Xabi Alonso says Real Madrid s ability to grind out results when not at their best has been key to their success this season, as Los Blancos eye a 35th LaLiga title. 

Alonso, who now coaches Real Sociedad s B team, made 236 appearances during a five-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, helping Carlo Ancelotti s team lift the Champions League trophy in 2014.

With Ancelotti back at the helm, Madrid hold a 15-point lead over Barcelona at the top of LaLiga, and the Italian looks set to celebrate his first Spanish title triumph after already winning league titles in Italy, England, France, and Germany.

After beating Sevilla 3-2 with a late Karim Benzema goal last time out, Los Blancos have won 17 points from losing positions this season, the most in LaLiga, and Alo…

John Hackworth believes St. Louis City s derby with Sporting Kansas City is key to MLS as they resume their rivalry on Saturday.

The last two meetings between the sides have finished level, with both ending in dramatic fashion.

St. Louis City come into the latest edition having lost just one of their last six outings, though that was their last home match.

They sit 13th in the Eastern Conference, level on points with Sporting above them, and Hackworth is now keen to build on the momentum from their win over San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday.

We talked about trying to finish these last five games with a lot of momentum, showing our fans what we were capable of, Hackworth said.

We knew we had to go on the road in one of these three games and be s…

Best odds: 23/10

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Benfica will be looking to extend their winning streak to five games across all competitions when they host Atletico Madrid at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Since making a managerial change last month, the Eagles have found their form, while Atletico Madrid continue their journey under long-serving coach Diego Simeone, aiming to maintain their competitive edge in Europe s top competition.

Benfica

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Moreirense on August 30, Benfica parted ways with Roger Schmidt. Since then, the team has flourished under new coach Bruno Lage, winning all four of their matches across the Primeira Liga and Champions League.

Most recently, Benfica deliver…

Fran Alonso declared himself a Celtic fan for life after leaving his role as the Parkhead club’s women’s team manager.

The Spaniard, who joined the Hoops in January, 2020 from Lewes FC women, will join Houston Dash FC in the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League, as head coach.

Alonso told Celtic’s official website: “I was not born a Celtic supporter but I will definitely die as one and I will support Celtic for the rest of my life.

“The club, the team, the people and the Celtic community has been everything to me during the past four years and has lit up my life. It has been a wonderful adventure.

“The values, the spirit and the ethos of the club has been everything to me and I am so proud to have held the position of Celtic manager.

…

The Champions League s round-of-16 first legs conclude on Wednesday with the competition s most decorated club in action.

Real Madrid, who have been crowned champions of Europe 13 times, face an eye-catching Atalanta side in Italy.

With their LaLiga title hopes boosted by rivals Atletico Madrid s recent blip, Zinedine Zidane s men go into the match on a four-game winning streak.

That pales next to Manchester City s stunning 18-game winning run, with Pep Guardiola s charges facing a trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Using Opta data, we take a closer look at both matches.

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)

Atalanta v Real Madrid: Another Italian job for Los Blancos?

Real Madrid head to Atalanta with fond mem…

Real Sociedad have won their first Copa del Rey since 1987 after Mikel Oyarzabal s second-half penalty secured a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in what was the first ever final between the two great rivals in their current guises.

Played 350 days later than initially scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic, La Cartuja in Seville played host to one of the most significant finals in the competition s history and La Real came out on top in the long-awaited encounter.

In what was the first all-Basque Copa del Rey showpiece since 1927, it was perhaps fitting that someone who has played for both teams was central to the match s major moment of contention, as Inigo Martinez was sent off for the concession of a penalty, only to be hauled back on following a VAR check.

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Hugo Lloris told France to put the euphoria of their World Cup triumph firmly behind them following another disappointing performance against Ukraine.

Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw in Kiev on Saturday in their latest qualifier for Qatar 2022, meaning they have now drawn five matches in a row for the first time in their history.

Anthony Martial s first international goal in five years cancelled out Mykola Shaparenko s excellent opener but, despite having 61.5 per cent of the ball, Didier Deschamps men could not create enough meaningful chances to find a winner.

Substitute Moussa Diaby hit the post, but only five of France s 16 shots were on target, as they made it five games in a row in Kiev without a victory.

Lloris thinks his side need to put their 2…

Xavi believes Lionel Messi could finally get his hands on the World Cup in Qatar, tipping Argentina alongside Brazil as favourites to land the trophy.

The closest Messi has come to being a World Cup winner was when Argentina were beaten by Germany in the 2014 final.

His unprecedented seven Ballon d Or successes underline Messi s individual greatness, but he is missing the most valued team prize of all.

Winning the Copa America with Argentina last year gave him a first major title in senior international football, with Argentina getting the better of Brazil at the Maracana in the final.

Now, at the age of 35, and in his final World Cup, Argentina captain Messi goes again, with former Barcelona team-mate Xavi strongly rating the Albiceleste s chances.

…

Best Odds: 3/4

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Looking to pick up some pre-Euro 24 momentum on Monday night, England will welcome Bosnia Herzegovina to St. James’ Park.

England

Starting with the hosts, while England might have suffered Wembley heartbreak at the hands of Italy three years ago, Gareth Southgate’s men are pencilled in as a standout contender this summer. Arriving in Germany this month with their sights firmly set on securing a first piece of international silverware since their World Cup success way back in 1966, this current crop of Three Lions stars are regarded as a real golden generation. Unbeaten in all of their eight Euro 24 qualifying appearances last year, Southgate’s men have plenty of expectations on their shoulders. However, last seen settling for an …

Luka Modric believes club team-mate Rodrygo will get stronger following his crucial penalty miss in Croatia s World Cup quarter-final victory over Brazil.

Rodrygo was one of two players to fail from 12 yards along with Marquinhos as the Selecao were beaten 4-2 in the shootout following a 1-1 draw at Education City Stadium.

Modric knows how his 21-year-old Real Madrid team-mate feels. The midfield maestro was only a year older when he missed his spot-kick in Croatia s quarter-final defeat by Turkey at Euro 2008.

Despite the disappointment, the Vatreni captain is confident Rodrygo will benefit from the ordeal, telling reporters: I m sure he ll gain more experience and strength to continue. He will get stronger with all this.

It can happen to anyone. We mu…