Arshavin supports Zenit in decision to reject Barça bid

Luis Aragones said on Monday that he would not go back on his decision to retire as Spain coach after Euro 2008 despite having guided them to their first semi-final in 24 years.

The 69-year-old said he was touched by those supporters, who had brandished banners saying Aragones stay , during the quarter-final victory over Italy the Spanish ended an 88 year victory drought over the Italians in competitive matches with their 4-2 penalty shootout win, after the match ended 0-0.

I thank all of those people who have addressed words of encouragement or compliments, said Aragones.

But the Federation know already that this adventure is ending for me, whatever happens to Spain here.

I am not even asking myself whether the federation would propose something or …

Spain s Cesc Fabregas says that he has no intention of letting Sunday s Euro 2008 final against Germany slip through his hands.

The Arsenal midfielder, who set up Spain s last two goals in Thursday s 3-0 semi-final win over Russia, knows all too well what it s like to fall at the final hurdle having lost out to Barcelona with the Gunners in the 2006 Champions League final.

And after the Russian rout which set Spain up for a tilt at their first major honour in 44 years he insisted: Listen I know what it s like to lose a major final, I don t want to lose another one.

Coach Luis Aragones has preferred to start Xavi in midfield throughout this Euro with Fabregas coming on as a super sub late on in the game.

But here at the Ernst Happel stadium Fabregas …

Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi insisted his team are on the right track in their preparations for the new season, despite suffering a surprise 1-0 friendly defeat to Lens.

Saturday s friendly in France was a cagey affair, ultimately decided by a 91st-minute winner for the hosts when Lois Openda flicked on a corner at the near post, which looped into the far corner of the net.

Lens, who finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season, provided a stern test for their Serie A opponents, who fielded several of their new faces  including Romelu Lukaku and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as second-half substitutes.

They were unable to make a difference though, with Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba recently signed from Premier League side Nottingham Forest making several important saves.

…

Eden Hazard is the Michael Jordan of football as Belgium boss Roberto Martinez tipped the Real Madrid star to win the Ballon d Or.

Hazard – regarded as one of the best players in the world – swapped Premier League outfit Chelsea for LaLiga powerhouse Madrid in a blockbuster transfer prior to the start of the season.

The Belgium international has showed flashes of his brilliance, earning praise for his performances prior to suffering a small ankle fracture.

Asked about Hazard, Martinez likened the Red Devils captain to Chicago Bulls great and NBA Hall of Famer Jordan.

I see Hazard winning the Ballon d Or, Martinez told Cadena Ser program El Larguero. He has the role of being a Ballon d Or winner.

What he has done is the level of the Ballon d …

Vincent Kompany scored a long-range stunner to down Leicester City 1-0 and put one hand on the Premier League trophy for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola s side were frustrated for long periods at the Etihad Stadium on Monday but found a way through thanks to captain Kompany s sensational strike.

Kasper Schmeichel was given no chance by Kompany s rocket in the 70th minute, with City moving back above Liverpool, a point ahead in top spot in the Premier League table.

City, now on a run of 13 consecutive league wins, will defend their Premier League title if they collect another three points at Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

Kompany made a superb block to repel Ricardo Pereira as the hosts made an understandably nervy start.

Sergio Aguero scored …

England goalkeeper Joe Hart said he has no scars from Andrea Pirlo s Panenka at Euro 2012, ahead of their meeting in Brazil.

Italian stalwart Pirlo chipped his penalty in their shootout win over Hart s side in their quarter-final meeting of the European championships.

Hart is set to face Pirlo again in Group D at the 2014 World Cup but the Manchester City custodian insisted he was not fazed by the dishonour of being beaten in such nonchalant fashion by the Juve man.

He scored. I don t think he did it to embarrass me. He just tried to get it in the net and they won the shootout. That s it, Hart said.

Pirlo s recent release of his autobiography revealed he only decided to chip Hart at the last minute, given the Englishman s frenzied tactics in the shootout.

I…

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Germany U21 midfielder Emre Can, .

The 20 year old made twenty-nine appearances for Bayer Leverkusen last season scoring three times, and spent the majority of the campaign playing under former Reds defender Sami Hyypia, who was sacked in April.

Can spent four years with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich prior to his move to Leverkusen, though he made just six appearances for their first team, scoring his only goal in a 1-0 win over Freiburg towards the end of their 2012/13 treble-winning campaign.

He is set to become the Merseyside club’s second new arrival this week following the capture of England international striker Rickie Lambert from Southampton.

Lambert’s former teammates Dejan Lovren and Adam…

Colombia s winning start to the Copa America ground to a halt as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Venezuela, whose goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez kept La Tricolor s illustrious forwards at bay.

Reinaldo Rueda s side dominated the contest at Olimpico Pedro Ludovico in Goiania but failed to find a way past Venezuela s hardworking keeper.

Rueda restored Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel to his starting line-up but the duo were frustrated as Colombia attempted 12 first-half shots without success.

The introduction of Porto winger Luis Diaz did little to improve their prospects, and he was shown a straight red card in stoppage time as Venezuela battled to a valuable point.

Termina el partido.

0-0

— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol)

Yerry…

Real Madrid are among the most active clubs in the transfer market. 

Carlo Ancelotti could look to his former side for help as he starts his second spell in charge.

So, are an Everton double act on the move to LaLiga? 
 

TOP STORY – ANCELOTTI EYES EVERTON PAIR

Ancelotti has his eye on a pair of players from the club he left as he assembles his team in his return to Real Madrid.

The veteran manager would like to bring Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to the Bernabeu, according to the Sun. 

The report says he believes £50million would be enough to convince the Toffees to part with the England international. 

Ancelotti is also contemplating a reunion with a man he brought to Goodison Park, with Sport reporting Jame…

Jurgen Klopp has declared his new six-year Liverpool contract to be like 60 years and accepted it means the pressure is on him to succeed at Anfield.

Despite only being appointed in October 2015, the German coach has extended his deal after reaching the League Cup and Europa League finals last season.

Klopp praised the consistency on show at the club and revealed he had not expected to be offered fresh terms so early in his tenure.

I like this sign for consistency, Klopp told LFCTV.  We have to make decisions and we made the decision to stay together.

Usually you don t have to make the decision and you wait to see what happens.

It was an early moment when the club asked me, I was surprised about it, I thought about it but thought it felt rig…