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Tatiana Ekogo made a huge impact on her first start as Zenit Saint Petersburg secured their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Chertanovo in a Russian Superliga encounter on Friday.

The Indomitable Lionesses star joined Zenit from Russian rivals Yenisey a week ago and made a 20-minute appearance in her side's disappointing 2-0 defeat by Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday.

Following her fine showing, the 23-year-old was offered her first start by manager Olga Poryadina and she played a significant role in her side's maiden victory this campaign.

Smarting from their four-game winless run, the hosts could not convert their possession into chances until Zarina Sharifova brilliantly teed up Ekaterina Sochneva to break the deadlock in the 45th minute.

Before the half-time whistle was sounded, Elena Shesterneva set up Nika Belova to double the lead for Zenit inside injury time.

12 minutes after the match's resumption, Nika Belova bagged her brace to seal their first triumph of the season.

Ekogo, who was making her second appearance for Zenit, was replaced by Tatiana Morina two minutes after the third goal went in.

The win on Friday saw Zenit move up a spot to the sixth position on the Russian top flight log, with four points from five matches this season.

They will eye a second win on the bounce when taking on Ekogo's former side Yenisey in their next fixture on August 25.

Neymar has outlined his Ballon d'Or ambitions while admitting that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are "not from this planet".

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker is on the cusp of inspiring the French champions to glory on Europe's biggest stage.

Neymar has played a key role in their run to this season's Champions League final, scoring in both legs of a round of 16 triumph over Borussia Dortmund before also starring in wins over Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the quarter and semi-finals.

PSG will lift the famous trophy for the first time in their history in Lisbon on Sunday if they can beat Bayern Munich, with a team brimming with world-class talent finally looking like the finished article under Thomas Tuchel.

Neymar became the world's most expensive player when he moved to Parc des Princes from Barcelona for €220 million (£198m/$260m) in 2017, but has often struggled to live up to that price tag over the past three seasons.

He left Camp Nou to increase his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, which has been won by either Blaugrana talisman Messi or Juventus striker Ronaldo in 11 of the past 12 seasons.

PSG's run to the Champions League final has seen Neymar silence many of his doubters, and he could finally make a case for football's most coveted individual award if he can fire the club to victory this weekend.

The Brazilian acknowledges the fact that Messi and Ronaldo have been the standout players of their generation, but also believes he is now on the verge of greatness, and is fully focused on helping his current employers secure an elusive piece of silverware.

"Messi and Ronaldo have of course dominated [the Ballon d'Or] because over the last 10 years they have not been from this planet. It would be an honour to win it," Neymar told the Daily Star.

"But it comes from what you achieve on the field and what you help your club win - so that is what my focus is on. Everything else will fall into place if it is meant to be.

"Winning The Champions League is special, I know this. But to win it with PSG would be making history – and that is exactly what I came here to do."

The 28-year-old, who has contributed 19 goals and 12 assists to PSG's cause in 26 outings this term, added on the challenge Bayern will pose Tuchel's men and his scintillating form post-lockdown: "The semi-final was a very good performance - but nobody remembers who wins semi-finals.

"That is over now. Bayern are going to prove a very big test and we will be ready. They have many good players, but we are also at a high level and I feel I am playing at my best since I have arrived in Paris.

"This is where we want to be. The owners have a big project and part of that project is to be considered the best in Europe. We have never been closer than we are now - but we must stay focused."

Gabrielle Onguene scored the only goal as CSKA Moscow grabbed a 1-0 win against Ryazan in Friday's Russian Women's Superliga encounter.

The 31-year-old has continued to excel for the Russian champions in this campaign, having scored four goals in four appearances.

The Cameroon international earned her fourth league start this season and made the most of the chance with an eye-catching display.

Following a 2-1 win at Chertanovo last week, the title holders were hoping to build on the form against Ryazan, who were unbeaten in their last two matches against FC Yenisey Krasnoyarsk and Zenit Saint Petersburg. 

CSKA enjoyed early domination in the encounter but could not find a breakthrough until Tatiana Petrova set up Onguene to score what turned out the winner five minutes from the half-time break.

Onguene, who played from the start to finish for the hosts, has now scored five goals in five games this season and surpassed her record for CSKA since 2018, although remains four off her 2017 tally.

The result means CKSA have reclaimed top spot in the table, with 13 points from five matches - sitting above Lokomotiv Moscow on superior goals scored despite being tied on points and goal difference. 

They will aim to continue with their form against third-placed Zvezda Perm in their next Russian Superliga fixture on August 26.

