Sahin frustrated by defence despite convincing Dortmund win

Borussia Dortmund staged a convincing 4-2 comeback win over Bochum on Friday, but Nuri Sahin was left frustrated by his side s defensive display.

The Black and Yellow suffered a shock 5-1 defeat at the hands of Stuttgart in their previous Bundesliga game, and got off to a poor start against Bochum, finding themselves 2-0 down after just 21 minutes.

However, a brace from Serhou Guirassy, along with goals from Emre Can and Felix Nmecha, completed the turnaround in a dominant display.

The supposed scenario of a 3-0, which could have happened, was simply because we defended very, very badly. It was very, very poor defending, Sahin told a press conference.

We have to develop in this area and defending in depth is always a huge topic. I hope that we improve a…

Pique retires: The facts behind a Barcelona legend

Gerard Pique s retirement brings one of the most distinguished careers in Barcelona and Spain footballing history to a conclusion.

Pique won eight LaLiga titles and the Champions League three times with Barca, while helping his national team lift their first World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship two years later.

The Los Cules great has decided to call it quits at the age of 35 after Barca s next match, against Almeria on Saturday, having turned out for his hometown club over 600 times.

A number of high-profile names have hailed Pique since the announcement, including the likes of Patrick Kluivert and Fabio Cannavaro, while former centre-back partner Carles Puyol called it a privilege to play alongside him.

A lifetime dedicated to Barça. Thank y…

Man City tantalisingly close to WSL glory ahead of huge Arsenal clash

Manchester City could become Women’s Super League champions for the first time since 2016 if they can overcome Arsenal on Sunday at the Joie Stadium.

However, results would need to go their way for this to happen and Chelsea, who meet Bristol City in the late kick off, will have to lose or draw for City to be crowned champions this weekend.

Arsenal, who have already secured a Champions League qualification spot, will want to spoil City s party with a victory that would take a tight title race right to the final game of the season.

The Gunners have been formidable this season against top opposition and they have won more points in games involving the top three teams in the WSL this season (6 points) than both Man City and Chelsea (4 points each).

Recen…

Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca

Verdict: Home team to score Over 1.75 goals

Best odds:

Bookmaker: 

Athletic Bilbao will be looking to secure a victory in their home game against Mallorca. The match will take place at San Mames Stadium starting at 8 pm.

Athletic Bilbao

The hosts have so far had an exceptional season with very good results that put them in a favourable position to qualify for a European Cup in May. The team coached by the experienced Ernesto Valverde suffered only 4 defeats in La Liga, thus proving that it is a tough opponent.

Moreover, the Lions are having outstanding displays in front of their fans managing to win 8 of the 11 games played. Real Madrid is the only side who snatched all the points at San Mames, in the season s inaugural round match.

Th…

Man City star Haaland wins Premier League Golden Boot again

Erling Haaland has won the Premier League Golden Boot for a second straight season.

Manchester City striker Haaland finished with 27 goals from 31 appearances this season, finishing five goals ahead of Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer, who emerged as a surprise contender after leaving the Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Haaland scored a single-season record 36 goals in his debut year in England and while he did not match those numbers this time around, he ultimately prevailed with a comprehensive five-goal advantage over Palmer.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was in third place with 21 goals. There was a three-way tie for fourth place on 19 goals between Dominic Solanke, Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins.

Mohamed Sal…

Garcia report vindicates bid´s integrity, says Qatar 2022 Committee

The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery Legacy say Michael Garcia s report has vindicated the integrity of our bid to host the World Cup.

After previously making only an edited and summarised version of former New York attorney Garcia s report available, the news that the extensive document had been leaked to German newspaper Bild prompted FIFA to make the findings available in full on Tuesday.

Allegations of corruption have dogged Qatar s successful bid to win the right to host the World Cup since the stunning announcement was made after a FIFA vote in Zurich in December 2010.

But following the publication of Garcia s full findings, the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery Legacy has welcomed the report s conclusions. 

Official Statement from…

2018 World Cup Group H: Team News, Prediction & Betting Odds

With the 2018 World Cup in Russia kicking off in less than a month, SoccerNews.com is commencing its own series of group predictions where you will be able to find previews of all the teams taking part in this summer’s showpiece tournament, latest team news and best betting odds and suggestions.

We have analysed every single group of the competition, and we will end our series with Group H. Several experts and pundits view this group as one of the most balanced ones in the tournament. It is one where every single team has a decent chance of reaching the Round of 16.

One would think that Colombia have a slight edge based on talent alone, but we shouldn t take the other teams for granted. Japan, Poland and Senegal all have interesting pieces, and all signs indicate this…

Messi, Vinicius and the other Copa America 2024 Golden Boot contenders

A festival of football is about to kick off in the United States, as the Copa America sparks into action.

Argentina, the reigning champions, get the ball rolling when they face Canada in the opening Group A match, and Lionel Messi will be the main man as ever for La Albiceleste.

Messi was the joint-leading scorer at the 2021 Copa America, netting four goals to lead the standings alongside Colombia’s Luis Diaz.

The Barcelona great is expected to be right up there again when it comes to the 2024 Copa America Golden Boot race, and here, we dive into the main candidates for that award.

Lionel Messi

Not only did Messi finish as joint-top scorer at the 2021 Copa, he was also the leading assister and then, 18 months later, he went on to lead Argentina …

FIFA back goal-line technology for 2014 World Cup

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has given the strongest indication yet that goal-line technology will be introduce for the 2014 World Cup.

Football s governing body had been resistant to introducing technology in the past, but has had a recent change of heart given a number of high-profile incidents, including one involving England and Germany at the 2010 World Cup.

Testing has been carried out in recent month to ensure the technology is completely accurate, and Valcke said it could be trialled at the Club World Cup or Confederations Cup to ensure it was ready for use in Brazil in 2014.

If we can afford the price of a goal-line technology system then I don t see what the question is, Valcke said.

We think that the technology is something which is …

Saul: We hope 2017 is better for Atletico

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul saluted a good year for the club but hopes 2017 is better after the capital team progressed to the Copa del Rey last 16.

Saul and Co. made light work of minnows Guijuelo 4-1 in the second leg on Tuesday as they won the lopsided round-of-32 tie 10-1 on aggregate.

The comprehensive victory capped off a fine year for Atletico heading into the mid-season break, after the Spaniards reached the final of the Champions League, while they finished just three points behind LaLiga winners Barcelona in 2015-16.

Reflecting on 2016, Saul said: We could have won some titles that we fought for, but it s been a very good year for us.

We hope that 2017 is better.  

Atletico are sixth in the LaLiga standings, six points adrift of se…