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GOAL brings you all this season's leading marksmen from Saudi Arabia's top division – who will come out on top?

Many eyes will be on the Saudi Pro League this season following Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in the January transfer window, which will have bought attention unlike ever before to the competition – and most would expect him to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot.

However, this is also an opportunity for other players to shine in the limelight.

The likes of Anderson Talisca, Carlos, Abderrazak Hamdallah, and others have been setting the league on fire with their excellent performances and will have additional motivation with Ronaldo's arrival.

GOAL is on hand to monitor the exploits of Ronaldo and his fellow prolific marksmen in the race for the top-scorer title.

• Ittihad Twitter
  

  1Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad | 21 goals

  The veteran striker continues to be one of the most elite goalscorers in the Saudi Pro League, which helped him get a spot in Morocco's World Cup squad.

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  2Anderson Talisca | Al-Nassr | 20 goals

  Before Cristiano Ronaldo joined, Talisca was Al-Nassr's ace. His goals have helped his team top the table and him the goalscoring charts for now. While he may no longer be their main man, his performances continue to be top-notch.

• Hilal Twitter
  

  3Odion Ighalo | Al Hilal | 19 goals

  Ighalo has been a top-notch goalscorer in whichever league he has played in, and remains so in his fourth season in the Saudi Pro League.

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  4Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | 17 goals

  The young Saudi Arabian forward has impressed for both club and country this campaign, and is well on his way to beat his tally from last season.

In a recent interview with Football FanCast, former Southampton striker Kevin Phillips has claimed that he expects Danny Ings to leave the Saints this summer.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, when asked if he could see the 28-year-old departing, he said:

“Yes I can, as much as Southampton fans won’t thank me for it. I think he even came out at one point and said he wants to play Champions League football, so that suggests to me he would like to move on.”

“So I possibly could see him moving on. It’s just a case of, he is a little bit injury prone. We have seen what he can do, I’m not doubting that. I think he’s a fantastic striker, scores great goals, good movement, but he is a little bit injury prone, so I think ‘who would take him who would finish in the Champions League spots?’.

“But I do think that he’ll probably be angling for a move come the summer.”

Whilst Phillips’ claim does seem to be a fair one, with the former Liverpool man having reportedly expressed an interest in playing European football again in the near future, recent injury setbacks for the England international might just put some clubs off signing him this summer.

The striker enjoyed an injury-free campaign last season and scored a superb 22 goals in 38 Premier League appearances and looked set to repeat that feat with a superb start to the 2020/21 campaign.

However, he has struggled with minor injury problems since the New Year, which has, unsurprisingly, coincided with Southampton’s awful run of form, and he has just three goals in 12 appearances in 2021.

He suffered another setback in the 2-0 win against Sheffield United recently, which will keep him sidelined for another couple of weeks, and you feel that, given his injury history, top four clubs may well feel that it is too big a risk to bring him in for the sort of money that Southampton would likely demand this summer.

His last big move to Liverpool, unfortunately, didn’t go to plan because of significant injury problems and after his recent Issues, despite being minor in comparison to those he suffered at Anfield, might just prove to be a key factor in whether or not a club playing in Europe comes knocking during the summer transfer window, which might just work in Southampton’s favour.

However, all signs suggest that Phillips is right and that Ings will push for a move this summer, which won’t go down well with Saints fans. Whether he gets his move, or not, remains to be seen.

And, in other news… Semmens must avoid VVD repeat with £13.5m-rated “role model” Hasenhuttl loves

Xavi's side had to settle for a 0-0 draw against 15th-placed Getafe, meaning they have not scored in any of their last three games in all competitions

Robert Lewandowski was anonymous as Barcelona were held scoreless by relegation-threatened Getafe, as they continued their stumble towards the Liga title with a second successive 0-0 draw.

The Blaugrana rattled the post twice in quick succession midway through the first half, with Raphinha and Alejandro Balde both denied by the woodwork.

Chances were at a premium for the rest of the contest, though. Gavi fired wide, Raphinha had a shot tipped around the post, and while Getafe occasionally threatened, the hosts never carved out a clear goalscoring opportunity.

