South China vs. Juventus: Benatia on target again in Bianconeri win

The defender netted his second strike for the club since joining from Bayern Munich on loan as the Serie A champions came from behind to taste victory in Hong Kong

Medhi Benatia made it two goals in as many appearances for Juventus as the Serie A champions overcame South China 2-1 in Hong Kong. Having netted in Tuesday's 2-1 International Champions Cup victory over Tottenham, the on-loan Bayern Munich defender repeated the trick as the Serie A champions came from behind to win on Saturday.

Juventus went 1-0 down when goalkeeper Neto flapped at a free-kick to allow Chan Siu Ki to pounce and coolly slot home. 

Massimiliano Allegri's men recovered well from that 21st-minute setback, with Benatia poking home after gathering a loose ball that deflected off the defensive wall from a set-piece.
Lorenzo Rosseti settled the contest in the 82nd minute, rounding South China goalkeeper Cristian Mora after he spilled a 25-yard drive from Stefano Padovan.

Juventus opened up their pre-season campaign with a penalty shootout defeat against Melbourne Victory but have now put together back-to-back wins ahead of the start of the new Serie A season.
The Bianconeri now turn their attentions to facing West Ham and Cologne in warm-up clashes before they face Fiorentina in Serie A on 20 August.

Liverpool v Milan Betting: Defensive discipline could prove key

With Jurgen Klopp not allowing anyone to take it easy, Al Hain-Cole expects the well-drilled Reds to play out a tight encounter against Vincenzo Montella's men in pre-season

After losing out 1-0 to Chelsea in their opening International Champions Cup clash against Chelsea, Liverpool will be looking to bounce straight back when they take on Milan at Santa Clara’s Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday night.

That defeat was the Reds’ first in five pre-season matches, and they are 11/10 (2.10) favourites with Paddy Power to return to winning ways in California. New customers to the Irish bookmaker can take an enhanced price of 7/1 (8.0) on the favourites using the link provided below.

Meanwhile, Vincenzo Montella’s men came out on top in a penalty shootout after an enthralling 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich in their first ICC clash, and can be backed at 11/5 (3.20) to emerge victorious within 90 minutes this time out.

A clash between these two teams inevitably conjures up memories of the epic 3-3 Champions League final of 2005, and you can get odds of 12/5 (3.40) on them also taking this one to penalties after another stalemate on this occasion.

With six players booked and Cesc Fabregas sent off for Chelsea, it would hardly be accurate to describe the game at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl as a friendly match. Although obviously not pleased to see dangerous tackles flying in and midfielder Marko Grujic taken to hospital with concussion, Jurgen Klopp will at least have appreciated the clash for its intensity.

The German manager has been eager to present this American tour as a serious training camp rather than a holiday – something Mamadou Sakho found out after being sent home due to his lax attitude.
In fact, a serious work ethic has been a feature of Liverpool’s entire pre-season so far, with Klopp demanding more from his players even after comfortable victories against lower league domestic teams. Having seen his side concede their first goal in five exhibition games last time out, the former Borussia Dortmund boss will be demanding they tighten up once again when they take on the Italians.
With no quarter being given, odds of 10/11 (1.91) look good on the highly-motivated Reds ensuring under 2.5 goals in a competitive game versus Milan.

Charlie Davies diagnosed with cancer

The New England Revolution striker, who was sidelined for more than a year after a car accident in 2009, is in remission after being diagnosed with liposarcoma this past spring.

New England Revolution forward Charlie Davies is in remission after being diagnosed with cancer this past spring, the club announced Saturday.

The 30-year-old, who has appeared in eight games this season but not played since April 27, has been treated for liposarcoma, a rare cancer found in soft tissue fat cells.

"It was important for Charlie to concentrate on his family and treatment during the past few weeks and the club honored his wish for privacy," the Revolution said in a statement. "The New England Revolution will continue to support him through full recovery and are looking forward to seeing him back out on the pitch."

Taking to Twitter, Davies wrote: "Cancer was something I never expected. But having beaten it, I'm that much stronger for it. Pumped to be back with the squad!"

Barcelona vs. Celtic: Spanish champions see past Brendan Rodgers' men in ICC

The SPL side were unable to match the Spanish champions in the friendly match in Dublin, despite Leigh Griffiths levelling the game in the first half

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez made their first Barcelona appearances of pre-season as the Catalans started their International Champions Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Celtic in Dublin.
Argentina superstar Messi, playing for the first time since missing a penalty in Argentina's Copa America final shootout defeat to Chile, managed 45 minutes while Suarez - top scorer in LaLiga last term - lasted until the hour mark.

Barca were already 3-1 up at half-time. Arda Turan's excellent strike and a comical own goal from Efe Ambrose, either side of Leigh Griffiths taking advantage of some woeful defending, put Barca 2-1 ahead before Munir El Haddadi was also on the scoresheet before half-time.

All in all it was a good workout by the LaLiga champions, who took their foot off the gas somewhat after the break, and they next meet Premier League holders Leicester City on Wednesday.

