Looking for Soccer News?

Ousmane Dembele has returned to training with Barcelona and could feature against Eibar at the end of the month.

France international Dembele has had a string of injury problems, with a hamstring complaint sidelining him since the game with Cadiz on December 5.

He returned to training on Sunday, but the Liga game with Valladolid on Tuesday will come too soon for the forward.

“He did part of the training session with the reserves yesterday, which is normal the day after the game,” Koeman said at a press conference on Monday. “He needs more training sessions to be able to go on the squad list. 

“He could make the squad for Eibar at the end of December.”

Koeman’s focus is on reviving Barcelona’s fortunes, and said they cannot afford any more slip ups if they are to get in the title hunt, and he has said there has been no talk about the January transfer window.

“I’m talking to Ramon Planes about sport-related issues, not with anyone else," Koeman said. “I don’t really want to because I think we have to wait for a new president.

"Right now I have to manage the team, prepare for our matches, there are lots of games. There isn’t even much time to talk about other things. We’ll see what happens in January.”

While Barca are eight points off Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, having lost four games already, Koeman feels the club are tracking in the right direction.

“Today it’s a team where we need to change a lot of things,” he said. “Younger players are playing and that’s why we have been a little inconsistent. We are also missing some players. 

“For the future it looks good, but at Barcelona you have to win and battle for titles and it’s a complicated situation.”

French defender Clement Lenglet was surprisingly benched in the 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday, and Koeman insists it was purely on account of workload.

“I think it’s just part of the shuffling of the lineup we have to do for physical reasons,” the Dutch coach said. “It’s impossible to keep up the pace in such a short amount of time.”

Bengaluru suffered their first defeat of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) this season following a  0-1 result against ATK Mohun Bagan on Friday.

The Blues were the second-best team for the majority of the game and failed to breach the ATK Mohun Bagan defence to come up with an equaliser after David Williams broke the deadlock. 

Coach Carles Cuadrat, though, praised the efforts of his players of matching ATK Mohun Bagan in intensity. He also explained why shuffled his squad in the important tie.

"It has been a difficult December with five games in 21 days. We tried to put some fresh legs (on the field) and new players and I gave the opportunity to Udanta (Singh) and (Deshorn) Brown to start and also put (Leon (Augustin). Rahul Bheke also started after two matches. We tried to get the same physicality of ATK Mohun Bagan and in that aspect with what the players showed, I am happy. They tried until the 95th minute to score. I think we were okay," said the Bengaluru boss after the match.

The Spanish coach suggested that the quality of David Williams and Roy Krishna in ATK Mohun Bagan's attack proved to be the difference between the two sides as the attack was efficient. 

"Every game is different but at the end, little margins make the difference. The quality of Williams and Krishna have punished us. They get small chances and finish the game."

Cuadrat said that his team did not allow ATK Mohun Bagan to create many chances in the match. He also mentioned that after getting the lead in the first half, Habas' side became resolute at the back and was difficult to break down.

"If you see ATK Mohun Bagan, they also did not create many chances. We know before the game that it would be a gritty game, a 0-0 or 1-0 and it has been always like this. If they get the goal first they will get comfortable. We also tried to get the goal, we put a lineup with good energy. They scored before and then it was difficult to break the defensive line," said the Spaniard.

Suresh Wangjam, who has been a regular member of Bengaluru's starting lineup this season, came on as a substitute in the match. Explaining his decision to start with Udanta, Cuadrat suggested, "I knew in the second half that there will be more spaces created for Suresh so that was the match plan. It was working well. Udanta in the first half arrived and put in good crosses.

"He was doing his job and then in the second half we replaced him with Suresh and it almost worked because we created the chance with Leon and Suresh and Cleiton had almost scored."

The 52-year-old coach was satisfied with the attitude and physical intensity of his players despite the loss.

"We take a lot of positives. They are a very competitive team. We knew that ATK Mohun Bagan will be fighting for the play-offs and we were close to getting something from the game. The players had a very good attitude and they showed that they understand the match plan and they showed that they are physically ready so I am very happy with the team," the Bengaluru manager signed off.

Erling Haaland could be used alongside Youssoufa Moukoko when he returns from injury in January, Borussia Dortmund interim head coach Edin Terzic has suggested.

Prolific striker Haaland had been in fine form for Dortmund prior to injuring his hamstring in training earlier this month, forcing him out of BVB's past six matches.

