Looking for Soccer News?

Mesut Ozil is on his way to Turkey to complete his free transfer to Fenerbahce.

The 32-year-old said his goodbyes to his Arsenal team-mates and staff at the club’s London Colney training base on Sunday, bringing to an end his seven-and-a-half-year stay in north London.

Arsenal have given him permission to travel to Istanbul where he will now undergo a medical before finalising his switch to Fenerbahce, the club he grew up supporting as a boy.

The necessary paperwork will then need to be completed, with Arsenal and Ozil having reached an agreement to see his £350,000-a-week contract - which is due to expire in the summer - cancelled early.

Sources at Arsenal say there will be no formal announcement about the World Cup winner’s exit until all the usual processes have been completed.

But Ozil has spoken to Turkish channel NTV ahead of his move.

"I am very excited and happy," he said. "I am a Fenerbahce fan. As a Fenerbahce fan, god made it possible to wear that jersey. I will do my best.

"Tonight I will come to Istanbul with my family. The flight time is not clear. I'll be there tonight."

Fenerbahce also confirmed the move was in progress, saying: "Negotiations have started on the transfer of professional football player Mesut Ozil."

There will be huge relief at Arsenal that a saga that has run since the start of the season, when Ozil was left out of Mikel Arteta’s 25-man Premier League squad, has now come to an end.

Ozil had always insisted he would remain at Arsenal until the end of his contract, but the chance to move to his beloved Fenerbahce has seen a dramatic change of stance.

Speaking earlier in the month, Ozil’s agent Erkut Sogut said: “Everyone knows that Mesut is from Fenerbahce. Mesut is not just a football player. Mesut is Fenerbahce.

“He always said that if he came to Turkey, he would only play for Fenerbahce. I think it is very important that Mesut comes not only as a footballer but also as a lover of Fenerbahce.

“There is a process at the moment. We can't say it's over until we've signed it in the process. I hope it happens.”

Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 for what was then a club-record fee of £42 million ($57m).

He made 184 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, scoring 33 goals and setting up a further 54.

Arsenal won four FA Cups during his time in north London and he was named the club’s player of the season in 2015-16 after registering 19 assists.

Arsenal have delivered updates on the fitness of Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli ahead of their encounter with Newcastle on Monday night.

Tierney, who has been one of Arsenal's standout players so far this season, was left out of a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace last week after sustaining a muscle injury.

Mikel Arteta confirmed the news post-match, telling reporters: "He had a calf injury in training. I think he will miss a few matches. He’s another one that we will lose."

Martinelli, meanwhile, was hit with a fresh setback shortly after returning to action following his recovery from knee surgery in December.

The Brazilian turned his ankle during the Gunners' FA Cup third-round victory over Newcastle, and was thus forced to sit out the Palace fixture along with Tierney.

However, Arteta might be able to call upon both men when his side play host to the Magpies again at the start of the week, with Arsenal revealing that the pair have returned to full training ahead of their latest Premier League outing.

"Gabi is now back in full training and is available for selection," a statement on the club's official website reads.

"Kieran has recovered from his tight calf and is back in training with the squad. Kieran will be assessed and tested ahead of Monday’s match."

The Gunners also confirmed that Pablo Mari is still sidelined with a calf strain, meaning David Luiz and Rob Holding will likely continue to marshal the defence when Newcastle arrive at Emirates Stadium.

Arteta's men are still 11th in the Premier League standings after their stalemate with Palace, eight points behind the European places having played a game more than sixth-placed Everton.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions though, during which time they have scored 10 goals and conceded just two.

After their meeting with the Magpies, the north London outfit will turn their attention to a fourth-round FA Cup tie against either Southampton on Shrewsbury on January 23, which comes three days before they are due to face the Saints in the top flight.

Nigeria duo Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo helped Rangers settle for a 1-1 draw against Motherwell in Sunday's Premiership encounter.

Balogun turned in a solid defensive shift on his 15th appearance in the Scottish top-flight while Aribo joined Glen Kamara and Steven Davis to pull the strings in the middle of the park.

Devante Cole's opener in the 21st minute put Rangers behind at Fir Park but second-half substitute Cedric Itten ensured the Gers went back to Glasgow with at least a point which kept their 24-game unbeaten league run intact.

Since his arrival from Wigan Athletic in July, Balogun has established himself in Steven Gerrard's team with solid defensive performances which have helped them remain dominant in the Scottish top-flight this campaign.

Aribo, meanwhile, could not add to his tally of four goals and two assists in the Premiership so far this term.

