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Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on another trophy as Al-Nassr were beaten on penalties in the Saudi Super Cup final by Al-Ahli following a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

Al-Nassr lost on penalties after drawing 2-2Ronaldo heroics were not enough Wait for silverware continues for the PortugueseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE

Right from the first whistle, Al-Nassr looked like a team on a mission to help Ronaldo clinch his second title in Saudi Arabia since he won the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. Jorge Jesus' men piled on the pressure with a flurry of attacks, but the chances went begging due to some poor finishing, and they ultimately tasted disappointment. 

Wesley made a darting run down the byline and cut into the box, attempting to find the far post, but his shot fizzed just wide. Felix then had another opportunity, but Edouard Mendy, the opposing goalkeeper, was quick to react and denied the shot. Ronaldo, never one to shy away from the spotlight, tried his own acrobatic attempt in the 22nd minute, but his overhead kick went straight to the keeper.

Nassr kept persevering to take the lead, and in the 41st minute, they drew first blood when the referee awarded them a penalty when the ball struck Ali Majrashi’s arm in the box. With the tension mounting, it was only fitting that Ronaldo stepped up to take the spot-kick. Calmly, he slotted the ball down the middle, sending Mendy the wrong way to put his team 1-0 ahead. However, their joy was short-lived as Franck Kessie curled in a brilliant shot from the edge of the box, beating goalkeeper Bento and restoring parity. 

As the match neared its conclusion, it appeared that Marcelo Brozovic had sealed the deal for Al-Nassr. With eight minutes remaining, he pounced on a loose ball following a mistake from Kessi, who lost possession at the edge of the box. Brozovic calmly curled the ball into the far corner, past Mendy, who had no chance. But just when victory seemed certain, Al Ahli had one last surprise. In a dramatic final moment, Roger Ibanez rose above the rest to head home a corner and equalise for Al Ahli. 

In the penalty shootout, Mendy emerged as the hero as he kept out Abdullah Al-Khaibari's attempt to seal the trophy for Al-Ahli. 

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At 40 years old, Ronaldo not only proved his enduring quality but also made history by scoring his 100th goal for Al-Nassr, becoming the first player ever to net 100+ goals for five different teams: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr and Portugal.

THE MVP

Mendy was the showstopper on Saturday evening. He denied Ronaldo in the second half, and in the shootout, he won the battle of nerves against Al-Khaibari to inspire his team to silverware. 

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AFPTHE BIG LOSER

Ronaldo lost out on another trophy, and yet the Portuguese could have done little more in the match. He scored the two spot-kicks that he attempted, tested Mendy on a couple of occasions, and was arguably the brightest spark in Al-Nassr's attack. And yet, there is more disappointment. 

Tottenham explored a move to sign Marc Casado from Barcelona this summer, as Chelsea and Atletico Madrid continue to explore a potential move.

Spurs eyed Casado swoopHeld talks with BarcaChelsea and Atletico monitoring playerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per Sport, Spurs were interested in signing Casado from Barcelona this summer. The club approached the Catalan side over a deal to secure the 21-year-old's signature, but Casado was not keen on making the move to north London. He has made a total of 41 first-team appearances for Barca.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The youngster is valued at around €30 million (£26m/$35m) and both Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are also keeping tabs on developments. Barca are said to be hopeful that a deal can be reached for the midfielder to leave, but Spurs are unlikely to come back to the negotiating table, having secured Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich as defensive midfield depth. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Casado is a full Spain international, having won two caps for his country, but has yet to nail down a spot in Hansi Flick's starting XI. Last season, he made 20 La Liga starts and also had to deal with a ligament injury that saw him miss over a month of action towards the end of the season. 

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Casado has a contract until 2028 and Barca are willing to do business. It remains to be seen if Chelsea or Atleti will make a formal bid. 