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Meanwhile, Lewandowski, Barcelona's big summer signing, was kept quiet as he struggled to assert himself on the kind of contest he was bought to help the club win.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Coliseum Alfonso Perez…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

  Didn't really have a save to make.

  Sergi Roberto (3/10):

  Removed with a leg injury inside 20 minutes.

  Ronald Araujo (7/10):

  Probably Barca's best player on the day. Absolutely imperious.

  Jules Kounde (5/10):

  Bit nervy at centre-back, far better at right-back. His long-term position can perhaps be called into question.

  Jordi Alba (5/10):

  Looked exhausted after an hour. Can't really be entrusted to start these days.

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  Midfield

  Franck Kessie (6/10):

  Glimpses of quality, but didn't offer the creative spark his side needed on the day.

  Sergio Busquets (5/10):

  Kept the ball moving, but his lack of pace can be immensely frustrating when Barca have to play fast.

  Gavi (6/10):

  Won a lot of tackles, kicked a lot of people, and sprinkled in some moments of individual quality. Now leads La Liga with 62 fouls committed.

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  Attack

  Raphinha (6/10):

  The Blaugrana's most consistent attacking threat, although he can be a bit predictable sometimes. Saw a curled shot tipped around the post late.

  Robert Lewandowski (4/10):

  Lifeless, maybe injured.

  Alejandro Balde (5/10):

  Handed an unlikely start at left-wing, looked far more comfortable when moved to left-back.

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  Subs & Manager

  Eric Garcia (4/10):

  Introduced for the injured Roberto. Started at right-back then moved to a more central role. Didn't have much to do next to Araujo.

  Ansu Fati (4/10):

  Appeared to have nailed down a spot in the side, but saw Balde start on the left ahead of him. Went on a nice run or two, but is lacking confidence in the final third.

  Ferran Torres (4/10):

  Doesn't really offer much to this side.

  Pablo Torre (N/A):

  A last-minute introduction.

  Xavi (3/10):

  Fiddled with his line up a bit, reverting back to a 4-3-3 and putting Balde at left-wing. Didn't quite work in the first half — although the Blaugrana did hit the post twice. They struggled to create in the second, and had no answers for Getafe's organised unit. They will still win the league, but this was yet another poor showing.

Few American stars made a case in what was a largely dull friendly between two great rivals, but Jesus Ferreira did get a goal in the 1-1 draw

In the end, nothing could separate the U.S. men's national team and Mexico. Uriel Antuna scored on one end, Jesus Ferreira on the other. That was that in a 1-1 draw.

And on we move from the first Continental Clasico, a game that offered very little, becoming a somewhat-forgettable latest chapter in this historic rivalry.

Wednesday's match was always going to be a unique one: a midweek friendly between CONCACAF's two powers, both without many of their key stars. There were plenty of familiar faces, of course, with World Cup veterans on both sides, but the teams were skeletons of their best selves.

It was a match largely devoid of an attacking spark, with the teams combining for just three touches in the opponent's penalty area in the first 45 minutes. Both teams were, generally, out of ideas in the attacking end and, if not for a catastrophic mistake from Aaron Long and Kellyn Acosta to jolt things to life, it seemed it could have finished scoreless.

Thanks to Antuna's finish, it didn't. The Mexican forward's goal lifted his confidence, but it also spurred the USMNT on. Jesus Ferreira finished the only good attacking sequence of the night for the Stars and Stripes, getting a hand from Sergino Dest and Jordan Morris in the build-up to make his case in a match where few others made theirs. The FC Dallas star is one player that will feel better after this one, but not many of his teammates will say the same.

Thankfully, these two teams will face off at least one more time this year with much, much bigger stakes. Their Nations League clash in June will provide a much better look at where these two programs stand than this friendly.

GOAL rates the USMNT players from Glendale…

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  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Sean Johnson (6/10):

  There goes the shutout streak. Could he have taken a different angle on Mexico's opener?

