Erik ten Hag confident Man Utd can end record Bayern run and avoid European exit

Erik ten Hag is confident his inconsistent but talented Manchester United side can beat Bayern Munich to stay in Europe as they pray for a Champions League miracle.

The Red Devils’ Group A campaign has been punctuated by goals, madness and mistakes, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout phase hanging by a thread.

United have just four points and sit bottom of the pool heading into the final match against already-qualified Bayern, meaning progress is out of their hands.

A United front

A rallying call from the boss ahead of tomorrow night s big game ||

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

Ten Hag’s men need to become the first side to beat the German outfit in a Champions League group game since September 2017 and hope Copenhagen a…

Montreal v Philadelphia Union: Curtin ´hurt´ by recent MLS streak

Jim Curtin has said he will take the full burden of Philadelphia Union s poor recent form as they look to bounce back against fellow strugglers Montreal this Sunday.

The Union are without a win in their last six MLS fixtures, with their latest defeat coming at the hands of Charlotte FC in front of their home supporters last time out.

Curtin s side have managed just 20 points in their 19 league games after recording at least 32 at this stage in four of the previous five seasons.

And the Philadelphia head coach acknowledged his side s struggles in recent weeks, but highlighted the injuries within his squad as a major factor in their winless streak.

The fingers are pointed at me first, and I accept that, and I take the responsibility for the current run …

Premier League title race gets Man City´s blood pumping – Guardiola

Pep Guardiola relishes the decisiveness of the Premier League run-in, as Manchester City prepare for another huge game in the title race.

The Citizens breezed past Luton Town 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium in their last outing in the competition, but were not in Premier League action at the weekend.

While they booked a place in the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win against Chelsea on Saturday, Arsenal went back to the summit by recording wins over Wolves and the Blues before Liverpool also leapfrogged Guardiola’s team with a 3-1 victory at Fulham on Sunday.

City, who will be without the injured Erling Haaland, face Brighton on Thursday, in what is one of their two games in hand on the Gunners.

Asked how he feels going into the final few games of the season with so…

Prediction: Switzerland vs Spain

Best odds: 8/11

Bookmaker:

Spain will be aiming to bounce back on Sunday as they continue their UEFA Nations League campaign against Switzerland. After a frustrating goalless draw against Serbia in their opener, Luis de la Fuente s side will be eager to find the net and secure a victory.

Switzerland, on the other hand, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Denmark in their first match, leaving them with ground to make up in Group 4 of League A. With Denmark sitting at the top of the group, both teams will view this match as crucial to their chances of advancing in the competition.

Switzerland

Switzerland s first match since their penalty-shootout exit to England at Euro 2024 saw them suffer a late 2-0 defeat to Denmark on Thursday evening. Despite keeping the match …

Tottenham Hotspur eye Angel Gomes

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Angel Gomes in the summer of 2025, according to . The report has noted that Gomes is out of contract at Ligue 1 club Lille at the end of the season, and that Premier League outfit Tottenham are keen on snapping him on a free transfer.

Gomes has been on the books of Lille since 2020 when he joined after leaving Manchester United. The England international midfielder has been superb for the French club and has established himself as one of the better midfielders in Ligue 1.

The 24-year-old has made two starts and one substitute appearance in Ligue 1 and has played once in the UEFA Champions League for Lille this season. Gomes scored two goals and gave six assists in 34 Ligue 1 starts in 2022-23 and provided eight assists in 29 L…

My football hopes for 2012

Today marks the start of hopefully another glorious year in the history of football. 2011 produced some exhilarating football and great games to watch.

It also produced some more controversy with the less wholesome side of the game exposed.

Here are my hopes for football in 2012:

1) More incredible Premier League matches

Last year saw some of the most entertaining Premier League matches for a long time. Games such as Manchester United’s 8-2 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford and Manchester City’s 6-1 victory over the champions on their home ground.

Then there was Arsenal’s 5-3 victory at Chelsea. There was also one of the best ever Premier League comebacks as Newcastle came back from three goals down to draw 4-4 with Arsenal at St James P…

Prediction: Liverpool vs Brentford

Best odds: 4/6

Bookmaker:

Arne Slot s Liverpool tenure began with a composed and clinical 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, marking an encouraging start to the new Premier League season. The Reds now prepare for their first home game of the campaign, welcoming Brentford to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Brentford also started their season on a high, earning a hard-fought 2-1 win against Crystal Palace at home. Both teams will aim to build on their early success, setting up an intriguing battle between two confident sides.

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah once again showcased his knack for finding the back of the net on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, netting his ninth goal in such fixtures, which set a new record ahead of legends like Alan Shearer, …

´I want to put second star on shirt´ – new England boss Tuchel targeting World Cup glory

Thomas Tuchel wants to put the second star on this shirt , as the new England head coach set his sights on World Cup glory in 2026.

The 51-year-old was announced as Gareth Southgate s successor on Wednesday, agreeing an 18-month contract that will begin on January 1.

Former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel is the first German to manage the Three Lions, and only the third non-English coach in history after the late Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

Southgate came within whiskers of ending England s wait for major international silverware, suffering successive European Championship final defeats against Italy and Spain.

Tuchel, who has also managed Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, is excited to be working with such a talented grou…

Rio 2016: Neymar leads Brazil into semis, Germany win

An early free-kick from superstar Neymar helped Brazil past Colombia and into the Rio 2016 men s football semi-finals.

The Barcelona forward struck from range in the 12th minute before Luan netted in the second half of a 2-0 win in Sao Paulo on Saturday.

The hosts are under pressure to deliver gold at their home Olympics and Neymar s effort helped them on their way.

Awaiting them in the last four are Honduras, who were fortunate to claim a 1-0 win over South Korea thanks to an Alberth Elis goal on the hour.

Germany continued their free-scoring form by thrashing Portugal 4-0 to set up a meeting with Nigeria.

Runners-up in 2008, Nigeria claimed a 2-0 win over Denmark, Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel opening the scoring.

 

HIGHL…

Over 200 arrested in Austria during Euro 2008 matches

Over 200 people were arrested on Sunday in Austria on the second day of Euro 2008, including 157 mostly German fans in Klagenfurt, the interior ministry said on Monday.

Among those arrested in the south Austrian town, where Germany and Poland met for their first group stage match, were 144 Germans and 10 Polish fans, said ministry spokesman Konrad Kogler.

All except two fans have since been released, Klagenfurt police spokesman Gottlieb Tuerk told AFP.

They were not expected to be expelled from the country as previously reported in the media, he added.

Dozens of German supporters were arrested after chanting Nazi slogans, which is punishable by up to two years in prison under Austrian law.

But Carinthia police decided not to press incitement…