RUSSIAN RHAPSODY

PEREZ IN FOR LANZINI

River Plate midfielder Enzo Perez will replace the injured Manuel Lanzini in Argentina's 23-man World Cup squad, the country's football association said on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Perez was called up by Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli after Lanzini ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during training on Friday.

West Ham midfielder Lanzini, 25, had been linked with a summer transfer to Liverpool, but he now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His injury is a blow for Sampaoli who had counted on Lanzini for a place in his starting line-up, with Lucas Biglia and Ever Banega also carrying minor knocks.

Former Valencia and Benfica midfielder Perez was part of the Argentina squad at the 2014 World Cup, starting in the final as his side lost to Germany 1-0 after extra time.

'POGBA CAN AND CAN'T DO EVERYTHING'

France coach Didier Deschamps sprang to the defence of star midfielder Paul Pogba ahead of Saturday's final World Cup warm-up against the United States.

Speaking to France Football, Pogba had said he feels unfairly judged after he was jeered by French fans during the 3-1 victory over Italy a week ago.

Deschamps insisted the Manchester United player has a lot to offer, though.

"People talk a lot about Paul. He's a midfielder, he's not a number 10, nor a forward," said Deschamps on Friday.

"He has the ability to score goals and create them, which he does often. He's a complete midfielder: he can do everything but he can't do everything. There's a nuance there.

"Paul has huge potential."

And Deschamps said Pogba had acknowledged that his performance against Italy wasn't up to the standard required.

"He's aware of that, I've spoken with him: it certainly wasn't his best match," added the coach. “There were some bad things, some good things; like all the players, he's part of the collective, where the team needs him, but he has some liberty.”

ROHR FURIOUS OVER 'LIES'

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has accused some reporters covering his team of unethical behaviour and coming up with lies in the build-up to their participation in the World Cup in Russia.

Rohr's latest comments come as the Nigerian Football Federation attempted to quell a storm caused by an interview in German newspaper Die Welt on Thursday.

"I have the utmost respect for Nigerian journalists, with whom I have had a warm relationship over the past two years that I have been in charge of this wonderful team," Rohr told the federation's website.

"Over the course of the past two years, I have met so many brilliant Nigerians including journalists who have offered great ideas and suggestions, but as in every profession, there are a number of bad eggs.

"For instance, someone reported that my captain, John Mikel Obi and his deputy, Ogenyi Onazi are at war, creating factions in camp. This is far from the truth.

"The other day, another person reported that I took money to include some players in the team. We are here preparing to do the country proud and someone come up with these lies."