Uganda defender Bevis Mugabi was another African star who featured in Sunday's encounter and he played from start to finish for the hosts while South Africa's Bongani Zungu watched on from the bench.

Zungu is yet to start a league match in Scotland since his loan signing from Amiens in October, with his all nine Premiership appearances coming as a substitute.

Following the single point picked up in Motherwell, Rangers now hold a 21-point lead above second-placed Celtic though Neil Lennon's side has three games in hand.

Steven Gerrard, in his reaction, bemoaned his team’s slow start and he disclosed how he inspired his players at the break.

"We’re disappointed with our showing with our performance in the first half and I had to get into them at half time,” Gerrard said.

"I thought we were really good in the second half and over the course of the 90 minutes we probably deserved to win on chances and on our second half showing.

"But the reality is we can’t come to a game at half time when we are where we are.

"I don’t think we started the game in the right place. We were passive out of possession in too many key areas of the pitch.

"Even when we knocked a few passes and got into good areas, our quality wasn’t there.”

Sunday's draw ended the Gers' six-game winning run in the Premiership, but they will aim to bounce back to winning ways when they host Ross County for their next league outing on January 23.

Harry Kane scored his 19th goal of the season and Tanguy Ndombele struck with a sublime finish as Tottenham beat bottom of the table Sheffield United 3-1 on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's side were held by Fulham in midweek, but secured all three points at Bramall Lane to go fourth in the Premier League - although Manchester City could go back above them when they face Crystal Palace later on Sunday.

Serge Aurier opened the scoring with an early header and Kane added a second to put Tottenham in command at half-time.

David McGoldrick halved the deficit, but Ndombele scored one of the goals of the season to give the London club breathing space as they extended their unbeaten run to seven games and left the beleaguered Blades on just five points.

Spurs were rewarded for starting so positively when Aurier capitalised on slack defending by nodding in a whipped corner from Son Heung-Min inside five minutes.

Son ought to have doubled their lead when he dinked the ball over Aaron Ramsdale, but struck the outside of the post after being sent clear by Kane.

Kane was causing the Blades all sorts of problems and the captain put Tottenham two up with a clinical finish five minutes before the break, turning sharply as he took a pass from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and beat Ramsdale with a measured right-foot strike from 20 yards out.

Ramsdale denied Kane a second goal when he tipped the striker's rasping long range drive over the crossbar early in the second half.

The Blades were back in it just before the hour mark, with McGoldrick heading home John Fleck's inviting cross, but Ndombele restored Spurs' two-goal advantage with a moment of magic three minutes later.

Steven Bergwijn played a one-two with the French midfielder, picking him out with a clever chipped pass, and Ndombele found the far corner from inside the penalty area with a cheeky flicked lob running away from the goal.

Kane blazed over the bar at the end of a slick Tottenham move in stoppage time, but the victory had long been wrapped up by then.

What does it mean? Spurs build on another fast start

Spurs fans have been frustrated by seeing their side drop points after taking the lead on several occasions, but there was no repeat in South Yorkshire.

Aurier's header was their fifth goal in the opening five minutes of Premier League games this season, more than any other side and they went on to end a seven-match winless run at Bramall Lane in the top flight - stretching back to December 1975.

There was no Dele Alli or Harry Winks in the squad, while Gareth Bale was not called upon from the bench, another demonstration of Tottenham's strength in depth as they moved three points behind leaders Manchester United ahead of their blockbuster clash at Liverpool.

Classy Kane and Ndombele light up Bramall Lane

England skipper Kane led by example yet again, drifting into space intelligently and moving to the brink of 20 goals for the season with a brilliant finish.

He becomes the 18th different player to score 20 Premier League goals from outside the box.

Although Ndombele's goal was scored from inside the box, it was one for the highlight reel. His awareness and technique to nonchalantly loop the ball over Ramsdale was sheer class.

Ramsdale not breeding confidence

Blades goalkeeper Ramsdale had another busy afternoon and although the finger could not be pointed at him for Tottenham's goals, he had shaky moments.

The former Bournemouth man looks uncertain from crosses and set-pieces, his handling not convincing as Chris Wilder's men were pushed a step closer to relegation.

What's next?

Spurs travel to Wycombe Wanderers in the fourth round of the FA Cup a week on Monday, while the Blades will do battle with Plymouth Argyle for a place in the fifth round next Saturday.

Congolese coach Mwinyi Zahera has emerged as the favourite to take over at AFC Leopards.

