Roma legend Francesco Totti says he would be open to returning to professional football, claiming Serie A teams have contacted him recently.

Totti, who spent his entire career with Roma, playing 785 times in all competitions, retired from football in 2017.

The 48-year-old, who also earned 58 caps for Italy, scored 307 goals for the club and provided 207 over his 24-year spell at Roma.

Despite being out of the game for seven years, Totti believes it would only take him a few months to get back to full fitness if the right team came for him.

"There were Serie A teams that called me," he said during an event at Sportitalia Village, as quoted by ESPN.

"I admit that they made me think a little, a little crazy," Totti said. "It would be difficult, but in life, you never say never.

"There are players who have played many years after the end of their career. It also depends on where you play, with all due respect, but if I were to return to Serie A, I would have to train really well.

"Lazio? I wouldn't even consider it. I'd be ready in two to three months.

"I'm still playing at 48. If I had to do something crazy, I'd do it in Italy, not abroad, but it is crazy."

Former Lazio goalkeeper Marco Ballotta is the current oldest player to have made a Serie A appearance at 44 years and 38 days.

Totti also admitted his decision to retire was not something he decided himself.

"When you turn the page, you never know what awaits you. It wasn't my choice, but in that moment, it has to be experienced differently from the context," he added.

"Maybe that's also why I've had that thing inside me. It's true that there's a beginning and an end to everything. I didn't want it and so that window remained open."

Diego Simeone believes Antoine Griezmann's international retirement will allow him to perform even better for Atletico Madrid.

The midfielder announced his retirement from the French national team last month after a stellar career saw him help them win the 2018 World Cup and finish as runners-up in 2022. 

He amassed 137 caps over 10 years for Les Bleus, scoring 44 goals in that time, making him the country's fourth-highest scorer, while he also provided the most assists of any France player (30) since records began in 1966.

Despite Griezmann's pivotal role in the French team, the captain's armband was given to striker Kylian Mbappe ahead of him. Mbappe was booed during Real Madrid's shock 1-0 Champions League defeat by Lille earlier this month for opting not to play during the international break.

Atletico host French side Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday, following a humiliating 4-0 loss at Benfica in their last such match, and a 2-1 home win against RB Leipzig in their opener.

"I believe Antoine has given all his talent, his game, and leadership to France," Simeone told a news conference. 

"He has won titles, developed a playing style that has progressed [the French team], and gave it all for his country until the day he retired as a standout player.

"The same has happened with us, and he is an extremely important player for us. He won't have these national games that usually add significant strain to his legs after so much playing time, and we hope we can continue to enjoy all the potential he has."

Atletico have scored just twice in the Champions League this season from 25 shots, despite bolstering their attack with forwards Alexander Sorloth, Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher in the close season. 

"Julian is improving every day, settling into the team and the new city," Simeone said of the former Manchester City player, who has scored three goals in 12 appearances for Atleti.

"He's starting to show all the unique qualities he possesses. I have no doubt that he will make a difference."

Simeone will be without defender Robin Le Normand, who suffered a traumatic brain injury during their 1-1 draw in the Madrid derby last month, as well as midfielders Marcos Llorente, Pablo Barrios and defender Clement Lenglet.

Atletico Madrid have decided not to sell tickets to some of their supporters for their next five away games in all competitions after sanctions from UEFA and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). This includes their next Champions League fixtures at Paris Saint-Germain and Sparta Prague.

Hansi Flick is excited by Wednesday's Champions League reunion with former club Bayern Munich, though he already feels at home at Barcelona after a flying start.

Barcelona sit top of LaLiga with nine wins from 10 matches after crushing Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday, while they have three points from two Champions League fixtures, losing to Monaco but beating Young Boys 5-0.

On matchday three, the Blaugrana face Bayern – with whom Flick lifted UEFA's premier club trophy in 2019-20 – in a heavyweight contest in Catalonia.

Between Flick's appointment in November 2019 and his exit in June 2021, Bayern averaged the highest possession share in the Bundesliga (62.55%) and won the ball in the final third 489 times, 172 clear of Borussia Dortmund, who were second by that metric (317).

They also led the way for wins (45), total shots (1,023) and goals (174) in that span, averaging exactly three goals per Bundesliga outing.

