Motherwell’s players have been told to “go home and eat some barbed wire” as manager Alfred Johansson prepares for a demanding decider away to HB Torshavn on Thursday (18:00 BST).

The Fir Park side fly to the Faroe Islands carrying a 2-0 lead from a commanding Conference League second qualifying round first-leg victory last week.

Johansson’s team dominated the ball and the statistics but, against a team who have not lost at home in European competitions for five years, the Swede is preaching caution as he eyes a place in the third round.

“We’re going to try have a good performance,” said the Motherwell boss.

“You have to respect the team that we’re going to play and you’re going to have to respect the place where we’re going to play.

“In 10 years, I believe they’ve lost twice at home in European qualification.

“The last five years, they lost zero times at home, in European qualification, and that includes Brondby, which is a big club in Denmark. It includes Maccabi Haifa. It includes Helsinki. So these are pretty big, big clubs.

“And to think that you’re just going to go there and grab a victory real simple, then you fool yourself.

“So I told the guys today ‘go home and eat some barbed wire’ and prepare for the battle because it’s going to be a battle and you’re going to have to be strong and brave to play our way.

“But the intensity is going to have to be there. Otherwise, there’s no need to travel.”

In September, the France national team will have a new face on the touchline for the first time in 14 years.

By the time the appointment was announced on Tuesday morning, it had long been an open secret that Zinedine Zidane would succeed Didier Deschamps this summer.

Talks between the former Real Madrid manager and the French football authorities kicked off as early as February 2025 – after Zidane’s former team-mate Deschamps announced a few weeks earlier he would step down following the 2026 World Cup.

At his unveiling in Paris, Zidane was keen to highlight the time he had spent waiting on the sidelines and preparing for the job.

“I had several offers in the last four or five years, but I turned them all down,” an emotional Zidane said. “The national team is the only thing I wanted.”

While his enthusiasm at taking the job was the overarching theme of Tuesday morning’s news conference in the French capital, the midfield legend offered few clues to France fans as to how he would approach the role.

Even a question on Kylian Mbappe’s captaincy was bypassed: “The most important thing for him now is to rest, we’ll have the chance to speak in September.”

When asked about his preferred style of play, Zidane opted against going into tactical detail.

“I can’t explain to you in just a couple of words how we’re going win. I have to arrive, meet with the players, and explain my plans to them. After that, it’ll be up to me to keep this team winning.”

However, Zidane confirmed his intention “to do things differently”.

He went on to signal that there would be a degree of “continuation” from the work of his predecessor, which he made sure to praise.

“I’m going to try do what I know how to, but it won’t be a complete break either.”

So what will Zidane bring to the French dugout?

Nottingham Forest are confident of signing promising midfielder Gustavo Sa from Famalicao.

Discussions are underway about Sa joining Forest’s sister club Olympiacos on loan once a deal is completed. A fee of around €20million (£17.1m) is expected to be agreed with Famalicao for the Portuguese under-21 international.

Sa, 21, has made 120 appearances for the Primeira Liga side, scoring 11 goals, after previously being in the youth set-up at Porto.

The attacking midfielder has won 15 under-21 international caps, scoring two goals and is regarded as a player with potential in Portugal.

He broke Joao Moutinho’s record as the youngest player to reach the landmark of playing in 100 games in the Portuguese top division in April this year, at the age of 21 years, three months and four days.

Sa will continue his development in Greece with sister club Olympiacos, where he is expected to head on loan. He will join compatriot Jota Silva in Athens, who is also currently on loan from Forest.

Sa would be Forest’s second summer signing, following the acquisition of midfielder Xaver Schlager from RB Leipzig on a free transfer.

Sa one to watch – but needs minutes now

Sa is seen as a player with a bright future. But he is also somebody who operates in the final third of the pitch, often in the No 10 role where Forest are particularly well stocked.

Morgan Gibbs-White was one of Forest’s most important players last season, contributing 15 goals that went a long way to securing their Premier League status for another season. Head coach Oliver Glasner believes there is more to come from James McAtee, who continues to impress on the training ground in pre-season.

Glasner’s approach of playing with two No 10s might give the former Manchester City man the opportunity to make a more regular impact on the side.

Forest also have Igor Jesus, who looks entirely at home behind the striker, Omari Hutchinson and Arnaud Kalimuendo fighting it out for an opportunity in those positions.

Sa would have the opportunity for more regular first-team football in Greece, which would only aid his development. If he can help Olympiacos in their quest to add to their trophy cabinet this season, it might open the door for him to earn a Premier League chance in the future.