Thuram completes France's World Cup squad
PARIS : Borussia Moenchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram was called up to play the World Cup with France, the French federation (FFF) said on Monday.
Jules Kounde Sport News
Varane and Giroud named in France squad for World Cup
PARIS: France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender’s recent injury problems, while in-form striker Olivier Giroud was also called up. Deschamps selected 25 of a possible 26 players for the tournament in Qatar, where France will attempt to become the first team to defend their World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. Eleven members of the 2018 title-winning squad return, including captain Hugo Lloris and reserve goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, along with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Karim Benzema, who has missed a series of games for Real Madrid this season because of injury, is set for his first World Cup appearance since 2014. Paris Saint-Germain center-back Presnel Kimpembe was picked despite thigh and Achilles problems that have limited him to five appearances since the start of September.
Giroud named in provisional France World Cup squad
PARIS :Olivier Giroud was named in France's provisional squad for the Qatar World Cup as coach Didier Deschamps unveiled a 25-man group on Wednesday amid injury concerns for the defending champions.
Barca's Pique says he felt liberated with decision to retire
BARCELONA : Retiring Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said he felt liberated when coach Xavi Hernandez took him off in the 83rd minute of the 2-0 win over Almeria on Saturday as he walked off in tears to a standing ovation from a packed Camp Nou.
Retiring Pique doesn't feel as 'important or useful' as before: Xavi
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez says he understands Gerard Pique's decision to retire halfway through the season, because the 35-year-old defender doesn't feel as "important or useful" to the team as before.
Lewandowski snatches Barca win at Valencia
The Polish forward managed to divert Raphinha's cross home at the death to pull Barcelona level on 31 points with Real Madrid at the top of the table, before the champions host Girona on Sunday.
Lewandowski double eases Barca woes in Villarreal rout
After Sunday's Clasico defeat and virtual elimination from the Champions League, the Catalans and coach Xavi Hernandez were desperate to prove a point at Camp Nou.
Real Madrid are a better team, but Barcelona are improving
Spanish football vocabulary has a great word, resultadista, which criticises those whose conclusions stem purely from the result of a match rather than a wider view of the performance or ideas of a particular team, player or coach. So while Real Madrid were stronger, quicker and more clever than Barcelona during Sunday's 3-1 win in El Clasico (stream a replay on ESPN+) and unquestionably deserved their win, it is arguable that reaction to how Xavi's team performed in several key aspects has been… resultadista.