..::Football IV::..

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    Bundesliga is always finished by April – Lahm wants Bayern challengers


    The Bundesliga has not had an exciting title race for a while and club legend Philipp Lahm thinks Bayern Munich's dominance is bad for the competition.The former Bavarian captain wants to see a proper title race because he feels the gulf between Bayern Munich and the rest is not good for German football.

    Bayern have won the title in each of the last six seasons, with 10 points as close as any side has come to toppling Germany's most successful team since Borussia Dortmund were victorious in 2011-12.




    In the same period, the European giants have won the title by as many as 21 and 25 points and their ex-full back Lahm – who retired in 2017 – wants to see more competition at the top of the table.

    "It is important for the health of the Bundesliga that there is competition," the World Cup winner told Marca."I am happy that Bayern wins, but it would be better if the other sides challenged them.

    "In Spain, Barcelona, [Real] Madrid and Atletico Madrid can win LaLiga. Here [Germany], it [the title race] ends in April."During his time playing for Bayern and Germany, Lahm worked under respected coaches such as Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Joachim Low.

    Although none have inspired him to go into management yet, Lahm looks back in amazement at Guardiola's ability to analyse and educate his players."Pep is a super coach," Lahm added. "He is very good, the best at analysing the opponent and the concept of the game.

    "I don't know what impact he has had on German football, but he left a mark on all of us at Bayern because of how he analysed and educated the players in their positions and in the way they played."We knew what the other was going to do in any circumstance of the game."

    Bayern have made a typically strong start to the new Bundesliga campaign, securing back to back wins in their opening two games against Hoffenheim and Stuttgart, under their new manager Niko Kovac.
     

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    Deschamps admits that France made errors in Germany blank


    World Cup winners France were some way short of their best in the 0-0 Nations League draw against Germany, head coach Didier Deschamps conceded.After winning the famous trophy in Russia, the 49-year-old boss has had the unenviable task of re-motivating his players ahead of a spate of upcoming friendlies.

    In their first outing since their exploits in the summer, Les Bleus shaded what sparse goalmouth action occurred in a drab first hour but were indebted to a string of fine saves from debutant goalkeeper Alphonse Areola during the closing stages.

    Deschamps' men entertain the Netherlands on Sunday and he feels the work ethic displayed by his world champions on Thursday evening bodes well for the team ahead of the clash."The match was quite closed, even if there were occasions when we were better and at times it was them," he told TF1.

    "There were some technical errors [in possession]. All the players are at the best on the physical level. The players made every effort to secure the draw."Deschamps acknowledged facing a Germany side on their first outing since a humiliating group-stage exit at the World Cup presented a particular challenge.

    He added: "Our goal was to win, but Germany is coming out of a trauma. This is a good result, we will recover and in three days we put [effort] back in."

    Next up for Germany is Peru in an international friendly that falls outside of the newly established Nations League tournament, which should provide manager Joachim Low with the perfect opportunity to blood some of the young talent within his squad.
     

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    :growl::baffled:Pogba not ruling out Man Utd exit in January


    Paul Pogba insists he is unsure if he will remain at Manchester United beyond the January transfer window.Pogba was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona over the summer, with the France international reportedly at odds with Jose Mourinho.

    Indeed, the 25-year-old appeared to take a dig at the manager after the club's loss to Brighton earlier this season, insisting that the Seagulls were much better prepared for the encounter than the Red Devils , having already claimed that if he said what was on his mind, he "would be fined".

    Pogba has come in for criticism for his performances this season, with former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel claiming that the player's mind "remains somewhere else".

    And the midfielder has now confirmed that he could yet be on his way out of the club in January, with Barca reportedly ready to pay up to £100 million (€111m/$130m) for his services.

    "My future is currently in Manchester, I still have a contract, I'm playing there at the moment, but who knows what will happen in the next few months," he told Sky Sports Germany .Pogba insists that he and Mourinho have a purely professional relationship, though he maintains that he will continue to give his all as United attempt to recapture their form and reel in early leaders Liverpool, whom they currently lie six points behind.

