Published on 12:00 AM, March 20, 2019

SHORT CORNER

France star Kylian Mbappe (R) poses for selfies with fans before a training session in Clairefontaine on Monday as part of the team's preparation for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Iceland. Photo: AFP

Struggling Vallecano sack coach Michel

AFP

Rayo Vallecano on Monday sacked coach Miguel Angel Sánchez Munoz, known as Michel, after a desperate run of seven straight La Liga defeats which has them staring relegation from in the face.

"Rayo Vallecano have taken the decision to dismiss Míchel as coach of the first team," the club said in a statement.

Rayo did not name a new coach or say who will be in charge of training in the coming days.

Michel was sacked the day after losing 3-1 at relegation rivals Villarreal on Sunday, a defeat that leaves Rayo second from bottom and six points from safety.

The 43-year-old led the club to Spain's top flight last season after winning the Segunda Division title.      

Mueller warns title rivals Dortmund

AFP

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Mueller has warned title rivals Borussia Dortmund that they cannot afford to slip up as a nail-biting Bundesliga title race enters the final stretch.

"They know they can't afford to make any mistakes, because we are in really good shape," Mueller told Germany's top-selling newspaper Bild on Tuesday.

Having been six points behind Dortmund at the beginning of the year, Bayern are now level on 60 points with eight games to play, but the defending champions top the table with a superior goal difference.

In recent weeks, Bayern have nudged their way into first place on goal difference, having scored 17 goals in their last three games in their bid to win a seventh straight league title.               

Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare

AFP

Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina has been discharged from hospital and is recovering from his frightening collapse after a knock to the head at the weekend, the Serie A club announced on Monday.

The 30-year-old, who is on loan from Arsenal, will miss Colombia's international friendlies against Japan on March 22 and South Korea four days later after suddenly falling to the ground 41 minutes after receiving treatment following his collision with Ignacio Pussetto during Sunday's 4-2 win over Udinese.

"David Ospina was discharged this afternoon from the Pineta Grande Clinic where he had been admitted last night for a series of checks," Napoli wrote in a statement.

"Checks have ruled out any problem. The player was advised to take a few days of rest."             

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