The FKF-Premier League giants are without a coach since Tomas Trucha quit six weeks ago citing threats to his agent, only to join a club in Malaysia the following day.

In the meantime, Ingwe's former captain Anthony Kimani has been overseeing the side in two recent league losses against Western Stima and Wazito as well as Saturday’s 2-1 win against leaders KCB FC.

This development has forced the club management, led by Dan Shikanda, to step up the search for a coach with Zahera coming up as the candidate.

"There has been contact between representatives of the coach and the club,” a source close to Leopards told Goal on Sunday.

“But no agreement as yet. Mwinyi will be interested in listening to what they have to offer. Leopards are a sleeping giant who needs an African coach with continental experience that can steer them to glory,” he concluded.

Based in Paris, Zahera boasts the experience of East African football. He has handled Tanzania's Yanga SC in the past. He led the team to two consecutive second-placed finishes in the Tanzania Mainland League and a place in the group stage of the Caf Confederation Cup.

Prior to that, he steered Daring Club Motema Pembe to second place in the league, behind TP Mazembe, and won the domestic cup. He has a Uefa 'A ' license.

On Sunday, the 13-time league champions picked their fourth win in the Kenyan top-tier.

Elvis Rupia scored twice to ensure AFC Leopards picked a 2-1 win against Football Kenya Federation Premier League leaders KCB at Kasarani on Sunday.

Samuel Mwangi scored the lone goal for the Bankers.

Robert Lewandowski beat a long-standing Bundesliga goals record set by Gerd Muller by opening the scoring for Bayern Munich against Freiburg on Sunday.

Lewandowski played a key role in Bayern's run to the treble last season, firing 55 goals in 47 games across all competitions.

Of those efforts, 34 were recorded in the German top flight, with the 32-year-old narrowly missing out on the European Golden Shoe by one goal behind Lazio's Ciro Immobile.

The Poland international is leading the race for that award midway through the 2020-21 campaign, though, having once again been the driving force behind Bayern's bid to maintain their domestic dominance.

Lewandowski took his tally to 21 goals after producing a trademark finish seven minutes into Bayern's clash with Freiburg, who are currently 10 points behind Hansi Flick's side in the standings.

The experienced centre-forward surpassed Muller's mark of 20 goals in the first half of a single German top-flight season with his strike on matchday 16 - a record which the World Cup winner had held for 42 years.

Lewandowski secured a place alongside the Bayern legend in the club's hall of fame a long time ago, but he is also now making a case to be remembered as the greatest striker of his generation.

He won FIFA's The Best Men's Player award for 2020 after another outstanding year in Germany, and will be on course for more personal accolades if he continues on his current trajectory.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker was also touted as a potential Ballon d'Or winner before the latest ceremony was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic, which robbed him of the chance to end Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's stranglehold over the annual prize.

The Barcelona captain has won the Ballon d'Or six times while the Juventus frontman has won five, but  Lewandowski admitted he feels like he has reached the same level as the pair during an interview with France Football in December.

"If you take the numbers for this year and even previous ones, I think I'm pretty good in terms of performance and goals scored," he said.

“Failing to be at the same table as Messi and Ronaldo, I think I can invite them to eat at mine!”

Black Leopards claimed a 2-0 victory over a much-fancied Orlando Pirates side in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

An own-goal by Innocent Maela handed Lidoda Duvha the lead, before Roderick Kabwe doubled the hosts' advantage and the Buccaneers were unable to find the back of the net on the day.

Lidoda Duvha were desperate to end their five-match winless run in the league having drawn 1-1 with Stellenbosch FC away in their previous game on January 8.

Kabwe, Wiseman Maluleke and Tebogo Makobela were recalled to the starting line-up as coach Dylan Kerr made three changes to the team which faced Stellenbosch.

Meanwhile, Bucs were looking to win two matches in a row in the league for the second time this season having thrashed Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 3-0 in their last game on January 13.

Kerr's counterpart, Josef Zinnbauer, made one change to the starting line-up which took on Tshakhuma as Thulani Hlatshwayo replaced Paseka Mako in the team.

Lidoda Didoda got off to a bright start with Rodney Ramagalela forcing Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands into a great save and it was the hosts' first warning to the visitors. 

Leopards pressed the Pirates defence which looked shaky and Innocent Maela came close to scoring an own goal as his header hit the upright and the ball went out for a corner-kick.

Maela then netted an own-goal from the resultant corner-kick as he headedKabwe's dangerous curling cross into the back of his own net to make it 1-0 to Leopards in the 29th minute.

