Latest news with #Euro2020
RTÉ News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Happy to help, ready if needed' - Max O'Leary eyeing Ireland debut
Patience is deemed a most virtuous trait; tolerance, however, has not yet reaped its reward - Max O'Leary has been waiting six years. The Bristol City keeper was first called into the squad at the end of the 2018-19 season to train alongside Darren Randolph and Sean McDermott ahead of Euro 2020 qualifying games against Denmark and Gibraltar. But as the goalkeeping guard changed over the next couple of years, O'Leary found himself on the periphery as the emerging trio of Caoimhín Kelleher, Gavin Bazunu and Mark Travers brought a serious level of competition for a place in the squad. O'Leary was called up again in March 2022 and has been knocking around for the past three years, consistently reporting for duty without seeing any minutes on the pitch. There is, however, a sense that this might change during the upcoming doubleheader against Senegal and Luxembourg. "Of course, it's something I've wanted to do," said O'Leary, when asked was he desperate for his first cap. "I've been around a while now and seen a few managers. Hopefully, I'll get my opportunity soon. "I'm ready to go and if I get that chance, I'll be happy to take it. I've put in the hard work, and it'd be a great honour. "I think it's been a similar sort of situation as the past. Keep doing well at club level and hopefully, you'll get a chance to play. Obviously, these are friendlies in this camp, so there might be a chance there. I'm ready if needed." O'Leary comes into camp off the back of an impressive season as club level, helping Bristol City reach the Championship play-offs, and he has now been an ever-present in the starting XI for over two seasons – he has played 125 league games in a row for the club. And the 28-year-old believes that his game has progressed over the past few seasons playing consistently, which has helped him to mature into the role. "I have definitely matured and you get into a rhythm of playing, especially with the volume of the Championship," said O'Leary. "And feel like I have done well over that longer period of time. Obviously, there are going to be mistakes in there, but the consistency I am really happy with. "Nigel Pearson was the manager at the time [of breaking into the team], and he just said 'go and express yourself, you are going to make mistakes. I don't care. I am going to back you'. "And I think just having that confidence to try and express myself and help the team when I can really helped at the start and just carried it on." O'Leary was asked was it tough to always play the back-up role for Ireland, however, he explained that he remains happy to help out in whatever way possible. "You prepare the same whether you're playing or not playing," he said. "I had my time of not playing when I was younger. Whatever I can do to help who is playing, I know I'd want the same if I was playing, so just to have that good environment in training, pushing each other and just making sure we get everything we need for the games is always the most important thing. "Putting whoever's playing first rather than yourself has been good, whether that's Caoimhín, I know Gav's played before when I've been here. Whoever it is, I'm happy to help."
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Hard to celebrate PSG's Champions League win over Italian colleagues, says Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma found it difficult to celebrate Paris St Germain's Champions League win over Inter Milan with so many Italian teammates on the other side, the Italy keeper and captain said on Wednesday. Donnarumma was a spectator for much of Saturday's final in Munich, with PSG strolling to a 5-0 win, and after the final whistle was seen consoling Inter's shell-shocked players. The former AC Milan keeper has now joined up with Inter's Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Davide Frattesi at Italy's training camp ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and was asked what he said to them. 'Nothing. There was a real heartfelt hug with those teammates after the game and I'm happy about that,' Donnarumma told reporters. 'I also struggled to enjoy the Champions League victory to the fullest because on the other side, there were my brothers with whom I share a lot. Here, we haven't spoken about that match, not even a few jokes. We only spoke about the next two games and giving everything together,' he added. Donnarumma, who has one year left on his PSG contract, has been linked with a move to Inter and was again asked about those media reports after his agent was seen at Inter's headquarters on Wednesday morning. ALSO READ | India loses to Thailand in FIFA international friendly ahead of Asian Cup Qualifier 'I didn't know he was at Inter, I'm fine in Paris and the club will decide on the renewal or not,' Donnarumma said. 