Real Madrid feel comfortable in the Champions League – midfielder Luka Modric ahead of Manchester City rematch (Video)

Real Madrid face Manchester City at the Etihad on Wednesday in the second leg of their battle for a place in this year s Champions League final.

Midfielder Luka Modric, so vital for Real s successes in this competition over the last decade, says this is where his team feels comfortable.

Historically, it s a competition we like. That s why we feel so comfortable

Luka Modric highlights Real Madrid s record in the Champions League as they prepare to face Manchester City in the semi-final second leg

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola urges Erling Haaland to relax

Pep Guardiola has told Erling Haaland to focus more on getting his body language right than scoring goals.

The Manchester City manager admitted to being concerned about the prolific Norwegian’s demeanour since his return to action following a two-month lay-off with a foot injury.

Guardiola feels the striker has been preoccupied with adding to his remarkable goal tally and wants him to relax more.

He thinks Saturday’s victory over Everton was a good example, when Haaland had a quiet first half before netting twice late on to secure a 2-0 success.

Guardiola, speaking in Denmark at a press conference to preview Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 clash with FC Copenhagen, said: “Erling is young, playing in the most difficult position on the pitch surr…

Sampdoria acquire De Silvestri outright

Sampdoria have signed defender Lorenzo De Silvestri to a permanent deal after resolving the co-ownership agreement with Fiorentina.

The Italy international right-back moved to Sampdoria initially on loan in 2012 and has spent the last three seasons at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Both clubs owned a share of the player s rights but, with co-ownership soon to be prohibited in Italy, De Silvestri is now a Samp player.

A statement on Sampdoria s website read:  Lorenzo De Silvestri is officially a Sampdoria player.

President Massimo Ferrero and the club are pleased to announce that the co-ownership deal with Fiorentina has been resolved in our favour for the Roman defender.

De Silvestri is likely to miss the early stages of the new season after s…

Mourinho not concerned about Courtois interest

Jose Mourinho insists he has no concerns about losing Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, despite reports linking him with Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old Belgian has been on loan at Real s fierce rivals Atletico since 2011, as Petr Cech continues to block his path to the number one spot at Stamford Bridge.

But, as some media outlets suggest Courtois could be set for a permanent switch to the Spanish capital, Mourinho insists Courtois remains a Chelsea player for the time being.

We don t struggle to keep hold of (Courtois), said the Chelsea manager. I don t need to give assurances to any player.

If somebody wants him, we have to know. It is easy for us.

When you want a player and the player has two more years of contract. It is easy to say that we have no pro…

Southampton 1-4 Chelsea: Abraham nets again as Blues maintain momentum

Chelsea brushed aside Southampton 4-1 at St Mary s Stadium on Sunday to register back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under Frank Lampard.

In-form striker Tammy Abraham broke the deadlock with his eighth league goal of the campaign to join Sergio Aguero at the top of the competition s scoring charts. 

Mason Mount and N Golo Kante were also on target, either side of Danny Ings pulling one back, as Lampard s men netted three first-half goals for the second successive Premier League away trip.

Substitute Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of a low-key second half to seal the win for Chelsea, who rise up to fifth in the table.

4-1! What a day!

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)

Abraham lifted Callum Hudson-Odoi s straight pass o…

Prediction: Lazio vs Brescia

Best odds: 11/10

Bookmaker:

Lazio are set to play host to Brescia at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Wednesday, in a game that will be a part of the 37th round of the 2019/20 Serie A season. The contest means very little for either team at this point, with a Champions League spot for one and relegation for the other already mathematically confirmed.

Lazio

Lazio looked to be right in the race for the title for a long spell this season, but their poor run of form since the Serie A restarted after the pandemic-imposed break saw them fall out of it completely. They enter this match sitting fourth with 75 points, the same as Atalanta in third and one less than Inter Milan in second. Juventus have already secured the throne for themselves again, with 83. Had Lazio bee…

Victor Osimhen strikes late to earn Napoli draw at home to Barcelona

Victor Osimhen snatched an unlikely 1-1 draw for Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona.

The Nigeria striker cancelled out a trademark Robert Lewandowski strike as a low-quality tie ended all square.

The champions of Italy met the champions of Spain in what should have been the glamour tie of the round at Napoli’s Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

The Argentinian’s name is synonymous with glory days at both clubs but now both are struggling to recapture last season’s title-winning successes.

THUNDER, LIGHTNING, LEWANDOWSKI

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)

Napoli, a lowly ninth in Serie A, sacked Walter Mazzarri on Monday with Francesco Calzona replacing him as their third manager of the season.<…

Jim Goodwin to stay on as Dundee United manager after signing two-year deal

Jim Goodwin has been appointed as Dundee United manager on a permanent basis on the eve of Sunday’s decisive fixtures in their battle to avoid the drop from the cinch Premiership.

United’s fate is out of their hands – they need to win at Motherwell and hope Kilmarnock beat Ross Count and wipe out the Staggies’ eight-goal advantage – but Goodwin and the Tannadice club have committed to one another regardless with a two-year deal.

Whether United survive or not, the club are planning a major overhaul in the summer, with Goodwin seen as the best man to lead it.

“I’m really pleased to have been able to get things agreed with the club,” the 41-year-old said. “I’m also incredibly grateful to the chairman and the rest of the board for offering me the …

Ancelotti urges Real to cut out errors

Carlo Ancelotti hopes Real Madrid will cut out the errors of last month s home loss to Barcelona when they contest the Copa del Rey final.

Barca completed a league double over Real at the Bernabeu last month in an enthralling game that finished 4-3 in the Catalan club s favour.

A hat-trick from Lionel Messi sealed the points in a game which Real had twice led, but finished with 10 men after Sergio Ramos was sent off in conceding the first of two penalties for the Argentina star.

However, Ancelotti s side have the chance for revenge at the Mestalla on Wednesday as Real look to repeat their achievement of 2011 by overcoming arch rivals Barca to win the Copa.

On that occasion Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in extra time, but the Portuguese will play no part in…

Boateng hails ´dream´ World Cup draw

Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng hailed a dream FIFA World Cup draw that could see him face his brother Jerome.

The Schalke midfielder played for Germany up until Under-21 level, before switching allegiance to Ghana.

The Black Stars were drawn in Group G alongside the United States, Portugal and Germany, for whom Jerome Boateng plays.

And the former Milan and Tottenham star is thrilled at the prospect of facing his sibling in Brazil next year.

It is the draw of my dreams, he told Sport Bild. You can see that wishes do come true.

I am really looking forward to the duel with my brother at the World Cup. It will also be great to play against my team-mate Jermaine Jones.

Ghana also faced Germany in the group stages in South Africa in 2010, as well …