Tag Futebol

Both sides are top-heavy and Hetmyer’s absence will test Royals’ batting depth

Deivarayan Muthu10-May-20221:51

Have Capitals finally nailed their overseas picks?

Big pictureDelhi Capitals’ campaign has been beset by setbacks on and off the field. In the lead-up to their crucial game against Chennai Super Kings, another fresh Covid-positive case emerged from Capitals’ camp, which shook up their plans so much that one of their assistant coaches James Hopes revealed to host broadcaster Star Sports that they didn’t have their team meeting until they got together at the venue.Capitals suffered a 91-run drubbing at the hands of Super Kings, but despite that, they are the only team apart from Super Kings to have a positive net run rate in the bottom six of the points table. They can potentially stay in control of their own fate should they win their last three games and, in that scenario, their superior net run rate could give them an edge over their closest rivals – Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.Related

Shimron Hetmyer leaves IPL for the birth of his child

Rajasthan Royals are better-placed in the dash to the playoffs, but they will now have to rejig their XI in the absence of their designated finisher Shimron Hetmyer who has flown back home to Guyana for the birth of his child. Jimmy Neesham and Rassie van der Dussen are among the options to replace Hetmyer, whose unavailability will test the batting depth of Royals who previously had R Ashwin at No. 7.Things got heated the last time these two teams met in the IPL•BCCILikely XIsDelhi Capitals: 1 David Warner, 2 KS Bharat/Prithvi Shaw, 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Ripal Patel/Lalit Yadav, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Khaleel AhmedRajasthan Royals: 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Jos Buttler, 3 Sanju Samson (capt & wk), 4 Devdutt Padikkal, 5 Riyan Parag, 6 Jimmy Neesham/Rassie van der Dussen/Daryl Mitchell, 7 R Ashwin, 8 Trent Boult, 9 Prasidh Krishna, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Kuldeep SenStrategy puntWhether Devdutt Padikkal bats at the top or middle, unleash Anrich Nortje on him. The fast bowler has snagged him twice in three innings while giving up 12 off eight balls.Stats that matterPrasidh Krishna has a good head-to-head record against David Warner in the IPL: two strikes in three innings while conceding 28 runs off 21 balls. Jos Buttler has taken Kuldeep Yadav for 54 off 33 balls at a strike rate of 163.63 while being dismissed just once in the IPL. Royals have struck 102 sixes, the most by a team this IPL, to Capitals’ 81. In fact, Royals are the only team to have hit more than 100 sixes so far this season. No spin attack has more wickets than Royals’ 32 this season. Those wickets have come at an excellent average of 20.91 and economy rate of 7.71. Warner (163.28) and Shaw (159.50) have the best strike rates among batters who have faced a minimum of 50 balls in the powerplay this season. Axar Patel is one strike away from 100 IPL wickets.

يستضيف فريق برشلونة، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، خصمه فريق ريال مايوركا ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، موسم 2024/25.

تأتي تلك المباراة في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة والثلاثين من الدوري الإسباني، على ملعب “مونتجويك”.

كانت مباراة الدور الأول بين الفريقين في الموسم الحالي قد انتهت بفوز برشلونة بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف.

ويمتلك برشلونة حاليًا 73 نقطة في المركز الأول في جدول الليجا، بفارق 4 نقاط فقط عن ريال مدريد، في حين أن مايوركا يحتل حاليًا المركز السابع في جدول البطولة، حيث يمتلك 44 نقطة.

ويسعى برشلونة إلى مواصلة نتائجه الإيجابية من أجل تعزيز الصدارة والابتعاد عن غريمه ريال مدريد، الذي أشعل المنافسة مجددًا بعدما حقق فوزًا قاتلًا على أتلتيك بلباو أمس الأول. موعد مباراة برشلونة ومايوركا اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 9:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 10:30 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة ومايوركا اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 3. معلق مباراة برشلونة ومايوركا اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

سيعلق حفيظ دراجي على أحداث مباراة اليوم.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــــا.