Luis Enrique fielded an experimental back-line and a misunderstanding between centre-back pairing Jose Martinez and Jeremy Mathieu almost handed Celtic the lead within 15 seconds, with Patrick Roberts aiming just wide after picking up a loose ball.

It was Barca that struck first in the 11th minute, though. Aleix Vidal brilliantly jinked his way down the Celtic right and cut back for Turan, whose well-struck effort from the edge of the box found the top right-hand corner.

However, a horror mistake from Martinez gifted Griffiths the equaliser as the defender's heavy first touch after Masip's pass left the Celtic striker with an open goal to make it 1-1. Barca were quickly back in front after another defensive howler as Ambrose inexplicably diverted Juan Camara's harmless cross from the left past Craig Gordon.

Celtic looked dangerous early in the second half when Nadir Ciftci volleyed just over the crossbar after Moussa Dembele's clever touch set him up, while Tom Rogic fired narrowly wide from 20 yards out.

Denis Suarez – who made his first appearance since his return to Barcelona from Villarreal – was unfortunate not to add a fourth, with substitute goalkeeper Leonardo Fasan making a fine save to deny the midfielder.
Seemingly content with their run out, Barca eased off in the closing stages and the match ended 3-1.

Manchester United score victory over Galatasaray

It took just four minutes for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to put his mark on his debut for the Red Devils, scoring an overhead kick which propelled them onto victory

Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked his Manchester United debut in style by scoring a spectacular bicycle kick in a 5-2 friendly victory over Galatasaray.

It took less than four minutes for the Swedish striker, playing on familiar territory at Gothenburg's Ullevi Stadium, to open his account, acrobatically despatching an Antonio Valencia cross from the right.

Wayne Rooney (two), Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata also found the net for United, but new boss Jose Mourinho will be disappointed with the defending for the goals from Sinan Gumus and Bruma that left his side trailing 2-1 at the break.

Ibrahimovic was partially responsible for Galatasaray's equaliser midway through the half, needlessly giving away a foul 10 yards outside his own box.

One-time United transfer target Wesley Sneijder whipped in the resulting free-kick and the unmarked Gumus was left with the simple task of nodding the ball past the helpless David De Gea. For Galatasaray's second goal five minutes before the break, United were guilty of granting Bruma too much time and space on the edge of the box and the Portugal Under-21 international took full advantage by bending a superb shot into the far corner. Mourinho responded by introducing Marcus Rashford, Fellaini, Ashley Young, Michael Carrick and Jesse Lingard at the start of the second half, with Ibrahimovic and Anthony Martial among those to make way.

And the changes paid off almost immediately as Rooney scored twice in the space of four minutes to turn the game on its head. Rooney's first was a close-range finish after Valenica supplied a fine cut-back from the byline, while the second came from the penalty spot.

It was Rooney who played Rashford in and, when the teenage striker was hauled down by Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera following neat footwork, United's skipper duly converted the spot-kick.

The Super Lig side were still reeling three minutes later when Valencia again got away down the right before picking out Fellaini whose back-post header looped in to make it 4-2.
Mata completed the scoring 15 minutes from time, taking advantage of some sloppy defending to turn home Carrick's low cross from three yards out.

Next on the agenda for United is Rooney's testimonial against Everton, followed by Sunday's Community Shield clash with Leicester City.

Antonio Candreva ready for a move

The 29-year-old is reportedly undeterred in his bid to seek a new club, as agent Federico Pastorello affirmed that the Premier League was the best in Europe

Antonio Candreva looks increasingly likely to leave Lazio after the Italy international's agent revealed his client was ready for "a new challenge".

Napoli and Inter have both reportedly failed to complete deals for Candreva in recent weeks, although the 29-year-old winger is seemingly undeterred in his desire to leave Stadio Olimpico, where he had an initially difficult relationship with fans following his 2012 move from Udinese.
"He joined the Biancocelesti and even got insults from some fans," Federico Pastorello is quoted as telling Tele Radio Stereo.

"He won them all over, but now Antonio has realised it's time for a new challenge. Fans shouldn't be upset or angry, it's part of the logic that brings clubs and players together, and then clubs take decisions to go their separate ways.

"That doesn't mean we should leave on bad terms. This experience has brought him great relationships over the years with the president [Claudio Lotito], coaches, team-mates and fans.

"If he were to leave, it would be with a smile."

Friendly match costs Odubajo a big price

The defender ruptured a ligament during his club's pre-season friendly at Grimsby Town and is now set to miss six months of action, much to the chagrin of Steve Bruce

Newly-promoted Hull City have been dealt a major blow with the news that full-back Moses Odubajo has been ruled out for up to six months with a knee injury. Odubajo ruptured his medial patellofemoral ligament during the pre-season friendly at nearby Grimsby Town last week and subsequent tests have now revealed the extent of the damage.

Hull boss Steve Bruce told the club's official website: "First and foremost, it’s desperately disappointing news for Moses.

"He was exceptional for us last season as we won promotion back to the Premier League and we expect him to be a top player for many years to come.

