أدلى مهاجم برشلونة روبرت ليفاندوفسكي بتصريحات عقب قيادة فريقه للفوز أمام بوروسيا دورتموند في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وعلى ملعب “مونتجويك”، تغلب برشلونة على دورتموند بنتيجة 4-0 في مباراة ذهاب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وسجل ليفاندوفسكي هدفين خلال المواجهة، وحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة أمام دورتموند، ونشر موقع “يويفا” الرسمي تصريحاته عقب اللقاء.
اقرأ أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد ثنائية ليفاندوفسكي وهدف رافينها في مباراة برشلونة ودورتموند
وقال ليفاندوفسكي: “قدمنا أداءً جيدًا، لكن لا أحد منا يفكر في نصف النهائي، لدينا مباراة مهمة أخرى سنخوضها الأسبوع المقبل”.
وأضاف: “نسعى دائمًا لفرض أسلوب لعبنا، وسنفعل ذلك في دورتموند أيضًا، سنذهب إلى هناك للفوز، هذا هدفنا الدائم”.
وأكد: “أعتقد أنه سيتعين علينا هناك أن نلعب بنفس المستوى، أو أفضل، هذه هي بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، ولا مجال لتقديم أي شيء أقل من أفضل ما لدينا”.
وعن الأداء الهجومي لبرشلونة، أفاد ليفاندوفسكي: “أنا ولامين يامال ورافينها نعمل بشكل جيد داخل الملعب وخارجه”.
وأتم: “أمامنا أربع خطوات كبيرة في هذه البطولة (للوصول للنهائي)، لقد سجلت 99 هدفًا مع برشلونة، وأنا سعيد بذلك، لكن علينا جميعًا العمل كفريق واحد، بمن فيهم المهاجمون، هذا يُسهّل تحقيق كل شيء”.
So far so good for Arne Slot. Liverpool have won both of their opening Premier League fixtures and have yet to concede, but a trip to Old Trafford marks one of the most significant occasions of the campaign.
Manchester United have not started the season in the finest of form but that all goes out of the window in Europe's pre-eminent derby, with the arch-rivals pitted against each other and hoping to give their season the early boost that comes from a momentous result in this particular fixture.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
With Arsenal dropping points at home against Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool will hope to claim an advantage and silence the Theatre of Dreams.
Liverpool team news
Liverpool were pretty quiet throughout the summer, with Federico Chiesa joining for an initial £10m fee this week in what was the only senior incoming at Anfield.
It's an exciting signing but Slot has revealed that the dynamic winger is not expected to take part, instead honing his skills throughout the looming international break.
Curtis Jones is the sole injury absence, and though Liverpool are not likely to throw Chiesa into the thick of things on the right flank, there's a certain winger who might fancy his chances…
Mohamed Salah's record vs Manchester United
Salah is a fine scorer of goals – one of the very best in Premier League history. Since signing for Liverpool from Roma in a £34m deal, he has bagged 213 across 351 appearances, winning the whole gamut and adding 90 assists.
He might now be 32 years old but the esteemed Egyptian has started life under Slot with a resounding bang, scoring and assisting against Ipswich Town on the opening game of the campaign before netting once again last weekend, at home against Brentford.
You wouldn't bet against him scoring against the Red Devils, indeed boasting the most remarkable record against today's opposition.
Premier League
13
11
4
FA Cup
2
3
0
Chiesa might not quite be ready to be unleashed on English shores, but Salah will hold down the fort and will do so with the incredible style that has established him as one of the greatest forwards of his generation.
However, he might not actually prove to be the most important winger against Erik ten Hag's men. Indeed, Luis Diaz might just find himself proving the star performer.
Why Luis Diaz could be the difference-maker
Diaz, who signed in a £37m move from Porto, ebbed and flowed throughout the 2023/24 campaign but he was nearly always fit and raring to go. Still, 13 goals and five assists across 51 matches in all competitions left something to be desired.