Pirates tried to respond with a goal, but they were left vulnerable at the back and they were punished by Kabwe following a good move by the home side.

Ovidy Karuru played a backheel pass to Kabwe, who curled his effort into the bottom right corner, beating Sandilands hands down to make it 2-0 to Leopards in the 40th minute.

Pirates then suffered a blow as Ntsikelelo Nyauza went down injured and he was replaced by Happy Jele, but they were able to contain the hosts and the score was 2-0 to Leopards at the interval.

Zinnbauer pulled out right-back Wayde Jooste and he introduced versatile forward Terrence Dzvukamanja as the visitors looked to pull one back.

Dzvukamanja tried to make an immediate impact, but the Zimbabwe international's effort missed the target, before he placed his low shot inches wide, with Pirates dominating possession. 

Kerr made a double substitution as he brought on Lefa Hlongwane and Mumuni Abubaker as the home side looked to regain control of the match.

Pirates were left vulnerable at the back whenever they pushed forward and they were nearly punished by Mohammed Anas, who was sent through on goal twice.

However, the Ghanaian striker was brilliantly denied by Sandilands on both occasions and ultimately, the game ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of Leopards.

The defeat saw Pirates remain fifth on the league standings ahead of their clash with Lamontville Golden Arrows which will be played on Wednesday at Orlando Stadium.

Leopards moved up to the 14th spot and they are now set to take on Cape Town City at Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday. 

Wazito FC came from behind to record a 2-1 win over Bidco United in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League encounter at Utalii Ground on Sunday.

Dennis Sikhayi and Vincent Oburu scored the goals that ensured the Nairobi side picked yet another win as they build their ambitious momentum in the league. Nelson Chieta had scored an opener for Bidco before Wazito rallied to carry the day.

Edwin Mukolwe had to be alert to deny Wazito’s Dennis Ng’ang’a in the fourth minute when the latter took what could have been a fantastic free-kick.

The Bidco United goalkeeper was called to task again in the 24th minute when he pulled three successive saves to deny the visitors a goal. Boniface Omondi attempted a curling effort in the 32nd minute but his effort went wide.

In the 37th minute, Chieta gave Anthony Akhulia’s side an opener even though it was Wazito who looked dangerous and the likely side to break the deadlock first.

Sikhayi equalised for Francis Kimanzi’s charges in the 47th minute of the second half as Wazito – just like in the first half – dominated the opening stage of the encounter.

Johnstone Omurwa became the second Wazito player after Bernard Ochieng to be shown a yellow card in the 50th minute.

Mukolwe denied Wazito another good chance when he saved Omondi’s effort in the 52nd minute as Bidco United camped in their own half. Another chance for the visitors failed to produce a goal when Musa Masika’s strike went over the bar two minutes after Omondi had missed the target.

Kimanzi made a change two minutes after the hour mark when he brought on Vincent Oburu in place of Omondi. The change paid back as the former AFC Leopards’ forward scored the winning goal for Wazito in the third minute of added time.

The win is the second consecutive one for Kimanzi and his charges after their last against Nairobi City Stars. For Bidco United, the loss came after a 0-0 draw against Ulinzi Stars ahead of the game against Kakamega Homeboyz on January 24.

At Mumias Sports Complex, Posta Rangers won 1-0 against struggling Vihiga United. William Odero, who replaced Francis Nambute in the starting team, scored the goal that gave Sammy Omollo’s team the slim away win.

Red Bull Salzburg starlet Karim Adeyemi says he wants to play for a club that can win the Champions League, but he rejected Chelsea in the past because the move came too soon.

Adeyemi, now 18, has been linked with a move away from Salzburg, the finishing school where Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane among others have polished their skills.

For now, the youngster says he is fully focused on his goals with Salzburg, but he has lofty ambitions for the future. Bayern Munich and Barcelona are among the clubs to have been linked with a move.

Chelsea invited Adeyemi to their Cobham training base in 2018 while he was playing for German side SpVgg Unterhaching, but he opted instead to leave his home country for the promise of first-team football in Austria.

“First of all, it is important to me that I play regularly.” Adeyemi told Sport1. “My focus is currently on the Austrian league. I am very happy that I have so much time here. I am fully focused on the task in Salzburg.

"I'm very happy that I can play here in Salzburg and that I get my minutes on a regular basis. Every moment on the pitch is precious. 

"I want to play in a club where I feel comfortable. Of course I dream of a Champions League win. It would be great to play for a club that regularly competes to win the Champions League.

