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Napoli have sacked manager Walter Mazzarri just three months after his return, with Francesco Calzona taking over until summer.

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Mazzarri sacked by NapoliCalzona appointed interim successorPresident explains reasoningWHAT HAPPENED?

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis explained that the decision to let Mazzarri go, having only re-hired the 62-year-old in November, was motivated by the team winning just four of his 12 Serie A games in charge and tumbling to ninth in the table.

AdvertisementWHAT DE LAURENTIIS SAID

De Laurentiis told of Sky Sport Italia: "Walter Mazzarri is a friend of the De Laurentiis family and of Napoli. It is a painful farewell because he was extremely available in a moment of difficulty, but we must also consider that something more must be given to the Napoli fans. Now let's try with Calzona who has worked with [Maurizio] Sarri and [Luciano] Spalletti and knows 80% of the players. Let's give him help without putting obstacles in his way because we know that it will be difficult to prepare for a match against Barcelona who are always Barcelona. Tomorrow morning at 8:30am, Calzona will be here with his staff, then we will go to Castel Volturno where I will introduce him to the boys. [Marek] Hamsik was very intrigued to work for the team he loves and which has given him so much satisfaction."

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Calzona was previously on the Napoli backroom team under both Luciano Spalletti (2021-2022) and Maurizio Sarri (2015-2018) and will combine being interim head coach with his existing role in charge of Slovakia's national team.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR NAPOLI?

Napoli are just two days away from hosting Barcelona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Trailing Serie A leaders Inter by 27 points, retaining their domestic title is out of the question, while the club are already out of this season's Coppa Italia and lost the Supercoppa Italiana final to Inter last month. That makes Europe their only hope to finish 2023/24 with a trophy.

[ad_pod ]Almost unnoticed, Scott Bain has taken over as Celtic’s first choice goalkeeper.

What’s the word?

The 6 foot shot-stopper has played in Celtic’s last three matches, keeping clean sheets in each, after winning a friendly battle with Craig Gordon.

Airdrie, St Mirren and Hamilton have hardly peppered the Celtic goal but there was one incident just before half-time against Airdrie that no fan will forget – an incredible triple save.

Ideal for Rodgers

Sweeper-keeper is now the accepted model for clubs to aspire to and while he has some way to go to match the exploits of Ederson Moraes at Manchester City, there is no questioning Bain’s ability with the ball at his feet – something that is quickly proving an ideal fit for how Rodgers wants his side to play.

Celtic fans have been impressed by the way that Bain effortlessly releases the ball to defenders, with the respected Celtic by Numbers confirming a hugely impressive statistic…

What’s next?

Bain will continue between the sticks against St Johnstone on Wednesday night, making it a run of four consecutive matches after impressing during the Betfred Cup.

After his incredible debut at Ibrox, Bain became an instant hero of the Celtic support but has followed up his heroics that day with steady unspectacular displays.

Gordon has never looked truly at ease adapting to the style of play required by Rodgers. After ousting Dorus de Vries from the side he has a major task winning the jersey back from Bain.

Jude Bellingham is reportedly being allowed to play through injury at Real Madrid courtesy of a shoulder protector drafted in from the NFL.

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England star nursing shoulder complaintIssue may eventually require surgeryBlancos managing problem for nowWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international suffered a dislocation during a La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano – forcing him to sit out games for club and country. He returned to action against Cadiz and has continued to score goals at a record-breaking rate for the Blancos.

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Bellingham is up to 15 efforts through 17 appearances, with his exploits topping those previously posted by five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at Santiago Bernabeu. Real are desperate to keep him on the pitch, in domestic and Champions League competition, with inspiration being sought from a different form of football.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to , Bellingham is wearing an NFL-style protector on his left shoulder, which is allowing him to play through any pain and remain a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.The 20-year-old has sported that accessory against Cadiz, Napoli and Granada.

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WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

There have been suggestions that Bellingham will require surgery at some stage, with Real managing his injury for now. Any operation will not take place until the end of the season, with Bellingham also having major tournament action with England to contend with in the summer of 2024 as the Three Lions ready themselves for another European Championship campaign.

Dan Burn did not ask for Kylian Mbappe’s shirt when Newcastle faced PSG as he already has Peter Crouch and Per Mertesacker jerseys in his collection.