Dortmund's latest teen prodigy Moukoko has profited from Haaland's absence, though, forcing his way into the side at the age of just 16 and starting their two most recent matches.

He netted in Friday's 2-1 loss at Union Berlin to become the Bundesliga's youngest ever scorer , having already been the youngest player to appear in the competition after coming off the bench against Hertha Berlin the day after turning 16 last month.

The Dortmund academy product also became the youngest player to appear in the Champions League when featuring as a second-half substitute against Zenit at the age of 16 years and 18 days, breaking the record held by Celestine Babayaro.

The young attacking duo boast many similarities, not least that they both favour their left feet, but Terzic is open to the idea of pairing them together in the coming weeks.

At a news conference previewing Tuesday's DFB-Pokal second-round trip to Eintracht Braunschweig, he said: "If we ever get the feeling that we can use both Erling and Youssoufa at the same time... why not?"

Haaland, who has scored 17 times for Dortmund in all competitions this term, will play no part against second-tier Braunschweig as he continues his recovery from injury.

However, Terzic - placed in charge until the end of the campaign following Lucien Favre's departure little over a week ago - has provided a positive update on the Norway international's rehabilitation programme.

"I saw him for the first time today," Terzic said on Monday. "We are happy and things are looking up for him. He is completely on schedule in terms of timing and we assume he will be immediately back at the beginning of January."

Ten of Haaland's goals this season have come in the Bundesliga at a rate of one every 65 minutes, nine of those via his left foot and one with his right.

In a further fitness boost for Dortmund, Terzic confirmed Thorgan Hazard - who has missed three games with a muscle injury - returned to training on Monday and a late decision will be made on whether he plays against Braunschweig.

Robert Lewandowski has suggested his performance levels in recent years stand up to scrutiny with regard to the efforts of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona great Messi and Juventus superstar Ronaldo have dominated the conversation with regard to the best player on the planet for over a decade, with the pair having 11 Ballons d’Or between them - six for Messi and five for Ronaldo.

The award was not given out this year on account of the coronavirus pandemic, but there was a case to be made for the pair having been eclipsed by Lewandowski.

The Poland international won the Bundesliga and Champions League with Bayern Munich, with his goals being key to the German side’s success in both competitions.

Lewandowski brushed off talk of comparisons between himself and the two greats of the game, but conceded his numbers stack up.

“Messi and Ronaldo have been sitting at the same table, at the top, for a very long time, and that's what makes them incomparable,” Lewandowski told France Football. “So to answer your question, I can't imagine myself next to them in this point of view. 

“That said, 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. 

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

At 32 years of age, Lewandowski’s best years are probably behind him but he talks about constantly learning in a bid to evolve his game.

“I have a desire to progress and that's even more important because I know that my time is limited,” he said. “Obviously, progress is not instantaneous. 

“When you repeat something every day, you can only measure its effect three or six months later, not the next day. The problem is, a lot of people want what you do in invisible work to be seen immediately. 

“Patience is an important virtue, in football as in life.”

Former Borussia Dortmund man Lewandowski will head into the Christmas and New Year break with his side top of the Bundesliga and through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, so he could well be challenging for top honours again in 2021.

Lionel Messi has been "repeatedly lied to" by Barcelona, according to Joan Laporta, who says he's the only man that can convince the club captain to stay at Camp Nou.

Speculation over Messi's future is raging ahead of the January transfer window.

The Argentine will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any potential suitors when the market reopens, with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City reportedly poised to swoop for his signature.

Messi pushed for a transfer during the summer before performing a dramatic U-turn, but he is now approaching the final six months of his current deal, and time is running out for Barca to tie a prized asset down to fresh terms.

Ex-Camp Nou president Laporta says the 33-year-old deserves assurances of a competitive new project, with the current squad considered to be below the required standard when it comes to winning the most prestigious trophies in the game.

"I am sure Messi wants to continue at Barca," The Spanish politician told ESPN. "It will depend on the proposal that the new president makes him. 

"He needs to see that there is a competitive team to reignite the love story Barca had with the Champions League but which has been on hold in recent years.

"[The club] have repeatedly lied to him and, on top of that, things haven't gone as everyone wanted. He is at a point in his career where he still wants to be successful and win titles.

"He cannot keep accepting that other teams win the Champions League and Barca, with Lionel, the best player in the history of the game, do not have a team competitive enough to be able to win it."

Laporta, who recently announced his candidacy for the next set of presidential elections at Barca in January, believes he is best placed to convince Messi that he should see out his playing days in Catalonia, having already gained his full "trust" during his first spell at the club.

