Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is confident he will be fully fit to lead his country at Euro 2016.
The Manchester United midfielder has not played since March due to a knee injury.
Louis van Gaal said of the issue in April: Schweinsteiger is a tragic injury because the expectation is not so good for him in respect of the European Championship, but you never know.
Regardless, Joachim Low has included his skipper in a 27-man provisional squad that must be cut to 23 by next week.
And Schweinsteiger is confident that he will be able to prove his fitness sufficiently to take part in the tournament.
I am fine and I am right on schedule, he told a news conference.
I live for that schedule hour after hour. Ahead of the World Cup 2014 …
Cape Verde head coach Bubista has challenged his side to keep believing as they bid to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations when they face South Africa in Yamoussoukro.
The small island nation, ranked 73rd in the FIFA standings, topped their group, beating Ghana and then fighting back to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw with Egypt before a 1-0 win over Mauritania put them into the last eight.
The Blue Sharks are aiming to reach uncharted waters by making the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time.
As imagens do jogo que qualificou Cabo Verde para quartos de final do CAN. Cabo Verde 1-0 Mauritania
Vista-se a rigor aqui | | | | |
— Federação Cabo-verdiana de Futebol (@fcfcomunica)
Bubista feels there is still mor…
Eden Hazard believes Belgium will head to Euro 2020 stronger than ever and must improve on their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
Roberto Martinez s side have a 100 per cent record after nine games in qualifying for the European Championship and will seek to finish their campaign with a maximum 30 points against Cyprus on Tuesday.
The Red Devils finished third in last year s World Cup and lead the FIFA rankings, and Hazard thinks they are better equipped for their next major tournament.
We have two years more experience than at the World Cup, two more years with the coach, said Real Madrid star Hazard.
We know each other better, we have young players … I think we are stronger. We have developed the winning mentality that we didn t have enoug…
Newport produced a superb second-half fightback to recover from 2-0 to beat 10-man Forest Green 4-2 at Rodney Parade.
An early own goal from Ryan Delaney and a second from Matty Stevens in the 33rd minute put Troy Deeney’s men in control.
But a second yellow card for midfielder Callum Jones six minutes after the restart proved costly for the visitors.
Two goals from Exiles top scorer Will Evans – his 15th and 16th of the season – levelled before Lewis Payne scored a sublime third in the 69th minute with a dipping volley from Bryn Morris’ cross.
Delaney made amends for his early gift as he added a fourth to make sure of the win five minutes from time.
The remarkable reversal of fortune meant County enjoyed a first Boxing Day win since 2014 …
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker:
Besiktas head to Switzerland to take on Lugano at the Stockhorn Arena on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie. The stakes are high, as the winners of this two-legged clash will earn a spot in the new 36-team Europa League, while the losers will have to settle for a place in the Conference League.
Both teams will be eager to seize a good result in this opening leg, with Besiktas looking to build on their strong European pedigree and Lugano hoping to make the most of their home-field advantage.
Lugano
After competing in the Conference League group stage last season, Lugano are now aiming to reach the Europa League proper for the third time in their history, with their last appearance coming five y…
Mikel Arteta hailed the phenomenal drive shown by his Arsenal side to push Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners moved one point clear of City at the Premier League summit on Sunday with a 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
City have a chance to restore their advantage when they travel to Arsenal s fierce rivals Tottenham on Tuesday, before then hosting West Ham.
Regardless of what happens in midweek, Arsenal will go into their final game of the campaign at home to Everton with the title battle still alive.
Speaking to BBC Sport after his side s latest win, Arteta said: It is a phenomenal thing they are doing.
However, Arteta was not entirely pleased with the manner of his side s slender victory…
Pep Guardiola said he preferred Manchester City s win over Brentford as opposed to a more comfortable scoreline, confirming he is a big fan of Bees head coach Thomas Frank.
Erling Haaland s first-half brace ensured Guardiola s side maintained their perfect start to the season, but they had to come from behind to win 2-1 at the Etihad.
Yoane Wissa s goal after 22 seconds handed Brentford a shock lead, with his strike the fastest ever scored in the Premier League against the reigning champions.
It was also the first time that City had ever conceded in the opening minute at home in the competition.
Frank s side were also the last to beat Guardiola s men on home soil in any competition, winning 2-1 in November 2022, with the Citizens now unbeaten in 46 at …
Barnsley head coach Michael Duff has challenged one of his players “to step up and be the hero” in their Sky Bet League One play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday.
Wednesday will start as the bookmakers’ favourites for Monday’s Wembley showdown against their local rivals after overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit in their thrilling semi-final win against Peterborough.
Barnsley finished fourth in the table, 10 points behind Wednesday, but backed up their 2-0 league win at Hillsborough in September with a 4-2 victory over the Owls at Oakwell in March.
The countdown is on! |
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne)
Duff, who took over last summer following the club’s relegation from the Championship, said: “I bet if you look at the…
Reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2024 proves just how much heart the Netherlands have, so says Ronald Koeman.
The Netherlands came from behind to beat Turkiye 2-1 on Saturday thanks to a header from Stefan de Vrij and Mert Muldur s own goal in Berlin.
That victory set up a semi-final clash with England in Dortmund on Wednesday.
And Koeman suggested his team have proved their doubters wrong with the spirit they have shown through their run to the last four.
I think for the whole nation it s something special, he said, as quoted by The Athletic.
We re a small nation and we re part of the semi-finals with England, France and Spain. We re really proud to have the opportunity to play it on Wednesday.
It was a really emotional match and we ha…
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker:
Looking to take another giant step towards this season’s Premier League crown, Manchester City will make the trip to Fulham on Saturday lunchtime.
Fulham
Starting with the hosts, while Fulham might have sprung a real upset last month as they secured a deserved 2-0 victory away at West Ham, the Cottagers have continued to struggle with their constancy since returning from March’s international break. Last seen missing out on the chance to claim west London bragging rights as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Brentford, Marco Silva’s men have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous seven Premier League appearances. More than aware that they face another monumental challenge on Saturday lunchtime, the …