يرى بشير التابعي مدافع الزمالك السابق، أن النادي الأهلي سيخسر أمام سموحة، وإذا حقق الفوز سيكون بصعوبة، وذلك في المواجهة التي تقام بين الفريقين مساء اليوم الثلاثاء.
الأهلي يلاقي سموحة، في إطار الجولة الخامسة المؤجلة، من عمر مواجهات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، للموسم الحالي 2024-2025.
وقال بشير خلال تصريحات عبر برنامج “بوكس تو بوكس” المذاع على قناة “ETC”: “فريق سموحة يكون متحولا في مثل هذه المباريات وأحمد سامي قادر على إدارة المباريات الكبيرة، والأهلي لن يفوز، وإذ حقق المكسب سيكون بصعوبة”.
ويحتل النادي الأهلي، المركز الثالث في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 12 نقطة، من 3 انتصارات وتعادل في مثلهم.
طالع | حكم مباراة الأهلي وسموحة في الدوري المصري
بينما يتواجد فريق سموحة، في المركز السابع عشر، بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 5 نقاط، من فوز وتعادلين و3 هزائم.
ومن جانب آخر، أوضح مدافع الزمالك السابق، أن علي معلول كان يسعى لتجديد عقده أكثر من موسم مع الأهلي، ويرى أن ما حدث له لا يليق به.
طالع.. خاص | صدام بين كولر والخطيب.. آخر تطورات مستقبل علي معلول مع الأهلي
وأتم: “في ظل مستوى الأهلي المتراجع في الفترة الأخيرة، معلول لن يقدم أي إضافة فنية، هذا لن يساعده على استعادة مستواه من جديد”.
ويغيب علي معلول عن صفوف الأهلي منذ مباراة نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا في الموسم الماضي ضد الترجي التونسي، وعاد منذ فترة قريبة للمشاركة في التدريبات مع الفريق.
Colin de Grandhomme will play no part in the upcoming Test series at home against Pakistan as he isn’t yet back to running, and recovers from a foot injury, while the wait for Kane Williamson to return to the set-up continues. New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that the all-format captain, who took leave to be with his partner Sarah Raheem for the birth of their first child, is expected to join the team before the second T20I against Pakistan, but that it’s still a waiting game at this stage.”There’s no update on baby news at this stage, so we’re just going to let them carry on as is,” Stead said of Williamson, three days out from the first T20I against Pakistan in Auckland, at a press interaction. “The plan at this stage still is that he will join the team for T20s two and three.”Related
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The first Test starts on Boxing Day after the last T20I on December 22, and Stead said de Grandhomme is expected to return to domestic cricket around mid-January. “Colin’s unfortunately going to be ruled out of the two Tests against Pakistan,” Stead said. “He’s got a stress reaction in his right foot; we haven’t at this stage been able to get him up to running stage and then ultimately bowling as well, so unfortunately for Colin, he’s out. Looking like, hopefully, a mid-January return to play in the Super Smash for him.”There was no major update on Lockie Ferguson’s injured back either, with the team management waiting for reports of the scans, but the latest on left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel was encouraging. “Ajaz Patel will travel up with the ‘A’ squad this week [to play Pakistan A in Whangarei]. He is going to be part of their preparations,” Stead said. “We are hoping that he’s going to be in contention for the Test match; in terms of the selection side of things it’s still a bit wait and see to see where he’s at with that.”De Grandhomme and Patel had also missed the two-Test series against West Indies, which New Zealand swept 2-0 with innings wins in both games. Williamson was the Player of the Match in the first Test for a career-best 251, and though he missed the second game as he had gone on paternity leave by then, Will Young, who had debuted in the first Test, slotted in at No. 3 and scored 43.Kyle Jamieson, meanwhile, was the main allrounder for New Zealand in the two Tests, and emerged with the Player-of-the-Series award after picking up 11 wickets – with a best of 5 for 34 in the first innings of the second Test – and scoring 71 runs in two innings, including an unbeaten 51 in the first Test.