"I don't see Messi in a shirt that isn't Barca's," he said. "The story between him and the club is so beautiful that the incoming president is obliged to make sure it continues. I don't see him playing for any other club. I see him in the Barca shirt.

"Along with turning around the club's financial situation, the priority is to make a proposal to Lionel that convinces him to stay. I hope I arrive in time. And I have an advantage: Messi's trust.

"He knows the offer I make will be real and I will fulfil it. I think that will help a lot and is an advantage over the other candidates."

Laporta also addressed Barca's precarious financial position amid the coronavirus crisis, with the club's debt rising to almost €500 million (£459m/$611m) before the resignation of previous president Josep Bartomeu in October.

"The club is on the brink of bankruptcy," he added. "That is one of the reasons why I am running. I did the same in 2003 to turn around a delicate situation. The magnitude is much bigger this time but the structure is the same.

"The situation is difficult but, despite everything, we're [the football club] that generates the most revenue. But we will have to find socios [club members] working in certain areas that can help us generate even more.

"The emergency plan we have is powerful, and I am sure it will work. The message is one of optimism. We can turn the situation around by reducing outgoings. We're studying the restructuring of the debt, too."

Major League Soccer's esports league is back in early 2021 with more teams and a new online format.

Known as the eMLS, this year a few new faces will be involved in the FIFA 21 tournament along with the familiar representatives as they battle it out for the top prize.

Ahead of the kick-off, Goal brings you everything you need to know about eMLS 2021, including when it starts, teams involved and what's at stake.

Which clubs are involved in eMLS 2021?

A total of 27 clubs will be taking part in the new eMLS season, with Inter Miami CF and Saint Louis City SC making their debuts. 

When is eMLS 2021 on and what is the season structure?

The 2021 eMLS season will be comprised of three live-streamed tournaments that each take place over the course of two days.

The season will kick off on January 16 with eMLS League Series One and continue on February 13 with eMLS League Two and conclude with the eMLS Cup which kicks off on March 20.

Ahead of each League Series, all 27 Clubs will play in online qualifier games with the top eight Clubs in points making it to the respective League Series knockout tournament.

After the League Series conclude, the top 11 clubs in total points will automatically qualify for eMLS Cup. The remaining 16 Clubs will compete in a Last Chance Qualifier tournament to battle for the final 12th seed of eMLS Cup.

What is the eMLS 2021 prize?

The eMLS 2021 season features a $70,000 (£52,500) prize pool.

What system does eMLS 2021 take place on?

The eMLS season takes place on the PlayStation 4. All players will be using SCUF Gaming controllers, JLab Play headphones and Talk Microphones.

How does eMLS factor into the FIFA 21 Global Series? 

eMLS is a Tier 1 League Qualifier for the North America region of the FIFA 21 Global Series, which enables the top three finishers at eMLS Cup to receive direct seats to the PS4 Global Series North America Regional Playoffs.

What is the FIFA 21 Global Series?

The FIFA 21 Global Series is a competitive FIFA ecosystem – whereby players can advance from the FIFA 21 Global Series Playoffs to the FIFA eWorld Cup. The Global Series shifted to a completely online format and will be region-based in 2021.

How can you watch eMLS 2021?

Fans can tune in to all three competitions on Twitch.tv/MLS, Twitter.com/MLS and MLSsoccer.com.

Who are the FIFA pros taking part in eMLS 2021?

All 27 teams will have their own FIFA pro representing them.

This season 13 players have either transferred to new clubs or are new singings. That includes Kid M3mito, the inaugural eMLS Cup champion in 2018, transferring from the Houston Dynamo to Chicago Fire FC, FC Dallas re-signing AlanAvi, their eMLS Player from 2018 and 2019, and the Vancouver Whitecaps re-signing Skill Shack, their eMLS Player from 2019.

The full roster of players is below.

Who are the eMLS 2021 favourites?

The New York Red Bull’s eMLS competitor, George Adamou, is the reigning eMLS Cup champion from 2020. 

FC Cincinnati’s eMLS player, FCC Fiddle, and Atlanta United’s eMLS player, Paulo Neto, were champions of the North America and South America EA Sports FIFA 20 Summer Cups.

Chicago Fire's Guillermo Tervino was a 2018 eMLS Cup Champion.

FC Dallas' Alan Avila was the 2018 eMLS All-Star Challenge Champion.

