Real Madrid will be without talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and record signing Gareth Bale for their trip to Espanyol today where they aim to equal Barcelona’s record of 16 consecutive La Liga wins.
Ronaldo scored the equaliser in Real’s thrilling late turnaround to beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 on Wednesday but has been ruled out with the flu, while Bale is still carrying a hip injury he sustained against Sporting.
“Cristiano will not travel with us, he has a sore throat and we’re not going to risk him,” Zidane told a news conference.
“Bale received a strong knock to the hip on Wednesday and he’s not going to travel either.”
Carroll extends Tottenham contract
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Carroll has signed a new deal that will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2019, the Premier League club have said.
The 24-year-old, who has featured once in the league this season, made 30 appearances last term and scored three goals.
“We are delighted to announce that Tom Carroll has signed a new contract with the Club which will run until 2019,” the club said in a statement.
Tottenham, who are sixth in the league standings with eight points from four games, host Sunderland today.
Pardew backs Hughes over FA charge
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew does not believe officials are consistent when it comes to reprimanding managers on the touchline at games.
Pardew was speaking after Stoke boss Mark Hughes was given an FA charge of improper conduct, having been sent to the stands during their 4-0 loss to Tottenham last weekend for leaving his technical area while protesting a decision.
He said: “The new managers – (Antonio) Conte, (Jurgen) Klopp – are allowed to run around and some of us aren’t given quite as much licence and Mark Hughes was perhaps referencing that.
“It is almost like you cannot come out of that box, which seems a bit ridiculous to me.”
Mourinho tells Pogba to ignore price tag
Jose Mourinho wants Paul Pogba to forget his world-record price tag and show Manchester United his true quality.
“The world record player is always a question that will be open until somebody breaks the record,” Mourinho said.
“I think there are clubs that paid 20, 30, 40 (million pounds), which is a bigger deal than what Man. United paid for Paul because you make a relation between what you pay and the club revenue.
“You realise that other clubs paying 20, 30, 40 is a much bigger thing than what Man United did, and I just want Paul to forget that and to play his football.”
Lovren plays down title ambitions
Dejan Lovren insists it is too early to consider Liverpool as Premier League title contenders despite their impressive start to the season.
The Croatia defender scored his first league goal for the Reds in Friday night’s 2-1 win at Chelsea, with captain Jordan Henderson thrashing home a superb second as Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Asked about a potential title challenge, Lovren told the club’s official website: “It’s too early to talk about that but we are positive and we can keep playing well.
“We have so many players here on the bench that can make a difference, we have a brilliant squad, the 25 players here, even those in the stand are top players.”
Juve make progress in Bentancur talks
Juventus are making progress in their bid to sign Boca Juniors’ young midfield prospect Rodrigo Bentancur, according to reports.
The Argentine was a target for Milan during the summer transfer window but his club rejected an offer from the Rossoneri.
Now Juve are in pole position to secure the 19-year-old’s signature after Boca president Daniel Angelici confirmed that negotiations are at an advanced stage.
“In Geneva, we met Juventus officials,” he said during an interview with ESPN FC Radio.
“At this moment I can say that we are advancing in negotiations for the sale of Bentancur.”
Totti not eyeing move to MLS
Francesco Totti is unlikely to spend the final years of his career in the MLS if the comments made by his wife Ilary Blasi are anything to go by.
“Are you getting ready for next year in America, for the next stage of your husband’s playing career?” she was asked at the presentation of a new edition of Celebrity Big Brother, of which she is the host.
“America? Why? No, we’re not going to America. I’m staying in Rome, that’s for sure. There are few certainties in life and that’s one of them,” Blasi replied.
Totti last week became the first player in Serie A history to score in 23 consecutive campaigns.
“He’s doing well, he’s happy,” Blasi said. “What more do you want in life?”