Gerardo Martino said the spice will not be taken out of Argentina s clash against Brazil on Saturday because it is being played in Beijing.
The South American heavyweights renew their arch-rivalry in the Superclasico de las Americas this weekend in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Bird s Nest Stadium.
It is almost two years since the two nations locked horns, when Argentina ran out 2-1 winners in Buenos Aires, and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.
Many had hoped that Brazil and Argentina would meet in the World Cup final three months ago, but Germany had other ideas as they thrashed the hosts 7-1 in the semi-final before beating Argentina in the final.
Both nations have since appointed new coaches, with Martino replacing Alejandro S…
Portugal s FIFA World Cup hopes look in tatters after a disastrous 4-0 defeat to Germany that saw defender Pepe sent off for headbutting.
Paulo Bento s team s chances of getting out of a tough Group G were placed in serious jeopardy as a Thomas Muller-inspired Germany put them to the sword in Salvador on Monday.
Muller golden boot winner at the 2010 World Cup continued his superb run at football s showpiece with a hat-trick, taking him to eight goals in seven appearances at the event.
On his 50th Germany appearance, Muller fired his side in front from the penalty spot before Mats Hummels doubled their advantage with a towering 32nd-minute header.
Pepe then tangled with Muller and headbutted the forward, before their woes were compounded by Muller s second on the …
Bayern Munich have agreed a deal to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid on a two-year loan, with the Bundesliga champions holding a purchase option on the Colombia star.
The 25-year-old will be reunited with Carlo Ancelotti at the Allianz Arena, with the Italian having brought James to the Spanish capital following his sparkling displays at the 2014 World Cup.
James fell down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu following the arrival of Zinedine Zidane as head coach in January 2016, though, and was left out of last season s Champions League final victory over Juventus, prompting renewed speculation he would leave the club.
And Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that James, who will reportedly cost €5million for each year of his loan and a furt…
Robert Lewandowski says Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remaining at Borussia Dortmund will motivate him and Bayern Munich to hit their straps in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund are expected to keep hold of Aubameyang who beat Lewandowski to the Bundesliga golden boot last term after the likes of Chelsea and AC Milan, as well as suitors in China, failed to conclude a deal before a deadline imposed by the Signal Iduna Park club.
Lewandowski blamed his team-mates for falling one short of Aubameyang s 31-goal haul in the Bundesliga last term, but it did not halt Bayern s march to a fifth straight title.
And the Poland international, who left Dortmund for the Allianz Arena in 2014, says a stronger Dortmund will bring the best out of Carlo Ancelotti s side.
It is good for…
Besiktas have no intention of signing Loris Karius on a permanent deal this summer even if Liverpool cancel his contract, according to Turkish outlet Fotospor.
The German goalkeeper was sent to the Turkish Super Lig side on a two-year loan following his nightmare showing in the 2018 Champions League final when his two howlers handed the trophy to Real Madrid, and Liverpool s subsequent purchase of Alisson Becker from AS Roma. His stint in Istanbul, a historic city in general terms as well as from his parent club s point of view, has had its ups and downs. It s now drawing to its close, and manager Sergen Yalcin is keen to ship off a number of players this summer, including Karius.
The 26-year-old is hopeful that Liverpool will agree to cancel the remaining part of his c…
Xherdan Shaqiri believes Liverpool have the potential to get even better after enjoying an unbelievable year in 2019 that included Champions League glory in Madrid.
The Reds were crowned kings of Europe for a sixth time thanks to a 2-0 victory over domestic rivals Tottenham, their success in the Spanish capital helping ease the pain of narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.
It was a second Champions League success for Shaqiri, who had previously lifted the trophy during his time with Bayern Munich, helping make amends following Liverpool s defeat to Real Madrid in the 2018 showpiece.
In an interview with the club s official website, the Switzerland international reflected on the achievements of Jurgen Klopp s squad in the prev…
What the papers say
Newcastle are set to renew their interest in Aaron Ramsdale, according to the Daily Mail. The Arsenal goalkeeper previously played under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, and the Newcastle manager is said to be a big admirer of the 25-year-old, with the club seeking a younger goalkeeper this summer.
Staying with Newcastle, The Sun reports the club is braced for transfer bids from Arsenal and Tottenham for Alexander Isak. The 24-year-old striker could attract as much as £100million.
Elsewhere, Kalvin Phillips is expected to be put up for permanent transfer in the summer by Manchester City. According to the Mail, City’s asking price for the 30-year-old midfielder will be around £30m, with Leeds believed to be interested in a potential move.
The Su…
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Jose Mourinho rejected suggestions the La Liga title race is over after his Real Madrid team moved 10 points clear of champions Barcelona.
Real came from a goal down to beat Levante 4-2 at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, a day after Barca s 3-2 defeat away to Osasuna.
The team from the Spanish capital now appear firmly on course to lift their first La Liga crown since 2008, but Mourinho knows anything can happen between now and the end of the domestic season.
There are many points still at stake and many games yet to be played, he said.
Every match is difficult and increasingly so because there is so much at stake for everyone now.
Those who want to avoid relegation or play in Europe risk everything. There are 39 points left, which translate int…
Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou is excited by the challenge of representing Australia in the AFC Champions League.
The A-League champions are in action on Tuesday against Japanese Emperor s Cup winners FC Tokyo at Suncorp Stadium.
Postecoglou s side, who set a domestic sporting record last year after 36 consecutive games unbeaten, are regarded as one of the best Australian club sides ever to play in the local top flight.
Expectations are high in Australia that Brisbane will do well in the competition after recent disappointing performances by A-League participants, following Adelaide s run to the 2008 final.
Our focus all along has been to represent ourselves in the competition because it is not just about Brisbane Roar, you are representing your c…