Philippe Coutinho is determined to achieve big things at Barcelona after being given a second chance at Camp Nou under Ronald Koeman.

The attacking midfielder scored his first goal since returning to LaLiga, netting the equaliser in Sunday s tough 1-1 home draw against Europa League winners Sevilla on Sunday.

Coutinho joined Barca from Liverpool in a reported €160million deal in January 2018 but struggled to assert himself in the first-team picture and was shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich last term.

At Bayern, Coutinho was part of the team that won a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble under Hansi Flick but the Bavarians opted not to make the move permanent.

Coutinho s future was shrouded in doubt, with Arsenal and Tottenham having be…

Erik ten Hag and Ajax dedicated their first Eredivisie title in five years to Abdelhak Nouri.

Nouri, a talented young player known as Appie , was left with permanent brain damage after experiencing heart failure during Ajax s friendly against Werder Bremen in July 2017.

Ajax wore a tribute to Nouri on their shirts as Ten Hag s men won at De Graafschap on Wednesday to complete a domestic double, having already secured the KNVB Beker title.

The club s 34th league title was particularly fitting as it matches the squad number worn by Nouri.

Nouri has always been there [with Ajax]. It was terrible what happened, Ten Hag told Fox Sports.

It does something to a person. The boys were like family to him, that hurts incredibly much.

This one i…

Thomas Muller described Germany s shock World Cup defeat to Japan as ridiculous , but acknowledged Die Mannschaft s woeful defending meant they did not deserve a victory.

Germany looked set to make a positive start to their Group E campaign when Ilkay Gundogan put them ahead from the spot on Wednesday, but a remarkable comeback from Japan stunned the four-time winners.

Bundesliga pair Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano came off the bench to score in a famous win for the Samurai Blue, leaving Germany under huge pressure ahead of Sunday s meeting with Spain.

Having lost their opening game just once in their first 18 World Cup participations (W13 D4), Germany have now started with a defeat at consecutive tournaments.

Speaking to ARD after the reverse, Muller said:…

Spain suffered their first World Cup qualifying defeat since 1993 as they were beaten 2-1 by Sweden at the Friends Arena, ending La Roja s 66-match unbeaten streak in qualifiers.

The two sides drew 0-0 during Euro 2020 but in front of a vibrant home support, Sweden were far more of a threat going forward this time, with star duo Dejan Kulusevski and Alexander Isak playing decisive roles. 

Isak got the swift equaliser after Carlos Soler netted a debut goal early on in a largely enjoyable but undramatic first half. 

The second period was considerably more exhilarating, and it was fine work by Kulusevski that created Viktor Claesson s winner, which leaves Sweden top of the group with nine points, two clear of Spain who have also played a game more. 

…

Ipswich Town took a huge step to Premier League promotion after Cameron Burgess snatched a second-half winner in Tuesday s 2-1 victory over Coventry City.

Kieran McKenna s side require just one point from their final Championship game against League One-bound Huddersfield Town to go up, after a decisive victory at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Kieffer Moore blasted in an eighth-minute opener for the visitors after Wes Burns crafty cutback pass, easing the pressure on Ipswich and dampening the top-two hopes of third-placed Leeds United.

Haji Wright levelled in the second half, only for Burgess to squeeze a winning goal past Bradley Collins five minutes later, putting Ipswich on the brink of top-flight football for the first time since their relegation in 20…

Lazio are interested in signing Hugo Lloris from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Serie A club Lazio are in talks with Premier League outfit Tottenham over a deal for French goalkeeper Lloris.

Lloris is out of contract at Tottenham at the end of next season. The Frenchman and Spurs have decided that they will part company this summer. Lazio and Tottenham are yet to agree on a fee, but the report has claimed that the goalkeeper is closing in on a deal with the Italian club.

Tottenham did not finish in the top four of the Premier League table last season and are aiming to finish in the UEFA Champion League places in the standings this time around. Meanwhile, Lazio will play in the UEFA Champions League this season…

Valencia moved closer to a possible quarter-final tie with Real Madrid after a 2-0 first-leg win over Osasuna in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.

Substitute Roberto Soldado struck what could be a crucial second away goal four minutes into extra time after Dani Parejo curled a free kick past goalkeeper Asier Riesgo.

The 2008 winners will hold the upper hand in next Tuesday s second leg at the Mestalla with new coach Ernesto Valverde earning a second win from his second match in charge.

Despite guiding Valencia to the last 16 of the Champions League Mauricio Pellegrino was shown the door and the change appears to have had a positive effect so far.

Valencia started the better with Parejo delivering a great cross for Jonas with his shot drawing a smart low save …

Jurgen Klinsmann has revealed his delight at the return of Pep Guardiola to football with his former club Bayern Munich.

The ex-Barcelona boss made the decision to have 12 months away from the sport after leaving Camp Nou last summer and the USA national coach believes the timing of his arrival in the Bundesliga will be ideal timing.

I just think it s fantastic he s back in the game. I think it s a fascinating situation now for the club and the coach, Klinsmann told reporters.

For Pep it s a wonderful opportunity. It s a huge challenge for him to work with Bayern Munich. It was about time that he came back into the game because he s a very, very exceptional young coach out there. I just wish him all the very best there.

Klinsmann who was in charge at …

Javier Mascherano is intent on cementing Barcelona s standing as the best team in the world ahead their Club World Cup semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.

The UEFA Champions League winners are gunning for their third global crown in Japan – the location of their last success in 2011.

It s important for us and for the club the fact that we can go there and compete to be the best in the world and above all, obtain the prize, Mascherano told the club s official website. 

Often FC Barcelona is talked about as a reference point in the world and now we have the chance to crown ourselves as such. We know it will not be easy, but we are excited about having the chance to do it.  

Mascherano was part of the team that beat a Santos side featuri…

Everton manager Roberto Martinez claims Liverpool s significant recent outlay in the transfer market means the pressure is all on the visitors ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the season on Sunday. 

Having received major fees for the sales of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in the last two years, Brendan Rodgers has spent significant sums in an attempt to replace those prized assets.

Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana all cost £20million or more apiece, with Liverpool s spending since the arrival of Rodgers from Swansea in 2012 estimated to be close to £300m.

And while Everton are at home and in better form than their local rivals, with three wins from their last four matches in all competit…