Sporting Alert

College Football, NCAAB, NBA, NFL

luka modric

Euro 2016 Day 3 Scores, Videos, Photos

by Leave a Comment

Sporting Alert – Germany, Poland and Croatia all registered wins on day 3 at Euro 2016 on Sunday (12).

WINNING START FOR GERMANS

In Lille, Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger were both on target for Germany in their 2-0 victory over Ukraine in their Group C opener at Euro 2016.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Valencia defender Mustafi headed home a Toni Kroos curling free kick from the right inside the left post to give Germany the lead in the 19th minute.

Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger then added a second for the World Cup champions shortly after coming on in the 90th minute.

The veteran playmaker fired home into the roof of the net off a pass from Mesut Ozil in injury time to finish off a swift counter-attack.

LUKA WINS IT FOR CROATIA

Luka Modric’s dipping volley in the 41st minute secured a 1-0 victory for Croatia over Turkey in their Group D opener at Parc des Princes in Paris on Sunday.

The Real Madrid midfielder, advancing up the pitch from his central role, used perfect technique to blast home a difficult 41st minute volley shot from 25-yards, which dipped just in front of Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Babacan, who was unable to get a finger on the ball.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

“Luka really deserves to be talked about, especially after this match, one of his best for Croatia,” said Croatia coach Ante Cacic.

“He really played well, he was our leader. He scored this magic goal and it turned out to be the only one of the game.”

Both teams had several chances to add to the scoreline, but failed to capitalized, as Croatia was twice denied by the crossbar in the second half.

In the end though, Croatia, one of the tournament’s “dark horses” will be delighted to get the first game out-of-the-way with three points in the bag.

“We will do our best and keep fighting … but unfortunately we never start well in those big tournaments,” Turkey coach Fatih Terim said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ytKbMlCE4

POLES START WITH WIN

It was the same scoreline at the Allianz Riviera in Nice, where Poland tagged the Northern Ireland 1-0 in their Euro 2016 Group C opening match.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

The lone goal came in the 51st minute from Arkadiusz Milik, who collected a pass inside the box and then netted with a low strike to finally break down the Northern Ireland defensive line, which fended off a chain of attacks from the Polish team before the breakthrough.

Star striker Robert Lewandowski had a relatively low-key evening for Poland, as he was closely marked, which resulted in the Bayern Munich player drifting outside of the danger area on several occasions.

Juventus 2 Beat Real Madrid 1: Tevez With Goal and Assist

by 1 Comment

The game was televised live on Fox Sports 1, while Fox Soccer 2 GO and Fox Sports GO had live online streaming starting at 1:45 CT. You were also able to follow livescore updates on our page.

Real Madrid
Watch Live Juventus v Real Madrid on Fox Sports 1

TURIN, Italy (Sporting Alert) — Real Madrid and Juventus will be without key players when they meet in Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg in Turin.

The game will be televised live on Fox Sports 1, while Fox Soccer 2 GO and Fox Sports GO will have live online streaming starting at 1:45 CT. You can also follow livescore updates on our page

Defending champions Real Madrid come into the contest as the slight favourites to take the two-way tie, but will be with forward Karim Benzema and midfielder Luka Modric for the first game on the road.

Both influential players have been ruled out with respective knee problems so manager Carlo Ancelotti must find other options to help stop Real Madrid’s run of seven consecutive trips to Italy without a victory.

Juventus will be without talented midfielder Paul Pogba, who continues to recovery from a hamstring injury he suffered in March. The Frenchman is expected to be ready for the second leg.

“It would have been better if [Luka] Modrić and [Paul] Pogba were involved. We hope to have Pogba back for the return leg,” Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri said.

The Spanish giants, who beat fellow La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid in their quarterfinals, will welcome the return of attacker Gareth Bale after he recovered from a calf injury he picked up in the Atletico clash.

The Wales international was a second-half substitute during Saturday’s 3-2 exciting victory at Sevilla in the league, but could return to the starting team on Tuesday night.

Real Madrid
Gareth Bale and Luka Modric of Real Madrid

Juventus are coming off winning the Serie A league title on Saturday and Ancelotti is expecting Allegri team to bring a wealth of confidence into the matchup.

“It’s going to be an even game. We had a lot of possession against Atlético [in the quarters] but like us, Juve are a side who like a lot of possession,” Ancelotti said.

“The most important thing is to play the best we can and show our quality. We want to attack and we’re preparing to play an attacking game, but we’re going to have to defend really well too.”

