Inconsistent at best in the Bundesliga, Schalke will hope their cup form continues against Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday.
A traditional powerhouse of the German game, Schalke finished second in 2009/10, five points behind champions Bayern Munich.
They recruited extensively in the close season, bringing in defender Christoph Metzelder and veteran forward Raul from Spanish giants Real Madrid, as well as Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Serie A side AC Milan.
But Felix Magath s widespread changes fizzled and the team made a slow start to the season.
They went back into the transfer market in January and brought in Greece international Angelos Charisteas and highly-rated midfielder Anthony Annan, who impressed for Ghana in the 2010 W…
The lure of winning Champions League titles was what drew Gareth Bale to Real Madrid and the Welshman is relishing the prospect of claiming a second crown in Milan this month.
It was Bale s deflected cross that sent Madrid into the final at the expense of Manchester City on Wednesday as the hosts secured a decisive 1-0 triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bale insists having the goal taken off him and credited to City s Fernando was not an issue as he has his sights set on a bigger prize – namely the May 28 showdown with Atletico Madrid at San Siro.
It doesn t matter who scores or whether it s an own goal or not, Bale told BT Sport. The main thing is we have a chance to win the Champions League again.
I felt we were close to killing the game off,…
Swansea City have announced the signing of defender Federico Fernandez from Napoli for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old Argentina international passed his medical on Monday and has signed a four-year contract at the Liberty Stadium.
The transfer is subject to international clearance but, once completed, Fernandez will fill the void left by Chico Flores, who departed for Qatari outfit Lekhwiya earlier this month.
Fernandez joins Ashley Williams, Jordi Amat and Kyle Bartley as part of Swansea s pool of central defenders.
After beginning his career with Estudiantes in his homeland, Fernandez joined Napoli during 2011 close-season, but made just 35 Serie A appearances in three years at the club.
He spent time on loan at Getafe in the second half of…
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou has left Tottenham to join Monaco on loan for the rest of the season.
Nkoudou has struggled to make an impact at Spurs but provided the assist for Harry Winks dramatic late winner in a 2-1 Premier League victory at Fulham earlier this month.
The 23-year-old, who started his professional career in France with Nantes, returns to Ligue 1 after leaving Marseille for Tottenham in August 2016.
Nkoudou is the latest Monaco signing of the January window, following the likes of Naldo, Gelson Martins and Cesc Fabregas to Stade Louis II.
has joined on loan until the end of the season.
Best of luck, GK.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)
I am very happy to return to Ligue 1 and to get involved with Monaco, Nkoudo…
Day seven of the Confederations Cup allowed us to take part in more media excursions and the all-important promise of free food (just don t tell Fernando Santos).
Tatarstan desserts after an island tour, free goat produce in Sochi and a traditional folk dance in a car park all made for one of the more unusual days so far.
Out on the pitch, Russia lost their crucial showdown with Mexico (well, sort of), and Jean Beausejour showed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez that politeness goes a long way.
MEXICO EDGE OUT RUSSIA AS REPORTERS SWAP TRIBUNE FOR TURF
Nothing unites quite like a game of football, even 24 hours before a match between your countries that will decide their Confederations Cup fate.
That s just what happened …