Portugal coach Paulo Bento has warned his side that they cannot afford to rely solely on Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2012.
Striker Ronaldo scored 60 goals for Real Madrid last season but Bento is aware that the 27-year-old will not be able to drag Portugal into the quarter-finals all on his own.
Portugal have been drawn in Euro 2012 s most difficult group with Germany, Netherlands and Denmark.
Cristiano has always played at a high level for us, Bento said.
In the qualifying round he helped us a lot but we still think the same.
We will not rely on any player to resolve all problems.
Bento argued that his side s best chance of success will be if they work together.
We try to do things as a team and there will be some players w…
Edwin Valencia insists Colombia s only focus is on qualifying for the Copa America quarter-finals, not finishing top of Group C, as they prepare for a crucial showdown with Peru.
Jose Pekerman s Colombia kept their hopes alive with a vital 1-0 victory over Brazil on Thursday, in a match that ended in controversy as Neymar was sent off after the final whistle when he appeared to kick the ball at Pablo Armero and then seemingly attempted to headbutt goalscorer Jeison Murillo.
It was the perfect response to a shock 1-0 loss to Venezuela in their opening group match, and it means all four teams in the pool are locked on three points with the same goal difference after two matches.
While Colombia can still top the group with a win over Peru, midfielder Valencia is …
Cristian Romero suffered a hamstring injury in Argentina s World Cup qualifier against Brazil last month, and it seems it s more serious than thought at first. Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte is obviously unsure about the time of the defender s potential return to action, but it certainly won t be within this calendar year.
The injury is serious and it s a pity because he is an important player for us but the injury is very serious.
Antonio Conte brings bad news as he states Cristian Romero will not play again in 2021 and is hoping he ll be able to play in the new year
— Football Daily (@footballdaily)
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Phil Foden equalled the feats of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland when he scored his 50th league goal as Manchester City stormed into a 3-0 lead against Brighton.
Foden scored twice in the first half at the Amex Stadium on Thursday, setting Pep Guardiola s team on the way to a potentially pivotal win in the Premier League title race.
The England international s first, which came after Kevin De Bruyne s excellent diving header, came as his free-kick deflected in off the unfortunate Pascal Gross.
It was that goal that marked Foden s 50th in league football, with all of those coming under Guardiola.
50 Phil Foden has scored his 50th Premier League goal, and is only the third player to score 50 top-flight goals under Pep Guardiola while aged 23 or younger, aft…
Milan made an offer for Xavi
AC Milan have attempted to sign Barcelona playmaker Xavi Hernandez, according to the player’s mum.
The Spanish international was noticed by the Milan scouts while he was playing for Barcelona’s B side and Rossoneri chief Adriano Galliani contacted the player’s family to offer the player a chance to move to San Siro.
“Galliani came and put an offer on the table when Xavi played for Barcelona B, offering him a four-year contract,” Maria Merce Creus explained to TV Cuatro.
“At the time he had Pep Guardiola in front of him but, inside of me, I thought it would tear the family apart completely if he went.
“Besides, I always thought that, although it might be difficult, he would be a success at Barcelona.”
Legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has ended a glittering stint at the Santiago Bernabeu by moving to Porto.
Casillas departs Real having amassed 725 appearances since making his debut away to Athletic Bilbao in 1999, and is expected to be replaced in Rafael Benitez s side by Manchester United keeper David de Gea.
The 34-year-old has won everything before him in a 15-year career on domestic and international fronts with Real and Spain, listing five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions Leagues among two European Championships and a 2010 World Cup triumph.
However, the closing chapters of Casillas Real career have not been quite as storied.
Dropped by Jose Mourinho in January 2013, Casillas initially failed to win his place back under Carlo …
Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain says his team-mates are dreaming of the Scudetto ahead of Monday s visit from Serie A leaders Inter.
Going into the weekend s Serie A action, Inter sit two points clear of Maurizio Sarri s Napoli at the summit, although the pair s closest challengers Fiorentina and Roma are both in action on Sunday.
Inter and Napoli have conceded just seven and eight league goals respectively this term, taking advantage of Juventus sluggish title defence to stake an early claim for the Scudetto.
While both camps have been eager to play down their respective title chances so far as they approach the midway point of the season, Higuain admitted his focus was firmly on winning the league.
It s only right to dream and anyone who says they…
Winning the Copa del Rey can help Barcelona move on from their Champions League disappointment, according to Ernesto Valverde.
LaLiga s leaders have the chance to complete the first leg of a potential domestic double when they take on Sevilla in Saturday s final in Madrid.
However, their hopes of glory in Europe were dashed last week by Roma, as the Italian club incredibly overturned a 4-1 first-leg deficit to progress to the semi-finals on away goals.
Valverde who lost the 2015 Copa final against Barcelona when in charge of Athletic Bilbao understands the pressure is on to lift the trophy at the Wanda Metropolitano.
To win the Copa del Rey would be a good way to put the Champions League slip up behind us, he told a news conference.
To win with …
Pele has been moved to palliative care, according to reports in Brazil.
The three-time World Cup winner, regarded among the greatest players of all time, underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his colon last year, and has been in and out of hospital since.
He was hospitalised earlier this week, though his daughter said on Wednesday there was no surprise or emergency , with Pele then saying it was a monthly visit in a post on Instagram.
However, a report in Folha de Sao Paulo on Saturday said Pele was no longer responding to chemotherapy treatment and is now receiving pain-relieving measures in a palliative end-of-life care ward.
The 82-year-old will not be the subject of any invasive treatment or tests.
As a teenager, Pele inspired Brazil to th…
Wigan Athletic are keen on signing Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing, .
The 24 year old spent the majority of the 2012/13 season on loan with Bolton Wanderers, and was named their Player of the Year in after an impressive campaign that saw the Trotters just miss out on a top six finish.
He made his Liverpool debut against PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League back in 2008, but has struggled to hold down a first team place with the Reds, and looks set to move on this summer.
Meanwhile the Latics, who are aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last season have also been linked with a move for former Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Manager Owen Coyle has agreed a £750,000 fee for the 27…