“But that's not what I have in mind right now. For me it is important that I develop myself further in Salzburg.”

Adeyemi shone when sent out on loan to Salzburg’s feeder FC Liefering club and, after scoring for Salzburg in the Champions League and at youth level for Germany, is hotly anticipated as a potential star of the future.

Despite the growing hype around his potential, Adeyemi says he has managed to keep his feet on the ground.

“It's not that difficult to stay on the grounded,” he said. “I haven't achieved anything yet, even though I'm now playing in the first division in Austria.

“But I find it quite normal that I do not answer. My parents and family support me a lot in this. My old club, Unterhaching, taught me that too. But even at Salzburg we players are kept on the ground. There is also no reason why I should rise above other people. Everybody is equal.”

Adeyemi turns 19 soon, the same age his predecessor Haaland was when he left Salzburg for Borussia Dortmund.

The youngster doesn’t want to describe Haaland as a role model, but says there is plenty he can learn from his successful career so far.

“Is Erling Haaland a role model? That is difficult to say. But of course you as a player have in mind which ones are best at your position,” he noted.

“Haaland is doing a great job at Borussia Dortmund, he has developed very well and has grown in many areas. I can cut a slice of that for myself. I can't compare myself to Haaland, I need to go my own way. But you can always learn something from such a good player.”

Matthew McConaughey is the latest celebrity superstar to invest in a Major League Soccer team, with the Hollywood actor becoming one of the owners of Texas-based Austin FC.

The True Detective star is a massive sports fan and has thrown himself into the venture, embracing a game that has traditionally been something of a poor relation in the United States.

McConaughey joins a growing list of A-List football club owners across the world, with the likes of David Beckham (Inter Miami), Ryan Reynolds (Wrexham) and LeBron James (Liverpool) all taking the plunge.

Soccer fans will be hearing a lot more from McConaughey in the coming months and years, so to save you from becoming Dazed and Confused, Goal brings you all you need to know about Austin FC. 

On this page

Who owns Austin FC?

Two Oak Ventures is the company which is majority owner of Austin FC.

Matthew McConaughey joined the club's ownership group in 2019, along with other local Austinite businessmen. 

They include technology entrepreneur Eddie Margain, Dell executive Marius Haas and Bryan Sheffield, who is an executive at an Austin-based energy company.

When McConaughey's involvement with Austin FC was revealed, the actor said: "Austin FC is more than a quality investment for Austin, it’s a quality investment in Austin.

"The most diverse and borderless game in the world is now coming to one of the most multi-cultural, creative and diverse cities in the world.

"Austin FC is a healthy investment in our city’s culture and future."

Anthony Precourt heads up Two Oak Ventures. His company previously had an ownership stake in MLS team Columbus Crew and the initial plan was to move Crew to Austin.

Which players are in the Austin FC roster?

The Austin FC roster is still being assembled ahead of the 2021 MLS season, but head coach Josh Wolff already has a small squad to choose from.

Squad correct as of January 17, 2021

* Designated Player

Most of the players on the inaugural Austin FC MLS panel have been signed from other MLS clubs, so there will be plenty of experience in the ranks.

Ben Sweat has joined from Inter Miami, while Matt Besler has signed from Sporting Kansas City. Paraguay international winger Cecelio Dominguez is a Designated Player.

The majority of the roster are American, but there are representatives from Ireland, Colombia, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Finland and Uruguay as well.

USMNT legend Claudio Reyna is the club's sporting director and is relishing the challenge of squad building.

"It's a mix of experienced players and certainly some younger players," Reyna said on Extra Time in December. 

"I think that's also something you'll see, is that we're going to add some younger players into the team as well. It's really exciting.

"I've mentioned in a few other interviews that the enthusiasm for players wanting to come to Austin, to Austin FC has been amazing.

"We're excited about the opportunity to bring some exciting players for our supporters."

When will Austin FC make its MLS debut?

Austin FC will debut in MLS in spring 2021. Fixture dates have not yet been finalised, but it is anticipated that games will begin in early-to-mid March.

In January, MLS Commissioner Don Garber reiterated his desire to kick things off in March, noting an "unbelievably crowded calendar" had to be navigated.

He said: "As we learned from last year, and as we're seeing play out with the other North American leagues and even now with the Premier League and other European leagues, our schedule must provide us with the opportunity to make up any matches in the event that we have postponed games due to positive Covid tests."

Where does Austin FC play?

Austin FC will play home games at the new Austin FC Stadium at McKalla Place in the North Burnet area of Austin.