Big picture

Bazball vs spin. It promises to be the story of these five Tests, and it might be a story of parallel plots. There is, of course, Bazball vs India’s spinners. But perhaps even more relevant to England’s chances is the question of Bazball vs England’s spinners.What? Hang in there. All will be explained.England’s spinners conceded roughly 18 runs more per wicket than India’s did during the 2016-17 tour, and 12 runs more per wicket – on far spicier pitches – in 2020-21. Even if Bazball manages to inflate the averages of India’s spinners on this tour, it’s hard to see it translate into results if England’s spinners can’t bridge the gap in the other direction.Related

• The stakes in play for India, England and Test cricket

• Switch Hit: Let the spin cycle commence

• A chance for Shubman Gill to level up against England

• Rajat Patidar added to India Test squad as Kohli's replacement

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen batted magnificently in 2012-13, but England won that series primarily because Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann and James Anderson outbowled a transitional India attack. Since then, Australia have been the only team to come close to even drawing a Test series in India; they came as close as they did in 2016-17 and 2022-23 because their bowlers came close to matching the skill and discipline of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.Can England find a way to do this? They’ve named their XI for the first Test in Hyderabad, which begins on Thursday on a pitch that looks dry and selectively watered, and that XI includes three frontline spinners. Those spinners have played played 36 Tests between them, of which Jack Leach accounts for 35.Hardly Swann and Panesar, then.It’s a selection that reflects a broader reality – spin occupies a narrow and an ever-shrinking space in 21st century County cricket – and England can only choose from what they have. It means that the odds are stacked against them at the start of another India tour, but do not bet against Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes finding a way to make things interesting.

Form guide

India WLDWL (last five Tests, most recent first)
England WDWLLShubman Gill averaged 19.83 the last time England toured India•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight

Shubman Gill finds himself at an interesting juncture in his Test career, seeking to establish himself in a new role at No. 3 while still finding his feet in the format. There’s no doubting his talent, and his average of 30.58 after 20 Tests is partly down to the bowler-friendly pitches he has usually had to play on, but he’ll feel under some pressure as Virat Kohli, who has opted out due to personal reasons, might return after the second Test. Gill endured a torrid series the last time England toured India, averaging 19.83 and falling five times in seven innings to fast bowlers. He’ll want to show an improved defence against conventional and reverse swing this time, and ensure he’s around for the notionally bigger challenge of scoring runs against spin.Talk of spin has dominated the lead-up to this match, but England will not be unaware that Umesh Yadav, Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel shared 18 wickets in the last Test played in Hyderabad. That may have been more than five years ago, and an entirely different surface may have been prepared for this game, but if there’s bounce on offer – as there was in 2018 – then Mark Wood could find a way to make it his ally.

Team news

After keeping wicket for the first time in his Test career on the recent tour of South Africa, KL Rahul will return to being a specialist batter, though he will remain in the middle order. KS Bharat, who kept in all four Tests of India’s last home series, seems likely to return to the XI ahead of the uncapped Dhruv Jurel, though Rohit Sharma didn’t give a definitive answer to this question in his pre-match press conference. Axar Patel’s batting and encouraging recent form with the ball is likely to earn him selection as third spinner ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. With Kohli out, India are spared the headache of leaving out one of Rahul, Gill and Shreyas Iyer.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 KS Bharat (wk), 8 Axar Patel, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajBen Foakes will keep wicket for England in Hyderabad•Getty Images

England have made a similar decision to India in handing the big gloves to their best pure keeper in Ben Foakes, and letting Jonny Bairstow focus on his batting.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Ben Foakes (wk), 8 Rehan Ahmed, 9 Mark Wood, 10 Tom Hartley, 11 Jack Leach

Pitch and conditions

With the World Test Championship points structure putting extra pressure on teams to win games, teams around the world have taken to preparing bowler-friendly pitches. This, in India, has meant tracks that turn from day one, and Hyderabad is unlikely to buck this trend, with the pitch sporting distinctly dry-looking strips at either end on a spinner’s good length.The weather is expected to be clear and pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the high 20s (Celsius).R Ashwin (490) and Ravindra Jadeja (275) begin the series with an eye on Test wicket milestones•PTI

Stats and trivia

• Ashwin (490) and Jadeja (275) begin the series with an eye on Test wicket milestones.
• Joe Root (2526) is only ten runs away from surpassing Sachin Tendulkar as the highest run-getter in Tests between England and India. Root already has the most centuries (nine) in these contests, and averages 63.15.
• Leach will look to build on a solid first tour of India in 2020-21, during which he took 18 wickets in four Tests at 28.72. He will be pleased that India are without Rishabh Pant, who hit him for 88 runs in just 59 balls during that series, while only being dismissed once.
• India are going into a Test match without either Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane in their XI for the first time since November 2011.

