Bayer Leverkusen put one foot in the Europa League final as Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich scored in Thursday s 2-0 semi-final first-leg win over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma were masters of their own downfall as Wirtz opened the scoring after 28 minutes, Rick Karsdorp s horrible error allowing Alex Grimaldo to race into the area and tee up Wirtz to finish into an unguarded net.
Though Daniele De Rossi s hosts improved after the break, Andrich added a spectacular second with 73 minutes on the clock, the midfielder giving Mile Svilar no chance as he side-footed into the top-left corner from 25 yards out.
Roma should have pulled one back four minutes into stoppage time, but Tammy Abraham could only nod over from inside the six-yard box after a goalmouth scra…
Two heavy-weight European giants Italy and Germany will face each other at Nouveau Stade Bordeaux on Saturday evening in the quarterfinal of Euro 2016.
Italian boss Antonio Conte has illustrated his tactical acumen at Euro 2016
Italy boss Antonio Conte notes in his press conference that the Germans are a complete team . The World champions are choc-a-bloc with world-class players at every position and will start as favourites but they re up against a side against whom they have never won at a major tournament.
Ahead of the match, let us take a look at the two sides and do a comparative analysis on who holds an edge over the other.
Goalkeeper
Usually, players tend to lose their reflex with age. In the case of Gigi Buffon, it is quite the opposit…
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has handed England manager Roy Hodgson some good news by suggesting Darren Bent could be fit for Euro 2012.
The 28-year-old has not played for Villa since February, when he ruptured ankle ligaments in his left foot in a draw with Wigan, and has still not returned to full training.
However, McLeish revealed that the striker s recovery has gone well and that he could be fine for this year s championships, insisting the decision is ultimately Hodgson s.
Darren is working hard and training well. He s not joined the group yet. It s important that Darren gets a good summer behind him and regroups for the start of next season, McLeish said.
He has come through a lot and he s at a good stage just now. He s enjoying his one-on-o…
Premier League champions Manchester City facing a testing start to their title defence at Arsenal as Pep Guardiola renews acquaintances with Unai Emery, but will likely be pleased with a favourable start to the campaign.
September sees them face only one side, Newcastle United, who finished in the top half last season, though October is somewhat more challenging with trips to Liverpool and Tottenham.
The first Manchester derby with United takes place on November 10, while the return fixture is at Old Trafford on March 16. City travel to Chelsea on December 8 in their most challenging fixture of that month before starting the 2019 against Liverpool.
City host Arsenal and Chelsea in successive fixtures to start February and host Tottenham on April 20, with Guard…
Lucien Favre has signed a contract extension tying him to Borussia Dortmund until 2021.
Swiss coach Favre agreed a two-year deal with Dortmund in May 2018 and led them to an unexpected Bundesliga title charge in his first season at the helm.
Having finished just two points behind eventual champions Bayern Munich, the former Borussia Monchengladbach boss has renewed his terms at Signal Iduna Park.
I m looking forward to continuing constructive and successful cooperation with the entire BVB team, said Favre in a statement after the new deal was announced on Tuesday.
I m delighted to have the opportunity to shape the sporting future of this tradition-steeped club.
Favre 2021
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow)
Dortmund CEO Hans-…
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor says the Blues are focusing purely on their own form as they bid to continue their flawless start to her reign against Arsenal.
Taking over from legendary boss Emma Hayes, Bompastor has overseen back-to-back Women s Super League wins over Aston Villa (1-0) and Crystal Palace (7-0).
The Blues saw their matchday three fixture versus Manchester United postponed last week, but a victory over rivals Arsenal in Saturday s lone WSL game would take them top of the table.
Arsenal were tipped as candidates to end Chelsea s five-year reign at the summit of the English game in pre-season, only to draw two of their opening three matches, but Bompastor is not concerned with others results.
The players are really focused on themselves…
Sampdoria have completed the signing of defender Simon Busk Poulsen from AZ Alkmaar, the Serie A club have announced on their official website.
The Denmark international arrives to Stadio Luigi Ferraris on a free transfer after his contract with AZ Alkmaar expired in June.
The 27-year-old has signed a long-term deal with the Italian club, although the transfer is subject to the defender passing a medical on Monday.
Simon Busk Poulsen began his career at SonderjyskE and also played for Midtjylland in Denmark before joining AZ Alkmaar in January 2008.
The full-back has since made 94 Eredivisie appearances for the Dutch club, scoring 6 goals in the process.
Poulsen has largely impressed playing for Denmark at the 2012 European Championship, starting…
There is a great talent here. He has a great future but it all depends on him, Zlatan Ibrahimovic said of Rafael Leao after Milan beat neighbours Inter in the derby last October.
Ibrahimovic knows what it takes to reach the top better than most.
There has been no doubt about Leao s quality, the 22-year-old has pace to burn and an arsenal of attacking weapons up his sleeve. But he has split opinion since being prised from Lille in 2019 – a result of mixed performances amid hype and expectations after Milan made a significant investment.
However, after an inconsistent start in the north of Italy, Leao is now flourishing under the guidance of Zlatan and Stefano Pioli as part of the Rossoneri dream of conquering Serie A for the first time in over a decade.
…
Sunderland appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager on a two-year contract on this day in 2015.
Allardyce succeeded Dick Advocaat, who had left his post with the Black Cats in the Premier League relegation zone.
Allardyce, who was a defender for Sunderland between 1980 and 1981, became the first person to manage both the Black Cats and their arch rivals Newcastle, the only team below them in the table.
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: “Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job.
“He has vast experience of managing in the Premier League and an understanding first hand of the north east and the passion of our fans, which will stand him in great stead.”
Allardyce had lasted only eight months in ch…
The NFL season is in full swing and so are all the glorious prop markets that come with it. We’re looking into every market to uncover some of the week’s best team, player, and derivative prop bets — we do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to!
Week 7 is here and we’re backing a pair of tight ends, hitting the Over on a receiver with a massive spread, and hitching our wagon behind an all-purpose back.
We bring you our favorite free prop picks and predictions for Week 7 of the NFL season.
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