Sevilla claimed a record sixth Europa League triumph this century as Diego Carlos proved an unlikely hero in a thrilling 3-2 win over Inter in Cologne.

Romelu Lukaku gave Inter a fifth-minute lead from the penalty spot – Diego Carlos might have been sent off for bringing him down - but Sevilla's semi-final hero Luuk de Jong overturned the deficit with a pair of fine first-half headers.

Diego Godin's 35th-minute leveller had Inter swiftly back on terms and the Serie A side appeared to be in the ascendency during a more circumspect second half, until a stunning twist in the tale.

Diego Carlos had been tormented by Lukaku for most of the game but his overhead-kick when Ever Banega's 74th-minute free-kick was partially cleared took a decisive touch off Inter's top scorer and flew into the net.

Referee Danny Makkelie had an unenviable opening to his first European final, with Sevilla players asking for Danilo D'Ambrosio to be harshly sanctioned for an apparent elbow on Sergio Regulion before Diego Carlos clumsily brought down a rampaging Lukaku. 

The former Manchester United striker demonstrated how at home he is on the big occasion with a stutter and a coolly slotted spot-kick beyond Yassine Bounou. 

Sevilla were also quick to show their mettle, with De Jong heading home a 12th-minute equaliser from captain Jesus Navas' excellent cross. 

A thrilling end-to-end encounter continued to unfold – with the antics of both benches almost as watchable, as a frequently irate Inter boss Antonio Conte was booked.

Goals were exchanged within the space of two minutes after the half hour, with De Jong dispatching a sumptuous free-kick delivery from Banega - making his farewell Sevilla appearance - before Godin did likewise from Marcelo Brozovic's set piece. 

Samir Handanovic tipped over a Lucas Ocampos header – Banega again the dead-ball provider – in the final act of a riotous 45 minutes. 

Diego Carlos partially made amends for his ragged first-half showing with a sliding block to thwart Roberto Gagliardini.

The centre-back was still unable to handle Lukaku, who streaked clear in the 65th minute but Bounou stood firm.

That gave Diego Carlos his spectacular shot at redemption to put Sevilla back in front before centre-back partner Jules Kounde scrambled an Alexis Sanchez attempt out of the goalmouth and Bounou denied another Inter substitute, Antonio Candreva, in stoppage time.

What does it mean? Sevilla continue remarkable relationship with competition they adore

In the modern era of super clubs and blockbusting transfers, Sevilla's capacity to return to the top of this podium time and again truly is a wonder of the sport.

A relentless turnover of players and coaches does nothing to dissuade them and this triumph stands as a moment of redemption for the man in the dugout, Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked by both Spain and Real Madrid in 2018 but now has a first trophy of his coaching career.
 
Europa League master Lukaku left with bitter taste

Lukaku's nerveless early penalty was his ninth of this Europa League campaign and his 11th consecutive goalscoring outing in the competition – a run that has yielded 15 goals.

The Belgium star has 17 goals in his past 16 European knockout matches and 34 overall in 2019-20 amounts to an emphatic statement for a player reborn under Conte. He deserved better than such a cruel twist of fate
 
Careless Diego Carlos bails himself out

Diego Carlos headed into the final stages of the Europa League reportedly on the radar of a number of heavyweight clubs. He quickly completed an unwanted hat-trick, having also conceded penalties in the quarter-final and semi-final.The Brazilian was also the cause of some of Conte's fury when claims for handball went unheeded.

By the time his foul on Lukaku led to Inter's second his reputation had taken a battering, with Bounou bailing out his team-mate after the hour. When your night is going like that, why not try an overhead kick in the opposition's box?

Key Opta Facts

Sevilla have either progressed to the next round or won the competition in 21 of their last 22 Europa League knockout ties.

Inter lost in a major European final for the first time since the 1997 UEFA Cup, when they were beaten on penalties by Schalke after a 1-1 draw on aggregate over two legs.

Lukaku's 34 goals in all competitions is the most by an Inter player in their debut season since Ronaldo scored 34 in 1997-98.

Diego Carlos conceded three penalties in the 2019-20 Europa League, the first player to concede that many in a single campaign since Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta in 2012-13.
 
What's next 

Both teams have a quick turnaround heading into their 2020-21 domestic seasons. Serie A launches on September 19, a week after LaLiga, although Marca reports Sevilla will not resume until the third matchweek due to their exertions in Germany.

Janine Van Wyk's dream of making her Uefa Women's Champions League debut was marred as her side Glasgow City were demolished 9-1 by Wolfsburg on Friday.