    "We have a pure coach-player relationship, that's right," he added."One thing I can assure you: I will always give 100 per cent, no matter which coach I always give everything for United - I cannot say more."

    The midfielder is currently on international duty with France and is primed to play a key role in Les Bleus' Nations League fixture against Germany in Munich on Thursday, having stressed the importance for the World Cup winners to behave in an exemplary fashion as role models . On Sunday, the world champions will tackle the Netherlands.

    Mourinho's side as a whole have come under fire this season, having won only two of their opening four Premier League fixtures.They will face Watford after the international break before a trip to play Young Boys in the Champions League.
     

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    Maradona named manager of second-tier Mexican side Dorados


    Diego Maradona will coach Dorados after being appointed by the second-tier Mexican side on Thursday.

    Maradona's last coaching job was with Al Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, where the 57-year-old Argentine great left the second-division team in April, while he signed a three-year deal to become president of Belarusian outfit Dinamo Brest in May.

    But the former Argentina boss and World Cup winner is back in management, this time in Mexico with Dorados – the club where Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spent six months as a player in 2006.

    Maradona replaces Francisco Gomez, who oversaw a winless start to the Ascenso MX season following three losses and three draws in the opening six matches.
    Dorados – formed in 2003 – find themselves joint-bottom of the table in the 15-team league. Regarded as one of the all-time greats, Maradona – who scored 34 goals in 91 appearances and helped Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 – has also spent time in charge of Mandiyu de Corrientes, Racing Club and Al Wasl.

    Maradona led Argentina at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the South American giants were humbled 4-0 by Germany in the quarter-finals.
     

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    Neymar named permanent Brazil captain


    Neymar believes the responsibility of leading Brazil will be good for him after the Paris Saint-Germain star was appointed captain.

    Head coach Tite scrapped his captaincy rotation by naming Neymar as Brazil's permanent skipper on the eve of Friday's international friendly against the United States in New Jersey.Neymar endured a turbulent World Cup campaign in Russia, where Brazil made a shock quarter-final exit against Belgium.

    The 26-year-old – who scored twice at the showpiece tournament after recovering from a broken foot sustained in February – was a regular target of criticism for his theatrics and behaviour on the pitch, having exaggerated fouls.

    Fronting the media alongside Tite after he received the captain's armband, Neymar told reporters: "I accepted again because I've learned a lot and I will learn much more. And this responsibility will be a good thing to me."Reflecting on his difficult World Cup campaign, Neymar said: "I think that probably no one here in this room will ever live something close that I've lived not even during the Olympics, but after the World Cup as well.

    "I was targeted by many critics, a lot of bad things and I wasn't OK at that very moment [after the game against Belgium] to speak. So when I'm not OK to speak I prefer to stay shut because the silence is the best answer."On his critics, Neymar added: "I don't have much to say about it. I'm a player who takes the ball 11 times and in 10 times I go straight to the opponent.

    "I think they won't let me pass without giving me a little strike. I can't ask them, 'Hey, excuse me but let me score'. I suffered lots of fouls during the World Cup.But it happened. It's another lesson I carry with me.""My responsibility is even bigger due to the captaincy but if you don't play [good] football there's no need of it," Neymar continued when asked how he could silence his critics.

    "I want to apologise to the supporters which got mad with us because losing is a very bad thing. We believed we could [be world champions] but it wasn't possible."
     

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    UEFA Nations League Fixtures 2018.09.07

    UEFA Nations League Fixtures 2018.09.07

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    Azerbaijan Vs Kosovo
    Albania Vs Israel
    Faror Island Vs Malta
    Italy Vs Poland
    Lithuania Vs Serbia
    Romania Vs MOntenegro
    Turkey Vs Russia
     

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    Mexico 1 Uruguay 4: Sublime Suarez leads rout


    It was a Luis Suarez masterclass as the Barcelona star scored twice and set up another to inspire Uruguay's crushing 4-1 win over Mexico in Houston.

