أشاد بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، بالمستوى الذي ظهر به الوداد المغربي خلال مبارياته الودية الأخيرة، قبل المباراة التي تجمع الفريقين اليوم.
ويلتقي مانشستر سيتي مع الوداد المغربي في تمام الساعة السابعة مساء اليوم الأربعاء، بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، ضمن مباريات الجولة الأولى لدور المجموعات في كأس العالم للأندية.
وتستضيف الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 حتى 13 يوليو القادم.
طالع تشكيل مانشستر سيتي أمام الوداد في كأس العالم للأندية.. موقف مرموش والصفقات الجديدة
وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات إعلامية نشرها موقع “فيفا” الرسمي: “شاهدنا مباراتي الوداد ضد بورتو وإشبيلية، وهما من الفرق القوية في أوروبا، وقد قدم الوداد أداءً جيدًا للغاية في كلتا المواجهتين”.
وأضاف: “رغم خسارتهم أمام بورتو، إلا أنهم صنعوا العديد من الفرص وكانت المباراة متكافئة إلى حد كبير، أكثر ما أعجبني هو اللياقة البدنية العالية للفريق، لديهم القدرة على الجمع بين الضغط القوي والدفاع المنظم، وهذا أمر لا يُستهان به”.
ويقع مانشستر سيتي بالمجموعة السابعة، رفقة أندية الوداد المغربي والعين الإماراتي ويوفنتوس الإيطالي.
da gbg bet： With question marks still surrounding Darwin Nunez’s reliability, Liverpool are reportedly already in negotiations with a £100m player who will be 100% ready to move in the summer.
Liverpool transfer news
da casino： Slight blips are beginning to emerge in Arne Slot’s early Anfield reign as the Dutchman battles to extend what has been an incredible start after two disappointing draws in games against Newcastle United and Fulham threatened to derail the Reds’ rampant Premier League title charge.
With Tottenham Hotspur up next, Liverpool will want to ensure that their recent run doesn’t turn into three games without victory in league action after the returning Diogo Jota was forced to rescue a point from the bench against Fulham last time out.
The forward’s return comes at a crucial time, with Nunez continuing to struggle in front of goal. The former Benfica star is into his third season at Anfield, but remains a point of weakness in Liverpool’s side – sparking rumours that the Reds could sign a replacement.
According to Trivela via Sport Witness, Liverpool are already in negotiations with Joao Pedro over a summer move from Brighton & Hove Albion when the forward will reportedly 100% be ready to swap The Amex for elsewhere.
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1 ByMatt Dawson Dec 15, 2024
Whilst talks could be fairly simple on the player front, Liverpool could face tough negotiations with Brighton, who reportedly value their latest star at a hefty £100m ahead of 2025. Pedro’s big-money exit would continue the trend of significant profit at the Sussex club, which has seen the likes of Moises Caicedo and Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister all move on.
Whether Liverpool decide to match Pedro’s valuation remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that he would solve their problem and finally replace Roberto Firmino at an important time.
"Complete" Pedro can end Liverpool's Nunez woes
If Liverpool want to use the current campaign to establish Premier League and European dominance, then waiting on Nunez to finally find a reliable run of goalscoring form is not something that Liverpool have time for. Slot must make a ruthless decision in the summer and look towards Brighton’s Pedro to do what Nunez has so often failed to do.
The Brazilian – able to create and find the back of the net himself in Firmino-like fashion – has found himself at the centre of plenty of praise since completing a move to Brighton, including from former manager Roberto de Zerbi.
The Italian told reporters as relayed by The Argus last year: “[He’s a] top player for us. He’s still young, but I think he can be a crucial player for us this season because he has incredible ability, he’s a complete player. He knows how to score, he has the abilities to attack the spaces on the field, he has incredible technical abilities and I am excited for this new player.”
Potentially following in Mac Allister’s footsteps, Pedro could now bow out at Brighton and become the latest Liverpool star in 2025.
أعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، رسمياً مواعيد انطلاق بطولتي دوري أبطال إفريقيا وكأس الكونفدرالية لموسم 2025-2026، وكذلك مواعيد تسجيل اللاعبين.
وكان بيراميدز قد حقق لقب بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا في الموسم الماضي لأول مرة في تاريخه، بعد الفوز على صن داونز بنتيجة 3-2 في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب.
بينما تُوّج فريق نهضة بركان المغربي بلقب بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية لعام 2025، بعد فوزه على سيمبا التنزاني بنتيجة 3-1 في مجموع المباراتين.
طالع أيضاً.. ميسي يكشف لغز هدفه في مرمى بورتو.. ويصرح: شعرنا بالمرارة بعد مباراة الأهلي
وتقرر أن تبدأ منافسات الدور التمهيدي في شهر سبتمبر المقبل وتستمر حتى نهاية شهر أكتوبر، بينما ستبدأ مواجهات دور المجموعات من شهر نوفمبر وحتى نهاية شهر فبراير من العام المقبل.
يذكر أن المشاركين من مصر، في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا هما الأهلي وبيراميدز، بينما سيشارك الزمالك والمصري في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية. مواعيد مباريات دوري أبطال إفريقياالدور التمهيدي الأول
الذهاب 19-21 سبتمبر.
الإياب 26-28 سبتمبر. الدور التمهيدي الثاني
17-19 أكتوبر.
24 – 26 أكتوبر. دور المجموعات
الجولة الأولى: 21-23 نوفمبر 2025.
الجولة الثانية: 28-30 نوفمبر 2025.
الجولة الثالثة: 23-25 يناير 2026.
الجولة الرابعة: 30 يناير– 1 فبراير 2026.
الجولة الخامسة: 6-8 فبراير 2026.
الجولة السادسة: 13-15 فبراير 2026. ربع النهائي
الذهاب: 13-15 مارس 2026 .
الإياب: 20-22 مارس 2026. نصف النهائي
الذهاب: 10-12 إبريل 2026.
الإياب: 17-19 إبريل 2026. النهائي
خلال الفترة من 8 و24 مايو 2026. مواعيد تسجيل اللاعبين
فترة القيد الأولى للدور التمهيدي من 1 أغسطس 2025 حتى 31 أغسطس 2025.
فترة القيد الثانية للدور التمهيدي الثاني من 1 سبتمبر 2025 حتى 30 سبتمبر 2025.
فترة القيد لمرحلة المجموعات من 1 أكتوبر حتى 31 أكتوبر.
فترة القيد لبقية مرحلة المجموعات والمواجهات الإقصائية من 1 يناير 2026 حتى 31 يناير 2026.
da premier bet： As diretorias de Corinthians e Fluminense conversam para definir a quantidade de torcedores visitantes nas partidas válidas pela semifinal da Copa do Brasil.
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da aviator aposta： +Confira os jogadores do Brasil que estão no álbum da Copa do Mundo
A ideia da diretoria corintiana é tentar uma divisão proporcional, evitando o que aconteceu nas quartas de final da Libertadores, contra o Flamengo, quando os times acertaram que 4 mil ingressos seriam disponibilizados tanto para flamenguistas na Neo Química Arena, quanto para corintianos no Maracanã.
As críticas por parte da Fiel vieram principalmente pela falta de proporcionalidade, já que o estádio do Timão tem pouco mais de 49 mil lugares, enquanto o Maraca possui cerca de 79 mil.
+ Confira a tabela da Copa do Brasil e simule os próximos jogos
Diferentemente da Libertadores, que define que os clubes mandantes precisam disponibilizar 2 mil ingressos aos visitantes entre a fase de grupos até as quartas de final – aumentando para 4 mil na semifinal – a Copa do Brasil não prevê essa questão em regulamento.
