Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his players not to underestimate the Italian side at Euro 2012.
Italy was rocked midweek when a number of top players, including Stefano Mauri and Domenico Criscito, were targeted as part of investigations surrounding the Scommessopoli betting scandal in the Serie A.
Things went from bad to worse for the Azzurri on Friday, when they slumped to a humiliating 3-0 reverse at the hands of Russia.
Trapattoni, however, who coached Italy between 2000 and 2004, is certain that when the two sides meet in Group C on June 18 their current problems will have no bearing on the game.
It would be a great mistake if you think Italy is this (finished), because we don t know how they have done in their training camp, Trapatto…
Lars Stindl will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg in Borussia Monchengladbach s Bundesliga win at Hannover, the club confirmed.
Gladbach captain Stindl sustained the injury in the first minute of Saturday s game after going into a challenge with Hannover s Matthias Ostrzolek.
Top-four hopefuls Gladbach confirmed in a statement that Stindl has already had a successful operation on the tibia fracture, but he will be out long-term.
It is a further injury blow for the 30-year-old, who missed the chance to go to the World Cup with Germany last year.
Torn ankle ligaments prevented Stindl from being selected by Joachim Low, the forward having helped his country win the Confederations Cup in 2017.
Having to do without Lars for the …
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has played down talk of a rift between himself and QPR boss Mark Hughes ahead of Sunday s title decider.
Rangers will head into the weekend knowing a point would ensure their safety, but they will also be aware a victory for City would secure the title for Mancini s team.
Hughes was in the hot seat at City before being sacked and replaced by Mancini in 2009 and was also a former player at their title rivals Manchester United.
But Mancini has played down any ill feeling, and said the threat of relegation is enough for his opposite number to be dealing with.
This is not important on Sunday we play Manchester City against QPR, the City manager told reporters.
For me, they are a good team, they don t deserve …
Nottingham Forest face the threat of Football Association and Premier League charges over their extraordinary attack on the officiating of their match against Everton on Sunday.
Three Forest members of staff – head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, referee analyst Mark Clattenburg and full-back Neco Williams – have been asked by the FA to explain comments they made about the refereeing at Goodison Park, while the Premier League is also examining the club’s social media post which appeared to question the integrity of VAR Stuart Attwell.
The statements from the authorities came within hours of Forest demanding the release of VAR audio related to the rejection of three penalty appeals during their 2-0 defeat.
The Premier League was extremely disappointed to read the…
Debt-ridden Twente have been hit with a three-point deduction by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) for the second time this season after failing to meet targets for their financial recovery.
The KNVB initially issued a warning to the Eredivisie club for failing to follow their own debt payment plan.
Last month Twente were docked three points for failing to reduce their debts and the KNVB on Friday issued the same sanction.
If Twente continue to fail to meet their objectives the KNVB can issue another points deduction, then from there they face the risk of losing their professional licence.
The latest deduction means Twente, Eredivisie champions under the stewardship of Steve McClaren in 2010, slip to 11th in the table.
…
New Marseille coach Elie Baup has pledged his commitment to the project at Stade Velodrome.
The 57-year-old has taken over the reins from Didier Deschamps after Marseille finished mid-table in Ligue 1 last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Baup has not worked since being sacked as coach of Nantes in 2009 and now faces the job of revitalising his side on a limited budget.
However, Baup is relishing the challenge and thanked his new employers for their faith in him in his introductory press conference.
I d like to thank the management of the club for the project they proposed and the confidence which they placed in me. This dynamic was what made me want to give my all for this club, he said.
Marseille director Vincent Labru…
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is enjoying life atop of the Spanish La Liga.
Real Madrid went top of the Spanish La Liga table following a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, and Zinedine Zidane’s men are one of two sides still unbeaten nine games into the season.
Finishing just a point off champions Barcelona in 2015/16, Real Madrid have picked up where they left off and currently have their destiny in their own hands in the title race.
Zidane enjoying fantastic league form since taking charge
Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has enjoyed a fantastic start to life in charge of the club. While winning the Champions League with Los Blancos, Real’s La Liga form has been a real highlight in the 29 domestic outings he’s taken charge of. Zidane has enj…
UEFA president Michel Platini has appealed the 90-day suspension imposed on him by FIFA amid the ongoing corruption investigation involving world football s governing body.
Platini and FIFA president Sepp Blatter were handed the bans on Thursday, with the Swiss accused of making a disloyal payment to the former France captain in 2011.
Both men deny any wrongdoing, with Blatter appealing his suspension on Friday having also been alleged to have signed an unfavourable contract with the Caribbean Football Union in 2005 that market experts claim handed over World Cup television rights for a fraction of their market value.
And Omnisport understands that Platini backed by UEFA on Thursday has lodged an appeal.
Platini had been in the running to replace B…
It comes as no secret that La Liga behemoths Barcelona are enjoying a brilliant campaign this season with Ernesto Valverde’s men pushing strong on multiple fronts.
On the back of their – which saw former Liverpool star – for which Jasper Cillessen was the preferred choice on the goal line for Barcelona, it is only fair to reflect on the current form of a player who got his much-deserved rest for the midweek game – Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The 25-year-old German shot-stopper has been in fantastic form for La Liga leaders this season but his goalkeeping exploits have somewhat gone under the radar with all the limelight being focused on Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and now the Brazilian playmaker Coutinho.
It is Ter Stegen, however, who deserves plaudits for conf…
Aaron Ramsey is set to hand Arsenal a fitness boost for Sunday s EFL Cup final against Manchester City.
Ramsey missed the north London derby defeat to Tottenham with a groin problem earlier this month and also sat out Thursday s Europa League match against Ostersunds.
But the Wales international midfielder, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 and 2017 FA Cup finals is on course to feature in another Wembley showpiece against Premier League leaders City
I have until Saturday to make a decision on Aaron Ramsey, manager Arsene Wenger told a pre-match news conference.
He looks to be available but he has another test today.
In further good news for Wenger, playmaker Mesut Ozil s recovery from a bout of illness has remained on track.
I s…