Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez is set to start against Espanyol in today’s La Liga clash with Gareth Bale injured but coach Zinedine Zidane wants him to do more defensive work.
It has been a disappointing season for Rodriguez after an impressive debut campaign in which he established himself as an important component of the side, scoring 17 goals.
“He is a very good player and has a lot of talent but along with this he has to do his work in defence like all the players,” Zidane told a news conference.
Popov voted best Bulgarian player
Spartak Moscow midfielder Ivelin Popov was named Bulgaria’s footballer of the year yesterday.
The 28-year-old, capped 58 times by Bulgaria, garnered 241 points in the annual poll of sports journalists. Palermo midfielder Ivaylo Chochev was second and CSKA Moscow midfielder Georgi Milanov third.
Stanimir Stoilov won the coach’s award after leading Astana, who were founded in 2009, to their second league title in Kazakhstan and the Champions League group stages last year.
$1m in FIFA funds missing in Guatemala
Nearly $1 million in funds from FIFA may have gone missing from the Guatemala FA (Fedefut) year, according to sources and an internal audit seen by Reuters.
Dozens of football officials worldwide have been charged by US authorities probing corruption in FIFA, in an investigation that has sent shockwaves across the sport.
The Fedefut budget presented early last year totalled about $1.5 million but only included about $250,000 in FIFA funding while the remaining funds from the nine deposits were not included, according to sources knowledgeable about the internal audit.
United’s confidence returning – Van Gaal
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal lived to fight another day on Friday night and said he would celebrate a confidence-boosting 3-1 FA Cup win at Derby County with a bottle of wine provided by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
“I will go back home and wine will be ready. An expensive wine.
“It is from Ed Woodward,” Van Gaal, who on Thursday accused the media of “sacking” him three times already this season, told reporters.
“I liked the performance in the first half, it had a lot of confidence and that is back, which is very important.
“The second half was even better, we created a lot of chances and we scored goals.
“But also we created more chances to score more goals. I am a very happy coach.”
Pato signing not a gamble – Hiddink
Chelsea interim boss Guss Hiddink approved the arrival of Alexandre Pato and denied the Brazil international’s loan signing is a gamble.
Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy have fitness issues and uncertain futures at Chelsea and Hiddink sees Pato as a back-up to Diego Costa.
“It’s not a gamble,” said Hiddink, who was speaking ahead of today’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at MK Dons.
“I said we are short of strikers, of available strikers, so I said let’s go for it.”
Yesterday, Chelsea made their second signing in 24 hours when defender Matt Miazga joined from New York Red Bulls.
‘Europa League spot the aim for Milan’
Barbara Berlusconi believes Milan can achieve their aim of qualifying for the Europa League – but feels the Champions League is where the club truly belong.
Berlusconi, a board director and daughter of Milan owner Silvio, feels the money invested in players during recent transfer windows should at least guarantee continental football.
“We must be honest and very direct with our fans,” she told La Repubblica Sport ahead of tonight’s derby meeting with Inter
“I believe that Milan’s goal this year must be to reach the Europa League – and that can be achieved.
“Next year, we must aim for the Champions League. That is Milan’s natural stage.”
Celtic agree loan deal for starlet Roberts
Celtic have agreed a deal with Manchester City to secure Patrick Roberts on an 18-month loan deal, Press Association Sport reported.
The 18-year-old winger was due to undergo a medical with the Hoops yesterday.
Roberts signed for City from Championship side Fulham last summer for a fee reported to be in the region of £12 million.
The England Under-19 international has made three substitute appearances for the Premier League club this season.
He would be the fourth player to join Celtic from City during Ronny Deila’s tenure as Hoops boss following Jason Denayer and John Guidetti, who both had loan spells at the club, and Dedryck Boyata, who signed on a four-year-deal last summer.