Tchouameni and Thuram on target as France dent Republic of Ireland hopes

Marcello Lippi started his second stint on the Italy bench in unspectacular fashion here on Wednesday as the world champions were held 2-2 by Austria in a friendly.

A lucky Alberto Gilardino effort and a dreadful own goal by substitute keeper Ramazan Ozcan earned Italy a draw after Emanuel Pogatetz and Marc Janko had put the Austrians 2-0 up.

But the Azzurri were vulnerable at the back, wasted several chances in attack and the performance suggested that 2006 World Cup-winner Lippi has a lot to do after being recalled to replace Roberto Donadoni following their disappointing Euro 2008 campaign.

It was beautiful to be back, a bit less to be 2-0 down, Lippi told Rai television.

There was a little lack of attention, in part because, while they might not …

Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini is expected to continue his career in Spanish La Liga, according to Marca.

The 33-year-old has been searching for a new club ever since he was released by Crystal Palace last summer, and he spent some time on trial with Getafe back in December.

Marca claims that the La Liga side have decided to offer Flamini a contract and he should put pen to paper in the coming days.

The Frenchman seems to have made his mind after speaking with new Getafe signing Loic Remy, with head coach Jose Bordalas also eager for the player to join.

Flamini would probably need some time to rediscover his form having last featured in a competitive match back in May 2017.

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Former Real Madrid and Inter star Ronaldo is uncertain if Mauro Icardi would be interested in joining the Spanish champions.

A dip in form of forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema this season has led to speculation Madrid will seek to spend heavily on attacking reinforcements before 2018-19.

Bayern Munich s Robert Lewandowski continues to be linked with a move but Inter captain Icardi is also reported to be a prime target.

Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli last month claimed the striker had his head turned by Madrid s interest, with the 24-year-old having scored only once in his last five Serie A appearances.

But Brazil great Ronaldo believes Icardi is happy at San Siro and is not sure if he would agree to a move.

I m convinced Icardi is…

Leicester City have tied influential midfielder Matty James to the club until June 2018 after he agreed a new four-year contract.

James made 35 appearances for Nigel Pearson s side as they claimed the Championship title last season, and he is now preparing for his first campaign in the top flight.

The 22-year-old moved to the King Power Stadium in May 2012 from Manchester United and has featured 70 times since, scoring five goals in all competitions.

He formed a midfield partnership with Danny Drinkwater for Leicester last season, and is looking forward to building on it in the Premier League.

I m absolutely buzzing, he told the club s official website. I can t think of any other way to describe it.

Heading into the Premier League, after the unb…

Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro is ready to pledge his long-term future to the club, according to the player s representative.

The 31-year-old signed a contract until June 2015 in February 2011, and he is now set to be rewarded with a new deal.

Cannavaro s representative has made it clear that his client has no desire to leave the club and that he expects to open talks over a new contract in the summer.

“At the moment it is premature to be talking about a contract,” agent Gaetano Fedele told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Paolo is the captain and it is logical that (signing a new deal) is not a problem, so this matter will be discussed calmly this summer.”

Paolo Cannavaro began his career at Stadio San Paolo, but left the club for Parma after making j…

Thomas Tuchel does not want referee Anthony Taylor to officiate a Chelsea game again, with the Blues boss left furious after his side s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

An ill-tempered encounter at Stamford Bridge looked set for a victory for the hosts after goals for Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James, despite Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg s response.

But a last-gasp Harry Kane header earned a draw for Spurs, with the full-time whistle marked by an aggressive confrontation between Tuchel and opposite number Antonio Conte.

Both men were shown red cards by Taylor, but much of the German s ire stemmed from his belief that the referee failed to spot a number of incidents, including an alleged offside before Tottenham s first goal and an apparent foul on Marc Cucurella by Cr…

David Alaba s most important audition yet for a midfield role at Bayern Munich was ruined on Tuesday, thanks in no small part to one of the men deemed least likely to score at Euro 2016.

Alaba operates at left-back for his club but is believed to covet the same remit in the centre of the field he fulfils with such excellence for Marcel Koller s Austrian side, despite protestations to the contrary upon signing a contract extension through to the end of June 2021.

Incoming Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti has already inflicted a blow to those hopes, revealing he intends to continue picking the energetic and ambitious star as a fullback.

And if Alaba is to have any chance of changing the Italian s mind, he needs to excel at the European Championship, a tournament his ta…

Sampdoria playmaker Dennis Praet has all but ruled out a move to English Premier League, stating he is perfectly happy in Italy.

The 23-year-old has been in excellent form ever since he joined the Blucerchiati from Anderlecht in August 2016, going on to make 54 Serie A appearances.

His impressive showings did not go unnoticed as top Italian clubs are casting admiring glances his way, as are Newcastle United and Everton.

However, Praet admits he has no intention of moving to England and is clearly disappointed to have again be snubbed by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

“I don’t understand why people who don’t play are still called up for international duty, but evidently Serie A isn’t watched very closely in Belgium,” Praet told Le Soir.

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Southampton attacking midfielder Adam Lallana has labelled his first senior England call-up the proudest moment of his career.

The 24-year-old has represented the Three Lions at all youth levels but will now make the step up to the main side for the first time after playing a key role in Southampton s back-to-back promotions to reach the English Premier League.

The playmaker has taken on extra responsibility at club level, having been handed the captaincy by Nigel Adkins, while he has impressed against both Manchester City and United so far this term.

I m totally shocked, to be honest, and I didn t think the gaffer was being serious when he called to tell me this morning, Lallana told the Southampton website.

It s such a proud accomplishment to be call…

Manuel Neuer has risked the wrath of Bayern Munich s fans by admitting he could leave the UEFA Champions League winners in the future

Germany number one Neuer was not immediately accepted by the Bayern fans when he signed from rivals Schalke in 2011, but his performances over the past two seasons, including helping the club to a European and domestic treble this season, have helped ease their relationship.
Although the goalkeeper is sure that although his move to the Allianz Arena was the right one, he does not necessarily see his long-term future at the Bavarian club, despite being delighted with the club s recent successes.
Winning the treble was confirmation for me that joining Bayern rather than moving abroad was the right decision, he told Bild.
I am not thinking about a …