Work usually takes the New Zealand captain away from his family during the holidays, but this time it’s all different
Alagappan Muthu24-Dec-2020Kane Williamson has long been used to being his team’s best batsman. As New Zealand captain, he is used to the spotlight. As an international cricketer, he is used to a great many things. But on December 25, he will experience something he rarely ever does. Christmas in his own home.”Ehmm…” he said, trying to recall the last time he had lucked out like this. “Dunno. I think I might have had one at one point. Usually we have it at Christchurch or overseas or yeah, it’s been a long time.”Watch cricket on ESPN+
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Williamson was looking forward to the occasion, especially after becoming a father for the first time, although given there is a fairly important Test match also coming up, on Boxing Day against Pakistan at Mount Maunganui, his focus did drift away just a tiny little bit.”Obviously the child part out of all that would be most special. And then I suppose looking at the cricket, the context around playing a Boxing Day Test at home is really special. And you know having Christmas at home, I suppose when you’re used to having it away, it’s a slightly different feeling when you have Christmas and you’re in a hotel room somewhere. And yeah, it’ll be really nice to spend it with family this year. And I know pretty much all the guys have their families around as well to do that. So very cool. And they’ll be very excited to get into the first Test of the series.”Related
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The public have already announced their interest in making the game a part of their festivities, with reports suggesting over 5000 tickets have been sold for the first day at Bay Oval.”Often when we play here in the other formats as well, we tend to get good crowds this time of year,” Williamson said. “It’s sort of a holiday destination. So hopefully we get a few walking in as well and it’ll be great to see a full house here and hopefully we can sustain that throughout the few days and you know it’s a great occasion to be a part of and it appears everybody has the same view of it.”Fanfare tends to follow teams that win and New Zealand are certainly that. They moved up to third place by beating West Indies 2-0 recently, creating quite a bit of congestion at the top of the Test championship table. And though they aren’t favourites just yet, they do have a chance of being one of the two teams that qualify for the final, to be played in June 2021 at Lord’s. Williamson, however, refuses to look that far ahead.Bay Oval is set to host its second-ever Test match•Getty Images”I mean, I think the context of that is great for the game in general, having the Test Championship,” he said. “But our focus as it was in the last couple of Tests is to basically start again and adapt to the conditions that we’re doing to have. Obviously four different surfaces, different opposition. We know how good Pakistan are and we’re going to have to be at our best starting from that first day here in the Mount and make sure we are really clear in how it is we want to operate and basically try and adjust as quickly as possible. So its coming back to those basics for us and basically playing what is in front of us rather than getting too carried away with potential eventual things, who knows”Williamson missed New Zealand’s last Test match to be there for the birth of his daughter. But that didn’t stop him from taking a couple of sneak peeks to see how his team-mates were doing without him. And what he saw – Henry Nicholls making his career-best score on a very green pitch, Kyle Jamieson continuing to come into his own in Test cricket, Neil Wagner doing what Neil Wagner does – definitely pleased him.”It’s always mixed, watching,” Williamson said. “Although I had other things on my plate, which was great, but you also always miss the guys as well when you’re so used to playing with each other. But then it was really really nice to see them play so well and work through a number of tough periods on wickets that have been sporting. But like I say, it’s just important as a group that we reassess and look at where we need to be on some of the new surfaces and against a strong side like Pakistan.”
The 2024/25 campaign is a crucial one for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side as they aim to close in on a return to Champions League football.
The Magpies were desperately unlucky to miss out on all forms of European football after Manchester United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, clinching the final Europa League spot.
As a result, Howe desperately wants to bolster his Magpies side to improve their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, but the financial difficulties have made it a struggle, relying on outgoings before incomings.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson both departed St James’ Park in recent weeks to Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, generating the club £68m but losing themselves two of their most promising talents in the process.
The funds generated certainly have boosted the club's precarious PSR and FFP positions, also allowing them to invest in some new talents who can push them back in the direction the Saudi PIF want the club to go in.
Newcastle battling PL rivals to sign £76m ace
According to one Spanish outlet, Newcastle are battling Manchester City and Manchester United for the signature of Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo this summer.
Barcelona'sRonaldAraujo
The Uruguayan, who’s currently representing his nation at the Copa América, has previously also attracted interest from Chelsea.
The 25-year-old has huge interest from the Magpies, with the report stating that their financial backing from the Saudi PIF could see the club splash a big sum to recruit the defender this summer. It's even stated they are ready to trigger the player's asking price of £76m.
He’s excelled in La Liga since his first-team debut back in 2018, making 150 appearances for the club, but he may have made his last appearance amid the Premier League interest.
Should he make the big-money move to Tyneside, he would have a huge impact on Howe’s squad, potentially allowing one player to reach the next level despite his already impressive career at St James’ Park.
Why Araujo would be perfect for Bruno Guimaraes
Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has certainly been a huge fan-favourite at Newcastle since his £40m move to the club from Lyon back in January 2022.
He’s since been linked with a staggering £100m move to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, with Howe desperately wanting to keep hold of his star midfielder beyond this summer.
Bruno Guimaraes for Newcastle
Despite Araujo being a defender, he can take Guimaraes to the next level, with his excellent passing game allowing the 26-year-old to reach the next level with his excellent ability on the ball.
The “exceptional” defender, as dubbed by scout Antonio Mango, completed an average of 70 passes per game in La Liga last season, at a completion rate of 88%.
Ronald Araujo's La Liga stats per 90 (2023/24)
Statistics
Tally
Games
25
Passes
70
Pass completion
88%
Progressive passes
4.3
Progressive carries
0.9
Tackles
1.3
Aerials won
2.5
Stats via FBref
He also averaged 4.3 progressive passes per 90, demonstrating his ability to play the ball forward into the likes of Guimaraes, handing the Brazilian more opportunities to create opportunities – building on his impressive tally from 2023/24.