The 33-year-old defender joined the Scottish champions as a free agent after parting ways with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring, who were eliminated from the Champions League by Lyon last October, and was immediately handed a starting role by manager Scott Booth after she proved her fitness in training and over three weeks of bonding with her new teammates.

Wearing No. 5, the South African star was unable to rescue Booth’s ladies from a humiliating rout against the German champions in San Sebastian.

After holding out for 15 minutes, Pernille Harder's quadruple, Ingrid Engen's brace and Felicitas Rauch's effort along with Leanne Ross and Jenna Clark's own goals ensured Glasgow endured an evening to forget.

However, the Banyana Banyana captain still described the experience as “fantastic”, despite the unflattering scoreline.

"For me personally the experience was fantastic," Van Wyk told Uefa.com. "We knew we were going to face European giants in Wolfsburg. Not an easy team to beat. 

"You can prepare as much as you can but they are always going to bring something new to the game."

Despite the thrashing, Glasgow will be consoled by the achievement of reaching the quarter-final for the first time since 2015 as they focus on their new domestic campaign in Scotland.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was pleased with how his side performed against Maritzburg United on Friday evening, but has rued the referee's decisions and specifically the decision not to award his side a penalty.

The Tshwane giants dropped two points when they drew 2-2 with the Team of Choice in a PSL match which was played at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, with one controversial moment drawing criticism from Mosimane.

While Sundowns defender Ricardo Nascimento was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the Brazilians didn't receive a spot-kick when Promise Mkhuma was felled in the box after a collision with Maritzburg defender Rushine De Reuck.

"Tonight, Promise was pushed from behind, we didn't get a penalty, we deserved another penalty," Mosimane told SuperSport TV. "It doesn't mean if you gave us one, then you can't give the next one. Those things work a little bit against us.

"And the red card also but you have to focus on what does the game say? What is happening? If you want to focus on the results, yes you're right but football is not about results, football is a game and the game yields results. It's unfortunate, very sad."

Masandawana were ultimately awarded a penalty in the second half after Maritzburg defender Nazeer Allie was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, although the result leaves them second in the league standings - five points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs with five matches left. 

The reigning PSL champions took the lead twice, but Maritzburg fought back to ensure that the game ended in a draw and Mosimane felt that it was their best match since the current season resumed.

"Yes, we allowed them to come back to us. It's the first time I see them play much better [since the restart], we really played much better than all the games," he added. "Okay, against Wits we played a little bit better, to be honest, but tonight out of the last three games at least we stressed that we need to play. We were playing. You could see that we could score.

"If you're a football person you could see that with ten against 11 we played. We didn't sit back, we tried to play."

As well as taking aim at the referees, Mosimane was also unhappy with costly errors made by his side.

"We had a chance, we could have won the game tonight," Jingles continued. "We made two big mistakes, two turn-overs on the goals they scored. Yeah, big mistakes on us, that happens, but we're also a little bit unfortunate, to be honest.

"Denis [Onyango] called for the ball but [Motjeka] Madisha cleared it. That's a miscommunication between the two, but we're also a little bit unfortunate in these rounds.

"We've had a lot of unfortunate situations. Last time [Peter] Shalulile controlled the ball with a hand and he finished the goal, he scored. Last time [against Orlando Pirates], Happy Jele or [Ntsikelelo] Nyauza, I think it's Jele, he went out with the ball in his hand in the box, we didn't get a penalty."

Sundowns are set to take on Lamontville Golden Arrows in their next league match on Monday, August 24.

Samuel Kalu came off the bench but could not inspire Girondins de Bordeaux to victory as they played out a goalless draw with Moses Simon’s FC Nantes in the first game of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season.

It marks a return to top flight football in France after competition ended abruptly in April at matchday 28 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Nantes finished in 13th place with 37 points, the same as Bordeaux who were a place above them.

Very little was created in terms of goalscoring chances as the league resumed, with both sides registering only one shot on target, with the home team having just one big chance to score.

Bordeaux were one man short for much of the contest after Franco-Algerian winger Mehdi Zerkane was given an early bath 20 minutes into his debut after he was deemed to have gone in dangerously on Nantes skipper Nicolas Pallois.

Kalu came on in the 75th minute for South Korean forward Ui Jo Hwang and was able to produce 14 touches on the ball while having one unsuccessful dribble and cross. His most impressive feat came in duels, winning six of eight total duels, four of which happened in the air.

He played 22 times in all competitions last season, scoring just one and providing two assists, with his side winning all of the matches in which he made a decisive contribution.