While Flick has fond memories of his time in Bavaria, his main focus is on leading Barca to a morale-boosting win before they face Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday.

"Bayern is something special in my life, it's an excellent club and I have many acquaintances and relationships with players and managers," Flick said on Tuesday.

"It was a great time, that's my memory. But now there is a new chapter, I am delighted here and very happy.

"I have a very good feeling for being here. The fans support us with so much passion and it forces you to give your all.

"That's how we're going to continue, we want to be well prepared. I might know Bayern a little better but it will be a difficult game."

Flick, who was Bayern's coach when they humiliated Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago, said that match will have no bearing on their next meeting.

"The past is in the past and what we should focus on is the here and now. What happened in the past we cannot change, but we can change what happens tomorrow. I want us to be well prepared and give our best. We want to beat Bayern," Flick said.

"It is important that we work hard and achieve what we are looking for. The fans can rely on us to give our all.

"We don't always perform at 100% and that's why we're trying to improve for the next game. It will be important to put pressure on our opponents. We will try to make as few mistakes as possible."

Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne will be eased back into action after being sidelined by a muscle injury, with Pep Guardiola describing him as a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Sparta Prague.

De Bruyne was injured in City's Champions League opener versus Inter last month and has missed the English champions' last six fixtures.

City are already without midfielders Rodri and Oscar Bobb due to long-term injuries, but Guardiola will resist the temptation to field De Bruyne until the Belgian is comfortable.

"Well, except for Rodri and Oscar, the other ones are in training and getting better, but guys like Kevin are not exactly fit," Guardiola said at Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"It's not a new issue but he doesn't feel completely fine. Kevin is not 22 years old, he has to be fit for his football. 

"He doesn't feel comfortable that he can express his incredible potential at his best.

"He is training better but he doesn't feel good. He said he doesn't feel good. If you don't feel good, take your time."

Guardiola provided a more positive outlook on England midfielder Phil Foden, who last season scored 28 goals for club and country and was named PFA Player of the Year but has endured a stop-start 2024-25 campaign due to illness.

The 24-year-old was key in City's 2-1 Premier League victory at Wolves on Sunday, delivering the corner that led to John Stones' stoppage-time winner.

"He feels much better. The minutes he played last game, for example," Guardiola said.

"With Phil, you realise immediately when he is happy and fit and mentally in the right moment. You realise he's getting better and better."

On Wednesday, City face Czech champions Sparta, who are level with them on four points in the league-phase standings after beating Salzburg 3-0 and drawing 1-1 with Stuttgart.

"They created a lot of problems [for Stuttgart]. I didn't know Sparta until the last two days when I started to watch them and I have a good impression," Guardiola added. 

Atapharoy Bygrave’s lone strike proved enough to secure Waterhouse a third win on the trot and fourth of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) campaign as they edged Harbour View FC 1-0 in a keenly contested encounter at Waterhouse Mini Stadium in Drewsland on Monday.

Bygrave’s 54th minute goal, his fifth of the season, propelled Waterhouse into third position on 12 points, the same as second-placed Portmore United, who boast a slightly better goal difference. Montego Bay United are now in pole position on 13 points.

Harbour View slipped to eight on seven points.

Interestingly, Bygrave, the former Dunbeholden FC and Mount Pleasant FA striker, has accounted for all five goals registered by Waterhouse so far this season, a feat that has left assistant coach Damion Gordon pleased.

“We are pleased; we are overall pleased with the three points. In terms of how we were compact today (Monday) and how we played defensively, it was also a plus for us. But we had some chances that we could have put away the game early, but that’s just how it is sometimes. We asked for the support from the community, and we got that, and you can see that the guys fed off that energy, and I am pretty impressed with our transition, so overall this team is growing and growing as a unit,” Gordon said in a post-game interview.

Despite the wet conditions, both teams were purposeful at the start, as they showed good attacking intent in the early exchanges.

Waterhouse gradually gained the ascendancy with a couple half chances from a melee in the 10th minute, but Harbour View's defenders stood firm at that point.

That started a decent passage of play for Waterhouse, who again breached Harbour View’s defensive line in the 15th minute when Shemar Boothe’s long pass from the middle of the park found an unmarked Shamarie Dallas, but the striker sporting the number 63 jersey failed to bring the ball under control to cause any problems.

