Football news

Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon fears "arrogance" might have been responsible for his team's downfall on Saturday when the Bianconeri threw away a two-goal lead to lose to Napoli 3-2.

"Nobody knows what happened. It's difficult to explain even hours after this match," Buffon admitted.

"Perhaps there was a little arrogance and we paid a heavy price for that. When 2-0 up, we lost a bit of concentration and determination.

"We did well against Samp but you don't win titles by beating the big clubs only, but rather all the others. If you lack consistency, it's very unlikely you'll take the title."

Buffon played against Napoli just hours after partner Alena Seredova gave birth to the couple's second son, David Lee.

PFA 'will be there' for King

Gordon Taylor insists the players' union will support disgraced footballer Marlon King.

The shamed Wigan striker was given an 18-month prison sentence for sexual assault and actual bodily harm after punching a 20-year-old female student in the face in a nightclub.

King has been sacked by Wigan.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Asso-ciation, said: "Everybody in life can have big problems to face and this is probably his biggest and I hope he's able to overcome it and if he needs help to get his life back on track we'll be there for him."

Former Arsenal player Tony Adams and Newcastle's Joey Barton are two high-profile examples of footballers who have served jail terms and returned to the game.

I want to manage Wales - Giggs

Ryan Giggs has revealed his ambition to manage Wales when he brings an end to his glittering playing career. The Man. United winger, 36 this month, is the most decorated player in English football having won 11 top-flight titles.

Giggs, however, never reached a major tournament with Wales before retiring from international football in 2007 with 64 caps.

"If you've played for your country and want to go into coaching or management, that has got to be the ultimate job to do," Giggs said.

Strachan doesn't expect quick revival

Gordon Strachan admits there is no chance of an overnight transformation in Middlesbrough's fortunes after his first match in charge of the Championship side ended in a 1-0 home defeat against Plymouth.

The hosts had a glorious chance to level with 10 minutes remaining when Kari Arnason fouled Sean St Ledger in the box, but Adam Johnson lashed his penalty wide.

"It will take hard work for us to find a winning formula," Strachan said.

"In terms of creating chances and getting the crosses in we don't have a problem but that formula in terms of scoring goals is just not there. Maybe a bit of that is in the head."

Liverpool to appeal red cards

Liverpool will appeal the red cards shown to defenders Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Fulham, said manager Rafa Benitez.

It was the Reds' fifth loss in the league this season and leaves them nine points behind leaders Chelsea after 11 matches.

"We will try to appeal against both red cards because for me it's very clear that Carragher was kicking the ball and the other one Degen was not kicking the player," Benitez said.

"For me, the first one with Degen was a yellow card, and with the second one it was clear that Carra was kicking the ball and not Zamora," Benitez added.

"I watched the replay and it is clear."

No chance for Kuranyi's return

Schalke 04's Kevin Kuranyi may have scored crucial goals in his last two games, but Germany coach Joachim Loew insists there will be no World Cup place for the rebel striker.

Kuranyi, 27, netted a goal on Saturday that began Schalke's fight back against B. Leverkusen which sealed a 2-2 draw, while the week before he also scored a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Hamburg.

But after Kuranyi stormed out at half-time of Germany's 2-1 World Cup qualifier win against Russia in October 2008, Loew insists there will be no place for Kuranyi in South Africa.

"In my time, there will be no recall for Kuranyi," Loew said.

"I hope the question about him, which emerges on a regular basis, will have been asked for the last time."

Milan agree to sign Ghana forward

Milan have agreed to sign Ghanaian forward Dominic Adiyiah from Norway's Fredrikstad in January while a loan deal for David Beckham will be announced soon, chief executive Adriano Galliani said.

Adiyiah, 20, was top scorer when Ghana won the U-20 World Cup in October and is being bought because Milan's pick-up in form has coincided with a switch to a 4-3-3 formation.

"The deal with the Norwegian club is done, now he has to get permission to come to Italy. Naturally he must pass a medical," Galliani said.

"In a matter of hours, I also hope to be able to announce the return of David Beckham."