  Segino Dest (6/10):

  Looked like a player devoid of confidence and form… until the goalscoring sequence. A vintage Dest run through a maze of Mexican players helped kickstart the Ferreira goal, which is great news for a player who needs something, anything, to hang his hat on.

  Walker Zimmerman (6/10):

  Long balls were all over the place, but was generally solid defensively. In a fight to keep his starting pace, but nothing about this performance will really help or hurt.

  Aaron Long (4/10):

  Acosta is partially at blame for the goal, but so too is Long, whose mis-touch sprung Antuna. Was OK until that point but, as a defender, you're defined by your mistakes.

  DeAndre Yedlin (6/10):

  Probably the best USMNT defender in the game. Was solid in his own half and got on the ball plenty, proving he still has a part to play at least for the start of the cycle.

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  Midfield

  Kellyn Acosta (5/10):

  Bad pass put Long in a tough spot on Mexico's goal. Even aside from that, never really got into the game.

  James Sands (7/10):

  Probably the USMNT's best player for much of this one. Was steady on the ball, solid defensively and passed well. A positive performance for a player who recently arrived back in MLS.

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  Attack

  Cade Cowell (5/10):

  Effort was there, quality was not. A tough one for the young San Jose Earthquakes star, but a good learning experience.

  Jesus Ferreira (6/10):

  Played as more of a second striker or No. 10 for the first half. He went back up top for the second and got his goal. His best position is once again TBD, but goals are always nice for a player who still has a bright, bright future.

  Jordan Morris (6/10):

  Perfect pass across goal to Ferreira, even if was deflected a bit. Was a bit sloppy until that but it only takes one.

  Brandon Vazquez (5/10):

  A disappointing night. Hardly noticeable with just 15 touches. Not the night he was hoping for given his connection to El Tri.

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  Subs & Manager

  Aidan Morris (6/10):

  Came on in the second half to help steady the midfield. Accomplished that with a fairly smooth performance.

  Alan Sonora (6/10):

  A FANTASTIC ball on the goalscoring sequence. Offered an attacking spark that no other midfielder in this squad could.

  Matt Miazga (6/10):

  Replaced Long with just 20 minutes left and looked really, really smooth on the ball.

  Paxton Pomykal (N/A):

  Came on just ahead of stoppage time.

  Caleb Wiley (N/A):

  Same as Pomykal. Would have been nice to see the young star get more of a run.

  Anthony Hudson (6/10):

  Subs were good, even if the starting XI was a bit too safe, although you can understand why.

Newcastle United have landed a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion as Elliot Anderson is expected to be fit.

That’s according to The Shields Gazette, who note that the 18-year-old has recovered from an ankle injury sustained during an Under 23s clash with the Baggies’ academy last week.

The blow prevented Anderson from playing any role in Steve Bruce’s plans as the Magpies drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, along with representing Chris Hogg’s junior side as they lost 2-1 at home to Reading on Monday.

Anderson is now expected to be one of the contenders to replace Miguel Almiron at the Hawthorns on Sunday, after Bruce lost his Paraguayan playmaker due to a knee injury as one of three casualties against Wolves.

Allan Saint-Maximin sustained a groin issue during the draw, and will now join top-scorer Callum Wilson on the sidelines after the French wing wizard was ruled out until April.

Emil Krafth was also forced off with a shin injury on Saturday, but he is due to resume training ahead of facing West Brom in a crunch encounter between two relegation-threatened sides.

Having Anderson available as well will come as a huge boost for Bruce, with the academy product expected to be in the mix to replace Almiron beside the likes of Ryan Fraser, Jacob Murphy and Jeff Hendrick.

Bruce awarded Anderson his senior Newcastle debut away to Arsenal in the second half of January’s FA Cup tie, before introducing the 18-year-old to the Premier League for the final three minutes at the Emirates Stadium nine days later.

The North Shields-born prospect is yet to feature for the Toon first-team since facing the Gunners, but has seven goals and one assist in nine U23s outings after finding the back of the net against West Brom in a 3-2 PL2 win last week.

Bruce described Anderson’s debut at Arsenal as a “big positive” as the attacking midfielder’s performance instilled a sense of confidence in the United head coach.