Guimaraes managed 15 goal contributions in his 37 appearances – an average of 0.4 per game – with his tally of 3.8 shot-creating actions within the top 10% of all midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
If Newcastle are to return to Champions League football in the near future, defensive solidity is a must, with Araujo potentially providing that with his average of 1.3 tackles per game.
His ability on the ball can unlock Guimaraes’ full potential, allowing him to have more opportunities in attacking areas, further boosting their already impressive attacking output.
Araujo may cost the club a pretty penny, but he would undoubtedly improve Howe’s defence and provide a long-term solution at the heart of Newcastle’s defence.
Newcastle hit gold on titan who's worth more than Gibbs-White & Madueke
The talent has excelled since his move to St James’ Park.
Chelsea have not wasted much time during the summer transfer window as Todd Boehly and his team have worked hard to make additions to the squad.
Marc Guiu, Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have all been snapped up to bolster Enzo Maresca's options across the pitch, although Kellyman, Veiga, and Guiu are younger players who may be viewed as long-term options.
The Blues missed out on a top four finish in the Premier League and failed to win any major trophies during the 2023/24 campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, who was consequently removed from his post at Stamford Bridge.
They should now be hoping for better success on the pitch this time around under Maresca, who won the Championship title with Leicester City last term.
One area they may still have to dip into the market to improve in, however, is the forward department as Chelsea underperformed their xG last season, scoring 76 goals from 80.18 xG.
With this in mind, the London-based outfit's reported interest in a striker from one of their Premier League rivals this summer makes a lot of sense.
Chelsea's interest in Premier League star
According to GOAL, Chelsea are one of the clubs 'believed' to be keen on a potential swoop to sign Manchester City centre-forward Julian Alvarez before the end of the transfer window.
The report claims that the Blues and French giants Paris Saint-Germain are both in the running to land the Argentina international to bolster their respective forward lines.
It adds that they would have to splash out a fee of £70m to secure his services, though, and it remains to be seen whether either side would be willing to pay that price.
GOAL also references a recent report from Spanish outlet El Chiringuito, which claimed that Alvarez asked to leave City ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The former River Plate star has turned down the chance to sign a contract extension with the Premier League champions and is now seeking an exit from The Etihad.
Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, has claimed that City will sit down to speak with the player's representatives this month to discuss his future, as the young sensation wants to play more.
The Italian journalist added that the Cityzens are not eager to cash in on the Argentine marksman, though, and it remains to be seen whether or not that stance can be changed.
If Chelsea can convince City to part ways with Alvarez, possibly for the £70m fee mentioned by GOAL, then Maresca could land a lethal partner for Cole Palmer to play with next season.
Cole Palmer's outstanding creativity
The Blues swooped to sign the attacking midfielder, ironically, from Pep Guardiola's side last summer and could repeat that trick with a deal for the Argentina international.
Palmer enjoyed a sensational debut season at Stamford Bridge with a consistent stream of outstanding attacking performances from a wing or number ten position.
Chelsea player Cole Palmer
The left-footed star's goalscoring prowess was on display for all to see. He scored 22 goals from 18.21 xG across 29 starts in the Premier League under Pochettino, which shows that the young whiz can find the back of the net regularly at an efficient rate.
While the focus may, understandably, have been on his terrific ability to score goals week-in-week-out for the London giants, his creativity was also exceptional.
Palmer ranked within the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Men's Top 5 Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.38), and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90 (5.57).
This shows that he has been one of the most creative players in Europe over the last year, thanks to his ability to consistently create high-quality chances for his teammates.
Appearances
34
Assists
11
Big chances created
17
Key passes per game
2.1
Dribbles completed per game
1.5
As you can see in the table above, Palmer created an eye-catching 17 'big chances' in 34 appearances in the Premier League last season, one every other game on average.
However, his fellow attackers only found the back of the net from 11 of the chances that he created and Chelsea now appear to be on the search for a striker to make more of those opportunities.
Why Chelsea should sign Julian Alvarez
The Blues should swoop to sign the Argentine star as his goalscoring record since his move to Manchester City suggests that the potential is there for him to be a lethal scorer for the Blues.
He racked up nine goals in 13 starts in his first Premier League season with the club before producing a return of 11 goals in 31 starts last term.
The 24-year-old star, who was once hailed as "sensational" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has plundered 36 goals and 18 assists in 103 games for City in all competitions, including eight in 17 Champions League outings.
He played 29 games as an attacking midfielder or second striker for the Cityzens last term and was at his best in the 2022/23 campaign when the majority of his appearances came as a striker.
The forward ended that season with a fantastic return of 17 goals and five assists in 23 starts in all competitions, which included 12 goals from 9.37 xG in the Premier League and Champions League combined.
