Australia’s seamers, sparked by an electric Cameron Green spell, ran through England to win the fifth and final Test in Hobart by 146 runs inside three days and seal the Ashes 4-0.Despite Mark Wood’s best efforts to keep his side in the contest with a six-wicket haul that contained England’s target to 271, the tourist were found sorely wanting as they lost 10 wickets for 56 runs in 22.5 overs.Rory Burns and Zak Crawley started the chase brightly enough, but once Green dismissed Burns on the stroke of tea, they collapsed to be all out for 124. Green finished with 3 for 21, while Scott Boland and Pat Cummins also took three wickets apiece in a dominant display by Australia.Wood did everything in his power to give England a chance with a relentless short-ball barrage that began with a vicious bouncer that removed Usman Khawaja, caught behind off the glove as he took evasive action late on the second evening, and which yielded five more wickets on Sunday to give him career-best figures of 6 for 37 as Australia were bundled out in their second innings for 155.That it fell to England’s brittle batting line-up to finish the job was beyond his control, although in keeping the target under the 300-mark which the tourists had failed to reach all series he gave a glimmer of hope. That their failure to even threaten came as no surprise at all rammed home the running theme of this Ashes.In truth, Wood had switched to a short-ball tactic earlier, after tea on the opening day, to snatch three first-innings wickets after toiling long and hard for no reward. His effort all series has been beyond question but so too has the feeling that he deserved a greater return. He finally got it.Related

• Wood gets his rewards to give England victory shot

• The curious case of Steven Smith

Going into this match, Wood had taken eight wickets at 37.62, but after his stellar display in Hobart he increased his haul to 17 at an average of 26.64.Wood’s extra pace and bounce did for nightwatchman Boland, who feathered a catch to wicketkeeper Sam Billings and first-innings centurion Travis Head, caught down the leg side. When he sucked Steve Smith into a hook which careered off the top edge to Dawid Malan at long leg, Wood had removed yet another dangerous Australian batter.Stuart Broad re-entered the attack with immediate effect, removing Green lbw on review for 23 before Wood sealed his five-wicket haul with the scalp of Mitchell Starc, caught by Ollie Pope at short leg. Wood almost had two in two when his next ball – a swift yorker – struck Cummins on the boot to be given out lbw, but Cummins had the decision overturned with replays showing the ball was missing off stump.Adding to the drama on a pulsating day, Alex Carey was the beneficiary of two technology-led decisions that saw him reprieved on 19 and 30. On the first occasion, Carey dragged a Chris Woakes delivery onto his stumps and began making his way off the field only to return when it was deemed that Woakes had over-stepped with replays showing no definitive images of any part of his foot behind the line. Carey then had an lbw decision off Broad overturned when the DRS confirmed that the ball had pitched outside leg stump.Carey went on to top-score for the innings, falling one run shy of his fifty when Broad had him caught behind. Wood then claimed his sixth, with a length ball that was bang on target as Cummins played and missed.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Burns was back in the side for the first time since he was dropped after the second Test in Adelaide, sporting an untethered hairstyle as he and Crawley played with some freedom to take England to 68 without loss at more than four runs an over.It was the highest opening stand by either side in the series but when Green had Burns out chopping on to a delivery that angled in from around the wicket on what turned out to be the last ball before tea, there was danger in the air.With Crawley looking in decent touch and the likes of Malan, Joe Root and Ben Stokes to come, there should have been more cause for optimism but England’s performances throughout their tour of Australia had long ago curbed any enthusiasm for their chances.Struck a nasty blow to the side of the helmet from Green, Malan lasted 13 more deliveries before he edged on to his stumps and when Green removed Crawley, edging behind to Carey with the second ball of his next over, he had figures of 3 for 17 from 4.2 overs.Stokes fell hooking a Starc short ball to deep square leg, where Nathan Lyon took a strong catch running in from the boundary, and when Root copped an unplayable delivery from Boland – who was excellent again in just his third Test – that kept low and crashed into off stump, an England procession looked inevitable. And so it proved, with Cummins dismissing Ollie Pope, Wood and last man Ollie Robinson to finish as the leading wicket-taker for the series with 21 at an average of 18.04. Boland was third-highest behind Starc with 18 at 9.55.

