Новости за 12.06.2018

Less than three weeks after his infamous penalty miss in the USA '94 Final, Roberto Baggio was asked about the incident that should be seen as the defining moment of the competition.“The murder of the Colombian player was the most upsetting thing during that time,” he said of Andres Escobar's assassination. “An incredible, chilling incidentwhich unfortunately will mark the tournament forever. And all for an own goal... Shocking, to die like that.”By way of surreal coincidence, it was among guns that... Читать дальше...

Joao Mario insists Portugal's Sporting CP stars are focused on their World Cup opener against Spain, although he warned his team-mates not to head to Serie A if they depart the crisis club. Sporting have been at the forefront of the news in Portugal in recent weeks, with fans clashing with players as the team missed out on Champions League qualification and lost the Taca de Portugal final. Coach Jorge Jesus has departed for Al-Hilal, while there are now reports that a number of key men - including Portugal internationals Rui Patricio... Читать дальше...

SEE ALSOFacebook, feuds and 50 masked madmen: how Sporting’s crazy season reached a bloody endThe four players informed the Portuguese Security Markets commission on Monday that they were breaking their contracts with Sporting.The players have claimed "just cause" following an attack on the Sporting squadby a 50-man gang in May at the club's training ground– one incident in a string of sorry moments for the Portuguese giants last season.The incident took place just days before Sporting's shock 2-1... Читать дальше...

Zinedine Zidane said he is enjoying a break from football and has not made a decision over his next move, while former team-mate and current France coach Didier Deschamps predicted he would one day take his job. The 45-year-old resigned as Real Madrid head coach in the aftermath of his side's third consecutive Champions League triumph and was quickly touted as a potential replacement for Deschamps should Les Bleus fail to impress at the World Cup in Russia. Speaking at a promotional event in Paris... Читать дальше...

Winning the World Cup is England's answer to scaling Everest – but given some of their previous base camps, it’s little wonder that the Three Lions have fallen short of the summit so regularly in the past.In 2014, headlines were dominated by reports that 52 KILOS (THAT’S 52 KILOS, Daily Mail readers) of unsafe food were removed from England and Italy’s World Cup hotels. In reality, only 2.5kgs of that – or two-and-a-half large tubs of Utterly Butterly to you and I – were taken from England’s Royal... Читать дальше...

Four years ago today, the World Cup kicked off in Brazil, with the hosts making a strong statement of how they’d progress: entirely reliant on generous officials and oneworld-class player.At least that was better than England’s plan, which seemed to have two steps fewer than that. The Three Lions were out after two games, then drew 0-0 with Costa Rica. Less than ideal,so it’s no surprise that zero English players are on this quiz of multiple goalscorers in the tournament.Yet it was a fun World Cup in other ways. Читать дальше...

Keylor Navas claimed the support of the Real Madrid supporters as he stated his intention to end his career at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Costa Rica international goalkeeper has been Madrid's first choice in the last three seasons, helping Zinedine Zidane's side to three Champions League trophies as well as the LaLiga title in 2016-17. Zidane's departure at the end of the 2017-18 season cast Navas' future into doubt but he told Marca that the club's supporters are backing him to stay. "The kindness... Читать дальше...

Perth Glory star Diego Castro will be even more valuable for the A-League club after a full pre-season, according to football director Jacob Burns. Castro, 35, signed a one-year extension with Perth last month, the superstar midfielder set for a fourth season at the club. Unlike previously, the Spanish playmaker is set to join his Glory team-mates from the start of pre-season on Monday in a huge boost to Tony Popovic's men. Burns believes that will only help Perth, who have been led by the 2015-16 Johnny Warren Medallist since his arrival. Читать дальше...

Lionel Messi is the best regardless of whether he leads Argentina to World Cup glory, according to Barcelona team-mate Ivan Rakitic. Messi, 30, is still searching for his first senior trophy with his country, with the pressure again on him to deliver in Russia. But Rakitic, whose Croatia are alongside Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D, said the World Cup would not change what Messi was. "Surely he deserves to win it for who he is. Football isn't tennis: you can't put Messi under pressure... Читать дальше...

France head coach Didier Deschamps has defended Hugo Lloris after a mixed season for club and country. Les Bleus warmed up for the World Cup in Russia with home friendlies against Italy and the United States, but the Tottenham goalkeeper made errors in both games, leading some to question his starting place in the team. Lloris parried Mario Balotelli's free-kick as Leonardo Bonucci scored in Nice, before allowing Julian Green's shot to beat him at the near post in Lyon, but Deschamps stood by the... Читать дальше...

Roberto Martinez declared Belgium "ready for the World Cup" after they wrapped up their preparations for Russia with a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica. Romelu Lukaku scored twice as the Red Devils overcame the setback of conceding the opening goal to run out comfortable winners in Brussels on Monday. Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi also grabbed goals for Belgium, who open their Group G campaign against Panama in Sochi on June 18. Having drawn 0-0 in a friendly with Portugal on June 2, Martinez felt... Читать дальше...

Zinedine Zidane insisted he did not leave his Real Madrid post just so he could take over as France coach. Zidane made the shock decision to resign as Madrid head coach just days after leading the LaLiga giants to a third straight Champions League title. The 45-year-old was quickly linked to taking over his nation, who under Didier Deschamps are considered among the World Cup favourites. But Zidane said his decision to leave Madrid had nothing to do with potentially leading his country. "The... Читать дальше...

Roberto Martinez revealed Eden Hazard was substituted in Belgium's 4-1 friendly win over Costa Rica after suffering a kick on the leg. The Chelsea playmaker limped off in the 70th minute of his side's final fixture before the World Cup, raising fears over his health ahead of the tournament in Russia. However, speaking after the victory in Brussels, national coach Martinez allayed any concerns over Hazard, insisting he was withdrawn after taking a knock. "Eden is okay: he got a kick on his leg, no more than that", the Spaniard told the media.

Justin Kluivert's transfer to Roma moved a step closer on Monday as the Dutchman flew into the Italian capital. The 19-year-old winger - son of former Netherlands international Patrick - has attracted plenty of interest after a string of impressive performances for Ajax. However, Roma appear to have won the race to sign the talented teenager, with the club airing video footage on social media of the player arriving in Rome. Kluivert held up a club scarf and signed autographs for supporters after... Читать дальше...

Napoli have confirmed the signing of Italy international Simone Verdi from Bologna. The 25-year-old has agreed terms on a five-year deal to join up with new coach Carlo Ancelotti, who was appointed in place of Maurizio Sarri last month. Verdi came through Milan's youth system but made just two appearances for the club before moving on to Torino. Having also played for Carpi and Empoli, as well as a brief stint in LaLiga with Eibar, the forward has spent the past two seasons with Bologna, scoring 10 goals in 34 Serie A appearances in 2017-18.