His fleet-footedness and 110% work ethic make him a pillar of Liverpool's team, but if he can keep on playing like he did last weekend, against Brentford, then he could be set for his best season yet as a Redman.
The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle handed the Colombian an 8/10 match rating for his efforts, writing: 'Hounded the Brentford defence during the opening quarter with direct running and took his goal well. Remained a danger and played ball in for the second.'
Matches (starts)
37 (32)
2 (2)
Goals
8
1
Assists
5
1
Touches*
43.8
47.0
Shots (on target)
2.5 (0.9)
3.0 (1.0)
Big chances missed
13
1
Pass completion
85%
92%
Key passes*
1.8
3.5
Dribbles*
1.8
3.0
Ball recoveries*
3.4
5.0
Total duels won*
4.6
7.0
It's early days, of course, but Diaz, hailed as a "livewire" by journalist Peter Hall, is performing at a superior level to that of last season, with his combativeness and ball-carrying ability evident through his duel success and dribbling metrics.
Man United's backline was exposed last week, during their defeat against Brighton, and Diaz could inflict significant damage through such qualities.
Liverpool have stepped into a new era, but with forwards like Diaz and Salah, the club might just prevail against their biggest rivals.
Move over Chiesa: Liverpool could have signed a "monster" Salah heir
Arne Slot missed out on a current Premier League winger
South Africa’s chase veered, almost stalled, and threatened to careen off a cliff – particularly when Wanindu Hasaranga claimed a T20I hat-trick to go with the ODI one he took on debut. But, in the end, taking the game deep, trusting their finisher, and hoping Sri Lanka’s inexperience would show, ended up working for them.With 14 required off the last five balls, Lahiru Kumara missed his length twice, put two balls in David Miller’s arc, and the batter cleared his front leg, brought that big back lift down, and smoked Kumara waaay over deep midwicket, for two sixes that very nearly cleared the stands. He got a single off the next ball, meaning South Africa were tied, with two balls remaining. Kagiso Rabada, who had fielded brilliantly, then edged the next ball for four, and South Africa were home with a ball to spare.The victory means South Africa stay in the running for a semi-final spot, while Sri Lanka find themselves needing several other results to go their way if they are to be in contention.Earlier, Sri Lanka had stumbled through the middle overs – not for the first time – against spin. Tabraiz Shamsi took 3 for 17, as Sri Lanka slumped from 61 for 1 to 110 for 6, the run rate slowing substantially as those wickets fell. They ended with a total of 142, the last wicket falling off the last delivery. It never really seemed enough, even if their bowlers did well to make it seem a good total.
Watch cricket live on ESPN+
Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the USA. Match highlights of South Africa vs Sri Lanka is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).
Nissanka shows his T20 smarts It wasn’t necessarily an exemplary T20 knock. But for this very flawed Sri Lanka side, it was good enough. Pathum Nissanka made only 18 from his first 20 deliveries, in the powerplay. But he stuck around, surviving a close lbw chance off Keshav Maharaj through the middle overs, to accelerate later in the innings, hitting three fours and a six off the last nine deliveries he raced to finish with 72 off 58.Shamsi bosses it yet again The world’s top-ranked T20I bowler showed why he is so highly rated. He gave away only a single run in his first over, which suggested Sri Lanka were looking just to play him out safely. But then he got wickets in each of his remaining three overs, even when batters weren’t trying to be especially aggressive against him. He got two caught-and-bowleds – Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Avishka Fernando coming down the track looking for singles, but failing to get to the pitch, and spooning catches right back at Shamsi. For his third scalp, Shamsi got Hasaranga to hole out to long-on. He finished with the game’s best figures of 3 for 17.Wanindu Hasaranga pegged South Africa back with a hat-trick•ICC via Getty
Hasaranga hat-tricks Sri Lanka back into the game As if totally unwilling to be done by Shamsi – the only bowler above him on the T20I rankings – Hasaranga got three wickets of his own, all in a row. The first of these was probably the most important wicket. It wasn’t Hasaranga’s best googly, but he deceived the in-form Aiden Markram nonetheless, and knocked back his off stump. That wicket had come off the last ball of the 15th over, and then when he next came back to the bowling crease, in the 18th, Hasaranga got two wickets first up. He had Bavuma caught at deep midwicket off a genuine half-tracker – Bavuma not managing to clear the fielder, or miss him. Next ball, Dwaine Pretorius holed out to long-on, and South Africa seemed in serious trouble, with six wickets down and 31 still needed from 16 balls.The big finish Miller just bided his time, and waited for Sri Lanka’s weakest death bowler. Rabada had thankfully struck a six off Dushmantha Chameera in the penultimate over, to keep South Africa in touch. Rabada had the strike at the start of the last over too, but he got a single first ball, and when Miller got to the crease, he was just intent on hitting sixes, and Kumara bowled him the two perfect balls to smash. Miller finished with 23 not out off 13.
The pace bowler now has 15 wickets in two Sheffield Shield matches this season
Andrew McGlashan08-Nov-2021
Scott Boland was part of the squad for the postponed South Africa tour•Getty Images
Last week, Victoria coach Chris Rogers said he wouldn’t swap Scott Boland “for just about anyone”. After a match-winning display against New South Wales at the MCG, the caveat is perhaps not needed.In the early-season discussions about who could join the big three in Australia’s Test squad for the Ashes, there have been the usual suspects: Michael Neser, Sean Abbott and Jhye Richardson. Mark Steketee, who was part of the squad for the postponed South Africa tour, also pushed his name up there with a seven-wicket haul against South Australia.There wasn’t really much talk around Boland although he has been a hugely consistent performer for Victoria. In two matches this summer, however, that has changed. At the very least he now deserves a place in the expanded party that will form an Australia A side ahead of the first Test. The closest he has so far been to a Test cap was when he was added to a squad against West Indies in 2014-15.Related
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Following his five-wicket haul on the final day he was reluctant to talk himself up too much. “It would be very nice to be recognised like that…all I can do is control what I’m doing,” he said. “You’d have to ask [national selector] George [Bailey], but think I’d be there or thereabouts but it’s not up to me.”Boland’s eight wickets at the MCG followed seven at the Drummoyne Oval to give him 15 at 10.80 this season. Since the start of last summer he has 45 at 19.60. Boland is 32, and had earned the last of his 17 limited-overs caps in 2016 which is perhaps a reason why his name hasn’t been as prominent in the debate until now. But as Rogers put it, “he’s the finished article”.One of the hallmarks of his recent performances has been his ability to take wickets on flat surfaces or with an older ball. Last season he toiled magnificently on flat Adelaide wickets, and in the early stages this summer was a constant threat on a Drummoyne Oval surface that had less life for the quicks the longer the game went on.In this latest match at the MCG, although there was always more on offer for the quicks in what was an excellent pitch, his delivery with a 62-over old ball to remove Jack Edwards and break a lengthy stand was another example.
There was some symmetry in the fact that it has been the international retirement of James Pattinson, the man he took the new ball alongside at the MCG, that has shaken up Australia’s reserve pack of quicks ahead of the Ashes.”I know there’s so many good fast bowlers around it’s going to be hard for me to get a crack but all I can do is keeping doing what I’ve been doing for the last few years and if the opportunity comes I’ll be really happy,” Boland said earlier in the game.His captain Peter Handscomb was more than willing to push his claims. “I’m happy to talk about Scotty for as long as you want,” he said. “He’s been doing this for five, sixers years, it’s nothing new. It’s incredible bowling, his figures speak for themselves. He comes out here today, breaks the game open and wins it for us in the last hour.”I’d love to see him have a crack at that next level. He’s been ready for a couple of years so if that moment does come for him I’m sure he’ll grab it with both hands and show what Australia what he’s been doing for us for a long time.”
But how about a little more imagination when composing team anthems?
Nikhil Jha08-May-2012Choice of game
It was blockbuster night at Kotla, with the top two teams facing off. I have been lucky enough to watch all but two of Delhi’s home matches, a consistent run matching Virender Sehwag’s streak of half-centuries. But with Kevin Pietersen, the man behind Delhi’s resurrection, gone, I had a sneaky feeling Kolkata would win.Team supported
This IPL has been strange, in the sense that I have found it very difficult to associate myself with a team. The geographical proximity v favourite-players conundrum is a tough one to crack. That said, the Daredevils have not got their due in the past editions of the IPL and I would like them to go all the way this season.Key performer
Jacques Kallis has been surprisingly subdued this IPL, and it was time he came to the fore. The Daredevils were off to a great start, with their explosive openers, David Warner and Sehwag, racing away to a 40-run partnership inside four overs. Enter Kallis, who removed both in his first two overs. The Daredevils never really recovered from that jolt.Kallis also batted calmly at Gautam Gambhir’s dismissal and prevented the middle-order collapse that the Kolkata Knight Riders have been so prone to over the seasons.One thing you’d have changed about the day
I would have sent a chartered flight to get KP back to Kotla for the match. But if I could have had changed something on the field, I would have loved for Sehwag to carry his form and score his sixth successive half-century in a row.Face-off I relished
I really wanted to witness Lee v Sehwag, but Warner played (and missed) most of his early spell, leaving Sehwag with just one ball to negotiate.Narine, the spin sensation, against the Daredevils batsmen was another face-off I enjoyed watching. They just could not score off him, which re-affirmed his tag of the mystery bowler.Wow moment
I may be a bit biased here, but Varun Aaron, my hometown lad, features in the moment of the match for me. Brought into the attack to break the Knight Riders’ ominous opening partnership, he celebrated almost immediately as Gambhir skied one to Umesh Yadav… only to be dropped. Aaron took matters into his own hands then, bowling Gambhir off the next ball.It did not have a big impact on the result, but I was really happy for Aaron who bowled an economical spell and could have had another wicket had Irfan Pathan not dropped a simple catch that reprieved his brother, Yusuf.Shot of the day
Brendon McCullum, who wears the #42 jersey, had the answer to life, the universe and winning last night for the Knight Riders. In the 15th over, by Morne Morkel, McCullum displayed the disdain that is so characteristic of his batting. Morkel dug one short, and McCullum, anticipating it, clobbered a powerful pull to the square-leg boundary.Close encounter
For the entire Daredevils innings, Brett Lee fielded below the 1st tier stand where we were sitting. He is one of the most popular cricketers, and that showed in the way crowd were shouting and cheering for him. He acknowledged intermittently with a smile and a wave.Crowd meter
The big match and an 8pm start brought in a lot of supporters to the ground. The vocal support, however, wasn’t as loud as in the past few matches. The only time the stadium came alive was when Umesh Yadav was on a hat-trick. A lot of Knight Riders’ fans were also present, sporting confident smiles that grew into grins as the match drew to a close.Entertainment
The music was the same old stuff, except that the local band that performed in the earlier matches seemed to be absent.One a side note, on the day Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest poets, was born, it was appalling to hear the official song of the Knight Riders, who also belong to his city. Tagore fans will cringe at the mention of him and the IPL in the same sentence, but the point I am trying to make is that the city of creativity should come with something better than: “We’re hot, we’re cool, we’re Kolkata, we rule”.Twenty20 v ODIs
In our generation that feeds on products providing instant gratification, Twenty20s score over ODIs.Star-spotting
It was a Knight Riders match so I think a lot of spectators had come to spot stars. The king of Bollywood, Shak Rukh Khan, was in the house, and he did not make any effort to hide the fact. He paraded near the boundary ropes, waving at the screaming fans, and at times the match seemed like a backdrop for this frenzy. My view of the game was repeatedly blocked when the others rushed to the front every time Shah Rukh was visible to our stand.Overall
The Daredevils’ start had ignited hopes of it being another high-scoring encounter, but the batting faltered in the middle overs and changed the course of the match. The Knight Riders’ batting was as solid as usual, and local boy Gambhir gave his hometown fans little to cheer as he set about scripting a comfortable chase. The quality of cricket was top-notch, if we discount a couple of dropped catches by the Daredevils.Marks on 10
8. It was an easy victory for the Knight Riders. A closer match would have fetched more points.
The New Zealand captain felt his side’s total was competitive in tricky conditions
Matt Roller27-Oct-20211:15
Making sense of NZ’s batting order
New Zealand were 90 for 3 after 13 overs batting first in Sharjah on Tuesday night, while Pakistan were 75 for 4 at the same stage in the run chase. But the contrast between the sides’ fortunes at the death with bat and ball – which saw Pakistan complete a five-wicket win with eight balls to spare – was the main difference between them, according to New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson.”I think at one stage they required about maybe 52 off 30-ish [33],” Williamson said, asked what the turning point had been in a tight, scrappy game on a pitch with low bounce. “It was a tough surface to time the ball on, but someone like Shoaib Malik batting through and finishing off with a couple of lusty blows, and Asif [Ali] as well, who came in and hit the ball beautifully – much, much more sweet than anybody else on a tricky surface.”Unfortunately, it didn’t quite go our way. If we look at the opposition and how clinical they were at the death, not allowing us to time the ball, they were of the highest class. For us, it’s trying to take some of those learnings and move forward.”Related
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Williamson said that he thought New Zealand’s total of 134 for 8 had been “very competitive” at the interval on a tough batting pitch, but admitted that they might have been below par against a Pakistan side set up to chase that sort of score.”[The pitch] was very difficult to start on,” he said. “You wanted to try and identify some opportunities to have big overs because you’re always going to have dot balls. It was very similar characteristics to what we saw throughout the IPL.New Zealand struggled to increase the tempo•Alex Davidson/Getty Images
“I think we would have liked about another five or ten. To be fair, I thought we had a very competitive total at the first half, but in hindsight, you always want a few more. But there were a lot of really important roles that allowed us to get that competitive total, so I think there was a lot of good to take from it.”It would be nice to cloth another boundary or two, but timing was quite challenging to come by. That’s the nature of the beast. Sometimes you try and adapt to these different surfaces accordingly and try and make contributions for the team, and I think guys went out there today and really gave it a good shot.”Williamson had addressed New Zealand’s last-minute withdrawal from their tour of Pakistan on security measures in the build-up to the match, insisting that there were “good relations” between the two sets of players. He reiterated his point after New Zealand’s defeat, praising the “spirit” that Pakistan had played in and the atmosphere created by a partisan Sharjah crowd.”They played in the right spirit, I believe, and a great spirit,” he said. “They’re a very competitive, proud cricketing nation, and they showed that tonight. They’ve been outstanding in the first couple of games of this tournament. I’m sure they’ll be very, very competitive throughout the back end as well. Their hopes are high, no doubt.”[New Zealand’s withdrawal] was obviously a very unfortunate, disappointing situation for Pakistani cricket fans and the cricketers, a decision that was outside of the players’ control. But all the guys were there looking forward to that series to start, and unfortunately it didn’t happen, so it was very disappointing for all involved.”It was nice to play in front of sort of pretty much a full house… it’s been a long time coming although there weren’t too many Kiwis in there, but still a lot of energy and a lot of enjoyment from the people that were watching. I think the guys enjoyed it. It was a close game and sort of pipped at the end to a large extent by some really high-class batting and sort of finishing in those death overs. That was, I think, the difference.”
Wheal lends support in unbroken fifty stand to wrest control from Warwickshire
ECB Reporters' Network06-Sep-2021A compelling LV=Insurance County Championship contest is unfolding at Edgbaston where Hampshire closed the second day on 260 for 8 in their second innings, 233 ahead of Warwickshire.The home side had Hampshire 208 for eight, just 181 in front, but former Edgbaston favourite Keith Barker dug in with Brad Wheal to add an unbroken 52 up to stumps.After taking a five-for on the first day, Barker continued to impede his former team-mates’ title bid with an unbeaten 49 off 124 balls with power to add. Warwickshire will face an awkward chase in pursuit of a victory which would keep them top of the table.On a hot afternoon, Liam Norwell led the Bears’ bowling manfully with 4 for 64 while Danny Briggs wheeled away skilfully for 36-17-38-2 but their injury-hit attack was exposed as other bowlers, notably home debutant Chemar Holder, struggled for control.After the freak clatter of wickets on the first day, a good pitch was put into proper perspective on the second when wickets had to be much harder-earned. Trailing by 27 on first innings, Hampshire resumed on 41 without loss and took the score to 55 before Norwell made the breakthrough. The big-hearted paceman swung one in to win an lbw appeal against Joe Weatherley.Ian Holland and Tom Alsop added 54 before the Bears struck a double blow just before lunch. Holland edged Norwell to Rob Yates at slip to be out for 44 and then Briggs got one to lift at Nick Gubbins and Will Rhodes took a sharp catch at slip.Briggs bowled with great control after lunch and added the scalp of Alsop, adroitly stumped by Michael Burgess, before Norwell trapped Liam Dawson lbw.James Vince batted diligently for 48 off 67 balls with seven fours and it was a surprise when he perished carelessly, pulling Craig Miles to Matt Lamb at long leg. Four balls later, Miles hit the middle stump of James Fuller but the Bears were held up by the obdurate Felix Organ who went into tea unbeaten on 3 from 72 minutes and made 16 in exactly two hours before falling lbw to Norwell.Barker batted with great composure and Wheal supported him ably in the last hour to tilt this tight and intriguing match Hampshire’s way.
Ex-Netherlands star Rafael van der Vaart claimed that Viktor Gyokeres is a "better version of Erling Haaland" ahead of Sporting's clash with Man City.
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Gyokeres hailed as 'real footballer'Told he is better than HaalandSporting CP face Man City on TuesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Sporting CP sensation has displayed terrific form since the start of the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 16 goals in 10 matches across all competitions. He has attracted interest from Premier League giants like Arsenal, Liverpool, and, of course, Manchester United, where his current manager Ruben Amorim is heading to replace Erik ten Hag later this month.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Gyokeres is fresh from scoring a hat-trick against Estrela in a Liga Portugal clash. He will now face reigning English champions Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. Ahead of the exciting encounter in Europe, Dutch legends Van der Vaart and Van Basten have spoken highly of the Swedish forward, with the former even claiming that he is a 'better version' of City's goal machine Erling Haaland.
WHAT RAFAEL VAN DER VAART SAID
Speaking to , the former Tottenham star said: "It sounds a bit crazy, but I think he’s a bit of a better version of Haaland. Haaland is of course incredible, but Gyökeres has a bit more, or something."
WHAT MARCO VAN BASTEN SAID
AC Milan and Ajax icon Van Basten added: "He’s a real footballer, I think. A real footballing striker. Strong, scores easily and is calm in front of goal. He is also able to pass the keeper, I think he’s a really good striker. I can enjoy him."
After two seasons of challenging Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal can no longer be ignored: they are the real deal.
However, while Mikel Arteta has helped transform the Gunners into genuine contenders, they still need to take that final step and finally end their two-decade title drought, which will require more investment.
For all the valid criticism that has been laid at the feet of the Kroenkes in recent years, they haven't scrimped on transfers, and they look set to spend big once again this summer as the player lined up as the dream alternative to Martin Zubimendi isn't going to come cheap.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from the Mirror, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Newcastle United's star midfielder, Bruno Guimarães.
The story has revealed that due to rules around profit and sustainability, the Magpies could be forced into selling one of their stars. As the Brazilian has attracted interest from Manchester City and Liverpool alongside the Gunners, he could be the player sold.
The former Lyon ace reportedly has a £100m release clause inserted into his contract, and according to the Mirror, the North Londoners are set to 'consider triggering' it.
kieran-trippier-bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-opinion
It would be yet another serious investment in the team, but with reports suggesting the club's other midfield target, Zubimendi, is unconvinced about leaving Spain, it seems like an investment worth making, especially as he looks more impressive than the Spaniard anyway.
How Guimarães compares to Zubimendi
Now, the first thing to say is that both players have proven themselves to be very talented midfielders this season, but if Arsenal can only sign one, there are a couple of reasons why they should go after Guimarães, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig described as having "world class potential."
kalvin-phillips-bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-opinion
The first, is that when comparing their underlying numbers, the Toon ace emerges victorious in almost every relevant metric including, non-penalty expected goals and assists, progressive passes and carries, shots and shots on target, shot and goal-creating actions, ball recoveries, tackles and tackles won, all per 90.
In his defence, the San Sebastian-born star does come out on top for statistics like clearances, passing accuracy, interceptions and aerial duels won, all per 90, but that's pretty much it.
Non-Penalty Expected Goals and Assists
0.31
0.14
Non-Penalty Goals
0.19
0.14
Assists
0.22
0.03
Progressive Passes
7.80
5.15
Progressive Carries
1.79
1.15
Shots
1.32
0.75
Shots on Target
0.44
0.37
Passing Accuracy
83.9%
85.7%
Shot-Creating Actions
3.94
1.87
Goal-Creating Actions
0.52
0.14
Tackles
2.42
1.66
Tackles Won
1.46
0.92
Blocks
1.43
1.12
Interceptions
0.94
1.25
Clearances
0.55
1.83
Ball Recoveries
6.50
5.73
Aerial Duels Won
0.47
1.49
Aside from his overwhelming superiority in terms of their underlying numbers, the second reason Arteta and Co should opt for the Brazilian "leader," as Kulig dubbed him, is his Premier League experience.
If the North Londoners were to sign the Magpies midfielder, they could do so confident in the knowledge that he can thrive in the English game, because that is exactly what he's been doing for the last few years.
On the other hand, signing a midfielder from La Liga who has never played outside of Spain will always be more of a risk.
Even if the Sociedad man adapted to English football, it probably wouldn't be instant, and when Arsenal are competing with a team like City every year, they cannot afford for any of their star players to start slowly.
Martin Zubimendi.
Ultimately, while Zubimendi looks like a quality player, his unsureness about a move away from Spain is the perfect excuse for Edu and Co to go all guns blazing to sign Guimarães, as the Brazilian looks to be the far superior midfielder anyway.
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The prolific striker could be the perfect alternative for Mikel Arteta.
أعلن أشرف صبحي، وزير الشباب والرياضة، عن توقيع اتفاقية جديدة مع نادي مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، تهدف إلى دعم وتطوير لاعبي كرة القدم الناشئين في مصر.
وقال صبحي في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون سبورت” عبر برنامج “كابيتانو مصر” إن الاتفاقية تتضمن سفر ثمانية لاعبين ناشئين مصريين إلى مانشستر سيتي لقضاء فترة معايشة شاملة.
وزير الرياضة يشهد المباراة الاستعراضية لأساطير كرة القدم العالمية والمصرية
وأوضح وزير الشباب والرياضة أن الاتفاقية تشمل تدريبات مكثفة تحت إشراف الجهاز الفني للنادي الإنجليزي، بالإضافة إلى حضور الفعاليات والأحداث الكبرى داخل النادي.
وأوضح صبحي أن هذه المبادرة تأتي في إطار استراتيجية وزارة الشباب والرياضة لتطوير المواهب المصرية الشابة، وإعدادهم وفقًا للمعايير الاحترافية العالمية، مما يعزز فرصهم في الاحتراف الأوروبي مستقبلاً.
ويسعى أشرف صبحي لزيادة التعاون مع الأندية الكبرى مثل مانشستر سيتي، والتي يعد خطوة مهمة نحو رفع مستوى كرة القدم المصرية، خاصة في الفئات السنية الصغرى، حيث تتيح هذه الاتفاقية للاعبين فرصة الاحتكاك بمدارس كروية متطورة والاستفادة من أحدث أساليب التدريب.