Nation was stretchered off while Taylor was hit on the helmet and suffered concussion

Firdose Moonda03-Feb-2022

File photo: Stafanie Taylor retired hurt on 13 off 24, and was then subbed out with a concussion•Getty Images

West Indies lost Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor to on-field injuries during the third ODI against South Africa, who won the fixture by 96 runs. The four-match series is level at 1-1, with one game to play.Nation was stretchered off the field in the 40th over of the South African innings after tumbling while trying to stop a Mignon du Preez boundary. She was at midwicket as du Preez swiped, Nation ran in, slipped and fell head over heels. She was unmoved as the ball crossed the boundary and required 12 minutes of on-field treatment before being taken off.Earlier, in the 36th over, Nation had jammed her shoulder into the ground as she attempted to stop the ball and though she appeared to recover quite quickly, it may have been the initial blow which forced her off the field. She was taken to hospital “out of an abundance of caution”, according to the West Indies media manager.A little more than 90 minutes later, Taylor copped a blow to the helmet off a Nadine de Klerk bouncer. That was at the end of the 13th over and by the first ball of the 14th, Taylor, at the non-striker’s end, stood hunched over with her hands on her knees, shaking her head. She faced another delivery, took a single and then decided she could not continue. She received on-field assistance but walked off the field, pointing to her neck. Taylor was found to be concussed, and eventually replaced for the remainder of the game by Aaliyah Alleyne.South Africa posted their highest total against West Indies in a bid to level the series. Laura Wolvaardt scored her third ODI century and first against a top-eight rated team and shared in a 141-run third-wicket stand with Sune Luus to set South Africa up for their highest total against West Indies.”I felt like I wasn’t getting great starts,” Wolvaardt told the television broadcast after her innings. Her previous three knocks have not progressed past 25. “We focused on building a partnership that took up a lot of time and faced a lot of overs. It’s very nice to see what we can do if we actually do what we are supposed to and get it right.”Luus contributed 56 but the innings’ impetus came from Chloe Tyron, who smashed a 24-ball 43 to put South Africa in touching distance of 300. With South Africa scoring at a shade under six an over, Shakera Selman’s return of 0 for 39 in 10 was the most miserly of the bowling. Shamilia Connell, who conceded only 54 runs in her 10, finished with four wickets.The South Africa innings ended a ball short due to an umpiring error, which denied them the opportunity to bring up only their third total over 300. Still, it was too much for West Indies who started the innings without Nation and lost soon Taylor. By then, the series’ leading wicket-taker, Ayabonga Khaka, had removed both openers in her first two overs, making use of swing through the air on a humid Johannesburg evening.Kycia Knight’s 69 kept West Indies in the hunt but she holed out to long-on to become offspinner Raisibe Ntozakhe’s first victim since making her ODI comeback in this match. Ntozakhe was cleared to bowl again in September last year after being reported for a suspect action in September 2018. She finished with 1 for 53.Shabnim Ismail took two wickets in two balls to leave West Indies 170 for 7 in the 37th over. Alleyne batted to the end but was left with too much to do. With Nation unable to bat, South Africa only needed nine wickets and took them before West Indies had faced their full quota of overs.The series finale will be played on Sunday at the same venue, the Wanderers. South Africa will wear an all-black kit to show their support for victims of gender-based violence and West Indies will wear black armbands for the same cause.

Cricket Australia confirms it will now enter into confidential discussions with Langer over his future

Alex Malcolm04-Feb-2022Justin Langer’s future as Australia’s men’s coach remains in the balance after an eight-hour Cricket Australia board meeting on Friday yielded no formal conclusion on his contract status.At the end of the lengthy meeting which covered a number of agenda items, CA CEO Nick Hockley emerged to read a written statement to reporters telling them that CA will now enter confidential discussions with Langer.”Cricket Australia can confirm that the CA board met today and part of that meeting involved significant discussions about men’s head coach Justin Langer’s contract,” Hockley said.”We will now enter into confidential discussions with Justin and the outcome will be announced as soon as possible.”Hockley declined to take any questions on the matter. Langer is currently in Melbourne but is due to fly home to Perth on Saturday and undertake 14 days of home quarantine. He will not coach Australia’s T20I side for the upcoming five-match series against Sri Lanka starting in Sydney on February 11 with the reins being handed to senior assistant Andrew McDonald.Langer has been left to stew on his unresolved contract situation having not been able to fly home since the end of the men’s Ashes. He has had several meetings with Hockley and Australia’s head of national teams Ben Oliver since the Hobart Test.But this was the first board meeting since that date. Speculation has been building after Australia’s two men’s captains, Test skipper Pat Cummins, and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch baulked at endorsing the coach to continue beyond his current contract.Despite the success of the team, claiming the T20 World Cup and the Ashes in four months, angst remains over Langer’s coaching style with last August’s crisis meetings about Langer’s intensity still fresh in the minds of the players who pleaded for change.Langer has been left perplexed and frustrated by the process, adamant that he has made the necessary adjustments the players had asked for which has led to the recent success.There was also no news who would be CA’s new permanent chairman following the resignation of Earl Eddings last year. A decision on the chairman was one of the other key agenda items at today’s board meeting that appears to have been swamped by Langer’s contract discussions.One agenda item that was ticked off was Australia’s upcoming tour of Pakistan with the dates for the three-format tour locked in. The dates will overlap with the IPL leaving some players and coaches involved in Australia’s tour unavailable for at least the 10 days of the tournament.