A ideia é que a decisão sobre a distribuição de ingressos para os visitantes entre Corinthians e Fluminense seja tomada ainda nesta sexta-feira (19), para que os clubes já abram as vendas às suas torcidas. A CBF ainda não desmembrou a tabela, mas a tendência é que a partida aconteça nesta quarta-feira (24).
da dobrowin： Manchester United and INEOS have added a £62 million “big-name” player to their transfer shortlist, according to a recent report. Ruben Amorim will be aware of the task that faces him to get United back on top, and for that reason, he will be pushing the hierarchy to get some transfer business done in January.
Man Utd and INEOS now agree £4m deal to sign new gem for Amorim after talks
United are closing in on the signing of a player who can help address their problem position.
ByBrett Worthington Dec 12, 2024 Manchester United transfer news
da pixbet： The Red Devils have been linked with moves for some high-profile players in recent days, but it is unclear if they are transfers that can occur in the New Year. One player who has emerged on their radar is Mike Maignan. A move for Maignan will only come about if Andre Onana departs Old Trafford, with his future up in the air at the moment. The Red Devils are putting plans in place if they do need to move for a goalkeeper, and Maignan is at the top of their list.
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
While being linked with potential big money arrivals, United are closing in on their first signing for 2025, as Diego Leon looks set to join the club. United have agreed a £4 million deal to sign Leon from Cerro Porteno. The Premier League side have moved quickly to wrap up this deal, as on Wednesday it was reported that there were “active talks”. Now, the “groundwork” of the transfer has been done, and Leon is expected to join United in the summer, as he needs to wait until he turns 18 to join his new team.
Man Utd add £62m player to transfer shortlist
According to Football Insider, Manchester United have added Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic to their transfer shortlist. The Serbia international joined the Italian giants in January 2022, and while he has continued to score goals, he has yet to win the Serie A, his only success being the Italian Cup in the 2023/24 campaign.
Vlahovic, who has been dubbed a “big-name” player in the past, scored 10 goals in 27 league games during the 2022/23 season and then went on to better that last term, netting 16 times in 33 Serie A games. At 24, he has continued to be a clinical striker in one of the most competitive leagues in football, and that has put him on the radar of the Red Devils.
United have now added Vlahovic to their shortlist as they look at options to improve their forward line. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are held in high regard at Old Trafford but are struggling to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.
Dusan Vlahovic’s Juventus stats
Apps
119
Goals
51
Assists
11
INEOS are continuing to monitor Vlahovic’s situation at Juventus, as his contract comes to an end in 2026. Talks are being held over a new contract for the forward, but it is currently described as a “standoff,” which has placed his future in jeopardy. United see Vlahovic as an alternative target to the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen, but it would be costly, as Juventus would want £62 million to sell the striker.
da betano casino： The season only kicked off a month and a half ago, but it’s already been full of twists and turns for Arsenal.
da premier bet： For example, after winning their opening two Premier League games, Mikel Arteta’s side then lost away to Liverpool, after which many fans and pundits alike began to write off the team’s title credentials.
However, fast-forward to today, and the Gunners find themselves atop the table and with two wins from two in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s recent form
Competition
Opposition
Result
EPL
West Ham (H)
2-0 (W)
UCL
Olympiacos (H)
2-0 (W)
EPL
Newcastle (H)
2-1 (W)
EFL Cup
Port Vale (A)
2-0 (W)
EPL
Man City (H)
1-1 (D)
UCL
Bilbao (A)
2-0 (W)
EPL
Forest (H)
3-0 (W)
Yet, while things are going brilliantly from a performance and results perspective, the North Londoners continue to be ravaged by injury, including club captain Martin Odegaard.
Fortunately, Arteta now has a few options when it comes to replacing him, one of which could be starting a star player in an entirely new position.
Arsenal's injury problems
For a period this season, it felt as if Arsenal were unable to complete a game without losing a player to injury, and while things are no longer that bad, the situation is far from ideal.
Arsenal’s Injuries
Player
Injury
Jesus
Knee
Havertz
Knee
Madueke
Knee
Hincapie
Groin
Odegaard
MCL
For example, while the likes of William Saliba, Ben White and Christian Norgaard are fit again, and Declan Rice looks ready to play for England this week, Arteta is set to be without five first-team players when the international break comes to an end.