Quotes

“By no means whatever record we have in the past decade or so gives us the guarantee that we are going to come out here on top as well, and win the series. We still have to play our best cricket – good cricket that we know that we play in these conditions… The last team to beat us here in our conditions was England. I wouldn’t say we are not beatable. Definitely we are. We want to think that if we don’t step up or if you don’t show up, well, we are going to find ourselves in trouble.”
“I don’t necessarily think it’s bold or brave, it’s just me and Baz looking at the wicket and picking the XI that we think will give us the best chance. That’s the XI we’ve gone with. It’s very exciting for Tom Hartley to make his Test debut. Looking forward to seeing him out there, and captaining him. He’s been very impressive in the buildup in Abu Dhabi. It’s a team based around what we think will give us the best chance of winning this game.”

Pakistan team director says the aim is to try and score 330 more often than not

Shashank Kishore14-Oct-2023

Mickey Arthur said he thought the Pakistan batters should have tried to attack India’s spinners more•AFP/Getty Images

“I think they’ve [India] got all bases covered and I’m looking forward to meeting them in the final again.”Shortly after Pakistan suffered arguably the worst of their eight defeats to India at the men’s ODI World Cup, their team director Mickey Arthur was determined to look forward in their campaign.But he was frank in his assessment of where Pakistan fell short in Ahmedabad: timid with the bat, and possibly a little intimidated by the occasion that made them retreat “into their shells just a little bit”.He didn’t want to lay the blame on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who put on 82 for the third wicket in 17.2 overs. When Mohammed Siraj bowled Babar in the 30th over, Pakistan were 155 for 3, and then collapsed to 191 all out.”Look, they’re classy performers and they’ve done it day in and day out for Pakistan over an extended period of time. So, I’m not going to sit here and castigate them for that,” Arthur said. “As I said, I thought we were a little bit timid.”I did think we could probably have taken on the Indian spinners just a little bit more [Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja had combined figures of 19.5-0-83-4]. It was a wicket that didn’t turn massively, and I thought we needed to put some pressure back.Related

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An hour of hell: Deconstructing Pakistan's jaw-dropping collapse

“But again, they were building and building nicely. I think we’ve got to realise that there are two ways to skin a cat. And we’ve had success by taking it deep and then cashing in at the back end. That’s been our style, that’s been our brand, but we didn’t play the Pakistan way tonight, and that was the disappointing aspect of it for me.”Arthur said there would be no knee-jerk reactions after the defeat, given they had won their first two fixtures of the World Cup. However, he did feel they had deviated from their plans against India.”There’s certainly no panic yet,” he said. “We’ll go back, and we’ll analyse this game to the n’th degree. We’ll talk to our players. We’ll have conversations about how we want to go forward. Australia’s our next game [in Bengaluru on October 20]. We’ll look at conditions, and then we’ll make a selection decision based on our strategy and conditions for the next game.”We set ourselves up as a 330 team. We’ve got the personnel to build and build and build and make sure that we keep that momentum going through the innings so that we can cash in at the back end. But we’ve certainly tried to instill in our team that we’re a 330 team, because we think if we get that, we defend that more often than not with our bowling attack.”Arthur was slightly concerned by Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi’s form. They have taken only six wickets between them in the first three games while conceding more than a run a ball.Shadab hasn’t been able to exert control over the middle overs and spin is emerging as a weakness in Pakistan’s attack, and Shaheen hasn’t found the swing that makes him a potent threat with the new ball.”Look, we’ve been doing a little bit of work behind the scenes,” Arthur said when asked about Shadab and Shaheen. “It’d be remiss of me to discuss it out here, but we’ve been doing some work with them.”For me, it’s just about confidence. The key for us now is getting our players to remain calm. It’s getting our players to focus on the next game, and it’s to build them up and make sure that they go into that next game thinking they can run through a brick wall.”