Nashville's Cormac Dooley dominated in 2019, becoming the eMLS League Series 1 and Series 2 Champion and 2019 eMLS Cup Champion.

Manchester United have put themselves in the Premier League title discussion but remain a team in “transition” and should be prioritising a top-four finish, says Mark Bosnich.

The Red Devils have responded positively to the odd wobble suffered in 2020-21 to make their way into third spot in the English top-flight table.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are just five points off the pace being set by defending champions Liverpool and boast a game in hand on their arch-rivals from Anfield.

A spark has been found on home soil, after crushing Leeds 6-2 at Old Trafford, and a faultless record has been preserved on the road – with a useful habit picked up of staging stirring comebacks.

Pieces appear to be falling into place for Solskjaer, in what remains a testing period for all concerned amid an ongoing global pandemic, and Bosnich sees encouraging signs of progress.

The former Red Devils goalkeeper is, however, eager for United to avoid getting too far ahead of themselves, with Champions League qualification for 2021-22 still a positive step in the right direction.

He told Sky Sports of title claims on the red half of Manchester: “I wouldn’t say no way at all.

“I’ll hark back to what we spoke about earlier in the season when things weren’t going so well and I said they are a team in transition.

“When you get a team in transition, you are going to get the ups and downs of a team growing in that type of situation.

“But I will add this, this season – this year with what has happened throughout the world with the Covid-19 situation – has metaphorically thrown the chips in the air for quite a lot of things, and that includes football as well.

“If you look throughout the leagues there isn’t anyone, maybe with the exception of Liverpool, who have turned around and really looked like saying ‘yeah, we can win this title’.

“If there was a season where a shock occurred or something happened a little bit out of ordinary, it would be this season.

“I still think that out of all the teams people are mentioning as possible winners, Manchester United could be one of them.

“I don’t think they will, I think they need to consolidate in the top four, but I would not rule them out. There is no way I would say no way.”

United’s focus is about to switch to a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Everton, as they continue to chase down silverware on multiple fronts, with Premier League meetings with Leicester and Wolves set to take them through to the end of the calendar year.

Neymar is welcome to reunite with Lionel Messi but first he must ask for forgiveness following his acrimonious Camp Nou exit three years ago, Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Farre has insisted.

The Brazil international spent four trophy-laden seasons in Catalunya, forming a formidable partnership alongside Messi and Luiz Suarez, before joining Paris Saint-Germain for a record €222 million (£200m/$262m) in 2017 after his release clause was triggered.

Neymar has scored 50 times in 59 Ligue 1 outings since arriving at PSG and assisted a further 29 - only team-mate Kylian Mbappe (99) has been directly involved in more goals in the competition in that time.

During his time with Barca, meanwhile, he was directly involved in 164 goals in 186 appearances, helping the club to eight trophies.

He left Barca under a cloud and has since been embroiled in a court battle with his former club over an alleged breach of contract and unpaid loyalty payments.

However, the superstar forward caused a stir earlier this month when saying he wants nothing more than to link up with Messi again next year.

PSG are rumoured to be readying an offer for soon-to-be free agent Messi, but Farre - in the running to succeed Josep Maria Bartomeu as the La Liga giants' next president in January's elections - has suggested the pair could play together at Barca.

"Neymar will be welcome but the first thing he has to do is withdraw his demands and ask for forgiveness," he told RAC1. 

"We have spoken to his people and they have told us about 'going home'.

"Who doesn't want the third-best player in the world on their team? There is an option of a transfer request, which would see him come for €40-45m."

Messi failed in an attempt to engineer a move away from Barcelona in the close season but is due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign, meaning he is able to open talks with other clubs from next month.

Manchester City and Inter have been linked with the Argentina international, but reports from Spain last week suggested PSG are the frontrunners for Messi's signature, although his father and agent Jorge has since labelled that speculation "false".

Farre hopes he can persuade the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to stay on, albeit on a reduced salary as Barca adjust to the crippling effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Messi and Neymar can play together at Barca next year. I am sure Messi does not want to leave," he said.

"I have talked to his people and, while we have not made any progress, he has told me he wants to stay. But he wants to be part of a winning project.

"My proposal to him is that he renews year after year, then we create a joint brand between Messi and Barca, and that he goes on to become the club's honorary president.

"But he will have to adapt to the current conditions of the club."

Messi scored in Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend to notch his 643rd goal for the Blaugrana, equalling Santos great Pele's one-club goals record.