He added: “Juve won the league on Saturday and are full of confidence, with experienced players and real quality.

“They are one of the few sides who have no problem switching between three and four defenders. Pirlo is a great, fantastic player.”

Possible starting lineups

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Vidal; Pereyra; Morata, Tévez.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; James, Kroos, Ramos, Isco; Bale, Ronaldo.

Real Madrid vs Granada Live Score Updates

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Diego Lopez was again picked to start in goal for Real Madrid in their Spanish La Liga clash with Granada on Monday night.

Follow Live Football Scores

With Lopez again getting the nod to starting in goal, it means that Spanish No.1 and captain Iker Casillas starts on the bench again.

Also named as substitutes are Kaka, Daniel Carvajal and Alvaro Morata.

The strong Real Madrid starting XI includes summer recruit Isco, Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Angel di Maria and Karim Benzema.

Manchester City target Pepe and Sergio Ramos continues to play in the heart of the backline to help protect Lopez.

Real Madrid: 25. Diego Lopez 17. Alvaro Arbeloa 3. Pepe 4. Sergio Ramos 12. Marcelo 19. Luka Modric 23. Isco 7. Cristiano Ronaldo 10. Mesut Ozil 22. Angel di Maria 9. Karim Benzema.
Subs: 1. Iker Casillas 8. Kaka 15. Daniel Carvajal 16. Casemiro 18. Nacho 20. Jese 21. Alvaro Morata.

Granada: 13. Roberto 2. Allan Nyom 15. Pape Diakhate 5. Diego Mainz 16. Brayan Angulo 18. Manuel Iturra 8. Hassan Yebda 20. Piti 10. Yacine Brahimi 11. Dani Benitez 9. Youssef El Arabi
Subs: 1. Orestis Karnezis 4. Fran Rico 12. Diego Buonanotte 21. Riki 24. Jeison Murillo 27. Alvaro Garcia 28. Mohammed Fatau

Manchester United Transfer News: Reds make contact about Modric – Reports

by Leave a Comment

LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Manchester United have reportedly turned their attention to signing Luka Modric from Real Madrid, following the Reds’ rejected bids for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.

New United manager David Moyes has been busy trying to settle into his new role and add more talents to his squad, but so far the latter has been very difficult to get done.

The English Premier League champions have had two bids for former Arsenal captain Fabregas rejected by his club Barcelona and ESPN reports that Moyes has now turned to former Tottenham midfielder Modric, who was linked with a move to Old Trafford before choosing to play in Spain.

In fact, it is understood that Manchester United have “contacted Real Madrid” about the availability of Modric this week.

Moyes revealed that he will add new faces to the squad this transfer window and from all indications, a midfielder or two is the main area of interest.

“I’m confident we’ll have players in before the start,” Moyes said. “We’re involved in several players we’re looking at and that will continue.

“Will we get them before the deadline? I hope so, but we’re working very hard to do so. It was always going to be a difficult window for me personally. I joined on July 1, which has given me a short period.”

ESPN also claimed that Manchester United as also showing interest in another Real Madrid player, Mesut Ozil, but it is believed that the German has no particular interest in leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

It is also believed that Modric would have no problem moving to Old Trafford in this transfer window.

PSG v Real Madrid Live Score and Updates

by Leave a Comment

GOTEBORG (Sporting Alert) — The following is Real Madrid’s starting line up for tonight’s preseason football friendly game against French giants Paris Saint Germain at the Ullevi Stadium in Goteborg.

Follow Live Score and Game Updates: PSG v Real Madrid | Watch Live on BeinSports

Manager Carlo Ancelotti continues to work on finding his best starting XI and tonight, the likes of Sami Khedira and Luka Modric have both been handed starting places in midfield.

Mesut Ozil, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo have also been named in Ancelotti’s starting team, as the former PSG manager comes up against his ex-bosses for the first time since leaving to take on the Real Madrid challenge earlier this summer.

Karim Benzema again will lead the attack, while Pepe starts in defence and Diego López is the man between the sticks.

Real Madrid are coming off an exciting 2-2 draw with another French club, Lyon, after coming from 0-2 down.

The Spanish giants beat English side Bournemouth 6-0 in their opening preseason contest of the season.

Meanwhile, PSG defeated Hammarby 2-0 in their last preseason game, but is looking for a better performance overall as they approach the start of the season.

Striker

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the main man for Laurent Blanc’s side.

Real Madrid team: Diego López, Pepe, Coentrao, Carvajal, Nacho, Khedira, Modric, Özil, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema.