His second century in as many games lifted South Africa to 311, and Australia barely got going in the chase

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Oct-20231:10

Moody: Australia look like a side put together in the last minute

If South Africa really do want to move through this 2023 World Cup under the radar, they must do better than this. Because in wiping the floor with Australia in Lucknow, winning by a mammoth 134 runs for their second victory in as many games, they have put out one hell of a statement that is impossible to ignore.As ever, Quinton de Kock made the most noise, crashing 109 up top as South Africa put up 311 for 7 having been asked to bat first. Australia’s decision at the toss, and the moves to reinforce their batting with Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis drafted in for Alex Carey and Cameron Green, came to nothing. A lack of impetus with the ball and errors in the field spilled into their chase – dead and buried as early as the 18th over at 70 for 6. Two straight defeats mean they can afford little room for error in the remaining seven games of the league stage.Related

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It’s not news that this tournament will be de Kock’s last appearances in the ODI format, but it is worth remembering on nights like these. The 30-year-old is departing the scene at the peak of his powers, following a crisp 100 in the opening victory against Sri Lanka with this classy 91-ball jaunt to three figures. The 13 boundaries – five of them sixes – were crispy as you’d like against some of the most accomplished white ball bowlers on the circuit. Hundred No.19 was as much a reminder of the stock of a modern limited-overs great, as a word to the wise that South Africa are gunning for the their first world title.As poor as they were, Australia have cause to lament two decisions against them. Steven Smith was given out LBW as an on-field decision was overturned on DRS despite the naked eye suggesting the ball was on its way past leg stump. Of far greater doubt was the decision to send Marcus Stoinis on his way for a catch down the leg side. Stoinis’ bottom hand was off the bat when in contact with the ball, with television umpire Richard Kettleborough suggesting it was in contact with the top hand, which did not seem to be the case from the front-on view. Kagiso Rabada was the bowler to profit from both, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 33.However, it will be far more productive for Australia to assess their own mistakes, missing an eye-watering seven chances in the first half of this counter. Temba Bavuma was on the right end of three of them. A top edge on 15 caught Adam Zampa lacking at deep third, before an edge off the leg spinner was missed with the Proteas skipper on 19. He was then lucky to continue his innings on 31 when a relay catch on the midwicket boundary could not be completed after substitute fielder Sean Abbott’s overarm toss back into play went over the head of Mitchell Starc.Quinton de Kock kicked off the 2023 World Cup with back-to-back tons•AFP/Getty Images

Pat Cummins then shelled a caught-and-bowled from Aiden Markram, allowing him to move on from 1 to 56 from 44 deliveries, before two more errors in the penultimate over of the innings; Starc shelled David Miller (on 10) at deep square leg and Stoinis botched a simpler opportunity at cover off Marco Jansen (25). Factor in a spurned run out of de Kock when looking for a single on 22 at the end of the sixth over, and the collective malaise tots up to a galling 170 runs.The crux of de Kock’s assault was the clarity of every shot in anger. The early swing and seam available to Starc and Josh Hazlewood, respectively, lent itself to a quiet start. The opening batter soon turned up the volume with a flick for six over square leg off the former, followed by a brace of fours, guided then driven square, off the latter, across the fifth and sixth over.His steady progress allowed Bavuma to go at his own pace, pitching in with 17 from the 53 managed in the powerplay, then 35 in the overall opening stand of 108 before falling to Maxwell to a catch at deep midwicket. Though Maxwell was able to follow that up with a maiden against de Kock in the 22nd over, the left-hander made amends in the 23rd with a brace of sixes over backward square leg off Hazlewood.A half-century stand for the second wicket ended with Rassie van der Dussen falling to Zampa, failing to clear straight where, this time, Abbott had enough room between him and the sponge to complete the dismissal himself. Eight deliveries later, de Kock heaved over the leg side for his fifth six to bring up his third ODI hundred against Australia.With the score 171 for 2 and 20 overs remaining, the threat of an insurmountable total was taking its toll on Cummins, evident when he burned a review against de Kock – on 104 – for a speculative outside edge off his own bowling. But the wicket they craved would come, de Kock trying to force the issue with a reverse sweep that made its way onto his own stumps.That was the second batter to fall to Maxwell, who would eventually close out his 10 overs without conceding a boundary as they continued to flow elsewhere. Markram and Heinrich Klassen combined to heap more misery on Hazlewood in the 38th, with three boundaries in an over costing 14. The pair brought up another fifty stand – this one off 41 deliveries. Markram would take as many himself to bring up one of his own in the midst of Zampa’s final two overs getting carted for 25.Kagiso Rabada was at the centre of South Africa’s bowling excellence•ICC/Getty Images

