Goretzka ´will continue to be important´ despite lack of playing time, Kompany insists

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe combined superbly to inspire Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-0 Ligue 1 win at Ajaccio on Friday.

The defending champions were without the suspended Neymar, leaving it up to the two other stars on their forward line to send PSG six points clear at the top. They did so in style.

Mbappe, who recently slammed reports of him wanting to leave the club as completely false , cut a frustrated figure for much of the game even after breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute.

He was teed up by Messi for that opener before missing a series of chances to claim a hat-trick.

However, a commanding PSG display was eventually reflected by the scoreline as Mbappe and Messi linked up brilliantly for the latter to make it 2-0 before the long-time Real …

Journalist has told that Liverpool are interested in signing N’Golo Kante from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer transfer window. The France international defensive midfielder is out of contract at the Blues at the end of the season, and the Reds reportedly want to bring him to Anfield.

O’Rourke said: “It’s a deal they’ve looked at, hoping that they can maybe persuade Kante to leave Chelsea on a free transfer. We all know about Liverpool’s need for midfield reinforcements.

“It looks like it’s going to be a big rebuild job in that engine room for Jurgen Klopp’s side and Kante, with his experience and know-how, is a winner. 

“Wherever he’s been, he’s had great success. To get someone like that on a free transfer would be an ast…

Arsenal will face the MLS All-Stars, who will be coached by Wayne Rooney, in a friendly in July.

The annual MLS All-Star Game sees a squad made up of players from across the league come together to face an opponent.

For the last two years, the MLS All-Stars have played a Liga MX All-Stars team, with the team from the United States top tier emerging victorious on both occasions.

However, the 2023 edition will see the MLS All-Stars return to playing a European club, with Arsenal appearing in the exhibition event for a second time.

The Gunners beat an All-Stars side that included Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Didier Drogba and David Villa 2-1 in San Jose in 2016.

This year s match will be held at Audi Field in Washington, D.C, with England s joint-record goals…

Newcastle United are in advanced talks with Manchester City over the signing of Kalvin Phillips in the January transfer window, according to . The report has noted that Juventus are also in talks with City regarding a potential move for Phillips.

Phillips has struggled to make an impact at City since his move to the Etihad Stadium from Leeds United in the summer of 2022. The Citizens, who won the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup last season, are open to sending the England international midfielder out on loan or selling him.

Juventus want Phillips on a loan deal, as the Italian giants are unable to afford the £40 million transfer fee that City would want for the midfielder. Newcastle are able to afford that sum and are also looking for a new mid…

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker:

In what could prove to be a cagey Serie A affair from the Maracana late on Sunday night, Vasco will welcome Athletico-PR to Rio de Janeiro.

Vasco

Starting with the hosts, while Vasco might have managed to claim a much-needed 1-0 victory against Cuiaba last month, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for Ramon Diaz’s downbeat squad. Last seen putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a toothless 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cruzeiro, the one-time River Plate boss certainly has some growing pressure on his shoulders at the Maracana. Although the Admirals might have only made their Serie A return this season, it is no secret that Vasco are seen as a standout contender to be hit with an immediate second-tier retu…

In December 2018, Manchester United fans were adamant that Jose Mourinho s sacking meant he was finished at the top in club football.

A drab style of play, a similarly joyless demeanour in news conferences and seemingly incessant desire to belittle his own players marred his time in Manchester.

Disagreements with Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial were hardly private, while his relationship with Marcus Rashford appeared uneasy at times as well.

Yet, Tottenham paid no mind to the issues – whether that was down to Daniel Levy being convinced Mourinho wasn t finished yet or if he just wanted an entertaining figurehead for his Amazon documentary, who knows, but one has to wonder where the Portuguese can turn now if he doesn t want to try his hand at an inter…

Juanma Lillo has offered insight into Pep Guardiola’s insatiable appetite to keep improving himself and those around him.

Lillo rejoined his fellow Spaniard’s backroom staff at treble winners Manchester City this summer after a year away.

This weekend he will be filling in for the inspirational City manager as the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss takes time out to recuperate from back surgery.

Guardiola is due to return to Manchester after the September international break and Lillo expects him to be as hungry as ever.

“Pep is always very open, moment to moment, and he decides he always wants to improve and implement new things,” said Lillo, who will oversee the team at Sheffield United on Sunday and at home to Fulham next week.

“…

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker:

In what is a heavyweight Europa League affair on Thursday evening, Barcelona will welcome Premier League giants Manchester United to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might have come under real scrutiny for losing their Champions League status last year, the Spanish icons are in the midst of an extended purple patch. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they claimed a 1-0 victory away at Villarreal, the mood in Xavi s camp is at a red-hot high. Now sat in pole position to reclaim their La Liga crown in 2023, the Catalonia-based outfit have continued to gain a string of plaudits on either side of the World Cup break. Claiming this season s Spanish Super Cup thanks to a 3-1 romp against Re…

With all eyes focused on Munich and what was a star-studded showdown on Tuesday night, France managed to get their European adventure off to a flying start with a deserved victory at the Allianz Arena.

While the fans in attendance didn t quite get the action-packed display that they would have been hoping for, Les Bleus landed themselves a 1-0 win after Mats Hummels turned into his own net after 20 minutes.

Keeping up the pace with Portugal after the defending European champions picked up a 3-0 win away in Hungary earlier in the day, France also extended on what has been a real purple patch against the Germans.

Now unbeaten in each of their last six straight meetings against their fellow European heavyweights, we have taken a look at the major talking points aft…

Best Odds: 9/5

Bookmaker:

Looking to officially punch their Champions League quarter-final ticket on Wednesday night, Manchester City will welcome Copenhagen to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, claiming local bragging rights over the weekend as they mounted a stellar comeback at the Etihad, Manchester City certainly find the mood in their camp at a real high. Eventually storming their way to a 3-1 victory against Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s men have their sights firmly set on completing more history this season. Becoming the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions last year, the Sky Blues have continued to gain a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. Picking up a deserved fi…