Nice striker Mario Balotelli was named in new Italy manager Roberto Mancini’s first ever squad as the former Man City gaffer took charge of the Azzurri after leaving his post at Russian outfit Zenit St.Petersburg. Mancini succeeds Gian Paolo Ventura, who was shown the door after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup following a playoff defeat to Sweden.

Balotelli last played for Italy in the 2014 WC, but has been in sparkling form for Nice in Ligue 1 this season, prompting Mancini to recall him. However there is no place for Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti.

The squad named is for the friendlies against Saudi Arabia, France and the Netherlands. Emerson Palmieri and Davide Zappacosta are the only two Premier League based players in the squad.

England booked their place at this summer’s World Cup with minimal fuss. Finishing as leaders of qualifying Group F, an unbeaten record of eight wins and two draws left them top of the pool with Slovakia and Scotland joint-second, eight points off the pace.

Many positives can be taken from the campaign to date – scoring 18 goals and conceding just three – and there’s reason for fans to be confident after being dropped into Group G at the competition proper alongside Belgium, Panama and Tunisia.

On paper, Gareth Southgate and his boys should secure a place in the knock-out stages of this summer’s spectacle but will they live up to expectations? Bookmakers put forward their views on just how far the nation can go and there’s plenty of value around. Continue reading →

Reigning European holders Portugal crashed to a 3-0 loss in Geneva in their final warmup game before coach Fernando Santos announces his 23 man squad to travel to Russia.

The Seleccao were very poor defensively in the first half and the Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the World Cup and were beaten in Amsterdam by England on Friday, took full advantage as they netted thrice before the interval.

Fernando Santos opted for a somewhat experimental lineup with Cristiano Ronaldo the only player in the XI that you could say was assured of a starting spot in Russia. Young Napoli left back Mario Rui was given his senior debut and became the fourth player from Portugal’s U20 World Cup squad (they finished as runners up) to play for the national team after Danilo, Cedric and Oliveira. Continue reading →

Young Giorgi Chakvetadze has been often been hailed as one of the rising stars of Georgian football and the teenager made his national team debut over the weekend against Lithuania (March 24, 2018). Chakvetadze started the game and also netted on debut- his 40th minute strike was the fourth for the Georgians in their 4-0 win in Tbilisi. He was replaced by Giorgi Aburjania after 69 minutes.

the 18 year old also made 34 passes with a 91% pass accuracy in this game. Chakvetadze currently plays for Gent in the Belgian top flight, Continue reading →