Nuno Espirito Santo declared himself delighted as Wolves ended the Europa League group stage with a resounding 4-0 home win over Besiktas on Thursday.
Braga s 4-2 win away to Slovan Bratislava ensured they secured top spot in Group K despite Wolves demolishing their Turkish opponents in the second half at Molineux.
Diogo Jota s introduction off the bench was the catalyst for a scoring spree, the substitute grabbing the fastest Europa League hat-trick since 2014.
Leander Dendoncker atoned for an earlier miss from close range by finding the net with a header, helping the Premier League side cruise to victory as they look forward to Monday s last-32 draw.
I think, in the end, we performed well, Nuno told a news conference. We didn t fight for a particu…
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Looking to pick up a first-leg Europa League advantage on Thursday night, Turkish giants Fenerbahce will make the trip to a struggling Austria Vienna.
Austria Vienna
Starting with the hosts, while Austria Vienna might have managed to make a much-needed return to winning ways last weekend, it doesn t cover what has been a worrying blip for Manfred Schmid s men. Despite eventually grabbing a scrappy 2-1 victory at home against WSG Tirol last time out, that was the first victory that the Violets have managed to pick up from their last four matchups across all competitions. Likewise, although the one-time Borussia Dortmund coach might have seen his side claim another bronze medal finish on domestic duties last season, they have rather dras…
Paul Pogba believes Manchester United will come back stronger following the disappointment of losing the Europa League final.
United were beaten 11-10 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out by Villarreal in Gdansk on Wednesday, goalkeeper David de Gea missing the crucial kick after the game had finished 1-1 after extra time.
The defeat means manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still waiting to claim his first trophy in the job.
Indeed, the Red Devils have not won silverware since triumphing in the same competition under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
For Pogba – who was substituted in the 116th minute, denying him the chance to take a penalty – the defeat was a disappointing way to finish the campaign, though the midfielder quickly switched his focus to the future.
Stefano Pioli cannot imagine Milan without Gianluigi Donnarumma and says the club are convinced veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic should stay for another season.
Milan director Ricky Massara revealed last week that discussions are ongoing over new deals for both players.
Donnarumma made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2015-16 and is contracted to the Rossoneri until 2021, while the short-team deal signed by Ibrahimovic in January has expired.
And head coach Pioli, who signed a two-year extension of his own last month, is eager for both players to pen fresh terms.
I cannot imagine a Milan without Donnarumma, he told La Repubblica. He is 21 years old, he already has experience and has even been captain.
Zlatan
— AC Milan (@acmilan) <…
Vahid Halilhodzic has been sacked as head coach of Japan, just two months before they begin their World Cup campaign.
Former Japan international Akira Nishino leaves his role as head of the JFA s technical committee to succeed him but will have only 10 weeks to prepare his players before their Group H opener against Colombia in Saransk on June 19.
Halilhodzic was appointed in March 2015, having guided Algeria to the last 16 of the previous finals in Brazil, and the Blue Samurai advanced to Russia 2018 as winners of Group B in the Asian section of qualifying.
But their preparations have been thrown into chaos with Monday s announcement that Halilhodzic has been sacked and Nishino who guided Gamba Osaka to the J-League crown in 2005 and the AFC Champio…
Newcastle are close to completing a deal to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad, according to multiple sources.
The 22-year-old was being watched by a number of clubs for a while, with Arsenal believed to have had his name as the No. 2 target for their striker department in case they failed to sign Gabriel Jesus. They eventually landed the Brazil international so Isak stayed put, but now it seems he s set to play in the Premier League anyway.
Newcastle are apparently prepared to break their transfer record and pay a fee of £60 million to sign the Sweden international, who broke through the youth ranks at AIK and played for Borussia Dortmund and Willem II before joining Sociedad in 2019 for a reported fee of €15 million. The Spanish club, for which Isak has scored …
Bayern Munich have completed their third deal on transfer deadline day, bringing in right-back Bouna Sarr from Ligue 1 side Marseille.
The 28-year-old, who joined Marseille in 2015 from Metz, has signed a four-year deal at the Allianz Arena for a reported fee of €10million.
Bayern had earlier announced the loan arrival of Douglas Costa from Juventus and the free transfer signing of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, in addition to the arrival of Marc Roca from Espanyol for a reported €15m on Sunday.
I m very happy to be joining a great club like Bayern, Sarr told their official website. It s a dream come true and I will do everything I can to help continue the successful history of this club.
Bienvenue au , !
— FC Bayern English (@FCBaye…
Prediction: Match to end in 2-2 draw
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Portugal and Uruguay will face each other at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar next week. The Group H game between the European nation and the South American country will take place at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail next Monday and is scheduled to kick off at 7pm UK time.
Portugal
Portugal are among the favourites for the 2022 Qatar World Cup and have some wonderful players. Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the best forwards on the planet, while there are the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao and Joao Felix in attack as well. In defence, the Euro 2016 winners can boast of well-known players such as Pepe, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo, and in midfield they have Ruben Neves and William…
Gary O’Neil revealed he expected to still be job hunting at this point in the season after being sacked by Bournemouth in the summer, and is determined to repay Wolves for the faith they showed in him.
The 40-year-old’s first trip back to former employers Bournemouth ended in a 2-1 comeback victory on Saturday for his new side, now on a four-game unbeaten run in the top flight while the Cherries still remain in search of their first win of the season.
O’Neil, who took over at Molineux on a three-year-deal in August, oversaw a return of 36 points from his 34 top-flight games in charge to help Bournemouth avoid relegation in 2022/23 and was even a candidate on some pundits’ lists for manager of the season before he was sacked in June.
He said: “I didn’t…
Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland as a born goalscorer after he claimed another hat-trick in Manchester City s derby rout of Manchester United, declaring: what he is doing, I didn t teach him .
Haaland continued his fine start to life in England by playing a central role in City s 6-3 win over United, clinching a treble and adding two assists for fellow hat-trick hero Phil Foden.
The Norwegian – who has already hit 17 goals in all competitions this season – became the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three successive home games on Sunday.
His tally of five goal contributions at the Etihad Stadium, meanwhile, is the most recorded by a player in a single Premier League Manchester Derby.
Guardiola refused to take credit …