Tottenham have announced that Alex Morgan will return to the United States in January.

Morgan joined Tottenham from Orlando Pride on a one-season deal in the summer transfer window, having spent the previous three years of his career at the Exploria Stadium.

The 31-year-old, who was part of the USWNT World Cup-winning squad in 2019, was seen as a major coup for Spurs due to her status as one of the top players in the women's game.

Unfortunately, the experienced striker's first few months in north London have been overshadowed by fitness issues, with a niggling knee problem preventing her from making her debut until November.

Morgan finally opened her scoring account for Tottenham from the penalty spot in a 3-1 Women's Super League win over Brighton on December 6, and repeated the trick in a victory against Aston Villa by the same scoreline seven days later.

However, the terms of the American forward's current contract allow her to go back to Orlando Pride in the new year, with the new National Women's Soccer League season due to kick off in February.

Spurs have now confirmed that Morgan will rejoin the NWSL outfit in 2021, with an official statement on the club's Twitter account reading: "We can confirm that Alex Morgan will be returning to the United States in the new year after the conclusion of the first half of the season."

Morgan delivered the following message to the club's staff and fans on Monday afternoon: “I will be forever grateful to the club, my team-mates and Spurs supporters for taking such good care of me and my family.

“From the moment I arrived in London, I realised I was part of a first-class organisation, one that helped provide me the opportunity to immerse myself back into the game I love.

“Thank you to everyone who helped make this chapter in my soccer journey so special... COYS.”

Tottenham Head of Women's Football Heather Cowan has expressed her gratitude towards Morgan for her contribution to the club's cause while wishing her good luck as she embarks on the next chapter of her career.

“We were delighted at the start of the season when Alex chose us as her club to help regain fitness and take her first steps back into competitive football after giving birth earlier this year," said Cowan.

“It has been a pleasure to have Alex with us during this period and the whole squad has taken a lot from working every day with someone at the top of the women's game.

“We wish Alex all the best for the future both at club and international level as she prepares to return back home with her family. She will always be welcome here at Spurs.”

Arsenal’s “terrible” run of form has become unacceptable, says David Seaman, with the Gunners needing to back under-fire boss Mikel Arteta by selling and buying during the January window.

A forgettable start to the 2020-21 campaign has a north London heavyweight languishing in 15th spot, four points clear of the relegation zone.

Confidence has taken a serious hit at Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal lacking a spark at both ends of the field.

The new year will present an opportunity to mix things up, with the Gunners clearly in need of movement in and out of an underperforming squad.

Seaman hopes funds will be made available to Arteta, a coach he retains full faith in, with the legendary former Arsenal goalkeeper telling PA Sport: “I like how he speaks, and my friends give me great reports of what he does at the training ground.

“For me, he needs to stay and the club need to back him in getting the players he wants.

“At the moment, there are a few players at Arsenal that maybe need to leave to create funds to get better players.”

Fresh faces could help to turn things around for the beleaguered Gunners, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City on Tuesday set to provide welcome respite from Premier League struggles.

Seaman added: “For Arsenal, it will be a bit of a break from their league form, but you cannot just turn it on and off.

“Their Premier League form is terrible, there is no doubt about that, but we need to kick on and start putting some performances in, because at the moment it is not acceptable.

“It is a build up of things, but what is happening now is players are just drained of confidence.

“They are making four or five-yard passes to each other and they cannot control it – that is nerves in the game.

“It is just about getting through that, in times like this, you look to your experienced players and hopefully they can drag you through.

“We have got a lot of young players in the Arsenal team but at the moment they have no one to look to because everyone is seeming to have a lack of confidence.”

Arteta has vowed not to walk away from the challenge he faces in north London, but is aware that the tide needs to turn in order for the pressure that is building on his shoulders to be eased – with talk of former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri being appointed in his place already doing the rounds.

Dele Alli needs to leave Tottenham amid talk of interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, says Peter Crouch, with the former Spurs striker also admitting to being “worried” about Harry Winks’ future in north London.

Two England international midfielders have been struggling for regular game time under Jose Mourinho this season.

Both have figured prominently under a Portuguese tactician in the past, but other options are now being favoured – with the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg dominating in the engine room.

Alli has been introduced off the bench in Tottenham’s recent Premier League fixtures against Crystal Palace and Liverpool, but those outings have totalled just eight minutes and the 24-year-old was overlooked completely in a 2-0 defeat to Leicester.