Construction began on the new venue in September 2019 and it will be ready to host fixtures for the beginning of the 2021 MLS season in spring.

The stadium is soccer-specific with a grass surface and it has a capacity of 20,500. A safe standing area has been incorporated behind one of the goals, with the remainder of the stands being all-seaters.

Is Austin FC in FIFA 21?

Austin FC is not in FIFA 21. It may come as a disappointment to fans of the club, but it makes sense considering the timing of the game's launch. 

EA Sports' flagship football game was launched in October 2020 at a time when the expansion team was not yet officially a fixture in MLS.

Had they been included in FIFA 21, Austin would have no players, or very few, with work still ongoing in terms of recruiting personnel.

As is normal, Austin FC should feature in the next instalment of the game (FIFA 22) when their playing roster is firmly established.

In the meantime, FIFA gamers can select Austin FC as a favourite team and use the club badge in Ultimate Team.

Tariq Lamptey, recently linked with the likes of Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, has ended transfer speculation by signing a new long-term contract at Brighton.

The former Chelsea right-back has shone in the Premier League this season, with the 20-year-old’s performances earning cries for a senior England call-up.

Some of Europe’s biggest clubs were reported to be interested in signing him but he has signed a new deal with the Seagulls which runs until 2025.

Brighton manager Graham Potter told the club’s official website: “We are delighted to see Tariq commit his long-term future here.

"We knew his potential when we signed him a year ago, and hoped he would have a really positive impact on the club, and that has proved to be the case with his performances since June.

"He has been the model professional, he works exceptionally hard, is a humble lad and is a team player. He fits in with everything we would want from a player, now it's about helping him reach his potential."

Brighton’s gain has been Chelsea’s loss, despite Reece James making the right-back spot his own at Stamford Bridge.

The Seagulls swooped in the last January window to sign Lamptey for just £3 million, taking advantage of his expiring contract with the Blues.

On his new deal, Brighton’s technical director Dan Ashworth added: "It shows how well Tariq has adjusted to the demands of Premier League football.

"He fully deserves the new contract and has earned it with his hard work and performances.

"It now gives him and the club the opportunity to continue on the path he has started on since he joined last January."

Lamptey missed Brighton’s 1-0 win over Leeds on Saturday with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since mid-December.

The three points at Elland Road took Brighton out of the bottom three, though Burnley and Fulham – the two teams directly below them – each have two games in hand.

Brighton play Blackpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup with crucial fixtures against both Fulham and Burnley on the horizon - either side of games with Tottenham and Liverpool.

Michael Dawson has backed Gareth Bale to come good at Tottenham amid his disappointing loan stint in north London.

Bale has struggled for form and fitness since returning to Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

Jose Mourinho gradually eased the Welshman back into action after seeing him exiled from Zinedine Zidane's squad at Santiago Bernabeu in 2019-20, despite expectations among supporters that he would immediately slot in alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min up front.

However, Bale has yet to prove that he can handle the rigorous demands of regular football again, with the 31-year-old restricted to just 12 outings across all competitions for Spurs so far this season.

He has managed to notch three goals despite mainly being used as a substitute, but Mourinho opted to leave him on the bench as Tottenham laboured to a 1-1 draw with Fulham on Wednesday.

It has been suggested that the Portuguese head coach doesn't trust Bale to deliver the goods in the final third, with Dawson acknowledging the fact that the Madrid loanee has failed to live up to expectations.

The former Spurs defender still believes his old colleague can rediscover his best form, though, as he told Sky Sports: "I was so excited when he arrived. We talked about the front three that we thought it was going to be with Kane, Son and Bale. It hasn't gone to plan for Gareth and it's really disappointing.

"I was disappointed not to see him come on against Fulham. When the game stretches he will cause problems, but we're yet to see that real quality that we saw back in his early Spurs career.

"He still possesses that quality though and It's only a matter of time before we see it."

Dawson added on the niggling injuries which have prevented Bale from letting loose during his second spell at Tottenham: "Gareth is a player that has to sprint. Back in his first spell at Spurs, he used to go past players like they weren't there. It was like men against boys on the playground, he was that good.

"We are yet to see him really expose a player with his pace. He hasn't played for long periods, he's getting older and he's maybe worried about sprinting and pulling something if he goes 100 miles an hour.

"We've seen only glimpses and Gareth has to play that way, that's his game - exposing players. He has to get back to sprinting and getting at players."