أعلن الدوري الألماني لكرة القدم رسميًا، عن اتخاذ قرار استثنائي، بسبب بطولة كأس العالم للأندية في الصيف.

وتقام بطولة كأس العالم للأندية خلال الفترة من 14 يونيو وحتى 13 يوليو بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، بمشاركة الأهلي ممثل مصر الوحيد في المونديال.

وبسبب فترة التسجيل الإضافية المسموح بها قبل كأس العالم للأندية 2025، وإمكانية التعاقد مع لاعبين على سبيل الإعارة لمدة شهر فقط للمشاركة في البطولة، أضافت رابطة الدوري الألماني فترة انتقالات جديدة.

طالع أيضًا | بعد استبعاد ليون.. فيفا يدرس حلاً غير متوقع لتعويضه في كأس العالم للأندية 2025

وستكون فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الاستثنائية، خلال الفترة من 1 يونيو وحتى 10 من نفس الشهر، قبل 3 أيام من انطلاق بطولة كأس العالم للأندية.

وكشفت الرابطة أنه سيكون متاح إكمال الانتقالات بداية من الساعة الأولى من 1 يونيو، حتى الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت وسط أوروبا في 10 يونيو، على عكس ما كان في السابق، بإغلاق سوق الانتقالات في السادسة مساءً.

ويشارك من ألمانيا في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، كلًا من بايرن ميونخ وبوروسيا دورتموند، حيث يتواجد العملاق البافاري في المجموعة الثالثة رفقة أوكلاند النيوزيلندي وبوكا جونيورز الأرجنتيني، مع بنفيكا البرتغالي.

فيما يتواجد بوروسيا دورتموند ضمن السادسة، مع فلومينينسي البرازيلي، وأولسن هيونداي الكوري، وصن داونز الجنوب أفريقي.

A £15,000 a week player is looking to seal a move away from Leeds United in the January transfer window, according to a new report. The Whites have had a testing time with injuries this season, but that hasn’t affected Daniel Farke’s side too much on the pitch, as they sit just three points behind leaders Sunderland before their game against Millwall on Wednesday night.

Farke must drop James to unleash Leeds star who's on a "different level"

The Leeds United star has not had many opportunities to shine from the start.

ByDan Emery Nov 6, 2024 Leeds United news

The Yorkshire side have seen some important players ruled out with injuries already this season, one being midfielder Ethan Ampadu. The Welshman has been out injured for over a month now, as he suffered the knee injury in the 3-0 win over Coventry City back in September. He isn’t expected to be back yet, but Farke has confirmed that Ampadu is ahead of schedule and could be back sooner rather than later.

“He’s working hard, already doing some running. It will be a while before he can join us in team training; he’s even a bit ahead of schedule. I’m carefully optimistic he can return to team training a bit earlier. We will see.

“Normally, it would be realistic to be back in training in the middle of December and then available in the beginning of January. It would be nice if he can help us already a bit earlier and sooner because he’s our captain and a versatile player. We would love to have him back, but we won’t rush it. It was a serious injury. He’s a bit ahead, but let’s see how it develops.

Meanwhile, Leeds are being linked with a move for midfielder Lewis O’Brien, as the midfielder is currently on loan at LAFC but could return to Nottingham Forest in January. He is a player who Leeds have tried to sign before, and they could look to do so once again. But while the focus may be on arrivals, it seems one player is keen to leave Elland Road in the New Year.

Joe Gelhardt looking to leave Leeds in January

According to MOT Leeds News, Joe Gelhardt wants to seal a loan move away from Leeds United in January. The 22-year-old came through the academy at Wigan Athletic, and after impressing, Leeds decided to snap him up in 2020, but it is a move that has yet to work out.