Simon meanwhile played for the entire 90 minutes and had 61 touches, 35 accurate passes at 79%. He was the player to get Nantes’ only shot on target, and won six of 10 total duels.

The Nigeria winger had a very productive 2019-20 season, finishing as the Canaries' top scorer with nine goals and eight assists, winning the club’s Player of the Season and also getting selected in the Nantes Team of the Decade. All these were solid enough for the Stade de la Beaujoire outfit to sign him permanently from Levante, with the winger having initially joined on loan.

Another Nigerian to feature in this clash was Josh Maja.

The Anglo-Nigerian forward played only in the first half, having one successful dribble attempt, 16 touches and eight accurate passes before Remi Oudin replaced him after the break.  The former Sunderland player had a hand in 11 goals (eight goals, three assists) in 24 competitive games for Bordeaux last term.

Nantes next host Nimes while Bordeaux travel to Angers.

Norwegian side Tromso have confirmed Isak Hansen-Aaroen has left the club after agreeing to sign for Manchester United.

The forward, who turns 16 on Saturday, agreed his move to Old Trafford several months ago and it has now been confirmed in a farewell message from his club.

In a message posted on Instagram Tromso wrote: “A wonderful person. A unique football talent who just loves to play football now.

“He came from Floya to Tromso and joined the academy as a 10-year-old, studying at the Tromso school and made his debut in the first team as a 15-year-old. He had an assist in his last match for Tromso.

“Thank you so much for the last 10 years and good luck in Manchester United and on in your career. We hope you have a great time, see you soon.”

Hansen-Aaroen became Tromso's youngest-ever player at the age of 15 years and 319 days last month and it is understood he is excited at the prospect of linking up with fellow Norwegian and Man Utd head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United have already announced their first batch of scholars for next season’s under-18s squad which included the arrival of Logan Pye and Joe Hugill who were previously at Sunderland, and Radek Vitek from Sigma Oloumouc.

Hansen-Aaroen is expected to be included in the second announcement along with Barcelona wonderkid Marc Jurado and former Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Fernandes. It is understood the club have been waiting for international clearance for their new arrivals but that should be completed in the coming days.

Jurado and Fernandes would be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to the United Kingdom due coronavirus restrictions currently in place, which require anyone flying into the country from Spain to quarantine.

The U18s and U23s have been back in training for a number of weeks as they prepare for the new campaign. Neil Wood is currently operating with a mismatched squad as they aim to sort loan deals out for a number of the more senior players in the squad. James Garner, Di’Shon Bernard, Dylan Levitt and Matej Kovar are all amongst the players being considered for moves ahead of the new season.

Former Ghana attacker Mohammed Polo has advised the Football Association (GFA) against appointing an expatriate as their new technical director.

The national football's governing body is on the verge of filling the position which became vacant following the exit of Francis Oti Akenteng in March.

Six candidates, consisting of three expatriates and three locals, are in the running for the office, according to the GFA.

“It is very unfortunate [the GFA is also considering expatriate options] and are we buying foreign football?" Polo, who won the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Ghana in 1978, asked on Happy FM.

“We have our brand of football and we have to do everything possible to promote our own," he added. "There is nothing wrong going in for an expatriate coach but it doesn’t help us because they will change our brand of football.

“We should give the job to a Ghanaian. We are all available and ready to do the job only if they will call us."

Goal can confirm US-based Ghanaian coach Faisal Chibsah is among the six candidates in contention.

Former Kano Pillars and Asante Kotoko coach Abdul Malik Jabir and former Somalia head coach Bashir Hayford both applied for the job but were unable to make the final cut.

“We have our brand of football and we have to do everything possible to promote our own," Ghana's 1965 Afcon winner Osei Kofi similarly told Happy FM.

"There is nothing wrong going in for an expatriate coach but it doesn’t help us because they will change our brand of football.

“We should give the technical directorship job to a Ghanaian. We are all available and ready to do the job only if they will call us."

English coach Judan Ali has also been linked to the Ghana technical director job.

Akenteng left the big office after the GFA decided against renewing his expired contract.

“The process for selecting a technical director is over. The team that conducted the interview and went through the various processes, are yet to submit their recommendations and report to the Executive Council, for which reason a decision will be made as regards the appointment of a new technical director," GFA communications director Henry Asante Twum recently told Citi Sports.

"I will call on the general public to give us a few more days to settle on this particular candidate for the job,”

Inter striker Romelu Lukaku made a little piece of personal history during the Europa League final against Sevilla as he matched a feat last achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Belgium international, who departed Manchester United for San Siro last summer after a disappointing spell at Old Trafford, has exploded back to life under Antonio Conte and has now scored in six successive major European competition matches, levelling Ronaldo’s achievement from 2012 and 2013.