At that point – 263 for 3 with seven overs to go – Australia began to pull things back with pace-off deliveries. Cummins nabbed Markram with a cutter guided to backward point, then Klaasen top-edged Hazlewood’s slower bumper through to Inglis – both in the space of seven deliveries.Starc was struck for a six by Jansen, who then skewed over third up in the ring for four. The left-armer then dropped Miller on 10, having seemingly caught a tough chance at backward square leg only for the ball to pop out as he bumped to the ground. Two balls later, Stoinis shelled an easier high chance at cover for Jansen’s life.Starc would close things out emphatically – Warner catching Jansen, Miller yorked – in a final over which would reap just one run via a leg bye. Australia looked back in contention with the damage from the final seven overs limited to just 48 runs.Unfortunately, South Africa’s quicks had been taking notes. And in among the movement with the two shiny new Kookaburras were variations that accounted for Australia’s openers Mitchell Marsh and David Warner in seven deliveries up to the end of the seventh over. Marsh skied to Bavuma at mid off after Jansen got a delivery to stop in the pitch, before Warner slapped a similar ball straight to cover in the second of Lungi Ngidi’s two maidens in the first four overs of his 50th ODI.Then came Smith’s contentious LBW appeal, having struck two crisp fours off Rabada, who left nothing up for debate when squaring up Inglis to take out the right-hander’s off stump. When Maxwell’s leading edge gave Keshav Maharaj a simple return catch, Australia’s goose was well and truly cooked at 65 for 5 with 247 still required from 33.5 overs.A defiant stand of 69 – the second highest of the match – was put together by Marnus Labuschagne and Starc after Stoinis fell. The aim was solely NRR preservation, clawing back what pride they could before extra bounce from Jansen and a chip to cover off Maharaj saw another two dismissals.Cummins and Zampa heaved for 32 more between them, before Tabraiz Shamsi – playing instead of Gerald Coetzee – took two in three, Cummins and Hazlewood skying into the off side, to have something to show for his day.The moment of victory arrived with 9.1 overs to go. But really, the match was done a long time before.

وجه المدير الفني الصربي، ميتشو، رسالة وداع مؤثرة إلى قائد الزمالك السابق، محمود عبد الرازق شيكابالا، عقب إعلان اعتزاله الرسمي لكرة القدم، مشيدًا بدوره القيادي وتاريخه الحافل داخل القلعة البيضاء.

وأعلن شيكابالا الأربعاء الماضي، اعتزاله رسميًا بعد مسيرة كبيرة حقق خلالها 18 لقبًا وكان أحد أبرز نجوم الكرة المصرية وحقق بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2010.

اقرأ أيضًا | وائل القباني: شيكابالا رفض التسديد أمام بيراميدز.. وأؤيد اعتزاله

وفي تصريحات خاصة لموقع بطولات، قال ميتشو: “يشرفني ويسعدني أنني في عام 2019 كنت مدربًا للزمالك، وكان الكابتن محمود عبد الرازق شيكابالا له دور محوري في التتويج بكأس مصر دون تلقي أي هدف، وإعادة الفريق إلى دور المجموعات ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، الذي شهد لاحقًا وصول الزمالك إلى النهائي”.

وأضاف: “لقد كان من دواعي سروري وشرفي أن أعمل مع شيكابالا في تلك اللحظة التاريخية، يمكنني القول إنه شخص مميز، يمتلك عقلية الفوز، ولمسة القائد، وكل السمات التي يتمناها أي مدرب في لاعب”.

وأردف المدرب الصربي: “في أرض الملعب، كانت تمريراته الحاسمة دائمًا هي العنصر الفارق الذي يصنع الانتصارات، ولطالما أحدثت الفارق في لحظات حاسمة”.

وتابع ميتشو حديثه برسالة مباشرة إلى قائد الزمالك المعتزل: “الآن، بعد أن قررت تعليق حذائك واعتزال كرة القدم، لا يسعني سوى أن أقول لك، شكرًا جزيلًا على كل ما قدمته لملايين من جماهير الزمالك”.

واختتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “أتمنى وأحثك أن تجد طريقًا لترد الجميل لكرة القدم ولنادي الزمالك، كما قدم لك هذا النادي العظيم، لأنك رمز من رموزه، وأسطورة خالدة في تاريخه، نتمنى لك كل التوفيق في مغامرتك المقبلة”.