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Magpies faced French giants in EuropeClaimed a notable continental scalpOne jersey attracted plenty of attentionWHAT HAPPENED?

The Magpies full-back lined up against World Cup winner Mbappe when Eddie Howe’s side played host to Ligue 1 title holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. The Premier League outfit enjoyed the most memorable of European nights, with a 4-1 victory savoured at St James’ Park.

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There was a clamour for Mbappe’s jersey during and after that contest, but North East native Burn made no play for a prized memento and joked with reporters afterwards about how he is happy with the swaps that he has made in the past: “It’s about shirts now, you can just go on YouTube and see you played against him. I haven’t asked for anyone’s shirt anyway. I’ve got a canny collection – I’ve got Peter Crouch’s, Per Mertesacker and Wayne Routledge. They are the only three ones I’ve got. I’m happy – get them framed on the wall!”

WHAT THEY SAID

Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles did not ask the question of Mbappe either, with the experienced centre-half telling : “I thought ‘I’m not even going to bother asking for it’. I got Marquinhos, which is not far off Mbappe! I didn’t want to talk to him. The only talking he was going to get was something aggressive! To play against players like that is crazy really, and credit to everyone involved tonight.”

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Magpies midfielder Sean Longstaff did try to swap with Mbappe, telling : “I was blocking him from a goal-kick so I tried to get it for my little brother.” He was left disappointed as Kieran Trippier – who revealed ahead of the game that his son wanted to walk out with Mbappe instead of him – winning the race for a much sought-after piece of sporting memorabilia.

The Women's Super League saw a new record set on Saturday as 60,160 packed into the Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal take on Manchester United.

Arsenal host Manchester UnitedWin WSL game 3-1Set new attendance recordWHAT HAPPENED?

It's the first time Arsenal Women have sold out the Emirates for a league fixture and beats the previous WSL attendance record of 59,042, which was also set by the Gunners.

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Arsenal fans had plenty to cheer about too as the Gunners ran out 3-1 winners over United. Cloe Lacasse and Kim Little were both on target for the hosts to seal victory after a Geyse own goal had put Arsenal in front. The win means Arsenal sit in third place in the table, three points behind Chelsea and Manchester City.

DID YOU KNOW?

Arsenal's latest record means Gunners home games are now now responsible for the top five attendances in the WSL.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL

Arsenal are back at the Emirates again next time out when they take on Tottenham in a north London derby. The Gunners will be out for revenge after losing to their local rivals for the first time in the WSL back in December.

Andre Onana has reflected his “strange” error-strewn start to life at Manchester United and explained why it took him so long to settle.

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Cameroonian moved to England in 2023Found the going tough early onHas rediscovered consistency of lateWHAT HAPPENED?

The Cameroon international goalkeeper, who helped Inter to the Champions League final last season, completed a £48 million ($61m) transfer to Old Trafford during the summer of 2023. He was trusted with filling the void created by David de Gea’s departure as a free agent.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ONANA SAID

Onana found the going tough early on, as mistakes crept into his game, but he has said of adjusting to life in England: “It took me six months or seven months not to play good just to feel good. It was a difficult time for me. Now I'm feeling a bit better. Everything was new, it was difficult for me to feel at home because of so many reasons. Now I'm feeling good. For me, the most important thing is to be set, to be happy and I will shine.”

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Asked if errors weighed on his mind, Onana added: “I don't think so but it was just moments, sometimes you are faced with a difficult situation. I had a difficult six or seven months just feeling good, not playing good because I didn't think I started to play good. So, it was just something strange, I don't know. It was a good time for me to learn because I learned a lot at that time. Playing in the final of the Champions League [the season before] and being knocked out in the first stage a few months later… it was a big lesson for me. Now I think I have everything on my back, learn it, move on and try to be happy. That is the most important thing.”

