BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Jude Bellingham is set to return for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao this weekend after the England midfielder missed his club’s last two games with a red-card suspension. That combined with an ankle sprain has kept Bellingham out of four of Madrid’s last six games. Even though he last scored for Madrid six weeks ago, Bellingham still leads the Spanish league with 16 goals after his breakout as a major scoring threat following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund. But
Former national team director Oliver Bierhoff has praised Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann as "very brave" over his squad selection for recent friendlies against France and the Netherlands, while praise for Toni Kroos also continued on Thursday. "But it has paid off," Bierhoff said after Nagelsmann's team won both matches in an impressive turnaround from modest results and performances in the past. Debutant left back Maximilian Mittelstädt was a starter in both games and scored against the Dutch.
The teenage centre-back has the subject of an approach in January and is now courting fresh interest
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Win against Arsenal on Sunday and Manchester City's path to a record fourth straight English Premier League title becomes clearer. Lose, and Arsenal takes a giant step towards becoming league champion for the first time in 20 years. Draw, and the big winner this weekend could be Liverpool. With 10 rounds to go, the clash at Etihad Stadium is the last time any of the three title rivals will go head to head. Arsenal leads the league. Liverpool is second on goal differenc