Chelsea have conducted excellent business in the transfer market over the last couple of years, handing Enzo Maresca the platform to be a success.

The Italian has a superb squad at his disposal, having depth in key areas, helping them sit in fourth place in the Premier League – aiming to secure a Champions League place come the end of the campaign.

However, mixing that with the superb academy facilities in West London makes for a great combination, with numerous players making the jump into the senior ranks over the years.

Levi Colwill has cemented his place in Maresca’s backline over the last few months, starting all but two of the league outings since his appointment in the summer.

He’s often been partnered by another player who emerged through the ranks at Cobham, making a name for himself with his excellent performances since his debut.

Reece James’ stats for Chelsea in 2024/25

Full-back Reece James has been a player who has had his injury struggles in recent years, restricting his progress for Chelsea and holding him back from his full potential.

The 25-year-old has made just 11 Premier League appearances in 2024/25, but has still managed to impress, leading to an England call-up for the current international break.

He’s managed to complete 90% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst also creating 0.9 chances per game – having a huge impact in attacking areas despite his defensive role.

James has also managed to catch the eye defensively, winning 5.4 duels per 90 to date, along with 1.1 interceptions – helping the side keep six clean sheets in the league this season.

However, despite his impressive showings after his latest setbacks, he’s now valued lower than one player who’s often filled the void in his absence in recent times.

The Chelsea player who’s worth more than James

His injury issues have allowed numerous players to stake their claim at right-back under Maresca – numerous of whom have featured out of position.

Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana are just two players who have operated in the aforementioned department but have struggled to match the performance levels of one other first-team member.

Malo Gusto has developed well since his £26m move to join the Blues back in January 2023, providing the goods at right-back within Maresca’s side.

The Frenchman has already featured 66 times for the Blues, with 29 of which coming in the current campaign, the majority of which have been in the Premier League.

He’s impressed in numerous key areas, outperforming James in various departments and showcasing the rise he’s endured since his big-money transfer.

Games played

24

11

Goals & assists

1

1

Progressive carries

2.3

0.7

Pass accuracy

86%

84%

Tackles won

1.5

0.9

Blocks made

1.5

1.3

Carries into final third

1.8

0.5

Gusto, who’s previously been dubbed “unbelievable” by journalist Nizaar Kinsella has managed to complete more progressive carries and achieve a higher pass accuracy, highlighting the threat he carries in attack.

However, he’s also managed to win more tackles per 90, whilst also making more blocks, having that defensive solidity to help Maresca in his quest for Champions League football.

As a result of his showings, the 21-year-old has seen his market value to £30m as per Transfermarkt, a fee higher than that of James, who’s only valued at £25m after his injury issues.

Such a deal is evident that the club have recruited well in the transfer market, making the right call in investing in young talents and handing them the platform to improve.

With Gusto and James both on the books, it’s safe to say that the department should be sorted for years to come, with the pair having the opportunity to write themselves in Blues history.

Boehly must finally sell Chelsea flop who's drained them of £114m

Enzo Maresca must finally cash in on the Chelsea flop who has cost the club £114m so far.

ByDan Emery Mar 24, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Em sua segunda passagem pelo Fluminense, Fernando Diniz tem feito um trabalho consistente e animado a torcida. Com a equipe invicta há nove partidas e presente no G4 do Brasileirão, o treinador tem sido cobiçado no mercado. Na última sexta, ele recebeu uma sondagem do Atlético-MG, mas preferiu seguir no clube carioca.

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Ao optar por permanecer no projeto até o fim da temporada, Diniz não só fortalece sua imagem com a torcida tricolor, como também com o elenco. Ele nunca escondeu o carinho e a gratidão pelo clube, que acreditou novamente em seu trabalho e estilo de jogo.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

A identificação dentro e fora de campo é nítida e tem feito com que o trabalho vá além da estrutura tática. Mesmo com um elenco menos robusto que algumas equipes do futebol brasileiro, o Fluminense tem feito atuações competitivas e gerado resultados, algo que era questionado em outros trabalhos de Diniz.

Resta agora o projeto a longo prazo para estabelecer um estilo de jogo dentro do clube e colher frutos gloriosos. Na atual temporada, o Tricolor ocupa a quarta colocação com 31 pontos, a cinco do líder Palmeiras.