Four minutes later, Martin Davis found space deep inside Harbour View’s 18-yard box for a right-footed drive that was easily collected by a well-positioned Romario Palma in goal for the ‘Stars of the East’.

Though Waterhouse were more threatening in the attacking third, it was Harbour View that had the best opportunity of the half to break the deadlock in the 26th minute when Demar Rose dispossessed a defender and went on the break.

However, instead of attempting to beat the advancing Kemar Foster in a one-on-one situation, Rose chose to play a pass across the 18-yard box for David Reid, whose right-footer was deflected over the crossbar. 

Waterhouse again came to life on the resumption and had an early opportunity five minutes in, but Dallas wildly fired his effort high and wide despite having time and space deep in the danger area.

The hosts inevitably found the go-ahead goal on a well-worked transitional play in the 54th minute. It started with goalkeeper Foster finding Leonardo Jibbison, who played a delightful pass in the danger area to Bygrave, who slipped two defenders and drove a left-footer past Palma. 

Harbour View continued to play their game and threatened a response in the 71st when Rose’s weighted cross fell nicely for Luca Kung, whose effort was deflected over.

Still, Waterhouse had the final say and should have doubled their lead, but Palma came up big to deny substitute Andre Fletcher on the break, while Nicholas Hamilton’s attempt on the rebound was charged down by a recovering defender in time added.

Harbour View’s Head coach, Jason Henry, was left disappointed with the loss.

“When you play against teams like Waterhouse and you get chances, you have to find a way to take one and throughout the run of play, Waterhouse got one against the run of play and that’s what hurt us. So it is just painful at times to know that we put the work in to win games and we create the chances and don’t take them,” Henry said.

Matchweek six results

Molynes United 0, Arnett Gardens 3

Humble Lion 0, Montego Bay United 0

Portmore United 2, Chapelton Maroons 1

Vere United 3, Dunbeholden 0

Cavalier 2, Mount Pleasant 2

Tivoli Gardens 1, Racing United 0

Waterhouse 1, Harbour View 0

CF Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois says the club "want more" as they look to overcome Atlanta United in the MLS playoffs Eastern Conference Wild Card match.

Montreal had looked unlikely candidates to make the playoffs, having endured a torrid run which saw them win just three of 15 games between June and mid-September.

However, they rallied in their final five games of the regular season, winning four of their final five games to seal eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Having secured home advantage for the tie, their first playoff game at Saputo Stadium since 2022, Courtois expects his players to be ready for the big match.

"We kind of surprised people already, but Tuesday is just an amazing game, and I'm so proud of these guys and staff, all the people that support us to do something interesting," Courtois told reporters.

"We're pleased to get the playoff spot in front of our fans, but now we want more. There's no cockiness, not too much humbleness. We just go.

"You don't switch on on game day. It just doesn't happen that way. We trust the guys to recover body and mind and be ready for the task against Atlanta."

Meanwhile, Atlanta overturned the odds on decision day to book ninth place on goal difference, as they beat Orlando City 2-1, but also got help as D.C. United and Philadelphia Union both lost.

They have won both of their matches since losing to Montreal at the start of October, and interim head coach Rob Valentino was delighted that they proved people wrong.

"There's a lot of emotions, but mainly joy for the players and staff who have had a tough year," he said.

"It shows that you can do anything if you keep showing up, doing your work, staying resilient, staying persistent.

"I believed in this group until the end, and it feels better after people wrote us off, but we've got ourselves in, and now we need to go and prove ourselves again."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Josef Martinez

Atlanta United's all-time leading scorer, Josef Martinez, now playing for Montreal, has scored four goals in 211 all-time minutes against the Five Stripes.

The resulting 1.71 goals per 90 minutes rate is the highest of any player against Atlanta in MLS play (min. 200 minutes played).

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Saba Lobjanidze finished the regular season as Atlanta's leading goalscorer, netting nine times, including one in their final match against Orlando City.

He only had two shots in that game, creating just 0.13 expected goals (xG), but converted his big chances, and had the most touches in the box amongst his team-mates (five).

MATCH PREDICTION: CF MONTREAL WIN

This will be the first postseason meeting between CF Montreal and Atlanta United. Montreal won both meetings this season, their first league double over the Five Stripes.