This shows that the potential is there for him to be a reliable goalscorer and finisher if Chelsea bring him in to play week-in-week-out in his favoured position, rather than either being a bit-part player as a striker or a regular starter in the hole behind Erling Haaland.
Appearances
36
Goals
11
Assists
9
Big chances created
7
Pass accuracy
88%
As you can see in the table above, Alvarez also offered quality as a creator for City in the Premier League last season, whilst being reliable as a passer.
This means that he could, potentially, provide Palmer with chances to add to his already-impressive goalscoring record in a Chelsea shirt, whilst also having the finishing quality to be a lethal partner for the England international.
Chelsea struck gold on £0 signing who's now worth way more than Mitoma
He’s cemented himself as a regular starter in the last 12 months.
All the big moments from the second day of the Boxing Day Test, dissected
Andrew McGlashan27-Dec-2020*Most recent entry will appear at the top, please refresh your page for the latest updates. All times are local.6.15pm: Stumps – India 277 for 5A century of the highest calibre by Ajinkya Rahane put India in control of the second Test after it appeared Australia would bowl themselves back into contention. Instead, with the help of a string of middle-order allies, chiefly the recalled Ravindra Jadeja, Rahane lifted his team to an advantage of 82.Australia started the day very well – Pat Cummins producing a magnificent eight-over spell that removed both overnight batsmen, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara, and included barely a delivery off line – but tailed off during the final session which including shipping 45 runs in the 11.3 overs of the second new ball. Rain brought a slightly early finish, what ended up being the final delivery of the day bringing Rahane his third life when he fended a short ball to point against Mitchell Starc but the chance burst out of Travis Head’s hands as he hit the turf.They had two other opportunities to remove Rahane – one a miss and the other a drop. On 57, he edged Starc between Tim Paine and the lone slip Steven Smith moments after the off-side field had been strengthened at the expense of the cordon. Then, on 73, in the first over with the second new ball a chance went to hand, Rahane jabbing at a full, wide delivery, but Smith was late to react above his head at second slip. By the end of the day, Australia were ragged and in need of regrouping.5.40pm: A great centuryWhat a performance from Ajinkya Rahane – he has brought up a magnificent century as India continue to build their lead. This will rank right up there with any of his batting performances.5.00pm: New ballThe 80-over mark has been reached and, unsurprisingly, the new ball has been taken (and a momentary delay where the fourth umpire, Gerard Abood, realised he didn’t have it with him much to Paul Reiffel’s amusement). The lights are on, it’s gloomy afternoon, not sure we’ll get all the overs in but it should be a good time to bowl. The lead is now at a stage where Australia need to wrap things up fairly quickly. This has been an excellent partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja.And Rahane has been dropped in the first over, on 74, when he jabbed a full delivery which flew quickly above Steve Smith’s head at second slip…Here’s Sid Monga:
At his pre-match press conference, Ajinkya Rahane was asked a question, which I felt he would find disrespectful. He was asked if he will stay in touch with Virat Kohli for advice through the series. Rahane must be used to people questioning his place in the side, so perhaps this was no surprise. Very politely he said he would not like to disturb Kohli, wary as he might have been if he had said it was his team now and he didn’t need advice and that it wasn’t as if he would take the side in some diametrically opposite direction. He also said his aggression is seen in his batting not body language.
As much had been visible in his role in his batting away from home. It was possible to bowl to others with set plans, but Rahane liked to dominate. You had to get him early. Somewhere along the way, after he was dropped in South Africa, he perhaps lost that natural tempo. In this series he has worked hard on his defence and has looked to get himself in before he looks to dominate.
Rahane averages more away than home, more against pace than spin, and this innings will go a long way in reinstating him as one of India’s first picks in away Tests.
