Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria believes Saturday s triumph over Atletico can serve as a springboard in their Champions League semi-final.

Madrid were humbled 4-1 by Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their semi-final tie, with prolific marksman Robert Lewandowski scoring all four goals in a memorable performance.

Jose Mourinho s side returned to winning ways at the weekend, edging city rivals Atletico 2-1 in their battle for second position in La Liga.

And di Maria, who netted the match-winning goal, believes the derby win can be the catalyst for redemption against Dortmund at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Winning this match is extra motivation and will help us to be at our best on Tuesday, the 25-year-old told reporters. We do not take that match as lo…

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been thrilled with the attitude of ambitious midfielder Paul Pogba.

Pogba has once again seen speculation about his future thrust into the spotlight after his agent Mino Raiola recently declared his time at Old Trafford was coming to an end.

Solskjaer has spoken to the World Cup winner but is determined to keep the content of their discussions private.

His main priority is Pogba s dedicated approach to matches and training, which is leading to improved performances.

Paul, he wants to play, he wants to train, Solskjaer said to Sky Sports.

He enjoys football, he wants success, he s ambitious, so when he s on the pitch and on the training field I see a boy who enjoys his football that s what I care ab…

Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution rallied late but went down 3-2 at home to bottom club Toronto in the MLS on Wednesday.

New England sensationally trailed 3-0 within half an hour against lowly Toronto after early strikes from Yeferson Soteldo, Kemar Lawrence and Tsubasa Endoh.

Japanese midfielder Endoh s strike was spectacular, cutting inside before lashing a fine left-foot curling shot home in the 24th minute.

Revolution came into the game after stumbling in their past two games, with a draw and a loss, following six straight victories, and the defeat extended that winless run.

New England fought in the second half, with Spanish midfielder Carles Gil pulling one back in the 56th minute.

In the 78th minute it was 3-2 when Ghanaian…

Robert Lewandowski is the ultimate team player but Poland will not survive at Euro 2016 unless their captain rediscovers his ruthless streak. 

Although Adam Nawalka s talented team edged past Switzerland on penalties in Saint-Etienne on Saturday to book a quarter-final against Croatia or Portugal, the last four may prove beyond them without harnessing the dormant threat posed by one of the Bundesliga s most dangerous players.

It was perhaps understandable when a journalist from Portugal, speaking before the first round-of-16 tie, drew parallels between the struggles of his own country s figurehead and the blanks Lewandowski had fired in three games at this European Championship.

Poland coach Adam Nawalka appeared close to anger when he brushed aside the suggesti…

Manchester United youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson will spend the 2016-17 season on loan at Championship side Wolves.

Borthwick-Jackson broke into the United team under Louis van Gaal last season as injuries left them without a number of key players at the full-back position.

The 19-year-old, who signed a new contract in May which will tie him to Old Trafford until 2020, made 10 Premier League appearances as his side finished fifth in the table.

However, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia have been first choice full-backs for new manager Jose Mourinho in the early games of this campaign, leaving Borthwick-Jackson on the sidelines.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson arrives at Wolves from on a season-long loan.

— Wolves (@OfficialWolves)

Wolves…

Alex Song has swapped Barcelona for West Ham after agreeing a season-long loan with the Premier League club.

The midfielder was introduced to the Upton Park crowd ahead of the London club s meeting with Southampton on Saturday.

Song returns to the English top flight having represented West Ham s cross-city rivals Arsenal between 2006 and 2012, and the chance to make a comeback to British shores was key to his decision.

He told the club s official website: I m very happy to be here and very happy to see the guys and the fans today and to start to do my job for West Ham United.

I think this is very important for me to be coming back to London to West Ham United, which is a club with ambition to build a new stadium and become a big club. I am very excited t…

Andy Carroll passed a medical at West Ham on Tuesday ahead of his proposed permanent move from Liverpool, David Gold has confirmed.

The England international striker spent last season on loan at West Ham and returned the faith shown in him by Sam Allardyce with a return of seven goals in 24 appearances.

Allardyce has helped Carroll get his career back on track after being frozen out of Liverpool and the 24-year-old is now on the verge of joining West Ham on a full-time basis following protracted talks between the two clubs.

West Ham co-chairman Gold initially revealed that Carroll would undergo a medical on Wednesday, but wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: We managed to bring Andy s medical forward to this evening and I am delighted to inform you that he has passed with fly…

Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen have completed the deal with Swiss international forward Eren Derdiyok. The youngster signed a contract for four seasons.

Leverkusen and Derdiyok had already found each other in January, but the 20-year-old was to finish his season at FC Basel before making the move.

We are very happy to have signed this talented striker, said Bayer president Wolfgang Holzhäuser on the club s official website.

Derdiyok made his international debut in February 2008, immediately scoring a goal versus opposing side England. He was also selected for the European Championships later that year, becoming the youngest player to feature at that tournament.

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that former West Ham United ace Alvin Martin believes that David Beckham would be a fantastic additions to the Hammers and that the club should try to sign him in January.

Beckham has of course announced that he will leave LA Galaxyat the end of the MLS season and there is a lot of speculation as to where he may be heading.

But, Martin thinks that Sam Allardyce should be given the backing to go and land the 38-year-old, who admitted he wanted one last challenge in his career.

He said: “If West Ham are doing as well towards the end of the season as they are now, then why not?

“He’d be perfect at delivering balls for Andy Carroll. He’s still got another year or two in him yet because he’s not all about pace or athleticism.”

Co-chairman…

Kyle Walker s future at Manchester City could be in doubt after Pep Guardiola said he cannot play the way he wants his full-backs to play.

The 32-year-old has only started two of City s past seven games, with John Stones preferred at right-back.

Guardiola favours a system that sees his full-backs inverted, often coming inside to join the midfield as Stones did to good effect in last week s win over Liverpool.

Speaking ahead of City s Premier League trip to Southampton, the Catalan coach did not sugarcoat the reason why he has left Walker out in recent games.

[Walker] cannot do it. To play inside, you have to make some educated movements, Guardiola said.

He has other characteristics. He will always have pace. He will be the fastest in this room a…