Montreal have won five of their six all-time home playoff matches (L1), though the lone defeat came in their last home playoff match, a 3-1 loss to New York City FC in the 2022 Conference Semifinals.

This will be Atlanta's second single-leg playoff knockout match on the road after losing 2-0 at NYCFC in the 2021 First Round. Atlanta have lost their last four away playoff matches overall, including both games in Columbus in the 2023 First Round.

However, they won their final two matches of the regular season, their first set of back-to-back wins in all competitions since March. The Five Stripes have not won three straight matches in all competitions in over three years, since a three-match run in September 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 41.2%

Draw – 26.7%

Atlanta United – 32.2%

Neymar made his first appearance for Al-Hilal in just over a year, having recovered from surgery on a knee injury.

The forward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.

He then underwent surgery the following month but has now fully recovered, and came off the bench in the 77th minute for Al-Hilal in the Asian Champions League on Monday.

The reigning Saudi Pro League champions emerged 5-4 victors over Al-Ain in a thrilling match, which included two hat-tricks and a red card. The Brazilian also came close to marking his return with a counter-attacking goal but was unable to capitalise.

"I feel good - it's [been] so hard," Neymar said.

"I always have a good team. But I'm so happy. I'm back, I'm back."

Neymar joined Al-Hilal in August 2023 for a reported €90million fee from Paris Saint-Germain and made just five appearances for them before his lengthy injury lay-off.

Borussia Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin says a strong mentality will not be enough as his side need "everything" to overcome a tough test at Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Madrid won their 15th European Cup in June at Wembley as Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior scored late to claim a 2-0 victory over Dortmund, then managed by Edin Terzic.

Sahin has since took charge of the Bundesliga side, though he knows one of European football's most difficult challenges awaits in the Spanish capital.

"Mentality only is not enough to survive against Real Madrid, especially in this stadium, against the champions of this competition," Sahin told a press conference on Monday ahead of the Champions League clash.

"We need everything [on Tuesday]. We need a lot of quality, a lot of self-confidence, mentality of course and also, as we say in Germany, game luck.

"The game has to go our way, so only mentality will not be enough - but of course without mentality we have absolutely no chance here."

Dortmund maintained a winning start to the competition with a 7-1 thrashing of Celtic at home earlier this month after they eased to a 3-0 win at Club Brugge in their opening fixture.

Sahin's men lead the revamped Champions League standings on six points with an impressive goal difference of nine.

"It's only possible [to continue this way] as a collective against this team," Sahin added.

"The lads know what we have planned. We want to be brave and build on the last two games in the Champions League."

Sahin, who played for both clubs, will visit Bernabeu for the first time as a coach following his appointment last summer. The former Turkey midfielder was Edin Terzic's assistant manager at the club prior to that.

"[Being back] means a lot to me because it was always my dream to play one day for Real Madrid. My son was born in this beautiful city, and I have him with me [here]," Sahin said.

"Now I have the privilege to be on the sidelines with my childhood club against one of my biggest dreams, so it means a lot to me.

"Even if it was not that long that I played for Real Madrid, it will always remain special for me. Not only for footballing reasons but also family-wise, it's a fantastic thing to be here."

Oliver Glasner acknowledged tough times are aplenty at Crystal Palace but urged his side to come together after their 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Monday's defeat marked just the fourth time in Palace history that they have gone winless through their first eight league games to start a campaign (also in 1922-23, 1973-74 and 1992-93).

Chris Wood's second-half finish, squirming under the grasp of a disappointed Dean Henderson, proved the difference at the City Ground.

Sitting 18th in the table and a point adrift of safety, Austria's Glasner issued a rallying cry in the face of adversity.

"We are all frustrated and disappointed and as always one or two situations decide the game," Glasner told Sky Sports. 

"At the moment it goes against us, but this is the time we have to get through it together.

"I saw the team fighting from the first to the last second, we created chances, hit the post twice. At the moment, we don't score goals and we have to be honest.

"No goal today, no goal against Liverpool, no goal versus [Manchester] United, and if you play like this it is difficult to win.

"We make one mistake and we get punished. That is the situation we are in. But the only guys that can turn it around is this team."

