Del Bosque optimistic in face of French foe Vicente del Bosque believes Spain can defeat France and get their campaign to qualify for the 2014 World Cup back on track.
The world and European champions sit two points behind Tuesday's opponents in Group I, after being held by Finland in Gijon in a 1-1 stalemate on Friday.
The last time the two nations met, France scored a late equaliser via Olivier Giroud to steal a point.
Del Bosque said France had two sides that day, but insisted his team is capable of getting all three points in Paris.
"In that game (in October) we saw two different faces of France," the Spanish boss said.
Category: News Views: 905 Added: SkyDate: 26.03.2013 - 15:08
World Cup: Malta - Italy Italy are in prime position to consolidate their buffer at the top of their World Cup qualifying group, when they take on strugglers Malta.
Cesare Prandelli's men lead Group B of UEFA qualifying by one point from Bulgaria, but have a game in hand on the eastern European nation.
Their fixture with Malta at Ta'Qali National Stadium on Tuesday looks academic for the visitors, especially given the Bulgarians trounced the minnows 6-0 on Friday.
The Italians, meanwhile, warmed up for the Brazil 2014 qualifier with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with next year's hosts.
Category: News Views: 934 Added: SkyDate: 26.03.2013 - 07:43
World Cup: France - Spain The pressure is on for Spain to beat France in Paris on Tuesday, or risk failing to qualify automatically for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Holders Spain were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home to Finland on Friday, with France's 3-1 win over Georgia sending them two points clear at the top of Group I.
Only the team which finishes first is guaranteed an automatic route to next year's finals in Brazil, with the eight best runners-up from nine UEFA groups going into tense two-legged play-offs.
The first match in the group between France and Spain ended in a 1-1 draw in Madrid last October,
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Category: News Views: 1035 Added: SkyDate: 26.03.2013 - 07:40
World Cup: Montenegro - England England could only manage a 2-2 draw when they travelled to Podgorica in October 2011, giving up a two-goal lead and seeing Wayne Rooney sent off.
The Balkan side had previously earned an impressive 0-0 draw at Wembley Stadium in October 2010, and proved England's toughest obstacle in qualifying for Euro 2012.
Then coached by Italian Fabio Capello, England ultimately topped their group by six points, with Montenegro finishing second and losing in the play-offs to t
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Category: News Views: 834 Added: SkyDate: 26.03.2013 - 07:37
Ongoing racism irks Balotelli Mario Balotelli says he is angered by the slow progress being made in ridding football of racism.
Balotelli has repeatedly been the subject of racial abuse since making the switch to Serie A giants AC Milan from Manchester City in January.
The Italian international's former club Inter have twice been fined after fans sang racist chants about Balotelli, first in a match against Chievo and then during the Milan derby.
But Italian football authorities prompted criticism when they also fined the 22-year-old star for his reaction to the fans' taunts.
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Category: News Views: 874 Added: SkyDate: 26.03.2013 - 03:17
De Bruyne unsure over Chelsea future On-loan Werder Bremen winger Kevin De Bruyne is unsure whether he has a future at parent club Chelsea.
The Belgium international signed a five-and-a-half-year deal after completing his move from Genk in January 2012 before being loaned back to the club for the remainder of last season.
He was then sent to Bremen for the 2012-13 campaign.
De Bruyne says he is considering his options after being left unsure of what Chelsea plan to do with him in the future.
"I want to show everybody in Chelsea that I can play also there, b
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Category: News Views: 863 Added: SkyDate: 26.03.2013 - 03:14
Loew sees bright future for Gundogan Germany coach Joachim Loew has hailed the development of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
The 22-year-old replaced Sami Khedira late on during Germany's 3-0 World Cup qualifying win in Kazakhstan on Friday, and will play instead of the suspended Bastian Schweinsteiger in Tuesday's return fixture.
"Ilkay will play on Tuesday. He has made a huge step, not only at Dortmund, but also with us," Loew told reporters on Monday.
"Against France, he filled in the position outstandingly, added to the pace and played the right passes.
Category: News Views: 874 Added: SkyDate: 26.03.2013 - 03:11
