The Real Madrid boss was in defiant mood after training was delayed by a long talk between the coaching staff and players Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has hit back at critics “who say everything has gone to s***” at the club. The Spanish and European champions’ stuttering season saw them stumble again in La Liga’s title race on Sunday, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celta Vigo. With leaders Barcelona now 16 points ahead of Los Blancos in the table and a daunting Champions League last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain to come, pressure on Zidane’s position has been mounting despite his success during his two years in…

If they didn’t already, then every Wolves fan almost certainly loves big Willy now. The club’s defender, Willy Boly, was the hero on Monday night, as his stoppage time goal rescued a point against relegation battlers Newcastle United. And the Premier League side gave us all reason to have a childish giggle at full-time when they tweeted ‘We all love big Willy’. The French centre-back made his loan from Porto at Molineux permanent last summer, having spent the 2017/18 Championship winning season there and has scored three league goals this term. Wolves’ 1-1 draw keeps them in seventh, while Newcastle are one point above the relegation zone, though Magpies boss…

The Blancos could only muster a stalemate at home to unfancied opponents but their manager was upbeat post-match after progressing in the Copa del Rey Zinedine Zidane said he is not upset with Real Madrid’s performance after the Spanish and European champions were held to a 2-2 draw by third-tier side Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey. Madrid progressed to the last 16 with a 4-2 aggregate win but Zidane’s men were forced to dig deep against the unheralded visitors in the second-leg fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. Madrid 16/5 to win La Liga Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro…

Brazilian legend Cafu has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold not to take his early success for granted after his rapid rise to the Liverpool and England teams. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough in the Reds’ first team under Jurgen Klopp. The young Scouser has already featured in a Champions League final and is a key member of the side gunning for the Premier League title. He is a full England international, too, and was part of the Three Lions squad which made it to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia last summer. Tottenham defender Kieran Trippier may be ahead of him in Gareth Southgate’s England side, but Cafu – widely…

The caretaker manager has said that his team are eager to make up for the woeful form that led to the sacking of his predecessor Julen Lopetegui Real Madrid’s squad are desperate to turn around the club’s fortunes after a miserable run under former coach Julen Lopetegui, according to interim boss Santi Solari. Los Blancos suffered a fourth Liga loss in five games when they were beaten 5-1 by Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday, a result that signalled the end of Lopetegui’s tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu . Lopetegui was dismissed on Monday, with Castilla coach Solari handed control until a permanent successor is found. Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated…

Jesse Lingard has backed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to become Manchester United’s permanent manager, claiming the Norwegian has brought back ‘the old school’ Red Devils. United have been flying under the 45-year-old and are now in serious contention for a Champions League spot, having won eight of nine league matches since he took over in December. Solskjaer is getting the best out of his team, particularly Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba – with the Frenchman admitting he would have considered leaving United if Jose Mourinho remained as manager. And although Tottenham chief Mauricio Pochettino continues to be linked with the Old Trafford hot seat, Lingard says United will challenge for the…

Former Premier League duo Leeds and Swansea go head-to-head at Elland Road tonight, a match that is live on talkSPORT 2. Leeds remain in the automatic promotion places despite only winning one of their last four league games while Swansea are in need of points to keep their hopes of a play-off place alive. The reverse fixture ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw in south Wales back in August with Pablo Hernandez netting a late equaliser for the visitors. Both are desperate to reclaim their top-flight status this season but who will come out on top tonight? Find out on talkSPORT 2. Leeds vs Swansea: How to listen We will…

The Uruguayan saw a dubious red after an aerial challenge with Koke, but his boss isn’t hopeful that it will be overturned Luis Enrique is not confident of having Luis Suarez’s suspension overturned after the Barcelona forward was sent off as the Copa del Rey holders reached the final. Barcelona barely deserve Copa berth Suarez received his marching orders in stoppage time as two-time defending champions Barca advanced to a third successive final 3-2 on aggregate following Tuesday’s 1-1 second-leg draw at home to Atletico Madrid. Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool…

Former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann doesn’t believe Chelsea will be able to do his former side any favours on Sunday as the Blues take on title challengers Manchester City. The Blues have had a mixed campaign and followed a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth with a 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town. Going into the match, City could need a win to retake top spot if Liverpool beat Eddie Howe’s Cherries on Saturday but Hamann doesn’t believe the west London outfit will offer them too many problems. Speaking to the Racing Post, the former midfielder said: “I just can’t have Chelsea at the moment and that 5-0 thrashing of…

The Juventus midfielder was heavily linked with moves to England and Spain in 2018 but claims to have had no reason to make a switch at that stage Miralem Pjanic has admitted to attracting interest during a window which saw him linked with the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona, but he is delighted to be alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. Over the summer of 2018, the Bianconeri midfielder sparked regular rounds of transfer talk as his future in Turin was called into question. Old Trafford and Camp Nou were mooted as potential landing spots, while Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain were also credited with interest. Article continues below Editors' Picks…