Fourteen players have been taken off the Netherlands squad as they prepare to face Italy in a World Cup qualifier.

• There is no reason for Dortmund to be down after their 3-2 loss against Bayern Munich. While the result is not what they wanted, they can take some positives from the game.
• Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville had a heated exchange on Sky Sports after Harry Kane was shown a red card for involvement in Abdoulaye Doucoure's dismissal.
• According to Spanish publication 3L`Equipe, the separation of Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain is all but confirmed. The report states that a divorce is already in the works and that the Argentinian superstar is fed up with the Ligue 1 club's ruthless recruitment policy. Messi is said to be unhappy with the way PSG have been treating him this season, particularly with the way they've tried to sign Neymar.

The Netherlands have drawn 0-0 against Bulgaria in their opening match of the World Cup qualifiers.

Netherlands 0, France 2 France went into the match riding an eight-game unbeaten streak and looking to solidify their spot in the 2018 World Cup, but the Netherlands smelled blood in the water and came out with a strong performance. Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann gave the French attack a lot of injection, but it was the Netherlands’ sturdy defense that kept them in the game. Despite the two goals conceded, the Netherlands deserved