Watch: ESPNDeportes, ESPN3.com Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey Final

by Leave a Comment

MADRID (Sporting Alert) — Real Madrid will look to secure the Spanish Copa del Rey title when they take on Atletico Madrid in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday night.

Watch Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey Final on ESPN3

Jose Mounrinho surrendered the La Liga title to Barcelona and were dumped in the semi-finals of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund.

But a confident Sergio Ramos believes he and his teammates are well prepared and ready to land the Spanish Cup crown at their home stadium.

“We know our rival and we know that they’re tough. A title is at stake and we have to be demanding and defend the crest until the end,” Ramos said.

“After what happened in the Champions, which was the last game in the Bernabeu with loads of enthusiasm, we have to try to win the Copa in honour of the fans, to return the affection we felt the day of the match against Borussia.”

Real Madrid, with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Angel Di María, Luka Modric and Kaka on its roster, will start as the favoured team to lift its second Copa del Rey in three seasons, but Ramos doesn’t believe the hype.

“There are no favourites, the score is set at zero and we’ll give our all like we do in every game and that’s the key,” he said.

He added: “We know the rival that we face, it’s a great rival and a team that has brought out the best in each player this year since Simeone took over.

“It will be a really tough game with a title at stake. When you play on your pitch is a bonus on a personal level, but it’s fair because the stadium will be divided equally for the fans of both teams and I hope ours can enjoy it a little more.”

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on star striker Radamel Falcao, while will lead the attacking line for Atletico Madrid.

Manager Diego Simeone also believes his team is in a good place to win the Copa del Rey, adding: “We wanted the Cup since the start and we are where we wanted to be.”

Falcao added too that Atletico wants to win the title on Friday night.

“In a final you start thinking days before, to view it,” the forward said.

“Personally I focus on the work I have to do for the good of the team and the role of striker.” he said.

Galatasaray v Real Madrid: Live, Team News

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho makes three changes from the team that won the first leg for today’s Champions League quarter-final second clash at Galatasaray.

 Galatasaray v Real Madrid: Live Football Score

Defender Pepe, midfielder Luka Modric and striker Gonzalo Higuain all start tonight with Real Madrid leading the two leg tie 3-0, following the victory last week.

However, fit-again Iker Casillas remains on the bench with Diego Lopez, who has been in great form continuing in goal ahead of the captain.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Essien, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Raphael Varane also started.

Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol and Marcelo start on the bench.

Burak Yilmaz and Dany Nounkeu are both out for Galatasaray.

Galatasaray v Real Madrid

Galatasaray: Muslera, Eboue, Zan, Kaya, Riera, Altintop, Felipe Melo, Inan, Sneijder, Bulut, Drogba. Subs: Iscan, Aydin Yilmaz, Elmander, Balta, Kurtulus, Amrabat, Sarioglu.

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Essien, Pepe, Varane, Fabio Coentrao, Khedira, Modric, Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain. Subs: Casillas, Benzema, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Albiol, Callejon, Morata.

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)

Kaka, Luka Modric Start: Real Madrid v Levante Live Score, Teams

by Leave a Comment

MADRID (Sporting Alert) — Kaka, Luka Modric and Jose Callejon are all in the starting lineup for Real Madrid in today’s La Liga game against Levante at Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid v Levante Live Score

Kaka and Modric will play in midfield, while Callejon will play in the attacking line.

Real Madrid are 13 points behind leaders Barcelona, but could cut the gap to 10-points with a win, since the leaders don’t play until the later game today.

Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema are also in the starting team after scoring in the Champions League in midweek, but leading goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who also netted in the win over Galatasaray, was left on the bench.

Captain Iker Casillas is only on the bench, despite recovering fully from his injury, while Pepe, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo play in defence.

Raul Albiol, Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil are all on the bench.

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso. Kaka, Luka Modric, Jose Callejon, Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain.
Subs: Iker Casillas, Raul Albiol, Nacho, Michael Essien, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo

Levante: Gustavo Munua, Loukas Vyntra, Juanfran, Sergio Ballesteros, Christian Lell, Vicente Iborra, Ruben Garcia, Michel, Pedro Rios, Papa Diop, Robert Acquafresca.

Referee: Carlos Clos Gomez

Mandzukic, Modric start: Croatia v Serbia Live on ESPN3

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric are among the starters for Croatia in today’s World Cup Europe Group A qualifier at Stadion Maksimir.