The most prolonged absence remains Gabriel Jesus, and while he has taken pictures of himself back on the grass, the manager confirmed that it would be “many, many months” before he plays regular minutes for the first team again.
What makes the Brazilian’s absence so much more of a problem is the fact that Kai Havertz is also out following the surgery he had on his knee back in late August, meaning there is no natural competition for Viktor Gyokeres at the moment.
The attacking woes don’t stop there, though, as Noni Madueke is expected to remain out of contention for at least another month or so after suffering a knee injury in the home game against Manchester City last month.
The former Chelsea player is yet to score or assist a goal in red and white, but his performances this season have been brilliant, and he added a blistering directness that has sometimes been missing from the team.
Another summer signing currently sidelined is Piero Hincapie, who is out with a groin injury, and while his absence is a blow, it’s hard to determine how much of an impact he’ll have this season, considering he’s played just six minutes thus far.
Finally, arguably the most impactful injury of them all is Odegaard’s, as before being forced off with what has now been confirmed as an MCL injury, the Norwegian was starting to look like the creative force he was a couple of years ago.
Fortunately, Arteta does have a few ways he can address the captain’s absence, and perhaps one worth trying is starting his best player in a new position.
The Arsenal star who could replace Odegaard
So, the way Arteta is likely to solve the problem of Odegaard being out injured is by starting Eberechi Eze in the attacking midfield position.
Chalkboard
While this is a perfectly logical solution, and one that many will be calling for, it does create one issue: a weaker left-wing position, as neither Leandro Trossard nor Gabriel Martinelli has excelled when starting for a long time.
Therefore, a way to keep the left-hand side strong is to do something entirely new and try playing Arsenal’s most important player in a central location: Bukayo Saka.
Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, this isn’t an example of moving the Englishman to a less important position to accommodate someone else; if anything, moving him to the middle of the pitch would allow him to have a far greater influence on the game.
Described as one of the club’s “very best players,” by podcaster Adam Keys, the Hale Ender has shown time and time again that he has the technical and mental skills to play a more central role.
He’s an excellent striker of the ball, can see a pass that few others in the team can, has spent the last three years being double and triple-teamed by defenders, and, while he’s not the fastest, he has incredible agility in the way he moves around the pitch.
Moreover, with 100 goal involvements in 200 league games, the 24-year-old has the output to be measured against the best number tens in the game.
Finally, in addition to the eye test and his record, the North Londoners’ “legend in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has the underlying numbers to prove he’d be a goal-scoring chance-creating machine in central areas.
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 1% of wingers and attacking midfielders in the Premier League last season for non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key passes, shot-creating actions, goal-creating actions, and more, all per 90.
Saka’s Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Goals + Assists
0.83
Top 1%
npxG + xAG
0.71
Top 1%
xA: Expected Assists
0.41
Top 1%
Key Passes
3.02
Top 1%
Shot-Creating Actions
6.09
Top 1%
Goal-Creating Actions
1.20
Top 1%
GCA (Live-ball Pass)
0.73
Top 1%
GCA (Dead-ball Pass)
0.26
Top 1%
Assists
0.52
Top 2%
xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals
0.40
Top 2%
SCA (Shot)
0.52
Top 3%
Touches (Att Pen)
8.43
Top 3%
Progressive Passes Rec
13.27
Top 4%
Crosses
6.09
Top 4%
SCA (Dead-ball Pass)
1.04
Top 5%
Touches (Att 3rd)
37.22
Top 6%
Shots Total
3.44
Top 8%
Crosses into Penalty Area
0.62
Top 8%
SCA (Live-ball Pass)
3.70
Top 8%
SCA (Take-On)
0.62
Top 8%
Shots on Target
1.15
Top 11%
GCA (Take-On)
0.10
Top 11%
Penalty Kicks Made
0.05
Top 12%
Carries into Penalty Area
2.65
Top 12%
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season
Ultimately, it would be a left-field decision, but Saka is a genuinely world-class player, and perhaps Odegaard’s injury will be the perfect opportunity for Arteta to see how he fares in the middle of the park, where he can have a more significant impact on the game.