“Big positive. I thought the kid was very, very good. He’s been with us, knocking on the door, for a while now, so it was good to see him making his way. He’s got a big future ahead of him, hopefully,” Bruce noted after the Emirates Stadium affair.

Anderson has been named as an unused substitute on three occasions since facing Arsenal, but the Scotland U19 international does not want to settle for a seat on the bench.

“I’ve played twice, come on but I want to be playing more, even if you’re playing a lot you want to be playing more,” he told NUFC TV. “As a footballer, you need to keep pushing and pushing, so I’ll continue to work hard and take my chances.

“Making my debut at the Emirates was massive but it wouldn’t be the same feeling making it at St. James’, so I’m waiting for that to come – the day that happens it will probably be the best day of my life, hopefully with the fans back. I can’t wait.”

Sunday’s clash with West Brom may not be at home so Anderson would have to wait for his St. James’ Park bow, but Bruce should see it as a boost having the Newcastle talent back fit, even if he doesn’t want to start the youngster, he could be a more than useful option coming off the bench.

AND in other news, an “absolutely awesome” titan has been tipped to quit Newcastle this summer…

How to watch USMNT vs El Salvador in the CONCACAF Nations League from the US as well as kick-off time and team news.

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) will hope to bag three points against El Salvador to top Group D in its CONCACAF Nations Leaguegroup stage fixture on Monday.

⚽️ Watch USMNT vs El Salvador in the US today!

USMNT heads into this fixture on the back of a dominating 7-1 win against Grenada courtesy of braces from Ricardo Peppi and Weston McKennie, with Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic and Alejandro Zendejas also getting on the scoresheet.

The Stars and Stripes was held to a 1-1 draw the two sides battled against each other last June in Nations League. Jordan Morris scored a late equaliser deep into stoppage time to salvage a point.

Meanwhile, El Salvador will hope to stage an upset to seal a berth in the next edition of the Nations League. Although the USMNT is the firm favourite against the 74th-ranked side in the world, Hugo Pérez's team drew two of their last three meetings in their own backyard at the Estadio Cuscatlán. However, getting a positive result on American soil remains a daunting task for them.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the CONCACAF Nations League fixture Grenada vs USMNT, plus team news, recent form and more.

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  Kick-off time

  Date:	March 27, 2023
  Kick-off time:	7.30 pm EDT
  Venue:	Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Florida

  The game is scheduled for March 27, 2023, at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. It will kick off at 7.30 pm EDT in the US.

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  How to watch USMNT vs El Salvador online – TV channels & live streams

  TV channels & streaming options

  Country	TV channel	Live stream
  U.S.	Telemundo, TNT, Universo	Sling TV, Peacock, fuboTV

  In the US, the match between Grenada and United States can be streamed on Sling TV, Peacock and fuboTV.

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  Team news & squads

  USMNT team news

  The USMNT squad will continue to be without Tim Weah and Tyler Adams, who had to be excluded from the squad due to various injury problems.

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
  Defenders:	Sergino Dest, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Bryan Reynolds, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty
  Midfielders:	Brenden Aaronson, Johnny Cardoso, Luca de la Torre , Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Alan Sonora, Djordje Mihailovic
  Forwards:	Taylor Booth, Daryl Dike, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Alejandro Zendejas

  El Salvador team news

  El Salvador have no fresh injury concerns ahead of this tie. Perez has called up a relatively young squad with Forward Mayer Gil being the youngest at 19, while defender Eriq Zavaleta is the oldest at 30.

  Twelve players ply their trade domestically, including five for FAS and three for Alianza, while another three play in the US.

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Mario González, Tomas Romero
  Defenders:	Bryan Tamacas, Roberto Domínguez, Eriq Zavaleta, Alex Roldan, Nelson Flores, Romulo Villalobos, Rudy Clavel, William Canales.
  Midfielders:	Narciso Orellana, Jairo Henriquez, Enrico Duenas, Bryan Landaverde, Christian Martínez, Melvin Cartagena, Leonardo Menjívar
  Forwards:	Cristian Gil, Kevin Reyes, Juan Carlos Argueta, Mayer Gil, Brayan Gil.

