Both teams to score at Atlanta United vs New York Red Bulls 2/3 for Sunday’s MLS matchup

It was November 18, 2015 when then Castilla boss Zinedine Zidane described Toni Kroos as perfect for Real Madrid .

Kroos was in his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu after joining from Bayern Munich – reportedly against the wishes of Bayern boss Pep Guardiola – and starting to put his stamp on the team.

Zidane added: Kroos has changed his game since he got here. Spanish style is about beauty, especially here at Real Madrid. But he immediately adapted to this style.

The Frenchman, who became Madrid boss two months later, was right to a certain extent; Kroos had changed his style but it was a change forced upon him.

A more offensive midfielder at Bayern, Kroos had been shunted into a defensive role at Madrid with Zidane s predecessor Rafael Benite…

Portuguese newspaper that Norwich have agreed to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

It is believed that the Canaries will pay around €10 million for the highly rated forward, with the Netherlands international set to join the club in the summer transfer window.

Van Wolfswinkel was followed by a number of England’s top sides, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle, but Norwich seem to have won the race for the player’s signature.

Being in a very difficult financial situation, Sporting Lisbon had no choice but to cash in on their prized asset.

The 24-year-old joined the Lions from Utrecht in the summer of 2011, and really shone in his first season at the club.

After scoring 14 goals in 25 league games last term…

Thiago Silva believes his former club AC Milan have taught football a lesson in how to topple Barcelona.

The Brazilian s Paris Saint-Germain side are clear underdogs against the runaway La Liga leaders in Tuesday s Champions League quarter-final first leg.

But Thiago insists Tito Vilanova s team are far from unbeatable and Milan s successful strategy in the 2-0 home leg of their last-16 clash gives PSG genuine hope of an upset.

Everybody knows what Barcelona are capable of. They have been an amazing side in the last few years, he told Goal.com.

The group is full of quality players and their philosophy is admirable. But in football there is no such thing as an unbeatable side.

They had to work hard to overcome Milan and I think that they showed …

Robert Lewandowski scored his 250th Bundesliga goal as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 and keep the pressure on Bayer Leverkusen.

Maximilian Philipp had put Wolfsburg ahead at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday with a clinical finish after a mistake by Leroy Sane.

But Lewandowski headed in just before the break to reach the milestone and then added a decisive second early in the second half with a controlled finish.

Visitors Wolfsburg were unbeaten so far this season but saw that record ended as Bayern survived a late onslaught to remain a point behind leaders Leverkusen, 4-0 winners at Cologne.

Wolfsburg took the lead when Sane tried to control in the box rather than clear his lines, allowing Kevin Mbabu to cross for Philipp, who hooke…

Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich expects the Premier League strugglers to avoid relegation thanks to new boss Tim Sherwood.

Villa have won two of their last three top-flight games to move into the relative safety of 16th and three points above the drop zone, while also reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

And Bosnich, who made over 200 appearances for Villa and won two League Cup titles before joining Manchester United in 1999, claimed that not only should Villa avoid the drop  they should be challenging for top-six honours.

Of course they can [avoid relegation]. The bottom line is Paul Lambert did the right thing [by resigning before Sherwood s arrival last month] because they were going nowhere, the ex-Australia keeper told Perform.

They ar…

Sporting Lisbon have criticised the father and representative of Eric Dier for forcing through a move to Premier League side Tottenham.

Tottenham confirmed on Thursday that a deal had been agreed with the England Under-21 international defender, with the move set to be sealed upon the completion of a medical.

Primeira Liga outfit Sporting have subsequently revealed that Dier was offered the chance to stay, but the club were forced to accept a €5million offer from Tottenham as it met a release clause put in place by previous owners.

Sporting Clube de Portugal announces that during [July] the club started negotiations with Eric Dier over the renewal of his contract, read a statement on Sporting s official website.

Unexpectedly, Sporting, SAD was confron…

Tottenham Hotspur are about to sign a deal with Sunderland defender Pascal Chimbonda, according to media reports.

Spurs continue to look for ways to gain strength in England s top flight and Chimbonda s return could well make a positive change at White Hart Lane. The Frenchman played for Tottenham from 2006 to 2008 but left London for Sunderland at the start of the current season.

Reportedly, Sunderland and Tottenham agreed on a 3 million Pound transfer fee.

…

Real Madrid veteran striker Raul does not want to be called up for a November friendly against Argentina to mark the Spanish Federation s centenary as he perceives it would comprise an artificial homage to him, AS sports daily said Tuesday.

Raul did not make the squad for last summer s Euro 2008 triumph and has not featured for the Furia roja for the past two seasons despite a return to form at club level which last week saw him become his club s all-time top scorer with 309 league goals.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was seeking to call him up for the centenary at Real s Bernabeu stadium in recognition of his exploits he is also Spain s all-time top scorer with 44 goal but AS indicated the 31-year-old player was not keen if it meant a one-off artificial homage…

Thomas Tuchel has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA) over comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor in the aftermath of Chelsea s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Chelsea were denied a London derby win by Harry Kane s 96th-minute equaliser in their first home game of the Premier League season on August 14, leaving Tuchel fuming over a series of perceived errors from Taylor.

Tuchel claimed neither of Tottenham s goals should have stood, insisting Richarlison blocked Edouard Mendy s line of sight from an offside position when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg first levelled, before Cristian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella s hair in the build-up to Kane s late header.

The Chelsea boss then claimed it would be better if Taylor no longer officiated his t…

Liverpool are interested in West Ham United s Jarrod Bowen, according to James Pearce of . The 24-year-old forward is apparently on the shortlist the Merseysiders have drawn up towards reinforcing their attacking ranks.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of Bowen, who fits the bill in terms of the type of players the Reds are usually looking into talented and relatively young, with potential for further development. The versatile attacker, capable of playing anywhere across the front line, scored eight goals and produced five assists in the Premier League last season, having featured for the Hammers in all 38 matches in the English top flight. Bowen is seen as a player who can initially provide a backup option for the more established Liverpool stars upfront.

How…