Football news

Borussia Moenchengladbach coach Lucien Favre has advised midfielder Marco Reus that he would be better off staying where he is than joining Bayern Munich or Arsenal next season.

The Germany international has been strongly linked with a move to a bigger club next season after breaking onto the international scene.

“He needs a basis to perfect his game,” Favre said.

“He has that here with Borussia and Marco can become more complete here. He knows that and this is also what he wants.”

SMS apology not enough – Subotic

Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic has refused to accept an apology from Sotirios Kyrgiakos after the Wolfsburg defender elbowed him in the face in a league match on Saturday.

Subotic was left with multiple face fractures after the aerial challenge and required surgery on his injuries.

Kyrgiakos publicly apologised after the incident and sent Subotic a text message, but the Dortmund defender said that is not enough.

“I think you cannot just say sorry by text message after something like that,” he told Bild.

“I am carrying all the consequences. All I want to say is that it was unnecessary of him to reach out backwards with his elbow.”

Injured Nasri to miss friendlies

Samir Nasri has been ruled out of France’s upcoming friendlies with the US and Belgium because of an inflamed left knee.

The 24-year-old, capped 27 times, had been a doubt for tomorrow’s match against the US and next Tuesday’s clash with neighbours Belgium and a scan confirmed he would not make either date.

“The hospital examination as well as complementary examinations confirmed the inflammation and as a result it was plainly clear Samir Nasri would not be fit to play,” the FFF said in a statement.

Ballardini returns to coach Cagliari

Cagliari have appointed Davide Ballardini as their new coach after sacking Massimo Ficcadenti late Tuesday. The 47-year-old Ballardini returns to guide the Sardinian outfit for the third time in his career.

Ballardini will be Cagliari’s third coach this season.

Ficcadenti only replaced former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni in the summer and had made a solid start winning three of his opening five league games in charge.

However, Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Atalanta extended Cagliari’s winless run to five games and dropped the Sardinians to 10th place.

Capello to miss son’s wedding

The English FA have confirmed reports England coach Fabio Capello will miss his son’s wedding in Italy as it clashes with Saturday’s friendly against Spain at Wembley.

Capello’s youngest son, 36-year-old Pierfilippo, is tying the knot with his partner, Tiziana, in Milan.

England’s friendly against the world and European champions was put back to Saturday as Barcelona, who provide eight of the Spanish squad, played against L’Hospitalet in the Copa del Rey yesterday evening.

Speaking to journalists, Pierfilippo said of his father missing the wedding: “It is not a problem, absolutely not. He is a football manager first; he has been that ever since I was a child and sometimes being a football manager can make strange demands on your time.”

Lazio linked with Saviola

Lazio have been linked with a move for Javier Saviola whose contract with Benfica runs out at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old signed for the Portuguese club in 2009 on a three-year deal which included an option to extend it for a further campaign.

However, the Argentine is widely expected to seek pastures new next summer after falling behind Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo in the strikers’ pecking order.

Encouraged by the scoring exploits of Germany striker Miroslav Klose, signed on a free transfer in the summer, Lazio are reportedly keen to repeat the trick with the former River Plate youngster.

Bramble fined by Sunderland

Titus Bramble has been fined by his club Sunderland for bringing their name into disrepute.

The 30-year-old defender was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and possession of a Class A drug in September, but will now not face the drugs charge.

Police, though, charged him on October 28 with two counts of sexual assault and urinating in a public place.

A Sunderland spokesperson said that Bramble had been given the heaviest punishment possible but would not specify what it was for.