Lukaku opened the scoring with a penalty kick, which he slotted under Bono, after winning the opportunity himself as he was fouled by Diego Carlos after a quick break.

It was his 34th goal of the season and his 11th in Europe.

The 27-year-old’s six-game run began in the last-32, in which Inter found themselves after being eliminated from the Champions League, despite four goals from the striker. Ludogorets were Inter’s first opponents in February, and Lukaku scored in both legs to secure a 4-1 aggregate success.

Following the suspension of hostilities due to Covid-19, Inter went to the final stages in Germany, where they first tackled Getafe. A 2-0 win was marked by a Lukaku strike, and he was again on target as Bayer Leverkusen were defeated 2-1 in the quarter-finals, while he notched twice as Inter steamrollered Shakhtar Donetsk in the semis.

The penalty against Sevilla continued the remarkable run.

Cristiano Ronaldo, now at Inter’s arch-rivals Juventus, was with Real Madrid when he enjoyed his six-game scoring burst in Europe. 

The Portuguese’s goals all arrived in the Champions League, starting with one against Ajax that saw Los Blancos move through the group stages. In the knockout rounds, he scored in each leg as his former side Manchester United were defeated 3-2 on aggregate, while he struck three in two matches versus Galatasaray. 

His run was rounded off in a 4-1 away defeat by Borussia Dortmund, and though Madrid responded with a 2-0 success at the Bernabeu, in which Ronaldo played 90 minutes, he was unable to stretch his sequence to seven games.

During that campaign, Ronaldo scored 55 goals in 55 appearances, while also notching an impressive 13 assists.

Chelsea are on the verge of signing left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester in a £50 million ($65m) deal.

Goal has learned that the Blues are close to reaching an agreement with the Foxes that will see Chilwell complete a move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2020-21 season.

The 23-year-old is currently sidelined with a heel injury, but he has undergone medical checks on the issue in London as Chelsea continue to keep a close eye on his recovery.

Bringing in a new left-back has been a priority for head coach Frank Lampard, with Marcos Alonso struggling to convince in the role and Emerson Palmieri touted for a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Nicolas Tagliafico, Alex Telles and Marc Cucurella have also been linked with the Blues, but Chilwell has always been their top target, and a breakthrough in negotiations with Leicester now appears imminent.

With Chelsea now looking elsewhere, Tagliafico could be set for a move to the Bundesliga as he considers an offer from Germany.

Chilwell is expected to return to full fitness within the next three weeks, with Chelsea's first game of the new campaign set to take place on September 14 away at Brighton.

The England international has racked up 163 appearances across all competitions for Leicester over the past five years, scoring six goals, while also providing 16 assists.

His performances last term helped the Foxes fight for Champions League qualification, but Brendan Rodgers' side ultimately ended up finishing fifth after a poor run of form post-lockdown.

Chilwell has also established himself as a regular in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad over the past 12 months, and was in contention to appear at Euro 2020 before the tournament was pushed back a year amid the coronavirus crisis.

Should Chilwell's switch to Chelsea go through as expected, he will become the third major signing of Frank Lampard's reign at Stamford Bridge.

Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have also arrived in west London from Ajax and RB Leipzig respectively, and the Blues are expected to continue splashing the cash in the coming weeks.

Chelsea are currently in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential €80 million ($94m/£72m) deal for Germany midfielder Kai Havertz, but the Bundesliga outfit are holding out for an extra €20m (£18m/$24m).

Lampard has also been tipped to bring in a new first-choice goalkeeper, with Atletico Madrid No.1 Jan Oblak reportedly being eyed as a possible replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who fell out of favour with the Blues boss last term.

Asisat Oshoala provided an assist as Barcelona advanced into the semi-final of the Uefa Women's Champions League following a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid in Bilbao on Friday. 

After an 8-1 aggregate victory over Minsk last October, the Nigeria international played a key role to help the Catalans seal their progress to the last four of the tournament.

Oshoala, who had scored 26 goals in 26 appearances this season, was handed her fourth Champions League outing this term and made her sixth meeting with Atletico since arriving in Spain.

Lluis Cortes' team enjoyed the bulk of possession but could not find a breakthrough past the rock-solid defence of Atletico as both teams went into the half-time break tied.

After the restart, Barcelona continued with their dominance but failed to break the resistance of Dani Gonzalez's side until Oshoala's miscued acrobatic effort fell into defensive midfielder Kheira Hamraoui's path, and she duly grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time.