    In an international friendly between the World Cup quarter-finalists and last-16 participants, Uruguay came out on top thanks to all-time leading scorer Suarez's first-half brace on Friday.

    Suarez scored a free-kick and converted a 'panenka' penalty at NRG Stadium, where Jose Gimenez's 22nd-minute opener was cancelled out by Mexico's Raul Jimenez spot-kick within two minutes.

    Gaston Pereiro sealed the rout for Uruguay – who were eliminated by eventual champions France in the World Cup quarters – after Suarez turned provider in sensational fashion 15 minutes into the second half, while Jimenez had a penalty saved by Fernando Muslera during the closing stages.


    There was no room for star trio Javier Hernandez, Andres Guardado or Hector Herrera in the Mexico squad as caretaker boss Ricardo Ferretti – stepping in following Juan Carlo Osorio's exit after the country's round-of-16 exit to Brazil – opted for youth, with defender Jesus Angulo handed his debut.

    Oscar Tabarez was not in the dugout for Uruguay as he mulls over his future, with Fabian Coito – a member of the 71-year-old's backroom staff – and he fielded a strong XI, which included Suarez, Diego Godin, Lucas Torreira, Rodrigo Bentancur and Matias Vecino.

    Mexico enjoyed a decent start to the match but they found themselves trailing after some poor defending from a corner in the 22nd minute, Gimenez breaking the deadlock with a bullet header from Jonathan Urretaviscaya's cross.Uruguay's lead was short-lived, however, after Hirving Lozano drew a foul from Bentancur following a driving run into the penalty area – Mexico forward Jimenez making no mistake from the spot as he finished emphatically.

    The shoot-out continued eight minutes later when Suarez – who scored twice in Barcelona's rout of Huesca last time out – restored Uruguay's lead with a free-kick, which found its way past Guillermo Ochoa at his near post.Uruguay should have scored a third in the 36th minute but Inter's Vecino fired a shot straight at Ochoa from point-blank rage but the Mexico goalkeeper was helpless to stop Suarez.

    Suarez struck again five minutes before half-time, converting a cheeky penalty past Ochoa to take his international tally to 55 goals after the Uruguay forward was fouled by debutant Angulo, and he added an assist to his display when he picked out Pereiro with a terrific piece of skill.

    Lozano almost pulled a goal back but his glancing header was somehow pushed away by Muslera, who then dived low to stop Jimenez's penalty with 16 minutes remaining.
     

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    United States 0 Brazil 2: Neymar enjoys winning start as captain

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    Neymar wore the captain's armband and scored as Brazil overcame a spirited challenge from the United States, the post-World Cup era opening with a 2-0 victory.

    Tite handed the permanent captaincy to Neymar after scrapping his rotation policy and the Paris Saint-Germain superstar enjoyed a winning start as skipper in New Jersey, where Brazil prevailed thanks to a two-goal first half on Friday.

    Roberto Firmino took his international tally to eight goals with a fine volley in the 11th minute before Neymar doubled the lead from the spot two minutes prior to half-time after Brazil were awarded a contentious penalty – Fabinho going to ground under minimal contact.

    USA were not without chances, with Weston McKennie in the thick of the action, but the hosts were unable to execute in front of a vocal crowd at MetLife Stadium, where the likes of Barcelona midfielder Arthur and Everton forward Richarlison made their Brazil debuts.

    Friday's fixture was the start of an evolution, not a revolution for Brazil following their shock quarter-final exit at the World Cup, with only Neymar, Alisson, Philippe Coutinho and Thiago Silva remaining from the starting XI that faced Belgium.

    Dave Sarachan, whose USA held eventual world champions France to a draw in June, continued to keep faith with his young team, while PSG sensation Timothy Weah started on the bench.


    Brazil dazzled early in New Jersey, where the Selecao controlled the tempo and broke the deadlock within 11 minutes thanks to Firmino.Costa was at the heart of the move, the Juventus star's stunning burst of pace leaving his opponent in his wake before picking out Firmino, who volleyed home the opener with the outside of his boot from inside the six-yard box.

