Castellazzi extends Inter deal

Russia will do everything in their power to avoid the defeat they suffered against Spain in their opening game, in order to advance to the final of Euro 2008.

This semi final is the only match at Euro 2008 in which the two teams meet for the second time. On June 10th, it was Spain to impress and take away a 4-1 victory.

But things have changed since then for the Russians, who then went on to beat Greece, Sweden and the Netherlands consecutively.

Their change of form must be related to the return of Andrei Arshavin, who was suspended for the first two games.

In an interview with the tournament s official website, Arshavin said that Russia should rely on themselves.

Russia will play their normal way. We don t play defensive football, we like to at…

The Portland Timbers have confirmed the signing of former Rangers defender Steven Smith on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old has won three Scottish Premier League championships, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups. He also appeared in the Europa League and UEFA Champions League.

Steven has impressed us, both on the field and as a person, during his trial, Portland head coach John Spencer said.

He is a hard-working defender who possesses a winning mentality. Steven has been a part of successful clubs throughout his career and has experience at high levels, including playing in the Champions League.

In 2010, Smith moved to Norwich City and jumped to Preston North End a year later.

Portland also waived James Marcelin. The 25-year-old play…

Stefano Pioli insisted Milan did not already have their eyes on their Champions League clash with Tottenham after a deserved defeat at Fiorentina.

Milan saw a three-game winning run in Serie A come to an abrupt end after Nicolas Gonzalez and Luka Jovic inflicted a 2-1 defeat, despite Theo Hernandez s well-taken late strike on Saturday.

That left the Rossoneri s top-four hopes in danger with fifth-placed Roma able to move level on points with victory at home to Juventus on Sunday.

Milan visit Tottenham with a slender 1-0 lead ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday, though Pioli refused suggestions that match impacted the Rossoneri at Fiorentina.

When asked by Sky Sport Italia if Milan were already thinking about Totten…

Yuto Nagatomo has signed a new deal at Inter that will keep him at San Siro until 2016.

The left-back first joined the Nerazzurri on loan from Cesena at the start of 2011 before moving permanently in June of the same year.

FC Internazionale is pleased to announce that Yuto Nagatomo has signed a contract extension with the club, Inter announced on their official site.

All the paperwork relating to the Japanese defender s new deal, which runs until June 2016, has been completed.

Nagatomo became the club s first Japanese player upon his arrival and has 54 caps to his name.

Inter return to Serie A action on Sunday when they take on Udinese, but the defender will be missing through injury.

…

Jose Mourinho is refusing to deal in hypotheticals with regards to the future of Tottenham star Christian Eriksen.

The attacking midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and was linked with a move away in the previous transfer window but a deal failed to materialise.

Reports suggest Spurs are willing to listen to offers of £40million for Eriksen in January, half the amount Manchester United were supposedly quoted in the close season, with a switch to Italy or Spain thought to be his favoured destination.

However, Spurs boss Mourinho kept his cards close to his chest when asked what will happen with Eriksen next month.

My feelings are until I have anything official rather than hypothetical, I will not comment, Mourinho said. 

Th…

Liverpool missed out on a first Premier League title despite beating Wolves 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday on the final day of the season.

Jurgen Klopp s side moved onto 97 points from 38 games thanks to Sadio Mane s double, but Manchester City s 4-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion means the Reds 29-year wait for the top-flight crown goes on.

Hope was kindled among the home fans when news of City going behind arrived shortly after Mane turned home, but once Pep Guardiola s side moved ahead before half-time, Liverpool appeared resigned to their disappointment.

Senegal star Mane got his 22nd of a superb league campaign with nine minutes to go, but celebrations were largely muted in the Merseyside sunshine.

FULL-TIME Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

It s not enough t…

Bordeaux are hoping to secure a loan move for Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo, according to president Jean-Louis Triaud.

Since signing from Auxerre ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, Sanogo has made just two Premier League starts under Arsene Wenger.

The France Under-21 international has seen his opportunities limited by the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud, who are all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Wenger is thought to be keen to let Sanogo out on loan for the remainder of the season, and Bordeaux chief Triaud has announced his club s intention to secure the forward s signature.

We are working on the arrival of Sanogo. He wants to come to us, it s a certainty, he told Soir de Foot radio.

The goal is to have him for Monac…

Aston Villa supporters are set to protest as the under-fire Paul Lambert prepares his side to meet Liverpool in the Premier League.

An under-fire Paul Lambert has implored the Aston Villa faithful to get behind the team when they take on Liverpool at Villa Park in the Premier League on Saturday.

Three unofficial fan websites have announced their intention to stage a protest during the opening eight minutes of the game, as they seek to express their unhappiness at the way the club is being run by chairman Randy Lerner.

Furthermore, a poll in a local newspaper showed that 67 per cent of those who took part no longer wanted Lambert in charge of the side.

When questioned over the criticism in a press conference on Thursday, Lambert responded: It s not great.…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the performance of debutants William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus in the Gunners 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

While Jesus was a thorn in the side of the Eagles defence with a threatening display, particularly in the first half, at the other end Saliba put in a commanding defensive display – having waited three years for his debut.

Saliba s dominant showing saw the 21-year-old register a team-high seven clearances and win possession seven times, behind only Thomas Partey (eight).

Speaking after the game, Arteta discussed the merits of a partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.

You need the right balance, the manager told Sky Sports.

Physicality in this league is something that you cannot come short, because if you do,…

Cristiano Ronaldo was named among the substitutes as Erik ten Hag chose his first Manchester United starting XI in the Premier League.

The Portugal star s relationship with United was a constant sideshow during pre-season, as he did not go on their tour of Australia and Thailand owing to personal reasons, though at the time there was frequent speculation suggesting he wanted to leave for a Champions League club.

No such move materialised and he played the first 45 minutes against Rayo Vallecano last weekend, his only action of pre-season.

But that occasion only increased the spotlight on Ronaldo, as he was one of several players to leave Old Trafford early, conduct Ten Hag described as unacceptable in an interview on Dutch television.

Ten Hag subsequently…