  Head-to-head record

  Date	Result	Competition
  June 14, 2022	El Salvador 1-1 USA	CONCACAF Nations League
  January 27, 2022	USA 1-0 El Salvador	FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
  September 02, 2021	El Salvador 0-0 USA	FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
  December 09, 2020	USA 6-0 El Salvador	Friendly
  July 19, 2017	USA 2-0 El Salvador	CONCACAF Gold Cup

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  Useful links

  • USMNT team page

  • Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

A draw for the Gunners in Holland would be enough to guarantee top spot in Europa League Group A

Arsenal return to Europa League action on Thursday night when they visit PSV Eindhoven.

Four wins from four games has already seen the Gunners secure qualification through to the knockout stages of the competition, but they have yet to guarantee top spot in the group – something that would see them earn a bye through to the round of 16 early next year.

A point in Holland would be enough for Mikel Arteta’s side to achieve that with a game to spare.

So how are Arsenal shaping up ahead of their clash with PSV? Below, GOAL takes a look.

• Arsenal team news

  Arsenal could be without Marquinhos on Thursday night.

  The 19-year-old has appeared in three of Arsenal’s four Europa League games so far this season, scoring once and getting an assist.

  But he could miss the trip to PSV, after being forced to sit out training on Wednesday due to illness.

  Oleksandr Zinchenko is definitely still out with the calf problem that has seen him sidelined since the win against Tottenham on October 1.

  Long-term absentees Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) and Emile Smith Rowe (groin) remain sidelined and are not due back until after the World Cup.

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  Talking point

  Mikel Arteta’s potential team selection has generated lots of debate ahead of the game.

  With qualification through to the knockout stages already secured, the Arsenal manager could potentially rest lots of his star names with one eye on Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest.

  But Arsenal still need a point at PSV to secure top spot in the group, which would see them given a bye into the round of 16 when the competition restarts in 2023.

  So Arteta could opt to name a strong starting XI, featuring the likes of Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka, in a bid to get the result needed to win the group with one game to spare.

  That would then allow the Spaniard to rest everyone in the final group stage game against FC Zurich next Thursday, knowing that the result would not matter.

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  Key man

  Matt Turner: Arsenal’s back-up keeper has enjoyed some good performances in the group stages so far, making some impressive stops on his way to three successive clean sheets.

  But you would expect that this will be his toughest test so far, with PSV a strong attacking outfit – especially at home.

  So Arsenal will need Turner to be at his best in what will no doubt be a hostile atmosphere in Holland.

  Given the Gunners only need a draw, Turner will know that another shut out will guarantee the Gunners passage through as group winners.

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  Arteta's view

  Asked whether he feels fatigue is now creeping into his squad, Arsenal’s manager said: “We have the same that we had a month ago, two days ago, and the same as what we’re going to have next week. 

  “I don’t like to have any excuses. 

  “I think the team looked really fresh at the start [against Southampton]. I put it [the second half performance] more down to the way we played. We should have played better.”

It has been a quarter of a century years since Gianluca Vialli hoisted the iconic trophy to the sky in Rome as Juventus last won the Champions League.

Since then, Juve have been cursed when it comes to Europe's premier club competition, and have started this season's competition with back to back 2-1 losses to PSG and Benfica. There has been near misses and group stage disasters, wonderful teams, brilliant players, but ultimately endless heartache.

Here is a rundown of the curse of the Old Lady on her travels.

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  1995-96: THE LAST TRIUMPH

  On May 22, 1996, Gianluca Vialli raised the Champions League trophy high above his head. 

  The second "Champions Cup" for Juventus, the first triumph since the trophy took on its current name and changed its formula. A triumph that Juventus has not been able to repeat.

  From the following year onwards, they experienced many disappointments, making it to the final five times and losing each time, unable to break what seems more and more like a curse.

