Thomas Muller was not thinking about the possibility of a Germany recall after helping Bayern Munich retain their place at the top of the Bundesliga.
Scrutiny of Joachim Low s decision to drop Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels from his Germany squad last year has been under intense scrutiny following their 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Spain in November.
Low became only the third Germany manager to concede six goals in a match after Otto Nerz and Sepp Herberger, with his team now having won just three of their past eight fixtures.
Muller has enjoyed a resurgence since being cast aside by Low, supplying a Bundesliga record 21 assists as Hansi Flick s side took the title as part of a treble in 2019-20.
The 31-year-old scored twice during Bayern s ente…
Verdict: Belgium to win and both teams to score
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The World Cup is quickly approaching now with two of the tournament’s teams Belgium and Mexico meeting in a warm up game at the Stade Roi Baudouin on Friday night.
Belgium
There’s no doubt that Belgium have looked considerably better since Roberto Martinez took over the side last year. His team have gone the whole of the qualification process unbeaten, drawing only one game away to Russia, and scoring an incredible 43 goals in the process. In fact the Belgians have netted 19 times in their last four international fixtures but they have also shown signs of defensive frailty on occasions, proven in their 4-3 away win against Serbia. Even though their match against Mexico is only a…
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque believes France will do more than simply park the bus when the teams meet in Saturday s Euro 2012 quarter-final.
Les Bleus coach Laurent Blanc has indicated he would have to consider altering his side s tactics in order to combat Spain s patented tiki-taka, possession orientated style of play.
But with the likes of Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Yohan Cabaye in their ranks, World Cup winner Del Bosque is sure France will stay true to the methods that helped them go 23 matches unbeaten before their shock defeat against Sweden on Monday.
I have a hard time believing they will just close the defence up. They have players who can start and build the play and I can t see them defending all of the time and waiting for us to do someth…
Udinese full-back Maurizio Isla has virtually confirmed his proposed transfer to Serie A giants Juventus.
The Bianconeri have been tracking the Chilean midfielder for a while now and they intensified their efforts to sign him near the end of last season.
The Italian giants were negotiating a double swoop for Maurizio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah, and it appears the deal is set to be wrapped up.
“Thank you Udine for five wonderful years,” Isla wrote on his Twitter account.
“Thanks to you I am able to play for one of the biggest clubs in Italy. It was a pleasure playing with you.”
Both Isla and Asamoah have already completed medicals in Turin and they are expected to sign long-term deals with the Bianconeri on Monday.
The Chilean joined …
Jurgen Klopp has given his nod of approval to Liverpool s pursuit of Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot.
Klopp has just four games remaining as Liverpool manager, having announced his intention to leave back in January.
Liverpool s season is in danger of fizzling out, with Wednesday s 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Merseyside derby having dealt their Premier League title hopes a blow, while they also crashed out of the Europa League earlier this month.
This week, reports emerged Liverpool, who were disappointed in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, had elected to move for Feyenoord s Slot as Klopp s replacement.
Slot confirmed on Thursday that the clubs were in talks and he was confident a deal would be completed soon, and Klopp believes the Du…
German daily newspaper that Borussia Dortmund are set to announce the capture of 1860 Munich midfielder Julian Weigl.
While Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan were also keen on the 19-year-old footballer, the latest reports suggest that the Millionaires have won the chase.
Namely, Borussia have now matched the player s €2.5 million release clause and will announce the signing in the coming days.
Before he joins his new club, Weigl will take part in the Bundesliga 2 relegation play-offs with his current side while he is also set to represent Germany at the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Julian Weigl joined 1860 Munich youth academy in 2010 and he was promoted to the senior side at the start of 2014.
The youngster has since developed into an …
Following claims of alleged fraud for gaining unemployment benefits, Marseille head coach Elie Baup says he s concentrating on the next opponent.
The Ligue 1 heavyweights earned a first-up 1-0 win over Reims last Sunday and despite his own personal distractions, Baup is eager to welcome Sochaux to Marseille s iconic Stade Velodrome on Sunday.
Before being appointed Marseille manager in July, the 57-year-old had been out of work since 2009 following his dismissal as head coach of Nantes and was charged in July with making fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits.
Yes, these kind of things could happen even to the best of us guys, Baup said before quickly changing the subject.
You know, since Tuesday we have been ready for this game, against Sochaux. …
Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has laughed Paul Pogba s claim that he was on holiday from Manchester United during his time in Turin.
Speaking this week, Pogba said he always knew he would return to Old Trafford following his world-record transfer to United from Serie A champions Juve.
Pogba swapped United for Juve in 2012, only to re-join the Premier League giants in August, after winning four successive Scudettos.
We want to be good-hearted in interpreting what one says, Marotta told Mediaset Premium of the 23-year-old France international.
I hope his vacation with us was an instructive one. If he managed to wear the Manchester United shirt, it s because Juventus got the best out of him.
Really, it s best just to laugh…
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Adam Lallana was delighted to share the field with Jermain Defoe as England beat Lithuania 2-0, having watched the Sunderland striker in awe as a youngster.
Defoe marked his return from the international wilderness in style by opening the scoring in Sunday s World Cup qualifying win at Wembley, with Lallana skilfully teeing up substitute Jamie Vardy to seal the points.
Back in the England setup for the first time since 2013, the 34-year-old Defoe cut a sprightly figure in training according to Liverpool playmaker Lallana, who cheered on the veteran striker during his childhood.
It still feels like you re playing with a 25-year-old Jermain Defoe, Lallana said.
My dad used to take me to watch Bournemouth play when he famously scored for 10 games in a row,…
Verdict: Home win
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Manchester United lock horns with Everton in their midweek fixture at Old Trafford with both sides looking to make amends for disappointing results at the weekend as race for the European places continues.
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho’s men were held to a frustrating goalless home draw against West Bromwich Albion and will look to beat Everton in order to lift off some pressure from their shoulders in attempt to get back to top four race. The Red Devils’s hopes of securing the Champions League next season through domestic exploits received a major blow as remain five points behind city rivals Manchester City who are occupying the fourth spot. On the bright note, Manchester United still have two games in h…