Pressure mounts on struggling Brazil but coach see progress
BRASILIA, Brazil : Brazil coach Dorival Jr insists they are making progress despite sitting fifth in the standings ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Peru.
Croatia Sport News
Deschamps praises Dembele, Mbappe happy to be back for France
SPLIT, Croatia : France manager Didier Deschamps commended forward Ousmane Dembele’s form as Kylian Mbappe returned to his squad ahead of their Nations League clash with Croatia on Thursday.
Thuram drops out of France squad due to ankle injury
France forward Marcus Thuram will miss their two-legged Nations League quarter-final against Croatia due to an ankle injury, the French Football Federation said in a statement late on Monday.
China call up Brazil-born player for vital World Cup qualifiers
China have included Brazil-born midfielder Serginho in their squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers, less than a week after he obtained Chinese citizenship.
Mbappe back with France for Nations League quarter-finals against Croatia
PARIS : Kylian Mbappe has been called up to the France squad for the first time since last September to face Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals, coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday.
Kylian Mbappe Recalled To France Squad For Nations League, Named Captain
Captain Kylian Mbappe returned to the France squad named Thursday for this month's UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue earned a first call-up. Mbappe, 26, was left out of the last two France squads by coach Didier Deschamps for the Nations League group stage in October and November. The Real Madrid superstar was initially dropped because of fitness concerns, before later being left out amidst headlines about his private life. Deschamps said at the time that his decision to do without Mbappe was "for the best" due to the noise surrounding the striker.
Mbappe returns to France squad as PSG’s Doue earns first call-up
PARIS: Captain Kylian Mbappe returned to the France squad named Thursday for this month’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue earned a first call-up. Mbappe, 26, was left out of the last two France squads by coach Didier Deschamps for the Nations League group stage in October and November. The Real Madrid superstar was initially dropped because of fitness concerns, before later being left out amidst headlines about his private life. Deschamps said at the time that his decision to do without Mbappe was “for the best” due to the noise surrounding the striker. Mbappe has been in fine form for Real in the months since and has scored 28 goals in all competitions this season for the club he joined last year. “I have chatted with him and I confirm what I already said a few weeks ago, that he will be the captain,” Deschamps said in response to questions about Mbappe’s ongoing role as skipper. The versatile Doue, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his impressive club form. The 19-year-old has scored or set up a total of 17 goals in 23 appearances since becoming a regular in the PSG side in mid-December. Capable of playing as a winger as well as in midfield, Doue was outstanding after coming off the bench for PSG in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, second leg against Liverpool, and scored the winning kick in the penalty shoot-out. Signed by PSG from Rennes for a reported 50 million euros ($54.1m) in August, Doue was part of Thierry Henry’s France Under-23 team that won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year. “He is not always a starter for his club but whenever he plays or comes on he has made a lot of progress,” Deschamps said. “He is a very young player but
Arsenal Set Up Champions League Quarter-Final Against Real Madrid
Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday to complete an emphatic 9-3 aggregate win and set up a Champions League quarter-final against holders Real Madrid. The Gunners demolished the Dutch champions 7-1 in the Netherlands last week, making the second leg at the Emirates a formality. Arsenal, who made seven changes from Sunday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United, were quickly out of the blocks, scoring in the sixth minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko. Croatian veteran Ivan Perisic pulled PSV level on the night with a fine finish past the sprawling David Raya but midfielder Declan Rice headed Arsenal back in front.