Новости за 12.06.2018

Julen Lopetegui will become Real Madrid's next coach after presiding over Spain's World Cup campaign, and the Opta data provides reasons for optimism among supporters of Los Blancos . Madrid have been without a head coach since Zinedine Zidane announced his resignation just five days after winning a third successive Champions League title. Although Zidane's record means he will be a tough act to follow, Lopetegui offers some promise, even if his selection has come as something of a surprise. Madrid... Читать дальше...

Thomas Lemar is closing in on a transfer to Atletico Madrid after the Spanish club announced they have reached a "preliminary agreement" with Monaco for the France winger.

Taking to the stage after The Beatles would have been an unenviable task for any band, yet, strangely, Julen Lopetegui should be able to understand that phenomenon after the announcement of his impending Real Madrid adventure. Sure, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but can he realistically live up to the success and sheer adoration that has gone before? Zinedine Zidane is The Beatles. The Frenchman enjoyed a quite remarkable tenure at the club – one that defies belief. Within six months of his January 2016 appointment... Читать дальше...

Robert Lewandowski appeared in ominous touch ahead of the World Cup as he scored twice in Poland's accomplished 4-0 win over Lithuania on Tuesday. The Bayern Munich striker improved his tally to four goals in three international outings with a first-half brace that laid the foundation for 21-year-old David Kownacki and substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski to later put the result beyond doubt. Adam Nawalka's men are likely to lean heavily on their star striker in Russia and Lewandowski, judging by his 45-minute effort in Warsaw... Читать дальше...

Julen Lopetegui may have been named as Real Madrid's next head coach on Tuesday, but he will not have a lot of time to prepare for what promises to be a huge job. The former Madrid goalkeeper must keep his eyes on the prize in the weeks leading up to his first day back at the Santiago Bernabeu, with a World Cup on the line as Spain boss. But if Lopetegui finds a moment to let his mind fast-forward to the end of the tournament, there will be plenty to ponder. Madrid might be reigning European champions... Читать дальше...

Wolves have completed the loan signing of Mexico international Raul Jimenez from Benfica. The 27-year-old, who will feature for his country at the World Cup, has joined the newly promoted Premier League side on a temporary deal for the 2018-19 campaign. Jimenez started only six of his 33 league appearances for Benfica last season, scoring six times, and will now seal his move subject to international clearance and a work permit. The forward arrived in Europe with Atletico Madrid in 2014 but, as at Benfica... Читать дальше...

In-form forward Marcus Rashford suffered a knock in England's final training session before flying out for the World Cup, Gareth Southgate has confirmed. Southgate's squad touched down in Russia on Tuesday with Rashford among the 23-man party who are hoping to lift the trophy for the first time since 1966. The Manchester United man's injury is not believed to be serious, meaning he could still be fit for the opening Group G game against Tunisia on June 18. Rashford, 20, netted a stunning goal... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid interrupted Spain's World Cup preparations on Tuesday to announce that head coach Julen Lopetegui will head to the Santiago Bernabeu at the conclusion of the tournament. Spain have floundered at the last two major events, but won each of Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012, with Lopetegui now building a group that looks primed for a serious challenge in Russia. However, it is now or never for the former Under-21s coach if he is to taste success with his country before returning to club management. Читать дальше...

Kylian Mbappe limped out of training just four days before France's opening World Cup game against Australia in Kazan. The 19-year-old forward appeared to hurt his left ankle in a tackle from defender Adil Rami during a practice match on Tuesday. Mbappe, who is expected to be a starter in Russia, received treatment from support staff and attempted to play on before leaving the session, placing him in doubt for Saturday's clash with the Socceroos. Didier Deschamps will hope the knock is only a... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid have found their successor to Zinedine Zidane and it came as a shock to most when Spain coach Julen Lopetegui was announced as the man to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu. Lopetegui only signed a new deal to stay on as La Roja coach until 2020 in May, but the lure of taking over the Champions League's dominant force has seemingly proven too good to turn down and his new role will start after he has led Spain at the World Cup. The 51-year-old represented Los Blancos during his... Читать дальше...

Romelu Lukaku scored twice, and Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi grabbed a goal each as Belgium breezed past their Central American opponents on Monday night.Speaking after the game, Ramirez claimed he didn't know the forward who grabbed the assist for Mertens' opener in the 31st minute.He told reporters: "The 10 did us a lot of damage... I don't know his name."Costa Rica's group opener is against Serbia on June 17, but the 53-year-old claims to have a plan for his side's first game in Russia.Hazard... Читать дальше...

1. Spain were smashing the Netherlands“This game should be over. Spain are trying to walk the ball in.” The ominous words of Mark Lawrenson, co-commentating for the BBC, towards the end of the first half. Xabi Alonso had put the world champions 1-0 up. Diego Costa wasted a couple of good looks at goal. Andres Iniesta came close. David Silva tried to square the ball instead of slotting home an easy chance.Then, after Holland had received their second booking (Stefan de Vrij following Jonathan de Guzman into the book)... Читать дальше...

