Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Italiano said Dusan Vlahovic is destined for greatness after the in-demand Serbia international scored twice to sink previously unbeaten Milan 4-3 in Serie A.
After helping Serbia qualify for the 2022 World Cup during the international break, Vlahovic scored a brace as Fiorentina stunned high-flying Milan in Florence on Saturday.
Only Bayern Munich talisman Robert Lewandowski (38) has scored more goals than Vlahovic (27) since the start of 2021 in the big-five European leagues.
Vlahovic – who is set to leave the Viola after opting against signing a new deal – also equalled Kurt Hamrin (1960) as the Fiorentina player with the most Serie A goals scored in a calendar year.
The 21-year-old has been linked with Premier Leag…
Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has saluted Lionel Messi for his modesty as the Argentine is enjoying personally a brilliant season.
Messi struck four times in Saturday s La Liga victory over Espanyol at Camp Nou to take his tally in all competitions this season to a staggering 72.
Mascherano said the truly remarkable thing about his countryman is that he has not allowed his success to go to his head.
I even asked if he knew he had scored 72 goals in a season, the former Liverpool man told Mundo Deportivo.
Although he may not be human, it s good that Messi still thinks he is. Messi plays another sport.
The game against Espanyol was also significant for the fact that it was Pep Guardiola s final home game as boss, and the club paid tribut…
Ireland s International High Performance Director Wim Koevermans is set to take charge of India.
The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Executive Committee are expected to meet next month to approve the appointment.
The move follows the decision to give technical director Rob Baan the power to look out for Savio Medeira s replacement following India s disappointing performance at the Challenge Cup.
Baan, who saw India lose all their matches and fail to score a goal, had recommended Koevermans for the top job.
The 51-year-old made one appearance for the Netherlands and was part of the Euro 1988 winning squad under Rinus Michels but did not play.
As a player, he represented his hometown club FC Vlaardingen, Fortuna Sittard and Groningen.
…
Steve Bruce has left his position as Hull City manager by mutual consent amid claims he became frustrated by a lack of transfer activity at the club.
Reports on Friday suggested Bruce a candidate for the England job that eventually went to Sam Allardyce had walked out following a failure to strengthen his squad, which has been hit by numerous injuries during pre-season.
And the club later announced the departure of their most successful manager, who oversaw a return to the Premier League via the play-offs last season.
Following four incredible seasons with the Tigers including two promotions and our first ever FA Cup final, we can confirm that manager Steve Bruce has left the club by mutual consent, read a club statement.
The Board of Directors would …
Brazil crashed out of the World Cup after Jamaica battled to a goalless draw in Melbourne to reach the last 16 for the first time.
South Africa came from behind to beat Italy 3-2 and finish runners-up in Group G, with Sweden seeing off Argentina 2-0 while a hat-trick from Kadidiatou Diani helped France beat Panama 6-3 to top Group F.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at all of Wednesday’s action.
Reggae Girlz march on
An historic day for ! |
— FIFA Women s World Cup (@FIFAWWC)
Jamaica produced a huge World Cup upset in Melbourne by holding Brazil to a goalless draw to reach the last 16 for the first time.
Brazil, who needed victory to progress, dominated their final Group F encounter at AAMI Park but could not find a breakthrou…
Niko Kovac has confirmed Manuel Neuer suffered an injury to the same calf that kept him out of action earlier this month in Bayern Munich s 4-1 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf on Sunday.
The Germany international pulled up early in the second half after slipping while attempting to make a pass and was replaced by Sven Ulreich.
Neuer missed Bayern s DFB-Pokal quarter-final win against Heidenheim on April 3 but was fit enough to feature in his side s 5-0 thumping of title rivals Borussia Dortmund last weekend.
Speaking after the game, though, Kovac says the 33-year-old – who missed almost the entirety of the 2017-18 season with a broken foot – has damaged the same calf that previously troubled him.
It s the same calf that he had problems with last time, h…
Michael Owen will be released by Manchester United after the club decided against offering him a new contract.
The former England international, 32, has spent three years at the club and will be fondly remembered by United fans for his injury time winner in the 4-3 derby win over Manchester City in September 2009.
The manager informed me after our testimonial match on Tuesday that the club would not be offering me a new contract, Owen revealed on his Twitter account on Thursday.
I have loved every minute of the 3 years I have spent at such a fantastic club. I would like to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish them well for the future.
I now plan to have a short holiday during which I will contemplate my next move.
Unit…
James Milner believes that Roy Hodgson s young England side will benefit from a lack of fear at Euro 2012.
Milner, 26, believes Hodgson has struck a fine balance between experience and youth in his 23-man squad for Euro 2012, including 11 players making their debut at a major international tournament with the national side.
There is a different feel around the squad than before, Milner said.
The squad in South Africa (for the 2010 World Cup) had a lot of players who had been to a lot of major tournaments and had the expectations and the disappointments.
This time, we have a good mix of experienced players but also the younger players who haven t been to a major tournament.
The mix of youth and experience will help us do well.
Youngs…
Thiago Silva says he never seriously thought about leaving AC Milan for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazil international appeared set to join the Ligue 1 outfit, after Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi admitted the cash-strapped Italian club were simply not in a position to turn down the French side s offer of 46 million euros for the player.
However, the former Italian Prime Minister ultimately had a change of heart and Silva, who has subsequently signed a new contract with Milan, is delighted his proposed move to the Parc des Princes collapsed.
To be honest, I never thought about leaving Milan, he told reporters at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.
In all the interviews I gave I said I wanted to stay and continue my career at Milan. But becaus…
Massimiliano Allegri says it make take time for Juventus to find their rhythm as the Serie A champions prepare to start the new season against Udinese on Sunday.
Allegri s men are seeking a fifth successive Scudetto following a superb 2014-15 campaign in which they also won the Coppa Italia and reached the UEFA Champions League final.
And Juve have been extremely busy in the transfer market during the close-season.
Pablo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Roberto Pereyra and Sami Khedira are among those to join the Turin club in the transfer window, with Alex Sandro becoming their latest recruit on Friday.
But the title holders have also seen a number of players leave for pastures new, such as Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo.
All that activity…