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Rayo Vallecano and Mainz among the teams through to the Conference League round of sixteen
Rayo Vallecano and Mainz joined Strasbourg and other qualifiers in sealing direct passage to the UEFA Conference League round of sixteen, while the remaining contenders head into February’s play off ties and Universitatea Craiova suffered late heartbreak to miss out on qualification.
Bell wants to make history with Mainz 05
Mainz 05’s stadium is almost sold out for the match against Samsunspor. Despite the many fans of the Turkish club, Stefan Bell believes there will be a home-game atmosphere, in which he wants to achieve something historic.
The El Khannouss problem at Stuttgart
It is the Africa Cup rather than the Bundesliga for Bilal El Khannouss now. The ambition and hunger for success of the Morocco international also have drawbacks for VfB Stuttgart.
This is how Mainz will go straight into the round of 16 on Thursday
Mainz 05 have already secured a place in the Conference League play-offs ahead of the final matchday of the league phase. But the Bundesliga bottom side would like to avoid the extra round and knows what scenarios would make that possible.
Inter win away at Genoa and move up to first place in Serie A
Inter won 2-1 away at Genoa to move top of Serie A, with Lautaro Martinez decisive again, while AC Milan drew with Sassuolo and Napoli lost at Udinese in a table-shifting Sunday.
FC Bayern report Neuer injury
Manuel Neuer will miss Bayern’s year-ending match away at Heidenheim. The goalkeeper picked up an injury on Sunday against Mainz.
Argentina faces Spain in the run-up to the World Cup on historic ground
Argentina and Spain will meet in the run-up to the World Cup as part of the Finalissima. The match will take place on March 27 in Qatar, a special location for the world champions.
Napoli condemns Allegri for an uncontrolled assault in the Italian Super Cup
Napoli’s two to nil Italian Super Cup win over AC Milan was overshadowed by a club statement accusing Massimiliano Allegri of repeated insults toward sporting coordinator Gabriele Oriali, raising the prospect of scrutiny from match officials and disciplinary authorities.
Giménez and Baena, in their countdown
Baena and José María Giménez completed individual ball work at Cerro del Espino as they enter the final phase of their recoveries, set to miss Girona but aiming to return for Real Sociedad and reach peak form for the Saudi Super Cup.
Spanish media see in Vinícius embrace much more than just a gesture
The win over Alavés has given Xabi Alonso some breathing room. After Rodrygo’s winning goal, the embattled Real Madrid coach was hugged by Vinícius Júnior, who had been at odds with him earlier this season.