Robert Lewandowski is eager to put Atletico Madrid s formidable defensive record to the test when Bayern Munich visit in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Diego Simeone s side defeated holders Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to reach the last four after a disciplined 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon in the second leg, with Barca failing to score in a Champions League game for the first time since a 1-0 loss to Atleti in April 2014.

Atletico have kept a clean sheet in 13 of their last 15 home Champions League games, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak recently surpassed Thibaut Courtois club record of league shut-outs in a single campaign, with the Slovenian now on 23.

Lewandowski has been in fearsome form for Bayern this season and has eight Champions League goals so f…

Manchester United are favourites with the bookmakers to secure the services of Cristiano Ronaldo in January, .

The Premier League champions were linked with a move for their former player during the summer, though no official approach was made.

The former World Player of the Year is yet to sign a new deal with Real Madrid, where he has scored 202 goals in as many games since signing from United in 2009.

However, manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident that the Portugal international will put pen to paper on a new contract, despite rumours that the player is unhappy following former teammate Mezut Ozil’s transfer to Arsenal.

The Germany midfielder was sold in order for the club to recoup some of the money spent on Gareth Bale, who earlier this…

that Everton are set to offer Romelu Lukaku a bumper new deal as they look to retain his services.

Chelsea and Juventus have both been linked with a move for the Belgium international, though the Toffees will not let him leave without a fight.

The Merseyside outfit are readying fresh terms worth over £100,000, with a fee of £65m on the striker’s head if a deal cannot be agreed.

The Belgium international moved to Goodison Park, initially on loan in the summer 2013 and has so far racked up one hundred and twenty-seven appearances in all competitions, scoring sixty-one goals.

Prior to his move to Everton, he had a season with West Bromwich Albion while he played just fifteen times for Chelsea the side he signed for when he first came to England i…

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has played down speculation linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Reports in the French media indicate that the Ligue 1 champions are considering an approach for the 29-year-old, whose contract with Bayern does not expire until June 2015.

But, while the Netherlands international admits he is honoured by the rumours, Robben insists he is only concentrating on Bayern.

It s always an honour when a big team shows an interest in signing you, he told Bild.

But everybody knows that I am feeling very well at Bayern at the moment.

I don t know anything about the rumour and I only want to think about playing football.

Robben joined Bayern from Real Madrid in 2009 and has been key to the Bavarians recent success, scor…

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

The newly promoted Premier League club have confirmed that the 34-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Riverside.

Valdes arrives at Middlesbrough as a free agent after his contract with United expired. He fell out with former manager Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford and ended up spending a spell on loan at Belgian club Standard Liege towards the end of last season.

Boro head coach Aitor Karanka told the club s website: You can t imagine how delighted I am because it s not usual to bring players like him to recently promoted teams. 

I m really pleased because he is really committed. All the conversations we ve had he knows why he is here an…

Can Spain repeat their heroics of four years ago and become the first European country to win a World Cup on South American soil?

Since the first World Cup was held back in 1930 in Uruguay, there have been three more World Cup finals held in South America.

In those three tournaments, every time a team from the home continent claimed the trophy.

A team from Europe have only ever won the competition once in its history outside of their home continent, which was Spain claiming victory in South Africa last time out.

Difficult

It has been difficult for the European teams to adapt to their surroundings on other continents, as their records at World Cup finals tournaments prove.

South American countries have won the tournament in Europe, Asia an…

FIFA president Gianni Infantino predicts the 2022 World Cup will be the best ever despite a continuing lack of clarity over the number of teams involved and where matches will be played.

Qatar s awarding of the tournament was controversial due to the country s lack of football heritage, poor human rights record and hot weather that resulted in a switch from the typical June-July dates to November and December.

In August, Qatar s World Cup bid team denied allegations it conducted a smear campaign to increase their chances of hosting the 2022 tournament, having succeeded ahead of competing bids from the United States and Australia.

But Infantino, who has proposed expanding the tournament from 32 teams to 48 nations, feels the first ever World Cup in the Middle …

Will Grigg scored twice to become the FA Cup s leading goalscorer as Wigan Athletic collected another Premier League scalp, dumping out 10-man West Ham United on Saturday.

Grigg took his tally to six goals in this season s competition as Wigan followed up a third-round success over Bournemouth with another victory over top-flight opposition.

Swansea City have shown improvement under their new coach Carlos Carvalhal but were held at Notts County.

League Two side Coventry City booked a place in the fifth round with a win at MK Dons, while Javi Gracia s first game in charge of Watford ended in defeat.

2013 CHAMPIONS MARCH ON

Wigan are no strangers to cup shocks, of course, having triumphed against the odds to beat Manchester City in the 2…

Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has backed Gianluigi Buffon to prove he remains the best goalkeeper in the world despite two costly mistakes in recent matches.

Buffon presented Vitolo with a simple finish when he completely missed an interception during Italy s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Spain on October 6.

The Juve captain fared little better on his return to club action on Saturday, as he allowed Jakub Jankto s shot to squeeze beneath his grasp to give Udinese the lead, before Paulo Dybala s double rescued a victory.

Pjanic, however, says the 38-year-old will produce his very best form when Juve take on Lyon in Tuesday s Champions League Group H encounter.

Buffon is our captain. I don t think he s having a bad spell, Pjanic told a news confe…

So I think it s more about John, and the reception he ll quite rightly get from the Chelsea fans the most decorated captain, the greatest captain who won everything.

He feels the club, everyone knows that, and I m sure the fans will certainly show their appreciation.

I m sure it will be pretty emotional for John, and he deserves that moment, and I ll certainly be pleased to see his face back at the Bridge.

Terry has previously spoken of his desire to follow in the footsteps of Lampard and one day manage his old club.

For now he is still learning the ropes, with Villa boss Smith saying he has been an invaluable member of his staff.

It will be special for him, Smith added of Terry s return.

He ll get an unbelievable reception from thei…