'I'm ready for anything, but now my first option is Paris because I'm fine, the fans love me, and the team loves me. I hope to stay there for many years,' he added. Donnarumma has not always convinced Italian fans and media, despite his penalty shootout saves leading to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, with the keeper often criticised for errors. Now, however, he feels he is in the best form of his career, and a lot of that is down to PSG manager Luis Enrique. 'When you return to your own country and you're not welcomed as you deserve, it's not easy,' Donnarumma said. 'Now I'm happy to have found confidence, balance and mentality. I am happy to have convinced all Italians. With Luis Enrique I found balance on everything. He gave me a lot especially on a mental level,' he noted. Italy begins its qualifying campaign in Norway on Friday, before hosting Moldova on Monday, having failed to reach the last two World Cups.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
How to watch Germany v Portugal, team news, predicted line-ups, pre-match quotes and more
Germany face Portugal in the Nations League semi-final in Munich on Wednesday night, with the winner progressing to face whoever comes out on top between Spain and France on Thursday night in the final on June 8. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the clash… Kick-off time 8pm UK time How to watch in the UK Streaming on Amazon Prime UK Injuries and suspensions Germany: Amiri (out), Bisseck (out), Havertz (out), Henrichs (out), Kleindienst (out), Musiala (out), Rudiger (out), Schlotterbeck (out), Stiller (out) Advertisement Portugal: Cancelo (out) Recent form Both of these sides were unbeaten in the six-match group stage and finished top of their respective groups. Germany triumphed over Italy in the quarter final, winning the first leg 2-1 away from home and got over the line by drawing 3-3 at home, despite giving up a three-goal halftime lead. Portugal beat Denmark 5-3 on aggregate after extra time in their quarter final, overcoming a 1-0 defeat in Denmark. Head-to-head Germany have won the last five meetings between the two sides, the last one being a 4-2 victory in the group stage of Euro 2020. Portugal's last victory was at Euro 2000 where they won 3-0 in the group stage. Predicted line-ups Germany (4-2-3-1): ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Koch, Mittelstadt; Goretzka, Gross; Gnabry, Wirtz, Sane; Fullkrug Advertisement Portugal (4-3-3): Costa; Dalot, Dias, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, Neves; Silva, Ronaldo, Jota What's been said? On hosting the finals in Germany, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has said: 'It was our aim to reach the final four and host the tournament in our country. Our next aim is to win. I think the fans are happy as well that we will be hosting another tournament here in Germany [after UEFA EURO 2024].' 'We've taken some very good steps in uniting the fans with the team again and that is key if you are targeting great success. We are happy to have them behind us again and we are hopeful that we can put in two really good performances here in Germany.' Advertisement On facing Portugal in the semi final he said: 'They have a lot of great individual players and a very, very good manager. It will be a tough game for sure.' He also says they learned lessons from their scare against Italy after almost blowing a four-goal lead. 'We are still at a point where I think winning 4-0 would have been less valuable to our development than going through what we did. Being given a reminder to be on your toes at all times is certainly no bad thing, so I think we took a bigger step with [the result] than we would have done if we had won 3-0 or 4-0.' Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has emphasised his team's ambitions in the Nations League: 'We are going to try and win the Nations League. There aren't many opportunities in international football to win trophies, and there is nothing better than winning.' Amid rumours about the potential of Jose Mourinho coming in as Portugal manager he said: 'I have to be honest. I completely switch off from the noise surrounding the job every day. I have a responsibility, which is to work every day to create the best environment for the Seleção.' On the potential for Cristiano Ronaldo to start. he said: ''As the coach I have to take the best decisions for the team. I think that I've shown that I always do this, in a very professional and honest way. We constantly have to make decisions.'