Gelhardt, who earns £15,000 a week at Elland Road, has featured a lot for the Yorkshire side but has yet to get a run of regular minutes under the current manager, failing to start under Farke in the Championship this season. The forward has appeared just three times this season in all competitions, totalling 72 minutes of football.

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3

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5

This report states that Gelhardt has become frustrated with his lack of game time, and having joined Sunderland for six months in the 2022/23 campaign, it seems he wants another loan move in January.

It’s over now. Football matches are ephemeral, coming and passing like so many leaves in the wind, but Liverpool will remember this one for a while alright. The Reds have ended their hoodoo. Real Madrid have been defeated.

And how they were bested. Carlo Ancelotti’s imperious outfit have been out of sorts this season but there is still nothing that can detract from Liverpool’s utter domination over the La Liga and Champions League holders, who even squandered their one flicker of hope when Kylian Mbappe, the personification of his side’s struggles, was thwarted by Caoimhin Kelleher from the spot.

Eight matches and 15 years had come and gone since Liverpool last tasted victory against their nemesis from overseas. Jurgen Klopp tried and failed, tried and failed, but suffered separate Champions League final losses against Los Blancos and a host of knockout defeats besides.

The curse is over, the chains snapped. Arne Slot’s flawless start on the continent continues, with Liverpool eight points clear at the summit of the Premier League too. Are we dreaming, Liverpool seems to ask. Did it happen? Yes, it did. This is not a fantasy, conjured up to mitigate the weight of Klopp’s departure.

Liverpool are real and alive. They are thriving. Rivals cower. Onlookers applaud. A shame Liverpool failed to sign Jude Bellingham though, eh? Ah well.

Jude Bellingham misses the mark at Anfield

Bellingham was reduced to a portion of the generational quality that has seen him become one of the most famous footballers in the world. The 21-year-old was breathtaking across his maiden year in the Spanish capital, hitting 36 goal contributions across 43 matches and lifting the La Liga and Champions League trophies.

This year, the goals have come at a trickle but the Three Lions superstar should not be judged from that angle, for he has been shifted into a more reserved midfield role. He has endured a regression though and that’s a fact.

GOAL even branded the prodigy with a 5/10 match score during his Liverpool clash, simultaneously praising Mac Allister for marshalling and negating his forward-thrusting brilliance, typically a marvel in driving forward and influencing attacking sequences to devastating effect.

Bellingham missed the mark at Anfield, but it all could have been so different. In the build-up to the European spectacle, the £333k-per-week talent claimed that a move to Liverpool “was not as close as the media made out,” before he left Borussia Dortmund to sign for Real in 2023.

The deal worth £115m has been nothing short of a bona fide success, but the Reds support will have relished the success in nullifying him under the Anfield lights nonetheless.

It would have been wonderful to have one of the game’s foremost talents plying their art at the club, for sure, but Liverpool are hardly missing him this season, right? After all, Slot’s engineering his own version in Curtis Jones.

Curtis Jones could be Slot's own Bellingham

Jones is going from strength to strength for club and for country at the moment, and he continued his stunning run of form with a dominant display against Real Madrid. In the words of writer Dan Austin, he and young Conor Bradley “made a mockery of the most prestigious team in world football”. Praise indeed.

Bellingham, the ostensibly superior player, was dwarfed by his compatriot. Jones proved that he can throw down with the best of them in the Champions League, and though he wasn’t awarded Man of the Match, there’s a compelling case to be made that he was deserving of such.

Bellingham, so often the unstoppable driving force, was unable to complete either of his attempted dribbles, indeed quieted by Mac Allister. But Jones, his opposite number, thrived in Liverpool’s midfield.

The newly-blooded England international completed four of six efforts and won seven of 11 duels too. Bellingham only won five despite challenging three more times.

Much of this is down to the fluency of Slot’s system, of course. In an alternate world, Bellingham could have been operating in red and producing a show-stopping performance.

But he wasn’t. Bellingham is one of the best players in the world but he’s not the only midfielder with dynamic skills and transitional prowess.

Jones, while not of the same calibre as Bellingham, is industrious and hugely disregarded when assessing Liverpool’s most technically proficient players.

He excelled against Los Blancos, awarded for his all-encompassing performance with a 9/10 match rating, bestowed by The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle.

His ball retention is incredible. His composure and control is a thing to behold. Doyle wrote that his ball-carrying triumphed too, praising him for ‘leaving much-vaunted opposing midfielders in his wake.’

