Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said on Wednesday that his team were eager to get back on the pitch after winning Euro 2024 in July and that his players' hunger for constant improvement means there will be no let-up in intensity.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said on Wednesday that he understands the criticism levelled against his side after Euro 2024, as high expectations are to be expected due to their talented squad.

Bangladesh football team were expecting tough competition from Bhutan in the two FIFA friendly fixtures, the first of which kicks off at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu at 6:00pm today. And that is not necessarily due to the strength of the opposition but also an apparent lack of match-practice and fitness of the Bangladesh players.

Brazil forward Vinicius Junior is among the favourites and is one of six members of the Madrid team that won La Liga and the Champions League last season to be nominated.

Bangladesh Football Federation’s general secretary Emran Hossain Tushar expressed his haplessness over arranging preparatory matches for the women's national team ahead of their SAFF Women's Championship title defence.

The former Barcelona and Liverpool striker is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation and will retire from international football as Uruguay's top scorer with 69 goals from 142 appearances.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winne failed to score as he appeared at a record sixth European Championship this year, with Portugal exiting in the quarter-finals.

Four days after arriving in Thimphu, Bangladesh national team players are still struggling to acclimatise with the weather, environment and the pitch at the Changlimithang Stadium where they will play two FIFA friendly matches against the hosts on September 5 and 8.

All the matches will take place at the Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu, where Bangladesh won their first regional title of Women's SAFF, beating the hosts 3-1 in the final of the last edition in 2022.

The Egyptian, who is the highest scoring visiting player to Old Trafford in Premier League history with seven goals, netted and provided two assists for Luis Diaz as Liverpool continued life under new boss Arne Slot in perfect fashion this season.

Mueller, who played his first game for the club in 2008, moved past former goalkeeper Sepp Maier to outright first on the appearance list in all competitions.

Since scoring in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, new signing Mbappe had failed to find the back of the net in Madrid's opening three games in La Liga, prompting criticism in the Spanish press.

A second consecutive defeat leaves United boss Erik ten Hag already under pressure just three games into the new season.

Bangladesh national football team began their preparation for the two FIFA friendly matches against Bhutan this month in Thimphu today. They will be facing the hosts on September 5 and 8, respectively.

"As an alternative, stakeholders have proposed a 19.1-acre plot in Dholirchara mouza, under Rashidnagar union of the same upazila, for the development of the Centre," stated the NSC release.

Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have won only once in the first three league games of the Italian's reign after a chaotic close-season.

Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has died at the age of 39, his former clubs announced on Saturday.

Victor Osimhen has been sidelined by Napoli after the team he fired to Serie A glory just a over year ago left him both off their squad list for the 2024/25 campaign and potentially in season-long limbo.

After scoring the first hat-trick of his career and delivering two assists to guide Barca to a 7-0 demolition of Real Valladolid, Raphinha said that the result showed that the club has the players it needs to be contenders.

Miami, once again without Lionel Messi, who continues to be sidelined by an ankle injury, have already secured their place in the playoffs and remain in top place for the regular season 'Supporters' Shield'.