A-League Preview: Brisbane look to bounce back

A-League leaders Brisbane Roar will look to get back to winning ways on Sunday, as they prepare to host Melbourne Heart.

Mike Mulvey s men fell to a 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory on Friday night, in what was former Roar man Ange Postecoglou s last match in charge of the Victorian team.

But they have a good chance to find their form at home to Heart this weekend, with John Aloisi s side winless in three this season.

From five trips to Roar s Suncorp Stadium, Heart have won only once their first in December 2011 losing three of the next four since.

Despite their form on paper looking a bit shoddy, Heart really should have more points on the board than their two from three games.

They were pegged back to a draw at home to Central Coast courtesy of …

Players must implement my style – Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp warned his team they would be doing things his way as he prepares to implement his high pressing game.

Klopp was unveiled as Brendan Rodgers successor at a media conference on Friday as he looks to restore the Anfield club s past glories.

The German refuses to make huge statements about what his team will achieve, but he will have them working hard.

I am not the guy who is going to go out and shout, We are going to conquer the world or something like this, Klopp said.

But we will conquer the ball, each time. We will chase the ball. We will run more, fight more.

Klopp said his pressing tactics were not a proposal, rather a law , as he looks to match the success he had at Dortmund.

Dortmund won two Bundeslig…

Aguero to be managed closely as Guardiola hails seemingly outgoing Garcia

Pep Guardiola will manage Sergio Aguero carefully, as he explained the difficulties of keeping each player in his Manchester City squad satisfied.

City made it 20 successive wins in all competitions on Saturday, as they edged past West Ham 2-1 in the Premier League thanks to goals from defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones.

Aguero made just his fourth start of the season in total – and his first since October – with the City great, who is out of contract at the end of 2020-21, having struggled with injuries through the course of the campaign.

The 32-year-old failed to have an attempt and created just one chance before he was taken off in the 61st minute, having had 32 touches – less than any other outfield player to have started the game for City.

Mourinho says ´there´s no point crying´ as Dybala adds to Roma´s injury list

Jose Mourinho says there is no point crying about Roma s growing injury list, after Paulo Dybala pulled out of Sunday s showdown with Atalanta.

Dybala was injured during the warm-up ahead of the Serie A clash at Stadio Olimpico – the Argentina international sustaining a left flexor issue in his thigh.

Nemanja Matic replaced the former Juventus forward in the Giallorossi s starting line-up, with Lorenzo Pellegrini pushing into a more advanced role. 

Dybala joins the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum (tibia fracture) and Stephan El Shaarawy (muscular) on the injury list, while Rick Karsdorp is expected to miss around six weeks as he prepares to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Nevertheless, Mourinho insists his side must be ready to deal …

Phelan: Rooney keen for fresh challenge

Former Manchester United assistant Mike Phelan believes Wayne Rooney may want a fresh challenge at a different club.

The striker has been linked with a move away from the English Premier League champions, with Arsenal one of several clubs believed to be interested in his services.

Rooney, 27, reportedly asked to leave the club at the end of last season, the second time he has requested a transfer.

Phelan, who was a trusted assistant of Sir Alex Ferguson s, said it could be time for the England striker to move on.

Wayne is at the greatest club you can be at, Phelan told the BBC.

Why would you want to jeopardise that, unless you want a fresh challenge and you feel that challenge isn t being met at Manchester United.

Rooney is expected to meet United ma…

Rafinha extends Bayern contract

Bayern Munich defender Rafinha has extended his contract with the Bundesliga club until 2017.

The 28-year-old s deal at the Allianz Arena had been due to expire at the end of this season.

However, the Brazilian, who joined Bayern from Italian side Genoa in June 2011 has opted to continue his stay with the Bavarians for a further three years.

I am very proud, Rafinha told FCB.tv.

It s very important for me, my career and my family that I can continue to play for one of the best clubs in the world.

Rafinha has made over 70 appearances for in his two years at Bayern, and won the first major honours of his career in their treble winning campaign last season.

The right-back is in line to add another medal to his collection after he helped Bayern secure t…

Nigeria to offer Ikeme coaching role

Nigeria will offer Carl Ikeme a coaching role after the goalkeeper announced his retirement from football.

Former Wolves keeper Ikeme said on Friday he was hanging up his boots on the advice of medical experts after spending the last 12 months battling acute leukaemia.

The 32-year-old is in remission but opted not to attempt to prolong a playing career that saw him make 274 domestic career appearances in all competitions.

Ikeme did not confirm his future plans but he will be given the chance to work with the Super Eagles.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) general secretary Mohammed Sanusi said in a statement: The NFF will find the resources to send Carl Ikeme on a coaching course, and afterwards absorb him into the technical crew of the Super Eagles.

Real to loan out Lunin

Leganes are on the verge of completing a loan deal for Real Madrid s Andriy Lunin, according to .

With the arrival of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea and departure of Keylor Navas being an unlikely scenario despite reported interest from Manchester City, Los Blancos find themselves in a situation where they have a surplus in goalkeeping requirements. Under the circumstances, it s only logical that they send the youngest man in the department Lunin, out on loan to gain some valuable experience.

Having previously played for FC Dnipro and Zorya Lugansk, the 19-year-old shot stopper amassed a total of 61 appearances in all competitions over two seasons, before moving to Madrid this summer. He is, however, yet to have his debut for the Champions League holders.

The 6 3…

Nani stars as Man Utd return to summit

An exquisite finish by Nani helped send Manchester United back to the top of the English Premier League table after a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford here on Saturday.

Following a drab first half, Ryan Giggs opened the scoring from the penalty spot but United looked set for a frustrating afternoon after Ledley King powered in a 70th minute equaliser.

But Nani s wonderful finish made it 2-1 10 minutes from time before Giggs sealed the points with his second goal from the penalty spot.

United are two points clear of nearest challengers Chelsea, who play host to Stoke on Sunday, with two games remaining while Tottenham still have work to do if they are to qualify for next season s Champions League.

Just as the sudden return of Wayne Rooney fr…

West Ham sack boss Zola

West Ham have sacked manager Gianfranco Zola, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.

Zola was widely expected to leave Upton Park following a turbulent campaign which saw the club s co-owner David Sullivan strongly criticise the Italian and his players following a series of disappointing results.

Former Chelsea star Zola just managed to keep his side in the top-flight, but they finished only one place above the relegation zone and he has paid the price for his faltering relationship with the club s owners.

West Ham United confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola, a statement on the club s website read.

The Board of Directors would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future. The Club will now …