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Onana credits those around him with helping to rediscover a lost spark, with the 27-year-old shot-stopper adding greater consistency to his game of late. He went on to say: “My team-mates, my players, they always reminded me who I am and the goalkeeper I am and why I came to this club. They told me, ‘Andre, it took some players two years, for others six months and others no time. You have that personality to turn the situation [around]’. They always believed in me and told me from the beginning, ‘Andre, the quality is there, it's just a matter of time’. I am very happy, especially with the supporters, the fans, they were nice with me even in difficult periods and I'm very thankful. I can only thank them. Everything is behind me, now we have to move on and together a great time will come. We just have to do the right thing and the future will be brilliant for all of us.”

Lionel Messi has been credited with bringing “fun” transfers to MLS, with the Argentine being joined at Inter Miami by a number of ex-Barcelona stars.

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Argentine icon moved to the States in 2023Joined by a number of familiar facesHerons chasing down more honours in 2024WHAT HAPPENED?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made his way to America in the summer of 2023. He was followed to Florida by former Camp Nou team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. They have since been joined in the Sunshine State by veteran Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez.

Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowAdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT GARBER SAID

MLS commissioner Don Garber considers those deals to be a good thing, telling of the progress being made in the U.S. game: “It's important to remind ourselves and everybody else that having arguably the best player of all time in our league says a lot about where MLS is, and how far it's come over the years. And I don't think Miami is stopping, right? Signing Luis Suárez and putting together a bunch of guys that Leo has played with for so many years, I think is fun. It's exciting. And I think we're going to see just more energy, and lots more attention in Year 2. But the league has been signing really big-name international players for many, many years, and we're going to continue to do that. But as importantly, focus as much as we can on not just the top of the roster and the players that will bring us attention around the world, but also young players both here in the U.S. and players from overseas. And I think probably for the first time, I think the story this year is about how some of the great young players, particularly from South America, are choosing MLS. You know, I [was] told a stat, 15 of the players in Olympic qualifying in South America are playing in MLS, and I think you're going to see more and more focus on our teams to sign young players and sign under-22 players. And then at the same time, sign guys like [Hugo] Lloris and [Emil] Forsberg and any other player that we think could round out sort of what kind of league we want to be.”

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There have been calls for MLS to address current salary cap rules, allowing more marquee signings to be made, but Garber added on that long-running debate: “Every year we work to determine whether or not the roster rules we have are delivering what we need to deliver in order to grow our fan base, right? And I think Messi comes into the league and then all of a sudden there's this buzz that, 'OK, now maybe we're going to just dramatically change our roster rules.' Leo came in within our roster rules and there's no shortage of opportunity for other teams to do what Miami did, or to find whatever player makes sense for them in their local market. All that being said, we have evolved in sometimes really big ways and sometimes small ways, [but] our roster rules [change] every single year. And we will continue to look at that to ensure that we're managing our broad league-wide strategy to become more competitive in the regional and global landscape, but at the same time do it within practical and rational means.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Messi will be the star attraction when the new MLS campaign gets underway on Wednesday, with Inter Miami preparing to host Real Salt Lake in a season-opener at DRV PNK Stadium. The Herons have four trophies to compete for in 2024, but a number of domestic and continental rivals are ready to block their path.

U.S. men's national team stars Tim Weah and Weston McKennie started for Juventus as they stole a result in stoppage-time against Verona

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McKennie and Weah startedJuve win 1-0 in stoppage timeAllegri's tactics holding them back

Andrea Cambiaso's 97th minute winner for Juventus stole the show as the Turin side miraculously secured victory at the Allianz Stadium after an incredibly boring 96 minutes of soccer. It may sound harsh because they still earned the result, but Juventus played incredibly poorly against the 16th placed side in Serie A. They need more from their attack and more from their boss, Massimiliano Allegri.

Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Bianconeri forward Moise Kean had not one, but two goals called back in the match. First up, just 12 minutes in, Kean thought he fired home but an offside Dusan Vlahovic flicked it on, seeing it called back. Then, eight minutes into the second half, Kean headed home a McKennie cross only to see it called back for a foul he himself committed.

Cambiaso's brilliant winner in stoppage-time saw him swarmed by teammates after Arkadiusz Milik's header shattered the woodwork, before the Italian put it into the back of the net.

The 1-0 scoreline was a replication of their form of late, with this being their fifth-straight clean sheet, but overall, a lack of excitement and speed overtook the match. It was slow, yet composed in the middle of the pitch, however, neither team looked like they had any interest in pushing the ball into the opposition's box.

