Sergio Ramos says the omission of former Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas from Julen Lopetegui s first Spain squad marks a new era .
Casillas, who left Madrid to join Porto in 2015, has been a mainstay of the Spanish national side since making his international bow in 2000, going on to record 167 appearances.
The 35-year-old captained the national team to triumphs in two consecutive European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, but, having seen his number one spot taken by David de Gea at Euro 2016, the veteran has now missed out on the squad for qualifying fixtures against Belgium and Lichtenstein.
And, despite saying it feels bizarre to join-up with a Spain group that does not include Casillas, Ramos believes the change represents the start of an exciting e…
Aymeric Laporte has claimed Didier Deschamps did not reply to his messages before the defender switched international allegiance from France to Spain.
Manchester City centre-back Laporte declared for La Roja last month after being granted Spanish citizenship, leading to him being included in their 24-man Euro 2020 squad.
Laporte represented France at youth level, including the Under-21s, but was never handed a senior cap despite being called up by Deschamps.
The 27-year-old has made a positive start to his Spain career by helping his side to three clean sheets in his first four caps, while also scoring in last week s 5-0 win over Slovakia.
Spain finished second in their Euro 2020 group and are on course to face France in the quarter-finals should the heav…
Iker Casillas has followed Cristiano Ronaldo into the Champions League history books by recording his 100th victory in the competition.
Casillas was beaten twice as Porto ended their Group D campaign away to Galatasaray, Sergio Conceicao s men running out 3-2 winners in Istanbul.
It means the veteran goalkeeper is only the second player in Champions League history to win 100 games, joining former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo in reaching the landmark.
Casillas, who joined Porto in 2015, won the Champions League title three times during a hugely successful spell at Madrid.
100 Iker Casillas has become the second player in the Champions League history to reach 100 wins, after Cristiano Ronaldo (100). Myth.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose)
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Market: West Ham win
Odds: 3/4 @
Desperate to make a much-needed return to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, West Ham will make the trip to Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts, with their immediate relegation to the Championship confirmed with plenty of time to spare, it is fair to say that Norwich are really limping their way over the finish line. Despite making the decision to bring in Dean Smith earlier in the season, the east Anglia outfit still find themselves firmly sat at the foot of the Premier League table. Last seen getting hit with a routine 2-0 defeat away at Aston Villa, Norwich have lost each of their last three top-flight contests on the spin. Managing to win just one of their last 12 straight outings, a run that stems all the…
Rayo Vallecano president Raul Martin Presa condemned chanting against Albacete player Roman Zozulya that led to a Segunda Division game between the sides to be abandoned, and said his club was also a victim .
Sunday s match at Vallecas was brought to an end at half-time by referee Jose Antonio Lopez Toca after Zozulya was targeted by home fans throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Zozulya, a former Ukraine international, joined Rayo on loan from Real Betis in 2017 but the move was cut short when supporters protested against the transfer due to reported far-right links, which the player has strenuously denied.
Presa said in quotes posted on Rayo s official Twitter account that the club offered to have Sunday s second half played in front of empty stands with fans sen…
South Korea coach Paulo Bento is optimistic about his team continuing their unblemished 2019 Asian Cup record when they meet Bahrain for a place in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Bento s side sailed through Group C, winning all three of their games without conceding a single goal.
Philippines, Kyrgyzstan and China all failed to stop many people s tournament favourites, despite star man Son Heung-min only being available for the match against the latter.
Heading into the knockout phase, Bento knows the pressure will be on his side given the presence of Son and their general standing in Asian football.
But with Korea looking consistent, the Portuguese coach is feeling good about their chances.
We know that we are candidates, but I think we are not …
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker:
In a showdown between two MLS giants in the early hours of Thursday, LA Galaxy will welcome New York City to Los Angeles.
LA Galaxy
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they secured an action-packed 4-2 victory against Sporting KC, LA Galaxy have continued to receive a string of plaudits since opening up the 2024 campaign. Cruising their way to a play-off ticket in the Western Conference, Greg Vanney’s men have won three of their previous four MLS appearances. Signing off May with a 3-1 romp against FC Dallas, the California-based outfit will also be excited by their extended purple patch on home soil. Winning all of their last four straight showdowns at Dignity Health Sports Park by an …
Wales manager Rob Page has promised not to jeopardise the health of Brennan Johnson by telling him to turn up for international duty when carrying an injury.
Johnson will miss Wales’ crunch Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia in Cardiff on October 15 after sustaining a hamstring injury on his first start for Tottenham against Arsenal in the north London derby.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou confirmed on Friday that Johnson will miss Tottenham’s Premier League trip to Luton this weekend but will be fit to return after the international break.
Page said: “The communication between us and Tottenham has been first-class. It’s about having mutual respect. Both managers want a talented player fit so it’s about working together.
“I’m not going to insi…
Thomas Frank believes Brentford have a very good chance of keeping midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Former Tottenham playmaker Eriksen resumed his career by making a sensational return to the Premier League in January, joining the Bees on a deal until the end of the season.
It is only last June that the 30-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark s Euro 2020 game against Finland and was brought back to life on the pitch.
Eriksen was released by Inter, as he would have been unable to play in Italy after having a cardioverter defibrillator fitted.
Inter s loss has been very much Brentford s gain, as the former Ajax midfield maestro has pulled the strings for the London club and also scored two goals in as many games against Serbia and the Nethe…
Italian daily newspaper Il Secolo XIX is reporting that Valencia are keeping close tabs on Sampdoria midfielder Roberto Soriano.
The 23-year-old is believed to have caught the eye of los Che officials and the La Liga side are expected to make their interest concrete in January.
Il Secolo XIX has learned that Valencia director of football Roberto Ayala watched the youngster in action as Sampdoria faced Torino at the weekend.
The German-born footballer came through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich, but moved to Sampdoria in 2009.
Soriano was promoted to the first team set-up following a successful loan spell at Empoli and has so far featured in 71 league matches for the Bluecerchiati.
The former Italy Under-21 international seems to have nailed dow…