Zabaleta proud to be ´half Mancunian´ after 200th City appearance

Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta has declared himself half Mancunian, half Argentinian  after making his 200th Premier League appearance for the club. 

Zabaleta celebrated his 31st birthday in fine style as City sealed a 4-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Argentina international has been at City since 2008, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Community Shield. 

The milestone means he joins compatriots Carlos Tevez and Fabricio Coloccini to play over 200 league games in England. 

And the 31-year-old said he was proud to reach the landmark. 

It was a good gift to get three points, Zabaleta told the Manchester Evening News. It was a special day, my birthday and my 200th Premier League appear…

Marsch aiming to create something special with Canada

Jesse Marsch believes Canada can build something special as they prepare for their Copa America quarter-final against Venezuela.

Canada are playing in their maiden Copa America and finished second in Group A behind defending champions Argentina after a win over Peru and a draw with Chile following their opening-day defeat to Albiceleste.

They now know that beating the Group B winners will set them up for a rematch against Argentina in the semi-finals if they win on Friday.

Marsch says he knew it was going to be tough when he took the job earlier this year, but has praised the “positive” support that has spurred the team forward.

I was thinking, Why did I take this job with those three opponents [coming] up?’ Marsch said. I knew when I took the job th…

PSG confirm defender deal as Mukiele joins from RB Leipzig

Paris Saint-Germain confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele on Tuesday as coach Christophe Galtier continued to shape his side.

Mukiele appeared destined to become a PSG player when Leipzig announced he had been granted absence from their squad for the DFL-Supercup due to ongoing transfer negotiations on Monday.

Despite reports of late interest from Chelsea, PSG sealed the acquisition of the 24-year-old and will reportedly pay an initial €12million fee, which could reach a total of €16million with add-ons included.

Mukiele has signed a five-year deal at the Parc des Princes, becoming the third new arrival of the transfer window after midfielder Vitinha and striker Hugo Ekitike, while left-back Nuno Mendes made his loan from Sporting CP …

Bitesize Prediction: Avai vs Novorizontino – 09/07/24

Market: Under 2.5 goals

Odds: 8/15 @

Looking to extend on their promotion charge in the early hours of Tuesday, Avai will welcome Novorizontino to the Ressacada.

Starting with the hosts, while Avai might have been disappointed last season as they limped their way to a bottom-half finish, the Florianopolis-based outfit have made a string of improvements this time around. Battling it out at the top of the Serie B table and remarkably setting their sights on a lucrative top-flight return, Time da Raca have gained plenty of plaudits for their rugged approach. However, left disappointed last time out as they signed off June with a 1-1 stalemate against Amazonas, they have had to settle for a single point in all of their previous three Serie B appearances. Nevertheles…

Rumour Has It: Barcelona plot move for Juventus´ de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt s future at Juventus is unclear following comments from his agent Mino Raiola.

The Netherlands international has been with the Bianconeri since July 2019 but could be set to move on.

Juventus are off the pace in the Serie A title race this season and Raiola said his client was ready for a new step .

 

TOP STORY – BARCA CONSIDER DE LIGT MOVE

Barcelona are considering making a move for Juventus defender De Ligt, reports Gerard Romero.

The Blaugrana would need to offload the salaries of Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho to enable the transfer.

De Ligt has been linked with a switch away from Juventus, with Chelsea also interested.

 DE LIGT sería opción para el si Umtiti y Coutinho salieran en el de …

Wenger 811: The five best wins of a Premier League record-breaker

Arsene Wenger will set a new record when he oversees his 811th Premier League match in Arsenal s trip to West Brom on Sunday.

The Frenchman has established Arsenal one of the division s elite clubs during his 21 years in north London, claiming three top-flight titles and leading them to the remarkable feat of an undefeated season in 2003-04.

While his position came under increasing scrutiny amid eight campaigns without silverware and the Gunners failing to mount consistent challenges for Premier League glory in recent years, his latest landmark provides a chance to reflect on his finer moments.

We take a look at some of Wenger s greatest games in a record-breaking career.

 

May 2002 Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1

United had won the titl…

Tuchel confirms talks over new Chelsea contract

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he is in talks with Chelsea over extending his contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 48-year-old succeeded Frank Lampard as Chelsea head coach in January 2021 on an initial 18-month basis.

Tuchel then penned a two-year extension to that deal in June last year, less than a week on from guiding the Blues to Champions League glory.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel is now discussing fresh terms to stay on in west London beyond the end of next season.

There are talks, Tuchel told reporters ahead of Sunday s Premier League meeting with Leeds United. 

I think given the situation where we come from, and where we are in the middle of the transfer period, it is better if I focus on my team and on sports …

Prediction: Celtic vs Rangers

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker:

In what should be another incredibly exciting Old Firm derby in midweek, a high-flying Celtic will welcome defending champions Rangers to Glasgow on Wednesday night.

Celtic

Starting with the hosts, while Celtic might have initially struggled to find their feet under Ange Postecoglou, there is no doubt that the Hoops are now really enjoying life in Glasgow. With their sights firmly set on reclaiming their Premiership crown this season, the Scottish heavyweights are in the midst of what has become an eye-catching purple patch. Putting in a professional display last weekend as they picked up a 1-0 win against Dundee United on home soil, the one-time Melbourne Victory boss has seen his side win each of their last five matchups across all f…

Zorc confident Sancho will get back to best for Dortmund

Jadon Sancho will break out of his form slump and get back to his best for Borussia Dortmund, according to sporting director Michael Zorc.

After an incredible 2019-20 season during which he scored 20 goals and provided 19 assists in 44 games, Sancho has battled to begin this campaign.

In 12 games, the England international has netted three times and provided four assists, and he is yet to open his account in the Bundesliga.

Speaking ahead of Dortmund s trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, Zorc backed the attacker.

I believe it is easy to see that he is not in the best of form, he told a news conference.

I can tell he tries hard when he s subbed onto the pitch. He tries to force the lightness and fluidity that he has onto himself.

Celtic bounce back and Rangers star Ross McCausland shines – 5 things we learned

After another exciting cinch Premiership weekend, Celtic are still eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the table, albeit the Light Blues have a game in hand.

Livingston find themselves bottom after another defeat amid a St Johnstone resurgence.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five things that caught the eye.

Celtic bounce back in style

Sensational from the Celts!

Six goals scored and Three points collected at Paradise! | |

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC)

Brendan Rodgers’ side were thrashed 6-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in Spain on Tuesday, also ending up with 10 men following the dismissal of Daizen Maeda. The result left them bottom of their group and facing some heavy criticism.

However, th…