Valverde not worried about Suarez drought

Gianluigi Buffon has set his sights on Champions League glory and is confident Juventus have what it takes to challenge the continent s best.

The Serie A title-holders last won the European Cup in 1995-96 when they defeated holders Ajax on penalties in the final.

Having lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the 2014-15 final, Buffon is desperate to finally follow in the footsteps of former captain Gianluca Vialli, who led the Bianconeri to victory in Rome 20 years ago.

Lifting the Champions League isn t just my dream. Everyone at Juventus wants it and we ll try to make it come true, Buffon said at a news conference ahead of Wednesday s encounter versus Sevilla.

What we ve done in the Champions League so far hasn t been enough. We need to remain ambitious.

I…

Arsene Wenger declined to comment on allegations that Jose Mourinho wanted to break his face – insisting he wishes to be constructive rather than destructive .

The claims come from a new book written about Mourinho by journalist Robert Beasley and date back to the Portuguese s time in charge of Chelsea, when Wenger was critical of their decision to sell Juan Mata to title rivals Manchester United during the January 2014 transfer window.

Wenger will tangle with Chelsea once more at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with Antonio Conte in the opposing dugout on this occasion, and he was faintly amused by questions surrounding Mourinho s apparent threat of violence during a pre-match news conference on Friday.

I haven t read the book and I certainly will not read it s…

Unai Emery concedes Arsenal struggled in their 1-0 win over Newcastle United but felt a collective team effort led to an ultimately deserved three points.

Arsenal came away from St James Park with a slender victory on Sunday thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang s strike just before the hour mark.

Aubameyang made the most of some slack defending from Newcastle to score what proved to be the winning goal in a game of few clear-cut chances.

After equalling last season s away clean sheets tally in their first match of the 2019-20 campaign, Emery targeted more shutouts if Arsenal are to improve on their fifth-place finish from last time out.

C L I N I C A L |

— Arsenal (@Arsenal)

I want to win. I want to score and I want to keep a clean s…

Kyle Walker says there is a family atmosphere within the England camp and that has played a big part in their march to the World Cup semi-finals.

For the first time in 28 years – and only the third time in history – an England team will be present in the last-four at football s global showpiece, Gareth Southgate s team having seen off Sweden in Saturday s quarter-final.

Croatia stand in the way of the Three Lions and a place in the final, the two nations going head-to-head in Moscow on Wednesday to earn the right to face France or Belgium.

England s progress is a long way from their group-stage exit at the last edition of the World Cup in Brazil, and their shock defeat to Iceland in the Euro 2016 round of 16.

And Walker says the spirit within the squa…

Erik ten Hag’s blushes were spared as Manchester United edged out Newport in the FA Cup fourth round on a day when crowd trouble marred the Black Country derby.

United raced into a two-goal lead at Rodney Parade as Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo struck inside the opening 13 minutes.

Sky Bet League Two side Newport battled back as a long-range deflected Bryn Morris effort halved the deficit before the break and Will Evans levelled two minutes after the restart.

But a strong United side fought back as Antony’s first goal of the season and a stoppage-time Rasmus Hojlund effort earned a 4-2 win.

The Football Association has launched a swift investigation as play was suspended during Wolves’ visit to rivals West Brom.

Play at The Hawthorns was…

The United States did well to recover from their opening match defeat and beat Cameroon 4-1 in their second game at the 2009 World Youth Championship.

USA went into half time with a 1-0 lead thanks to a 45th-minute goal from Bryan Arguez, and needed only two minutes after the break for Tony Taylor to double the advantage.

Dilly Duka added a third in minute 67, although a penalty goal from Banana Yaya restored the original gap nine minutes later.

The fourth and final American goal came from 19-year-old midfielder Brian Ownby near the full time whistle.

The US are now in second place in Group C, a point behind leaders Germany.

…

Ponte Preta have confirmed that Brazil youth international Leandrinho has signed for Napoli in a €600,000 deal.

The 18-year-old winger had spent time training with Maurizio Sarri s side this month after completing a medical ahead of the move.

Ponte have now ratified his departure, reaching an agreement with Napoli over a compensation fee.

President Vanderlei Pereira and I have been in Italy in person and after lengthy negotiations we have secured the payment which will be paid to Ponte in February, financial director Gustavo Valio told the club s official website.

Since the player didn t want to play for Ponte anymore and opted for the Italian team, we made every effort to ensure that Ponte s rights were respected and, once the sum is paid, we will wi…

the signing of Barcelona defender Lucas Digne after weeks of speculation. The 25-year-old will be joining the Merseyside club on a five-year deal that is believed to be worth around £18 million, although that could eventually rise to £20 million. The Toffees haven t been particularly busy so far this summer when it comes to bringing in new faces, but Digne signifies a huge sign of intent from the club as they attempt to force their way back into European competition.

Digne s main source of development really came during his eight years with Lille, during which time he worked his way up from the youth system to the first team. Following that he made the jump to Paris Saint-Germain which included a loan spell to Roma before the Spanish giants came calling in 2016. Digne was un…

In what was a pulsating affair from the Bernabeu on Tuesday night, Manchester City mounted a second-half comeback as they secured a first-leg 1-1 draw away at Real Madrid.

With all eyes falling on the Spanish capital for a blockbuster Champions League showdown, Pep Guardiola’s side were desperate to claim some European revenge following last season’s infamous semi-final exit.

However, with Brazilian ace Vinicius Junior recording his seventh Champions League strike of the season as the 22-year-old opened the scoring nine minutes before the break, it was far from plain sailing for the English giants.

Nevertheless, although the Sky Blues might have had to go about things the hard way in Spain, it was midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne who eventually dragged City…

Marcus Rashford is a major doubt for Manchester United’s match against Wolves on Saturday, handing Erik ten Hag a new injury headache just as Raphael Varane returns after a month out.

Ten Hag said that Rashford, United’s top scorer this season with 29 goals, is struggling with a leg injury and is “more than doubtful” to play in a fixture United need to win to keep Liverpool at bay in the fight for a top-four place.

The injury comes at a time when United have been struggling for goals anyway, with only six in their last nine games.

“He’s a big question mark for tomorrow but we are happy Rafa is back,” the manager said.

United have a fresh injury concern ahead of Saturday. ||

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

Varane has been …