Football: Sacchi for Atletico spells sack for Antic

THE FORMER Italian national team coach, Arrigo Sacchi, will replace Raddy Antic as the coach of Atletico Madrid next season, it was announced yesterday.

The Spanish club's president, Jesus Gil, said Sacchi would take over, although some points of the contract still have to be resolved. Sacchi, who coached the great Milan side of the late 1980s and took Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, has been on a sabbatical since resigning last season after a second spell at Milan. Antic led Atletico to a Spanish League and Cup double in 1995-96, but since then has been unable to repeat that success.

Atletico's great city rivals, Real, last night slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Real Zaragoza. The unexpected result left second-placed Athletic Bilbao close to securing a place in next season's European Champions' League qualifying round. Real have 60 points, with Bilbao on 61. Both clubs have two games still to play.

The former Middlesbrough midfielder Juninho is fit enough to be included in Brazil's World Cup squad, the national team doctor, Lidio Toledo, said in Madrid yesterday.

Juninho made his comeback for Atletico Madrid in a Spanish League fixture on Sunday, after a three-month absence with a broken leg.

Alain Giresse was yesterday named as the new coach of Paris St-Germain. The former French international midfielder will replace the Brazilian, Ricardo, from next season. Giresse is currently coaching Toulouse.