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Diego Simeone insists there are plenty of positives to take from Monday s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo despite the disappointment of conceding an 89th-minute equaliser. 

Los Rojiblancos looked set to restore their 10-point lead over Barcelona and Real Madrid at LaLiga s summit after a Luis Suarez brace overturned Santi Mina s opener for Celta. 

They were denied a ninth consecutive top-flight win, however, when substitute Facundo Ferreyra making his debut after joining from Benfica on transfer deadline day bundled home from close range late on. 

Despite that late blow, Atleti still have an eight-point lead at the top of the table and boast a game in hand on their rivals.

They are unbeaten in 22 home league games their best run in the competition since a 2…

Real Madrid still have work to do in their bid to reach the last 16 of the Champions League as they prepare for the visit of Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG are already through to the knockout stages and opponents Madrid can join them with victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

On-loan striker Mauro Icardi has been in inspired form for the French champions since joining from Inter, scoring 10 times in 11 appearances.

The 26-year-old failed to register in the reverse fixture at the Parc des Princes – a 3-0 win for PSG in September – but he can make some history should he score on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, victory for Atletico Madrid away to Juventus will make certain of a last-16 spot with a game to spare, while Jose Mourinho takes charge of Tottenham in the Champions …

“Dear Leicester fans, after four and a half special years and with a lot of gratitude I’m bidding farewell to this incredible club,” the Belgium international said in a video on Instagram.

“From the first day I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me.

“Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat, we’ve shared many special moments together.

“I am forever grateful for your unwavering support, thank you to Khun Top, the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home.

“This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell. With pride, love and eternal gratitude, Youri Tielemans.”

…

Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped by John O Shea to one day manage Portugal once he brings an end to his playing career.

The five-time Ballon d Or winner is part of Portugal s squad for Euro 2024, which they kick off with a match against Czech Republic next Tuesday.

Ronaldo will take part in his 13th major international tournament and what could be his last given he will be 41 by the time of the next World Cup.

Despite his age, Ronaldo continues to score regularly for Al Nassr at club level and also netted 10 times in Euro 2024 qualifying.

When the forward does eventually hang up his boots, however, former Manchester United team-mate O Shea can see him moving into coaching.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday s friendly with Portugal, Republic of Ireland in…

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst saluted his players as they sent Borussia Dortmund crashing out of the Europa League, describing the 6-4 aggregate victory as a big moment for the club.

Leading 4-2 after a stunning first-leg performance at Signal Iduna Park, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions endured a tense second leg at Ibrox.

Despite James Tavernier s first-half penalty, Jude Bellingham and Donyell Malen reduced the aggregate deficit to a single goal before the break.

Indeed, Malen might have dragged Dortmund level in the tie, but Tavernier drilled in his second just before the hour mark, ultimately booking the hosts  place in the last-16 draw despite Rangers having a third disallowed after a VAR check.

It is a big moment for the cl…

Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith believes “mentality” is the main issue for sides daunted by away trips.

Smith takes his team to face the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, with Charlotte having taken just one point from their five away games in MLS so far this season.

But Smith struggles to see why there is such a difference in confidence between home and away fixtures.

“Mentality,” said Smith when asked what the issue was.

“I believe some people, before they even leave, have accepted it’s going to be tougher. The only reason it’s tougher is because that’s in your head. Yes, you’ve got to travel, you haven’t got home fans or home advantage, but the pitches are still the same size, you’ve still got to get into your box and score a goal, and they…

European club football s main event is almost here, with two bona fide giants of the game set to face off at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Either Real Madrid or Liverpool will be crowned champions of Europe in Paris; whichever team manages it will be providing their fans with a glorious end to a tremendous season.

Of course, Madrid did what Liverpool could not on the domestic front, as Los Blancos head into this game as LaLiga champions – the Reds ultimately missed out to Manchester City on the last day of the Premier League campaign.

But this has still been a successful season for Jurgen Klopp s side, who could yet claim a treble having already lifted the EFL Cup and FA Cup in England.

It promises to be an immense spectacle, with Opta s pre-matc…

Pep Guardiola will decide after training on Friday whether new signing Ruben Dias will start for Manchester City at Leeds United on Saturday.

Dias joined City for an initial fee of £62million (€68m), with Nicolas Otamendi heading to Benfica as part of the deal.

City boss Guardiola said the Portugal centre-back has settled in well, but would not confirm if he will go straight into the side for the Premier League clash at Elland Road.

He said during a news conference on Friday: He [Dias] trained two training sessions, yesterday and today.

He s good, he s part of the team right now, we ll see tomorrow, training session this afternoon then we ll decide.

PEP (Dias) trained twice yesterday and today, he has settled good. He is part of the team, we …

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Ansu Fati from Barcelona in the summer of 2023, according to . The report has claimed that Premier League club Tottenham are ready to make a move for 20-year-old Spain international forward if Barcelona decide to sell him at the end of the season for FFP reasons.

Fati has been on the books of Barcelona since 2012 and is now part of the former La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners first-team squad. The Spain international forward has made seven starts and 12 substitute appearances in La Liga for Xavi s side so far this campaign, scoring three goals and providing three assists in the process. The youngster has made two starts and four substitute appearances in the UEFA Champions League for Barca so far this campaign.

Barcelo…

Thomas Muller said it was definitely a disappointment . Jurgen Klopp was left confused. Lothar Matthaus doesn t understand the world any more . Even Lionel Messi used his victory speech to suggest France Football issue a retrospective 2020 award.

Whatever your views on the Ballon d Or this year, chances are you saw Messi beating Robert Lewandowski to the prize and thought it was at least worthy of discussion. Robbed of the chance to claim it last year when France Football cancelled it – hence Messi s magnanimous suggestion to the organisers – Lewandowski suited up for this year s gala having scored 53 goals in all competitions in 2021, at least 15 more than anyone else, with a new single-season Bundesliga scoring record in his pocket and yet another league title with Bayer…