Luis Enrique looks at the big picture after Germany peg Spain back

Luis Enrique looked at the big picture after Spain were held to a draw with Germany, content with the fact La Roja head into their final World Cup Group E match as leaders.

Alvaro Morata s second-half goal had seemingly put Spain on course for a second win in as many group games, and victory would have secured their place in the last 16.

But Niclas Fullkrug equalised late on to earn Germany a point that will provide Die Nationalelf with a timely confidence boost, even if their destiny is essentially in Spain s hands.

While Spain enjoyed more of the ball on Sunday, Germany s chances amounted to a greater expected goals (xG) total of 1.1 compared to 0.57, suggesting Hansi Flick s side created the better opportunities.

Nevertheless, the reality is Spain rema…

I love this job – Nagelsmann ´incredibly satisfied´ as Bayern Munich bid to end year in style

Julian Nagelsmann declared he is incredibly satisfied with life as Bayern Munich head coach and urged his team to go into the winter break on a high.

Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick at the Bavarian club in July and has led them to the top of the Bundesliga with 13 victories from their first 16 games, as well as winning each of their six Champions League group stage fixtures.

The low point of the 34-year-old s tenure at the club came on October 27, when Bayern suffered a shock 5-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach in the DFB-Pokal.

However, Bayern bounced back to win nine of their subsequent 10 games in all competitions, opening up a six-point lead over Borussia Dortmund in the process, and Nagelsmann is pleased with his side at this stage.

Bayern host 11…

Leicester sign Wood from West Brom

West Bromwich Albion have reached an agreement to sell forward Chris Wood to Leicester City in the January transfer window.

The New Zealand striker has been on loan with Millwall but will join Leicester permanently when that temporary deal expires.

The 21-year-old has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances in the English second tier this term, and is believed to cost Leicester up to two million pounds.

Dan Ashworth, West Brom s sporting and technical director, told the club s official website: Chris joined our Academy as a 15-year-old and has progressed through the ranks.

We have had fierce competition in the forward positions over the past few years, which means Chris has been unable to establish himself in the first team.

He s now had two or three…

Milan defender talks up England switch

AC Milan full-back Luca Antonini has revealed that English Premier League could be his next destination.

The 30-year-old has seen little playing time this season and there is a good chance he will request to leave in search of first team football in the summer.

Milan chiefs are unlikely to stand in his way, with Antonini admitting he would love to play in English Premier League.

“I d like to play abroad,” the experienced defender told Sky Sport Italia. “Especially in the Premier League.

“Russia? Yes it s true that there was something going on back in January, but now I want to get my shirt back for the Rossoneri.”

Antonini has spent his entire career as a Milan player, although he spent most of the time on various loan spells.

H…

Athletic Bilbao 1 Real Madrid 2: Benzema and Casemiro send Zidane´s side five points clear

Real Madrid stretched their lead at the top of LaLiga to five points thanks to a 2-1 victory away to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Goals from Karim Benzema and Casemiro, either side of an Aritz Aduriz header, were enough to settle a hard-fought encounter at San Mames and put the pressure on Barcelona ahead of their meeting with Valencia on Sunday.

Athletic had won 16 and drawn three of 19 games in front of their own fans since their last home defeat, which came against Barca in August, and were bright and industrious in the early stages.

They were given a warning sign of Madrid s threat on the counter when Cristiano Ronaldo had an early goal disallowed but the Portugal star exploited the home side s high defensive line to better effect in the 25th minute, as he …

Atletico Madrid better than most – Djorkaeff warning for France star Griezmann

Former France forward Youri Djorkaeff has urged compatriot Antoine Griezmann to think carefully about his future as transfer speculation continues to swirl around the Atletico Madrid star.

The 26-year-old has continued his superb form at the Vicente Calderon this season, scoring 22 goals across all competitions.

Atleti are once again the closest challengers to Real Madrid and Barcelona in LaLiga and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they face reigning Premier League champions Leicester City next week.

The Madrid derby is up first this weekend, with Diego Simeone s men boasting a better record domestically against their city rivals than in the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016 – where Atletico suffered crushing losses during extra tim…

Butragueno: Everyone knows what Zidane means to us

Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno backed Zinedine Zidane, saying he wanted the coach to return as soon as possible.

Zidane is under pressure at the helm of Madrid after a humiliating Copa del Rey loss to Alcoyano on Wednesday.

The Frenchman did not oversee Saturday s 4-1 LaLiga win over Deportivo Alaves after testing positive for coronavirus.

While Zidane has come under fire, Butragueno defended the 48-year-old, who has led Madrid to two LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues among numerous other trophies across two spells in charge.

Everyone knows what Zidane means to us. What we want is for him to return to us as soon as possible, he told Movistar+.

We know what football is like. We have been around for many …

Inter to go for Matic

Inter Milan are ready to move for Nemanja Matic of Manchester United, according to .

Having signed out-of-favor forwards Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez from United in the summer this year, the Nerazzurri are prepared to offer the 31-year-old midfielder a rout out of Old Trafford too. Matic is firmly behind the likes of Scott McTominay and Fred in the pecking order for a spot in the middle of the park, as well as Paul Pogba who is set to return to action soon.

Pogba has also been linked with departure, but unlike with him, the Serbia international is likely to be moved on willingly by United. They have an option to extend his contract until 2021, but if a suitable offer arrives in January, they are likely to cash in on his services.

At Inter, Matic would reunit…

´Killer´ mistakes costly for Liverpool as Klopp targets top-four finish

Jurgen Klopp saw positive signs from Liverpool but admitted two massive mistakes by Alisson proved their downfall in a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.

The reigning Premier League champions slipped to a third successive home league defeat on Sunday, with the result leaving them well off the pace in the title race.

City now sit five points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United but 10 ahead of Liverpool, while Pep Guardiola s squad also have a game in hand.

Mohamed Salah s penalty cancelled out Ilkay Gundogan s opener in an eventful second half at Anfield, but two blunders by Alisson helped City on their way to a record-equalling 14th successive win in all competitions.

3 – Liverpool are the first side to lose three straight home league matches in the…

Relieved Van Gaal feared Netherlands would blow World Cup spot

Louis van Gaal feared the Netherlands would blow their chance to secure automatic qualification for the 2022 World Cup.

The Netherlands wrapped up top spot in Group G on Tuesday after a cagey 2-0 victory over Norway thanks to late goals from Steven Bergwijn and Memphis Depay.

Netherlands head coach Van Gaal had suffered a fall from a bike and injured his hip ahead of the game so was forced to watch the match from the stands in a wheelchair.

Van Gaal cut a nervous figure as Danny Blind relayed his instructions via telephone on the touchline in a fixture played without any fans at De Kuip due to growing coronavirus cases.

Despite a tense game, the Netherlands got the job done as their stubborn defence – which has conceded just eight goals in qualifying …