4.40pm: Stringing them togetherAjinkya Rahane raises the bat after reaching his fifty•Getty Images
From 64 for 3 when Cheteshwar Pujara fell, this has been a superb effort from India’s middle order:Rahane + Vihari = 52 runs Rahane + Pant = 57 runs Rahane + Jadeja = 50 runs*4.15pm: Big miss for Australia?India have taken the lead since tea – with the rain having cleared – with Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja making steady progress ahead of the arrival of the second new ball. Australia had a chance to remove Rahane on 57 when a thick edge flew between Tim Paine and Steven Smith who was the lone slip, Paine having strengthened the off-side field moments before.3.10pm: Tea – India 189 for 5That was India’s session. Some proactive batting by Rishabh Pant and a terrific captain’s innings from Ajinkya Rahane has put them within sight of a precious lead – two sets off four byes when Mitchell Starc was bowling were helpful. Australia will need a big push early in the final session before the new ball becomes due. There is some rain floating around the area which arrived shortly before the break so hopefully that stays away.3.00pm: Who’s ahead?Mitchell Starc has broken a very threatening stand to give Australia a lift shortly before tea. Rishabh Pant went for a cut and got a thin edge to Tim Paine, giving Starc his 250th Test. Now it’s over to Ravindra Jadeja to try and repeat the partnership with Ajinkya Rahane. India are less than 20 behind if they could get somewhere around 75 ahead that would be priceless.2.25pm: Change in momentumAjinkya Rahane receives some treatment to his groin•Getty Images
Rishabh Pant is putting the pressure back on the Australia bowler, scoring at a run-a-ball in the early stages of his innings as the deficit is whittled down at a rate not seen previously in the match. So far, Pant has shown excellent shot selection and hasn’t done anything reckless despite plenty of encouragement from the Australians. The first two overs of Pat Cummins’ comeback spell went for 20 – his eight overs earlier in the day cost just 12. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane is playing his part with a very measured innings but seems to be having some problems with his back.Australia might be getting to the stage where they have half an eye on the second ball, but that’s still 25 overs away and if they are still batting India will be in the lead by then.1.45pm: Lyon in the gameThe signs are that Nathan Lyon could have a big say in this game. There has been significant turn for him since lunch, one delivery ragging sharply down the leg side from outside off and then another almost getting through Ajinkya Rahane as he tried to cut. He has provided the breakthrough that Australia needed, removing Hanuma Vihari from a gloved sweep that looped to slip. It was the ball after Vihari had played a delightful back-cut to bring up a hard-working fifty-run stand. Rahane has also needed some treatment on what looked like it could be a back problem. It’s a big test now for the middle-order allrounders.1.00pm: Pitch praiseAustralia’s coach Justin Langer was full of praise for the MCG pitch in his lunchtime conversation with Ricky Ponting on Seven:”From my point of view it was a brilliant cricket wicket. Like the first Test with Damian Hough, amazing job. The most important thing for Test cricket is the wickets we play on and a contest between bat and ball. In Adelaide it was definitely that and yesterday I thought the same. We didn’t play with the bat as well as we could’ve. I thought Matt Page and his staff have done an incredibly job to have the game moving forward. The best players will make runs and the bowlers will be rewarded if they bowl as well as India did yesterday and we are at the moment. Really good Test wicket this one.”He also gave an update on David Warner:”As we’ve said for the last few weeks, there’s no one more professional and he’s doing everything possible. We saw him bat the day before the game. He’s batting again this afternoon here at the MCG. So in terms of his batting, he’s flying. It’s just he’s still having some trouble with his groin, and we know how dynamic he is – his running between the wickets, the way he’s moving all the time. So he’s getting closer and we’re hopeful that he will come good. He’s certainly hopeful he’s going to come good, but time will tell. We still have a few more days till the next Test match. Fingers crossed he’s ready to go for that third Test match.”12.30pm: Lunch – India 90 for 3That was tough Test cricket: 54 runs in 26 overs. Hanuma Vihari and Ajinkya Rahane have done very well to get India through to the break without further loss. The bowling has been very demanding, led by Pat Cummins, but the pair have repelled everything so far. Mitchell Starc, who waited behind Cameron Green in the bowling queue today, caused problems by moving the ball both ways but the frustrations of not adding to his early wicket were just starting to show. However, Australia will know that there is uncertainty in what follows in the India batting order with a couple of allrounders before the bowlers. This game is too close to call at the momentHere’s a nugget from Shiva Jayaraman of the stats team:
It’s been a hard toil for the India batsmen in this series and runs have been hard to come by even when they have managed to hang around at the crease. It’s evidenced in how Ajinkya Rahane has gone about scoring in this series. Rahane scored 1 and 3 in the first 25 balls he faced in the first innings at Adelaide and here, respectively. This is among his lowest five scores when he’s faced 25 balls in a Test innings (81 innings). Rahane’s average scoring rate in off the first 25 balls he faces in a Test innings is 59.4.
11.35am: Cummins, againTim Paine took a brilliant catch to remove Cheteshwar Pujara•Getty Images
Australia are surging back through a fantastic spell from Pat Cummins. After beating the edge again and again he then drew one from Shubman Gill, driving away from his body, which was a regulation take for Tim Paine. The next catch, however, was anything but regulation as a Cummins beauty drew a nick from Cheteshwar Pujara, it wouldn’t have carried to first slip (like a few today), and Paine dived full-length to his right to hold it inches off the turf. Now we’ll get a proper look at this reshaped India batting order. The game is wide open.Here’s Sid Monga:
That Pujara wicket was the 33rd time India were not in control this innings. During the 36 all out, they were bowled out in 32 such not-in-control responses. Shows you how unlucky they were in edging everything and those edges carrying. This one wicket for 11 false responses is about the going rate in Test cricket, where you need to do it for a little over 10 times to get a wicket
11.15am: Australia miss early chanceTim Paine dropped an inside edge•Getty Images
It has been a nip-and-tuck start to the day and Australia should have had a wicket. Tim Paine couldn’t hold onto an inside edge in the second over the day off Shubman Gill. Australia had also used a review on the opening delivery when Pat Cummins nearly took Cheteshwar Pujara’s edge, but the small sound was bat clipping the pad. Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are making life hard work on an overcast, warm day with the floodlights already on.10.30am: Have your say10.00am: Can India take control?The opening day of the Boxing Day Test could not have gone much better for India, but now they need to make it count. It was a good effort to lose just one wicket yesterday evening – now, if they can bat the day, they’ll be in a very strong position. However, Australia’s attack will have other ideas. It felt as though they pushed a little hard last night, but that can often be the case in a short session.Here’s Dan Brettig on another uncertain batting display from the home side.