Goals remain a problem for Glasner's side, with the Eagles failing to find the net in half of their top-flight outings this season.

That may come as little surprise, though, considering Palace have failed to score in 150 Premier League games since their return to the division in 2013, which is at least 28 more than any other side.

Glasner remains confident in his struggling team to turn things around, however.

"We worked and worked and worked to come back, but they do not concede many goals at the moment," he added. "It's disappointing, but the mindset of the players makes me positive for the future.

"You can trust us. We are the guys that may suffer the most. I see the players now in the dressing room, and it is our job to support them, to lift their heads up and stay positive, but it's not that easy.

"We have to rely on the experience of the group, some of the players will have seen this at previous clubs, to come back and work together and go again."

Wood, meanwhile, became just the third player to reach 20 Premier League goals for Forest, after Bryan Roy (24) and Stan Collymore (22), when his right-footed volley snuck past the hand of Henderson.

That strike lifted Forest up to eighth in the table after their first home win of the season, and the New Zealand international believes improvements are still to come under Nuno Espirito Santo.

"You have to have as high expectations as possible and keep believing that you can keep doing better and better," he told Sky Sports.

"How we have started the season, we believe we can keep improving and pushing further and further up the table."

Crystal Palace's concerning start to their Premier League campaign continued as Chris Wood's second-half strike powered Nottingham Forest to a 1-0 win on Monday.

Oliver Glasner's side are now winless in their first eight league games of the 2024-25 campaign after a profligate showing ended in defeat at the City Ground.

Opportunities were aplenty in an enthralling first half as both sides were denied by the woodwork, while Wood spurned a pair of golden opportunities from close range.

Yet Wood atoned for his first-half struggles after 65 minutes, however, when Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson failed to keep out a tame from the edge of the box.

Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah both went close for Palace before that Wood winner, but Matz Sels was in inspired form to keep Glasner's Eagles at bay.

The narrow victory lifted battling Forest up to eighth in the table, while Palace sit 18th and a point adrift of Ipswich Town.

Data Debrief: Profligate Palace punished

This was the 150th Premier League game that Palace have failed to score in since returning to the division in 2013-14, which is 28 more than any other side in the same timeframe.

That was not for a lack of trying, though, as Glasner's side accumulated 1.12 expected goals (xG) to Forest's 1.62.

But it was a familiar tale as Wood proved the difference – since the start of last season only Erling Haaland (12), Cole Palmer and Dominic Solanke (both nine) have scored more openers in the Premier League than the Forest striker's eight.

Unai Emery insists Aston Villa must continue striving to "break barriers" as the club look to take a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages. 

Emery's side welcome Bologna to Villa Park on Tuesday, aiming to maintain their perfect record in the competition so far. 

They also come into the encounter unbeaten in nine games in all competitions after defeating Fulham 3-1 in the Premier League, a result that propelled them into the top four. 

Emery is looking to pick up his 25th Champions League win, and would become the fifth Spanish manager to reach that total after Pep Guardiola, Rafael Benítez, Vicente del Bosque and Luis Enrique.

But aside from personal accolades, Emery has his eyes set on helping the Villans become regular contenders for silverware during his time at the helm. 

"I don't want to waste my time here, that is my message," said Emery. "We want to achieve the objectives and one of them is to play in the Champions League.

"It is not about playing there only because of some circumstances - I want us to stay there for a long time.

"You have to be resilient. We want to be strong in the idea in our mind and create a strong mentality to always break barriers."

Should Villa beat the Serie A side, they will also equal their longest streak of victories in the European Cup or Champions League, last earning three consecutive wins between September and October 1981. 

Emery will celebrate his second anniversary as Villa manager on Thursday but is only looking at how he can help the club continue to grow after their meteoric rise under his stewardship in the last 24 months.

"The most important thing is for us how we are increasing our demands and with those getting the objectives we are facing each year," he outlined.

"Two years ago we avoided a risk of relegation and even had time to get a position in the Conference League, which was amazing in the first seven months we had here.

"Last year we continued our process, and we increased a lot our demands, getting the Champions League.

"The challenge is to get better every day, and now how can we keep the same level we have now for a long time? That’s the most difficult thing.

"When you achieve an objective at a high level, how can you be demanding and successful in keeping it? That’s the idea I have now. The club is in the same way.

