2014 World Cup to be played in twelve cities

Zlatko Dalic was sorry to see Belgium lose a great coach in Roberto Martinez as his departure was confirmed with Thursday s World Cup exit.

Dalic s Croatia held Belgium to a goalless draw at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, following Morocco through to the last 16 in Group F.

Martinez, who was out of contract after six years as Red Devils coach, announced he would be leaving his role in his post-match news conference.

I think Belgium have lost a great coach, said Dalic. I m sorry he resigned.

Discussing his own future, the Croatia boss added: My project is Euro 2024 and the Nations League Finals. When I finish these projects, then I ll think about how to proceed.

Although the 2018 finalists themselves missed out on topping the group, Dalic hailed the per…

Former Italy goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca expects Gianluigi Donnarumma to sign a new deal and remain with Milan.

Donnarumma is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to agree terms to extend his stay with the Rossoneri.

Chelsea are among the clubs to be linked with the 22-year-old Italy international, who has made over 200 appearances for Serie A giants Milan since making his debut in 2015.

But ex-Inter keeper Pagliuca does not believe Donnarumma is coming towards the end of his time at San Siro.

A punteggio pieno! Forza   

— Gianluigi Donnarumma (@gigiodonna1)

He told Stats Perform News: I think he will stay at Milan, finding a solution in between. The club offers €8million, he wants €12m. They will find an agr…

Teenager Naci Unuvar became the youngest player to score on debut for Ajax with a nerveless penalty in Wednesday s KNVB Beker thrashing of amateur side Spakenburg.

Aged 16 years and 223 days, attacking midfielder Unuvar was introduced for the final 15 minutes in Amsterdam and rounded out a 7-0 rout after he was brought down in the box.

Unuvar s record-setting goal might be of interest to Barcelona, who reportedly monitored the Netherlands youth international during last year s U-17 World Cup.

I immediately asked Klaas-Jan Huntelaar if I could take the penalty, because he would normally take it, Unuvar told Fox Sports Netherlands after the match.

It was great that everyone let me [take it] and was happy for me. The keeper went to the wrong corner. It was…

Tottenham boosted their Premier League top-four hopes with a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

Goals from Cristian Romero and Harry Kane moved Antonio Conte s side to within three points of fourth-placed Arsenal – although that margin will increase should the Gunners avoid defeat against Liverpool later on Wednesday.

Romero opened his Tottenham account in the 37th minute when he diverted Dejan Kulusevski s effort past Robert Sanchez.

Kane doubled the visitors lead and sealed the points 12 minutes after the break; becoming the Premier League s all-time leading away scorer as he netted his 95th such goal from 139 appearances.

Aiming to end a run of five successive defeats, Brighton almost gifted their opponents the lead insid…

Karim Benzema lauded the qualities of Zinedine Zidane as a coach and a man after his decision to leave the top job at Real Madrid for a second time.

It was announced on Thursday that Zidane would depart the hot seat at the Santiago Bernabeu after a season in which Madrid failed to win a trophy.

However, Zidane did lead them to the LaLiga title in 2019-20 and Benzema, speaking while on international duty after his surprise recall for France, was full of praise for the 48-year-old.

He s a very great coach, on a human level, he s the perfect man, he said.

With me, he s magnificent. I m disappointed that he is leaving Real, but that s how it is. Life goes on.

11 Zinedine Zidane has ended his second stage as manager. He has won 11 titles, being t…

Jose Mourinho kept his cards close to his chest on the possibility of Gareth Bale rejoining Tottenham, as negotiations continue with Real Madrid.

Bale left Spurs to join Madrid in a €100million (£85m) move in 2013, after several outstanding seasons at White Hart Lane.

However, despite having gone on to win numerous honours – including four Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles – the Welshman has seen his game time become increasingly limited under Zinedine Zidane.

Bale s agent Jonathan Barnett on Friday confirmed talks between Madrid and Spurs were ongoing, telling Stats Perform News: We re negotiating at the moment, that s all. I won t discuss [how close it is].

In his news conference ahead of Tottenham s Europa League clash with Lokomotiv Pl…

Thanks to the FA Cup semi-finals, matchday 33 in the Premier League is a bit more spread out, with just six games taking place at the weekend.

A further six games are scheduled for midweek, so there is a chance to get some of those pulling double duty in your fantasy team.

Whether your interests lie in the title race, the top-four scuffle or the relegation battle, there promises to be entertainment for everyone.

Therefore, it is time for Stats Perform to give you some suggested picks for your team using stats from the wonderful people at Opta.

HUGO LLORIS (Tottenham v Brighton and Hove Albion)

As odd as it sounds after a 4-0 win, had it not been for Lloris heroics between the sticks last time out, Spurs could very well have lost against Aston Vil…

Sport1 journalist Patrick Berger has claimed on that Albert Sambi Lokonga is on the verge of joining Arsenal from Anderlecht. The well-known and well-respected journalist has said on the social networking site that Lokonga is in London at he moment.

The Belgian midfielder will complete his medical today and will then sign a contract until 2026. Arsenal will pay Anderlecht €17.5 million in transfer fee for the 21-year-old.

https://twitter.com/berger_pj/status/1415338884607758336

Lokonga has been at Anderlecht since 2014 and has come through the ranks at the Belgian club to establish himself in the first team. The Anderlecht no. 48 made in the Jupiler Pro League last season, scoring three goals and giving two assists in the process. The youngster also played f…

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel refused to blame substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for his team s EFL Cup final loss to Liverpool, insisting he has no regrets after the defeat.

After an absorbing two hours of football saw both teams have goals disallowed in a scoreless draw, the first 21 kicks of the penalty shoot-out were successful, before Kepa hammered his over the crossbar to hand Liverpool a first domestic cup since 2012.

The Spain international had replaced Edouard Mendy from the bench deep into extra time with the aim of winning Chelsea the shoot-out, having excelled in the same scenario during a Super Cup victory over Villarreal last August. 

Although Kepa s terrible penalty sailed into the Wembley stands to deal Chelsea their second domestic cup…

Former Liverpool and Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt has taken his first job as a head coach with ADO Den Haag in the Eerste Divisie.

Kuyt, who played in a Champions League final with the Reds and a World Cup final with the Oranje, retired as a professional footballer with Feyenoord in 2017.

The 41-year-old has since worked at amateur side Quick Boys, as an assistant, and Feyenoord, in their youth system, but is taking his first steps in a senior role.

A one-year contract for Kuyt was confirmed by ADO on Thursday, and he said: ADO Den Haag is a fantastic club, and I am very excited to be here today and to start this new challenge as head coach.

I am grateful for the warm welcome and the trust that the club have expressed in me.

The objective and …