32 nations declare interest in staging Euro 2020 matches

European football's governing body has revealed that a host of nations have submitted their interest in hosting tournament matches in seven years time

Uefa has announced that 39 cities from 32 nations have declared an interest in hosting matches at the 2020 European Championships.

The competition is set to break from tradition and be staged across the continent rather than in one country and London, Rome, Munich, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Madrid are among the cities to have been put forward as prospective venues, with Paris a shock omission from the bid submitted by the French Football Federation, who instead put Lyon forward.

Five countries - Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Ukraine - have named more than one city, with Uefa president Michel Platini delighted at the clamour to be part of the event that will mark the 60th anniversary of the tournament.

"We are extremely proud to see the huge interest in the bidding process, with more than half of our member associations willing to host matches at Euro 2020," Platini told the official Uefa website.

"The finals will be a great celebration of football across the European continent, and the 60th anniversary edition will be truly special, by really coming to the doorstep of all football fans."

The Uefa Executive Committee will decide in September 2014 on the 13 cities that will host games during Euro 2020.

Cities could be awarded one of 12 standard packages that include three group matches and one knock-out game, or the showpiece package of both semi-finals and the final.

The 32 member associations on the UEFA shortlist are: Armenia (Yerevan), Azerbaijan (Baku), Belarus (Minsk), Belgium (Brussels), Bulgaria (Sofia), Croatia (Zagreb), Czech Republic (Prague), Denmark (Copenhagen), England (London), Finland (Helsinki), France (Lyon), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Skopje), Germany (Munich), Greece (Athens), Hungary (Budapest), Israel (Jerusalem), Italy (Rome and Milan), Kazakhstan (Astana), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Poland (Warsaw and Chorzow), Portugal (Lisbon and Porto), Republic of Ireland (Dublin), Romania (Bucharest), Russia (Saint Petersburg), Scotland (Glasgow), Serbia (Belgrade), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia), Sweden (Solna), Switzerland (Basel), Turkey (Istanbul), Ukraine (Kyiv and Donetsk) and Wales (Cardiff).

Alexis: I still have room for improvement

The Chile international aims to build on his good start to the season at Barcelona and is determined to fulfill his potential this term

Alexis Sanchez says he is feeling very well at Barcelona following his fine start to the 2013-14 campaign, but has insisted that he still has room for improvement.

The Chile international has netted two goals in three La Liga appearances so far this term, including the winner in Barcelona's 3-2 win over Sevilla last weekend, and he has made it clear that there is more to come in the remainder of the season.

"I feel the confidence of the coach and of my team-mates, which makes me feel very well out there on the pitch," Alexis was quoted as saying by La Tercera. 

"But I still have room for improvement. I am not yet on top of my game."

Alexis joined Barcelona from Udinese in the summer of 2011 and has since made close to 100 appearances for the Catalans, winning one La Liga title and a Copa del Rey in the process.

Alexis: I still have room for improvement

The Chile international aims to build on his good start to the season at Barcelona and is determined to fulfill his potential this term

Alexis Sanchez says he is feeling very well at Barcelona following his fine start to the 2013-14 campaign, but has insisted that he still has room for improvement.

The Chile international has netted two goals in three La Liga appearances so far this term, including the winner in Barcelona's 3-2 win over Sevilla last weekend, and he has made it clear that there is more to come in the remainder of the season.

"I feel the confidence of the coach and of my team-mates, which makes me feel very well out there on the pitch," Alexis was quoted as saying by La Tercera. 

"But I still have room for improvement. I am not yet on top of my game."

Alexis joined Barcelona from Udinese in the summer of 2011 and has since made close to 100 appearances for the Catalans, winning one La Liga title and a Copa del Rey in the process.

Alexis: I still have room for improvement

The Chile international aims to build on his good start to the season at Barcelona and is determined to fulfill his potential this term

Alexis Sanchez says he is feeling very well at Barcelona following his fine start to the 2013-14 campaign, but has insisted that he still has room for improvement.