It may be that he has to push for a move elsewhere when the next transfer window opens, with leading sides from France and Spain still said to be keen on buying into his ability despite recent struggles for consistency.

Crouch feels Alli has little choice but to move on, with the ex-Spurs frontman telling the Daily Mail: “It’s time for him to go. I don’t like it when I see good players languishing on the sidelines and Alli has too much ability for it not to be utilised.

“I am worried about Harry Winks, too, and wonder whether he needs a fresh start.

“In terms of Dele, he has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

“We’ll see whether either of those moves come to fruition but I hope he has a fresh start to get his career back on track as he needs a new club.

“If he does not move soon, his career will stagnate because I think the fact Jose Mourinho didn’t include him on the bench [against Leicester] told you everything you need to know. There is no future for him in north London while Mourinho is in charge.”

While an enigmatic coach has taken to edging Alli out of his plans, Crouch is pleased to have seen a proven winner rediscover his spark in 2020-21 as Spurs seek to piece together a title challenge.

The former England international added: “I didn’t like it when Mourinho was inhibited at Manchester United and it’s made me laugh, recently, seeing him having a pop at people, starting wind-ups and saying things that are aimed to shock.

“He does this when he knows he has a proper team. He wouldn’t get involved in a squabble with Jurgen Klopp if he thought Liverpool were miles and miles ahead.

“He will, though, get involved in the fight if he believes his team can go to war. 

“I felt Mourinho had a glint in his eye when he took the Spurs job 13 months ago and it’s been obvious over the last couple of months. I understand he is not everyone’s cup of tea but I’ve always enjoyed the joust with him. I hope he continues like this.”

Real Madrid will be aiming to end their year in style and continue their recent renaissance when they host Granada in their penultimate match of 2020.

After the doom and gloom of the Autumn, Zinedine Zidane’s side have turned things around emphatically, winning their last four matches domestically and their last five in all competitions.

In fact, Real have taken maximum 15 points since they were defeated 2-0 away at Shakhtar Donetsk on December 12, the loss that represented the nadir of their miserable run.

Since then, they’ve conceded just two goals in five matches, with Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach, Atletico Madric, Athletic Bilbao and Eibar all being put to the sword during an impressive December.

They head into their midweek fixtures level on points with Atletico, although they’ve played two games fewer than their city rivals and have an inferior goal difference.

The pressure may well be on Real when they host Granada, as Los Merengues could have fallen three points behind Atletico when they host Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

At the weekend, Real excelled away at Eibar, running out 3-1 winners with Karim Benzema in imperious form.

The France striker opened the scoring after six minutes—following fine work from Rodrygo—and contributed two further assists, setting up Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez to add to Real’s lead.

With Sergio Ramos back in defence alongside Raphael Varane, Real are notably more confident at the back, with Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal representing reliable options at full-back.

With Casemiro back from suspension, he took his place alongside Modric and the influential Toni Kroos, while Vazquez and Rodrygo enjoyed two of their strongest performances of the season flanking the lethal Benzema.

Zidane will be hoping to welcome back some of his other attacking options for the visit of Granada; Vinicius may step into the side—on the left flank—as the French coach rotates his options, while he also may include Fede Valverde as Real look to negotiate the festive period.

Valverde stepped in when Casemiro was out, and looks likely to replace Modric, who missed training on Monday after developing a muscle problem in his left leg.

The Croatia midfielder will undergo tests on Tuesday to ascertain the seriousness of the injury, and he’ll be sorely missed should he—as expected—miss out, having played a key role in Real’s recent winning streak.

Los Blancos could also welcome back Eden Hazard—at least for a place on the bench—as the Belgium superstar looks to put his latest injury misery behind him.

Things haven’t worked out for the ex-Chelsea playmaker since his arrival from the Premier League for an eye-watering fee, and Zidane must manage his fitness cautiously—easing him back into a successful side will help—as the attacking midfielder looks to get back to his best.

A fully fit Hazard would represent a major boost for Real as they look to retain their title, as the former LOSC Lille hero could be the protagonist in a strong start to 2021—if he stays fit!

Isco remains doubtful for the Granada game, while Granada have plenty of problems of their own.

Key midfielder Maxime Gonalons is out with suspension, which could open the door to Ramon Azeez or Yan Brice Eteki, while the likes of Neyder Lozano and Angel Montoro are also absent.

Victor Diaz, Fede Vico and Darwin Machis are all doubtful for the visitors.

Real are overwhelming favourites to take all three points, despite Granda’s strong start to the season.

