Japan J3 League
Giménez and Baena, in their countdown
Baena and José María Giménez completed individual ball work at Cerro del Espino as they enter the final phase of their recoveries, set to miss Girona but aiming to return for Real Sociedad and reach peak form for the Saudi Super Cup.
Rayo Vallecano and Mainz among the teams through to the Conference League round of sixteen
Rayo Vallecano and Mainz joined Strasbourg and other qualifiers in sealing direct passage to the UEFA Conference League round of sixteen, while the remaining contenders head into February’s play off ties and Universitatea Craiova suffered late heartbreak to miss out on qualification.
FC Porto is backing Pal after Farioli: This is a crisis of confidence
FC Porto has issued a statement about the quality of refereeing in Portugal. Earlier, head coach Francesco Farioli strongly criticised the referee in the match between FC Porto and Famalicão. Porto fully supports his view and believes there is a bigger problem.