Watch Live on: ESPN3.com | Live Scores Online On Our Football Page

Also in the starting team for the Croatians are Darijo Srna and Vedran Corluka, who both start in the backline, with Ivica Olic partnering Mandzukic in the attack and Ivan Rakitic and Niko Kranjcar in the midfield.

Striker Nikica Jelavic is on the bench, following a dip in form with Everton in the Barclays Premier League recently.

For Serbia, Zoran Tosic starts in midfield, while the strong backline is being led by Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, with Neven Subotic and Matija Nastasic playing alongside him.

Marko Scepovic and Filip Djuricic have been asked to get the goals tonight.

Croatia v Serbia

Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Simunic, Corluka, Strinic, Kovacic, Modric, Rakitic, Kranjcar, Mandzukic, Olic
Subs: Subasic, Lovren, Vukojevic, Jelavic, Schildenfeld, Kalinic, Ademi, Petric, Vida, Eduardo, Badelj

Serbia: Brkic, Ivanovic, Subotic, Nastasic, Kolarov, Radovanovic, Ignjovski, Tosic, Stevanovic, Scepovic, Djuricic
Subs: Stojkovic, Tomovic, Bisevac, Petrovic, Tadic, Djurdjic, Fejsa, Rukavina, Milivojevic, Djordjevic, Rajkovic, Kuzmanovic

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Manchester United to offload midfielder Anderson

by Leave a Comment

MANCHESTER (Sporting Alert) — Manchester United are reportedly ready to offload midfielder Anderson in the summer as the Brazilian continues to find it difficult to impress the coaching staff on the big stages.

Injuries and poor form have left Anderson struggling to find his best form and Manchester United are apparently looking to move into a different direction.

Paul Scholes is expected to retire at the end of the season, while Ryan Giggs’ playing time is expected to be fewer next season, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to strengthen his midfield with some quality.

It is believed that Anderson’s inconsistency on the pitch and his fitness level, has disappoint the coaching staff and the manager, who are now prepared to let the Brazilian leave.

Real Madrid Croatian midfielder Luka Modric is again being linked with a move to Old Trafford with reports claiming that Anderson is the man set to make way.

Reports are also saying that the former Porto star, who joined Man United six-years-ago, would be willing to move back home as the likes of ­Carrick, Shinji Kagawa and Tom Cleverley are all ahead of him for first team football.

Meanwhile, wingers Nani and Ashley Young are also said to be on the list of players on their way out this summer.

Nani is yet to sign a new contract deal, while Young has lost the form that made him a United first team starter when he moved to the Barclays Premier League leaders two few seasons ago.

Manchester United hold a 15 point lead over defending champions Manchester City in the race for the Barclays Premier League title. Anderson started was later subbed out after a poor outing in the middle of the pitch.

More Manchester United Transfer Rumors

Luka Modric starts: Real Madrid at Celta Vigo

by Leave a Comment

(Sporting Alert) — Luka Modric is in the starting lineup for Real Madrid for tonight’s La Liga clash with Celta Vigo at Balaidos.

Follow Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid Score and Updates

Modric came off the bench to score against Manchester United in the Champions League win at Old Trafford in midweek and has been rewarded with a starting place.

He replaces Angel Di Maria, the man he also replaced in the second half at Old Trafford after the winger picked up an injury.

Michael Essien also comes into the midfield with Xabi Alonso on the bench, while Karim Benzema gets the nod over Gonzalo Higuain at the center forward position.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the winner against his forward club Manchester United in the midweek also starts, with Jose Callejon, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil going from the opening 45 as well. Kaka is amongst the substitutes.

Real Madrid have won three of the last three big games, beating Barcelona twice in one week and Manchester United.

Celta Vigo: 13. Javi Varas 28. Jonathan Castro Otto 5. Andres Tunez 15. Vadim Demidov 3. Roberto Lago 4. Borja Oubina 8. Alex Lopez 23. Michael Krohn-Dehli 24. Augusto Fernandez 22. Quique de Lucas 10. Iago Aspas.

Real Madrid: 41. Diego Lopez 18. Raul Albiol 3. Pepe 12. Marcelo 6. Sami Khedira 19. Luka Modric 10. Mesut Ozil 15. Michael Essien 7. Cristiano Ronaldo 21. Jose Callejon 9. Karim Benzema.
Subs: 13. Antonio Adan 8. Kaka 11. Ricardo Carvalho 14. Xabi Alonso 17. Alvaro Arbeloa 20. Gonzalo Higuain 29. Alvaro Morata