Новости за 21.06.2018

Brazil have been forced to accelerate Neymar's rehabilitation from his broken foot but head coach Tite insists he is not placing his star forward's fitness in jeopardy at the World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar suffered a fractured metatarsal at the end of February but marked his return to action in style with sparkling goals in Brazil's pre-tournament wins over Croatia and Austria. A 1-1 draw in the Group E opener against Switzerland was less satisfactory and, after drawing 10 fouls over the course of a sometimes-bruising encounter... Читать дальше...

Germany defender Mats Hummels has insisted the atmosphere within the team is back on track after the critical fallout from their shock loss to Mexico at the World Cup. Hummels was one of the players most vocal following Germany's 1-0 defeat to Mexico in Group F last week – the Bayern Munich defender criticising the tactics used. There were also claims of squad disharmony as the world champions were left reeling and facing a must-win match against Sweden on Saturday. However, back at the scene... Читать дальше...

FIFA has dubbed Morocco's decision to play Nordin Amrabat against Portugal as 'questionable', following the concussion sustained in the defeat to Iran. Amrabat was forced off during Morocco's Group B defeat to Iran on Friday following a clash of heads, which led to the Watford midfielder sustaining memory loss and spending the night in hospital. FIFA guidelines suggest a minimum of six days on the sidelines after concussion but do not have authority to enforce their ruling, with the final decision resting with the team doctors. Читать дальше...

13. Marwan MohsenEgypt have been hugely disappointing in their two matches so far, with as many defeats eliminating them from the competition with a round of matches spare.The injury and fitness issues of talisman Mohamed Salah have clearly been an issue, but the Pharaohsare not a one-man team.The likes of Ramadan Sobhi, Mahmoud Kahraba, Trezeguet and Mohsen failed to pick up any of the slack, with the Al-Ahly striker particularly poor in the opening two matches – admittedly not helped by Hector Cuper’s ultra-conservative style. Читать дальше...

Bad luck proved to be Iran's downfall on the pitch on Wednesday, as a fortuitous Diego Costa goal saw them succumb 1-0 to Spain, but it was an historic day for them nonetheless as their fans emerged as the real victors. In the 36 hours before kick-off in Kazan, Tatarstan's capital city had been taken over by 15,000 Iranian supporters. It was impossible to escape the incessant blasts of their airhorns throughout the city, those very same horns which later made it feel as though the vuvuzelas of... Читать дальше...

Former England captain David Beckham believes that the Three Lions will meet Argentina in the World Cup final in Russia. Gareth Southgate's side secured a last-gasp victory over Tunisia in their opening match in Group G, while Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by tournament debutants Iceland in a game where Lionel Messi saw a penalty saved. Both nations have dreams of glory at the tournament and Beckham is tipping the two sides to sweep through their opponents in Russia and secure a spot in next month's final in Moscow. Читать дальше...

The advert promised women areward for those who get "the best football genes" and "ensure the success of the Russian team for generations to come".As well as as lifetime supply of Whoppers, 'successful' women would also be awarded3 million Russian roubles (£36,000).But following thebacklash on social media which widely condemned the advert as sexist and demeaning, the fast food company posted an apology on local Russian network Vkontakte.It read: "We offer apologies for the announcement we made.... Читать дальше...

Napoli should make a move for Italy Under-21 international Alex Meret, according to former Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga. The Serie A runners-up are in the market for a new goalkeeper ahead of Pepe Reina's imminent move to AC Milan and reports have suggested Napoli are negotiating a deal worth €25million with Udinese for Meret's services. And Zenga believes that Meret could be the perfect recruit, who will be led by Carlo Ancelotti in 2018-19. "I’ve seen him live and he’s impressive. He has a physical presence... Читать дальше...

People tend to throw money at goalkeepers the way they do at strikers or midfielders. Hell, even full-backs command bigger fees than the people who guard the nets. Maybe it’s just not a glamorous position. Maybe the money men are freaked out by their giant gloves.Whatever the reason, the proof is that the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper in Euros is still the €52m for the man second on this list – shelled out back in 2001. He proved pretty decent value for money, however, which makes you wonder... Читать дальше...

Sami Khedira turned down a reporter's offer of flight passes to take him and his Germany team-mates home from the World Cup in Russia, insisting they would not be needed until after the final.Germany are in a precarious position in Group F after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Mexico in their opening game on Sunday, but Khedira said Joachim Low's squad remain confident of progressing to the knockout stages.Die Mannschaft face Sweden on Saturday before their final group game against South Korea on... Читать дальше...

13. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)Much has been said and written about the Belgians’ so-called golden generation – mainly questioning their ability to come together as a team and shake off the perception that they’re a group of brilliant individuals rather than a great side. If Lukaku continues playing as he did against Panama, particularly in the second half, those questions may be silenced. Eden Hazard was quoted as saying that Lukaku was “hiding” in the first half, and that he told him so at half-time. Читать дальше...

Germany are in a "vulnerable" position as the World Cup holders face a premature exit but Thomas Muller remains optimistic amid the chaos. The world champions will take on Sweden in an important Group F match in Sochi on Saturday after last week's shock loss to Mexico. Germany were uncharacteristically poor in a 1-0 defeat, triggering widespread backlash and reports of squad disharmony, which star forward Muller dismissed in the build-up. With Sweden in a strong position after edging South Korea... Читать дальше...

Jung Woo-young says South Korea are braced to tackle a Mexico side set to play a more attacking style after El Tri stunned holders Germany at the World Cup. South Korea are in urgent need of a positive result, having lost 1-0 to Sweden in their first game of Group F in Russia. In Rostov-on-Don on Saturday, they will meet a Mexico team enjoying an unexpectedly commanding position following their stunning success against Joachim Low's defending champions. But, according to Jung, El Tri are unlikely... Читать дальше...

