Marcelo Oliveira is focused on Cruzeiro s Copa Libertadores Group Three showdown with Club Universitario, despite doubts surrounding his future with the club.

Oliveira is reportedly under pressure after Cruzeiro were eliminated by rivals Atletico Mineiro in the semi-finals of the Campeonato Mineiro on Sunday but the Brazilian coach is unfazed by the reports heading into his side s decisive sixth and final matchday fixture.

Cruzeiro welcome Bolivia s Universitario to Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto on Tuesday in a top-of-the-table clash, with the Brazilian hosts one point adrift of the group leaders.

Argentine side Huracan, who travel to lowly Mineros de Guayana of Venezuela on the same day, are also in the mix to advance to the knockout stages of the competiti…

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that defender Jon Flanagan will be out for up to nine months after undergoing knee surgery.

The full-back made 23 Premier League appearances in an impressive 2013-14 season, but has not featured this term.

Despite nearing a comeback in March, Flanagan is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He has fought back having been out for a period of time but the issue that he s had, if he didn t have the operation it was only going to delay it, Rodgers said.

Jon is a really strong character. He trained for a few days last week and looked absolutely brilliant.

I was asking the medics if it was something that he definitely needed. But for him and his career, he definitely needed the operation and…

Real Madrid midfielder Angel di Maria says Jose Mourinho has had a major role in his development as a player.

The 24-year-old, who joined Real from Benfica in 2010, recently extended his contract in Madrid until 2018 after making an excellent start to his career in the Spanish capital.

The day he told me to come (to Real Madrid) I was at the World Cup and I was not doing very well but he kept trying, di Maria said.

I think most of what I am doing here is thanks to him and I try to repay that with hard work every day.

As a player I ve changed a lot with Mourinho and his work. And as a person. To play (for) Real is something you dream as a kid. (I am) very happy with my new contract because I have plenty of years ahead of me.

Di Maria played an…

Owen Coyle has been sacked as manager of Bolton Wanderers.

After nearly three years in charge at the Reebok Stadium, his axing came on Tuesday following talks with owner Eddie Davies and chairman Phil Gartside.

Gartside lured Coyle away from local rivals Burnley in January 2010 to replace Gary Megson but has moved to dispense with the 46-year-old after a poor start to the season in the Championship.

Bolton have won only three of their 10 games in England s second tier since being relegated from the Premier League in May and a shocked Coyle has paid the price.

I have always been driven to act in the best interests of the club and care passionately about it, he said.

“I had fantastic times as a player here and it has been a privilege to have hel…

Market: Minnesota United win

Odds: 1/1 @

Two sides who find themselves leading the chase in the Final Series hunt, Minnesota will welcome Portland to Allianz Field in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Starting with the hosts, while Minnesota would have been disappointed to have been hit with that 2-0 defeat against Colorado earlier in the month, The Loons made an immediate return to winning ways last time out. Landing themselves what was a deserved 1-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders last weekend, Adrian Heath s men have once again impressed many across the MLS since opening the 2021 campaign. Losing just one of their last nine straight contests, a run that stems all the way back to May 9th, Minnesota should also be boosted by what has become an eye-catch…

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker:

Looking to extend on their record-breaking La Liga flurry, Girona will welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Estadi Montilivi on Monday night.

Girona

Starting with the hosts, heading into November’s international break with another stunning performance, Girona are in the midst of what has been a history-making romp. Last seen claiming a 2-1 victory away at Rayo Vallecano, Michel’s side are riding a famous wave of momentum. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a remarkable two-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table, the Catalonia-based outfit will simply be looking to make another statement here. Mustering a staggering 34 points from their first 13 appearances this season, Girona have rightfully received a string of plaudits fro…

Real Madrid allowed Barcelona to take an advantage into LaLiga s mid-season break after Athletic Bilbao held them to a second goalless draw in a week.

Following Wednesday s stalemate at Camp Nou in El Clasico, Zinedine Zidane s men drew a blank once more against their obdurate Basque opponents.

Toni Kroos and Nacho hit the crossbar either side of half-time and substitute Luka Jovic struck the base of the post with four minutes to play.

Champions Barca lead their great rivals by two points after 18 matches, having dispatched Alaves 4-1 on Saturday, while Athletic edge up to seventh and remain firmly in the European hunt

Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr leant a vibrant edge to the Madrid attack during the opening exchanges, with the latter denied by the boot o…

Bayern Munich have confirmed their first-round DFB-Pokal match with Bremer has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

The Bundesliga champions were due to begin their cup campaign on Friday against the fifth-tier side.

However, Bremer recorded positive COVID-19 test results within the first-team squad, meaning quarantine measures have been imposed on the club.

The health of our and of our opponent s players are of paramount importance, so we consider the order of the health department to place our team in quarantine as correct and necessary, said Dr. Peter Warnecke, the club s first chairman and hygiene officer.

Bayern later said in a statement: The DFB [German Football Association] has announced that Bayern s DFB-Pokal match at Bremer SV on Friday…

Toni Kroos has defended Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane in the wake of recent criticism.

After taking over in January the Frenchman guided Madrid to Champions League glory in 2015-16, but has endured a somewhat indifferent start to this season.

Madrid have failed to win any of their last four outings in all competitions, but Kroos is adamant Zidane does not deserve to be criticised for their recent slump.

I have to admit that I do not read the newspapers very often and I do not know how people have criticised Zidane, Kroos, who signed a new six-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, said at a media conference.

The team did not play well against Eibar [on October 2], but we did play well against Las Palmas and [Borussia] Dortmund.

…

Rising Japan star Hiroki Abe has agreed to join Barcelona, J1 League side Kashima Antlers have confirmed.

The 20-year-old is due to undergo a medical and sign a contract after the two clubs reached an agreement over a transfer.

The deal will reportedly cost Barca a fee in the region of €2million.

It was a difficult decision to leave the team this season, Abe, who was named Rookie of the Year in Japan s top flight in 2018, told Kashima s website.

I felt strongly that I wanted to try new challenges at Barcelona, and I decided to move. I believe the various difficulties and obstacles I will face from now on are essential for my growth.

Abe is expected to link up with Barca B but reports in Spain suggest he could join Ernesto Valverde s first-tea…