Mikel Arteta's side welcome the league-leaders to the Emirates on Sunday in what already feels like a huge title showdown
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When Arsenal went to Anfield on 9 April, 2023, they were on a seven-match winning run in the Premier League and had the title firmly in their sights. Victory against Liverpool would have boosted their momentum heading into what seemed a relatively straightforward couple of fixtures – away to West Ham and home to Southampton – before a showdown at second-place Manchester City at the end of the month.
The Gunners, as they so often did in 2022-23, started magnificently. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring inside eight minutes, and he turned provider for namesake Gabriel Jesus just before the half-hour mark. Mikel Arteta's boys were turning into men and marching towards the crown.
But not even the most pessimistic Gooner could have foreseen the collapse about to unfold. Mohamed Salah scrambled one home for Liverpool on the stroke of half-time, while he missed a penalty towards the start of the second 45 as Arsenal were smothered out of the contest, eventually clinging on for a 2-2 draw – the first in a run of three successive yet inexplicable stalemates before essentially handing City the title at the Etihad Stadium.
This Sunday, Arsenal face off with Liverpool again, once more in need of three points to ignite their title hopes, once more hoping Martinelli can make a difference. The Brazilian winger hasn't quite been the same since that trip to Anfield 18 months ago, but is coming back into the form that first made him revered and adored around the streets of N5.
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'Talent of the century'
Part of Martinelli's unlikely and enjoyable ascent to Arsenal stardom is the fact he was plucked from relative obscurity, arriving in 2019 from Brazilian minnows Ituano in the lower depths of the footballing pyramid.
No one would have blamed the Gunners for easing Martinelli into first-team action, or better yet loaned him out in order to get his palate adjusted to football that wasn't . Alas, he was simply too talented to let go without taking him for a test run.
At only 19, Martinelli was already an established fixture in the squad and someone the Arsenal faithful were hoping could lead their rebuild. The team's soft underbelly and frustrating lack of ingenuity were integral to their malaise, only countered by prospects such as Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe pulling in the other direction.
Jurgen Klopp was first impressed by the Brazilian after the Gunners' Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool late in 2019, remarking, "He's a talent of the century, he's an incredible striker. He's really unbelievable. So young, looks so mature already, is a proper threat. Yeah, he looks like a really decent player. I didn't want to put any backpack [pressure] on his back with this thing, but I just really like good football players and obviously he's a very good one."
There was an obsession that Klopp developed for Martinelli, one that kept creeping up when Liverpool inflicted misery on Arsenal in that same cup competition, later saying in 2022 after dumping the north Londoners out in the semi-finals, "Martinelli, by the way, everyone should remember that name. Outstanding player."
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Underrated spark
So we get it, that's some seal of approval. Now Martinelli had to string together some performances and add some goals to his game, make his mark on an Arsenal team now expected to start delivering on their promise.
And there it came. Bang. Out Martinelli came racing out of the blocks for 2022-23, the balancing menace to a formidable front four featuring Saka, Jesus and new club-captain Martin Odegaard – all registered at least 16 goal involvements apiece, spreading the love around in true total-football fashion. The magic was back at Arsenal and they were Premier League-leaders for essentially 90 percent of the campaign.
Though they couldn't hold on to claim their first title in 19 years, the seeds were sewn for the future. This was surely the awesome foursome behind any long-term success to come their way. At this point, some Arsenal fans were making the case for Martinelli to start for Brazil, either alongside or in place of either Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo. There was at least an argument to be made on that trajectory, only that upward trend wouldn't last.
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In a rut
Martinelli ended 2022-23 with 15 goals and five assists in the Premier League alone, yet these tallies fell to six and four, respectively, despite playing only one fewer game in the following campaign. Whatever lightning he had contained in a bottle had scampered, with nothing left but a gloomy storm cloud over the joyful Brazilian's head.
To the outside world, it seemed a strange mystery. Arsenal still maintained their place as City's closest challengers – and this time took the title race to the final day of the season, beating their own points and goals scored tallies from the year prior – yet the life had been sucked out of Martinelli.
It uncovered the type of winger Martinelli truly was. You can pigeonhole him as a touchline dribbler who isn't afraid to get chalk on his boots, you can categorise him as an inside-forward whose main threat is within the 18-yard box. But ultimately, above all else, he is a confidence player.
