Lyon out of League Cup
Lyon: Lyon suffered a surprise exit from the French League Cup on Tuesday as Bruno Genesio's side were beaten 2-1 at home by Strasbourg in the quarter-finals. The hosts, who sit third in the Ligue 1 table behind runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain and Lille, fell behind to an early Ludovic Ajorque spot-kick. Nabil Fekir wasted an opportunity to level on the stroke of half-time, blazing a penalty over the crossbar after he had been tripped in the area, but Bertrand Traore latched onto Memphis Depay's flick to power home a 49th-minute equaliser. Strasbourg responded quickly, though, as Ivorian defender Lamine Kone headed in his second goal in as many games after netting against Nice in their last league match before the winter break.
Higuain poised for Chelsea move
Milan: AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain has "agreed terms" and is set for an imminent move to Premier League club Chelsea, Italian sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport reported on Wednesday. Higuain joined Milan on a season-long loan from Juventus in July with an option to buy but has struggled to settle at the San Siro, scoring eight goals in all competitions. And the 31-year-old Argentina international wants to join former Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri at the English club which would take over his 36 million euro ($41 million) buy-out clause. "Chelsea have an agreement with Higuain to take him immediately," Gazzetta reported. Higuain had his most successful season under Sarri, breaking the Serie A goalscoring record with 36 goals in the 2015/16 campaign.
Bayern eager to sign Hudson-Odoi
Munich: Bayern Munich, who are targeting young talent in the current transfer window, have confirmed their strong interest in English teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi amid reports the defending German champions have agreed a fee with Chelsea. "We definitely want to sign him — he has the qualities which would fit very well into our team," Bayern's director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic said on Wednesday at their winter training camp in Doha. "He is very fast and good at dribbling." According to Sky, Bayern and Chelsea have agreed a transfer of 39 million euros, but it is unclear whether Hudson-Odoi would move in the current Bundesliga transfer window, which closes on January 31, or in July.
Sharath wins 9th national title
Cuttack: Veteran Sharath Kamal broke Kamlesh Mehta's long-standing record of most national titles by winning his ninth crown following a gruelling final against India teammate G Sathiyan here on Wednesday. An exciting final was on the cards with world number 30 taking on 31st ranked Sathiyan. And what a final it turned out to be with Sharath securing it 4-3. Sathiyan matched Sharath stroke to stroke, yet, he failed to win the elusive maiden trophy despite reaching the final on three occasions. Youngster Archana Kamath lifted the women's trophy for the first time. Her confidence had soared after beating CWG Gold medallist Manika Batra in the semifinals.
Inter accept 2-game san siro closure
Milan: Inter Milan will not appeal their two-match stadium closure imposed after racist chanting directed towards Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, the Serie A club confirmed on Tuesday. Inter were ordered to play two domestic matches behind closed doors for the abuse of Koulibaly during their Serie A clash on December 26. The club said they would not appeal the Lega Serie A decision, and have asked the Italian football federation if they can invite local schoolchildren to the match against Sassuolo on January 19. The stadium will be closed for Sunday's Italian Cup tie against Benevento. Inter will also have to play another game with their North Stand closed.