Los Blancos won the last meeting between these two—five months ago—to extend their winning run in this fixture to 10 matches. On average, they have scored 3.4 goals per match across this run, so expect goals when the Nasrids come to the capital on Wednesday.

Granada have never won at the Bernabeu, and it would represent a major surprise should Diego Martinez be able to take maximum points in a fixture where even a draw would represent an exceptional result.

Benzema appears primed to be key once again; he has a terrific record against Granada—having scored 12 in his last 14 matches against the visitors.

He’s scored eight and contributed two assists in his last home matches against the Rojiblancos, and will be looking to punish them again.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are not the best of friends, admits Peter Crouch, with “competition” and “selfish” streaks at Liverpool considered to be a good thing.

Jurgen Klopp had to fend off more questions regarding the attitude of his superstar forwards after making second-half changes at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The defending Premier League champions eased to a 7-0 victory at Selhurst Park, with Mane among the scorers.

He was, however, replaced by Salah shortly before the hour mark and saw the Egyptian forward make history for the Reds by scoring two and laying on another during an impressive cameo.

Mane was less than impressed at being hauled off, having previously aired his frustration towards Anfield team-mate Salah, but Crouch believes in-house rivalry is healthy among an ambitious group of players.

The former Liverpool striker told the Daily Mail: “There is only a problem around something like this if a team are losing.

“Liverpool have won everything over the past two years and I would expect them to retain the Premier League, too, given the form they have hit. But don’t kid yourself that a competition isn’t going on between Salah and Mane.

“Every forward player is selfish and these two will want to score as many goals as they possibly can — Salah, in particular, looks obsessed with his numbers right now.

“Salah came here as a winger but he has developed into one of Europe’s most prolific forwards; a goal machine. He was in the right place for his first at Crystal Palace and his second, to complete the 7-0 rout, was absolutely beautiful.

“Mane’s face, having been substituted, was a picture. He was furious and rightly so, because when you smell blood as a striker, the last thing you want is to be taken off.

“Are he and Salah the best of friends? I doubt it. But it doesn’t matter. I had strike partners who I knew never liked me. It never prevented me getting on with my job.”

Salah has moved to the top of the Premier League scoring charts this season, with 13 efforts to his name in a Golden Boot race, while Mane is stuck on five.

They have helped Klopp’s men back to the top of the table, with the Reds filling the Christmas No.1 spot for a third successive campaign.

Mikel Arteta can be the next Arsene Wenger for Arsenal, claims Gael Clichy, but the under-fire Gunners boss is going to need time in which to complete a transformation from highly-rated assistant coach into top-class manager.

FA Cup and Community Shield successes are starting to feel like a distant memory for an inexperienced Spanish tactician who is finding out the hard way how tough life at the top can be.

Arteta cut his teeth working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after hanging up his boots, but the transition from right-hand man to front of house has not been as seamless as he had hoped.

Former Arsenal and City defender Clichy, who briefly worked with Arteta at the Etihad Stadium, told Stadium Astro: “Pep was a bit distant with the players and Mikel was really close because he was the link.

“He is younger, has got that vibe of being a player not long ago. You can have that being a No.2, but being a No.1 can you be like that? I don’t know.

“I heard that [Carlo] Ancelotti is like that. Not many have that ability. This is a big thing. I think Mikel in a few years will be the complete manager because he will have that link with the players and he will learn how to deal with everything around the team because being a manager is not being a coach.

"Time will help him, but do we have time in football?”

Clichy added: “No.2 is not being No.1, that’s a fact. It’s very difficult to estimate how good a manager you are going to be even if you have been a great assistant.

“Pep is one of the best, if not the best coach in Europe, so being at his side for that many years for sure you will be inspired by him.

“I’m surprised to see Arteta’s team playing the way they are, because that’s not what Pep would want. I’m not saying that is what Mikel wants, but I’m sure Mikel would like something different.

“The question is, is he approaching the game with a different philosophy because he feels the players cannot give him what he wants? Or is it because he doesn’t have the players he wants?

“Confidence is a big factor but I’m sure he is the right man.”

Clichy believes Arteta now needs to be backed by the Arsenal board, despite the north London outfit slipping to 15th in the Premier League table, with the potential there for him to follow in the footsteps of a three-time Premier League title-winning manager.

The Frenchman said: “What I want to say is, are we turning all the focus around the academy or be a club like Man City that is not afraid to spend money to be competitive?

