Stephen Ward said no one in the Republic of Ireland camp is ready to go home ahead of their do-or-die Euro 2016 clash against Italy.

To have any hope of staying in the tournament, Ireland must do what neither Belgium nor Sweden could.

They have to score against the Euro 2012 finalists.

And Ward does not believe a changed Italy line-up with Antonio Conte s team having already qualified from Group E would make that task any easier.

Not really, no, because we see it here every day, being in the situation where you are not playing and everyone wants to impress, Ward said.

They want to go out and give the manager a selection headache. They know they are in the next round. Whatever players come in, they are a top quality side. They’ll have a point t…

Manchester United have joined the race to sign out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, .

The World Cup winner has made just two substitute appearances for the European Champions so far this season, with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez all above him in the pecking order.

Arsenal and Chelsea have both been strongly linked with a move for the twenty-seven year old, though Louis van Gaal is keen to steal a march on his rivals, following news that Roma’s Kevin Strootman will not be sold in January.

Khedira, who moved to the La Liga giants from Stuttgart in 2010, has been told by Real officials to either put pen to paper on a new deal at the Bernabeu or find a new club with the latter more likely due to the limited opport…

A second-half goal from Son Heung Min was enough for Tottenham Hotspur to beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Wembley this afternoon and keep their title hopes alive.

The South Korea forward pounced on their opponent’s inability to clear their lines and finished with a exquisite, curling finish from just inside the area.

Spurs were full of confidence following their thrashing of Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek, but were made to work hard by Palace who caused them plenty of problems.

Tottenham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a string of impressive saves on his debut for the club and Palace were left to feel hard done by after a man-of-the-match performance from the shot-stopper.

Despite missing Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris due to injury,…

Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has spoken of his desire for Brazilian compatriot Philippe Coutinho to make the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Liverpool forward Coutinho has become a key figure at Anfield since joining from Inter in January 2013.

The Brazil international s performances on Merseyside have drawn admiring glances from elsewhere, with Madrid s LaLiga rivals Barcelona having been previously linked.

And Ronaldo, who spent five years at the Bernabeu, would be keen for Coutinho to follow his lead of playing in Madrid.

I would like to see Coutinho at Real Madrid, the Liverpool player, the former Brazil star told Onda Cero.

The 40-year-old also stated that there is little to separate Cristiano Ronaldo from Barcelona trio Lionel Messi,…

According to a recent report from AS, Cristiano Ronaldo could be tempted by a move back to his former club Real Madrid this summer.

CR7 is believed to be contemplating a move away from Juventus despite it seeming as if he was going to stay with the Old Lady earlier on in the campaign. The veteran star is still viewed as one of the best players in world football and at Euro 2020, he proved that with his goalscoring prowess shining through once again.

A few different clubs are said to have been after him, including PSG, but now Real Madrid could make a late play to bring him back over to the Bernabeu.

Manchester United have been touted as a potential landing spot for him but when you consider how much other business they ve got going on right now, it s hard to pic…

Prediction: Chelsea win

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The new European season is upon us with three enticing competitions to follow and get excited about between now and May. They obviously have very different degrees of importance attached to them in the eyes of many but in our view, they each hold the potential for a trophy which is something every club should strive for. Today, we re going to take a look at the annual curtain-raiser that is the UEFA Super Cup as Champions League winners Chelsea battle Europa League winners Villarreal.

Chelsea

The kings of Europe are hoping to reclaim their spot at the top of English football this season and under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, we wouldn t be at all shocked to see them do just that. As a club they re sta…

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that he has yet to reach his peak as a player.

The Portugal international has been an ever-present figure in Madrid s attack since his 94-million-euro transfer from Manchester United in 2009, having so far scored 131 goals in 132 appearances for Los Blancos.

And despite entering his 30s in just three years time, Ronaldo noted that there is still a lot more to come from him.

I just hope I will keep seizing the moment year after year, he told TVI. I have not yet reached the peak of my career.

This is all just relative. Next year, I could be at a higher mental level and not score as many goals.

Who I am today reflects all that I have been through. I have earned all that I have, because I have wo…

Cesc Fabregas has told of his surprise at starting up front for Spain against Italy on Sunday in their opening Euro 2012 encounter.

The Barcelona midfielder scored a second-half equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw for Vicente del Bosque s side in the Group C opener.

But the 25-year-old admitted he was as shocked as anyone to start the game and lead the attack.

I didn t expect it either, he told Telecino.

I was as surprised as anyone.

I hadn t played for a month and a half, and with the goal, it was special. So I am happy.

It (playing as a false nine) was something we hadn t plan as the Barcelona players only joined the squad later on, but we have shown we have a lot of (tactical) variety.

Spain are looking to become the first side …

The most notable element of Sergio Aguero looking on as an unused substitute when Manchester City won at Old Trafford in December last season was how unremarkable it seemed.

A month earlier, Aguero claimed a place in the history books by scoring in City s 4-2 Champions League win over Napoli – becoming the club s all-time leading goalscorer – but that lofty status offered no guarantees.

Ever since Gabriel Jesus arrival from Palmeiras in January 2017, the Argentine s status as the number one striker at the Etihad Stadium had been under threat to an extent it never was in the previous five and a half years.

Barring any late fitness concerns in the hours before a Manchester derby that looks set to prove pivotal in the destiny of the Premier League title, there i…

Paul Clement hopes Swansea City s hard-fought 1-0 win over West Brom can kick-start a concerted push to move clear of the relegation zone.

The Welsh club climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table thanks to Wilfried Bony s 81st-minute goal, the striker ramming home a loose ball at a corner to secure three precious points.

Clement who made four changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Stoke City last time out, including leaving out Renato Sanches completely  felt his players deserved to triumph in a battle between two struggling sides.

However, with a midweek game against Manchester City up next before a busy festive period, the Swans manager knows they must build on the result as they fight to avoid the drop.

It was a really important result.…