Vercauteren: Former Belgium  coach Franky Vercauteren was sacked by Russian top-flight strugglers Krylya Sovietov Samara yesterday. “Vercauteren has been dismissed,” club official Dmitri Shlyakhtin told the R-Sport news agency after Krylya Sovietov lost 1-0 at promoted Orenburg. The 60-year-old former winger has been in charge since June 2014 but his team are bottom of the table with seven points from 12 matches. Vercauteren, who was known as the ‘Little Prince’ as a player, won more than 60 caps for Belgium.

Martinez: Javi Martinez will miss Bayern Munich’s Champions League trip to PSV Eindhoven today. Bayern’s record signing suffered a thigh injury during the first half of the 3-1 win over Augsburg, and the club confirmed that the Spain defender is ruled out. Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti, said: “He wasn’t feeling good. He felt something in his muscle and I didn’t want to take any chances.”

Celtic: Celtic have travelled to Germany without Kolo Toure, Jozo Simunovic and Leigh Griffiths for their Champions League encounter with Borussia Moen-chengladbach. Toure had been struggling with a thigh problem and missed Saturday’s victory over Aberdeen but the absence of Simunovic is a major surprise. The Croatian kept his fourth clean sheet in a row after coming in alongside Erik Sviatchenko for the 1-0 Scottish Premiership win at Pittodrie. Griffiths is ill.

Marica: Much-travelled Romania striker Ciprian Marica announced his retirement yesterday after losing a long battle with injuries. He scored 25 goals in 72 internationals, behind only Gheorghe Hagi (35), Adrian Mutu (35) and Iuliu Bodola (31) on the all-time list for the Black Sea country. Marica joined Steaua Bucharest in January but played only nine games and failed to score a goal before being released.

New addition: Manchester United’s portfolio of global affiliates gained a proud new addition yesterday, with Chinese company Mlily etching its name in the club’s history books by becoming its first ever mattress and pillow partner. The news is set to have a huge impact on the nocturnal needs of the Red Devils squad, with Mlily vowing to “support United in helping the sleep and recovery of players”.

Results

Primera Liga
Deportivo vs Valencia - 1-1

Serie B
Spal vs Avellino - 3-0

Lega Pro
Pontedera vs Tuttocuoio - 1-2
AlbinoLeffe vs Sudtirol - 2-0
Lecce vs Foggia - 0-0

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