Pedri's stellar performances for Barcelona from midfield have prompted Gavi to snub Raphinha and Lamine Yamal for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Gavi backs Pedri to win the Ballon d'OrHailed his midfield partner for top displaysYamal and Raphinha also in the runningFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona comfortably strolled past Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, winning the tie 4-1 on aggregate. A brace from Raphinha and an absolute stunner from Lamine Yamal put the tie beyond any doubt after Barcelona won the first leg by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. However, Pedri was the real star of the show on the night, winning the MVP award.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Pedri is arguably enjoying his best season to date personally. The 22-year-old appears to have put his injury struggles behind him, overcoming the persistent issues that marked the first three-and-a-half years of his Barcelona career. Around almost the same time last year, a report appeared in the Spanish media which claimed that the Catalans no longer considered Pedri an indispensable figure in the squad.

However, it has been quite a turnaround for Pedri under new head coach Hansi Flick, with the midfielder producing one world-class display after another. He earned Player of the Match honours in both legs against Benfica as they progressed to the quarters, further solidifying Barcelona's position as one of the favourites to win this year's Champions League. His standout performances have led Gavi to praise the Barca No.8, even backing him to lift the Ballon d'Or.

WHAT GAVI SAID

“Nobody deserves the Ballon D’Or more than Pedri, everyone knows what kind of a player he is," Gavi told reporters on Tuesday (h/t Football Espana). Pedri's name has rarely been in the Ballond'Or discussion, with his Barca team-mates Yamal and Raphinha seen as genuine contenders alongside the likes of Mo Salah, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR PEDRI?

Pedri officially renewed his contract with Barcelona in January, with the Spain star set to stay at the club until 2030. Having helped Barca seal a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, Pedri will be expected to play a starring role when Barcelona take on title rivals Atletico Madrid this Sunday.

Shahrukh was originally picked as a reserve player for the T20Is against West Indies

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-20222:38

Shahrukh Khan: ‘Whichever team I get picked for, I will do my best for them’

Tamil Nadu batter Shahrukh Khan has been added to India’s main squad along with Ishan Kishan for the first ODI against West Indies in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Shahrukh was originally picked as a reserve player for the T20I series against West Indies along with his Tamil Nadu team-mate R Sai Kishore.On the eve of the first ODI, India’s white-ball captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that Kishan will open the batting along with him in the Covid-enforced absence of Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Mayank Agarwal, the other reserve batter, is still undergoing mandatory quarantine and is unlikely to be available for selection for the first game.Shahrukh has been Tamil Nadu’s designated finisher over the past three white-ball seasons, having batted at the top in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). He hit the winning runs for Tamil Nadu during their back-to-back Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victories. In the most recent season, when Tamil Nadu needed five off the last ball against Karnataka, he hit a six, underscoring his status as one of the best finishers in Indian domestic cricket.During a chat with ESPNcricinfo recently, Shahrukh said he would want to play a similar style of cricket if picked for India during the series.”Playing for India is a huge responsibility in itself, and brings with it its own pressure,” Shahrukh said. “There are some massive names in this team, and I have grown up watching them on TV. My aim – if I get the chance – would be to simply go with an open mind and enjoy my cricket, just the way I do for Tamil Nadu.”If I overthink this, then I would just create more pressure on myself and stray from my natural game. My aim in every game is to go out to the middle and play freely, without worrying too much about the results and focusing on the process instead.”Shahrukh initially featured among the first round of uncapped players, which will start from Player No. 55, for the forthcoming IPL mega auction. If he makes his international debut on Sunday, he will instead be part of the capped players’ pool. Shahrukh had increased his base price from INR 20 lakh to 40 lakh when the auction shortlist was announced earlier this week. Kishan, meanwhile, had listed his base price at INR 2 crore, but he isn’t part of the marquee set.India squad for first ODI: Rohit Sharma (capt), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Ishan Kishan, Shahrukh Khan

Having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties against Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl compiled his side’s misery with the news that one player is now expected to miss months of action through injury.