    USA struggled to keep possession against the composed Brazilians but the hosts started to knock on the door and almost equalised 10 minutes before half-time but Alisson managed to deny McKennie's close-range effort.Sarachan's men were dealt a huge blow with the interval approaching after the referee awarded Brazil a controversial penalty, much to the shock of the players and fans.

    Liverpool recruit Fabinho went to ground under minimal contact and Neymar – unfazed by the protests – casually converted from the spot.Fred nearly helped put Brazil 3-0 ahead two minutes into the second half but his pass to Firmino was cut out by USA goalkeeper Zack Steffen, while Neymar's shot was cleared off the line four minutes later.

    McKennie, who almost pulled a goal back late in the first half, saw further opportunities spurned as Brazil beat USA for the 18th time in 19 meetings.
     

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    Italy 1 Poland 1: Jorginho on the spot to get Mancini up and running

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    Jorginho converted a 78th-minute penalty as a stuttering Italy earned a 1-1 Nations League draw at home to Poland.The visitors, beginning life under new boss Jerzy Brzeczek after an underwhelming group-stage exit at the World Cup, went in front five minutes before half-time through Piotr Zielinski.

    Chelsea midfielder Jorginho misplaced a pass and was dispossessed in the build-up to that goal but unfurled his skip-step penalty routine to fine effect.It salvaged a fitful Italy display as Roberto Mancini continues to plot his recovery from one of the football's grand nations failing to reach Russia 2018.

    Aiming to cement his claims to Italy's number one spot after Mancini again opted to overlook the veteran Gianluigi Buffon, Gianluigi Donnarumma made sharp stops down to his left that denied Zielinski and Grzegorz Krychowiak inside the opening half hour.A poorly taken short goal-kick from Lukasz Fabianski presented Italy with a clear 37th-minute opening but Federico Bernardeschi arrowed his shot wide.

    Mancini would rue that moment of wastefulness as Jorginho was clumsily dispossessed and his old Napoli team-mate Zielinski benefited – volleying home Robert Lewandowski's cross at the back post.


    Lewandowski could not re-adjust to convert Jakub Blaszczykowski's cross early in the second half, in which half-time substitute Giacomo Bonaventura provided a bright point for Italy.

    The Milan midfielder was thwarted by Fabianski at close quarters before sending a drive whistling just wide.It was another substitute, Federico Chiesa, who won the spot-kick for the equaliser.

    Blaszczykowski appeared to get a decent chunk of the ball but, given he was already booked and slid in from behind, the Wolfsburg winger was perhaps fortunate to watch Jorginho's conversion from on the field.
     

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    Scotland 0 Belgium 4: Hazard stars and Batshuayi scores twice in rout

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    Eden Hazard impressed and Michy Batshuayi scored twice as Belgium capitalised on some woeful Scotland defending to coast to a 4-0 win at Hampden Park.

    A John McGinn error undid Scotland's hard work from the opening exchanges, with Romelu Lukaku the beneficiary, before star turn Hazard added a decidedly better second with a thunderous effort.Charlie Mulgrew and Ryan Jack were then culpable as Batshuayi celebrated a quickfire double.

    Tougher challenges lie in wait but Roberto Martinez will be content with what he saw from his World Cup semi-finalists.Scotland's disciplined defensive shape had restricted Belgium to long-range attempts despite the industrious efforts of Hazard, but a lapse in concentration proved costly in the 28th minute.

    Craig Gordon rolled the ball to McGinn, who was quickly robbed of possession deep in his own territory by Mousa Dembele before Hazard's brother, Thorgan, teed up Lukaku to tap-in his 18th Belgium goal in his past 16 games.

    Vincent Kompany headed onto the bar and Gordon made a stunning double save from Hazard and Lukaku as the visitors finished the half strong.It took Hazard just 50 seconds after the break to double the lead, the Chelsea forward quickly shifting onto his left foot and lashing an unstoppable left-foot shot into the top-right corner.

    Six minutes later, Mulgrew's poor lofted pass was stolen by Dembele and he found Hazard, who picked out Batshuayi to coolly stroke home.Batshuayi then drilled into the bottom-left corner as this time Jack was punished for dawdling on the ball by Youri Tielemans.