Japan ended their poor run of form with a win over Paraguay in their final World Cup warm-up match, Takashi Inui scoring twice in a 4-2 comeback victory on Tuesday. Coach Akira Nishino fielded a side that looked stronger than the line-up that lost 2-0 to Switzerland four days earlier, naming Shinji Okazaki as a lone striker with Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa behind him in the centre of midfield. Paraguay coach Gustavo Morinigo started with 40-year-old goalkeeper Justo Villar between the posts... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid have announced Spain's Julen Lopetegui will succeed Zinedine Zidane as head coach after the World Cup.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has committed his future to Arsenal after signing a long-term contract extension with the club. The versatile youngster joined Arsenal's academy when he was nine years old and made 28 appearances for the first team during the 2017-18 season. At 17, he made his debut and became Arsenal's second-youngest Champions League player when he came off the bench against Galatasaray, making his Premier League debut four days later against Newcastle United.  Maitland-Niles spent the... Читать дальше...

Marco Reus has been backed to win the Golden Ball at his first World Cup by former Germany international Cacau. Borussia Dortmund forward Reus missed out on the last finals after suffering an ankle injury in a warm-up match, watching on as his Germany team-mates won the World Cup. But the 29-year-old is back in the squad and back in form ahead of the tournament in Russia, prompting Cacau to suggest he can make a big impact. "Marco Reus is the player of the tournament, for me," he told T-Online. Читать дальше...

10. Philipp Lahm (Germany)Pep Guardiola’s redeployment of Lahm in a midfield role at club level persuaded Joachim Low to follow suit with the national team. The plan didn’t really work, however, and the Germany captain was restored to his customary right-back role for the quarter-final triumph over France.Suddenly, everything clicked for a team that had stuttered a little in meetings with Ghana, the United States and Algeria. Lahm was terrific from the last eight onwards, showcasing his fine blend... Читать дальше...

Antoine Griezmann knows which club he will play for next season but is not yet ready to reveal his decision. Reports in the French press claim the 27-year-old will rebuff interest from Barcelona in order to remain at Atletico Madrid. He had earlier hinted an announcement was imminent and was expected to end months of speculation at a media conference on Tuesday. Instead, the star forward left his future clouded. "Sorry but today is not the day. I know there's a lot of expectation, but today is... Читать дальше...

Newly promoted Cardiff City have completed the signing of winger Josh Murphy from Norwich City. Murphy, whose twin brother Jacob plays for Newcastle United, has signed a four-year contract at Cardiff City Stadium after sealing a switch for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old scored seven goals in 41 Championship appearances for Norwich last season, establishing himself as a regular for the first time. Murphy already has nine Premier League outings under his belt as a substitute in the 2013-14 campaign. Читать дальше...

English football's billionaire owners are an increasingly melancholy bunch. When they can be bothered to show up at stadia at all, their glum faces are captured by the cameras in the upper decks of stands, sporting three-day stubble and far-away eyes partially hidden by designer transition lenses.They ruin the mood for everyone else. They make the prawns in the sandwiches taste like supermarket budget fish sticks.There was a time when it all looked so easy. Roman Abramovich set the template: come over here... Читать дальше...

To celebrate Father’s Day,Gillette – premium partner of Barcelona – haveteamed up withFourFourTwo to offer one lucky reader a Barcelona 2018/19 home shirt. Snazzy.In addition, you could also win a Gillette shave care bundle which includes a Fusion5 ProGlide Chrome Edition razor and a year’s supply of blades. With five Anti-Friction Blades for a shave you barely feel, the Fusion5 ProGlide Chrome Edition combines Gillette’s most stylish handle to date with top-drawer shaving innovation. If only Mile... Читать дальше...

Arsenal have announced that former player Freddie Ljungberg will be returning to the club as the new head coach of the Under-23 team in July.  During the 2016-17 season, Ljungberg coached Arsenal's Under-15s side before leaving to join Wolfsburg in February 2017 to become Andries Jonker's assistant.  Now he returns to the club where he made more than 200 appearances to coach the reigning Premier League 2 champions. He will work under new Academy director Per Mertesacker and is excited to be heading back to the club with a new challenge. Читать дальше...

The Nigeria home kit, priced at £64.95,waspre-ordered three million times ahead of its official launch– and when the stock finally arrived toNike Town inLondon's Oxford Street, it sold out in minutes.But the squad took their fashionwear up another notch as they boarded a flight to Russia on Monday, ahead ofSaturday's World Cup Group G opener against Croatia.All of the players rocked up to the airport in long-sleeved patterned shirts (featuring wings), fitted trousers, plus matching hats and shoes... Читать дальше...

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah is a genuine contender to break his and Lionel Messi's decade-long dominance of the Ballon d'Or. Salah enjoyed a stunning debut season at Anfield, scooping the Premier League Golden Boot en route to netting 44 goals in all competitions. His sparkling form underpinned the Reds' surge to a surprise Champions League final appearance against Ronaldo's Real Madrid, but the fairytale ended in tears as a shoulder injury forced him out in the early stages of the 3-1 defeat in Kiev. Читать дальше...

Wang hid the banned jewelleryin his sock before immediately putting it on whenhecame on as a 60th-minute substitute during China's 2-1 friendly win over Myanmar on May 26.Consequently, he was dropped from China'ssquad ahead of their 2-0 winin Thailand on June 2.To make matter worse, the CFA have now said that he cannot represent China for 12 months, while league leaders SIPG have fined him 20,000 yuan (£2,331).The overridingreason for Wang'sseemingly-harsh ban was because hebreached the laws of the... Читать дальше...