  Rome, May 22, 1996

  AJAX 1-1 JUVENTUS (2-4 pens)

  SCORERS: 13' Ravanelli (J), 41' Litmanen (A)

  PENALTY KICK SEQUENCE: Davids (saved), Ferrara (goal), Litmanen (goal), Pessotto (goal), Scholten (goal), Padovano (goal), Silooy (saved), Jugovic (goal)

  JUVENTUS XI: Peruzzi, Torricelli, Ferrara, Vierchowod, Pessotto; Paulo Sousa (57' Di Livio), Deschamps, Conte (44' Jugovic), Del Piero, Vialli, Ravanelli (77' Padovano). 

  Bench: Rampulla, Porrini. 

  Coach: Marcello Lippi

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  1996-97: DEFEAT IN THE FINAL

  One year after that triumph, Juve had the chance to make it two Champions League successes in a row. 

  With the departure of Vialli, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Pietro Vierchowod and Paulo Sousa, Juve fielded a young team, dragged to the final by the talent of Zinedine Zidane, Nicola Amoruso and Christian Vieri.

  After overpowering Ajax in the semi-finals, the Bianconeri faced Borussia Dortmund as huge favourites. 

  In the final, however, something went wrong: former Lazio player Karl-Heinz Riedle scores a brace.

  Lippi, perhaps too late, sent Alessandro Del Piero on and the Italian star halved the deficit with a nice heel. It was all in vain though, because Lars Ricken stunned Angelo Peruzzi and all of Juventus with a lovely lob to finish the match

  Munich, 28 May 1997

  BORUSSIA DORTMUND 3-1 JUVENTUS
  Scorers: 29' Riedle (B), 34' Riedle (B), 65 'Del Piero (J), 71' Ricken (B)

  JUVENTUS: Peruzzi; Porrini (46 'Del Piero), Ferrara, Montero, Iuliano; Di Livio, Deschamps, Jugovic; Zidane; Vieri (71' Amoruso), Boksic (87' Tacchinardi). 

  Bench: Rampulla, Pessotto. 

  Coach: Lippi

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  1997-98: SECOND CONSECUTIVE MISERY

  A year after the disappointment of Monaco, Juve get to a third final in a row. 

  The Bianconeri win the Scudetto, dragged by an amazing Del Piero and a Zidane chasing the Ballon d'Or.

  The European campaign is also convincing: five goals against Dynamo Kiev in the quarter-finals, and six past Monaco in the next round. The conditions for the triumph are all there.

  This time, in Amsterdam, they take on Real Madrid: Predrag Mijatovic will prove to be the executioner of Lippi's team with a goal still never digested by the Juventus fans as they claim he was in an offside position.

  Amsterdam, 20 May 1998
  JUVENTUS 0-1 REAL MADRID
  SCORER: 67' Mijatovic (R)
  JUVENTUS (4-3-1-2): Peruzzi; Torricelli, Iuliano, Montero, Pessotto (70' Fonseca); Di Livio (46' Tacchinardi), Deschamps (77' Conte), Davids; Zidane; Del Piero, Inzaghi. 

  Bench: Rampulla, Birindelli, Dimas, Amoruso. 

  Coach: Lippi

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  1998-99: ELIMINATION IN THE SEMI-FINAL

  With Zidane fresh from his Ballon d'Or victory, the Bianconeri pass the group stage and the quarter-finals, where they get the better of Olympiakos. 

  It is the year of Del Piero's bad injury, but despite that upset, the Turin side secure a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the first leg semi-final.

  The return match immediately goes well thanks to a brace from Pippo Inzaghi, but then the imponderable happens and the team led by Carlo Ancelotti suffers the return of the Red Devils, who find two goals in the first half and definitively seal the deal with seven minutes left. 

  The star attackers Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole deprive Juve of a place in the final this time.

  Turin, 21 April 1999
  JUVENTUS 2-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
  SCORES: 6 'Inzaghi (I), 11' Inzaghi (I), 24 'Keane (M), 34'
  JUVENTUS (4-4-1-1): Peruzzi; Birindelli (46 'Amoruso), Ferrara, Iuliano (46' Montero), Pessotto; Conte, Deschamps, Davids, Di Livio (80' Fonseca); Zidane; Inzaghi. 

