Emre Can shamed by his role in Germany U21s' rout by Portugal

Emre Can: The Liverpool star was disappointed with his performance.

Liverpool star Emre Can called Germany Under-21s' heaviest-ever defeat a "dark day" for the entire country.

The Germans were routed 5-0 by Portugal as Rui Jorge's side booked their place in Tuesday’s final against Sweden in emphatic fashion.

Germany head coach Horst Hrubesch revealed his relief afterwards that the goals stopped there and Can admitted his own performance left a lot to be desired.

"I talked a lot this tournament, big talk even," he told www.uefa.com. "I wanted to win the title.

"I don't know why, but for some reason, I didn't show my best out there. If I am honest, it is just shameful.

"From the first minute onward we failed to find our rhythm. Our mentality also wasn't there - we just had everything missing tonight, but excuses and apologies are no help now."

Can’s Liverpool teammate Tiago Ilori is confident Portugal can go one better than the golden generation of Luis Figo and Rui Costa – who lost the 1994 final – by winning the country’s first Under-21 European Championship.

Ilori, a starter in all three Group B games, was reduced to a watching brief for the Germany encounter due to a thigh complaint, but the Reds defender's frustration was outweighed by his delight at the performance.

"It was great," Ilori said. "I couldn't have asked for better. We're going to do everything we can and of course we're confident - we've always been confident.

"But we are humble enough that every team in the group we were in was good and the other group.

"All the teams in the competitions are good teams, so we're going to give it our best but we're always going to respect the other team."

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Roberto Firmino disappoints as Brazil knocked out of Copa America by Paraguay

Brazil forward Roberto Firmino struggled against Paraguay

Liverpool new boy Roberto Firmino delivered an ineffective performance before being subbed off as Brazil crashed out of the Copa America on Saturday.

The Reds’ £21.3m signing from Hoffenheim started up front against Paraguay but ended up watching their penalty shootout defeat from the bench after he was replaced by Diego Tardelli on 69 minutes.

Firmino’s display will have done little to convince Liverpool fans he can be the one to reinvigorate their mis-firing attack – the forward didn’t get a shot away during his time on the field and only one of his passes led to a team-mate taking a crack at goal.

The closest he got to contributing to Robinho’s opener was a flailing attempted-flick at Dani Alves’ cross. Fortunately for Brazil, Firmino didn’t get a touch and the former Man City forward was able to convert from close range.

The 23-year-old had fewer touches (39) and a poorer pass completion rate (60 per cent) than any other Brazilian who started the game.

He did demonstrate his ability to contribute at the other end of the field, completing two tackles, one interception and one clearance but it was a less than inspiring performance from Liverpool’s big-money signing.

As he packs his bags to leave Chile, Firmino will at least be able to reflect on his winner against Venezuela in the first knockout round – but, in all, as for Brazil as a team, the 2015 Copa America has proved to be a frustrating and disappointing tournament for the forward. 

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Liverpool and Man United 'target' Carlos Bacca agrees AC Milan transfer

Carlos Bacca: Reported to have agreed five-year deal with Milan

Liverpool and Man United's hopes of signing Carlos Bacca appear to be over after the Colombian's agent claimed he has agreed to join AC Milan.

Both Premier League clubs had been considering moves for the highly-rated Sevilla frontman, who has a buy-out fee of £21.5million.

However, the Colombian now appears set to move to Italy after his agent claimed a 30million euros fee had been agreed between Milan and Sevilla, with Bacca set to sign a five-year deal.

"I can confirm that Milan and the player reached an agreement," his agent Sergio Barila told MilanNews.it.

"Carlos chose what is best for his future, so it’s only natural he is happy."

Milan's chief executive Adriano Galliani has been in talks with Sevilla director of sport Monchi over the past 24 hours to thrash out the terms of the transfer. Bacca is now expected to fly to Italy for a medical next week following Colombia's Copa America exit on penalties to Argentina at the quarter-finals stage.

It is believed Bacca has agreed a five-year contract at 2.5m euros per season, rising to over 3m euros with bonuses.

Roma were also understood to be keen on Bacca, who has scored 34 goals in 71 appearances since joining the La Liga side two years ago from Club Brugge.

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