Oshoala, who was in action for 82 minutes before being replaced by Aitana Bonmati, has now contributed an assist and a goal in five outings for Barcelona in the competition this season.

The 26-year-old striker has now been involved in Barcelona's last five victories against Atletico in all competitions, scoring four goals.

She will hope to help Barcelona continue in the same vein in the semi-final of the tournament on August 25 when they take on Wolfsburg, who humiliated Glasgow City 9-1.

Tottenham need two or three more signings to challenge for a spot in the top four in 2020-21, says Jermaine Jenas.

Spurs salvaged a sixth-place Premier League finish under Jose Mourinho last term, following an impressive run of results post-lockdown.

The Lilywhites picked up 18 points from a possible 27 in their final nine fixtures, but ultimately failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in five years.

Mauricio Pochettino oversaw a poor start to the campaign from which Tottenham were unable to recover, despite Mourinho's best efforts.

The Portuguese has been able to gradually instil a winning mentality into the squad since replacing Pochettino in November, but has also faced criticism for his perceived negative tactics and rigid setup.

Although Spurs have been able to strengthen by bringing in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton for £15 million (£20m), along with former England goalkeeper Joe Hart on a free transfer, Jenas believes his old club are still short on depth.

He cannot see Mourinho guiding his current crop back into the Champions League, and has called for further investment to be made if they are to bridge the gap on English football's top clubs.

“I am worried, if I’m totally honest with you. I don’t see Tottenham getting in the top four, as it stands right now," ex-Tottenham midfielder Jenas told talkSPORT.

“I’ve not seen anything in regards to a level of performance that tells me they’re going to break in.

“The end of the season was positive but it was getting results in not the most beautiful way. That’s Jose’s way and I think a lot of Tottenham fans will still take that, because the results are the most important thing.

“But the way I see it right now, they need to bring in at least two or three players and, if they don’t do that, I don’t see how they possibly can get into the top-four.”

One man who has continually been linked with a move to Spurs is Gareth Bale, who left the club to join Real Madrid back in 2013.

The Welshman has endured another turbulent year at Santiago Bernabeu which has seen him fall out of favour with Zinedine Zidane, and Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann has been the latest man to suggest it is time for the winger to retrace his steps.

“The most important thing for every player is to be on the field and to play," said the former Germany international. "When this doesn’t work out, sooner or later you have to come to a conclusion and consider a move.

"As a Tottenham fan, I would love him to come back to Spurs.”

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo will miss their Premiership fixture against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The Super Eagles duo were dropped from the Gers’ trip to Livingston last Sunday due to injuries and they will miss their second game in a row this season.

Balogun sustained an injury around his quadriceps during Rangers’ 3-0 win over St. Johnstone while Aribo suffered a knock during a training session before the game in Livingston last week.

Ahead of Saturday's match against Kilmarnock, Gerrard disclosed that the Nigeria internationals are still not ready, while long-term absentee Jermain Defoe is not expected back until after September’s international break.

"Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo won't make the weekend,” Gerrard told the club website. “They are the players who are ruled out.

“Allan McGregor is back fit and he's trained with us for the first time yesterday and come through with no issues.

“Jermain Defoe still won't be seen until after the international break.”

Gerrard added that Saturday’s encounter at Ibrox Stadium is too early for Balogun and Aribo, however, he expects them to be in contention for their next Premiership outing against Hamilton Academical on August 29.

"I think [Leon and Joe] have both got a very good chance for next week, we've obviously not got a game in midweek, so I expect them to have a real strong chance for next week," he said. "This weekend has come too soon for both."

Following the end of his short-term deal at Wigan Athletic, Balogun joined Rangers on a free transfer and he has proven his defensive capabilities with solid performances in his first three appearances in the Scottish top-flight.

He was named in the Premiership Team of the Week following his fine debut outing against Aberdeen as the Gers kept a clean sheet and bagged an away win in their first game of the season.

Aribo, on the other hand, has also established himself as a key player in Gerrard’s team with his displays in the middle of the park.

The 24-year-old opened his goal account for the 2020-21 season by sealing Rangers' 3-0 victory against St. Johnstone.

They sit at the summit of the Premiership table level on 10 points with Hibernian after four matches.

New OGC Nice recruit Hassane Kamara has praised fellow new signing Amine Gouiri for displaying a certain degree of maturity in the short space he has been with the club.

The Franco-Algerian wonderkid joined Les Aiglons from Olympique Lyon in a four-year deal worth €7 million.