It was a brilliant opportunity for McKennie and Weah to both start, but it's starting to feel like Massimiliano Allegri's choice of formation and tactics is going to hinder Juventus's chance to excel against the top sides in Serie A and Europe.

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This was the third-straight match where Weah and McKennie started alongside each other for Juventus, and it's beyond evident that their chemistry from playing on the national team has transferred over to their form for the Bianconeri. However, it just feels like Juve are hokding themselves back with five defenders and three midfielders. There isn't enough in their attack, and in a match like this, seeing Weah in a higher attacking role next to Vlahovic may have been a better shout.

For the Turin side as a whole, they no doubt expect more from themselves in a match like this. Verona never really threatened Juve, but they themselves never got going as a whole, either. However, good teams find results, even in stoppage-time, with seconds to spare.

GettyUSMNT IMPACT

It's a big positive for the USMNT to have both Weah and McKennie starting for Juventus, especially on the same side of the pitch. Despite Weah's early exit, he performed well, and for Wes – he continues to impress in that central midfield role under Allegri.

All you can ask and hope for is that they both continue to get minutes on a consistent basis if you're Gregg Berhalter. Juve boss Allegri is rather stubborn when it comes to adjusting to modern-day tactics, so his side's formation is set in stone. Weah in a more attacking role would be preferred, but at this point in time, you cannot be picky.

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Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS

Weston McKennie (7/10): Played his role well, completing 29/32 total passes while creating one big chance

Tim Weah (5/10): Weah was subbed off at the halftime break, despite having a lively first 45 minutes. He ran the right flank well, and connected with McKennie centrally at times, too.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed the England midfielder that he thinks may contend for the Euro 2024 next summer.

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England looking for options for third midfielderCarragher thinks Alexander-Arnold could be the optionEngland one of the favourites for Euro 2024WHAT HAPPENED?

Last month, Gareth Southgate's team easily qualified for their eighth major tournament in a row after defeating Italy 3-1 at Wembley. In recent international matches, players like as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Conor Gallagher have been tested alongside Southgate's first-choice midfield choices, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

The Liverpool full-back, who played in midfield against North Macedonia and Malta has been a subject of considerable debate recently, and Carragher believes that he could be the perfect complement to the existing duo of Rice and Bellingham.

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"Southgate demonstrated his foresight when identifying this a few years ago, initially criticised for using Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder," Carragher wrote in his Telegraph column. "Although England were not great against Malta and North Macedonia, there was plenty to like about Alexander-Arnold’s performances, especially in the first game."

"An exciting, balanced midfield trio of [Jude] Bellingham, [Declan] Rice and Alexander-Arnold can take the national team close to winning Euro 2024. They would be my first choice."

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Speaking on international duty last week, Alexander-Arnold also hinted that an opportunity further forward is something he relishes: "My specific skill set and what I’m best at is someone who plays in the middle. You probably get more out of me from being in the middle and I’m able to show off that skillset as much as possible."

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WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

Southgate will now have almost four months to strategise his potential plans for the midfield as the next international break does not arrive until March.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to his Portugal team-mates after they beat Liechtenstein to extend their winning streak to nine games.

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Ronaldo sends message to Portugal teammatesPortugal beat Liechtenstein 2-0Win extends winning run to nine gamesWHAT HAPPENED?

Second-half strikes from Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo earned Portugal a routine 2-0 win against the European minnows. Roberto Martinez's side have now won their last nine matches, with their most-recent competitive defeat coming against Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final almost one year ago. Despite that, Ronaldo has urged his team-mates not to get carried away.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT RONALDO SAID

Ronaldo posted a series of photos from the match on Instagram with the caption: "Nine wins in a row! We stay focused!"

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Last month Portugal secured qualification for the European Championship finals in Germany next summer. Ronaldo and his team-mates have not downed tools though, and have now won all nine of their qualifiers having scored 34 goals and conceded just two. Manager Martinez, who replaced Fernando Santos in January, is yet to taste defeat in his new role.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO AND PORTUGAL?

Portugal will look to finish their qualifying campaign with a 100% record when they host Iceland in Lisbon on Sunday. After that, 38-year-old Ronaldo will start looking ahead to what will surely be his last international tournament.