Bandari FC coach Andre Casa Mbungo was left impressed with the way his charges played Kakamega Homeboyz in the FKF-Premier League despite having less men and ended up getting a 4-3 win.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the first half, Ugandan William Wadri was sent off for a bad tackle on Thomas Wainaina. However, the Dockers managed to get two more goals.

The Rwandan was left impressed with the way his team played.

"It was a blow when we lost Wadri in the first half, and at that point, no team had the advantage over another," Mbungo told Goal.

"We needed character to get another goal, defend as a unit and attack tactically as well so as not to be exposed at the back. At some point, they put us under a lot of pressure, but I am happy we eventually won the game."

The former AFC Leopards coach is confident Saturday's win will motivate his team ahead of forthcoming assignments.

"We need results like these to build confidence in the players," Mbungo continued.

"It helps players have self-belief and I am sure they will approach the next game full of confidence. We are still in the process of making the team better and soon we will be where we want to be.

"It is one game at a time."

On Saturday, the Dockers scored through Abdallah Hassan, who scored a brace, William Wadri, and Yemi Mwana while Moses Mudavadi scored a brace for the visitors with another goal coming from Aston Esiye.

The win took Bandari to fourth position with 12 points from the eight games they have played. They have managed to collect three wins, as many draws and two losses. In the process, they have scored 10 goals and conceded nine.

For the Nicholas Muyoti-led charges, Saturday's loss was their fourth this season from the seven games they have played.

They have managed to get just a win and two draws, scoring just five goals in the process and conceding 10.

AC Milan have announced Hakan Calhanoglu and Theo Hernandez have tested positive for coronavirus.

The two cases were discovered following Covid-19 swab tests carried out on Saturday, with the club immediately informing the health authorities upon learning the results.

Both players are asymptomatic and the rest of the squad tested negative, Milan confirmed in a statement released on Sunday.

Calhanoglu and Hernandez are now isolating at home, leaving Milan without the duo for some key fixtures coming up in January.

"There are important absences, but it is this type of season, problems can come at any moment, so we must be ready,” manager Stefano Pioli told a press conference.

“We’ve always doubled the energies in difficult moments. We are used to it, we are ready. I expect the players to always be ready, during training and matches. These are critical issues that must be addressed with determination and with the awareness of the strength of the team.

“It’s a difficult season for everyone, not only for us. One month ago, everyone was available, it can happen to face these kind of situations. We’ve proved to be a united team, the club has provided a competitive squad. We are determined to overcome these difficulties.”

Pioli also spoke about Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is expected to play in Milan's next fixture after a recent spell out of action.

“Ibra is so important for us, we all know his worth, he has overcome his physical problems and I’ve seen him well, he is ready to play tomorrow," he said.

"We must continue to work, the title of winter champion counts very little. We must be focused on tomorrow’s game, it is difficult, we must consider it the most important game of the championship.

"We have to be ready, a difficult game awaits us, the opponents have collected less than they deserved, they have players like [Radja] Nainggolan, [Diego] Godin, Joao Pedro. Experienced and prepared players.

“We must have respect for the opponent, we want to dominate the game, but we are aware we could suffer.”

The Serie A leaders - who have lost just once in league action this season so far - visit Cagliari on Monday, then host Atalanta at San Siro next Saturday.

There is also a Coppa Italia quarter-final clash with rivals Inter looming on the horizon, that tie due to be played on January 25. 

Ghana international Joseph Alfred Duncan has left Italian Serie A side Fiorentina for Cagliari, both clubs have announced.

The midfielder joins Cagliari in a deal lasting until the end of the season, with an option of a permanent move at the end of the spell.

This 2020-21 term, he has made a paltry four league appearances for Fiorentina, prompting his move away in his search for more playing time.

"Cagliari Calcio is pleased to announce that it has acquired from Fiorentina the sports performances of the footballer Joseph Alfred Duncan who moves to Sardinia with the formula of the loan with the right of redemption," Cagliari announced via their official website on Sunday.

"Born in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on 10 March 1993, he began his career in the Inter youth teams. With the Nerazzurri he won the Primavera championship and the NextGen Series, the forerunner of the Uefa Youth League, titles arrived in 2011-12. He made his Serie A debut on August 26, 2012, in Pescara-Inter.

"A complete midfielder, Duncan is a physically strong player, who combines power and technique: great running and dynamism, particularly skilled in ball recovery, he knows how to make himself dangerous even in the offensive phase, due to his ability to enter and shoot from outside.

"An experienced player, capable of covering all the roles of the median, who arrives at Cagliari in the height of football maturity: muscles and substance for the Rossoblu midfield.