Goals scored

0.10

0.31

Assists

0.21

0.31

Shot-creating actions

2.84

3.61

Pass completion

91.2%

88.7%

Progressive passes

5.06

7.14

Progressive carries

2.12

2.91

Successful take-ons

1.45

1.68

Ball recoveries

5.63

4.08

Tackles + interceptions

2.38

2.77

Blocks

1.65

1.40

Is it any surprise that Jones is Bellingham’s most statistically similar midfielder in the world right now, as per FBref, with both blending the various elements of the craft together to serve a distinct and dynamic role?

As the underlying data tells you above, Bellingham outstrips Jones across most metrics, but Liverpool won’t care a jot about that. Curiously, though, Jones is in the same ballpark and can play the role that, perhaps, was envisaged for the Birmingham-born maestro.

Bellingham’s the better player and so on, but he wasn’t on Wednesday evening. Jones stepped up, and he’s tall and he’s proud.

Their own Rodri: Liverpool ready offer for £60m star to cement title charge

Liverpool could finally be about to get their man after months of trying.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2024

Nottingham Forest are keeping a close eye on a young Brazilian talent who has a £41 million release clause, according to a new report. The Reds have been one of the surprise teams of the 2024/25 Premier League season so far, and Nuno Espirito Santo will hope the January transfer window can provide one or two reinforcements to really push them into European contention.

Nottingham Forest move for £80k-p/w ace in January, they've had a response

He would be an excellent addition if they could get a deal done.

1 ByBen Browning Nov 15, 2024 Nottingham Forest transfer news

The January transfer window provides an opportunity for clubs to make small adjustments to their squads, and it appears Forest have the idea of doing just that after such an excellent start. A recent report has claimed that the Reds have approached Bayern Munich over a potential deal to sign Mathys Tel.

The young star has suffered with limited game time so far this season, and it appears that a temporary move away in the New Year looks likely. Forest have made an approach to take Tel on loan, and while Bayern Munich will likely accept the offer, it will be up to Tel whether he would like to join the Premier League side or not.

Forest will be planning to improve their squad, not weaken it, so seeing reports stating that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are tracking defender Murillo will be a concern. Both clubs are keeping an eye on the Brazilian as they eye defensive reinforcements, and Murillo is said to be “preparing to make the leap to a big club”.

And while Forest try to add Tel to their ranks on loan without a transfer fee, they also have their eye on a young star who has a release clause worth £41 million.

Nottingham Forest plotting transfer swoop for Lorran

According to On The Minute, Nottingham Forest are keeping an eye on Flamengo youngster Lorran. The 18-year-old has played for Flamengo’s under-17s, under-20s, and now the first team, where he has one goal to his name in 2024 so far.

Lorran is very highly rated in Brazil, as he is hailed as the future of Brazilian football, and that has put him on the radar of a host of Premier League clubs. The report states that Forest are keeping an eye on Lorran, but they face competition from teams such as West Ham, Brighton, and Aston Villa. Lorran, who operates mainly as a winger but can also play centrally, has a release clause worth €50 million, which is roughly £41 million.

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However, Forest may not have to pay that much, as Flamengo are willing to accept a lower offer. The Brazilian is interested in a move to the Premier League, and he has been linked with a move to Manchester United recently, with United willing to offer Antony as part of the deal. But Forest may look to get ahead of the other Premier League teams by making a move in January.

Jack Grealish celebrated Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Plymouth at a £3-per-pint social club, with girlfriend Sasha Attwood staying at home.

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• England international figured in Plymouth win
• Headed out for a few drinks the following day
• Left the North East looking a little worse for wear

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international, who has made just 14 appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, was included in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI for a meeting with Plymouth at the Etihad Stadium. City fell behind in that contest, but battled back to claim a 3-1 win and book a quarter-final date with Bournemouth.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The day after figuring in cup competition, Grealish was spotted letting his hair down in the North East. He visited North Biddock Social Club near Sunderland, having also spent time at the Lord Nelson pub in Gorton, Manchester.

• Getty
  

  THE GOSSIP

  Grealish ended his boozy Sunday by visiting The Dubliner, where he was seen looking a little worse for wear when stumbling towards a waiting chauffeured car. There was no sign of his partner Attwood, who will be filling parenting duties after giving birth to the couple’s first child in September 2024.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Grealish also hit the town without Attwood in mid-February when attending the glamorous Chiltern Firehouse venue in Marylebone. After being followed out of that establishment by former model Emma Silverton, Grealish shouted “she’s not with me” before eventually being driven away from central London.

