Rohit Rajeev

AC Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta has praised midfielder Luka Modric for the leadership and charisma he has brought to a team that needed revitalisation and lacked personality. Costacurta believes players like Modric and Adrien Rabiot don’t just play football but teach it, and their leadership has added a vital dimension to a Milan team already rich in technical quality.

Former Manchester City and Atletico Madrid legend Sergio Aguero has praised Atletico striker Julian Alvarez for his versatility and impressive performances this season, in which he has scored seven goals and provided three assists. The former Argentina striker has dismissed speculation linking Alvarez with Barcelona and encouraged fans to simply enjoy watching the player this season.

Pressure is building on Igor Tudor at Juventus after the Serie A side saw their winless run extended to six games in all competitions with a 2-0 loss to Como at the weekend. The club are reportedly assessing potential replacements for the coach, who only signed a permanent contract in the summer. With the Croatian coach earning a gross salary of €8 million, however, Juventus may find it difficult to sack him, as former manager Thiago Motta is still on the club’s payroll.

Bayern Munich have reportedly opened talks with Koln over the signing of German wonderkid Said El Mala. The Bavarian club are said to be the most advanced in their pursuit of the youngster, but they face competition from English sides, as Koln had previously rejected a substantial summer offer from Brighton.

Italian giants AC Milan are reportedly furious after star forward Christian Pulisic sustained an injury while on international duty with the United States during a friendly against Australia. The USMNT captain was forced off the pitch in the 30th minute after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury. Milan are said to be frustrated that Pulisic was risked in the match, especially considering he had played only 17 minutes as a substitute in the team’s previous friendly against Ecuador.

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has guided the German giants back to the summit of domestic football since taking charge in 2024. The Belgian tactician has combined astute tactical adjustments with excellent man management to spark a remarkable turnaround in the club’s fortunes. His methods have brought out the best in several players, most notably England striker Harry Kane, who has thrived under Kompany’s leadership.

Roma forward Mattias Soule has opened up about his relationship with Italian coach Massimiliano Allegri during their time together at Juventus. Soule admitted that while Allegri gives freedom in attacking areas, he reacts strongly to tactical mistakes. The attacker also shared an anecdote in which Allegri, as a disciplinary measure, insisted that he cut his long hair.

Juventus are interested in Al-Ahli midfielder Frank Kessie. The former AC Milan player's contract is set to expire in 2026 and Al-Ahli would rather sell the midfielder than lose him for free. Juventus, who were interested in the player in the summer, are set to launch a new bid in January with the Ivorian international interested in a return to Europe.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has announced the sacking of former Barcelona legend Patrick Kluivert from his role as head coach. The decision follows Indonesia’s 1-0 loss to Iraq, which saw them finish bottom of their World Cup qualifying group and eliminated from contention for next year's competition. Kluivert stepped into the role in January, but has been sacked alongside the rest of his coaching staff.

Italy national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has jokingly vowed to “flee the country” and live far away if his side fail to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time. Despite a 3-0 victory over Israel, Italy may still have to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup through the play-offs, as they currently sit second in their qualifying group.

Juventus have rejected multiple bids for midfielder Khephren Thuram from Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool over the past six months. The club, who signed Thuram in the summer of 2024, have no plans to let him go and have deemed both he and attacking star Kenan Yildiz as untouchable players.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has officially extended his contract with the club until 2029. The Dutch international expressed his delight at continuing with Barcelona, stating that he is eager to win many more titles with the Catalan side. The midfielder acknowledged that winning every possible trophy will be the club’s main objective this season.

Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has recounted a meeting with manager Diego Simeone, during which the Argentine informed him that he was no longer part of the club’s plans. The Spaniard, now playing in Brazil, joined the club at the age of 12 and spent 17 years there before eventually being allowed to leave in the summer transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund defender Almugera Kabar has submitted a transfer request to leave the German club. The 21-year-old has yet to make an appearance this season and does not feature in manager Niko Kovac’s plans. Kabar is reportedly looking for a loan move, with Brentford and three other English clubs expressing interest in signing him during the winter transfer window.

AC Milan and United States forward Christian Pulisic limped off with an injury in the first half of the USMNT’s friendly match against Australia. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that Pulisic was taken off due to a hamstring issue, causing concern for the Serie A side and coach Massimiliano Allegri with another star added to their growing injury list.

Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro has decided to defer the activation of the €11 million option to make Ansu Fati’s loan move from Barcelona permanent. The Spanish forward has been in fine form since joining the Ligue 1 side on loan, but Scuro emphasised that he must first be provided with the right conditions to develop into an important and consistent player before any transfer decision is made.

The Spain national team equalled their record of 29 unbeaten games in competitive matches following a dominant 4-0 victory over Bulgaria yesterday. Luis de la Fuente’s side matched the milestone previously set by Vicente del Bosque’s World Cup-winning Spain team, with Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scoring twice to seal the win. Spain achieved the result despite the absence of key players such as Lamine Yamal and captain Alvaro Morata.

RB Leipzig boss Ole Werner has given an insight into his working relationship with Jurgen Klopp after the former coach played a key role in his appointment. Werner says that Klopp acts as an advisor, with the Leipzig coach consulting Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer several times a week to receive guidance on navigating challenging situations.