He has already hit the ground running, scoring three goals in pre-season. Gouiri netted a brace in a 6-0 bashing of Slovak side Dunajska Streda before scoring the consolation goal in a 4-1 defeat by Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg.

Kamara, for his part, joined from Reims and got a goal for himself in pre-season in a 2-1 victory over Standard Liege.

“Amine and I arrived at the same time. He is young but he already has a certain maturity,” the Franco-Gambian left-back was reported saying in FootMercato . “He knows where he wants to go, he has ambition.

"When I spoke with him, he told me he wanted to have a great career and go far. He knows he is young and that he needs to work and improve in several areas. He is motivated and serious. He tries to do his best to achieve his goals.

“On the field, he was able to show his qualities directly. He is a number 9 but the coach used him a little more on the left. At no time did I see him baulk. He performed well. He has scored goals and he shows he came here to work and perform. He's a really good teammate.”

Gouiri made the move to Nice due to lack of playing opportunities at Lyon where he featured just 15 times in all competitions since his break-through in 2017, eight of those outings coming in Ligue 1.

He has acknowledged that Les Gones did not stand in his way of a transfer and that he was attracted by ambitions of Nice under former France international and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.

“I spoke with [Lyon sporting director] Juninho. He understood my choice to join Nice,” Gouiri said. “[Vieira] spoke to me very well about the club project. I was directly hooked.

"It's an ambitious club like me."

Gouiri will begin his competitive adventure with Nice when they host newly promoted RC Lens in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Kenya and HIFK Fotboll star Arnold Origi has forgiven Finnish journalist Pekka Holopainen for claiming the goalkeeper was involved in a match-fixing incident.

Origi was red-carded when HIFK Fotboll played and lost 3-2 to Inter Turku on August 14 which led to the journalist claiming, in a Twitter post, that the Kenyan goalkeeper had deliberately been sent off in the 89th minute.

“It was important for me to meet Pekka Holopainen face to face. When I heard the news of what he had said, I was very disappointed and angry,” Origi said in a statement obtained by Goal. “There are many people who just make an apology without really meaning it, because it belongs and because you should not lose face in public.

"He's an experienced journalist, so he should have known better before publishing his tweet," the stopper added. “Therefore, I did not buy his apology on Twitter but wanted to meet him to make sure he really means it.

“Holopainen got in touch and wanted to meet me, so we decided to go to lunch together. I could see from his eyes that he was really sad, and he told me that it was a dark moment for him when he wrote the comment.”

The Kenya star said he was convinced Holopainen was very sorry for what he said after analysing him thoroughly during their one-on-one meeting.

“At the base of our discussion, I could see that he was sincere when he apologised,” Origi added. “We have all made mistakes and said stupid things, which you later regret. He regretted his mistake and thus I could forgive him.

“There is a lot in our society today that is about spreading false rumours and hanging out with other people on social media after they have made a mistake.

“I do not want to be a part of this and have even made mistakes myself several times. If someone disappears, but then is genuinely remorseful and apologises, you can talk through the situation together and then move on to the next chapter.

“Holopainen and I have met, said what we have to say to each other, and now we can forget what happened and move on.”

Origi was shown the red card after he had also been booked in the 87th minute.

Yanga SC are on the verge of unveiling their long-term target Michael Sarpong.

The Ghanaian striker, who was also a target for their fellow Tanzanian giants Simba SC, arrived in Dar es Salaam on Friday ahead of his unveiling, set to take place on Saturday.

The former Rayon Sports forward was a free agent and had attracted interest from the two rivals, with former Yanga coach Luc Eymael listing him as one of the club’s transfer targets before he was sacked at the end of the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League season.

Yanga media officer Hassan Bumbuli has confirmed to Goal that they are happy to have secured the services of the player, whom they had tracked for many years.

“As you can see, Sarpong arrived [on Friday] and we will unveil him on Saturday,” Bumbuli began. “It was not an easy transfer because several teams were fighting for his signature including Simba but I am happy at the end he picked Yanga.”

Bumbuli went further to assure fans they are still in the market for other top signings, although he stopped short of giving names, adding they want to build a strong team to fight for trophies on all fronts come next season.

“We ask our fans to be patient because we have just started,” Bumbuli continued. “We are very keen on the kind of transfers we are doing, we don’t want to sign players just because we are signing…no, we are looking at every players’ quality and we also want to know when they come, what benefit will they give the club.

“The fans should continue giving us the support, we will not let them down, we will make sure they are happy in the new season.”

