Coming back was a dream – Returning striker Morata targets Champions League glory with Juve

Diego Simeone hopes Antoine Griezmann will stay with Atletico Madrid on a long-term basis after the France international helped Los Colchoneros make a positive start in LaLiga.

Griezmann came off the bench to score Atletico s third goal in a dominant opening-day win at Getafe on Monday, with Joao Felix recording three assists and Alvaro Morata scoring twice in a 3-0 triumph.

The 2018 World Cup winner is 12 months into a two-year loan spell in the Spanish capital, having endured a largely unhappy period with Barcelona between 2019 and 2021.

Reports suggest Atletico have an obligation to buy Griezmann should he hit a minimum number of appearances in LaLiga this season, and Simeone is keen to keep the 31-year-old.

We talked about it in the Getafe post-game.…

Diego Simeone insisted Atletico Madrid had produced one of their best displays this season in Wednesday s goalless Champions League draw with Club Brugge.

Atleti recorded 21 shots to Brugge s five as they dominated at the Civitas Metropolitano, but their poor European form continued as they failed to make the breakthrough.

The result ensured Brugge will progress to the Champions League s knockout stages for the first time in their history, but Atletico s chances of joining them are in doubt after taking just four points from four games in Group B.

Atleti have now failed to score in five of their last six Champions League matches, including each of their last three, but Simeone refused to criticise their performance.

We had important situations, well gene…

Juventus and Manchester City have opened talks regarding the proposed transfer of Kalvin Phillips in January, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Juventus expressed an interest in the former Leeds United midfielder last month, and last week they were contacted by City who wanted to know if the interest stood. It apparently does, but there is some way still to go before an agreement between the two clubs is reached.

Juventus have so far offered to take Phillips on loan for the rest of the season with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer. City, however, want to make the purchase at the end of the season mandatory.

Phillips has no place in Pep Guardiola s plans and he is believed to be open to the idea of going to Juventus, who need to reinforce their midfi…

Mikel Arteta insisted Bukayo Saka will take Arsenal s next penalty, despite the England international failing from 12 yards in last weekend s 2-2 draw with West Ham United.

Saka, who had been successful from both his previous spot-kicks this season, shot wide at the London Stadium, with his miss proving costly as the title-chasing Gunners surrendered a 2-0 lead.

It was the 21-year-old s first failed attempt from 12 yards since Italy s Gianluigi Donnarumma infamously denied him in the Euro 2020 final 21 months earlier.

Nevertheless, Arteta was full of praise for Saka, who he is confident can use the setback to his advantage during the title run-in, which resumes against bottom side Southampton on Friday.

He loves responsibility, but he puts a lot on his s…

France will not call up a replacement for Karim Benzema after the Ballon d Or winner was ruled out of the World Cup with a thigh injury, head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed.

Deschamps side are looking to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962, but they have suffered several injury blows ahead of the tournament in Qatar.

Having already seen midfielders Paul Pogba and N Golo Kante ruled out, France lost Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku after naming their 26-man squad for the competition, but the most severe blow was still to come as Benzema was forced to leave their camp after failing to complete Saturday s training session.

With Benzema facing three weeks on the sidelines, reports suggested France would decide whether to call…

Dundee’s home game against Aberdeen was called off about an hour before kick-off to become the second cinch Premiership casualty of the wet weather.

The game between Ross County and Hibernian was earlier postponed after a 10am pitch inspection with the surface at the Global Energy Stadium deemed unplayable because of a waterlogged pitch.

Dundee announced after 2pm that their game had been called off by referee David Munro.

Our game with Dundee this afternoon has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and concerns over player safety.

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC)

A short statement read: “Due to persistent heavy rain this afternoon’s match against Aberdeen has been called off. The referee deeming that the goalmouth area of the pitch is un…

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Two sides who find themselves battling it out at the foot of the Serie A standings, Cagliari will welcome Sassuolo to the Unipol Domus on Monday night.

Cagliari

Starting with the hosts, while Cagliari might have claimed a welcomed boost when opening November, the Islanders have come crashing back down to earth. Although Claudio Ranieri’s men might have secured a Serie A return for this season, the former Leicester boss is desperate for his squad to find some crucial stability. However, last seen putting in another toothless performance as they suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of Lazio, the Sardinia-based outfit are tipped as a leading relegation contender in 2024. Mustering just 10 points from their first 14 top-flight appearances th…

Thomas Tuchel s impressive start to life as Chelsea head coach continued with a 2-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday. 

The German has now overseen an unbeaten stretch of 11 games since taking over from Frank Lampard on January 26, with this result the Blues eighth win in that period. 

Ben Godfrey s first-half own goal put the hosts ahead before Jorginho s penalty after the break ensured Everton s winless run at Chelsea would stretch to 26 Premier League games.

Chelsea remain in fourth but move back to within three points of third-placed Leicester City winners against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend  while the Toffees are now four points further back in fifth.

Two goals. Three points!

UP THE CHELS!

— Chelsea F…

Ander Herrera was one of 36 players cleared of sporting corruption by a Spanish court on Monday.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Herrera, along with Leganes coach Javier Aguirre and ex-Atletico Madrid captain Gabi, were investigated on suspicion of match-fixing in relation to a LaLiga meeting between Levante and Real Zaragoza in the 2010-11 campaign.

Zaragoza won the match to keep their place in the top flight, though they were then accused of paying Levante players €965,000 to lose the game.

However, all 41 people who stood trial have been cleared of the charges, with a Valencian court citing a lack of evidence, though two former Zaragoza officials were convicted of fraud.

Ex-president Agapito Iglesias and former financial director Javier Porquera…

Roma have confirmed Daniele De Rossi will leave the club at the end of the season but say he has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.

The 35-year-old s contract will not be renewed, ending a 19-year association with his hometown club.

After joining the club s youth ranks in 2000 from Ostia Mare, he has gone on to make 615 appearances for the senior side, scoring 63 goals. Only Francesco Totti has made more appearances for the Giallorossi.

De Rossi has made just 14 Serie A starts for sixth-placed Roma this season and the club have confirmed his last game will be against Parma on May 26.

Roma president James Pallotta told the club s website: For 18 years, Daniele has been the beating heart of AS Roma s team.

From his debut in 2001, to takin…