Germany will be without Bastian Schweinsteiger when they face France in Wednesday’s friendly, but coach Joachim Loew is not too concerned by the midfielder’s absence.
The Bayern Munich man picked up an ankle injury late in Bayern’s 3-0 win over Mainz on Saturday and he has withdrawn from Loew’s 23-man squad.
“Of course we want to get a good result, but this game is a welcome opportunity for us to try something out and maybe see players who have not played regularly for us lately,” he said.
Granada deserved win – Mourinho
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho offered no excuses after his team slumped to a 1-0 Primera Division loss at relegation-threatened Granada last night.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half own goal ensured new Granada boss Lucas Alcaraz enjoyed a dream first game in charge with a stunning win against the champions at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
“I think the result is fair,” he said. “There have been too many defeats. Granada did their job, they scored their goal.
“They defended in the second half with all of their heart and soul. They did everything that they could to get this result.”
Dickov opts to leave Oldham
Oldham Athletic manager Paul Dickov has stepped down a week after his English third-tier side produced one of the FA Cup’s biggest ever shocks by beating Liverpool 3-2 in the fourth round.
Despite the success, the north west club have struggled in the league and lie 20th in the 24-team division, prompting Dickov to quit a month after three backroom staff were put on gardening leave to cut costs.
“After yesterday’s defeat to Walsall, Paul Dickov has decided that for the good of Oldham Athletic Football Club, it is best that he steps aside,” the outfit, who host Everton in the FA Cup fifth round later this month, said.
McCoist demands full commitment
Manager Ally McCoist has vowed to make sure his Rangers players are up for the rest of the season despite now being out of all cup competitions.
Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Dundee United saw Rangers dumped out of the Ramsdens Cup, having already exited the Scottish Cup and the League Cup.
He said: “We’ve got everything to play for in terms of our main objective at the start of the season, which was to get promotion from the league.
“The players will know their responsibilities and duties are to go out and make sure it’s not flat.
“It’s my job to make sure the players are up for it – and they will be.”
Gazza’s life in danger – agent
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne needs immediate help with his life in danger because of alcoholism, his agent said yesterday.
The 45-year-old, who became a national hero thanks to his performances and tears as England reached the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, started shaking uncontrollably at a charity event last week and footage has appeared in the UK media.
“He won’t thank me for saying it but he immediately needs to get help,” agent Terry Baker told BBC radio.
“Whatever’s happened to him in the five or six weeks since I saw him before Christmas he is not as well as he has been. His life is always in danger because he is an alcoholic. Maybe no one can save him – I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
Rooney defends keeper De Gea
Wayne Rooney has leapt to the defence of under-fire Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
De Gea was blamed by Gary Neville, among others, for a stoppage-time Tottenham equaliser a fortnight ago. But De Gea produced a series of excellent saves at Fulham yesterday as United eked out a crucial 1-0 win.
“David has made some great saves over the last few weeks,” Rooney said.
“I know he got a little bit of criticism after the Tottenham game but it wasn’t the biggest mistake I’ve ever seen. We’re all behind him. He’s a great player for the future as well.”
Llorente relishing Juve challenge
Fernando Llorente is relishing the prospect of playing for Juventus next season after he opted to join the Serie A leaders when his contract with Athletic Bilbao expires in June.
“It is not easy for me at the moment,” the 27-year-old told AS. “Many people here are with me and love me – but another part of me just wants to leave as quickly as possible.
“I had offers from many teams. But I really liked the Juve project. They have invested heavily in me from the start and have always been clear of their intentions.
“I’ve always enjoyed the competitive spirit of Italian teams, and for me, Juve are the biggest.”