    The Valencia striker could have added a third but a well-hit strike found the side-netting as Belgium completed a comfortable win, which was Scotland's worst home defeat in over 45 years.
     

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    'He sets the standards' - Martinez thrilled with Hazard showing in Belgium rout


    Roberto Martinez hailed Eden Hazard for setting the standard as captain after the Chelsea forward shone in a comprehensive 4-0 win against Scotland.

    Hazard was the standard bearer for the Red Devils' attacking prowess before being replaced in the 56th minute.The skipper scored with a stunning effort to make it 2-0 after Romelu Lukaku had opened the scoring, before he set up Michy Batshuayi for the first of his brace.

    Boss Martinez was questioned if Hazard worked too hard in the friendly fixture, but the former Everton manager wants his star man to continue leading by example."I don't see that as a negative. He's in a good moment and he's carried on from where he was in the World Cup," he said.

    "When you're a captain, you have to set the standard in that sort of manner. It's dangerous when you go into a football match not giving everything. "Hazard is giving what you want from a captain. I don't think there was anything wrong with him trying to find the right space and drag people out."

    Opposite number Alex McLeish oversaw Scotland's biggest home defeat in over 45 years.Bar Hazard's strike, all of Belgium's goals were largely of Scotland's own doing with some poor passing and lapses in concentration proving costly.

    McLeish, who has now suffered four defeats in five since returning as Scotland manager, rued the errors but believe his side can take positives from the performance."Mistakes cost us. We were doing okay in the first half and we made a mistake and lost the goal," he said.

    "It was just a catalogue of errors. If anybody's got to take the blame, it's me for telling them they have to pass it."It's harsh lessons, big lessons for the young ones especially, but they should not be downhearted as they were up against a top team.

    "It looked the best choice of opposition for me. We've got to test ourselves."
     

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    Real Madrid announce biggest revenue increase in 18 years


    Real Madrid have recorded their biggest 12-month increase in revenue for 18 years, according to financial figures released by the club.

    In the year the Santiago Bernabeu outfit won a third consecutive Champions League crown as well as the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana, they announced an income of €750.9 million (£674m/$874m) for 2017-18, not including fees recouped from player sales.This marks an 11.3 per cent jump from their figures the year before, which is the largest increase since 2000, when Florentino Perez first became president.

    Madrid's net profits stand at €31.2m (£28m/$36m), a 45.9 per cent increase on the previous financial year. The club's net worth has therefore risen to €494.5m (£443m/$575m).

    They are in profit for the third year in a row, with net debt now at -€107m (£96m/$125m). That net liquidity increase is €96.7m (£87m/$112m) up from last year, which they report as “the greatest reduction to debt achieved by the club in the last 15 years”.

    Forecasts suggest a revenue of €752m (£675m/$875m) for the 2018-19 season excluding player sales, with pre-tax profits in the region of €43.2m (£39m/$50m).

    The club's general assembly will meet on September 23 to submit the financial results for approval and discuss the prospect of outside financing to help the redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabeu.

    Despite the loss of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo after another successful season on and off the field for the club, Madrid are hoping new coach Julen Lopetegui can continue their dominance of Europe’s top competition as they target a fourth straight crown.

    They start their Champions League campaign with a game against Roma on September 19, after a visit to Athletic Club in La Liga.
     

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    'Alexis Sanchez is still a top-class player' - Man Utd star will come good, says Robson



    Alexis Sanchez remains a “top-class player” in the eyes of Manchester United legend Bryan Robson, with the Chilean being backed to rediscover his best form.
    Having been acquired by the Red Devils in January, the 29-year-old forward has struggled to produce his best.He has managed just three goals in 21 appearances, with his account yet to be opened in the 2018-19 campaign.

    Robson is, however, convinced that a summer without World Cup duty will benefit the former Arsenal and Barcelona star, with United needing to be patient as a proven performer gets fully up to speed - with Chile having agreed to offer him rest him again during the current international break.