Além disso, disputará as quartas de finais da Copa do Brasil. O adversário será o Fortaleza, que tem tido dificuldades e segue na zona de rebaixamento do Brasileirão. O confronto de ida está marcado para o próximo dia 28, ainda sem local definido pela CBF, enquanto a volta será dia 17, no Maracanã.

+Virada na raça e confiança de Willian Bigode: veja os bastidores do triunfo do Fluminense sobre o Goiás

A chance de título ou vaga na próxima Libertadores é notória, apesar de ainda ter um turno inteiro pela frente, e pode coroar o trabalho e um estilo de jogo. Algo que ainda não aconteceu e, por vezes, põe em xeque as ideias implementadas por Diniz.

A atitude desta sexta-feira se assemelha, guardadas as devidas proporções, à decisão de um treinador vitorioso no comando do Tricolor: Muricy Ramalho. Em 2010, o ex-técnico ouviu a intenção do então presidente da CBF, Ricardo Teixeira, de contratá-lo para a Seleção. A abordagem, contudo, desagradou o atual coordenador técnico do São Paulo.

Com a permanência, Muricy comandou o Tricolor carioca rumo ao tricampeonato brasileiro, 26 anos depois. Na atual temporada, os desafios de Diniz na busca por um título são ainda maiores, visto que com a janela de transferências os clubes da ponta da tabela se reforçaram.

Caberá ao tempo responder se o treinador tomou a decisão correta. Contudo, a opção por seguir em um projeto só fortalece ainda mais um grupo que acredito nos ideais do treinador. Um estilo geralmente ressaltado pelos jogadores ao longo das entrevistas. Com Marrony, recém-chegado ao clube, não foi diferente.

+Marrony cita reencontro com Cano no Fluminense, elogia Diniz e destaca: ‘O pensamento é ser campeão’

– Desde que eu cheguei aqui o assunto é ser campeão. Temos duas competições em que estamos muito bem, o time está se dedicando bastante. O estilo de jogo do Diniz exige muita velocidade, dedicação, e vamos ganhando confiança. Estamos há nove partida sem perder. O pensamento é ser campeão – frisou.

MatériaMais Notícias

Cinco jogos foram realizados neste domingo de parte da 15ª rodada da fase de classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro da Série C. Destaque para o triunfo do Vitória pelo placar de 1 a 0 diante do Paysandu. Outro resultado que chamou a atenção foi a goleada de 4 a 1 do Brasil de Pelotas sobre o Atlético-CE, no confronto dos times que estão na rabeira da competição. A rodada da Série C será completada amanhã com o jogo entre Manaus x Volta Redonda. A seguir, confira o resumo dos jogos deste domingo:

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

BRASIL DE PELOTAS 4 X 1 ATLÉTICO-CE
O Brasil de Pelotas atropelou o Atlético-CE no jogo dos rabeiras do Campeonato, em partida realizada no estádio Bento Freitas, em Pelotas. A vitória do Xavante começou a ser construído ainda na etapa inicial quando Thiago Santos abriu o placar. Pouco depois, Rafael Castro fez o segundo e Thiago Santos voltou a marcar e aumentou ainda mais a vantagem. Com 3 a 0 no placar, Só restava as Águias se lançarem ao ataque para diminuir o prejuízo. Deu certo! Iury Tanque diminuiu em cobrança de pênalti no início da etapa complementar. No entanto, o Xavante está em tarde iluminada e conseguiu o 4º gol, já no fim da etapa complementar, gol marcado por Carvalheira. Um episódio lamentável ocorreu durante a partida. Zé Carlos, lateral-esquerdo do Atlético-CE, alegou para arbitragem ter sofrido ofensas racistas da torcida do Brasil de Pelotas. O torcedor que teria feito as ofensas foi identificado e retirado do estádio pela Polícia Militar. Após o ocorrido, toda vez que Zé Carlos tocava na bola, a torcida vaiava o jogador. Ele acabou sendo substituído e saiu chorando.

VITÓRIA 1 X 0 PAYSANDU
Após passar por um momento difícil no Campeonato Brasileiro da Série C, o Vitória vem se recuperando na competição e conseguiu emplacar seu terceiro triunfo consecutivo na competição ao bater o Paysandu, no estádio do Barradão, em Salvador, pelo placar de 1 a 0, em gol marcado por Luidy, aos 16 minutos da etapa complementar. Com o resultado, o Leão subiu na classificação e encostou no G-8. Mesmo derrotado, o Papão permaneceu ocupando a vice-liderança.