Carlos Queiroz has called for rule changes that would allow Asian and African football to develop, saying the gap between Europe and other continents is getting wider. Queiroz saw his Iran side narrowly beaten by Spain in their second World Cup Group B fixture, courtesy of Diego Costa's 54th-minute goal, and he told reporters after the game that many Asian and African nations are at a disadvantage when it comes to developing for success on the world stage. Having beaten Morocco 1-0 in their opening game... Читать дальше...

Emre Can has arrived in Turin to finalise his transfer from Liverpool to Juventus, the Italian club have confirmed. With the 24-year-old defensive midfielder's contract at Anfield due to expire at the end of June, the Italian champions moved to secure his signature and bring to an end his four-year spell in the Premier League. Reportedly joining Juventus on a four-year contract, Can was pictured arriving in Italy on the club's official Twitter account ahead of his medical. With speculation linking... Читать дальше...

Marcelo Bielsa will take on newly relegated Stoke City in his first game in charge of Leeds United as the Championship club aim to regain promotion to the Premier League after a 14-year absence. The former Argentina coach lasted just 14 games in his last role at Lille in Ligue 1 but he has excited supporters with his arrival at Elland Road, where he replaced Paul Heckingbottom, whose four-month spell in charge yielded just four wins. Gary Rowett's Stoke will travel to Yorkshire on Sunday August 5... Читать дальше...

Former Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen feels the side need to "muscle up" as they steel themselves for the physical threat posed by Australia. Age Hareide's men were perhaps fortunate to defeat Peru in their World Cup Group C opener, Yussuf Poulsen netting the only goal after Christian Cueva had missed a penalty for their opponents. A win over the Socceroos in Samara on Thursday, combined with Peru failing to beat France, would see Denmark into the last 16 - a feat they have not managed since 2002... Читать дальше...

In a tournament as ubiquitous in coverage as the World Cup, it's hard for any team to come up with a secret weapon. As Croatia star Ivan Rakitic said to a packed news conference in Nizhny Novgorod, where Croatia will face Argentina on Thursday: "With the analysis of today, if you didn't know a player, you could learn everything about him in 30 minutes." Argentina, however, might just have an ace up their sleeve. And it seems the time to deploy it is now. Cristian Pavon is a relatively unknown name to audiences outside of South America... Читать дальше...

Gerard Pique will welcome a conversation with Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre as the Antoine Griezmann transfer saga continues. Griezmann, 27, had been widely expected to join the Catalan club this summer, but surprised many by re-signing with Atletico Madrid last week until 2023. A documentary on France forward’s announcement to stay was produced by one of Pique's companies, leading to criticism of the Spain international and questions from Barcelona’s hierarchy. However, Pique, who celebrated... Читать дальше...

Sergio Ramos hit back at Diego Maradona by claiming Lionel Messi is the best Argentine player in history. The Spain captain was responding to the 57-year-old who, earlier in the week, said the Real Madrid defender was not as good as his Atletico Madrid rival Diego Godin. Ramos, 32, was speaking after Spain’s 1-0 win over Iran at the World Cup Wednesday and made it clear his Barcelona rival was far superior to Maradona. "In Argentina they know that Maradona is light years away from the best Argentine player in history which... Читать дальше...

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will consider leaving Chelsea this summer if he is not given assurances about getting first-team football. The 22-year-old looks set to replace the injured Dele Alli in Sunday’s Group G fixture with Panama, having impressed in a cameo appearance against Tunisia. Loftus-Cheek, a product of Chelsea's academy, has found opportunities hard to come by at Stamford Bridge, but played 26 times on-loan at Crystal Palace in 2017-18 as the club steered clear of a relegation battle. The... Читать дальше...

Manchester City are hopeful Italian international Jorginho will become their first summer signing, but board member Alberto Galassi says there’s still work to be done, before a deal is completed. The 26-year-old is expected to join City from Napoli in the coming days for a fee reported to be around the €50m mark. Pep Guardiola has identified the midfielder as a replacement for Yaya Toure, but Galassi told Sky Sports Italia negotiations are still on-going between the Premier League champions and Serie A runner-up. Читать дальше...

Nordin Amrabat has claimed referee Mark Geiger asked for Portugal defender Pepe’s shirt following Morocco’s elimination from the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal as Portugal won 1-0 in Moscow to move to the top of Group B, despite numerous second half chances for the North Africans. But Amrabat, who was on loan at Leganes from Watford in 2017-18, was bemused by the alleged request of the referee. "I do not know what he is used to, but he was very impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo... Читать дальше...

Brazil star Neymar is targeting an improved performance against Costa Rica on Friday after an underwhelming World Cup Group E opener against Switzerland. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was one of a number of players to struggle against the Swiss as Brazil failed to live up to the pre-tournament hype surrounding them. After missing Monday's training with an ankle injury and limping out after a few minutes of Tuesday's session, the 26-year-old took part on Wednesday and is raring to go against their Central American opposition. Читать дальше...

Jorge Sampaoli revealed his starting line-up early ahead of Argentina's opening World Cup game, but the coach insists he is still to decide on the XI to face Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod on Thursday. Sampaoli surprisingly announced his team to face Iceland at a news conference 24 hours before that fixture, before claiming the move was not a sign of disrespect towards the Group D debutants. Iceland duly held Argentina to a 1-1 draw, increasing the pressure on Lionel Messi and Co ahead of their second pool fixture. Читать дальше...