"Welcome to Sardinia, Alfred!"

Cagliari are Duncan's sixth club in Italy where he has played all his life.

After his Serie A debut and going on to make 23 more appearances for Inter during the first half of the 2012-13 season, he was farmed out to Livorno in the second tier for the remaining half of the term where he helped secure promotion to the elite league.

He went on to play for Sampdoria and Sassuolo before joining Fiorentina last year, initially on loan.

With more playing time at Cagliari, Duncan will hope to make his way back into Ghana's national team, having been snubbed for call-ups throughout the year 2020. 

Rio Ferdinand has sent an inspirational message to Manchester United ahead of their clash with Liverpool, insisting they have to "get at 'em from the first whistle".

United will travel to Anfield on Sunday defending a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have emerged as realistic challengers for Liverpool's domestic crown in recent months, with a run of nine wins from their last 11 fixtures giving supporters cause to dream of a 21st title triumph.

The Merseyside outfit haven't suffered a home defeat in the Premier League since May 2017, but the Red Devils are being tipped to bring that 67-game sequence to an end as they seek to extend their own impressive unbeaten streak on the road.

Ferdinand has called on United's stars to seize their chance to strike a significant psychological blow to their arch-rivals, who are currently dealing with a defensive injury crisis which has left them more vulnerable at the back than in previous years.

“There are big games, there are games that mean a bit more than the other and then there’s the Liverpool game - especially when both teams are near the top of the table," the former Red Devils defender wrote on Instagram.

"Obviously with no fans in the stadium it’s not going to be quite the same but trust me the importance of this game and it’s history will not be lost on these current players.

“Even just the thought of losing this game used to make you feel sick. This Manchester United team have the opportunity to really hurt this Liverpool team’s confidence by going six points clear of them with a win.

"You couldn’t ask for more of an incentive right now. Liverpool haven’t lost at home for nearly four years also - another incentive right there!

“Fergie used to always say to us at Anfield 'this ain’t like the old Liverpool teams that used to play here' and just that little mention of the lacking some quality would put a spring in your step.

"Ole (or someone in that changing room) must be shouting that this is a weakened team compared to the last couple of seasons, first choice centre backs out - 'GET AT EM FROM THE FIRST WHISTLE'.

“Simple yes but sometimes highlighting the obvious can trigger something. These games aren’t about over complicating things a lot of the time. Control your emotions, meet the challenge physically and mentally head on, play quick and aggressive and punish any mistakes. The rest takes care of itself! 

“Liverpool are vulnerable, United need to smell blood and go for the kill - these are the moments you dream of as a United player. Let’s hope the United players do it!”

Markus Babbel has urged Bayern Munich to sign Dayot Upamecano to solve the defensive problems that have undermined their 2020-21 campaign so far.

Hansi Flick guided Bayern to their sixth Champions League title last season, while also delivering a ninth successive Bundesliga crown and record-extending 20th DFB-Pokal triumph.

The German champions were dominant on both domestic and continental fronts, with a combination of ruthless attacking play and a solid defensive foundation underpinning their success.

However, Bayern's standards have slipped in the first half of their latest campaign, which has allowed RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund to close the gap at the top of the Bundesliga standings.

Flick's side have returned to the summit with 33 points from their opening 15 games, but Leipzig are only a point behind having played a game more, while Leverkusen and Dortmund are just four adrift in the other Champions League places.

Bayern progressed to the knockout stages of Europe's elite competition with relative ease once again, but their form in the German top-flight has been erratic.

The league leaders have already conceded 24 goals, more than any other side in the top six, and after following up a 3-2 defeat away at Borussia Monchengladbach with a surprise DFB-Pokal exit at the hands of 2.Bundesliga outfit Holstein Kiel, Flick is under pressure to solve his defensive conundrum.

Babbel believes Upamecano could be the answer, with the Frenchman currently in the middle of his fourth season at Leipzig where he has emerged as one of the top centre-backs in the world.

"You have to think about something in the defensive area," the former Bayern star told Sport1. "He [Upamecano] can help, those responsible must think of him."

Babbel added: "The defenders need to be better, the goals conceded could be prevented. As a coach, I expect the central defenders to do better. The defenders have to learn again to recognise the danger earlier."

Bayern will have the chance to get back to winning ways when they play host to Freiburg on Sunday afternoon. The Bundesliga holders can open up a four-point lead on Leipzig if they pick up three points at Allianz Arena, with Julian Nagelsmann's side held to a disappointing 2-2 at Wolfsburg in their latest fixture.