Andrea Pirlo has no qualms with Italy head coach Antonio Conte after he was overlooked for the Euro 2016 squad.

Pirlo has played in eight major tournaments for his country, including 2006 s World Cup triumph and a run to the Euro 2012 final.

A move to New York City has scuppered his international hopes, however, with Sebastian Giovinco also failing to impress Conte sufficiently despite an impressive spell in MLS with Toronto FC.

Pirlo was at his playmaking best on Sunday to set up a David Villa goal as NYCFC drew 2-2 with Orlando City, but remained calm on his international snub afterwards.

. earns Star of the Match!

— New York City FC (@NYCFC)

The 37-year-old told Sky Italia: I spoke with the coach. I already knew what I had to do an…

Switzerland booked their spot at Euro 2020 after cruising to a 6-1 win over Gibraltar at Victoria Stadium on Monday.

Their nervy 1-0 win over Georgia on Friday kept them top of Group D ahead of the final round of fixtures and they never looked in danger of relinquishing that position with a dominant display.

Cedric Itten – who scored the winner against Georgia – set them on their way after 10 minutes, with Ruben Vargas and Christian Fassnacht adding further goals after the interval.

The hosts pulled one back through Reece Styche in the 74th minute – just their third goal of the qualifying campaign – but Switzerland reasserted their superiority through Loris Benito, a second goal from Itten and a late strike from Granit Xhaka.

The result meant Vlad…

Mark Robins has praised Coventry for being “one game away from achieving a dream” at the end of a season in which he accepts he might have been sacked.

Coventry meet Luton in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on Saturday with a Premier League place and the millions of pounds that come with such status at stake.

Yet Coventry – who played seven of their opening nine league games away from the CBS Arena this season after the Commonwealth Games’ Rugby Sevens wrecked the pitch – were bottom of the Championship on October 19 and still in the relegation zone as November began.

“We are one game away from achieving a dream and changing the club’s future very quickly,” said manager Robins.

“This season has been exceptional in terms of the st…

Myanmar will be reintegrated into the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw after having a ban lifted by football s governing body on Monday.

The FIFA Appeal Committee decided to uphold their appeal although several sanctions still remain in place.

In late September, FIFA had banned Myanmar from competing in 2018 World Cup qualifiers after their 2014 World Cup qualifier in Yangon against Oman in July descended into chaos and violence.

Myanmar were trailing 2-0 in the second-leg clash in the second round of World Cup qualifying through the Asian Football Confederation, when it had to be abandoned after fans threw rocks, shoes and water bottles on to the pitch after referee Ryuji Sato awarded a penalty to Oman.

However, the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) …

Ciro Immobile, Manuel Locatelli and Marco Verratti are among the big names to miss out on Italy s provisional squad for Euro 2024.

Just 10 players who helped the Azzurri win the delayed Euro 2020 three years ago have been included in Luciano Spalletti s 30-man group, which will be trimmed down to 26 names after friendlies against Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina in early June.

Immobile made Spalletti s first Italy squad last September but has missed out on a trip to Germany after scoring just seven Serie A goals this season.

Verratti joined Immobile in starting Italy s Euro 2020 final victory over England, but he always looked unlikely to be included this year after swapping Paris Saint-Germain for Qatari side Al-Arabi.

Last September, it was reported th…

Real Madrid are interested in signing Rodri from Manchester City, according to . However, the report has claimed that Rodri does not plan to leave City anytime soon and is happy at the defending English champions.

Rodri has been on the books of City since 2019 when he joined from Atletico Madrid. The 28-year-old Spain international defensive midfielder has been superb for the Citizens over the years and has established himself as one of the best players in his position in the world.

The 28-year-old has made 173 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. Rodri has scored 22 goals and given 21 assists in those games. The Spain international has won the Premier League title four times with City. Madrid are arguably the biggest club in the world and are aiming …

Georgia know that knockout football is still within their reach as they prepare for their toughest test so far at Euro 2024 against Portugal.

Roberto Martinez s side secured top spot in Group F with a game to spare after following up a 2-1 win against Czechia with a commanding 3-0 victory over Turkiye.

Meanwhile, Georgia missed the chance to claim a maiden victory at a major tournament as they drew 1-1 with Czechia, but they did set themselves up with a chance of getting out of the group.

Here, we use Opta data to preview Wednesday s clash.

Um obrigado é pouco, portugueses! |

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal)

What s expected?

After their strong start to Euro 2024, Portugal are the favourites to make it three wins from three game…

Paulo Fonseca was left disappointed with Milan s lack of defensive responsibility in their shock 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Parma on Saturday.

Milan were stunned inside 83 seconds when Dennis Man gave the hosts a shock lead, only for Christian Pulisic to restore parity just after the hour-mark.

However, substitute Matteo Cancellieri struck in the closing exchanges to secure their first triumph over Milan in Serie A since 4-2 win back in March 2014.

It marked an early bump in Fonseca s tenure with the Rossoneri, acknowledging that his side must improve at the back to succeed this season.

I m disappointed. It s difficult to explain our defensive attitude. It s clear that we have a defensive problem, Fonseca told a press conference.

For Parma…

West Brom and Southampton played out a goalless draw at the Hawthorns on Sunday in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

Both teams had plenty of chances, but a combination of poor finishing and impressive goalkeeping from the Saints Alex McCarthy and the Baggies Alex Palmer ensured the tie remains finely poised for the return leg at St Mary s Stadium on Friday.

Roared on by a loud Hawthorns, the hosts started well but were unable to capitalise, and it was Southampton who went closest in the first half as Kyle Walker-Peters smashed a deflected effort wide, while Palmer kept out Flynn Downes shot.

West Brom rallied, though, and had a golden opportunity to take the lead with 33 minutes on the clock as Grady Diangana nodded Tom Fellows cross goalw…

Fabian Hurzeler said Brighton will learn from their first loss under him as they aim to bounce back against Tottenham in the Premier League.

The Seagulls had enjoyed an unbeaten start under the German in all competitions, going unbeaten in his first seven matches.

However, after winning their opening two Premier League games, they drew three in a row before suffering that 4-2 defeat to Chelsea last weekend.

Hurzeler was not shying away from the poor result though, instead looking for the positives they can build on before the international break.

It s very important after defeat that you are honest to yourself, you reflect on yourself, what was good, what was not good in the game, Hurzeler said.

If you lose a game, of course, there are more nega…