Fede Valverde scores fantastic solo goal in Real Madrid triumph over Mallorca (Video)

Inter striker Romelu Lukaku does not intend to leave a response to racism in football to the authorities, citing players protests in the Eredivisie as an example for Serie A stars.

A number of incidents of racist abuse in stadiums have marred Italian football in recent seasons, with Lukaku, Mario Balotelli and Miralem Pjanic among the targets.

Lukaku has repeatedly been outspoken on the issue, and the Belgium international is keen for players to lead a riposte to discrimination.

Eredivisie matches were paused for a minute in November in protest after Excelsior winger Ahmad Mendes Moreira was subjected to abuse at Den Bosch, giving Lukaku food for thought.

For me, Italy is a beautiful country to live in, the former Manchester United man told Sky Sports.<…

Real Madrid fans are tingling with excitement at the prospect of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and company strut their stuff as their new-look Galactico team host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in the curtain-raiser to the 2009/10 Spanish league season.

It has been an unforgettable summer with Real splashing around 250 million euros to build a star-studded team and there are likely to be a number of debutants against Depor with Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol all expected to start.

French striker Benzema has been firing in the goals in pre-season while Ronaldo has been installed as chief free-kick taker as he was at Manchester United.

It will also be Manuel Pellegrini s first competitive game in charge of Real and everyone will expect th…

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has urged his team to lift for their blockbuster clash against Arsenal on Sunday.

David Moyes men have made a slow start to the season and a loss at Old Trafford to the English Premier League leaders would be a huge blow to their title chances.

Vidic said his men needed to step up for the visit of Arsene Wenger s side and wants them to take their chance to prove themselves.

We have to step up for a big game like this. We have to prove to everyone, including our fans and ourselves, that we are good. That is the challenge for us, the Serbian defender said.

Arsenal have played really well this season but we have to show we can do better than we did in games like Manchester City (in a 4-1 loss in September).

I…

Barcelona defender Lucas Digne could leave Camp Nou this summer if an offer that would be of interest for both the player and the club arrives.

Spanish media report that Digne has been disillusioned with his first-team status at Barcelona and claim that full-back is not ready to spend another season at the club acting as a Jordi Alba substitution.

Digne made only eight La Liga starts during the 2017/18 campaign and is looking for a more prominent role which would require a change of clubs this summer.

The French international has reportedly asked for a permission to leave Camp Nou and Barcelona will not stand in his way if a right offer arrives this summer.

The 24-year-old defender joined Barcelona in 2016 from AS Roma for a transfer fee of €16.5 milli…

David Alaba admits former boss Pep Guardiola had a huge impact on his career during their time together at Bayern Munich. 

Guardiola spent three hugely successful years at the Bundesliga giants, during which time Bayern were the dominant force in domestic football in Germany. 

They won the league title in all three of his seasons at the helm, as well as picking up the DFB-Pokal twice, but the Champions League eluded the Spaniard during his spell in Bavaria. 

Still, Alaba was full of praise for his old head coach, someone he believes is right up there with the best in the world. 

First of all, he meant a lot to me, the Bayern defender said. He took me to another level. 

Under him, I knew I could play a lot of positions. He is …

Wayne Bridge got his revenge on John Terry as Manchester City dented nine-man Chelsea s title challenge with a stunning 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

After snubbing Terry s offer of a handshake during the pre-match greeting between the teams, Bridge who this week quit England duty as a result of Terry s alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel played his part as City handed Chelsea their first home defeat in 38 games since Arsenal won at the Bridge in November 2008.

Frank Lampard put the Premier League leaders ahead in the 42nd minute but Carlos Tevez equalised in first half stoppage-time following mistakes from Terry and goalkeeper Hilario.

Craig Bellamy struck for the visitors in the 51st minute with a shot from a tight angle that Hila…

Manchester United could go into their last 16 second leg Champions League tie against AC Milan at Old Trafford on Wednesday without star striker Wayne Rooney.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was angry the in-form Rooney, who has scored 29 goals already this season including two in the first leg against Milan played for England in last week s friendly win over Egypt at Wembley.

It was his second appearance in four days on the much criticised pitch after he came off the bench to lead United to victory in the League Cup final against Aston Villa and did little for his longstanding knee problem.

Rooney was absent from the 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday that returned the reigning champions to the top of the Premier League table and Ferguson confirmed he could miss th…

Barca could miss out on Nolito

La Liga champions Barcelona look set to miss out on top target Nolito, .

It is no secret that coach Luis Enrique has made signing the 29-year-old the priority in the January transfer window, but the deal is starting to look unlikely.

Namely, having splashed out over €50 million on the likes of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal, the club management cannot afford Nolito s €18 million release clause at the moment.

Having been obliged to reduce the club s huge debt, the Catalans will not have money to spend in the winter transfer window.

As a result, they have proposed to sign Nolito on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy for €9 million, but it is clear that Celta will not agree to such an arrangement…

Atletico Madrid are up to second in La Liga after Koke s early goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 win at Real Betis.

Koke pounced after Fernando Torres seventh-minute shot was saved and the 2013-14 champions sit four points behind leaders Barcelona and two ahead of city rivals Real Madrid, who were humiliated 4-0 at home in El Clasico on Saturday.

Antoine Griezmann was particularly culpable as Atletico missed a host of chances to secure a more comfortable victory, but Betis could not find a response in the face of a brave defensive effort led by Diego Godin.

Levante and Granada claimed their second wins of the season to ease their relegation fears.

All of Levante s goals in a 3-0 win at Sporting Gijon came before half-time, with a brace from Deyverson coming …

Are Barcelona set to make a splash in 2022?

After losing Lionel Messi on a free transfer due to their crippling debt, Barca are busy planning for next season.

Franck Kessie and Youri Tielemans are believed to be on the radar at Camp Nou.

TOP STORY – BARCA EYEING PAIR

Barcelona are targeting Milan star Franck Kessie and Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to reports.

Kessie is out of contract at the end of the season and he is yet to re-sign at Milan amid links with Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham.

Mundo Deportivo claims LaLiga giants Barca are considering a move for the Ivory Coast international, as well as Tielemans – who is reportedly wanted by the likes of Manchester United and Liv…