  Bench: Rampulla, Tudor, Tacchinardi, Esnaider. 

  Coach: Ancelotti

Fans may have been forced to wait an extra 12 months, but the tournament is finally here, with some of the world's top players ready to roll

It has been a long time coming, but Euro 2020 (in 2021!) is finally upon us.

And though it promises to be a competition unlike any fans have seen before, with games being spread across the continent and restrictions on the numbers of supporters at the majority of stadiums, the football should still be of the highest quality.

With that in mind, who will be the best players on show over the course of the next few weeks?

Goal has put together the 100 players you should be following ahead of Friday's tournament-opener between Italy and Turkey in Rome…

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  100. Kingsley Coman | France

  One of Bayern Munich's unsung heroes, Coman is coming off a Bundesliga campaign in which he laid on 12 assists, as well as scoring eight goals for the Bundesliga champions.

  His most famous goal, though, remains his headed winner in the 2020 Champions League final as he and Bayern took down his former club, Paris Saint-Germain.

  This summer he will form part of Didier Deschamps' feared forward line as the world champions aim to become European champions too.

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  99. Leonardo Bonucci | Italy

  Juventus stalwart Bonucci is a stereotypical old-fashioned centre-back. Not afraid to but his body on the line in aid of his team, the 34-year-old has spent nine of the last 10 years with Juve and has been a key foundation stone to their success over that time.

  The veteran knows every trick in the book and will make the lives of centre forwards a nightmare.

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  98. Teemu Pukki | Finland

  Pukki is a well-travelled striker who has played at the top level in Spain, Germany, Scotland and Denmark, as well as his homeland.

  Norwich, though, has been his home since 2018, and it was with the Canaries he shot to prominence thanks to a blistering run in the 2019-20 Premier League season.

  Although Daniel Farke's side were relegated, Pukki has fired them back to the big time with another prolific campaign ahead of his country's first appearance at a major tournament.

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  97. Goran Pandev | North Macedonia

  At nearly 38 years old, North Macedonia star Pandev is one of the oldest players on show at Euro 2020. Indeed, he made his professional debut with Belasica in 2000 before some of his rivals were even born!

  And yet the ex-Inter forward continues to operate at the top level of the game with Genoa after a decade and a half at the highest level, with his goal against Georgia in November having secured his country's place at their first-ever major tournament.

With 2020 approaching, Goal has decided to pick out the best players to have lined up for Los Blancos over the past 10 years

• GK: Iker Casillas

  A Real Madrid icon, Iker Casillas gave the club incredible consistency between the sticks for nearly two decades. 

  His final five years at Real at the beginning of the decade may have been interrupted by injury and a spat with Jose Mourinho, but the Spaniard's skill still managed to shine through. 

  Casillas was crowned La Liga's best goalkeeper in 2012 and is considered one of Los Blancos' greatest ever servants.

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  RB: Dani Carvajal

  A Real Madrid youth product, Dani Carvajal was allowed to leave in 2012 for Bayer Leverkusen.

  Less than a year later and he was back at the Bernabeu, with the Blancos exercising their buy-back option after realising he was too good to let go.

  Since returning, Carvajal has become a key part of the Madrid side and has been twice named in the Champions League team of the season.

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  CB: Sergio Ramos

  Over the past decade, if Real Madrid have ever needed rescuing, more often than not it's been Sergio Ramos that's stepped up.

  The veteran defender is not only ruthless at the back, but surprisingly clinical in attack.

  Ramos' ability in front of goal has regularly proven crucial for Los Blancos, with his injury-time equaliser against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final one of his most memorable strikes. 

  In defence, he has become infamous for poor discipline and is the most carded player in La Liga history, but those 'dark arts' have also often been decisive for his side.

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  CB: Raphael Varane

  Described as the best defender in the world by Jose Mourinho in 2014, Raphael Varane has become a rock at the back for Real Madrid.

  Showing maturity well beyond his years since signing for the club in 2011, the Frenchman boasts the speed and strength few centre-backs can match. 

  When fit, Varane is one of the first names on Real's team sheet and rarely puts in a bad performance.