"Are we going to be a club that does a bit of both and in a good season finish in the top-half of the table and in a bad season be fighting for relegation?

“We are not talking about any club, we are talking about one of the best in England and in Europe, so you need a clear vision.

“Arsene was who he was, but he had the vision. He had young players, turned them into superstars and sold them for big profit for the club. Fans turned on him because he wasn’t doing what they wanted in winning the title but he was qualifying for the Champions League. Now you think that wasn’t so bad.

“Mikel Arteta has got that in him, he could be the next Arsene Wenger. But Arsene had all the power. Anything going through Arsenal was going through him.

“Mikel is not like that. He has players that maybe he didn’t want. He inherited players that he didn’t want for the future and his team don’t have the money to get the players he wants. He’s trying his best, he has to keep on fighting.”

Virgil van Dijk has given hope to Liverpool fans across Merseyside by sharing a recovery video showing him working on his mobility with and without a football in the gym.

Liverpool were dealt a huge blow in their defence of the Premier League title when Van Dijk was sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury in October.

The Netherlands international was forced off the pitch during a 2-2 draw against Everton in the Merseyside derby after a horror challenge from Jordan Pickford, and subsequently underwent surgery on his knee after being evaluated by the Reds' medical staff.

Van Dijk has missed 15 games across all competitions already after beginning an extensive rehabilitation programme behind the scenes at Anfield, and is not expected to return to action until well into the new year.

The 29-year-old has, however, delivered a positive update on his progress on social media at the start of the week which indicates he could make his way back to the pitch sooner than originally expected.

Van Dijk posted a video of his latest training session on Twitter with the caption "step by step", which has allowed Liverpool supporters to see a talismanic figure doing some light ball work while performing a series of weighted and bodyweight exercises.

The towering defender will play no part in the Reds' festive schedule over the next couple of weeks, but he could be available for selection again in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign as Jurgen Klopp's men continue to chase down multiple honours.

Van Dijk played a key role in Liverpool's run to a first domestic crown in 30 years last term, and has been arguably the best centre-back in European football since his record-breaking move to Anfield from Southampton in January 2018.

The Merseyside outfit have coped admirably well in his absence in recent months though, returning to the Premier League summit while also progressing to the Champions League knockout stages.

The Reds moved four points clear of second-placed Leicester in the top-flight standings after thrashing Crystal Palace 7-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with a home fixture against a struggling West Brom outfit up next on December 27.

Ghana star Matthew Anim Cudjoe is already looking towards next year's Africa U20 Cup of Nations (Afcon) after helping the three-time champions secure qualification for the tournament.

Ghana, on Saturday, emerged champions of the Wafu B Cup of Nations in Benin following a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso in the final.

The Black Satellites' place in the final of the sub-regional championship guaranteed a spot at the continental gathering to be hosted by Mauritania.

“I feel good because we have been able to end a five-year jinx at this level to qualify to the Africa Cup and win the Wafu trophy,” former Asante Kotoko winger Anim Cudjoe, who had a trial stint with Bayern Munich in February and currently plays club football for Legon Cities, told

Bertrand Traore said he is settling down well at Aston Villa after opening his Premier League goal account in their 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The Burkina Faso international produced an outstanding performance on Sunday, by providing an assist for Anwar El Ghazi's opener in the fifth minute and he later found the back of the net in the 84th minute.

The result sealed a seventh league win for Dean Smith's side this season as they climbed to ninth on the log with 22 points from 12 matches.

Following his move from Lyon to Villa Park in the summer, Traore suffered an injury on his first league start against Southampton in November but he is now happy with the statement he made after his commanding display at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

“When I came, I wasn’t fit enough. I worked hard with the staff to get my fitness back and then unfortunately I got injured in my first start,” Traore told the club website.

“I had to work hard to get back into the team, and now I’m trying hard to do my best and make an impact on the team.

“I’m getting there. I’m getting fitter and fitter with each game.

“I came here to give what I can bring to the team, to grow up as a player and to learn. To get assists and score goals is part of my job here.”

The former Chelsea forward also praised the Claret and Blue Army's fighting spirit to keep a clean sheet as they took advantage of Jake Livermore's red card in the 37th minute.

“It was the perfect night for the team. I’m happy to score my first goal for Aston Villa in the Premier League, but the most important thing was the three points tonight," he added.

“The most important thing was our mindset and staying focused. We were still playing like it was 11v11.

“We played well, and the whole team are happy with the win and the clean sheet.”