AC Milan forward Bojan Krkic has hit out at former club Barcelona, claiming they should have treated Zlatan Ibrahimovic better.
Sweden international Ibrahimovic lasted only one season at Camp Nou in 2009/10, before he was shipped out to Milan, initially on loan.
But the 22-year-old striker is of the belief Barca should have persisted with the former Ajax man for longer.
I think (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic deserved to have been received differently by Barcelona, he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
He is a great player with a big heart.
Serbian-born Krkic also praised former bosses Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola, singling out the former for special praise.
Rijkaard had complete trust in me. It was a difficult year when he left, but he has a great…
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes he will struggle to find a better club when he leaves his current employers.
On Friday, Simeone marked five years in charge of the LaLiga side – a largely celebrated spell during which he memorably pipped Barcelona and Real Madrid to the 2013-14 top-flight title.
However, the ex-Argentina international s future has become the subject of regular speculation since he negotiated for his contract to end in 2018 as opposed to 2020.
Atletico have struggled for their customary consistency this season and lie sixth in LaLiga at the mid-season break, while Simeone appeared to be deeply affected by a second Champions League final loss in three years to Real Madrid back in May.
The 46-year-old has spoken openly of his d…
Marley Watkins scored the only goal of the game as Kilmarnock sensationally sent holders Celtic spinning out of the Viaplay Cup at Rugby Park.
The big striker converted a Danny Armstrong pass in the 59th minute of a pulsating last-16 tie in which the home side were well-organised and disciplined.
Killie withstood Celtic’s relentless pressure thereafter to complete a remarkable early-season Old Firm double, having beaten Rangers 1-0 on the opening day of the cinch Premiership.
The 1-0 defeat was a bitter and unexpected blow to the treble winners who have won the trophy six times in the previous seven seasons.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has certainly got his side off to a flying start this season.
After taking four points from six in their open…
David Moyes believes his ill-fated Manchester United reign could have been different had he managed to win an early trophy like Jose Mourinho.
United host Premier League leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, a distant sixth from the title race.
However, Mourinho already has silverware in his possession after a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace inspired a 3-2 EFL Cup final victory over Southampton in February and United are all square with Anderlecht after the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Moyes signed a six-year contract as Alex Ferguson s successor in 2013 but failed to see out his first season at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils ending a wretched title defence in seventh.
They were beaten on penalties by Moyes current employers Sunder…
Ernesto Valverde says he is unable to confirm that he is in talks with Barcelona over becoming their new head coach.
The 53-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou to replace Luis Enrique, who will step down when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Athletic Bilbao confirmed on Tuesday that Valverde would not stay on as coach for a fifth season, prompting significant speculation that he will hold talks to finalise a deal with Barca.
However, when asked about the reported interest from the Catalans, he told a news conference on Wednesday: I cannot confirm it, I m sorry.
Valverde claims there is a lot of interest in him but insists he has yet to speak with any club.
He continued: There is a lot of speculation regarding…
Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 10 goals for one team in Champions League history as he played a leading role for Borussia Dortmund against Sevilla on Wednesday.
The Norwegian was on target twice in the opening half as Dortmund impressively recovered after falling behind in the first leg of the last-16 tie.
Suso s seventh-minute opener put Sevilla on top, only for Mahmoud Dahoud to equalise with a long-range attempt.
Haaland bravely converted Jadon Sancho s throughball to put the visitors ahead at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, then added another before the break as he clinically finished off a flowing counter-attacking move, placing in a shot from Marco Reus pass.
The two-goal salvo lifted him to double …
Juventus are in the market for a central midfielder this summer, with Mario Lemina reportedly up for sale while the ageing Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio will need replacing in the next 12 months.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Blaise Matuidi is believed to be considering his future at the Parc des Princes and would fit the bill for what Juve are looking for. So could the Italians sign the Frenchman this summer?
Combative attributes in line with what Juve need
Matuidi is a box-to-box midfielder who was once regarded as one of the best ball-winners in Europe. The 30-year-old was in decent form last season and possesses the qualities Juventus are crying out for. With Lemina, Khedira and Marchisio the substance in the midfield, providing the protection for Pj…
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said he was proud to have had Kylian Mbappe in his team and understood the club s all-time leading scorer s decision to end his seven-year stay.
Mbappe, whose contract expires this season, announced his departure in a video on Friday after months of speculation about his future.
All I can say is marvellous things about Kylian Mbappe as a footballer and person, Luis Enrique told reporters on Saturday.
I understand his decision. He has been here for seven years and is a club legend. He has given everything to this club, and this club has given him everything as well. I wish him all the best for the future.
I have been proud to have him in this team. He has helped us and is a leader, and he has done so with a smile o…
German media outlet Bild has suggested that AC Milan have joined the chase to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Rossoneri must have lived to regret letting the Gabonese footballer leave San Siro in January 2012 and they will now have to pay top dollar to correct their mistake.
According to Bild, AC Milan are prepared to offer €70 million for Aubameyang, but that may not prove enough to bring the striker back to Italy.
Namely, the 27-year-old is on the radar of top European sides and he is highly unlikely to join a side that will not be playing Champions League football next season.
Paris Saint-Germain appear to be leading the chase for Aubameyang at the moment, while Real Madrid are expected to rekindle their interest as wel…
River Plate goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero believes the team s recent experience in Japan will help them overcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima and reach the Club World Cup final.
The Argentinian club winners of the competition under the guise of the Intercontinental Cup in 1986 have bounced back from an historic relegation in 2010-11 to become one of South America s top teams once more.
Marcelo Gallardo s side qualified for the Club World Cup by winning the Copa Libertadores earlier this year, following on from their Copa Sudamericana triumph in 2014.
River also beat San Lorenzo in the Recopa Sudamericana, becoming the first team to hold all three continental titles at the same time.
However, it is their Suruga Bank Championship a match held between the winner…