as she seeks regular club football.
Nobbs was recalled by Sarina Wiegman to the England squad after missing the Euro 2022 win through injury, and the 30-year-old has now signed an 18-month deal with Villa, hoping it will be the springboard to a key role with the Lionesses at the 2023 World Cup.
Daughter of former Hartlepool defender Keith Nobbs, Nobbs joined Arsenal from Sunderland in A…
Xavi was not entirely satisfied with Barcelona s performance despite a 1-0 win away at El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, and still believes their opponents are favourites for the tie.
An own goal by Eder Militao in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu was enough for a Barca victory, while Madrid enjoyed plenty of the ball and had 13 shots, but did not hit the target once as they fell to defeat.
Barca s head coach was pleased with the win, but appeared eager to put the pressure back on Los Blancos ahead of the return leg on April 5 as he insisted they were still favourites to reach the final.
We have a certain advantage, he told reporters. We will have to compete very well [in the second leg at Camp Nou]. We have defende…
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Turning their attention back to Champions League duties on Tuesday night, a struggling Manchester United will welcome Galatasaray to Old Trafford.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have hoped that they had turned a much-needed corner last week, the Premier League giants came crashing back down to earth a few days ago. Putting in another downbeat performance at Old Trafford as they slumped to a toothless 1-0 loss at home against Crystal Palace, it is no secret that Erik ten Hag has some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Showing a string of issues since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the former Ajax boss has seen his squad struggle to find any kind of stability. Along with losing four of their f…
Paris Saint-Germain s owners, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), have acquired a minority stake in Portuguese club Braga.
QSI have turned PSG into a European heavyweight since taking ownership in 2011, during which time the Ligue 1 giants have won 29 trophies.
The Doha-based organisation announced on Monday they have purchased 21.67 per cent of the share capital in Braga, with the deal set to be certified in the coming months.
Braga s best-ever finish in the Primeira Liga came in the 2009-10 campaign when finishing runners-up to Benfica.
They are European regulars, having played in the group stage of the Europa League in seven of the past eight seasons and reached the final in 2011.
QSI chairman and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: Qatar Sport…