Arteta's adjustments to make Arsenal more streetwise at the back as well as a constant goal threat saw Martinelli shunted to the fringes of the game, before eventually ceding his spot in the starting XI – he only played two full 90s in the second half of the season.
The departure of Granit Xhaka was also a hurdle which Martinelli failed to really clear. The Swiss' phenomenal final season in north London saw him develop an intrinsic and almost instinctive relationship with the left winger, with both benefitting to the maximum. Though £105m-man Declan Rice proved a fine and able upgrade on Xhaka, his connection with Martinelli has never come close to being the same, while the less said about Kai Havertz's midfield experiment the better.
All of a sudden, you're in a rut. The goals aren't flowing, the head drops, the mind tricks itself. Martinelli still brought the intensity and energy needed to play under Arteta, but was nowhere near the same kind of threat.
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Finding his feet again
There's still life in Martinelli yet, particularly with Arsenal's style regressing into conservatism in their search for trophies and titles. Arteta has his side playing at a more controlled tempo and digging in deep defensively, with even Saka often tasked with tracking all the way into his own third and sometimes acting as a wing-back of sorts.
A brutal start to the season has taken its toll on the Gunners, who are now in the midst of their worst injury crisis in the Spaniard's tenure. They are leaning on fringe players to fill in and their B-list stars to step into the spotlight – Havertz has largely filled the void and Leandro Trossard is doing all he can to plug the holes here and there.
In Martinelli's last three Premier League appearances, he has two goals and two assists, while he was the star of the show in Tuesday's gritty 1-0 win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. Speaking to post-match, he repeatedly claimed his work is for the team; there was never a mention of his form, no soundbite to make it about himself, instead trying to spin the positives of the season so far.
Where his team-mates have looked tired and lethargic, slower and steadier, Martinelli has maintained his characteristic doggedness and drive. If you remove last Saturday's blip at Bournemouth, he's come back into prime form at the perfect time for Arteta.
A £30 million Arsenal player is set for private talks with manager Mikel Arteta over his future, with sporting director Edu potentially open to offers for many members of the Gunners squad.
Players who may be sold by Arsenal this summer
Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Eddie Nketiah and Nuno Tavares are just some of the players who could be sold by Arsenal this summer, according to various reports in the last few months.
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Reports have claimed that Albert Sambi Lokonga has given the green-light to join Sevilla as well, so the Belgian could be one of Arsenal's first exit deals of the window if all goes to plan with the La Liga side.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Luton Town, but doesn't appear to have a long-term future at the Emirates Stadium. Alongside Lokonga, it appears very likely that Partey will be sold by Arsenal amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Bukayo Saka
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Declan Rice
7.38
Martin Odegaard
7.37
Kai Havertz
7.16
Gabriel Magalhaes
6.99
Young Arsenal striker Mika Biereth has held talks with Sturm Graz to re-join them as well, following a successful half-season loan spell in Austria. There could be a fair few departures in the coming weeks, which could also include Hale End academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe.
The 23-year-old seriously impressed during the 2021/2022 season, racking up 10 goals and registering a further two assists in the league alone. However, Smith Rowe's chances since then have been very limited, which is largely down to injury.
Smith Rowe set for crunch talks with Arteta over Arsenal future
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, who spoke to GiveMeSport, Smith Rowe is set for talks with Arteta over his Arsenal future, and there is every chance that the north Londoners will not stand in his way in the event of a suitable offer.
The Englishman, who is valued at around £30 million by Edu, has a few admirers in Aston Villa and Fulham – though neither side have formalised interest as things stand.
“Emile Smith Rowe is already working on his fitness ahead of the new season and we know that he struggled to break into the first team last season, so the feeling is that he is going to be available, and at the moment, it's a case of waiting for suitors," said journalist Jacobs to GMS.
Emile Smith Rowe playing for Arsenal
“Aston Villa haven't rekindled their interest, despite holding a historical like for Smith Rowe, Fulham as well are across his situation. So there are likely to be Premier League suitors. At the moment, though, nothing has advanced, and he's focused on getting his fitness back, and, no doubt, will hold talks with Mikel Arteta regarding his future.”
Smith Rowe made just 13 league appearances under Arteta last season, with just three coming as full starts, and he is unlikely to be a key player next season either, given the quality in Arsenal's team right now.
Mais uma vez decisivo para o CRB na disputa da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, o meia Renan Bressan deixou o banco de reservas para, com um golaço, garantir o empate em 1 a 1 diante do Vasco. Mas não foi um simples gol.
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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS
Além de ter garantido mais um ponto na luta da equipe alagoana pelo acesso à Série A, foi um gol contra seu time de infância. Aliás, a equipe carioca é também o clube de seus familiares e dos seus amigos que residem em Tubarão, cidade do interior de Santa Catarina distante 140 quilômetros de Florianópolis.
