Soccer News

Benitez still counting on Torres for key game

Liverpool's Spanish forward Fernando Torres attends a training session at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, on November 3. Rafa Benitez is refusing to rule Torres out of Liverpool's match with Birmingham City - despite telling Spain to forget about playing the striker in next week's prestigious international friendly with Argentina.
AFP - Sunday, November 8

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - - Rafa Benitez is refusing to rule Fernando Torres out of Liverpool's match with Birmingham City on Monday - despite telling Spain to forget about playing the striker in next week's prestigious international friendly with Argentina. More »

  • Torres not fit to play for Spain, says Benitez

    Reuters - Sunday, November 8

    By Neil Johnston

  • England captain David Beckham (right) backheels a ball during a training session in 2002, on the eve of their match against Argentina. England's midfielder is relishing the chance to play Champions League football again once he returns to AC Milan on his second loan spell in January.

    Beckham raring to play Champions League

    AFP - Sunday, November 8

    LONDON (AFP) - - England midfielder David Beckham is relishing the chance to play Champions League football again once he returns to AC Milan on his second loan spell in January.

  • Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo goes to the bench during their World Cup 2010 qualifying match against Hungary in Lisbon in October. Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has insisted he intends to call up Ronaldo for crucial World Cup play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the opposition of the player's club Real Madrid.

    Queiroz defiant on Ronaldo call-up

    AFP - Sunday, November 8

    LISBON (AFP) - - Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz insisted Saturday that he intends to call up Cristiano Ronaldo for crucial World Cup play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the opposition of the player's club Real Madrid.

  • Everton's English defender Phil Jagielka celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley Stadium in London in April. Everton's defender could be sidelined until January after undergoing a second knee operation, the Premier League side has revealed.

    Injury setback for Everton's Jagielka

    AFP - Sunday, November 8

    LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - - Everton defender Phil Jagielka could be sidelined until January after undergoing a second knee operation, the Premier League side revealed on Saturday.

  • Chelsea's Didier Drogba celebrates after scoring during their Premier League match vs Bolton Wanderers at The Reebok stadium, Bolton, north-west England, on October 31. Chelsea play Manchester United on Sunday, at Stamford Bridge.

    Drogba has United in his sights

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    LONDON (AFP) - - An in-form Didier Drogba is capable of ruffling the feathers of even the most confident defences.

  • Bordeaux' French midfielder Yoann Gourcuff chases the ball during a match against Bayern Munich in Munich on November 3. Bordeaux won 0-2. After proving in midweek that French football bears comparison with the best the Champions League has to offer, Bordeaux and Lyon return to domestic action this weekend, jousting for home supremacy.

    French Eurostars return to title fight

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    PARIS (AFP) - - After proving in midweek that French football bears comparison with the best the Champions League has to offer, Bordeaux and Lyon return to domestic action this weekend, jousting for home supremacy.

  • Bayern Munich's Italian striker Luca Toni is seen during the match against Girondins de Bordeaux (France) in Munich on November 3. Coach Louis van Gaal has admitted a few sleepless nights ahead of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash with Schalke 04 on Saturday in the wake of their Champions League defeat at home to Bordeaux.

    Bayern's sleepless van Gaal eyes Schalke

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    BERLIN (AFP) - - Coach Louis van Gaal has admitted a few sleepless nights ahead of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash with Schalke 04 on Saturday in the wake of their Champions League defeat at home to Bordeaux.

  • Celtic's Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (left) heads past Rangers' Madjid Bougherra during their Scottish Premier League match at Ibrox, Glasgow, in May. Rangers play St Mirren on Saturday while Celtic face Falkirk on Sunday.

    Rangers teen Wilson out to impress

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    GLASGO (AFP) - - Rangers defender Danny Wilson is not taking his place in the side for granted ahead of Saturday's Scottish Premier League clash with St Mirren after an impressive start to his Rangers career.

  • Inter Milan's Diego Milito (left) celebrates after scoring during their Serie A match vs Palermo at San Siro Stadium in Milan, on October 29. Inter Milan play AS Roma on Sunday.

    Struggling Romans tackle high-flying Milanese

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    ROME (AFP) - - Champions Inter Milan host AS Roma at the San Siro at the weekend while AC Milan travel to the capital to take on Lazio as the Serie A title race reaches a key stage.

  • T.P. Mazembe team pose before the first leg final match of the Orange CAF Champions League at Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri in Imo State, on November 1. TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo have defeated Heartland of Nigeria 1-0 in Lubumbashi to win the African Champions League on away goals after losing first leg 2-1 last weekend.

    DRC club Mazembe are African champions

    AFP - 1 hour 33 minutes ago

    JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - - Tout Puissant Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo bridged a 41-year gap Saturday by regaining the African Champions League title.

  • Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured on November 2) has voiced his support for Manchester United's defenders in the light of a relatively disappointing start to the season by the reigning Premier League champions. United, who set a world record of 1,311 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal last season, have been far more susceptible this term, allowing 11 goals in as many Premier League games.

    Ferguson makes case for United defence

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - - Sir Alex Ferguson has voiced his support for Manchester United's defenders in the light of a relatively disappointing start to the season by the reigning Premier League champions.

  • Tottenham and Chelsea raise stakes on naming rights

    Reuters - Saturday, November 7

    By Ken Ferris

  • Ferdinand out of trip to Chelsea

    Reuters - Saturday, November 7

    LONDON (Reuters) - Brief news from the English Premier League before this weekend's matches (all times GMT):

  • England coach Fabio Capello, seen here in 2008, was awe-struck as he unveiled a bust at Wembley of Sir Alf Ramsey, the man whose World Cup winning achievement he hopes to emulate in South Africa next year.

    Capello in awe as he unveils Ramsey bust

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    LONDON (AFP) - - England manager Fabio Capello was awe-struck as he unveiled a bust at Wembley of Sir Alf Ramsey, the man whose World Cup winning achievement he hopes to emulate in South Africa next year.

  • Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, seen here in October 2009, insisted on Friday that he will not be rushing for the Stamford Bridge chequebook despite a transfer ban being lifted on the Premier League leaders.

    Ancelotti won't rush for Chelsea chequebook

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    LONDON (AFP) - - Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted on Friday that he will not be rushing for the Stamford Bridge chequebook despite a transfer ban being lifted on the Premier League leaders.

  • Angola's coach Manuel Jose, seen here in 2008, told the press that star Angola striker Manucho Goncalves will stay out of the national side until he learns respect.

    Angola coach shuns 'disrespectful' star Manucho

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    LUANDA (AFP) - - Star Angola striker Manucho Goncalves will stay out of the national side until he learns respect, coach Manuel Jose told a media conference here Friday.

  • CSKA Sofia coach Lyuboslav Penev announced his resignation on Friday, citing interference from the club's management after his decision to suspend several players was overturned.

    CSKA Sofia coach resigns

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    SOFIA (AFP) - - CSKA Sofia coach Lyuboslav Penev announced his resignation on Friday, citing interference from the club's management after his decision to suspend several players was overturned.

  • Members of the Rangers FC celebrate their goal vs Unirea Urziceni in Bucharest on November 4. European football's ruling body UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings into Romanian club Unirea Urziceni following the violence-marred Champions League match with visitors Rangers

    UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings into Unirea

    AFP - Saturday, November 7

    PARIS (AFP) - - European football's ruling body UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings into Romanian club Unirea Urziceni following the violence-marred Champions League match with visitors Rangers on Wednesday.

  • Capello inspired by unveiling bust of Ramsey at Wembley

    Reuters - Saturday, November 7

    By Mike Collett

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