Brazil head coach Tite believes the nation s embarrassing 7-1 World Cup defeat to Germany has proved a useful learning tool.
The footballing world was shell-shocked as Joachim Low s side routed the hosts in the 2014 semi-final, before going on to lift the trophy by defeating Argentina.
The nature of that humiliation has left its mark on Brazil, with the game still cropping up in media conferences over two years after the event.
Luiz Felipe Scolari was the man in charge at the time, making way for Dunga after the tournament, with Tite then succeeding him earlier this year.
Ahead of Brazil s World Cup qualifier with Bolivia, Tite acknowledges the Germany loss was a painful experience but implored the nation to use it as motivation to succeed and look to the…
Christian Eriksen believes Tottenham s performances this season have been even better than last term, when they took their Premier League title challenge to the final stages of the season.
Spurs ultimately finished third behind champions Leicester City and runners-up Arsenal after an impressive campaign, but have not received the same plaudits for their form this season.
However, Eriksen insists Spurs are as confident as ever and feels the club have in fact improved on 2015-16, despite sitting behind leaders Chelsea, as well as Liverpool and the Gunners, in the table.
Mauricio Pochettino s men are hitting form, having won four consecutive top-flight games going into a crunch clash at home to leaders Chelsea on Wednesday.
I don t think [confidence] has ev…
Harry Kane delivered a scathing assessment of Tottenham after a last-gasp defeat to Liverpool as the striker conceded his side deserve to be in the position they are in.
Spurs found themselves three goals down in the first 15 minutes at Anfield as Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah netted for Jurgen Klopp s men on Sunday.
Just a week on from a 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United, in which they were 5-0 down after 21 minutes, Tottenham this time almost pulled off an unlikely comeback.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-min set up a tantalising finish before Richarlison equalised in the 93rd minute, only for Diogo Jota to score a minute later to snatch a 4-3 win for Liverpool.
That saw the Reds leapfrog Spurs into fifth, and Kane acknowledged his team can have no c…
Defending champions Egypt have steamrollered their way into Sunday s Africa Cup of Nations final where they must now overcome a youthful Ghana side to claim a third consecutive continental crown.
Beset by injuries Ghana have excelled themselves, the eight youngsters from the Under-20 World Cup winning side belying their inexperience to manfully step into the shoes of the likes of injury-hit stars Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, John Pantsil and John Mensah.
Ghana started out with an opening loss to Ivory Coast, but then rattled off wins against Burkina Faso, Angola and Nigeria to make it to their first final in 18 years.
Egypt for their part have have looked invincible, brushing aside Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin, Cameroon and old foes Algeria to set themselves up…
Valencia stoppers in high demand
that Valencia centre-backs Nicolas Otamendi and Shkodran Mustafi are followed by Europe s top clubs.
Manchester United have already been credited with an interest in the Argentine defender, who appears to be their number one target for the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils had scout Carlos Ruiz make a check on the highly rated defender in the weekend s triumph over Elche, meaning they could soon come forward with an official proposal.
At the same time, German high-flyers Wolfsburg watched both Otamendi and Mustafi in action in said game, as they, too, are in the market for defensive reinforcements.
Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur were another high-profile club to have their scouts present at the Elch…
Michael Bolingbroke has stepped down as Inter s chief executive officer with immediate effect.
The 51-year-old joined Inter in July 2014 after a stint as chief operating officer for Manchester United, but has now opted to move on again after just over two years with the Serie A giants.
Inter confirm that the board of directors met on Monday morning and accepted the resignation of Michael Bolingbroke as CEO with immediate effect, a statement on the club s official website reads.
We wish him best of luck for the future.
Inter have appointed Jun Liu, vice-president of Suning Sports Group, as interim CEO. Liu already sits on Inter s board of directors.
The club believes the arrival of Mr Liu during this period will allow for a clearer and quicker …
Louis van Gaal compared the self-confidence of his Netherlands side to being like that of Formula One star Max Verstappen.
Van Gaal s Netherlands will face Turkey in a crucial top-of-the-table World Cup Group G qualifier on Tuesday.
The Netherlands are a point adrift following their 4-0 rout of Montenegro last time out and Van Gaal is happy with his team since taking over from Frank de Boer.
Van Gaal likened the Netherlands confidence to that of Dutch driver Verstappen, who reclaimed the F1 world championship lead from Lewis Hamilton with his Dutch Grand Prix success last week.
The most important thing, which Max [Verstappen] also has, is to have self-confidence, Van Gaal told reporters.
Very strong confidence, and you just heard from Memphis …
Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman believes new signing Luuk de Jong is more dangerous than Neymar from crosses.
LaLiga giants Barca raised eyebrows when they signed Dutch forward de Jong from rivals Sevilla on loan at the end of the transfer window.
De Jong had been linked with a potential return to former club PSV in the Eredivisie and was shunted down to third choice at Sevilla following the signing of Rafa Mir from Wolves.
But late on deadline day, cash-strapped Barca – who already lost superstar Lionel Messi on a free transfer – allowed Antoine Griezmann to depart for Spanish champions Atletico Madrid and the Blaugrana replaced the Frenchman with de Jong on a temporary deal for 2021-22.
Koeman hailed countryman de Jong, who he feels is superior t…
J.League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima host second-place Omiya Ardija on Wednesday, one game after replacing them at the top of the table.
The two sides are separated by just goal difference at the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season, however in their previous meeting in the league, Omiya ran out 2-1 winners.
Omiya have lost their last two games, allowing Sanfrecce to reel them in and their hopes of regaining top spot will not be boosted by a failure to win in Hiroshima since 2010.
Yokohama F Marinos have also kept themselves in contention with back-to-back victories and now find themselves two points behind the leaders in third place.
They welcome mid-table side Kashiwa Reysol, a side they lost 2-1 to earlier this season.
Urawa Reds know that…
AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes is nearing a January move to Trabzonspor, .
The French newspaper has learned that the Turkish giants are prepared to match the player s €4 million yearly wage, while they are confident they can reach an agreement with the Rossoneri.
Philippe Mexes is no longer considered an important member of the side at San Siro and it is believed AC Milan are looking to offload him at the earliest opportunity.
Even is his current deal does not expire before June 2015, the Frenchman should be available on a cut-price deal in January.
The 31-year-old joined AC Milan from AS Roma on a free transfer in the summer of 2011 and has since amassed 49 Serie A appearances, scoring 2 goals in the process.
The Rossoneri are priced at and…