– Foi um gosto especial porque o Vasco era meu clube de infância. Minha família toda é vascaína. Não ficaram muito contentes comigo não e até brincaram antes do jogo para eu não fazer gol, mas aconteceu. Teve sim um gosto especial por isso e por ser um clube gigante, meu time de infância e de praticamente toda a minha família – admitiu Bressan, que comentou ainda sobre as ligações e mensagens que recebeu após o jogo:
– Meus amigos de Tubarão que torcem para o Vasco me mandaram mensagens dando parabéns e ao mesmo tempo me xingando. Teve um gosto diferente para mim, o mesmo que teve marcar contra o Brasil (pela seleção da Bielorússia). Então, não tem problema nenhum. O Vasco era meu time de infância, hoje defendo o CRB, mas tive que conseguir uma camisa para o meu pai, que é vascaíno. Claro que estava torcendo para mim, mas pediu uma camisa.
Renan Bressan chegou ao seu terceiro gol anotado pelo CRB nesta Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, mas admitiu a atuação abaixo da média dele e da equipe no duelo contra o Vasco, no Rei Pelé. No entanto, o jogador elogiou a luta do time que lutou até o final para garantir mais um ponto na competição nacional.
– O diferencial do time, mesmo não fazendo um grande jogo tecnicamente, foi se manter bem postado taticamente e bem postado o jogo. Mantivemos nossa postura. Erramos bastante, mas consertamos em seguida. Valeu a força de vontade e, no último minuto, empatamos e quase conseguimos a virada. Nunca desistimos, nunca viramos a cara para a luta e esse foi o diferencial para conquistar esse ponto – reforçou Bressan.
O meia comentou ainda sobre seu poder de decisão ao sair do banco para marcar o tento importante. Apesar disso, o jogador admitiu que, junto com todo o time, não conseguiu fazer um bom jogo, com exceção na finalização do lance que garantiu o empate nos acréscimos.
– Uma coisa que o Allan (Aal) sempre fala e eu concordo é que o jogador que entra tem a mesma responsabilidade do que está sendo titular ou até mais, porque precisa entrar e fazer algo diferente. Acredito que não entrei tão bem, nosso time não fez um grande jogo, mas no lance, na tabela, a qualidade apareceu na finalização e conseguimos empatar com muita raça – concluiu.
A Euro 2024 star has decided he'd like a move to Arsenal, if he is to leave his current club, and the player in question would certainly reinforce manager Mikel Arteta's options with his versatility.
Edu and Arteta want new defenders at Arsenal this summer
Despite possessing some star options at centre-back, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba forming an indomitable partnership since the beginning of 2023/2024, there are suggestions that Arsenal could look to sign an alternative to either one of the pair.
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Saliba's injury at the back of 22/23 is seen as a key reason why Arsenal eventually lost out on the Premier League title to Man City last season, while the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior are used more predominantly at full-back rather than in the centre.
Sporting director Edu Gaspar has therefore been tipped to potentially bring in a new centre-back this summer. Arsenal are planning a bid and talks over signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, according to a recent report from CaughtOffside, and it is believed a new full-back isn't off the agenda either.
Indeed, Arsenal have reportedly informed Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko that they can leave this summer, while they'd like Kiwior to remain. The north Londoners are heavily linked with Turkey star Ferdi Kadioglu as one new left-back option, while Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is also attracting attention from the Emirates.
Monchengladbach 1-2 Bayern
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Bayern 7-0 Bochum
8.57
Bayern 2-0 FC Koln
8.49
Bayern 8-1 FC Mainz
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Darmstadt 2-5 Bayern
8.23
The 29-year-old right-back, known for his versatility, is a player of great experience and has won countless honours in Germany. Kimmich has also entered the final 12 months of his contract at Bayern, meaning he could be available for a good price this summer.
Reports claim that Bayern may sell for around £34 million, which could be a valuation worth paying considering the Germany international's undoubted prestige as a player.
Joshua Kimmich has decided he's open to Arsenal move
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, sharing an update on X, says Arsenal are one of the clubs Kimmich wants to join if he leaves Bayern – dealing a boost to Arteta and Edu if they decide to formally move for the Euro 2024 star.
"As revealed and now confirmed again: Joshua Kimmich could leave FC Bayern already this summer," wrote Plettenberg.
"Kimmich, captain and regular starter, can leave the club with a suitable offer. No Bayern plans about a contract extension beyond 2025 Vincent Kompany with other plans for central midfield. Joao Palhinha, still the desired target!
"A separation between Kimmich/Bayern is getting closer. Now or next year at the latest. Kimmich would be ready to go into the final year of his contract. He only wants to join Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid or Barcelona."
Kimmich, who has nearly 90 caps for Germany at international level, also boasts a phenomenal record of 104 assists in 390 appearances for Bayern across all competitions since making his debut for the Bavarians.