Werder Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik has criticised his players for lacking a positive team spirit.
The Ukrainian was unhappy with the level of celebration from the players sitting alongside him on the bench when they twice equalised in Sunday’s 3-2 Bundesliga defeat at Stuttgart.
“It’s not on that when we score, nobody on the bench is happy because they feel insulted,” Skripnik said.
“Whenever I was on the bench, I had my heart fully in it – that’s how it should be.”
Witsel for Juve
Juventus are likely to strengthen their midfield next season with the signing of Axel Witsel from Zenit St Petersburg.
Reports yesterday said Juventus have been tracking the Belgian international for some time and that a deal is all but done, with the player having agreed the move after lengthy negotiating between the clubs and the player’s agent.
Mediaset said the two parties have already agreed on a transfer fee of 18 million euros.
Witsel has five goals in 30 games across all competitions this season, including one against Benfica in the Champions League.
Duggan apologises for LVG photo
Manchester City and England striker Toni Duggan has apologised for posing for a photograph with Louis van Gaal in the wake of City’s derby defeat on Sunday.
The 23-year-old posted the photo of herself and two team-mates with the Manchester United boss at a restaurant on her Instagram account just hours after United’s 4-2 win at Old Trafford.
Duggan, who has also made 16 appearances for England, was subjected to abuse on social media after her posting, which was subsequently deleted.
Duggan and her team-mates were out celebrating City’s 3-1 win over Birmingham City Ladies in an FA Women’s Cup quarter-final which was also played on Sunday.
Chelsea youngsters claim Euro crown
Chelsea are champions of Europe once more after their under-19s won the UEFA Youth League final in Switzerland on Monday.
A 3-2 win over Shakhtar Donetsk earned the Blues, the Champions League winners in 2012 and Europa League winners a year later, victory in the age-group tournament.
Captain Izzy Brown – on the bench for the Premier League leaders’ 1-0 win at QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday – scored twice and Dominic Solanke added a third.
Shakhtar’s second came in stoppage-time, but they could not find an equaliser as Chelsea held on.
Bamford, Redmond and Alli shortlisted
Middlesbrough forward Patrick Bamford, Norwich winger Nathan Redmond and MK Dons midfielder Dele Alli are in the running to be named Football League Young Player of the Year.
Bamford, 21, who is on loan from Chelsea, has hit 18 goals to spearhead Boro’s bid for a return to the Premier League.
Fellow England Under-21 international Redmond has also enjoyed a fine season and Alli, 19, has netted 14 goals to earn himself a move to Tottenham in January before being loaned back to the League One Dons for the rest of the campaign.
The winner will be announced on Sunday at the 10th annual Football League Awards.
Clyne’s targets
Southampton right-back Nat-haniel Clyne believes the Champions League is the “next step” in his progression as he looks to keep hold of an England shirt he has been told is his to lose.
The 24-year-old has reportedly attracted the attention of Chelsea and Manchester United but insists his mind is set on helping the Saints achieve a top-four finish.
Clyne said: “I’m flattered by the interest from the big clubs. It shows that I’m doing well and I’ve had a good season.
“I would say Champions League football is the next step in my progression. I think I need experience playing European football. We’re doing well with Southampton and hopefully we can get there. That would be great. So I’m just concentrating on Southampton.”
Sterling faces Rodgers talks
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will speak to striker Raheem Sterling after footage emerged of the England international apparently taking nitrous oxide.
Images published on The Sun’s website appeared to show the 20-year-old Sterling passing out unconscious after taking the substance, which is described as a legal high.
Sterling is currently stalling on a new contract at Liverpool.
“He’s a young kid who has been in the spotlight now so he knows the demands of being a top class player and a top class professional,” Rodgers said.
“When you are a professional sports person it’s not something you should be doing but I’ll speak to him on that.”