Cristiano Ronaldo has shown his appreciation for ex-Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo, describing it as "an honour" to be coached by the former Italy international.
Pirlo's not-so-surprising departure from Juve was confirmed on Friday, just hours before the Serie A club announced the return of Massimiliano Allegri.
The rookie coach's solitary season in the job saw the Bianconeri fail to claim the league title for the first time since 2011, though they did win both the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia trophies.
They again suffered disappointment in the Champions League, edged out on away goals by Porto at the last-16 stage.
Ronaldo, who scored 29 goals to finish as the leading scorer in Serie A for the 2020-21 campaign, thanked Pirlo via social media.
"Thank you Maestro, it was an honour to be coached by you," he posted on his Instagram stories to accompany a picture of the duo shaking hands.
Pirlo enjoyed a strong finish to the season, a 2-1 final win over Atalanta in the Coppa Italia coming while also securing a top-four finish in Serie A, though an impressive run-in was not enough to keep him in the job.
He departed having won 23 of his 38 league games for a points-per-game average of 2.05, below both the coach he replaced in Maurizio Sarri (2.18) and also Allegri, who managed 2.39 during his first spell in charge.
Still, the only coaches to record more victories than Pirlo in their first season in the competition since 1994-95 are Rudi Garcia (26) and Jose Mourinho (25), with Roma and Inter respectively.
There has been speculation surrounding Ronaldo's future in Turin too, despite another outstanding year on a personal level.
The forward - now preparing for Euro 2020 as part of a Portugal squad looking to retain the trophy - was an unused substitute in the final game under Pirlo, watching on from the bench as his team-mates triumphed 4-1 against Bologna.
Costa Rica, Honduras take group leads in Second Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying
Costa Rica and Honduras were among the winners on the second day of round two of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday.
Costa Rica won 4-nil over Saint Kitts and Nevis in Group B at the National Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Orlando Galo struck with a header in the box to open the scoring in the 40’, connecting on a long service from Jefferson Brenes following a throw-in.
Galo secured his brace in the 50’ with a left footed strike just outside the box.
Josimar Alcocer came off the bench to add a third for the hosts in the 83'.
Andy Rojas, another second half substitute, extended the lead in the 84' to secure the three points.
Costa Rica will travel to face Grenada on Sunday in St. George's. Saint Kitts and Nevis will host the Bahamas on Tuesday in Basseterre.
Honduras won 3-1 over Cuba in Group A at the Chelato Ucles National Stadium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Maykel Reyes struck first for the visitors in the 23', capping off a counterattack with a chipped ball from the penalty arc.
Antony Lozano tied the match minutes later, in the 26', as Honduras took advantage of a free kick from short distance. Luis Palma delivered the service over the top, which Lozano received with his chest as he spun to hit the ball with his right foot.
Edwin Rodriguez obtained the lead for Honduras in the 45'+2 with a left footed shot in the box.
Rubilio Castillo extended the lead in the 82' with a strike off a long pass from the right side of the box by fellow second half substitute David Ruiz.
Up next for Honduras is playing away at Bermuda on Sunday. Cuba will host the Cayman Islands on Tuesday in Santiago de Cuba.
Haiti defeated Saint Lucia, 2-1, in Group C at Wildey Turf in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Caniggia Elva opened the scoring in the 18' to put Saint Lucia on the board.
Jean-Kevin Duverne tied the match in the 47', connecting with a strong header off a corner kick service from Fabrice Picault.
Duckens Nazon completed the comeback in the 78', powering through the defense for the match-winning goal.
The Haiti national team will remain in Bridgetown to face Barbados on Sunday. Saint Lucia will also stay on the island to host Aruba on Tuesday at Wildey Turf.
Panama took a 2-nil victory over Guyana in Group D at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama City, Panama.
Cristian Martinez broke the deadlock in the 62' with a goal inside the box, connecting on a pass over the top from Adalberto Carrasquilla.
Jose Rodriguez made it a two-goal lead for the hosts in the 65' with a one-hit finish on the other end of a service from Edgar Barcenas.
The next opponent for Panama is Montserrat on Sunday in Managua, Nicaragua. Guyana will meet Belize on Tuesday at Wildey Turf in Bridgetown, Barbados.
El Salvador and Puerto Rico played to a scoreless draw in Group F at the Cuscatlan Stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Darwin Ceren had a look towards goal in the 23’ but the attempt went wide of the goal.
