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 …

Competition: Bundesliga

Market: Borussia Dortmund to score over 2.5 goals

Odds: 5/4 @

Looking to make it two in two and keep up the pace this weekend, Borussia Dortmund will make the trip to the WWK Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Augsburg might have managed to open the New Year with a 3-1 win away at early-season relegation contenders Union Berlin last weekend, there is no doubt that Heiko Herrlich s side are going to be in for a tough afternoon on Saturday. Managing to drag themselves over the finish line earlier in the summer, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss saw his men end the 2019/2020 campaign with a 2-1 defeat against RB Leipzig and they remarkably managed to land just a pair of Bundesliga victories over any of their…

Pep Guardiola has challenged Gabriel Jesus to respond to the task of dislodging Sergio Aguero as Manchester City s first-choice striker.

It was a mission Jesus revelled in immediately after his arrival in Manchester in January 2017, with City s all-time top scorer Aguero forced to bide his time on the bench in a number of high profile clashes – most notably a 2-1 derby win at Manchester United in December of that year.

But Aguero has knuckled down to adapt his game to Guardiola s specific demands when it comes to centre-forward play and is thriving under the Catalan, as evidenced by his stunning opening goal in last week s 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool.

By contrast, Jesus has struggled to hit top form after suffering a medial knee ligament inju…

Mikel Arteta suggested Bukayo Saka s injury in the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest was just a knock and unlikely to knock him out of England s World Cup plans.

Saka recorded his 20th assist in the Premier League after finding Gabriel Martinelli for the fifth-minute opener, with only Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney having reached that mark at a younger age than the 21-year-old.

However, Saka was forced off in the 27th minute with what appeared to be a left ankle injury following a tackle from Forest left-back Renan Lodi.

England boss Gareth Southgate may have been concerned Saka would join the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker on his injury list, though Arsenal manager Arteta believes the winger will be fine.

When asked if Saka may be doubtful for Eng…

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has urged his team-mates not to get carried away despite the 3-0 win over Tottenham and last-gasp equaliser at Atalanta, adamant they are still in a rut .

United suffered a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool in October that briefly looked as though it could cost manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job.

The club resisted the urge to sack the Norwegian and he oversaw a comprehensive 3-0 win at Tottenham last Saturday in response, his switch to a back three and use of Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack paying dividends.

Ronaldo was again decisive on Tuesday as United twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Atalanta, the Portugal star scoring both goals including a stoppage-time leveller.

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David Beckham is eager to claim his first MLS Cup on Sunday in what could be his final game in the American top flight.

Beckham s contract ends with LA Galaxy after they face Houston Dynamo, and as yet no decision has been made on his future.

The former Manchester United midfielder has already enjoyed title successes in England and Spain, and is looking to repeat that glory in the United States.

I think wherever you play and whatever you do in your life you want to be successful, Beckham said.

I ve been lucky enough throughout my career to be successful at Manchester United, I ve been sucessful at Real Madrid.

I ve seen the last two or three years – I d say the last three years – we ve had success in our franchise and in our club.

…