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Hard to celebrate PSG's Champions League win over Italian colleagues, says Donnarumma
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Final - Paris St Germain v Inter Milan - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 31, 2025 Paris St Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo Gianluigi Donnarumma found it difficult to celebrate Paris St Germain's Champions League win over Inter Milan with so many Italian teammates on the other side, the Italy keeper and captain said on Wednesday. Donnarumma was a spectator for much of Saturday's final in Munich, with PSG strolling to a 5-0 win, and after the final whistle was seen consoling Inter's shell-shocked players. The former AC Milan keeper has now joined up with Inter's Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Davide Frattesi at Italy's training camp ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and was asked what he said to them. "Nothing. There was a real heartfelt hug with those teammates after the game and I'm happy about that," Donnarumma told reporters. "I also struggled to enjoy the Champions League victory to the fullest because on the other side there were my brothers with whom I share a lot. "Here, we haven't spoken about that match, not even a few jokes. We only spoke about the next two games and giving everything together." Donnarumma, who has one year left on his PSG contract, has been linked with a move to Inter and was again asked about those media reports after his agent was seen at Inter's headquarters on Wednesday morning. "I didn't know he was at Inter, I'm fine in Paris and the club will decide on the renewal or not," Donnarumma said. "I'm ready for anything, but now my first option is Paris because I'm fine, the fans love me and the team loves me. I hope to stay there for many years." Donnarumma has not always convinced Italian fans and media, despite his penalty shootout saves leading to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, with the keeper often criticised for errors. Now, however, he feels he is in the best form of his career, and a lot of that is down to PSG manager Luis Enrique. "When you return to your own country and you're not welcomed as you deserve, it's not easy," Donnarumma said. "Now I'm happy to have found confidence, balance and mentality. I am happy to have convinced all Italians. "With Luis Enrique I found balance on everything. He gave me a lot especially on a mental level." Italy begin their qualifying campaign in Norway on Friday, before hosting Moldova on Monday, having failed to reach the last two World Cups. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Soccer-Hard to celebrate PSG's Champions League win over Italian colleagues, says Donnarumma
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Final - Paris St Germain v Inter Milan - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 31, 2025 Paris St Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo (Reuters) - Gianluigi Donnarumma found it difficult to celebrate Paris St Germain's Champions League win over Inter Milan with so many Italian teammates on the other side, the Italy keeper and captain said on Wednesday. Donnarumma was a spectator for much of Saturday's final in Munich, with PSG strolling to a 5-0 win, and after the final whistle was seen consoling Inter's shell-shocked players. The former AC Milan keeper has now joined up with Inter's Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Davide Frattesi at Italy's training camp ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and was asked what he said to them. "Nothing. There was a real heartfelt hug with those teammates after the game and I'm happy about that," Donnarumma told reporters. "I also struggled to enjoy the Champions League victory to the fullest because on the other side there were my brothers with whom I share a lot. "Here, we haven't spoken about that match, not even a few jokes. We only spoke about the next two games and giving everything together." Donnarumma, who has one year left on his PSG contract, has been linked with a move to Inter and was again asked about those media reports after his agent was seen at Inter's headquarters on Wednesday morning. "I didn't know he was at Inter, I'm fine in Paris and the club will decide on the renewal or not," Donnarumma said. "I'm ready for anything, but now my first option is Paris because I'm fine, the fans love me and the team loves me. I hope to stay there for many years." Donnarumma has not always convinced Italian fans and media, despite his penalty shootout saves leading to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, with the keeper often criticised for errors. Now, however, he feels he is in the best form of his career, and a lot of that is down to PSG manager Luis Enrique. "When you return to your own country and you're not welcomed as you deserve, it's not easy," Donnarumma said. "Now I'm happy to have found confidence, balance and mentality. I am happy to have convinced all Italians. "With Luis Enrique I found balance on everything. He gave me a lot especially on a mental level." Italy begin their qualifying campaign in Norway on Friday, before hosting Moldova on Monday, having failed to reach the last two World Cups. (Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
