Bayer Leverkusen head coach Roger Schmidt is confident the Champions League goals will start to flow once more for Javier Hernandez as his side prepare to welcome Atletico Madrid in the last-16.
Leverkusen progressed from Group E behind Monaco and at the expense of Tottenham, although star striker Hernandez did not have his expected influence upon proceedings.
The former Manchester United man netted five in six round-robin outings during last season s competitions but had to be content with a solitary strike in a 1-1 draw against the Ligue 1 leaders this time around.
The group stages coincided with an arduous goal drought of 16 matches across all competitions for the 28-year-old.
Thankfully for Schmidt, Hernandez has emphatically moved on from this slump …
Mats Hummels insists he has no issue with Niko Kovac s rotation policy at Bayern Munich and the Germany international wants the new coach to carry on shuffling his pack.
Hummels started 25 games in the Bundesliga last year and was only an unused substitute for half-a-dozen matches, yet he remained on the bench for Kovac s first league game in charge last month when Bayern beat Hoffenheim 3-1.
Niklas Sule and Jerome Boateng started on that occasion, with the former reverting back to the bench when Hummels came in for the 3-0 victory over Stuttgart the following week.
Despite being an established figure in Bayern s team since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, Hummels understands Kovac will need to alter his defensive options, particularly when the games come …
Chelsea are expected to turn up the pace in their pursuit of Napoli star Victor Osimhen, according to journalist Rudy Galetti, in order to beat Paris Saint-Germain to the transfer of the Nigeria international.
The London Blues have been suffering greatly from their inefficiency in front of goal, and Osimhen is expected to come in and rectify the problem for next season; he has always been their first-choice target.
However, at Chelsea they re obviously aware that the 25-year-old striker is also a part of PSG s plan to replace Kylian Mbappe, and the France captain has reportedly informed his club that he will be leaving at the end of the season. Chelsea see this development as a clear sign of danger for their intention to sign Osimhen, so they ve decided to speed things …
John Stones is determined not to ease up as Manchester City chase the treble.
City claimed the first of a potential three trophies in the coming weeks as they wrapped up the Premier League title over the weekend.
They now have their sights on the FA Cup final against Manchester United on June 3 and the Champions League final in Istanbul the following week, in which they will face Inter Milan.
Defender Stones, now a five-time Premier League winner, said: “We’re back in training on Monday and we’ll go from there. We’ve got to keep the rhythm.
We love you, Johnny Stones!
— Manchester City (@ManCity)
“The hunger is there and we know what’s ahead of us now, that we can try and make some more history.”
City were present…
The brother of Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos has revealed the two have spoken about the possibility of the Germany international joining Manchester United.
Kroos, 24, continues to be linked with a summer move to Old Trafford amid contract negotiations with the Bavarian giants.
Despite the ongoing rumours, the 24-year-old ace whose current contract at the Allianz Arena is set to expire at the end of next season has been a colossal figure in midfield for Bayern, tallying one goal and six assists in 36 appearances.
According to reports, Manchester United are willing to offer Kroos a deal worth £250,000-a-week, which would treble his current wages.
Now then, what should Kroos do, stay at Bayern or join United?
Yes, we have already spoke…
Oliver Torres set for Atletico stay
Spanish daily newspaper that Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has no intention of letting youngster Oliver Torres leave the club.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a very successful season while on loan at FC Porto last season, notching 7 goals in 26 league outings.
Given the fierce competition for places at Vicente Calderon, Torres asked the club officials to leave in search of first team football, but was reassured by coach Diego Simeone.
Namely, the Argentine believes that the youngster can play an important role next season, especially now that Arda Turan has joined Barcelona.
Having received strong backing from the coach, Torres no longer wants to leave and he is ready to fight for his place in the side.
Manchester City s owners have confirmed an expansion into South America by completing the acquisition of Uruguayan side Club Atletico Torque and announcing a collaboration with Atletico Venezuela.
The City Football Group are also own A-League side Melbourne City, hold a controlling stake in New York City FC of Major League Soccer and 20 per cent of J1 League club Yokohama F Marinos.
CA Torque are a much smaller-scale operation than those clubs. Founded in 2007 and currently playing in the second division of the Uruguayan league, CA Torque s home games have an average attendance of around 250.
City highlighted the agreement, which has been ratified by the Uruguayan Football Association, as one that will strengthen its scouting and recruitment operation in the coun…
Juventus attacker Paulo Dybala
Juventus surprisingly ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night.
In a repeat of the final in 2015, the Italian champions showed why they are unbeaten in 47 games in all competitions at home with a masterclass in fine defending and clinical finishing.
A first-half double from Paulo Dybala and a Giorgio Chiellini header in the second period ensured the Old Lady head into next week’s return second leg in a commanding position.
Here are five things we learned.
Crucial 76 seconds in first-half decided the match
The turning point in the game came when Juventus were 1-0 up and Lionel Messi sent Andres Iniesta through on goal with a sublime p…
Megan Rapinoe and her United States team-mates are angry and exhausted after a report detailed widespread misconduct in the National Women s Soccer League (NWSL).
Former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates released a report on Monday concluding abuse and sexual misconduct spanned multiple teams and coaches, while the NWSL and US Soccer failed to put in basic measures to safeguard players or respond appropriately when confronted with player reports and evidence of abuse .
The report s findings have cast a dark shadow on women s football ahead of the United States friendly with England at Wembley Stadium on Friday.
Rapinoe is grateful the United States squad were able to support each other at a difficult time.
I mean it s horrifying, Rapinoe told report…
Kai Havertz is reportedly still pushing for a move to Chelsea, while Manchester United are considering their options.
Havertz has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea after an impressive season with Bayer Leverkusen.
The attacker may be getting closer to a switch to Stamford Bridge.
TOP STORY – HAVERTZ STILL PUSHING FOR CHELSEA MOVE
Havertz is still pushing for a move to Chelsea from Leverkusen, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Germany international would join Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech in heading to Chelsea ahead of 2020-21.
Havertz scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in 45 games for Leverkusen this season.
ROUND-UP
With Jadon Sancho potentially staying at Borussia Dortmund, Manchest…