APARECIDENSE 2 X 1 ALTOS-PI
No Aníbal de Toledo, em Aparecida de Goiânia (GO), o Aparecidense venceu o Altos-PI pelo placar de 2 a 1. O Camaleão abriu o placar ainda na primeira etapa, em gol marcado por Robert, aos 33 minutos. No segundo tempo, o Aparecidense não demorou a ampliar. Aos 10, Felipe Menezes foi lá e fez: 2 a 0. O Altos bem que tentou descontar com Manoel, aos 24. O time piauiense ainda pressionou em busca do empate e chegou a acertar trave do gol adversário, mas não conseguiu o empate.

CONFIANÇA 1 x 0 SÃO JOSÉ-RS
O Confiança bateu o São José-RS pelo placar de 1 a 0, em partida realizada no estádio Batistão, em Aracaju. Com o resultado, os Sergipanos conseguiram deixar a zona de rebaixamento. A vitória do time Azulino veio em gol anotado por Raphael, aos 27 minutos da etapa complementar.

REMO 2 x 0 ABC
No estádio Benão, em Belém, o Remo venceu o ABC pelo placar de 2 a 0 e, assim como o Vitória, saltou na classificação e colou na G-8. A vitória do Leão começou a ser construída ainda no início da primeira etapa, quando, aos 9 minutos, Paulinho Curuá, abriu o marcador. O gol que selou a vitória do Remo foi anotado por Brenner, aos 19 da etapa complementar.

Tottenham Hotspur also held talks over signing a “powerful” forward for manager Ange Postecoglou, before the Lilywhites’ successful attempts to get a deal for Mathys Tel over the line, in what is a seismic deadline day twist.

Tottenham close in on Mathys Til deal after transfer twist

While Spurs are believed to be in the market for another centre-back after Danso – who arrived on loan with the obligation to buy around £21 million from Ligue 1 side RC Lens, Postecoglou has been personally keen on acquiring another forward for his injury-ridden squad.

Fabrizio Romano – Tottenham make late approach for £120k-per-week attacker

Ange Postecoglou wants a new forward.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Feb 3, 2025

Tottenham phoned Aston Villa to ask about Leon Bailey and the Jamaica international’s availability in the build up to deadline day, according to Fabrizio Romano, and a new attacker remained among Postecoglou’s main priorities.

It is never an uneventful day for Spurs, with news now emerging that Tel has pulled a major U-turn on a transfer to north London.

The Bundesliga sensation publicly rejected Tottenham’s advances last week, snubbing chairman Daniel Levy in the process, who flew to Munich for talks and came home empty-handed (Florian Plettenberg).

In a sensational turn of events, Tel has now changed his mind and decided to sign for Spurs after all, and the 19-year-old will join on a straight season-long loan.

With a deal for Tel now in place, Postecoglou will be over the moon, especially after a few unsuccessful approaches for other forwards this month.

Tottenham held Tyler Dibling transfer talks before Mathys Tel deal

According to reliable journalist Dan Kilpatrick of Standard Sport, Tottenham also held talks over signing Tyler Dibling before they eventually pulled off a move for Tel.

Man United (home)

February 16th

Ipswich Town (home)

February 22nd

Man City (home)

February 26th

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

However, they decided to cool their interest after Southampton demanded a fee well in excess of the Englishman’s rumoured £55 million asking price to shake hands on a deal this month.

After Tel returns to Munich from his loan, perhaps it could be one to revisit in the summer, as it is clear the teenager is set for a very bright future.

The 18-year-old has seriously stood out for Ivan Juric’s side as one to watch for the future, racking up four goals and two assists in all competitions, and Dibling arguably suits Tottenham down to the ground in terms of being homegrown with plenty of resale value.

“He is a beautiful footballer, a really outstanding talent. He’s powerful. He possesses stuff that not every player possesses,” said former Southampton manager Russell Martin before the club’s 5-3 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff, where Dibling notched two assists.

“I love working with him. I love watching him play. I’d pay a lot of money to watch him play football.”