The hosts came close again in the 26’ as a long-range attempt from Christian Martinez hit the crossbar.
Leandro Antonetti delivered a menacing header in the 78’ but was just wide of the left post as the match stayed scoreless.
Goalkeepers Mario Gonzalez and Joel Serrano ended the night with their first clean sheets of the campaign.
Suriname, who won on Wednesday, maintains its spot at the top of the group as a result. Anguilla and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have yet to play their first match.
Next for El Salvador is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday in Paramaribo, Suriname. Puerto Rico will host Anguilla on Tuesday in Bayamon.
New England Revolution v New York Red Bulls: Porter hoping to push on after snapping losing streak
Caleb Porter wants to use New England Revolution's win last weekend as a springboard to turn their season around as they prepare to face the New York Red Bulls.
The Revs had won just one of their previous seven matches in the MLS before travelling to Nashville SC and held out for a much-needed 2-1 victory.
They remain bottom of the Eastern Conference, and Porter's main aim is to find some consistency, but admits that might be hard with players leaving to go on international duty.
"We want to keep continuity as much as we can because we're finally getting some continuity in our understanding," Porter said, as quoted in the Blazing Musket substack.
"That's going to breed more and more consistency in our play. So, we'll keep continuity as much as we can, but we have a couple of ideas on what we're going to do."
"It will be our execution against their execution. I don't think there will be a tonne of mysteries about what they're looking to do. It's going to come down to who executes better," he added in a press conference.
Meanwhile, New York Red Bulls sit fourth in the table having won back-to-back home games, but have struggled on the road of late, something Sandro Schwarz is keen to change.
"We need our home mentality and our whole energy for Saturday. We didn't change the first days in our week or our preparation," Schwarz said.
"Even with all the changes as players go off internationally, we haven't let it affect us. It's an opportunity for us to get the next three points, it's our chance, we have to be focused and bring the intensity on Saturday."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New England – Carles Gil
Gil's first-half goal in Saturday's win at Nashville was his sixth goal from outside the box in regular-season play since the beginning of last season. Only Thiago Almada (seven) has scored more goals from outside the box than him in that time.
New York RB – John Tolkin
Tolkin scored his third career direct free-kick goal for the Red Bulls (incl. playoffs) in the win over Orlando on Saturday, more than any other player for the side since the start of the 2010 season.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
New England have lost only three of their last 33 home MLS matches against the Red Bulls (W21 D9, incl. playoffs) dating back to September 2002, including winning eight of the last 11 (D1 L2).
However, the Revolution have lost their last three home matches, their first such losing streak since June-July 2014. The Revs have only one longer losing streak (excluding breakaway shootouts) in all competitions in club history, losing five straight in July-September 1999.
Meanwhile, New York's 1-0 win over Orlando on Saturday took them to 29 points from 16 matches this season (W8 D5 L3). The Red Bulls could equal the club record of 32 points in the first half of a season with a win over the Revs, reaching that total in the Supporters' Shield-winning 2018 campaign.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New England – 29.5%
Draw – 24.7%
New York RB – 45.7%
'It's all about group spirit' at Euro 2024, says Tedesco after sticking with 25-man Belgium squad
Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco has opted to stick with a 25-man squad for Euro 2024, despite having the option to include an additional player.
Tedesco initially named a 25-player party, notably excluding Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while inviting Arne Engels and Mandela Keita to train with the team ahead of their final warm-up matches against Montenegro and Luxembourg.
The head coach was expected to maximise his squad to the allowed capacity of 26 players before the deadline by including one of the young midfielders, but he has chosen to remain with his provisional selection.
Nevertheless, Belgium have plenty of quality and experience throughout the squad, including the likes of skipper Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans, as well as most-capped player Jan Vertonghen.
"We have decided to go to the European Championship with 25 [players]," Tedesco told reports during a press conference.
"It's all about the group spirit. I didn't want to disappoint a young player. I have always been clear that we would go to Germany with 25."
The Red Devils boss also provided an injury update on Vertonghen, who is currently nursing a groin problem, but is expected to recover in time for the tournament.
"It won't be long before Vertonghen is back," Tedesco added. "Of course, it is not easy for him to be on the sidelines, but he is an important player in our selection."
Belgium complete their preparations against Luxembourg on Saturday. They begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Slovakia on June 17, while also facing Ukraine and Romania in Group E.
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