Sheffield Wednesday injury news

Given that the Owls are already dealing with the injury of Michael Ihiekwe, the last thing that Rohl needed was more bad news. His side are currently on course to survive yet another Championship campaign but will know just how quickly things can change in England’s second tier. As things stand, they sit as high as 13th and four points clear of the dropzone having defeated Portsmouth 2-1 last weekend.

With the chance to extend their recent unbeaten run in the Championship to three games against Watford this weekend, Sheffield Wednesday could move into the top half if results go their way in what would represent an incredibly solid start.

Sheffield Wednesday star says he’s held talks with the club over his future

He has recently been described as “fantastic” by Danny Rohl.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 29, 2024

If they are to secure victory against Watford, however, then they will have to do so without one player who has been dealt a frustrating blow. As confirmed by Rohl, Akin Famewo is now set to miss months of action through an injury sustained in the first-half against Portsmouth last time out in the Championship.

Rohl revealed the news after his side’s exit from the Carabao Cup, telling The Star: “No, it is not good. We speak about months at the moment. It is a big one.”

After starting the last eight Sheffield Wednesday games, there’s no doubt that Famewo will prove to be a big miss as the fixtures begin to come thick and fast in the festive period. The Owls must simply hope to find viable solutions within their squad now that they’re without not one but two central defenders.

Injury to "strong" Famewo comes at the worst time

Just when he was beginning to make the centre-back role his to lose, Famewo’s injury has come at the worst time. The Sheffield Wednesday star will be desperately hoping to focus on recovery and race back to full fitness as soon as possible before reclaiming his place. At 25 years old, the former Norwich City man finally looked on course to reach his best in recent weeks and hit the type of form that earned the praise of former manager Xisco Munoz.

Munoz said via The Star in 2023: “I don’t really see him as a left-back or not, but he is an animal. He was our best player in the duels… He is strong, he plays forward, he understands the situations, and he is one of the guys who is closest to what the Championship demands.

“If you had asked me five weeks ago if Akin could play this football I would have said no. I’m sure you were thinking that too. But you can leave him one against one with a guarantee he will win his duels.”

Now, Rohl has been left to cope without one of his most consistent defenders, starting this weekend against Watford.

Tom Brady’s Birmingham are being backed to smash an incredible League One record this season and deliver a title party for their NFL legend investor.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Blues suffered relegation last seasonLooking to bounce back into the ChampionshipCan pull clear at top of the tableFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues suffered relegation out of the Championship in 2023-24, as seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady endured a forgettable debut campaign as part of the St Andrew’s board. Big money was, however, invested last summer in a bid to bounce straight back up.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Birmingham are on course to do just that, with only two defeats being suffered en route to the top of League One. Other ambitious outfits, such as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham, are being left trailing in the Blues’ wake.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chris Davies’ side have 63 points to their name, with history-making achievements still within reach. EFL pundit Don Goodman – who spent time in the West Midlands with Wolves, West Brom and Walsall during his playing days – believes that the bar of third-tier brilliance can be raised in 2025.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT EFL PUNDIT SAID

Goodman has told : “For me, I believe Birmingham City are trying to replicate what Ipswich Town have done by creating a Championship-ready squad in League One. If they were promoted this instant I think, without a doubt, that they would survive. I don't think anybody will be able to do what Ipswich did again but I don't see why Birmingham City wouldn't finish in the top half.

“At the moment, however, it's about getting over the line. Chris Davies is doing a very good job and Birmingham City will win the league. I have previously gone on record to say I think they will break League One records and they need 40 points from 19 games to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers' 103-point record. You know what, I think they'll do it.”

Gabriel Martinelli issued a fiery warning ahead of Arsenal's Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Martinelli confident of reaching Carabao Cup finalArsenal trailing by two goals from first legGunners take on Magpies on WednesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal head to St. James' Park on Wednesday night in a bid to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final fixture. In their clash at Emirates Stadium last month, the Gunners suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon on target for Newcastle.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The North London side, however, are in good spirits at the moment, following a thumping 5-1 win over reigning English champions Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend. Martinelli, who contributed with an assist in his team's win over City, remains confident that Arsenal can score five goals once again to book their berth in the Carabao Cup final.

