Bayern Munich are set to romp to Bundesliga glory for the sixth straight year, but Stefan Effenberg has come up with a plan to prevent a repeat of such a procession in the future.

The Bavarian giants sit 18 points clear of Bayer Leverkusen, with only 13 matches remaining of a season that is already over as far as the title race is concerned.

Unfortunately for fans of other clubs in Germany, this is a trend that has developed following Borussia Dortmund s back-to-back wins under Jurgen Klopp.

In the five subsequent campaigns, Bayern have won the league by a margin of at least 10 points with a high of 19 in 2013-14 but their former midfielder Effenberg, who claimed three successive crowns with the club around the turn of the century, has an idea to ensure the …

Les Ferdinand is disappointed with how Mousa Dembele s career at Tottenham has progressed, having believed he would be the next Spurs player to follow in Gareth Bale s footsteps and join Real Madrid.

Midfielder Dembele arrived from Fulham in 2012 but has seen his career in north London hampered by injuries.

The Belgium international underwent ankle surgery in May but injured it again in an EFL Cup tie with Barnsley in September, keeping him on the sidelines for over a month.

However, he was excellent as Tottenham fought back from two goals down against Juventus to draw 2-2 in their Champions League last-16 first-leg clash on Tuesday.

Great fight by the team 

— Mousa Dembélé (@mousadembele)

But such performances have been all too ra…

Italy set a new national record as they extended their unbeaten run to 31 games with a 2-1 triumph over Austria at Euro 2020.

Extra-time goals from substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina at Wembley Stadium made sure the in-form Azzurri progressed through to the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they will play either Belgium or Portugal in Munich.

Roberto Mancini has not seen his team lose since a 1-0 Nations League reverse against Portugal back in September 2018.

Their current run is now the longest in Italy s long and illustrious history, surpassing the 30-game streak posted under Vittorio Pozzo between 1935 and 1939.

Mancini was appointed to the job after the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup under Gian Piero Ventura. 

…

South Korea coach Paulo Bento is yet to decide whether Son Heung-min will start as his side seek to secure top spot in Group C against China. 

With both sides having taken maximum points from games against Kyrgyzstan and Philippines at the Asian Cup, it comes down to Wednesday s clash at Nahyan Stadium to determine who will finish on top. 

Son has arrived to boost Bento s squad after being granted a late arrival so he could remain with Tottenham and contribute to their Premier League campaign.

And the delay did not cost South Korea, with Bento s men having won both of their pool matches 1-0 so far, meaning China have the advantage on goal difference.

Son starred as South Korea triumphed at the Asian Games last year, but Bento is unsure whether the for…

The Mirror understands that Manchester United will move for Chelsea midfielder Willian this summer.

The Red Devils are on the lookout for reinforcements with Juan Mata set to leave Old Trafford and could be set to bid for the Brazil international who won the Premier League under Jose Mourinho in 2015.

Mata, who turns thirty this month recently triggered a twelve month extension which sees him contracted to the Red Devils until the end of next season though he may allowed to leave should a replacement come in.

Willian has been at Stamford Bridge since the summer of 2013 and during that time has racked up two hundred and twenty-eight appearances, scoring forty-four goals.

He also won the League Cup in 2015 while he added another Premier League winners …

Rafael Leao should turn down a transfer away from Milan, with former Rossoneri player and head coach Filippo Inzaghi fearing he would just be one of many at Manchester City or Real Madrid.

The Portugal international was integral to Milan s Serie A title success last year, and has continued to perform well for them this season.

That has seen Leao linked with a move to one of Milan s heavyweight rivals across Europe, with Chelsea also among those thought to be chasing him.

With only 18 months left on his deal, reports have suggested Leao could move in January, but Inzaghi has implored the 23-year-old to stay, suggesting he can be one of their all-time greats.

If I were him, I would stay, he told Corriere della Sera. For me, Milan has always been the best. …

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker:

With all eyes from across Europe falling on the Etihad, Manchester City will host Real Madrid on Tuesday night for their Champions League semi-final first-leg.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, managing to pick up some perfect momentum over the weekend while on domestic duties, there is no doubt that Manchester City will be desperate to keep up that form here. Eventually cruising their way to a 5-1 romp against relegation scrappers Watford, Pep Guardiola s side still find themselves sat in pole position to reclaim their Premier League crown this season. Holding a one-point buffer over Liverpool and desperate to complete a famous double-winning campaign at the Etihad, the one-time Bayern Munich boss will be calling on his side …

Liverpool and Lyon have agreed a deal in principle for Xherdan Shaqiri, with the attacking midfielder set for a medical on Monday.

The Switzerland international joined the Reds in July 2018, but remained on the fringes of the first team throughout his time at Anfield.

Shaqiri featured 63 times for Liverpool in all competitions and confirmed earlier this window that he was interested in a move away from the Premier League side.

Lyon were one of a number of teams linked with Shaqiri and the Ligue 1 outfit confirmed the former Bayern Munich and Inter player s arrival on their official website on Sunday.

Shaqiri featured 45 times for Liverpool in the Premier League, including 18 starts, scoring seven goals and assisting five more in his three seasons on Me…

Sepp Blatter has issued a defiant defence of his tenure as FIFA president, insisting he is definitely not responsible for a perceived culture of corruption.

Blatter was elected for a fifth term as president on Friday, beating off the challenge of rival candidate Prince Ali bin Al Hussein to remain at the helm of world football s governing body.

The election took place against a backdrop of controversy, following news on Wednesday that nine FIFA officials, past and present, were among 14 people indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption by United States authorities.

Yet when asked at a news conference if he had helped foster a culture of corruption, Blatter responded: Definitely not. We try, always, and in my tenure of office during these …

Bruno Henrique scored twice and David Luiz made his debut as two-time champions Flamengo defeated 10-man Barcelona 2-0 in the opening leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.

Flamengo emerged triumphant thanks to Bruno Henrique s first-half brace in Rio de Janeiro, where veteran defender David Luiz appeared for the first time since his Arsenal exit.

Ecuadorian visitors Barcelona had Nixon Molina sent off in first-half stoppage time, while Flamengo substitute Leo Pereira – who replaced David Luiz approaching the hour mark – was also dismissed in the 89th minute.

David Luiz completed his move to Brazilian giants Flamengo earlier this month following his Arsenal departure at the end of last season, but team-mate Bruno Henrique stole the show on Wednesday.

…