The Chile international has netted two goals in three La Liga appearances so far this term, including the winner in Barcelona's 3-2 win over Sevilla last weekend, and he has made it clear that there is more to come in the remainder of the season.

"I feel the confidence of the coach and of my team-mates, which makes me feel very well out there on the pitch," Alexis was quoted as saying by La Tercera. 

"But I still have room for improvement. I am not yet on top of my game."

Alexis joined Barcelona from Udinese in the summer of 2011 and has since made close to 100 appearances for the Catalans, winning one La Liga title and a Copa del Rey in the process.

Roma confirm new Totti deal

The Giallorossi legend has been in talks with the capital club over a new deal for some time and has now penned a contract that is likely to see him end his career in Rome

Roma have confirmed that Francesco Totti has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at Stadio Olimpico until 2016.

The 36-year-old's current deal had been due to expire at the end of the current season but after lengthy discussions with the capital club, the Giallorossi legend revealed his delight at extending his stay with his hometown club on Friday.

"I have another two years of responsibilities and I'm sure we'll achieve some great things together," Totti told reporters at a press conference.

"I'd like to thank the president for this new contract. Everyone wanted it to happen, me and the club."

Totti retired from international duty after winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006 but his form last season - which saw him score 12 goals in 36 Serie A appearances - prompted speculation he could return to theAzzurri fold.

And though he insists his primary focus remains improving on last season's sixth place finish with Roma, the Italian admits he would consider a recall if Cesare Prandelli comes calling.

He added: "Going to the World Cup? My jersey is the Roma jersey but obviously I remain open to the possibility. We'll see."

Club president James Pallotta was sat beside Totti at the announcement of his new deal and said his committment to the club was a sign of progress.

"I'm honoured that Francesco Totti is staying here and I'd like to toast to a great future for Roma and Francesco," said Pallotta.

"I'm pleased with what we've achieved in the last few months. We're a work in progress and we're forging ahead."

Baines wanted to join Manchester United, admits Stubbs

The left-back was the subject of frequent bids by the Premier League champions over the summer but, even while Marouane Fellaini was sold to Old Trafford, the Toffees held firm

Everton coach Alan Stubbs has revealed that Leighton Baines wanted to join Manchester United in the summer but was refused the chance.

The Red Devils bid repeatedly for both the left-back and midfielder Marouane Fellaini throughout the summer but eventually had to settle for only the Belgian, agreeing a £27.5 million deal late on transfer deadline day.

Speaking at a Football Writers Association event, Stubbs confirmed that the Toffees drew the line at selling Baines before recruiting the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy late on.

"The way the transfer deadline goes, everyone looks at it and it got to a stage where we knew the Gareth Bale [to Real Madrid] thing was going to happen," he recalled. "That was the big one. Underlying from that, there wasn't really an awful lot going on.

"Probably come seven o'clock on the night [September 2] at Everton the word from the training ground was that no one was going to go.

"Fellaini was staying. Bainesy was never really an option - the club had dug its heels in. Bainesy had obviously said he'd like to go.

"And then, come nine o'clock, suddenly we started to get linked with Lukaku and then the Fellaini thing was starting with negotiations with United. By the time it had finished we'd bought three in and they are great additions to the squad."

Falcao reminds me of Ibrahimovic, says Alex

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated Ligue 1 clash against Monaco, the Paris Saint-Germain defender has drawn comparisons between the Colombian star and his own team-mate

Paris Saint-Germain defender Alex is relishing the opportunity to measure himself against Monaco strikerRadamel Falcao in this weekend's Ligue 1 clash and has likened the Colombia international to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Falcao has netted four goals in five league appearances for Monaco so far and Alex has acknowledged that PSG must keep a close eye on the 27-year-old.

"I have never played against Falcao so far, but I obviously know him," Alex told reporters.

"You can never relax against him, because he's always waiting for his moment. He reminds me of Ibrahimovic. He is one of the best and we will have to keep a close eye on him.

"He is a great player and a very dangerous striker. He is among the best in the world with his qualities. We have to be very careful against him and can't afford to allow him any space."

Sundays encounter at the Parc des Princes kicks off at 21:00CET.