AC Milan have announced the return of goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, who has been appointed club manager at San Siro.
Abbiati spent 15 seasons as a Milan player before retiring at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, winning three Serie A titles and the Champions League in the 2002-03 campaign.
In a statement, Milan explained Abbiati will act as a link between Vincenzo Montella s team and the board, with Chinese group Sino-Europe Sports having completed a takeover in April.
He will report directly to the club s sporting and technical director Massimiliano Mirabelli and will be the liaison between the team and the club, Milan said.
Grande Abbia bentornato!!!
— Riccardo Montolivo (@OfficialMonto)
Preparations for the new season are well u…
Kepa Arrizabalaga is relishing Graham Potter s faith in him after producing another excellent performance in Chelsea s 0-0 draw with Brentford on Wednesday.
Although Chelsea dropped points in the Premier League for the first time under Potter after struggling to create chances, they had Kepa to thank for preserving their unbeaten record under the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss.
Kepa made five saves – three of them to deny Ivan Toney – as Chelsea kept their fifth successive clean sheet in all competitions.
The Spaniard – who was reportedly considered surplus to requirements under Potter s predecessor Thomas Tuchel – has been afforded a new lease on life in recent weeks, and is savouring his run in the team.
I m feeling very well, I m feelin…
Valery Karpin has resigned as coach of Spartak Moscow after the club s poorest ever start to a season, the Russian club announced on Monday.
Traditionally one of the Russian Premier League s most powerful clubs, Spartak have not won a major trophy since 2003 and bowed out of the Europa League quarter-finals 10-3 on aggregate to Porto on Thursday.
Spartak then fell 2-1 to Anzhi Makhachkala on Sunday their third defeat in five league matches this season to plummet to the bottom of the Premier League table.
In an announcement the day after the club s latest defeat, former Russia midfielder Karpin revealed he would be stepping down as Spartak manager but would remain as the club s general director.
Today the board of directors had accepted my resignation, s…
Pedro is anticipating a difficult challenge when Barcelona begin their UEFA Champions League campaign at home to APOEL on Wednesday.
On paper, the Cypriot outfit represent the weakest opponents in Group F, which also includes Ajax and Paris Saint-Germain, both reigning champions of their respective domestic leagues.
Barcelona will come into the clash as firm favourites and they boast a strong home record in this competition, with just one defeat in their past 27 matches at Camp Nou.
Despite that run, Pedro is not expecting an easy ride against Giorgos Donis men.
We ll be playing against a physical side that tracks back well, he said. I m sure it ll be a difficult game.
Every year we work hard to reach the Champions League final. It was a shame t…