"The players are with the same message I am giving you here. The words I use repeatedly since I arrived here to now is I don’t want to waste my time here.

"That’s the message for everyone. I don’t want you to waste your time here. We are professionals, and we can get our best objectives individually and collectively.

"We want to keep the level we have now, which is the Champions League, and add something more like being a contender for a trophy."

Tuesday's fixture against Bologna will be the first time the two sides faced each other in any competition, though Villa have struggled against sides from Italy. 

They have lost four of their six major European games against Italian sides, with the two wins both coming at home against Inter in 1990 and 1994, in the UEFA Cup.

Girona head coach Michel has insisted his side will not tiptoe around the challenges of the Champions League amid an injury crisis at the club. 

Michel's men welcome Slovan Bratislava to the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on Tuesday, hoping to secure their first three points of the competition this season. 

However, they must do so without several of their first-team players.

It was confirmed by Michel that Girona would be without striker Abel Ruiz and young playmaker Gabriel Misehouy, only adding to the Blanquivermells' injury woes.

The pair join the likes of Viktor Tsygankov, Oriol Romeu, Jhon Solis, Portu, Bryan Gil, Pau Lopez and Yaser Asprilla as the players unavailable for the clash against the Slovakian outfit.

"We have no one back, and we are missing Abel Ruiz due to adductor problems. Misehouy is also missing because he can't play," Michel told reporters.

"Marc Aznar, (Juan) Arango, Selvi (Clua), and two goalkeepers will come from the reserve team and we have to evaluate them.

"Even so, we have 11 players to form a starting side."

Having lost to Paris Saint-Germain and Feyenoord, Girona's absentees have made earning that first win a little bit tougher for the Catalan club. 

Should Girona lose on Tuesday, they would become the first Spanish side to suffer defeats in each of their first three Champions League games. 

But Michel wants his players to appreciate where they find themselves this season after finishing third in LaLiga last season. 

"Playing in the Champions League with Girona cannot be just another game," Michel said.

"I don't want to tiptoe around this competition and that people don't give it the value it has," the coach said.

"It has a lot of merit for what we have done and also for the club, which has made efforts, and we have to enjoy it and value it.

"For me, tomorrow is a very special day, just like the two previous matches."

Kylian Mbappe should be scoring more goals for Real Madrid, so says Carlo Ancelotti ahead of their upcoming Champions League fixture with Borussia Dortmund. 

Since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has eight goals in 12 appearances in all competitions, six of which have come in LaLiga this term. 

The 25-year-old was on target in Los Blancos' 2-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, though he was replaced by Dani Ceballos for the final eight minutes of the game. 

He has registered 44 shots this season, more than any other player in LaLiga, while only Robert Lewandowski (22) has had more shots on target than Mbappe (20). 

The Frenchman, however, has underperformed his expected goals (xG) tally of 7.18 in the Spanish top-flight, something Ancelotti wants him to improve on. 

"I want Mbappe to score goals, I prefer he scores rather than pressing," Ancelotti said.

"The centre-forward’s role hasn’t changed, I ask the same of him that I asked of (former Real striker player) Karim Benzema. 

"Mbappe needs to position himself well and be smart every time we recover the ball to make a quick transition."

Madrid are preparing to face Dortmund in a repeat of the Champions League final from last season, though Mbappe has struggled against the German side of late.

Dortmund are the opponent that Mbappe has faced the most times in the Champions League (eight). 

But after scoring three goals in his first two games against them (in 2016-17 for Monaco), he’s only netted once in the last six and failed to find the net in the last three.

Ancelotti also praised Jude Bellingham for his start to the season, despite the England midfielder failing to find the back of the net so far this season. 

Bellingham netted 23 goals and added 13 assists in all competitions during his debut season with Los Blancos, winning two trophies along the way.

Since the start of last season, Bellingham has delivered the joint-most assists in the Champions League (five - level with Marcel Sabitzer), and Ancelotti is not concerned by the 21-year-old's lack of goals this term.

"We are satisfied with Bellingham's work. He works hard on the field, competes, fights and makes sacrifices," Ancelotti said.

"He hasn’t scored like last year, but that was unexpected. 

"We’ve always managed to score and will continue to because we have a lot of talent up front. Bellingham's role is more important than the goals he scored last year."

