Albania boss Gianni De Biasi has urged his players to be on high alert to stop Switzerland star Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Stoke City forward admitted on Friday that he expects the Euro 2016 opener to be an emotional encounter, given that he is one of a number of players who holds dual nationality between the two countries.

Shaqiri enjoyed a mixed campaign with Stoke in 2015-16, with some superb performances undermined by inconsistent form and some niggling fitness problems.

De Biasi, however, says he has seen enough of the former Bayern Munich man to understand the threat that he poses.

I think great players can settle matches. Games are pretty tight but it comes down to fine margins, he said on Friday.

Shaqiri s a player with great ability, he can …

In what will go down as arguably the greatest achievement in sport, Leicester City have been crowned Premier League champions.

From 5000-1 outsiders after almost being relegated in 2014-15, Leicester remarkably sealed the title thanks to Chelsea s 2-2 draw at home to second-placed Tottenham on Monday.

Leicester seven points clear atop the table with two matches remaining upstaged cashed-up Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United to etch their names into footballing folklore.

And the plaudits followed late on Monday as past and present players, as well as clubs across the globe, joined in the celebrations with Claudio Ranieri s men.

Leicester City have won the Premier League. The biggest sporting shock of my lifetime, and it s only my team.…

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said defender Adrian Lopez could make a big impact on the 2012-13 Premier League season.

Lopez joined the Lancashire outfit from Deportivo La Coruna at the end of 2010 on a short-term deal, and saw his stay extended after impressing in the early stages of his career in the North West.

The centre-half opened the 2011-12 campaign in the starting line-up but gradually fell down the pecking order after Paraguaya international Antolin Alcaraz regained full fitness.

However, he returned for the Latics final day victory over Wolves, and Martinez who looks set to stay as the club s manager after Liverpool opted to appoint Brendan Rodgers thinks Lopez can put himself in contention for a first-team spot.

He told the Wigan Evening Po…

12th June 2012

Netherlands have made life really difficult for themselves by losing the opening game to Denmark and Oranje are now in a position that they need a victory over one of the tournament favourites. Germany may not have been at their best against Portugal, but the main goal was achieved and die Mannschaft now have a huge psychological advantage over their arch rivals.

The 2010 World Cup runners-up had high hopes before the start of the European Championship and they believed an opening victory over Denmark would give them a much needed boost, just like it had been the case in South Africa. Oranje indeed dominated the game and created a number of clear-cut chances, courtesy of brilliant Wesley Sneijder, but Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar…

Mesut Ozil says he followed his heart when pledging the next three-and-a-half years of his career to Arsenal by signing a new contract.

The Germany international had long been linked with a move away from north London, speculation going into overdrive after he entered the final year of his previous deal in July 2017.

Manchester United and Barcelona had been touted as potential destinations for Ozil, and reports of a reunion with Jose Mourinho his coach at Real Madrid increased around the turn of the year.

But the 29-year-old committed his future to the Gunners on Thursday, agreeing terms which are understood to tie him to the club until the end of the 2020-21 season.

Although media rumours often left Arsenal supporters fearing Ozil would follow a simila…

Mohamed Salah is targeting collective and individual glory as he aims to deliver silverware for Liverpool and beat Harry Kane to the Premier League Golden Boot.

The Egyptian has been in red-hot form this season, netting 21 goals in 25 top-flight appearances, including a brace in Sunday s dramatic 2-2 with Kane s Tottenham.

Kane netted a stoppage-time penalty at Anfield having seen an earlier spot-kick saved to take his league tally for 2017-18 to 22 from 25 matches.

With Manchester City s Sergio Aguero (17) third on the list of Premier League goalscorers, Salah and two-time Golden Boot winner Kane appear set to battle it out over the final dozen games.

He [Kane] is a great player, in the last two years he has already been the top scorer, Salah told Marc…

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has confirmed the Scottish Premiership champions are closing in on a deal to sign free agent Craig Gordon.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been without a club since May 2012 when he was released by Premier League side Sunderland.

Gordon has been plagued with a number of knee injuries throughout his career, and spent time training with Celtic s Glasgow rivals Rangers last season.

However, it appears the former Hearts shot-stopper is set to sign on at Celtic Park amid reports that England international Fraser Forster is set to be sold, with Atletico Madrid heavily linked with a move.

We are getting closer with Craig Gordon, it is down to the small details. We can make this happen but it s not confirmed yet, Deila told The Daily Re…

Marseille starlet Nicolas N Koulou has admitted that he could leave the club in the summer transfer window.

The Cameroon international is one of the world s most sought-after defenders at the moment, with top European clubs lining up for his services.

Marseille are not too keen on selling their prized asset, but they might not be able to reject a big money offer for their star player.

N Koulou, 23, admits that his employers are ready to sell if the right offer comes along.

“The club and me are together on my future. If they receive an offer they can t refuse, then we will have to part company,” the defender s.

“Marseille is a great club and I love playing for them. They are part of my life.”

N Koulou came through the youth ranks a…

The German Football Federation (DFB) are considering disciplining former national goalkeeper Jens Lehmann for allegedly kicking Cologne midfielder Roda Antar during Saturday s Bundesliga match.

We are examining the evidence and looking at the match video of the incident, DFB media director Harald Stenger said on Sunday.

On Monday, we will decide whether to investigate the matter further with Jens Lehmann.

Lehmann, who joined Stuttgart last summer after five years with Premier League giants Arsenal, clashed with Antar after saving a shot in the 88th minute of Stuttgart s 3-1 home defeat on Saturday.

Television pictures show the VfB goalkeeper appeared to kick the Cologne midfielder on the calf.

Although referee Thorsten Kinhoefer missed the …

Los Angeles FC showed why they are the MLS best team this season as they hammered Charlotte 5-0 to move six points clear atop the Western Conference, with a game in hand.

LAFC controlled the first half, creating 12 shots to Charlotte s four, but after 45 minutes the sides went into the half-time break locked at 0-0 as the home side s attacks continued to falter in the final third.

Whatever the advice was during the break seemed to work a treat, with Jesus Murillo finding the breakthrough in the 49th minute when he headed home a stylish lofted through ball from Diego Palacios. That opened the floodgates, with Jose Cifuentes making it 2-0 10 minutes later, and Cifuentes then turned distributor in the 73rd minute to set up Carlos Vela for 3-0.

Cristian Arango got in…