Kolarov open to Juve switch

Mexico preserved their 100 per cent record in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying after edging Costa Rica 1-0 away from home.

Orbelin Pineda converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time and it proved to be enough on Sunday as Mexico made it two wins from two games in the Octagonal section of qualifying on the road to Qatar 2022.

Mexico head coach Gerardo Martino did not travel to Costa Rica after undergoing eye surgery and assistant Jorge Teller deputised in the absence of the former Barcelona and Argentina boss.

El Tri were underwhelming in their opening 2-1 win over Jamaica and they made another timid start on the road – Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa forced into a save to deny Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz.

¡Se acabó el juego! 
Nos llevamos los …

Market: Over 1.5 goals

Odds: 2/5 @

Two sides making a return to Nation League duties on Friday night, Bosnia Herzegovina will host Montenegro in what could be an enjoyable affair.

Starting with the hosts, last seen heading into the summer break with an action-packed display on home soil, Bosnia Herzegovina are enjoying what has been an extended purple patch. Eventually claiming a 3-2 victory against Finland on June 14th, the Dragons are unbeaten in each of their opening four Nations League showdowns. Although Ivaylo Petev s men might have endured a worrying four-match losing run on either side of 2022, the Blues should be boosted by a rather rampant record in front of their own supporters. Including that 3-2 win against Finland last time out, Bosnia Herzegovina …

Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi has hailed the contribution of new manager Rudi Garcia ahead of the new Serie A season.

Garcia replaced ex-interim manager Aurelio Andreazzoli at the Stadio Olimpico last month and has already recruited Kevin Strootman and Maicon.

And 22-year-old Florenzi, who has been with the club since 2010, believes the new coach is the man to get the best from the players and improve on their sixth-place league finish last season.

He s a really good coach. He talks a lot with the team and wants a lot from us on the pitch, he told Sky Sport.

Compared to last year, he wants less directness and more ball possession. He wants a lot of interchange (between midfielders), passes on the ground and, when possible, balls up towards the strikers.

Fulham have announced the signing of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, the Cameroon international joining from Marseille for a reported €30million.

Zambo Anguissa adds to an impressive transfer window for Fulham, who were promoted to the Premier League after winning the play-offs last season.

The midfielder made 37 league appearances in the 2017-18 season to emerge as one of the most exciting young players in Ligue 1.

And Fulham have now completed a deal to sign the 22-year-old, who has agreed a five-year-deal at Craven Cottage.

Zambo Anguissa joins another import from Ligue 1, former Nice midfielder Jean Seri, at the club. Seri had previously been linked with Barcelona.

I’m thrilled to announce that has signed André Frank Zambo Anguissa. André…

Fenerbahce have announced the signing of striker Islam Slimani from Leicester City.

The Turkish club revealed the arrival of the Algeria international on their official website, though Leicester are yet to confirm the deal.

According to Fenerbahce, Slimani will join them on loan for the 2018-19 season after completing a medical and signing a contract.

The 30-year-old scored regularly during his time with Sporting in Portugal but struggled for goals in England, managing just eight for Leicester in the Premier League.

He spent the second half of the 2017-18 campaign on loan to Newcastle United, failing to find the net in four appearances.

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The loss of captain Michael Ballack is a blow to their chances of claiming their fourth World Cup crown in South Africa, but Germany have a habit of raising their game for the big tournaments.

Since the 1982 finals in Spain, Germany have the enviable record of reaching at least the quarter-finals at each of the previous seven tournaments.

They were third in 2006 and second in 2002, but take a young side to the Republic who will need to cope with the significant loss of their leader.

Cool under pressure, Germany tend to cope best on the world stage in the cauldron atmosphere of a knock-out match.

They have won all four penalty shoot-outs they have faced at World Cup finals and the last penalty missed by a German player again dates back to 1982 when Uli St…

Atletico Madrid climbed to second in LaLiga following a commanding 3-0 victory over Osasuna at Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday.

Yannick Carrasco, Saul Niguez and Angel Correa were on target as Diego Simeone s side leapfrogged rivals Real Madrid, who play Valencia later on Sunday, with an eighth straight home win.

The hosts broke through a minute before half-time. Saul s throughball released Antoine Griezmann, who claimed his 13th assist of the season by putting the ball on a plate for Carrasco to tuck away his fifth goal in 11 appearances.

Saul doubled the lead in the 62nd minute when he rifled into the top corner, while substitute Correa sealed Atletico s 10th straight victory over Osasuna when he slotted home Rodrigo de Paul s throughball eight minutes from tim…

Juventus new boy Paulo Dybala insists he will not be weighed down by his transfer fee following a high-profile switch from Palermo.

The 21-year-old forward struck 13 goals in 34 Serie A appearances last term, earning himself a move to the Italian champions and UEFA Champions League runners-up.

Juve could end up paying up to €40million for Dybala, who cost Palermo a reported €12million when he arrived from Argentina s Instituto in 2012.

I think that since I have arrived in Italy, there s always some talk about my price tag and never about how I feel like an individual, he said.  At Juventus it s happening again.

At Palermo, it was the same when they paid that fee for me, but then I showed that this didn t put extra pressure on me and I ll try to sh…

Newcastle bid for Alexandre Lacazette

French daily newspaper that Newcastle United have submitted an official proposal for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

It is no secret that Magpies boss Steve McClaren is in the market for a high-quality centre forward with summer recruit Aleksandar Mitrovic and Papiss Cisse having failed to impress this term.

Newcastle appear to have made Alexandre Lacazzette their number one target and they have started the bidding at £19 million.

But, despite the fact that Lyon value their prized asset at £23 million, the latest reports suggest the striker is not interested in moving to St James Park.

This is hardly a surprise considering that Europe s top clubs are after his signature, so it remains to be seen whether …

Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis insists Lionel Messi is the best footballer in the world, despite his omission from the shortlist for the Best FIFA Men s Player award.

Despite inspiring Barcelona to a domestic double of LaLiga and the Copa del Rey in 2017-18, Messi was overlooked for the final three-man list in favour of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah.

Antoine Griezmann claimed it was bizarre a FIFA award will not recognise any of France s World Cup-winning stars, but his Atletico team-mate thinks it is ignoring Messi that ruins the credibility of the prize.

The award is for the best player in the world. For me, today, it s Messi. Just like in previous years, he told Globoesporte.

When he s not there, it loses credibility. It does…