    The former Old Trafford captain said after Manchester was named the Greatest Sporting City 2018: “Sanchez is a top-class player. But we haven't seen the best of him at Manchester United so far.“But I'm sure he'll get to the top of his game. This summer was the first summer he's had off for several years, and that should do him good.

    “Sometimes, though, when you have a free summer and a fair few weeks off, it can take a little bit more time to come back really sharp and to get into the season.“These first few games of the season are maybe just what he needs to sharpen him up and then hopefully we'll see the best of him for the rest of the season.”

    Robson admits it is vital that Sanchez does find his spark, with Jose Mourinho requiring his other attacking talents to help Romelu Lukaku carry the goal-scoring burden if a Premier League title challenge is to be pieced together.

    The ex-England international added: “I think the main thing for Lukaku is to keep getting into those goal-scoring positions.

    “You go through periods where you will score a lot of goals and a striker will go through a barren patch where he doesn't score for a few games.“But with Rom, he just needs to keep getting into those positions that he managed at the weekend and he will get goals.

    “The one thing that's guaranteed, as long as he stays free of injury – he will get up to the 30-goal mark for United again this season.“It's also a matter of Sanchez, [Jesse] Lingard, [Anthony] Martial and [Marcus] Rashford all getting into double figures this season in terms of goals, if we're really going to challenge for the title.

    “Lingard did well in terms of goals last season, getting into double figures, and it can't all fall on Lukaku.“There are going to be periods in the season when he goes through that barren spell and doesn't score.

    “When that happens, there have to be other people there who can score goals for United if we're going to be challenging for trophies.”
     

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    No mobile phones, tiki-taka, aggressive pressing: Luis Enrique ushers in new era with Spain - and the players love it!



    Luis Enrique may have spent just a couple of days with his first Spain squad, but the new La Roja coach has already laid down some strict rules that all players must obey.

    The former Barcelona and Real Madrid star was appointed after another World Cup farce for the Spanish national team and begins his reign with the first UEFA Nations League games against England and Croatia.

    With the likes of David de Gea, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets and Isco present, he has a strong group to work with, but the 48-year-old has made clear that their time with the national team will be more intense than they are used to.

    He has brought an end to their free afternoons, banned them from using mobile phones during meals and has even cut down on the team stopping in Madrid as they travel between host cities. Promising to run the training camps like a club, it seems serious hard work and professionalism have become the theme under Luis Enrique.

    But his team of big names and big personalities have not been scared off by his high standards and the shift in attitude. In fact, they are all fully on board. Many of his players have spoken highly of him already and a grateful Sergi Roberto has labelled him “a great motivator”.

    "I like him as a coach so far,” Alvaro Morata told reporters. “We have had two training sessions, he asks for a lot of intensity, a lot of concentration. He seems to me a very sincere person who wants to win."

    The maiden sessions – which he observed from a scaffold he had installed beside the pitch – have been convincing for a lot of players as they begin to adjust to his playing style. He demands they keep the ball moving and dominate possession while being aggressive in the press defensively, staying true to his tiki-taka approach.

    The former Roma and Barcelona boss has banned the media from watching training sessions and has even had a banner installed to prevent outsiders from spying on them.He may be demanding, but he will be no whip-wielding ogre to his squad and showed in his first meeting this week that he is relaxed and good humoured.

    He was all smiles as he greeted the stars one-by-one upon their arrival and made a few jokes with them, playfully barging into Sergio Ramos, the Real Madrid captain who will no doubt continue to be crucial to the progress of the Spanish national team.

    The coach himself is putting in an incredible amount of work, too. The Spanish Federation are happy with the early signs and are confident they made the right choice to replace Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked just before their World Cup campaign began.

    He is living in Madrid up to five days a week, staying at the same hotel inside the training centre and he and his staff spend 15 hours working almost every day - from 8am to 11pm.

    It’s no surprise, then, that all have been taken in by Luis Enrique so far, but the players know it will be their turn to make an impression on him when they take on England and Croatia.