Toni Kroos back in Germany squad after retirement reversal

According to Bild, Mats Hummels status as a Bayern Munich could be in some danger courtesy of him not featuring all too much under Nico Kovac. The defender was once considered to be one of the top stars in all of European football, but now, he appears to have fallen down the rankings with the German giants.

It was hoped that the situation would be resolved by this point, but if Bayern aren t willing to accommodate him, it certainly seems as if there s a handful of clubs around Europe that would take him on. The 29 year old joined Bayern from rivals Borussia Dortmund back in 2016, and while he s certainly had some flashes of brilliance in Munich, his time in Dortmund will likely always be remembered as his finest days which begs the question as to whether or not he d ever return…

Robert Lewandowski s scoring streak ended and Benjamin Pavard was sent off, but Bayern Munich still cruised to a 3-1 victory over Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga.

In a Bavarian derby battle between top and bottom on Friday, Bayern were in control at half-time following goals from Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich at Sportpark Ronhof.

There was hope for Furth when France full-back Pavard was shown a straight red card early in the second half for a professional foul on Jeremy Dudziak.

The champions remained a class apart from their newly-promoted opponents despite Pavard s dismissal and a Sebastian Griesbeck own goal increased their advantage, with a late Cedric Itten header no more than a consolation for the home side.

Lewandowski was unable to match Ger…

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Christophe Galtier said his players held a feeling of frustration after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Benfica in the Champions League.

Lionel Messi became the first player to score against 40 different sides in the Champions League with a superb 22nd-minute strike, but a Danilo Pereira own goal ensured the teams went into half-time level.

Despite the French champions having the better chances in the second half, they failed to find a winner as they took just a point back to Paris, though they remain top of Group H on goals scored.

PSG have now won just once in their last seven away Champions League matches and are without a clean sheet in their last 11 games in the competition, and Galtier told RMC Sport: There is a feeling of fru…

Ten-man Real Madrid scored in a record 30th consecutive UEFA Champions League game as they beat Galatasaray 4-1 to qualify for the last 16.

Carlo Ancelotti s side shrugged off the first-half dismissal of Sergio Ramos, the 17th red card of his Real career, with goals from Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa, Angel di Maria and Isco eclipsing Umut Bulut s strike.

Ramos match was ended for a foul on Bulut after just 26 minutes, although the Turkey international appeared to make the most of minimal contact when he was through on goal.

Bale rifled in a long-range free-kick eight minutes before the interval, only for Bulut to level almost immediately.

However, Arbeloa provided a collector s item of a goal in the second half, finding the net for the first time since November 20…

Former German champions Wolfsburg have reached an agreement to sign Brazilian playmaker Diego from Juventus, the Bild newspaper claimed in its Saturday edition.

Wolfsburg finalised negotiations with Diego s father who is also the player s agent.

Djair da Cunha wanted an annual salary for his son of eight million euros over three years while Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness has proposed six million a year over four years.

Now it remains for a transfer fee to be agreed with Juventus demanding 19 million euros while Wolfsburg offer 17 million.

The German Bundesliga is not unfamiliar to Diego, who played three seasons with Werder Bremen in 2006-2009. The Brazilian failed to light up Serie A in his first season in Italy with Juventus.

Wolfsbur…

Paco Alcacer is desperate to seize his opportunity for Spain when they travel to face Ukraine in their final Euro 2016 qualifier on Monday.

The Valencia striker scored twice in a 4-0 win over Luxembourg on Friday, a result which guaranteed the European champions place in France next year, but both David Silva and Alvaro Morata were forced off with ankle and leg injuries respectively.

With Diego Costa having been left out of the latest squad, Alcacer is now determined to make the most of his playing time in Vicente del Bosque s side as he looks to build some consistency at international level.

We re happy to reach the finals, but that s tempered by the first-half injuries. Hopefully they can be with the group soon, he said after the match. 

Obviously fo…

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany insisted there is no rift between himself and manager Manuel Pellegrini after returning to the starting XI to help the Premier League leaders to a 0-0 draw against rivals Manchester United.

Kompany started City s previous two matches on the bench having gone against Pellegrini s wishes to play in Belgium s Euro 2012 qualifier against Israel – his first action after missing five club matches with a calf injury.

The City skipper was restored to play a full part in his 19th and, arguably, most forgettable Manchester derby – a turgid contest of few chances at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Everyone knows how much this game means to me, Kompany told Sky Sports. I was disappointed to be left out of the team but it is all about o…

Market: Portugal win

Odds: 

Already booking their spot in the final four of this years UEFA Nations League, Portugal will look to continue their unbeaten run when they host the already relegated Poland on Tuesday.

Starting with the hosts, although Portugal s World Cup run may have come to an end at the last 16 stage, Fernando Santos side have enjoyed an impressive post-Russia run. Picking up a point and their spot as group winners thanks to their 0-0 draw with Italy over the weekend, the 2016 European champions are now unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, they have also managed to do this without Cristiano Ronaldo. Putting three past Poland in the reverse fixture last month, we re backing Portugal to end their campaign with yet another vi…

Arsene Wenger says the best approach for Arsenal is to pay no attention to the Premier League table as his players prepare for what he expects to be a physically testing clash against West Brom.

The Gunners are level on points with leaders Manchester City ahead of Saturday s trip to The Hawthorns, where they face Tony Pulis 13th-placed side, who have lost their last two matches to Leicester City and Manchester United.

Arsenal go into the game with an impressive away record having picked up 31 points from a possible 36 in their last 12 Premier League contests on the road.

But Wenger is certain a difficult challenge awaits and warned his team to forget the form guide and ensure they do not make any key mistakes.

I watched West Brom against Manchester Unite…

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 12/11 @

Two sides who are seeking a much-needed boost this weekend, Coritiba will welcome Santos to the Couto Pereira on Saturday night.

Starting with the hosts, although Coritiba might have clung to their Serie A status last season, the Coxa appeared destined for another relegation scrap in 2023. Only continuing to show a string of domestic issues since opening the 2023 campaign, Antonio Carlos Zago’s side already sit rock-bottom of the table and tipped as a landslide contender to be hit with a second-tier return this time around. Last seen putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a routine 3-1 loss away at Brazilian giants Palmeiras, the Parana-based outfit have remarkably failed to collect a single win from an…