Wayne Rooney has laughed off Ruben Amorim's claim that Manchester United's aim is to win the Premier League, calling the aspiration 'naive'.

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Legendary striker criticises Red Devils bossUnited dumped out of FA Cup by FulhamAmorim tells Rooney 'being a pundit is easy'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United's terrible season got even worse as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham following defeat in a penalty shootout at Old Trafford. However, after the game Amorim insisted that United still had big ambitions and said their aim was to win the Premier League again. And Rooney, United's all-time top goalscorer, shot down that claim while analysing the game for the .

AdvertisementWHAT ROONEY SAID

Rooney said: "He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that's the next step for them. Managers aren't getting that time over the last 10/15 years. You have to be selfish as a manager and say 'okay, if I don't do it now I might not get that time.' I think it's a little naïve to say they're looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they're a long way off that."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

United's top directors including INEOS' director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford have been working on 'Mission 21', the club's plan to win their 21st English league title by 2028. The club are also plotting to deliver a first Women's Super League title by the same deadline. And Amorim referred to that plan when he told the after the FA Cup exit: "The goal is to win the Premier League. I know that we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don't know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what. it's impossible to know but you start understanding the players are better and we understand the league. We'll see in the future."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Amorim was informed of Rooney's comments in the post-match press conference and he fired back at the former player, who was sacked by Plymouth Argyle last year and had a miserable spell in charge of Birmingham City in 2023. Amorim said: "That is the goal, to be naïve is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender for the next season. I know that in this moment everyone knows everything. Being a pundit is really easy. Maybe it is not with me but our goal is to win the Premier League. I am not naïve that is why I am here at 40 years old coaching Manchester United."

MatériaMais Notícias

Destaque do Fortaleza na temporada, o zagueiro Titi conversou com a imprensa nesta segunda-feira (28). Com dois gols já marcados, o vice-artilheiro da equipe destacou o trabalho psicológico que o técnico Juan Pablo Vojvoda vem fazendo para o elenco.

O zagueiro comentou sobre as cobranças do técnico argentino. “Passa muito pela mão do Vojvoda. Ele é um cara que nos cobra quase que diariamente para que que consigamos chegar no nosso melhor nível durante os treinamentos e, consequentemente, isso nos auxilia muito para chegar ainda mais preparado nos jogos”, comentou.

Titi também falou que alguns pontos ainda precisam de ajustes no Fortaleza. “É claro que tem muita coisas que necessitam de ajustes ainda na equipe, mas estamos em um processo de evolução. É um começo de temporada, mas é sempre importante começar vencendo. Sabemos das competições que teremos pela frente, mas é pensar jogo após jogo. O próximo jogo sempre será o mais importante, independente do adversário que tiver do outro lado, nós temos uma camisa muito tradicional, um clube que busca a todo momento vencer, uma torcida que nos inflama a todo momento para ir em busca do resultado e de apresentar um bom futebol”, afirmou.

Já tendo uma vitória no jogo de ida, o Fortaleza está confortável no confronto contra o Pacajus, na próxima quarta-feira (2). Com o resultado, o time precisa apenas de um empate para avançar no Campeonato Cearense.

O favoritismo vai ficar de fora do confronto.”O favoritismo fica sempre fora de campo. Dentro de campo, sabemos que são onze contra onze. Sabemos que do outro lado também tem uma equipe que trabalho, que buscou e que se empenhou para estar ali. Se tratando do jogo que passou, nós buscamos chegar no nosso nível máximo durante a partida, tivemos algumas possibilidades de poder sair na frente do placar ainda no começo. Sabíamos que seria uma partida difícil, eles (Pacajus) tem uma equipe muito bem treinada”, disse.

O zagueiro finaliza sobre o duelo de quarta-feira. “Após a partida, fui até o treinador deles e parabenizei. Realmente se via a mão do treinador, um esquema tático muito bem definido, um estilo de jogo muito bacana. Na quarta-feira, a gente sabe que precisamos estar no nosso melhor nível. Sabemos da nossa responsabilidade, precisamos encontrar uma forma de elevar ainda mais o nosso ritmo. Ainda temos alguns jogadores para estrear, para entrar no nosso estilo de jogo. E isso tudo vai nos elevar como equipe. Esperamos diante do nosso torcedor, convoco a torcida que vá à Arena Leão, que faça uma linda festa, porque nós necessitamos.”