Evra: Emotion may affect Ronaldo

Atletico join chase for Dybala

Spanish champions Atletico Madrid have taken a keen interest in Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, .

Los Colchoneros aim to further reinforce the front line in the summer and they have made the Argentine forward their primary target.

AS has suggested that Dybala s agents are set to hold a meeting with Atletico Madrid officials as the La Liga side aim to lure the highly rated footballer to Vicente Calderon in the summer.

The 21-year-old has become one of Europe s most sought-after players and while Palermo are ready to sell, they are holding out for €40 million.

Serie A giants Juventus are believed to be leading the chase at the moment, but Atletico seem keen to hijack their bid for the Argentine.

Dybala has bee…

Manchester United are set to complete the £24million signing of Arsenal’s captain and striker Robin Van Persie.

The signing of the Dutch international would be a major coup for the Red Devils, who will be looking to out-do neighbours Manchester City this season.

Goals

Last season Robin Van Persie was the Premier League’s top goalscorer with 30 goals.

His goals accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the Gunners goals last term, and he played a crucial part in Arsene Wenger’s side finishing 3rd.

Injuries

As many Arsenal fans have pointed out in recent weeks and months the last campaign was the only one in his entire Gunners career were Van Persie avoided major injuries. He obviously benefited from a long injury-free run in the team.

…

Verdict: Serbia

Best Odds:

Bookmaker:

Wales will have a huge point to prove against Serbia as Chris Coleman’s men head into the Saturday’s clash eager to make amends for two disappointing defeats to the Serbian Eagles in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Serbia managed successive 6-1 and 3-0 wins over the Welsh back in 2012 and 2013, but plenty has changed since for both sides.

Wales

Having failed to win in their last two World Cup qualifiers, Wales will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they play host to Group D leaders Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday night. Chris Coleman is aware his team is facing an uphill battle against a strong, competitive side, but will be highly motivated to demonstrate that his side have come…

Jack Wilshere has expressed a desire to stay at Arsenal but has admitted that he would consider a move away if he isn’t used,.

The 23 year old, who opened his international scoring account with two stunning strikes as England beat Slovenia 3-2 in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday afternoon, has been linked with a move to Manchester City in recent weeks.

However, the midfielder is adamant that he won’t move just to fulfil any home-grown quota with City keen to do just that this summer.

Wilshere has spent his entire career with the North London club aside from a brief loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in 2010, and has been touted as a future captain for both club and country.

He was part of the Arsenal squads that won back to back FA Cups in 2014…

James Rodriguez s move from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich was the best decision he could make, according to his father.

After struggling for game time at the Santiago Bernabeu, James departed to the German giants on a two-year loan deal in July.

The Colombian has impressed in the Bundesliga, scoring four times and providing six assists in 16 games.

His father, Wilson Rodriguez, said the 26-year-old s decision to leave Madrid was a good one.

My son did well leaving Real Madrid for Bayern Munich, he is very happy in Germany, he told Marca Claro.

I see him living a calm and cheerful life and it s incredibly important for him to perform on the pitch.

He loves Real Madrid a lot, I don t think anybody can ever doubt that, however, the best th…

Tunisia cruised into the knockout rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations by thrashing Group B s rock-bottom Zimbabwe 4-2.

Henryk Kasperczak s side had put their destiny into their own hands by beating Algeria last time out and completed the job in emphatic fashion in Libreville.

Naim Sliti s deflected shot put Tunisia into a deserved, if fortuitous, lead before Youssef Msakni and Yassine Khenissi put the game beyond Zimbabwe with well-crafted efforts.

A thrilling first half still had time for a strike back for Zimbabwe through Knowledge Musona before Wahbi Khazri s penalty restored Tunisia s three-goal lead.

3 Youssef Msakni has scored in each of his three AFCON games played at the stade d’Angondjé (2 in 2012, 1 in 2017). Favourite.

— OptaJea…

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino backed Dele Alli, reminding critics the midfielder was still a kid .

Alli, 21, has been unable to find his best form consistently this season and played just 22 minutes in England s friendlies against Netherlands and Italy.

England boss Gareth Southgate was unwilling to guarantee Alli a starting spot for the World Cup, which is less than three months away.

But Pochettino again backed Alli, who has been the PFA Young Player of the Year the past two seasons.

I have full confidence in him and his talent and because I know him. He is a great kid and a very good person, he said.

But he is young. He is 21. If you compare [him] with normal people on the street who are 21, they are still living at home with their pa…

Lionel Messi set a new Champions League record as Barcelona laboured to a fortunate 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague in Group F.

Messi s third-minute goal saw him become the first player to score in the Champions League in 15 consecutive seasons, but it did not pave the way for a convincing performance from Ernesto Valverde s side.

Indeed, Barca relied on a huge slice of luck to retake the lead following Jan Boril s equaliser, with Peter Olayinka deflecting in Luis Suarez s effort from a Messi free-kick.

Though Suarez and Messi subsequently squandered gilt-edged chances to wrap up the points, Olayinka s own goal proved enough to take the wind out of Slavia s sails as Barca moved three points clear at the top of the group.

With the help of some dismal…

Mauricio Pochettino said Sergio Ramos  withdrawal at half-time in the 3-0 Coupe de France win over minnows Feignies-Aulnoye was planned as part of his return from injury. 

Sunday s clash against the fifth-tier side – won thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe and a Mauro Icardi penalty – was just the 35-year-old s second appearance for PSG, who he joined on a free transfer ahead of the 2021-22 campaign after leaving Real Madrid.

His substitution at the interval suggested he had suffered a further setback in his bid to return to full fitness, but Pochettino insisted there is nothing to be concerned about.

He s been with us for six months and he had a very difficult start to his adventure,  the PSG boss told Eurosport.

He wants to play. Today was …

Atletico Madrid suffered their fourth successive LaLiga defeat as Granada came from behind to defeat the reigning champions 2-1.

Joao Felix put Diego Simeone s side ahead after just two minutes at Nuevo Los Carmenes, but it was another outing to forget for the visitors.

Atletico were pegged back 15 minutes later by Darwin Machis’ wonderful individual effort, while the in-form Jorge Molina completed the turnaround just after the hour mark.

That gave Granada their first ever win over Atletico, while stretching their unbeaten run to five matches.

Tonight s game in Granada somehow ends in defeat.

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish)

Seeking a fourth straight victory in this fixture, Simeone s men made an excellent start in Andalusia.…