Kerr will not rush Chelsea comeback, sets sights on Champions League

Chelsea forward Sam Kerr is being cautious with her comeback from a major knee injury, as she set her sights on winning the Women s Champions League.

Kerr, who is Australia s all-time leading goalscorer, has been out since January after she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training.

She missed the back half of Chelsea s Women s Super League and Champions League campaigns, while she was also absent from Australia s Olympics squad.

But despite being eager to return to action under new Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor, Kerr is not going to rush her comeback.

I m not putting a date on my return, just making sure I get it right and making sure I feel good before I get back on the pitch, Kerr told Optus Sport.

I mean, it s my second…

Ito becomes first signing for Kompany at Bayern

Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart.

The defender becomes the first signing under new head coach Vincent Kompany, signing a four-year contract to keep him at the club until 2028.

Ito joined Stuttgart in 2021, on an initial loan from Japanese side Jubilo Iwata, before making the move permanent the following year.

He made 97 appearances for Stuttgart in all competitions, including 29 in 2023-24, as he helped the club to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga and Champions League qualification.

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN)

It s a great honour for me to be able to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Ito told the club website.

Bayern is also a big name in Japan. I always gave my…

Ter Stegen confirms he will miss Germany´s Euro 2020 campaign

After a complicated start to the season, we showed good character going 19 matches unbeaten – but we weren t able to keep this form.

I have decided together with the medical team of the club that I will do a complementary intervention on my knee.

I m sad that I will miss Euro 2020 this summer with Germany. For the first time in many years I will be a fan at home supporting my country, I hope we win it!

After the summer break, when we are back on the pitch I hope to be able to play with fans [in attendance] once again, I miss it!

Thank you for your support throughout a difficult season and stay healthy!

Ter Stegen has featured 31 times in the league in 2020-21 for Barcelona, but his overall performance for the season has not been quite up t…

Al-Ittihad confirm Karim Benzema deal after striker’s Real Madrid farewell

Karim Benzema has completed his move to Al-Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club have confirmed.

The striker is leaving Real Madrid in the summer and has signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions.

Benzema was allowed to leave the Bernabeu after 14 years after voiding the 12-month extension he had.

Benzima is here A new tiger will roar Welcome to Ittihad!

— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en)

Earlier on Tuesday, the 35-year-old vowed he will never forget Real.

The France international scored 354 goals in 648 games and won a club-record 25 trophies during his time with the LaLiga side.

“I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference.

“It’s difficult to talk. There are so m…

Fonseca: Milan need to be defensively perfect against Leverkusen

Paulo Fonseca warned his Milan side they to be defensively perfect to get a result at Bayer Leverkusen in Tuesday s Champions League clash.

Milan suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool in their European opener despite Christian Pulisic firing the Rossoneri into a third-minute lead.

The Serie A giants will be looking to get off the mark at the Bay Arena but head coach Fonseca said they must be flawless at the back.

I don t think about changing (much), we need to have continuity. We know it s a different game, (but) I think it will be a similar game to the one against Liverpool, Fonseca told a press conference on Monday.

Defensively I think the team has grown, it s a good test to see our defensive capabilities at the moment. I told the players that to be…

Euro 2012: Players to Watch

With Euro 2012 right around the corner flank, it s time to look at the most intriguing players of the tournament.

Some players will make the list for their world-class abilities, while some will be featured for their unique egos.

Of course, many players fit both of these qualifications, making the 2012 European Championships must see television.

Enough banter, let s get started.

10. Wesley Sneijder (Holland)

Holland s midfield maestro will be looking to end his injury-ridden campaign on a high note at Euro 2012.

Sneijder featured in 35 games for club and country in 2011-12, bagging seven goals and nine assists in his worst statistical season since leaving Real Madrid for Inter in 2009.

9. Fernando Torres (Spain)

T…

Women´s Super League predictions: Can Chelsea end opening away day hoodoo?

The latest instalment of the Women s Super League returns this weekend, with the opening round of fixtures offering plenty of insight as to what this season may hold.

Sonia Bompastor started her quest for Chelsea s sixth straight title with a triumph against Aston Villa, with the Blues again kickstarting the action on matchday two.

The defending champions make the short journey to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, while Sunday s action features both Manchester City and Arsenal after their enthralling encounter at the Emirates.

Elsewhere, Manchester United will be hoping to build on their emphatic first week showing against Everton, with Liverpool and West Ham squaring off in their attempts to get their respective campaigns up and running.

But who d…

Tuchel´s career in numbers after Three Lions appointment

Exactly three months after Gareth Southgate announced he would step down as England s head coach, Thomas Tuchel has been named as his permanent successor.

Tuchel has signed an 18-month contract to take charge of the Three Lions, which will begin on January 1, with interim boss Lee Carsley remaining at the helm until the conclusion of their Nations League campaign.

The experienced German coach certainly ticks the FA s box in terms of appointing a proven winner , having won league titles in two different countries as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup.

Here, we look at the key numbers in the career of the former Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach.

— England (@England)

Third time lucky?

Doubts remain over AFCON 2015 as Morocco stands firm

Doubts remain over the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after Morocco failed to confirm its intention to host the tournament next year.

Last month, the Moroccan government called for the continental showpiece scheduled for January 17 to February 8 to be called off because of the deadly Ebola virus that has broken out in Africa.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) subsequently rejected that request after meeting to discuss the issue further.

The CAF also set Morocco a deadline of November 8 to clarify its final position, with the country s Ministry of Sport responding on Saturday by releasing a statement in which it reiterated its stance.

The statement urged a postponement of the tournament due to health reasons dictated by the highest dangerousness and …

Dethroned champions look to leave Euro 2008 on a high

Reigning European champions Greece will be aiming to bow out of Euro 2008 on Wednesday by salvaging some pride against Group D winners Spain.

Greece s dreams of repeating their improbable run to the title in Portugal four years ago were quickly blown away this time around as Otto Rehhagel s defensive tactics failed to produce the same results.

The Greeks lost 2-0 to Sweden before a 1-0 reverse against Russia eliminated them from the competition.

Their form has been poor in those two games but their chances of snatching a consolation victory against the Spaniards are actually quite high.

Just as Switzerland took advantage of a weakened and already qualified Portugal on Sunday to earn their first win of the tournament, Greece will be hoping to do likew…