Sarpong’s contract with Rayon Sports was terminated after he refused to accept the decision by the club to stop paying salaries of players for three months owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, Yanga welcomed Tuisila Kisinda and Mukoko Tonombe of AS Vita from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both of whom penned a two-year contract.

Yanga are in a rebuilding process having axed 14 players among them former Gor Mahia striker Gnamien Yikpe, who took much criticism last season, captain Papy Tshishimbi, who refused to renew his contract, and Congolese striker David Molinga.

Other players axed included veteran striker Mrisho Ngassa, Jafary Mohamed, Mohamed Issa Banka, Tariq Seif, Andrew Vincent Dante, Patrick Sibomana, Muharami Issa, Ali Ali, Rafael Daud, Ali Mtoni Sonso and Eric Kabamba.

Tottenham shot-stopper Hugo Lloris says Jose Mourinho has brought a winner's mentality to the club since inheriting the managerial reigns last November.

Spurs decided to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino after a disastrous start to the 2019-20 campaign, which saw the team slip to 14th in the Premier League standings.

Club chairman Daniel Levy turned to former Manchester United and Chelsea boss Mourinho to halt the slide, as the Portuguese committed to a three-and-a-half-year contract with the north Londoners.

Mourinho won five of his first seven games at the helm, but a string of injuries to key personnel saw his honeymoon period ended abruptly over the Christmas period.

Tottenham had exited the Champions League and FA Cup by the time the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and were also still in grave danger of missing out on a European spot.

However, the Lilywhites returned to action post-lockdown with a renewed sense of purpose, winning five, drawing three and losing only one of their final nine fixtures.

Spurs secured a respectable sixth-placed finish after their strong finish to the season, and Lloris is confident that they can take that impressive form into 2020-21.

The French goalkeeper says the entire squad has now adjusted to Mourinho's pragmatic coaching style, as he told the club's official website: “As I said at the end of last season, that period helped the players who didn’t know the demands of the manager.

"Now we all understand those demands. Before, we didn’t really have time. There was a transition with the way we used to play before and what the new football the manager is demanding.

"Now it is all clear, and he adds his winning mentality to this team and the leaders also have to step up. It’s about winning now..."

Tottenham are set to play host to Everton when their latest campaign kicks off on September 12, and Lloris has stressed the importance of making a winning start after the disappointment of last term.

“It’s the chance to put last season behind us, to start a new season with fresh minds, fresh bodies,” he added. “Of course, it’s a short time in pre-season, but we need to adapt. It’s the same scenario for all the teams involved in the Premier League.

“We have to make sure we start well. In the last few seasons, we’ve lost some points in the first few games, and they all count at the end.

“It’s good to be at home, but Everton are difficult opponents, very competitive. They have everything, the players, the quality in the squad and a fantastic manager, one of the best in history. It will be an interesting start, and we will be ready.”

Bayern Munich great Franz Beckenbauer believes that Paris Saint-Germain will pose his side an immense threat in Sunday’s Champions League final.

Following an 8-2 win over Barcelona and a 3-0 success over Lyon, the Germans have been billed as favourites to win the competition.

Beckenbauer, who lifted the trophy on three occasions with FCB in the 1970s, believes the clash will be more complicated than any Hansi Flick’s side have faced previously. 

“I've watched PSG's games, they're one heck of a team. I can't find any weak points in the team and I expect them to vary their playing style,” he explained on the Bundesliga champions’ official website.

“It'll be the most difficult game of this Champions League season. I hope that both teams don't hold back too much, don't show each other too much respect and play just as refreshingly and with a joie de vivre like they have done up to now. Then we can expect a wonderful final.”

Indeed, he does not believe that the German champions are necessarily favourites.

“It'll be a match played on equal terms. I'd say it's 50-50. Sometimes you need a bit of luck. If Bayern get that, they'll win the game,” he said.

Beckenbauer has been following Bayern’s progress and has been impressed with what he has seen.

“I watched it on TV and was thrilled, like every other Bayern fan,” he said of the semi-final clash against Lyon. “They didn't play like they did against Barcelona, but a performance like that is a one-off. The game against Lyon was also remarkable because Olympique are also a very strong team.

“Manuel Neuer made a few brilliant saves. But then the Bavarians took the reins - and didn't let them go for the rest of the game. That's how it should be and it's also very important. 

“We've often seen how teams can let a game slip away from themselves because they get careless, because they think it's too easy. But they stayed calm and finished the job. It paid off, and you can only compliment the team.”

Sunday’s clash in Lisbon will begin at 20:00BST.