Gael Clichy scored from the halfway line in Servette’s 5-0 win over Sion – after remembering some advice he had been given about goalkeeper Alexandros Safarikas from a fan on Instagram.
Servette were already 2-0 ahead when former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Clichy won possession just inside Sion’s half in the ninth minute on Saturday before sending a left-foot shot over a scrambling Safarikas, leaving both ball and keeper in the net.
The French full-back revealed after the game that he had recalled a message from one of the club’s supporters on social media telling him that Safarikas had a tendency to stray off his line.
Règle numéro 1 : Toujours écouter ses fans
La belle histoire derrière le magnifique but de Gaël Clichy hier
…
Andres Iniesta has called time on one of the most celebrated and decorated club careers in European football by announcing he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season.
A product of La Masia who came to define the Barca academy s vision of footballing excellence, Iniesta is on the verge of a ninth LaLiga title, with Ernesto Valverde s side set to seal glory this weekend.
That will come on the heels of Iniesta scoring in a 5-0 Copa del Rey final rout of Sevilla at an emotional Wanda Metropolitano last weekend – the 34th trophy the four-time Champions League winner has lifted for club and country.
Iniesta was the inspiration behind Spain s golden run of three consecutive major tournament triumphs at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 – his exploits…
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui was not encouraged by the performance of his team despite losing 3-1 at home to Manchester City in their third league game.
“It is true that City is one of the best teams around the world for sure… but it is also true too that in the second half we have been very close to a draw,” he said speaking to BBC Match of the Day.
“I think we have played one very good second half. The start has been very good for us too.”
West Ham threatened for extended periods of the match and had chances to level the match at 2-1 down, with the best coming from Mohammed Kudus as he smashed a shot against the bar in the second half.
They also started the game brightly before going a goal down inside 10 minutes.
“In my mind we …
Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri warned his side cannot afford any more slip-ups as they look to kick-start their campaign against Monza.
The Partenopei return to action after the Christmas break looking to avoid a third straight Serie A defeat with a lengthy injury list.
Brazilian defender Natan is the latest player facing a spell out because of a dislocated shoulder while midfielder Stanislav Lobotka has a cracked rib.
The latest from the training ground
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli)
Forwards Victor Osimhen and Matteo Politano are also both missing through suspension following their dismissals in the defeat at Roma.
Mazzarri, though, maintains the squad will just have to cope as best they can as the defending champi…
Jose Mourinho believes no team in the world would be able to cope with the injuries Tottenham have had to endure.
Tottenham limped out of the Champions League on Tuesday as they were beaten 3-0 by RB Leipzig in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Errors from Hugo Lloris helped Marcel Sabitzer put Leipzig in command with a first-half double before substitute Emil Forsberg rounded off a 4-0 aggregate triumph late on.
It meant Spurs hopes of winning a trophy this season came to an end, and they also face an uphill battle to qualify for next season s Champions League.
Tottenham have been without Son Heung-min since February because of a broken arm, while a hamstring injury has kept fellow forward Harry Kane on the sideline since New Year s …
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri praised Cristiano Ronaldo for working well and scoring a wonderful goal in Saturday s 2-0 win over Udinese.
The Serie A champions won their 10th game in a row in all competitions thanks to first-half strikes from Rodrigo Bentancur and Ronaldo at the Dacia Arena.
It was the Portugal international s first appearance since he firmly denied an allegation of rape dating back to 2009 via a statement issued on Wednesday.
Allegri says the €112million signing from Real Madrid, who has scored four goals in his eight Serie A appearances, looks to be in encouraging form.
I can only talk about what I see, he told a news conference. I m not the right person to talk about any other situation. Ronaldo played a fantastic game and he…
England and Roma striker Tammy Abraham is recovering in a London hospital after surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligament damage.
Former Chelsea forward Abraham, 25, sustained the injury in Roma’s final game of the season last Sunday when a 2-1 home win against Spezia secured them a sixth-placed Serie A finish.
A Roma statement read: “Tammy Abraham underwent reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Wednesday.
Medical Update: Tammy Abraham
The striker underwent surgery on his left knee today, to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament.
Read more
Back stronger, Tammy!
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN)
“The operation was performed by Dr Andy Williams at London’s Cromwell Hos…
Frank Lampard has ruled out a January exit from Chelsea for Ross Barkley, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is taking positive steps in his return to fitness.
Barkley was a regular for Maurizio Sarri last season but has made just six Premier League starts under Lampard, though a foot injury suffered in October ruled him out for almost two months.
A reunion with David Moyes, who handed him his top-flight debut at Everton in 2011, at West Ham had been touted, but the Blues boss was adamant the England international will not be leaving.
There s no talk here of Ross Barkley going anywhere. He s our player. I ve got a lot of faith in Ross. That s news I heard like everyone else this week, said Lampard.
Brilliant team performance today.
— Ross Barkley (@RBa…
Oliver Kahn will succeed Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as Bayern Munich s chief executive and chairman of the board in 2022 after accepting a position with his former club.
Germany great Kahn has agreed a five-year contract that will see him join the Bundesliga champions executive board from January 1, 2020.
The 50-year-old is to then replace Rummenigge when the long-serving leader of Bayern s off-field affairs steps down at the end of the following year.
Kahn, who represented the Bavarian outfit as a player for 14 years, has built a successful career in media and business since retiring from football in 2008 and described his election to the board as a great honour .
I am deeply connected with the club and it has decisively shaped my life, Kahn said.
…
Former Republic of Ireland international Steven Reid has returned to Nottingham Forest as first-team coach a year after leaving for a new challenge.
Reid, 42, left Steve Cooper’s staff 12 months ago after playing his part in the club’s return to the Premier League to become a specialist coach offering support to players around mental well-being, confidence and leadership.
However, the former Millwall, Blackburn, West Brom and Burnley midfielder has now rejoined Forest, where he served briefly as interim manager following Chris Hughton’s departure in September 2021.
Reid told the club’s official website: “It is a club that has stayed close to my heart for many reasons, firstly because of the amazing journey to promotion, but also because of the support I…