Italy great Giorgio Chiellini believes the Azzurri have a bright future ahead of them and says critics have been overly pessimistic regarding their chances at Euro 2024.
Chiellini captained Italy as they overcame England in the final of Euro 2020, but the Azzurri have not been widely tipped to retain their crown after enduring a difficult few years.
Having missed out on the last two World Cups, Italy somewhat scraped their way through qualifying for next year s tournament in Germany, losing home and away to England and requiring a nervy 0-0 draw with Ukraine on the final matchday to avoid the playoffs.
Ahead of Luciano Spalletti s first major tournament in charge, Italy have been drawn to face Spain, Croatia and Albania in a difficult-looking group, but Chiellini…
Edwin van der Sar remains in intensive care but is communicating and “not in life-threatening danger”, his wife has said.
The former Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper was admitted to a hospital in Croatia last Friday after suffering bleeding around the brain.
Annemarie van der Sar said in a statement issued via Dutch club Ajax: “Edwin is still in the intensive care unit, but is stable. He is not in life-threatening danger.
Update on behalf of Annemarie van der Sar in Croatia:
‘Edwin is still in the intensive care unit, but is stable. He is not in life-threatening danger. Every time we get to visit him, he’s communicative. We have to wait patiently to see how his situation will develop.’
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax)
“E…
Italy eased past Sweden, Spain stunned Turkey and Croatia fans disgraced themselves in a 2-2 draw with Czech Republic in another eventful, and controversial, day at Euro 2016.
As ever, we present the pick of the more seldom-seen moments of gold from the tournament in France, featuring Fernando Santos toying with the idea of writing a letter to Austria counterpart Marcel Koller and the Stade Velodrome s bid to tone up members of the press
STICK TO THE DAY JOB, ANTONIO
Italy boss Antonio Conte was a fine footballer.
He s also developed into a wonderful coach. His eye for tactical detail has helped Italy through to the knockout stages with victories against Belgium and, on Friday, Sweden.
Renown for his passion on the field, Conte has…
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker:
Facing what is another stern Champions League examination on Wednesday night, Celtic will welcome Atletico Madrid to Glasgow.
Celtic
Starting with the hosts, marking their return from October’s international break with a stellar performance over the weekend, Celtic will be desperate to now find some level of European stability. Eventually breezing their way to a 4-1 romp against Hearts, Brendan Rodgers’ side are already tipped as a landsite favourite to defend their domestic crown this season. However, while the Scottish heavyweights might have come flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the former Leicester boss has come under some recent scrutiny for Celtic’s extended issues on the European stage. Last s…
Best odds: 8/13
Bookmaker:
Days after a disappointing loss to their biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy will return to Dignity Health Sports Park to face Minnesota United on Sunday.
Earlier this week, the Galaxy dropped to third place in the MLS Western Conference after a 2-1 defeat against Los Angeles FC, while the Loons were beaten 3-1 by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Thursday s match at the Rose Bowl delivered an electric atmosphere, offering everything except the desired outcome for Galaxy supporters.
Before the game, Greg Vanney s side were level with LAFC on 40 points and had a chance to claim the top spot in the Western Conference. Instead, they now find themselves trailing both LAFC and Real Salt Lake, with both teams ha…
Luciano Spalletti hopes Italy can use their title of reigning champions to their advantage when they open their Euro 2024 campaign against Albania on Saturday.
The Azzurri secured Euro 2020 glory by upsetting England on home soil with a 3-2 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw to win their second European title.
After Roberto Mancini s shock departure last year, Spalletti stepped into his shoes, qualifying for Euro 2024, and he is confident they have what it takes to win the tournament for the second time in a row.
It feels like heaven to be in situations like these, Spalletti told UEFA.com. Matches come and go. These tournaments are really important, and this is why we need to be prepared for everything; as we say in our anthem, We are ready to die for these m…
Ukraine have revealed a new shirt for Euro 2020 that features a map of the country including the Crimea, sparking anger in Russia.
The kit, styled in the national team s traditional yellow and blue, features a white outline surrounding the badge that depicts the country s borders.
The Crimean Peninsula, which is included in the design, was annexed by Russia in 2014 but is still internationally recognised as part of Ukraine.
The shirt also contains the inscriptions Glory to Ukraine and Glory to heroes , each of which is acknowledged as an official military greeting in the country.
Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), said: We believe that the silhouette of Ukraine will add strength to the players because they will fig…
Champions League holders Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund in a rematch of last season s final following Thursday s revamped draw.
The new league phase format sees each of the 36 teams play eight games, four at home and four away.
And Madrid, who beat Dortmund in the final at Wembley in June, will go up against BVB at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti s team are also set to face Liverpool at Anfield in one of the headline clashes of the new-look draw, while they will play Milan and Europa League winners Atalanta.
Liverpool have failed to win each of their last eight meetings with Madrid (D1 L7), their longest winless run against an opponent in European competition.
Manchester City and Arsenal will both go up against Paris Sain…
Juventus make their return to the Champions League next week, but head coach Thiago Motta says the Bianconeri s full focus is on this weekend s trip to Empoli.
Motta has made a strong start at Juve since joining from Bologna, with an unbeaten start to the Serie A campaign putting them level with Scudetto holders Inter at the summit.
Next week, the Bianconeri face PSV in their first Champions League game since 2022 before welcoming Napoli to Turin for a huge clash on September 21, but Motta will not look beyond Saturday s visit to the Stadio Carlo Castellani.
The other two games of the week we have time to think and prepare for. The focus is tomorrow. Then we will think about the other games, Motta said on Friday.
We only have to think about the game aga…
Paris Saint-Germain host Nimes in the first game of their title defence when the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season gets under way.
Thomas Tuchel s side who are seeking a third straight title in France then face Rennes, Toulouse and Metz in their other August fixtures.
Marseille s first league game under new coach Andre Villas-Boas comes at home to Reims. The first Classique of the season is hosted by PSG in October and the return game is set for late March.
Lille finished a distant second to PSG last term and their season starts at home to Nantes with games against Amiens, Saint-Etienne and Reims following in the opening month. PSG host Lille in November and the reverse fixture is set for January.
are stepping up their game in announcing their schedule for the 2…