Bayern tests show World Cup star Mazraoui has post-COVID heart-related problem

Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui faces a period on the sidelines after medical tests showed up an inflammation issue relating to his heart.

The Morocco international tested positive for COVID-19 at the World Cup, Bayern said on Friday.

He returned to the team for the Qatar 2022 semi-final against France after missing the last-eight clash with Portugal, but subsequent tests have shown Mazraoui has a mild inflammation of the pericardium, which is the fluid-filled fibrous sac surrounding the heart.

Bayern travelled without him on Friday to a training camp in Doha, and the club have not specified a timeframe for Mazraoui s absence from the squad.

Newspaper Bild has reported the 25-year-old former Ajax player could be out of action for four to six week…

Burnley 0 Manchester United 0: Van Gaal´s winless run goes on

Manchester United s dismal start to the season continued on Saturday with a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.

Louis van Gaal was able to field Angel di Maria for the first time following his £59.7million move from Real Madrid, but United failed to impress once again despite occasional flashes of brilliance from British football s most expensive signing.

Having failed to beat Swansea City or Sunderland prior to a midweek League Cup humbling at the hands of MK Dons, Van Gaal s men produced another disjointed display and could have few complaints with the result despite being denied a late penalty when substitute Ashley Barnes appeared to handle a shot from Ashley Young.

Indeed, Burnley had opportunities to emulate the 1-0 victory they memorably…

England forward Ollie Watkins: I no longer go shopping due to recognition

But he also accepts that if he keeps banging in the goals for Villa and England, he is only going to get more attention.

“I go under the radar, maybe,” the 27-year-old admitted. “I’m not talked about enough profile-wise. But I know I have been producing on the pitch since Unai Emery came in. But I do go under the radar.

“I don’t know if it’s me being at Villa. You get some players that are just likeable and out there. I’m not really too fussed about that.

“I just like playing football. Maybe a lot of people said to me I need to push my profile. But I am happy with what I am doing on the pitch and that’s all that matters to me.

“The bigger you are, the more you are in the spotlight. It’s not that I don’t want that, it is doing my …

Koeman warns Barca must be patient as Fati returns from injury lay-off

Ronald Koeman called for caution over Ansu Fati s return to action after the youngster was included in Barcelona s squad for the first time in 10 months.

Fati has not played for Barca in 322 days, after he suffered a serious knee injury in November 2020.

The 18-year-old, who has taken the number 10 shirt vacated by Lionel Messi, has undergone three operations and only returned to training last month.

However, Fati has been called into Barca s 20-man squad for Sunday s home game against Levante, a team he has scored two goals against in two matches. He has only netted more times against Villarreal (three) in LaLiga.

Fati became the youngest goalscorer in Barcelona s history when he netted against Osasuna in August 2019 aged 16 years and 304 days and has…

´You can´t build a team overnight´ – Brazil boss Dorival Junior convinced his way is the right way

Brazil are convinced they will come good at the Copa America, as they aim to get back on track after a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, so says Dorival Junior.

The Selecao were frustrated in their opening Group D match, accumulating 1.71 expected goals and having 19 shots, though only three were on target.

With Colombia having started their campaign with a win over Paraguay, the pressure is on Brazil to deliver when they face the same opponent on Friday.

Coach Dorival, though, urged for calm heads and a touch of patience.

He told reporters: It s natural that we all expected a slightly different result in the last game, but we can t fail to appreciate how we performed. The way we put our opponents in their defence.

I am convinced of what we are doing a…

Botman chose ´dream´ Newcastle move over Milan transfer

Sven Botman considered Newcastle United a little better than Milan as he weighed up his transfer options, settling on a dream Premier League move.

Lille defender Botman is expected to complete his move to Newcastle on Friday, with a deal in principle announced earlier this week.

That reported £31.8million (€37m) agreement brought to an end a long-running saga, with the centre-back the subject of interest from both Newcastle and Milan.

Botman discussed the merits of signing for both clubs following a January window in which neither could convince Lille to sell.

Milan initially seemed favourites to finally land their man following the 2021-22 season, but they could not match Newcastle s offer.

And Botman explained to De Telegraaf: Newcastle s gre…

Theo Hernandez available for Milan after negative coronavirus test

Theo Hernandez has been cleared to return to action for Milan after recovering from coronavirus.

The 24-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 upon returning from international duty with France nearly two weeks ago.

He was subsequently forced to sit out the Serie A wins over Hellas Verona and Bologna, either side of Tuesday s 1-0 loss to Porto in the Champions League.

However, Milan announced on their official website on Sunday that Hernandez s latest coronavirus test came back negative and he is now available for selection.

Stefano Pioli s side face Torino and Roma in Serie A over the next week, before hosting Porto and bitter rivals Inter in crucial games ahead of the next international break.

Fode Ballo-Toure has filled in during Hernandez s abs…

Melbourne Victory 3 Sydney FC 0: Third A-League title win wrapped up in style

The A-League title belongs to Melbourne Victory after a commanding 3-0 win over Sydney FC on Sunday.

Only two points separated the sides across 27 league matches and their three head-to-head meetings finished level, but Victory were dominant in the grand final at AAMI Park.

Besart Berisha fired the hosts ahead in the first half, but they left it late to extend their advantage, with Kosta Barbarouses netting in the 83rd minute.

Carl Valeri s dismissal for a second yellow with two minutes remaining never looked likely to cost Kevin Muscat s side and his achievement of becoming the first man to win the A-League as a player and a coach was sealed by Leigh Broxham s injury-time strike.

It is the third time Melbourne who finished with the Premiers Plate have…

Newcastle determined to bounce back from Champions League setback – Joe Willock

Felix Nmecha’s goal on the stroke of half-time ultimately settled a pulsating encounter which Dortmund perhaps shaded, although they were indebted to both keeper Gregor Kobel, who made a vital second-half save from Callum Wilson, and the woodwork, which denied both Wilson and Anthony Gordon in a rousing conclusion.

Willock said: “We were just a bit disappointed that we couldn’t tuck away those chances. We’re competing at the highest level now. We’re going to analyse it, we’re going to look back at it and we’re not going to let it set us back too much.”

If dropped points were painful for Eddie Howe’s men, so too were injuries to striker Alexander Isak, who aggravated a groin problem he picked up on international duty with Sweden, and Jacob Murphy, who su…

Jude Bellingham brace helps Real Madrid to comeback El Clasico win at Barcelona

Jude Bellingham scored twice as Real Madrid took El Clasico honours with a 2-1 win at Barcelona.

The England midfielder struck with a 30-yard drive to cancel out Ilkay Gundogan’s early goal for the hosts.

Bellingham then volleyed a stoppage-time winner to take his goal tally to 13 in 13 appearances since moving to Madrid from Borussia Dortmund.

Goals from Lucas Ocampos and Ivan Rakitic saw Sevilla come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in Cadiz, Las Palmas won 2-1 at Almeria and Mallorca were held 0-0 at home by Getafe.

: Me encantan las remontadas .

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid)

In the Bundesliga, Harry Kane scored a hat-trick – including a goal from inside his own half – as Bayern Munich thumped Darmstadt 8-0.

Joshua Kimmic…