WHAT GABRIEL MARTINELLI SAID

Speaking to reporters, the Brazilian said: "We know our qualities. It’s not because we lost 2-0 to Newcastle in the last game – we are going to go there just to play now. We are going to go there to win the game and to score three, four, five.

"Let’s see. It is going to be another battle and we know how difficult it is to play there. But we have an amazing team and we trust ourselves. We have full confidence in our squad."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

After facing the Magpies in midweek, Mikel Arteta's side will be back in action on February 15 as they take on Leicester City in the Premier League.

After setting hosts 341 target, Gilchrist’s 4-30 ensures 130-run victory

ECB Reporters' Network15-Sep-2021Kent completed a hat-trick of LV=Insurance County Championship victories when they beat Derbyshire by 130 runs in the Division Three match at Derby.After Kent declared on 211 for 2, setting Derbyshire an unlikely 341 for victory, the home side were bowled out for 210.Nathan Gilchrist took 4 for 30 after Grant Stewart claimed the first two wickets to start another feeble Derbyshire collapse.Only an eighth-wicket stand of 70 between Anuj Dal, who was 58 not out, and Ben Aitchison, with 36, spared Derbyshire from complete humiliation.Kent batted on for nine overs in the morning, adding 64 with Jordan Cox falling for 81 attempting a big shot against Matt Critchley.Daniel Bell-Drummond dispatched Critchley for six on his way to an unbeaten 51 and the declaration set Derbyshire a target that was purely notional given their batting woes this season.A more realistic target was to bat out the day but once again, the top order crumbled and by lunch, Derbyshire were facing defeat.Harry Came was the first to go when he followed one from Stewart that moved away and Leus du Plooy bagged a pair when he was pinned in front first ball by a full delivery.Billy Godleman denied Stewart a hat-trick but after a brief recovery, two more wickets fell before the interval.Wayne Madsen played across a swinging delivery from Harry Podmore and was lbw for 13 and although he passed 6,000 first-class runs for Derbyshire, Godleman followed him to the pavilion in the next over. The Derbyshire captain miscued a pull at Nathan Gilchrist and was caught at square leg for 27 to leave his side in disarray on 67 for 4 at the interval.It was now just a question of how long Derbyshire could delay Kent but the visitors were soon back in business.Tom Wood lost his off stump as he played forward to Jas Singh and Gilchrist claimed his second wicket in the next over when Critchley edged to second slip.Gilchrist found late movement to have Brooke Guest caught behind but Dal and Aitchison finally offered some resistance along with a few muscular blows before the latter miscued to mid off.Sam Conners, batting with a runner after turning an ankle, helped Dal take the game to tea but Gilchrist sealed victory with the fifth ball of the final session.

It’s not been a great campaign for Manchester United so far this year, but after back-to-back defeats, Erik ten Hag’s side picked up their second Premier League win of the season away to Southampton on Saturday.

The Red Devils managed to weather some early pressure from the Saints before putting three past them to collect all three points and hopefully kickstart a run of better form.

However, it wasn’t the perfect performance, and with a League Cup tie against Barnsley to come this evening, it would make sense for Ten Hag to make some changes and drop a starter who didn’t have his best game over the weekend.

Kobbie Mainoo's game in numbers

Yes, the starter in question is wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo, and before the pitchforks come out, we aren’t saying he should sit out for multiple games, but considering he seemed a little off the pace on Saturday, it wouldn’t hurt him to miss tonight’s clash.

It isn’t just us saying the young Englishman had an off-game for the Red Devils, either.

ESPN’s Adam Brown gave him just a 5/10 after the clash, writing that it was a ‘difficult match’ for the teenager, which ‘saw him struggle to move the ball forwards, giving away possession on a number of occasions.’

It may sound harsh, but it’s an assessment backed up by the Stockport-born gem’s statistics from the match. For example, in his 96 minutes of action, he failed in 50% of his dribbles, lost the ball 14 times, committed two fouls and misplaced his one cross.

