The Red Devils were stunned by Wales, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did not hold back his disappointment after the game, blaming tactician Marc Wilmots for their elimination . After Friday night’s shock 3-1 defeat to Wales , Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was involved in a heated dispute with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois The Red Devils got off to a horrific start at Euro 2016 as they were fell to a 2-0 defeat to Italy , with Wilmots being confronted by his shot-stopper in the aftermath of that defeat as well. Although his contract runs … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Germany beat Italy on penalties to end Italian hoodoo
Manuel Neuer was Germany’s hero as Joachim Low’s side reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 by beating Italy 6-5 on penalties in a dramatic shoot-out in Bordeaux. The Bayern Munich keeper made two crucial saves in the shoot-out after the game had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. A nervy 30 minutes of extra time brought no more goals, so it went to penalties and Neuer saved brilliantly from Matteo Darmian and Leonardo Bonucci, who had earlier equalised for Italy from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. That goal came after Mesut Ozil had … [Read more...]
Eden Hazard: Belgium can take positives after Euro 2016 exit
Eden Hazard says Belgium can be "positive" about their future despite being eliminated from Euro 2016 by Wales. Belgium crashed out of the tournament in France on Friday after being beaten 3-1 by Wales in the quarterfinals in Lille. But while the Red Devils players will be hurting following a game that they were expected to win, Hazard, 25, says his teammates have reason to be cheerful going forward. "We're going to keep working with the aim of winning things in future," the Belgium captain told reporters. "In two years there is a … [Read more...]
Ramsey backs Wales to reach Euro 2016 final without him
Aaron Ramsey has backed Wales to get to the Euro 2016 final without him – and says his display against Belgium was “one of the best” of his career. Ramsey and defender Ben Davies will both miss Wednesday’s historic semi-final against Portugal after picking up their second bookings of the tournament against Belgium. Wales produced a magnificent performance to win 3-1 in Lille on Friday night, with Ramsey setting up two of the goals to take his number of assists at Euro 2016 to four and thus becoming the top-ranked player in our ratings … [Read more...]
Mesut Ozil: I am as ambitious as Ronaldo
Mesut Ozil has rejected claims that he is the opposite type of player to Cristiano Ronaldo. Ozil was speaking to L’Equipe ahead of Germany’s match against Italy in Euro 2016. The playmaker says that, although he is not as hungry for goals as Ronaldo, that does not lower his desire to achieve. “Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously very ambitious, but so am I,” Ozil told L’Equipe. “I am a perfectionist on the pitch as well. I want to be successful with everything I do. “During the time I played alongside Ronaldo [at Real Madrid], I saw … [Read more...]
Balotelli vows to win Ballon D’Or
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli still believes that he can win the Ballon D’Or, despite enduring a tough two seasons. Balotelli has returned to Liverpool training for the first time under Jurgen Klopp, but faces a tough battle to establish himself at Anfield. The Italian striker was loaned out by Brendan Rodgers at the start of last season, but scored only one league goals in his 20 Serie A matches for Milan. It’s fair to say that that hasn’t dampened his ambitions for individual success. “In my view there weren’t enough … [Read more...]
Conte assures Spanish duo about their future
Antonio Conte has reportedly held talks with Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedro to stress that they are both in his first-team plans at Chelsea. According to reports, the Italian sought out the Spanish duo following the last-16 clash at Euro 2016 as he tries to build a Chelsea squad capable of mounting a title challenge this season. Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United have been linked with Azpilicueta, while Pedro revealed recently that he has held talks with Barcelona. However, it is thought that Conte wants to keep both at Stamford Bridge … [Read more...]
Ander Herrera confirms Giggs exit by paying tribute to the United legend
It's not been easy to keep secrets at United this summer and Giggs' story has been one of those. It started with Louis van Gaal and the constant story that he would be relieved of his duties as his team struggled through last season. That eventually happened, with the shadow of the available Jose Mourinho looming large over the Dutchman. The former Chelsea gaffer was heavily linked with taking over from van Gaal and that ended up happening at the end of May. And it's been followed up by constant talk of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik … [Read more...]
Borussia Dortmund confirm Mkhitaryan sale to Man United
Henrikh Mkhitaryan will join Manchester United after Borussia Dortmund reluctantly confirmed the two clubs had agreed a fee – believed to £26.3m – for the player. Dortmund released a statement reading: “After intensive discussions BVB have complied with the wishes of the Armenian national team player to join Manchester United.” . @HenrikhMkh wechselt zu @ManUtd // Henrikh Mkhitaryan moves to Manchester United. Details to follow. pic.twitter.com/mFxTgZoS3J — Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) July 2, 2016 “This transfer was for us a difficult … [Read more...]
Tello rejects Liverpool set for Fiorentina return.
Heading for the exit at the Camp Nou, Cristian Tello is determined to return to Fiorentina after his successful loan spell at the club last season. After enjoying a six-month loan with the club in the latter half of the season, Barcelona’s Cristian Tello is angling for a permanent move to Fiorentina and turned down Liverpool for the Viola. The Spaniard had failed to establish himself in the first team of the Spanish champions and spent the first half of the last campaign on loan at Portuguese outfit Porto, before arriving at the Stadio … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Ozil out to end Italian jinx
The world champions have never beaten Italy in a major tournament but the Arsenal playmaker is hoping to end that run in Bordeaux. Knowing history is stacked against them as they face Italy on Saturday, Germany ‘s Mesut Ozil hopes that they can overturn their historical hoodoo to make it through to the semi-final. These nations have met in eight previous international tournaments, with Italy winning four of those clashes and drawing the rest. Most recently Germany were dumped out at the semi-final stage of the last European Championship … [Read more...]