Kylian Mbappe should be scoring more goals for Real Madrid, so says Carlo Ancelotti ahead of their upcoming Champions League fixture with Borussia Dortmund. 

Since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has eight goals in 12 appearances in all competitions, six of which have come in LaLiga this term. 

The 25-year-old was on target in Los Blancos' 2-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, though he was replaced by Dani Ceballos for the final eight minutes of the game. 

He has registered 44 shots this season, more than any other player in LaLiga, while only Robert Lewandowski (22) has had more shots on target than Mbappe (20). 

The Frenchman, however, has underperformed his expected goals (xG) tally of 7.18 in the Spanish top-flight, something Ancelotti wants him to improve on. 

"I want Mbappe to score goals, I prefer he scores rather than pressing," Ancelotti said.

"The centre-forward’s role hasn’t changed, I ask the same of him that I asked of (former Real striker player) Karim Benzema. 

"Mbappe needs to position himself well and be smart every time we recover the ball to make a quick transition."

Madrid are preparing to face Dortmund in a repeat of the Champions League final of last season, though Mbappe has struggled against them of late.

Dortmund are the opponent that Mbappe has faced the most times in the Champions League (eight). 

After scoring three goals in his first two games against them (in 2016-17 for Monaco), he’s only netted once in the last six and failed to find the net in the last three.

Ancelotti also praised Jude Bellingham for his start to the season, despite the England midfielder failing to find the back of the net so far this season. 

Bellingham netted 23 goals and added 13 assists in all competitions during his debut season with Los Blancos, winning two trophies along the way.

Since the start of last season, Bellingham has delivered the joint-most assists in the Champions League (five - level with Marcel Sabitzer), and Ancelotti is not concerned by the 21-year-old's lack of goals this term.

"We are satisfied with Bellingham's work. He works hard on the field, competes, fights and makes sacrifices," Ancelotti said.

"He hasn’t scored like last year, but that was unexpected. 

"We’ve always managed to score and will continue to because we have a lot of talent up front. Bellingham's role is more important than the goals he scored last year."

Thiago Motta believes his team must make strides with their consistency to compete in the Champions League and Serie A during his first season at the helm. 

Motta, who took charge of Juventus at the start of the campaign, is unbeaten in his first 10 games, winning six and drawing four in all competitions so far. 

Juventus needed a late own-goal from Mario Gila to edge past Lazio at the weekend, with the triumph ensuring they kept pace with the top two in Serie A. 

Motta's side, however, are among the lowest scorers in Italy's top flight with 11 - only nine teams in the division have scored fewer in the league than Juventus. 

However, Juventus have been prolific in this season's Champions League, scoring six goals in their two games, and are one of only seven sides with a perfect record so far.

And ahead of facing Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, Motta has said his players must continue to improve if they are to achieve success. 

"There is no difference between the league and the Champions League," Motta told reporters on Monday.

"We must always have the same attitude, each match is a story in itself - with evolving strategies and situations.

"It's not just us who have difficulties against teams that close down well, everyone struggles, football is like that and that's why we have to give our all and believe until the end.

"We must continue to improve in all aspects, both in terms of the game and mentally. We hope to perform well, playing good football. That is the way we will have a chance of winning."

Motta was also asked about Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz, who impressed at Euro 2024 but has yet to start firing for Juventus this term. 

The 19-year-old has failed to score in his eight Serie A appearances, managing just two assists so far. 

However, Yildiz has shown his quality in the Champions League.

He produced a fine finish in Juventus' 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, becoming the club's youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition, surpassing Alessandro del Piero's previous record.

"I'm happy with the work Yildiz does on the pitch, he puts all his quality at the disposal of the team," Motta said. 

"He can certainly do better. He was only born in 2005 and he's already making an impact.

"I'm happy with what I see both as a wide player and when he comes in more centrally."

Motta will be hoping Yildiz can help play a starring role as the Italian boss aims to become the third Juventus manager after Fabio Capello (first five) in 2004-05 and Marcelo Lippi in 1995-96 (first four) to win his first three Champions League games. 

He has reason to be confident too. Juventus have won each of their last five major European games against German sides (all since 2019-20), which is already their best winning run against such opposition.