Spanish paper El Pais claims Antonio Conte was ruled out for the Real Madrid job thanks to a veto from Sergio Ramos.

Zinedine Zidane walked away after three consecutive Champions League trophies and after several weeks of speculation, they poached Jolen Lopetegui from the Spain bench on the verge of the World Cup.

There were many other contenders for the role, including Max Allegri of Juventus and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Cristiano Ronaldo curled in a stunning free-kick with just two minutes to play, as Portugal earned a thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain.

It was the game of the tournament so far, with the Real Madrid forward capping off the action with a brilliant set piece.

Spain were in crisis heading into the match, after Julen Lopetegui was sacked on Thursday.

Fernando Hierro was on the bench for the Iberian derby, in what was only his third day in the job.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

The World Cup is a huge opportunity for Andre Silva to prove he belongs at Milan and is worth another Serie A season, writes Matthew Santangelo.

Arguably a flop for the Rossoneri after his €38m transfer from Porto, his record at international level for Portugal is remarkable.

The 22-year-old has 12 goals in just 21 senior caps and is expected to start this evening's big match against Spain alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

This tournament in Russia could well be decisive for the future of a forward who deserves another chance in Serie A.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas jokingly offers to play Argentina with a squad of players who missed the World Cup, including Gigi Buffon and Radja Nainggolan.

The Albiceleste cancelled a friendly with Israel due to protests and concerns about safety, leaving them short of one warm-up match.

Fabregas, who hasn’t been called-up by Spain offered to step into the breach with his own team of stars who haven’t made it to Russia.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Ex-Milan man Nigel de Jong says ‘maybe one day Xabi Alonso and I will have a beer and laugh about’ his infamous kung-fu kick in the 2010 World Cup Final.

De Jong somehow avoided a straight red card for flying into Alonso’s chest with his studs up, but the former Netherlands midfielder insisted he only had eyes for the ball and not the Spaniard.

“I just wanted to play the ball – that was my only focus,” he told FourFourTwo.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Giampiero Ventura claims he tried to resign as Italy CT, but refused after Sweden as “it would've been like admitting to being the only one responsible”.

The former Torino Coach became the first man to fail to take the Azzurri to the World Cup in 60 years when his side lost in the play-off, and he became a national hate figure after refusing to resign, instead receiving his full salary as a pay-off.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Lazio midfielder Luis Alberto is a serious contender for a place in Spain’s 2018 World Cup squad, according to AS.

The 25-year-old had spells at Sevilla, Liverpool, Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna, but has found a whole new lease of life in Rome.

Signed from Liverpool for only €4m in August 2016, he has contributed 12 goals and 19 assists in 45 competitive games this season.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Napoli and Dries Mertens are reportedly in gridlock over a new contract, amidst speculation that the forward could move to Spain or England.

According to Calciomercato.com, Napoli have been trying to extend Mertens’ deal – which expires in 2020 – for the past two months, but there is ‘still no positive news’.

The website notes President Aurelio De Laurentiis is keen to revoke the Belgian’s €28m release clause, which is only valid for foreign clubs.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

A ‘happy’ Vincenzo Montella has expressed his desire to stay at Sevilla next season but accepts ‘a release clause exists’ in his two-year contract.

Montella took charge of Sevilla in December and has since guided them to the Copa del Rey Final and a famous elimination of Manchester United in the Champions League.

However, the former Milan boss has won just five of his 15 Liga games, leaving the Spaniards down in seventh and at risk of missing out on European football.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Fabio Capello believes Italy must ease their emphasis on ‘tactics’ and teach their youngsters more about ‘technique’.

Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years, and Capello argued the problem went beyond results, citing Spain as an example for the Azzurri to follow.

“I hear talk about football schools,“ he told Radio Anch’io Sport.

“At the age of 12, kids are always and only given the ball in Spain, while in Italy, it’s all about tactics.

See the latest Serie A predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk