رافينها يفجر مفاجأة بشأن إصابته مع برشلونة.. ويصرّح: لا أحصل على التقدير الكافي

ظهر نجم فريق برشلونة، رافينها، في مؤتمر صحفي يوم الإثنين لللحديث عن مباراة الغد المرتقبة ضد نظيره فريق تشيلسي، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستضيف ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج” مباراة فريقي تشيلسي الإنجليزي وبرشلونة الإسباني، في الجولة الخامسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، موسم 2025/26.

وقال رافينها، في مؤتمر صحفي نشرته صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “مجرد العودة للعب أمر مميز بالنسبة لي، لقد غبت عن الملاعب لشهرين تقريبًا، وغياب لاعب كرة القدم كل هذه المدة يُعد أمرًا صعبًا للغاية”.

وأضاف:”هناك مواقف أكثر تعقيدًا من موقفي، لكنني دائمًا ما أرغب في التواجد في الملعب، وهذه المرة كانت صعبة بالنسبة لي، العودة للعب في هذا الملعب أمر مميز بالنسبة لي، إنه ملعب أعشقه، لعبت هنا عدة مرات وسجلت أهدافًا وأتمنى أن أفعل ذلك غدًا، آمل أن أساعد الفريق إذا أشركني المدرب، سأبذل قصارى جهدي”.

وواصل: “اشتقت للفريق أكثر بكثير مما افتقدوني، أنا شخص أسعى جاهدًا من أجل تقديم أفضل ما لدي في الملعب، هجوميًا ودفاعيًا، هذه هي طبيعتي، غالبًا ما أكون أكبر ناقد للفريق وأطالب اللاعبين دائمًا بالكثير، لكن هذه هي طبيعتي”.

وشدد: “أؤمن أن اللاعبين في الملعب موجودون لأنهم يمتلكون المهارة والجودة اللازمتين للتواجد، وأسعى جاهدًا لمساعدة الجميع، ويجب أن أكون أول من يفعل ذلك، إذا كنت في أفضل حالاتي، فيمكنني أن أطالب الفريق بالمزيد، لهذا السبب أحاول دائمًا تقديم أفضل ما عندي”.

وفيما يخص إصابته الأخيرة، قال: “عانيت من فترة عصيبة للغاية، كنت أرغب دائمًا في التواجد في الملعب لمساعدة الفريق ولعب أكبر عدد ممكن من الدقائق، كان قضاء هذين الشهرين دون لعب أمرًا صعبًا للغاية بالنسبة لي شخصيًا، العودة بعد شهرين من الإصابة أمر معقد بعض الشيء، أحتاج إلى لياقة بدنية عالية، وآمل أن أستعيد المستوى الذي يتوقعه الناس مني في أسرع وقت ممكن”.

واعترف: “ربما كانت هناك أخطاء، لكن الحقيقة هي أنني تعرضت لانتكاستين، الأولى كانت جزئيًا بسببي، وأعتقد أن الثانية كانت كذلك أيضًا، أتحمل مسؤولية ذلك، لأنني في النهاية أنا من يفعل الأشياء، وإذا اعتقدت أنها لن تفيدني، فسأكون أول من يرفض، أتحمل مسؤولية الانتكاستين لأنني أردت العودة إلى الملعب في أسرع وقت ممكن لمساعدة الفريق، ارتكبت بعض الأخطاء، ولهذا السبب تعرضت لهاتين الانتكاستين”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رباعي برشلونة مهدد بالإيقاف بسبب مباراة تشيلسي في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وأكد: “أحاول استعادة لياقتي البدنية الكاملة، الإصابات العضلية تكون صعبة بعد التعافي، وقد عانيت من انتكاستين، أحاول استعادة أفضل لياقة بدنية ممكنة والتعافي تمامًا لأتمكن من تقديم أفضل ما لديّ في الملعب، الجميع يبذل قصارى جهده لتسريع عملية التعافي، الأطباء، والمعالجون الفيزيائيون”.

وعن عدم فوزه بالجوائز الفردية مؤخرًا، قال: “هل شعرت بعدم حصولي على التقدير الكافي؟ نعم، شعرت بذلك بالفعل، أعتقد أنني كنت أستحق أكثر من ذلك بكثير، ولكن حسنًا، إنها جوائز فردية أو جوائز جماعية، ربما لم نتأهل لدوري أبطال أوروبا، لكنني لا أستطيع التحكم في الجوائز الفردية، تصويت الجمهور، وأصوات الصحفيين”.

واستكمل: “إنه أمر لا يعتمد عليّ وهو أكثر تعقيدًا، أنا أتحكم فيما أفعله في الملعب، وأنا متأكد من أنني قدمت موسمًا رائعًا، وهذا يكفي بالنسبة لي، يمكنك شرح ذلك لي، لقد فعلت ما كان عليّ فعله، وعندما يصوت الآخرون، فالأمر متروك لهم لشرح ذلك، لكنني لا أطلب شيئًا من أحد، سأبذل قصارى جهدي، هذا كل شيء”.

وحول كون برشلونة منافسًا على اللقب، قال البرازيلي: “إذا نظرتم إلى جميع مقابلاتي التي تناولت فيها دوري أبطال أوروبا، لطالما قلت إن الهدف الرئيسي من اللعب لهذا النادي هو الفوز بتلك البطولة، وهو هدفي منذ انضمامي”.

واسترسل: “في العام الماضي خسرنا بصعوبة بالغة في نصف النهائي، لكنني أرى الفريق هذا العام أكثر نضجًا من الموسم الماضي، وإذا مررنا بلحظات كهذه، فربما سنتعامل مع الأمر بشكل مختلف، إنها منافسة صعبة للغاية، لكننا سنبذل قصارى جهدنا لنقدم أفضل ما لدينا ونصل إلى النهائي ونفوز به”.

وعن مباراة الغد، قال: “كل موسم يختلف، لقد شهدنا تغييرات كثيرة، بين آخر مرة كان فيها برشلونة هنا والآن، سواء على مستوى اللاعبين أو على مستوى النادي ككل، كل موسم يختلف، في الموسم الماضي لعبنا مباريات رائعة في ملاعب رائعة، كل مباراة مختلفة، وهذه ستكون مباراة مذهلة، إنهما فريقان عظيمان، والفريق الذي يرتكب أخطاء أقل سيفوز بالتأكيد”.

وفيما يتعلق بمركزه المفضل، قال: “أشعر براحة أكبر في الملعب، أينما كان، لا أُفضل مركزًا على آخر، أريد أن أكون في الملعب لأساعد الفريق، أينما كان، لا يهمني إن كنت في أحد الجناحين، أو في الوسط، كما قلت، أريد أن أكون في الملعب لأساعد الفريق”.

وعن رفضه الانتقال إلى تشيلسي من ليدز يونايتد، قال: “كنت واضحًا تمامًا بشأن ما أريده وهو تحقيق حلمي بارتداء قميص برشلونة، ولهذا السبب وثقت بهم، وأنا هنا اليوم أرتدي قميص برشلونة، منذ مباراتي الأخيرة مع ليدز، كنت على دراية بإمكانية ارتداء قميص برشلونة، وكنت على دراية باهتمام تشيلسي”.

واستدرك: “لكن كان لدي حلم أسعى لتحقيقه وبذلت قصارى جهدي لأتمكن من ارتداء قميص برشلونة، تجاهلت أي فرق أخرى سعت للتعاقد معي، كان لدي حلم، وفعلت كل ما في وسعي لألعب لصالح برشلونة”.

وعندما سُئل عن دوره من مقاعد البدلاء، قال: “ما أفعله لمساعدة الفريق هو من صنع يدي، ليس الأمر أنني قائد أو ما شابه، أحاول فقط مساعدة الفريق عندما أرى أنهم بحاجة إليّ، أتذكر أن المعالج الطبيعي كان يعتني بـ فيرمين لوبيز، وكان هناك لاعبون يريدون الماء، لذلك حاولت أن أكون منتبهًا لكل شيء وساعدتهم في حمل زجاجات الماء إلى الملعب، كان وقتي في المدرجات أسوأ من وقتي على مقاعد البدلاء”.

وعن رأيه في مواطنه إستيفاو، لاعب تشيلسي، قال: “إستيفاو ولامين لاعبان كرة قدم يتمتعان بمستوى مذهل، في السنوات القادمة من مسيرتهما الكروية، سيكونان من بين أفضل اللاعبين في العالم، أنا متأكد من ذلك لأنني أعمل مع لامين في النادي ومع إستيفاو في المنتخب الوطني، إنهما موهبتان رائعتان”.

واستأنف: “الوصول إلى القمة يعتمد عليهما، لكنهما يسيران على الطريق الصحيح ليكونا الأفضل في أنديتهما ومنتخباتهما، أحاول مساعدتهما بخبرتي لأن الموهبة ملك لهما، أنا متأكد من أنهما موهبتان ستتألقان لسنوات عديدة”.

وعن أهمية العمل الدفاعي، قال: “أهم شئ هو الدفاع الجيد في كرة القدم اليوم، لأن جميع الفرق تعرف كيف تلعب ولديها إمكانية الوصول إلى جميع أنواع المعلومات، يُعد الجانب الدفاعي أمرًا بالغ الأهمية والقدرة على إدارته جيدًا هي أفضل ما يمكن للفريق، الفريق الذي يدافع بشكل أفضل لديه أفضل فرصة للفوز بالمباراة”.

وعن التأهل إلى دور الـ16، قال: “فاز باريس سان جيرمان بدوري أبطال أوروبا العام الماضي دون أن ينهي الموسم ضمن الثمانية الأوائل (لم يتأهل مباشرة واضطر إلى خوض الملحق)”.

Hampshire appoint Russell Domingo as head coach

Shane Burger also joins new coaching set-up at the Utilita Bowl

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Dec-2025Russell Domingo, the former South Africa and Bangladesh coach, has been named Hampshire men’s head coach on a two-year contract. He will be joined in the club’s new coaching set-up by another South African, Shane Burger, who previously coached Scotland before moving on to Somerset.Domingo was in charge of South Africa between 2012 and 2017, followed by a three-year stint with Bangladesh. He has been head coach of Johannesburg-based Lions since 2023, and has also worked in the PSL. ESPNcricinfo understands Domingo will continue in his Lions role, splitting his time between the UK and South Africa.He succeeds his countryman Adrian Birrell at Hampshire, with Birrell stepping down at the end of the 2025 summer after seven seasons on the south coast.Burger joins as assistant coach (bowling), while former Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams will continue in his role as assistant coach (batting).Related

  • Hampshire target white-ball double as coach Birrell prepares to step down

  • Timeline: Domingo's stint as head coach of Bangladesh

  • Domingo replaces Gough as Lahore Qalandars coach

  • Men's county ins and outs 2025-26

“I’m thrilled to be joining Hampshire Cricket,” Domingo said. “This is a club with incredible history, outstanding facilities at Utilita Bowl, and a clear vision for success both on and off the field.”I’ve been genuinely impressed by the ambition here and the strong cultural values that underpin everything Hampshire does. The combination of developing young talent whilst competing for trophies is exactly the challenge I’m looking for, and I can’t wait to get started.”I’m looking forward to working alongside Jimmy and Shane and getting to know the players as we prepare for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.”Burger said: “I’m really excited to be joining Hampshire Cricket. The quality of young bowlers coming through here is exceptional, Sonny Baker, Eddie Jack and Scott Currie have already earned England recognition, and I’m looking forward to helping them continue that development.”I love the ambition and vision of the club and the future seems bright. I’m excited to be part of that journey alongside Russell and Jimmy and I can’t wait to get started.”Hampshire endured a turbulent finish to last season, losing in both the final of the Vitality T20 Blast and the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. They appeared destined for relegation to Division Two of the County Championship, after suffering a points deduction for a substandard pitch, before being reprieved on the final day by Durham’s collapse against Yorkshire.Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, added: “We’re delighted to announce our coaching team for next summer. Russell Domingo will serve as head coach, with Jimmy Adams and Shane Burger joining him as assistant coaches. Together, they form a strong and experienced unit that will continue to champion the cultural framework that has underpinned Hampshire cricket over the years.”We exist to win and to develop, and I’m confident this team will continue to drive that ethos as we move into an exciting future. It’s a fantastic place to be at this moment in time, and the season ahead promises great opportunities.”

India's bowlers show off their long game on classical pitch

With conditions in Guwahati nowhere near as bowler-friendly as Kolkata, India were skilful enough to keep South Africa in check on day one

Karthik Krishnaswamy22-Nov-20252:46

Did umpires stretch play despite fading light?

There are 20s, 30s and 40s, and there are 20s, 30s and 40s. On a pitch like in Kolkata last week, getting that far felt like a triumph. Not so on an entirely different surface in Guwahati, where South Africa’s batters kept getting out for similar scores.This was the classic first-day Indian pitch. A small window of help for the seamers at the start, and bits of encouragement for the spinners to keep coming back for another ball, another over, another spell. But the batters could trust their defence, and feel fairly secure if they had spent a bit of time at the crease.This was a pitch where converting starts felt like, A: a meaningful phrase, and B: a reasonable expectation. And yet, six South African batters fell for scores between 13 and 49.Related

Kuldeep three-for gives India edge on flat pitch

Stubbs has 'worked a lot' on his defence and it's showing

It’s natural temptation, while looking at such a scorecard and watching some of the dismissals — two batters caught at mid-off while looking to clear that fielder — to conclude that the batters threw away promising starts and only had themselves to blame.That scorecard and those dismissals, however, were also products of relentless excellence from an India attack of high quality and depth. For over after over, hour after hour, they gave South Africa only so much, and as avoidable as some of the dismissals looked, they didn’t come about from rash shots as much as errors committed by humans under pressure.This wasn’t the pressure of survival that batters faced in Kolkata. It wasn’t the pressure of slow, low pitches that cut off scoring options. It was the incremental pressure of spending time in the middle, surviving good bowling, getting through good spells, and even scoring runs, but somehow not feeling like you’re getting ahead in the game.India have done this many times to visiting teams over many years, but not so much in recent months. For at least a year now, India have not bowled in these sorts of conditions at home, against strong opposition.And finally, here it was, at 1-0 down in a two-Test series, with the toss lost and the opposition probably getting the best batting conditions of the match. This was India’s attack reminding viewers of its greatest strength: not just high levels of skill, but the ability to execute skills at a high level, with exacting control over long periods, as a collective.2:45

ten Doeschate: ‘These sorts of wickets suit us better’

On days like this, reward doesn’t always come in explicable ways. Jasprit Bumrah had bowled as good a new-ball spell as you can hope to see in these conditions, inducing nine false shots and conceding just seven runs in six overs, without reward and with one chance dropped in the slips. When he finally broke South Africa’s opening stand at 82, he did it with a ball that didn’t seem to do much at all; Aiden Markram seemed to play ever so slightly down the wrong line, and inside-edged his drive onto the stumps.For most of the second session, India bowled with a grim sense of purpose, looking to make the most of a little bit of help. The spinners extracted bounce from the red-soil surface, and the seamers were beginning to get a vague hint of reverse swing. But the bounce also encouraged the batters to use their feet and hit over the top, and the ball was coming on nicely enough for them to find the boundary by transferring their weight into checked drives and pushes and placing them into gaps.And yet, India went at under three an over through the session despite taking just one wicket, despite Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs going to lunch having put on 74.Hard Test cricket involving deep, skillful attacks can be like this. Batters can get in and build partnerships without moving the game through any great distance or at any great speed. This is the long game.And if you’re batting on 41 in these circumstances, and you see a ball that looks vaguely hittable, when mid-off is up saving the single, you can end up doing what Bavuma did in the third over after lunch, off Ravindra Jadeja. This was a bowler who had conceded just 21 in his first nine overs, and here was a ball that seemed to be right in the slot. Why wouldn’t you go after it?”I think we kept pressure on for long periods of time,” India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said after the day’s play. “And when scoring’s not that easy, when you can only really score off bad balls, it sort of adds pressure onto the batting units. And maybe that’s the reason for guys getting in and no one getting a big score yet.”The other reason was that India have at least two bowlers who don’t need a lot of help from the conditions to be a constant threat. Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets on a flat first-day surface•BCCIKuldeep’s dismissal of Stubbs was probably the highlight of the day, coming off a brilliantly conceived delivery, the first of a new spell. On Indian pitches with lower bounce, Kuldeep attacks the stumps relentlessly. On this surface, though, Kuldeep often hit the sticker of the bat when batters defended him off the front foot. This bounce broadened the possibilities of dismissal, bringing the right-hand batters’ outside edge into play.Stubbs tends to stride forward down the line of leg stump regardless of the line of the ball, with his front leg seldom going across to the off side. From this position, he relies on his reach, hands and head position to do a lot of work.So Kuldeep dangled the ball wide of off stump, well outside Stubbs’ eyeline, and drew his hands fatally towards the ball. It turned a little less than Stubbs probably expected, and KL Rahul caught it at slip. Stubbs was on 49; did the possibility of a pushed single to get to fifty play a role in the dismissal?”No, not at all,” Stubbs said. “To be honest, I’ve faced him quite a few times on his first ball [of a spell], and that was I think the best one he’s bowled. From my angle, it sort of beat me in the drift.”That’s why my hands got away … On a day-one wicket, that’s probably how he’s trying to get you out, but for him to bowl that first ball of his, coming back, I thought it was quite impressive.”A spinner needs to be able to beat batters in the air, as Kuldeep did with his drift away from Stubbs, to be able to threaten wickets constantly on normal day-one pitches. It helps if he can get the ball to turn sharply too, as Kuldeep did with the one that dismissed Ryan Rickelton at the start of the second session, inviting the drive, beating the batter with dip and turn, and finding the edge to the keeper.And Kuldeep has done these things many times when he has bowled on flat or flat-ish surfaces, whether it be his four-for on debut in Dharamsala in 2017, the first-day five-for against England at the same venue last year, or his eight-wicket match haul against West Indies on a slow, low Delhi pitch last month.Ravindra Jadeja drew a false shot from a vigilant Temba Bavuma•Associated Press”We know Kuldeep’s strike rate is phenomenal as it is,” ten Doeschate said. “He’s a wicket-taker and that’s why we’re picking him … But maybe the fact that he sort of gets overspin, and with the red soil and a little bit more pace in the wicket, maybe it was slightly more effective in the conditions today.”I think later on the fingerspinners are going to come into it. But certainly in terms of strategy and how we wanted to set up the first day, it’s a real bonus for him to pick up three wickets and get us a foothold in the game.”A foothold, but there is a long way to go, though India must count themselves in a good position with South Africa 247 for 6. Their anxiety about toss advantage, which has often led them to be suspicious of traditional home pitches, isn’t entirely unfounded; if this pitch begins breaking up early on day two, India will start their first innings in very different conditions.”I don’t think there was any evidence to suggest that it’s deteriorating quite yet,” ten Doeschate said, when asked how the pitch evolved through day one, and what they expect over the next couple of days. “I thought it played really nicely, particularly with the seam bowlers, it didn’t look like they could extract much from length or back of a length. So hopefully it stays in this sort of shape for at least an even amount of period for both teams to sort of cash in on the first-innings scores.”There’s some footmarks and some tiny ball marks, but nothing to suggest it’s dry or cracking at the top. So fingers crossed that it lasts and plays well for the next few days.”India’s efforts with the ball on day one could be making their team management wonder if these pitches may not, after all, suit them better than surfaces like Kolkata’s that weaponise the opposition’s bowlers too.”It’s a really tough one,” ten Doeschate said. “And my personal point of view is that the wicket very rarely determines who wins the game. If we’d played better in Kolkata, I feel we could have won the Test on that surface.”But having said that, you’ve got to introspect and look at recent results. I think these sort of wickets maybe suit us a little bit better. You’ve got to be prepared to fight really hard and this game is going to go deep. And the only thing I would say is maybe the toss becomes even more important in these conditions.”So if you are going to be prepared to lose the toss, you have to put on a display like that today and really fight for every run. Make sure you stay in the game. And at some point the pressure is going to come. It’s just going to come later in this game.”But that’s a very fair question. And yeah, the template for us is probably closer to this than, you know, playing on some of the wickets we have played on.”As big an achievement as it was, then, for India’s bowlers to keep South Africa to 247 for 6 on this pitch, it was perhaps an even bigger one to get a member of their coaching staff to make this statement.

Leeds 1-2 Aston Villa: "Sneaky" Elland Road moment that VAR may have missed

Sky Sports presenter Dan Bardell has now shed light on a “sneaky” Leeds United moment against Aston Villa, which VAR may have missed in Unai Emery’s side’s 2-1 win at Elland Road.

Morgan Rogers’ second-half double sealed Aston Villa a 2-1 win at Leeds and lifted his side into the Premier League’s top four. The England forward cancelled out Lukas Nmecha’s early opener for Leeds soon after the interval before his exquisite free-kick secured Villa a sixth win from their last seven league games.

A fifth defeat in six league matches was a bitter pill to swallow for Leeds, who remain in the relegation zone and had nothing to show for a spirited display, which saw them match their opponents for long periods.

Leeds dropped into the bottom three for the first time this season after Saturday’s results and a second home league defeat of the season heaped further pressure on head coach Daniel Farke.

Eight of Leeds’ 11 points prior to kick-off this season had been won at Elland Road and they made the ideal start, taking an eighth-minute lead after a lengthy VAR decision.

Sean Longstaff’s free-kick was hooked back across goal by Gabriel Gudmundsson and after Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez dropped the ball under pressure from Anton Stach, Ezri Konsa’s attempted clearance rebounded off Nmecha and into the net.

VAR Paul Tierney concluded after a lengthy check that neither Gudmundsson or Stach had been offside.

"Sneaky" moment VAR may have missed in Leeds v Aston Villa

Nmecha’s third goal of the season was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check for offside. There will have also been some fears that a foul could’ve been given, something which may not have been checked in great detail.

Taking to X during the first half, Sky Sports man Bardell suggested the goal shouldn’t have stood due to a “sneaky nudge”, despite the fact Martinez should’ve done a lot better, saying: “Could be disallowed for a couple of things there, but not great from Martinez, although I do think there was a sneaky nudge too. Not ideal.”

Ultimately, regardless of whether there was meaningful contact, the Argentinian should’ve done a lot better, considering he is still regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

That said, Villa managed to force their way back into the game regardless, with Rogers putting in a fantastic second-half display, bagging a brace, which ensured his side moved up to fourth in the Premier League table.

Leeds looking to boost survival chances by submitting imminent bid for Real Madrid star Leeds set to make imminent bid for Real Madrid ace after Farke convinces 49ers

The Whites are looking to bring in a new forward, having not scored enough goals so far this season.

ByDominic Lund Nov 21, 2025

'Like Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah' – Enzo Maresca highlights Chelsea star Cole Palmer's importance after latest injury setback

Manager Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea’s loss of injured talisman Cole Palmer is equivalent to Manchester City and Liverpool facing life without star forwards Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. The Blues have not been able to call upon their main man since September, with his return from injury having now been delayed following a freak accident at home.

Palmer was set to resume first-team training before freak incident

Chelsea have been forced to cope without Palmer after he sustained a groin injury in the 2-1 loss at Manchester United on 20 September. The England international was set to resume first-team training this week, but his long-awaited return has been pushed back by an extra seven days after he stubbed his toe on a door.

Palmer will subsequently miss Chelsea’s next three games – Saturday's trip to Burnley in the Premier League, Tuesday's home fixture against Barcelona in the Champions League and next weekend's league match at home to leaders Arsenal.

Confirming the incident in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Burnley game, Maresca said: “He [Palmer] is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure.

“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing important, but he won't be back in the next week. I wake up many times during the night – I hit my head, my legs, my everything – so it can happen.”

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMaresca compares Palmer to Haaland & Salah as injury woes continue

Palmer has become Chelsea’s leader since his arrival from City in 2023. The 23-year-old has scored 45 goals in 101 appearances for the west Londoners, winning both the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

And such is Palmer’s influence on Chelsea that head coach Maresca has compared his absence to rivals City and Liverpool trying to win games without Haaland and Salah, who are also among the league’s best players.

The Italian told the club’s official website: “I’m very proud because for us Cole is like [Erling] Haaland for [Manchester] City, like [Mohamed] Salah for Liverpool. If Haaland doesn’t play for City or Salah doesn’t play for Liverpool, they are not the same team.

“So I’m very proud, but especially very proud of the players, because it is a difficult moment without Cole. They showed they are good players and they all want the best for this club.”

Chelsea head coach will be able to call upon fit-again striker Delap

One player Maresca will be able to turn to against Burnley is Liam Delap, who recently made his return from a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s 3-0 league win over struggling Wolves before the international break.

Delap moved to Stamford Bridge from relegated Ipswich Town in the summer, scoring his first goal for his new side against Tunisian outfit Esperance Tunis in the Club World Cup in June. The 22-year-old is still looking for his first Chelsea goal in domestic football.

“For sure Liam is part of our learning process,” Maresca said. “I know Liam very well from years ago and Liam is a fantastic player, especially when there are spaces to attack.

“He struggles a little bit more when there is no space, in the way he is. So in games like Wolves and probably today, he is going to struggle a bit more because there is no space to attack.

“Against teams that we can attack in behind with space he is a top player, he is fantastic. But in the same moment it is a learning process for him, how to play against these teams, how to be better, how we can help him to be better, to play against teams that wait for us and sit back.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty Images SportIn-form Blues looking to close gap on leaders Arsenal in Burnley clash

It remains to be seen whether Delap will start when Chelsea make the trip to Burnley on Saturday. Maresca’s side can move just three points behind Arsenal with a victory at Turf Moor, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners set to renew hostilities with Tottenham in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Chelsea have lost just once in their last five games in all competitions, against high-flying Sunderland on 25 October, having recorded wins over Tottenham and Wolves in the league. They also defeated Wolves in the Carabao Cup on 29 October, before drawing with Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the Champions League on 5 November.

Cruzeiro acerta a contratação do técnico Fernando Seabra

MatériaMais Notícias

O Cruzeiro acertou a contratação de Fernando Seabra. O treinador, que deixou o clube em janeiro após o vice-campeonato da Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, retorna para assumir a vaga deixada pro Nicolás Larcamón.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

O profissional era uma das opções para assumir o comando do clube ao fim do último Brasileirão, mas a diretoria da Raposa acabou optando pelo argentino. Além da passagem pelo sub-20, o treinador também fez parte da comissão técnica que dirigiu a equipe mineira ao fim da última temporada.

Seabra já está na Toca II, centro de treinamentos do clube, e deve comandar a atividade desta terça-feira (9), que ocorre no período da tarde. As informações foram divulgadas inicialmente pelo jornalista Samuel Venâncio.

continua após a publicidade

DETALHES DA CARREIRA DE FERNANDO SEABRA

Fernando Seabra iniciou sua carreira nas categorias de base do Red Bull Bragantino. Posteriormente, foi coordenador de base do Corinthians e técnico do sub-17 do Athletico. Na sequência, o treinador se transferiu para Desportivo Brasil, onde dirigiu a equipe sub-20 e, posteriormente, os profissionais do clube.

Ele chegou ao Cruzeiro em março de 2020. Nos dois anos em que comandou o sub-20 da Raposa, Seabra acumulou 57 vitórias, 18 empates e 16 derrotas em 91 partidas disputadas. Pelo profissional, ajudou na manutenção da equipe na elite do futebol brasileiro.

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

CruzeiroFutebol NacionalTécnicoTreinadores

Man City exploring move to sign £65m Premier League star alongside Anderson

Manchester City are firmly in the Premier League title race and could bring a high-profile star to the Etihad Stadium in January after Pep Guardiola hatched a plan to land his signature.

Manchester City move on after seeing off Leeds United

Truthfully, Manchester City didn’t put on their best display against Leeds United. However, they will be delighted by the end result as Phil Foden’s classy winner prevented back-to-back defeats after losing out at Newcastle United.

Title races are never straightforward and always require steel in the face of uncertainty, albeit Guardiola reserved special praise for the scorer of the Citizens’ crowning strike as they kept on track in pursuit of the top-flight crown.

“It’s not the first time we saw that. A thousand, thousand, million times he’s done it. The quality, shooting, strong. Like his goal against West Ham to win the Premier League. Phil has to be around the box. Shoot or pass. His finishing is so quick. Phil is doing a really good season.”

Back-to-back blanks in front of goal for Erling Haaland may be a sign that more needs to be done in the way of recruiting someone to plug the gaps at the top end of the field. Still, Omar Marmoush is likely to be given more opportunities as the season continues to unfold.

Keeping pace at the top will require investment in January, especially given the Citizens’ rivals are likely to strengthen after a bruising festive period, which is set to stretch everyone’s squad to the limit.

Finding solutions when certain sources of goals dry up will be the challenge for all title contenders, not just Manchester City, but they could be the ones set to benefit early on in the January window if the Sky Blues can wrap up an exciting deal.

Elliot Anderson is one of their main targets but there are other irons in the fire.

Man City keen to activate Antoine Semenyo's release clause

According to The Times, Manchester City are exploring a move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

They are considering activating the winger’s £65m release clause on New Year’s Day, potentially beating other suitors to sign the Ghana international.

Although not set in stone, there is a feeling at the club that bringing in the Cherries attacker could be the difference in their hunt for the Premier League title, an opinion that many will share after his flying start to the campaign.

Semenyo’s 2025/26 record – all competitions

Appearances

13

Goals

6

Assists

1

Dubbed “talented” by Jamie Redknapp, Semenyo has also created 15 chances and completed 21 dribbles on Premier League duty, per Fotmob, showcasing his appeal to suitors keen to tempt him away from the South Coast.

Now, it will be over to City officials as they aim to convince Semenyo that moving to Manchester is the best course of action for his career. On the face of it, playing a part in a title chase could be an appealing prospect.

Alongside Anderson: Man City open talks to sign "top-drawer" £70m star

The Citizens are in the market for attacking reinforcements and have now identified a Premier League star.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 30, 2025

Tactics board: Mandhana's level-up, Sutherland's steady hand

India have exposed weaknesses in the Australian side before and they have to do it again in the second Women’s World Cup semi-final

S Sudarshanan28-Oct-20251:08

Mithali: ‘Game awareness’ will be key against Australia

Familiar foes Australia and India will face off in the second semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai. India remain the last team to beat Australia at the ODI World Cup – in the 2017 semi-final – with the defending champions unbeaten in 15 completed matches since. Here are a few areas of tactical interest ahead of this huge clash.Mandhana vs Schutt and GardnerSmriti Mandhana is the leading run-scorer at this World Cup with 365 runs at a strike rate of 102.52. Her latest ODI avatar features her as the enforcer with the bat, which comes across in the numbers as well.Till 2024, Ashleigh Gardner vs Mandhana went the offspinner’s way – five dismissals in eight innings, an average of 13.60 and a strike rate of 89.47. Megan Schutt vs Mandhana was not too dissimilar – four dismissals in 12 innings, an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 70.50.Related

Shafali tunes up for Australia, a day after destiny's call

Shafali Verma replaces injured Pratika Rawal in India's World Cup squad

Mithali Raj on India vs Australia: 'One thing you don't want is to get overwhelmed with the occasion'

How to beat Australia in three easy steps (step 1 – invent a miracle)

Ashleigh Gardner ranked in top three among ODI batters, bowlers and allrounders

In four matches against Australia in 2025, Mandhana has two centuries and two half-centuries. She has faced 71 balls from Gardner and scored 96 runs (135.21 strike rate) and hasn’t been dismissed yet. Against Schutt, she has scored 41 off 28 balls (146.42 strike rate) for zero dismissals. Mandhana has also been severe on the legspinners Alana King (225 strike rate) and Georgia Wareham (176.19) as well as on left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux (164.70), with only Molineux dismissing her earlier in the World Cup.

The caveat here is that Mandhana has shape-shifted per the nature of her opening partners. Pratika Rawal, who has been ruled out of the World Cup due to ankle and knee injuries, has been the anchor in her partnerships with Mandhana. Shafali Verma, Rawal’s replacement, is a naturally attacking batter. So while Mandhana has been the enforcer with Rawal, she has often played second fiddle to Shafali. But if recent patterns are anything to go by, Shafali would know she can afford to take her time and explode later than she usually does.Australia bowlers vulnerable?The tracks in New Chandigarh and Delhi on which India and Australia played a bilateral series just before the World Cup were flat. The pitch in Visakhapatnam when they met two weeks ago was also batting-friendly with India posting 330. The semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium is likely to be a high-scoring affair too.India have previous experience of putting Australia’s bowlers under the pump on flatter surfaces. Schutt (6.46), Kim Garth (6.66), Gardner (6.06) and Tahlia McGrath (7.05) all have a high economy rate in games against India this year. In this World Cup, against other oppositions, their corresponding economy rates are 3.78, 4.90, 5.46 with McGrath not even needing to bowl. Some of those non-India games, like Pakistan in Colombo, were in bowler-friendly conditions, which have contributed to this trend.King’s numbers reflect the biggest variance – her 12 wickets against other teams at this World Cup have come at an economy of 2.85 as opposed to just one wicket at an economy of 7.08 against India. In their group stage game, with Mandhana batting for as long as she did, Australia were forced to delay bringing King on. They also had to hold Wareham back in the matches they played both the leggies in.India have struggled to deal with Annabel Sutherland’s change-ups•Getty ImagesAustralia being Australia still have one star performer who has been able flummox India’s batting on whatever kind of pitch they’ve played on – Annabel Sutherland. She is the top wicket-taker (15) in the competition, her change-ups proving particularly effective. India had first-hand experience of that in Visakhapatnam. Sutherland has also had the better of Harmanpreet Kaur (three dismissals in seven ODI innings) and Richa Ghosh (five in seven). India would be well served to watch out for her sleight of hand.Renuka, Deepti and left-arm spinRenuka Singh and Kranti Gaud know what to expect of Australia openers Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield. Healy strikes at 80.76 against Renuka in ODIs, who primarily operates in the powerplay, for one dismissal. Gaud dismissed the Australia captain three times in the series they played before the World Cup. Using the early movement, India must try to get the Australian top order out early to control the game.They have the spinners to do it. Deepti Sharma has the wood over McGrath (five dismissals in nine innings) and has a history of keeping Gardner (94.54 strike rate) and Beth Mooney (90.84) relatively quiet. India also have left-arm spinner N Shree Charani, who picked up three wickets in the league game between the two teams.Australia have lost ten wickets to left-arm spin in this World Cup. That’s roughly one in five overs, which is a drop from where it was for the year 2025, before this tournament began (one wicket for every seven overs faced). Two left-arm spinners Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal had them reeling at 76 for 7. India will have taken note of that but they also have to balance that against other aspects – like having Sneh Rana’s batting down the order (she also matches up well against Litchfield, strike rate of 74.62 with two dismissals) and Navi Mumbai being the least spin-friendly venue (1.6 degrees of turn on average) at this World Cup.

Neser five-for trumps England's belated resistance as Australia take 2-0 lead

Ben Stokes, Will Jacks show application in 96-run stand but crushing defeat was in the post

Tristan Lavalette07-Dec-2025

Michael Neser walks off with the ball raised•Getty Images

England batted against type and belatedly produced a rearguard, but it was in vain as seamer Michael Neser justified his contentious selection with a five-wicket haul to lead Australia to a crushing second Test victory.Just six days in, Australia have a stranglehold of an Ashes series that is quickly becoming decidedly one-sided. But they were made to work on day four with England skipper Ben Stokes and Will Jacks stonewalling for almost half a day in a 96-run seventh-wicket partnership lasting almost 37 overs.But Neser, surprisingly selected ahead of offspinner Nathan Lyon, dismissed both batters as England quickly fell away much like they have done numerous times in this series. Neser was sensational on the back of a deadly spell with the pink ball under lights on day three.Related

  • Hazlewood out of Ashes, Cummins confirmed for Adelaide

  • England at breaking point as Ashes dreams dismantled

  • 'We'll leave it out there' – Steven Smith on Jofra Archer confrontation

  • McCullum: England 'over-prepared' in second Test build-up

  • Smith praises 'exceptional' Neser and 'freak' Carey

He was aided by outstanding fielding, a notable contrast between the teams after England dropped five catches in Australia’s first innings.Skipper Steven Smith snatched a stunning one-hander low to his left to end Jacks’ 92-ball grind, while wicketkeeper Alex Carey completed a stellar effort with the gloves by holding on to a nick up at the stumps to dismiss Stokes.Any hope of a miracle ended with the sight of a forlorn Stokes trudging off the Gabba having given his all with 50 off 152 balls.Needing just 65 runs for victory, Travis Head came out blazing as Australia raced to 33 for 0 after five overs but dinner was still taken despite fears of stormy weather closing in on the Brisbane area.Head could not carry over the momentum on resumption, chopping on to Gus Atkinson who also nicked off Marnus Labuschagne. There were unexpected late fireworks when Smith and Jofra Archer had a war of words.But Smith, fittingly, came out on top with a hooked six off a 150 kph Archer bumper before sealing the victory in style with a huge blow over deep square off Atkinson. Smith finished 23 not out off just nine balls to ensure England left the field in need of plenty of soul searching ahead of the third Test in Adelaide.England will rue several passages of brainless play earlier in the match as their hopes of regaining the Ashes appear shot. Had they batted with the application and grit that Stokes and Jacks exhibited earlier than the match might have taken a different course.But Australia thoroughly deserved their victory after such an even team performance. They outclassed and outsmarted England in another impressive effort without quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.Jofra Archer and Steven Smith exchanged words•PA Photos/Getty Images

Smith continues to provide an excellent stand-in for Cummins as Australia’s mastery and experience of day-night cricket overwhelmed a ragged England.The main question at the start of the day was how long would play last with the result basically a formality. England resumed their second innings in dire trouble at 134 for 6 and still 43 runs from making Australia bat again. With the knives out, a beleaguered England’s only hope seemingly rested on Stokes replicating his Headingley-esque heroics.Going against type, a backs-to-the-wall approach was needed. Unlike a slew of his team-mates, Stokes had been very watchful late on day three to survive Australia’s onslaught and finish unbeaten on 4 from 24 balls. Under the baking sun, Stokes encountered far easier conditions with minimal swing on offer in a sedate start to the day’s play.He crawled to 12 off 50 balls before cracking a superb cover drive off Brendan Doggett in the highlight of a dour 28-run opening hour. There wasn’t much out of the ordinary apart from when Stokes backed away anticipating a bouncer and proceeded to forehand smash the ball, forcing Doggett to do his own fielding to the boundary at long-off.Australia’s quicks bowled excellently without reward and they tried different tactics in search of a breakthrough. In what had seemed unlikely at the start of the day, England hauled in the deficit prompting a standing ovation from the Barmy Army.The 50-run partnership between Stokes and Jacks was brought up a run later to a ripple of mostly ironic cheers from the terraces. They scored at 2.45 – the slowest scoring rate of the 164 partnerships of 50-plus in the Bazball era.Stokes had a nervous moment just before the elongated tea break when a short delivery from Scott Boland hit the shoulder of his bat and flew over a leaping Cameron Green in the gully.With a wicket proving elusive for the quicks, Smith might have wished he could throw the ball to Lyon but, instead, he gave Head’s part-time spin a go. Labuschagne also unfurled his seam bowling in the last over before tea as Stokes and Jacks defied the odds in the first wicketless session of the series.It was much the same early in the second session with Stokes digging in while Jacks, playing just his third Test, looked composed and balanced at the crease.
Jacks brought up his first boundary of the day when he clipped beautifully through midwicket as he passed his previous Test high score of 31.Smith had started to look frustrated in the field, but his mood brightened considerably when he took it upon himself to produce a moment of magic to end Jacks’ resistance.Stokes had barely acknowledged his hard-fought half-century, knowing there was so much work still to do. But he soon walked off disappointed after falling to Neser, throwing his head back in agony with the bitter realisation that the match was effectively over.England lost their last 4 for 17 in their latest collapse as Neser claimed his first five-wicket innings haul of his brief Test career when he dismissed Brydon Carse.Smith equalled Rahul Dravid to sit second all-time in outfield catches and he celebrated with gusto knowing Australia were on the brink of another big win over their hapless opponent.

'Hopefully he gets that call-up soon' – Mason Greenwood backed for England return for World Cup 2026 by Marseille team-mate

An unlikely England recall isn’t out of the question for controversial Marseille star Mason Greenwood, according to one of his team-mates, who has vowed to do all he can to help the former Manchester United winger back into the Three Lions reckoning. Greenwood has been in prolific form for the Ligue 1 side again this season and is believed to be keen on return to the England squad.

  • Greenwood revival in south of France

    Greenwood joined Marseille in July last year, leaving Manchester United following charges of attempted rape, assault, and controlling behaviour, which were discontinued after key witnesses withdrew and new material emerged which meant there "was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction." After a successful loan spell at Getafe, Marseille signed him permanently for a reported £26.7 million ($35.3m), with the forward quickly becoming a key player under Roberto De Zerbi. 

    His career has seen a resurgence, with him becoming Marseille’s top scorer last season and continuing his form into the current campaign. In the recent Champions League clash with Newcastle, Greenwood delivered an excellent performance. He was a constant threat from the right wing, creating four chances and providing the cross for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's first goal as Marseille secured a crucial 2-1 victory. 

    And USMNT star Timothy Weah, son of former Paris St-Germain, AC Milan and Chelsea striker George, has promised to do all he can to help Greenwood make a remarkable return to to the England team. 

  • Advertisement

  • AFP

    Weah: 'I'm super proud of him'

    After the victory over Newcastle, Weah told : "When I speak about Mason it’s a special feeling because it’s very rare in a lifetime that you get to share the pitch with such an amazing player and amazing character. We’ve grown closer since I've joined the team and been here. Hopefully he gets that call-up soon. I’m super proud of him. He's having an amazing season and hopefully I can help him to reach those heights that he's aiming for."

  • England boss clear on Greenwood position

    Greenwood has made just one senior appearance for the England national team when he was brought on as a substitute in a Nations League match against Iceland in September 2020. But there was controversy afterwards, as he was sent home shortly along with team-mate Phil Foden for breaching COVID-19 quarantine rules by bringing female companions back to the team hotel. He has not been called-up to the England squad since. 

    And while he is eligible to play for Jamaica, he holds hopes he could return to the England set-up, but Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel says he isn’t being considered for selection at the moment. Speaking in September, Tuchel said: "I have not spoken to him until now. I have not spoken to him or his camp. My understanding was that he tries to play for Jamaica so we didn't give it another thought. He was not in the mix at the moment, and he is not in our thoughts for our team."

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

  • AFP

    Greenwood 'not wanted' by Jamaica players

    Greenwood has also been tipped to switch allegiance to Jamaica after gaining his passport earlier this year. Steve McClaren resigned as Jamaica's head coach after the team failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, following a 0-0 draw with minnows Curaçao earlier this month. However, Jamaica's World Cup dream is not over and can qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs. But former Arsenal youngster Isaac Hayden has slammed the possibility of Greenwood changing his mind and joining up with the Reggae Boyz if they qualify for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. 

    Hayden said: "I've only played for Jamaica for a year, and there was some resistance to me when I started, but I have played 12 games and everyone can see my passion and the way I play the game. The quality of the player, his numbers, what he is producing, is of the highest level. But it comes down to principle and integrity. If players can just rock up because of a World Cup, it would make the whole thing a farce. That would say a lot about the player, and the organisation for allowing that to happen."

Game
Register
Service
Bonus