Overall, the young “baller,” as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, didn’t have the best of games for United, which is one of the reasons he should be dropped for tonight.

The others are that he shouldn’t be overplayed at his age, and it will allow Ten Hag to give another midfield star some much-needed minutes against weaker opposition.

Why Manuel Ugarte should start

So, when the teamsheets for tonight’s fixture come out, Manuel Ugarte should start in the midfield ahead of Mainoo, and there are two simple reasons why.

The first is what we touched on above about the need to manage the youngster’s minutes this season, as while he has bags and bags of talent, playing him into the ground will do nobody any favours and could impact his development a few years down the line.

However, the second and primary reason Ten Hag should be selecting the summer signing this evening is that after playing against Paraguay for 79 minutes and Venezuela for 90 minutes during the international break, he is clearly fit enough to play.

That said, while he seems to be physically ready to start for United, he won’t necessarily have the match sharpness nor the full awareness of what the manager wants him to do for the team, and the best way to remedy that is to get him playing competitive games as soon as possible.

Now, if this was a league match, then it would be quite risky to throw the Uruguayan “monster”, as dubbed by Statman Dave, into the fray, but as Barnsley are currently plying their trade in League One, even a slightly rusty and disjointed display from the 24-capped international should be enough.

After all, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the 23-year-old sits in the top 1% of midfielders for tackles and interceptions, the top 2% for tackles won and dribblers tackled, the top 4% for ball recoveries, the top 5% for pass completion and the top 9% for carries, all per 90.

Ultimately, Mainoo could do with a rest after a slightly underwhelming performance last time out, and Ugarte needs to get more minutes under his belt to better understand his role at United. Tonight’s match against Barnsley presents Ten Hag with the perfect opportunity to do both.

Mainoo dropped, academy duo earn 1st start: Predicted Man Utd XI v Barnsley

Ten Hag rings the changes in the League Cup.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 16, 2024

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has ripped into Jack Grealish and unfavourably compared him to fellow winger and team-mate Savinho.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Grealish struggling at Man City
• Guardiola wants more from winger
• Insists Savinho 'deserves' starting role

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Upon his return from injury, Grealish has watched from the sidelines as City winger Savinho has started ahead of him in the past two games. Following the Citizens' 4-1 Premier League win over West Ham on Saturday, which saw Savinho lay on three assists, manager Guardiola has said the summer signing is in "better shape and everything" than Grealish and suggested the England international may not be giving his "best" at present.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola said, via The Telegraph: “I fought a lot for him [Grealish], fought a lot to be here – to say ‘come on, do it again, do it again’. I saw him, I saw your level and I want that, every single training session and every single game. If not, Savinho. Does anyone think Savinho doesn’t deserve to play? No. He deserves [it]. That’s why I play him because he produces. As much as he looks at himself, he will see the competition and he has to compete, himself. Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I played Savinho. I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah. I want it. But I try to be honest with myself for that.

  “What happened with Savinho’s delivery in the box? It’s higher than the other wingers in that position. And they have to fight. You have to prove ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’. And every single day, and every single week and every single month. Two weeks ago, Jack was injured and he needs rhythm and to play but players need training. I don’t have any doubt about the quality of Jack or any of these players. But they have to, right now, today at 3pm, be at your best. It’s not about what they have done or will do, it’s about 3pm. The one hour 30 minutes, or one hour, 45 minutes, we’re going to play, the responsibility belongs to the players, not to me.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Grealish swapped Aston Villa for City in 2021 in a £100 million ($124m) club-record deal. But in 144 appearances he has scored just 14 goals and bagged 20 assists. He is struggling for game time, has been told to make a Etihad transfer exit and is not the player he once was at Villa. And with Savinho firing on all cylinders at the moment, the 29-year-old could become more of a fringe player as the season progresses.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  City begin their FA Cup campaign on Saturday at home to League Two side Salford City. Grealish will hope to feature in that third round cup clash, but it remains to be seen if Guardiola grants him the chance to try and win his place back.