"I know how much he was looking forward to testing himself in the top-flight of English football and to now have to sit out the first half of the season is a big blow - both for him and for the club. “Looking at the positives, at least the injury is not at the same level as the one suffered by Robert Snodgrass at the start of the 2014/15 season and, as a result, we will look forward to seeing Moses return to training in the New Year."

Bowen says Shawcross back injury is not serious

The central defender sustained an injury in last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Burton Albion but will return for the encounter with Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday

Ryan Shawcross is expected to be fit to resume pre-season training after missing Stoke City's opening friendly with a back injury. Captain Shawcross has struggled with back issues over the past two seasons and caused concern when he fell awkwardly in training ahead of last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Burton Albion.

But assistant manager Mark Bowen insists the latest injury is unrelated to the defender's past problems and that he will be fit for Saturday's clash with Preston North End at Deepdale.

"Naturally we were worried at first, but it's nothing to do with his old injury," Bowen told BBC Radio Stoke. "When he first went down we were thinking 'what the hell is this now?'. But it's just a little tweak in his back and he should be fit to train.

"As far as we're aware he's in the frame for Preston on Saturday." Stoke begin their Premier League campaign away to new boys Middlesbrough on August 13.

Vincenzo Montella not happy with potential Bacca exit

The new coach at San Siro has no desire to sell his star striker but concedes his hands may be tied if the Colombia international demands an exit amid Premier League interest

AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella admits it would be a blow should Carlos Bacca be sold in the transfer window. The Colombia international has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with clubs including Everton and West Ham reported to be considering bids of around £25million.

Bacca has stressed a desire to play in the Champions League, prompting speculation of a return to LaLiga with Atletico Madrid, although he has not ruled out staying at San Siro should the prospective takeover of the club by a Chinese consortium yield major investment in the squad.

Montella wants to keep the former Sevilla man but concedes that his personal ambitions - and the club's financial situation - could see matters taken out of his hands. "Bacca is a player of an international standard. It's hard to give up a player who guarantees goals," he said, as quoted by Corriere dello Sport.

"The club will evaluate things with the boy, because he aspires to play in the Champions League.
"The squad needs to be completed but we have clear ideas. The ball is now in [CEO driano] Galliani's court - he must make the best choices based on the market and our finances."

Bacca's team-mate, M'Baye Niang, has likewise been linked with a move away from Serie A, though the 21-year-old said this week that he wants to stay at the club. And Montella has challenged the France Under-21 international to make the most of his opportunities in the coming season.

Get to know about the International Champions Cup - International Football News

The pre-season tournament will feature 21 games across seven different nations, and boasts some of the game's finest talents as it gears up for Friday's launch

Spread over four continents and with 17 top sides competing for the prize, the 2016 edition of the International Champions Cup will be the biggest in the competition's short history. 

First played in 2013, the ICC is one of the best-known pre-season tournaments in the calendar.
The latest edition features matches in the United States, Australia, China, England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Sweden.

Paris Saint-Germain will be hoping to defend their 2015 title, but Unai Emery's team will have to fight to retain their crown.

Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich will also be out for victory, as will Premier League contingent Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Leicester City and Chelsea.

Borussia Dortmund, Serie A clubs Juventus, AC Milan and Inter, Scotland's Celtic and newcomers Melbourne Victory from Australia's A-League complete the roster for the pre-season extravaganza.

The competition kicks off on Friday when Manchester United take on Dortmund at Shanghai Stadium, the first of 21 unamicable clashes over the coming weeks. 

Will Joel Matip be able to make speedy recovery after injury

The Cameroon international was forced off during a friendly win over Wigan, but the manager is confident he will be ready to return to action after a short rest

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has played down concerns over an injury suffered by Joel Matip, affirming that he should make a quick recovery. The former Schalke defender limped off during Sunday's 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic, having complained about pain in his ankle. 

But Klopp is hopeful the Cameroon international has not sustained serious damage, and will be able to resume pre-season preparations sooner rather than later. "I hope it’s only a minor problem. He said he’s had it one or two times already. It’s the foot he had problems with in the past and then he had a little bit of pain when pre-season started because of the intensity," the manager said at a press conference.  

"He’s used to it. Hopefully it is like this because everyone can see he’s in a real good way. "I think tomorrow he’ll rest, then he can go again." Liverpool's second goal was netted by Ben Woodburn, who enjoyed a stunning second half. The boss, however, is determined to ease the 16-year-old into the first team, and will not rush his development.  

"The problem that you can make for these guys is that you write too much about them. You have enough time, they are young enough," he said.

"You can write about them when they are 18, 19 and don't bring them into the situation of going to school and not going to school, meeting friends... I couldn't have explained in this age what happens to me in this moment so cool down, everything is good.

"We are something like their family and we will really keep an eye on them. But it's not important who will join us in America [for the International Champions Cup]. We are not going there on holiday and it's not the most important training for them in their lives so they have their own team at home and we will see what will happen.

"If we have the situation and if they learn, if they listen and stay concentrated and disciplined then they have a bright future that's for sure. But between now and the bright future, there's a lot of work. Let's start with the work and not with the news."