Benteke perfect Falcao replacement, claims Courtois

Russia coach Guus Hiddink paid tribute to his Spanish counterpart Luis Aragones here Wednesday on the eve of their Euro 2008 semi-final.

Hiddink, speaking at the pre-match press conference, described the veteran Spaniard as a big man in international football.

Win, lose or draw Aragones will relinquish his national duties in favour of managing Turkish giants Fernabahce next season, a side previosuly coached by Hiddink.

The Dutchman said: Luis is getting older and going to the club where I started my international career. At 70 it means this man has a lot of energy, I have a lot of respect for him.

I ve also had experience in Spain, and when you know how to survive in Spain then you re a big man, and he s a big man.

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The German team may have suffered a major blow ahead of Sunday s Euro 2008 final with Spain, as captain Michael Ballack is unlikely to make an appearance.

The Chelsea midfielder suffered an injury to his right calf and missed training on Friday and Saturday. Instead, he received treatment at the hotel.

If Ballack were to miss the match, it would be the second time for the play maker to miss a final at a major tournament.

In 2002, the German missed out on the lost World Cup final due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

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Market: AC Milan win and over 2.5 goals

Odds: 20/21 @

Looking to pile even more pressure onto Celtic in midweek, AC Milan will welcome the Scottish strugglers to the San Siro on Thursday evening.

Starting with the hosts, while AC Milan would have been disappointed to have had to settle for a point away at Lille last week, the Italian giants have shocked many since opening the 2020/2021 campaign. Last seen over the weekend turning their attention back to Serie A duties, Stefano Pioli s men picked up a routine 2-0 victory against Fiorentina on home soil and suddenly find themselves holding a five-point buffer at the top of Italy s top-flight. With many now believing that they have a real shout at mounting a shock title charge this season, I Rossoneri have remarkab…

Jurgen Klopp hailed a perfect day for Liverpool as they trounced Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield.

Delighted but eager not to gloat, Klopp said the emphatic scoreline was one for the history books but not for the moment .

But the Liverpool manager said his team were outstanding , and he saluted Mohamed Salah for becoming the club s record Premier League goalscorer, his 129th strike in the competition taking him past Robbie Fowler.

Salah scored twice, as did Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, with Roberto Firmino coming off the bench to hit a late seventh. It had been goalless until the 43rd minute, and United capitulated after going behind.

No words, spectacular football game, outstanding. We played top football against the team in form, Klopp said on Sky Spor…

Harry Kane is back in the Tottenham starting line-up to face West Ham at Wembley in the Premier League.

England striker Kane wrapped up a sensation 2017 by breaking Alan Shearer s Premier League record for the most goals in a calendar year and outscored Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi over the 12-month period for club and country.

But the 24-year-old was recently laid low by illness and could only feature as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win at Swansea City.

Fernando Llorente scored the opener against his former club, but returns to the bench to accommodate Kane one of three changes made by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, with Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko in for Kieran Trippier and Erik Lamela, both of whom join Llorente among the substitutes.

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Martin O Neill has signed a two-year contract extension to remain as Republic of Ireland manager until 2020.

O Neill guided Ireland to the play-off stage of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup but saw his side beaten by Denmark as they were thrashed 5-1 in the second leg in Dublin having claimed a goalless draw in the first leg.

The former Leicester City, Celtic and Aston Villa boss had been linked with the managerial post at Stoke City, but reportedly turned that down before the Potters opted to appoint Paul Lambert.

And he will now lead Ireland in the newly formed Nations League and qualifying for Euro 2020. 

Ireland reached the last 16 in Euro 2016 but were knocked out by hosts and eventual finalists France.

O Neill s backroom staff have also …

Julio Baptista is expected to return for Malaga for the first time in 16 months against Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Baptista injured himself scoring a spectacular overhead winner against Getafe in October 2011 and has suffered a series of setbacks since then.

The Brazilian could be in contention for a start against Zaragoza, a team Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini will not be taking lightly.

It is going to be a difficult game for us against Zaragoza, they are going to make it awkward for us, Pellegrini told reporters.

They always go for every last ball, because (Manolo) Jimenez gives his side a lot of character.

I am pleased to have Julio back. He is going to be an important addition for us.

Deadline day signings Vitorino Antunes and Pedro…

Manchester United s David de Gea has hit out at his critics, claiming he is a much better player than when he first arrived in England.

De Gea has struggled to fully convince as Manchester United s goalkeeper since arriving from Atletico Madrid in a record-breaking 18 million pound in 2011.

But the 22-year-old Spaniard believes there was always going to be a tough transition period and he is convinced he has improved and is ready for a long career as Manchester United s number one.

When you move to a new club, new country and a different league you are going to have some hard times and moments when you are not at your best, De Gea said on Wednesday.

I think it is important to go through that to improve and make yourself stronger during hard times.

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Carlo Ancelotti says he is not scared by the thought of being sacked as Napoli coach amid claims Gennaro Gattuso has already been lined up to replace him.

Napoli have endured a turbulent campaign and are on a nine-match run without a victory since beating Salzburg on October 23, drawing seven of those games.

Reports in Italy suggest former Milan head coach Gattuso – who played under Ancelotti with the Rossoneri – could be appointed as early as Wednesday, with Napoli chiefs running out of patience in the experienced tactician.

The 60-year-old accepts questions will be asked on the back of a poor run of form and is ready for his bosses to pull the trigger.

The Napoli squad to face Genk
 
 

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli)

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Leeds United put pressure on West Brom in the Championship, displacing them at the top of the table thanks to a 2-0 win over Hull City at Elland Road on Tuesday.

With West Brom not in action until a trip to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday, Leeds moved a point clear of Slaven Bilic s side with a seventh victory in succession.

The top two were boosted by Bristol City losing 2-1 at home to Millwall and Preston North End handing Fulham a 2-1 defeat at Deepdale.

Nottingham Forest were unable to take advantage as they were held by Middlesbrough at the City Ground, while Stoke City and Huddersfield Town earned much-needed triumphs in the battle against relegation.

UPDATED TABLE!

There s a gap opening up between the top two and the chasing pack, while just fo…