Champions League glory Ribery´s priority

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery would prefer to win the Champions League this season given the choice of hoisting Europe s premier trophy or claiming a fifth consecutive Bundesliga title.

Ribery was a star man in Bayern s 2012-13 treble-winning side, but, although the Bavarian giants retained the Bundesliga crown in each of the subsequent three seasons under Pep Guardiola, further continental glory proved elusive.

Now under Carlo Ancelotti – along with ex- Liverpool boss Bob Paisley the only coach to win the competition three times – Ribery and his team-mates are ready for a fresh assault on a tournament he holds dear.

We want to win everything, he told Goal.

If I had to decide between Bundesliga and Champions League I would choose the Champions…

Guardiola sets target of 10 wins to guarantee title

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has set his players the target of another 10 wins to guarantee a Premier League title triumph.

The leaders responded to their 4-3 loss to Liverpool last week, their first in domestic competition this season, with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.

That restored their 12-point lead at the top of the table after Manchester United had briefly reduced it to nine with a 1-0 win away to Burnley.

Guardiola now wants 30 more points from City’s final 14 matches to make sure of a first league title since he came to England in 2016.

Always after the defeat against Liverpool, you have a little bit of doubt how you would react – what would happen if you went two games in a row not winning, he told a news conference…

Chongqing Lifan snap up Fernandinho on free transfer from Gremio

Chongqing Lifan have secured the signing of Fernandinho on a free transfer from Copa Libertadores champions Gremio.

The attacker scored nine goals in 28 Campeonato Brasileiro appearances in 2017 and started seven of Gremio s 13 continental games including both legs of the final against Lanus in November as the Porto Alegre club lifted the title.

Fernandinho had been with Gremio since July 2014, a spell which included unsuccessful loan stints with Italian side Verona and Flamengo.

The 32-year-old should have some assistance with regards to settling in at the Chinese Super League club, as he will join three other Brazilians in Hyuri, Alan Kardec and another Fernandinho, while Portuguese coach Paulo Bento took over in December.

 

Borussia Dortmund 21/20 to beat Lazio in Tuesday’s Champions League opener

Market: Borussia Dortmund win

Odds: 21/20 @

Hoping to pick up a real European scalp when the Champions League opens up on Tuesday night, Borussia Dortmund will make the trip to a struggling Lazio.

Starting with the hosts, while Lazio might have managed to just about secure themselves a top-four return in Serie A over the summer, Le Aquile have rather drastically struggled with their consistency since returning from the enforced break. With some around Rome suddenly starting to question Simone Inzaghi s position in the Stadio Olimpico dugout, the Italian giants put in what was a dreadful display over the weekend. Failing to pick up any kind of boost before they mark their Champions League return in midweek, Lazio were completely blown away after Sampdoria picked …

Depay: I do not want to be at Lyon forever

Memphis Depay has no intention of spending the rest of his career at Lyon after outlining his frustration with his team-mates  mentality.

The Netherlands international joined Lyon from Manchester United in January 2017 and has got his career back on track in France following his disappointing 18-month spell in the Premier League.

Depay has played a direct part in 52 goals in his two full Ligue 1 campaigns, earning him links with a number of teams.

And, after admitting in January that he would like to join an elite European club one of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich the 25-year-old has reiterated his desire to leave Lyon.

Happy belated birthday to legend King Eric!

— Memphis (@Mem…

Chilwell was ´mentally tired´ after England Euros disappointment, says Chelsea boss Tuchel

Ben Chilwell was left mentally tired by the personal disappointment of playing no part for England at Euro 2020 and must be patient in his pursuit of minutes with Chelsea, says boss Thomas Tuchel.

Chilwell played a starring role in the Blues Champions League final win over Manchester City just four months ago and was a mainstay in Chelsea s XI when Tuchel was appointed Frank Lampard s successor in January.

However, that triumph in Lisbon was surprisingly the full-back s last competitive match, with Gareth Southgate not using Chilwell at all during England s run to the final of Euro 2020, and Marcos Alonso playing in Chelsea s four Premier League games and European Super Cup win.

Blues boss Tuchel says the early season form of Alonso has made Chilwell s situation …

August 20th: Sunday’s English Double – 6/1 Special, Tips & Predictions

On a Sunday schedule that is highlighted by Chelsea’s trip across London to West Ham, we certainly have an eye-catching afternoon of English fixtures.

So, for those of you that are looking to chuck on a Sunday flutter, we have found a pair of interesting contests that can offer a great return for your bet.

12:00 Norwich vs Millwall

Coming under real scrutiny last season as they eventually had to settle for a bottom-half finish, it is no secret that Norwich are seeking some much-needed stability this time around. However, now under the guidance of ex-Huddersfield boss David Wagner, Sunday’s hosts now have their sights firmly set on clinching a Premier League return in 2024.

Enjoying what has been an eye-catching start to the new campaign, the Canari…

Prediction: Canada vs Morocco

Prediction: Morocco to win 3-0

Best Odds: 

Bookmaker: 

Canada and Morocco will lock horns with each other in Group F at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. The match between the North American nation and the African country will be held at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha and is scheduled to kick off at 3pm UK time on Thursday.

Canada

Canada are out of the 2022 Qatar World Cup and have no chance of progressing to the knockout rounds whatsoever. They find themselves at the bottom of Group F at the moment with no point from two matches. Belgium in third have three points, while Croatia and Morocco have picked up four points each and are first and second respectively in the standings.

John Herdman’s side did kick off their 2022 Qatar World Cup ca…

Aston Villa to bid for Elmohamady

Premier League outfit Aston Villa are considering a January bid for Hull City winger Ahmed Elmohamady, Birmingham Mail has learned.

The Villans have experienced all sorts of problems at the start of the new league campaign and manager Tim Sherwood wants to further reinforce the squad in the winter.

According to Birmingham Mail, Hull City winger Ahmed Elmohamady has emerged as his top target.

The same source has suggested that the Villans aim to offer around £5 million, which should be enough to prize the Egyptian away from KC Stadium.

Ahmed Elmohamady has been in England since 2010, starting his European career at Sunderland and later going on to join Hull City.

The 28-year-old hadn t missed a single game for the Tigers in the previous two Premi…

Remy sets Henry target

Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy has set himself the goal of emulating Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

The former Marseille striker joined up with Harry Redknapp at the west London club, and along with the club s objective of avoiding relegation, and is hoping to have a big impact on the Premier League.

Remy explained to The Sun: My family are from Martinique, he s (Henry s) half (Martinique), that s where it must come from.

The biggest compliment in 10 years would be: Remy had a career like Titi Henry.

He s played more than 50 matches flat out every season for 15 years, scored 51 goals for France, has an incredible record of trophies.

For the time being I m very far away. But you can always dream of being a big name in French football. <…