Berta holds new Arsenal contract talks with big-name duo after Raya, Saka and Timber
da realsbet： Com uma semana cheia para trabalhar, o Grêmio voltou aos treinos na última terça-feira. Uma das novidades do técnico Vagner Mancini, o zagueiro Paulo Miranda busca um espaço na equipe titular do tricolor após retornar aos gramados contra o Juventude no último fim de semana. Boa opção para o sistema defensivo tricolor, o atleta está atuando em sua quarta temporada vestindo a camisa tricolor, foi capitão em algumas oportunidades e é uma das lideranças do vestiário gremista.
+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada
Em comparação aos últimos anos, o jogador não ganhou uma grande sequência na equipe titular. Foram apenas 12 partidas em 2021, com um gol marcado e uma assistência. Titular em nove oportunidades, nas vezes em que esteve em campo a equipe gaúcha teve sete vitórias, três empates e apenas duas derrotas. Números que resultam em um aproveitamento superior a 66%. Mesmo com as trocas de comando durante o ano, Paulo Miranda seguiu trabalhando e sempre pronto para ajudar o Grêmio.
‘Estou animado em voltar a campo num momento importante da temporada. Temos um objetivo a cumprir e será importante ter todos os companheiros a disposição. Sigo trabalhando, me dedicando e buscando meu espaço para ajudar o Grêmio quando preciso. Estou pronto, quero manter o foco nessa reta final do ano e ajudar no que for preciso e manter o clube no lugar que ele merece. Vamos contornar essa situação com o apoio de todos e, principalmente, com a nossa grande torcida gremista’, afirma o zagueiro.
Contratado em 2018, Paulo Miranda atuou em 87 jogos com a camisa tricolor e balançou as redes em seis jogos. Com contrato até dezembro de 2022, aqui no Sul já conquistou cinco títulos desde sua chegada.
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قدم توني كروس، أسطورة نادي ريال مدريد، مرة أخرى دعمه للمدرب تشابي ألونسو موضحًا أن الأخير لا توجد مشكلة حقيقية معه في الفريق الملكي.
ألونسو عين كمدير فني جديد لنادي ريال مدريد خلال شهر يونيو الماضي، وذلك خلفًا لكارلو أنشيلوتي في عقد مدته ثلاثة مواسم.
وعلى الرغم من بداية ريال مدريد الجيدة مع ألونسو خلال هذا الموسم، إلا أن نتائج الميرنجي شهدت تراجعًا واضحًا خلال الفترة الأخيرة بالفعل.
ولم يتمكن ريال مدريد من تحقيق الانتصار في ثلاث مباريات متتالية بكافة المسابقات، قبل أن يستعيد نغمة الفوز ويهزم أولمبياكوس بأربعة أهداف مقابل ثلاثة يوم أمس الأربعاء ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وقام ريال مدريد بتكريم كروس اليوم الخميس، حيث حصل الدولي الألماني السابق على وسام صليب فارس الاستحقاق من جمهورية ألمانيا الاتحادية، وهو أعلى وسام مدني يتم منحه من قبل بلاده.
طالع .. فابريجاس يحسم موقفه من عودة نيكو باز لـ ريال مدريد في يناير
وقال كروس في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة سبورت: “بالنظر إلى الوضع الحالي في هذا التكريم، أجد صعوبة في تحديد ما إذا كنت سأتحدث بالألمانية أم الإسبانية”.
وأضاف كروس في حديثه عن ألونسو: “ما زلت أقول بالألمانية إنه لا توجد مشكلة مع تشابي ألونسو أيضًا، لا أعتقد ذلك”.
وشكر المستشار الألماني الذي تواجد في تكريم كروس اليوم، فالتر شتاينماير، اللاعب السابق حيث اختتم: ”لم يصبح أسطورة بفضل إنجازاته الرياضية المتميزة فحسب، بل إن شخصيته الودودة والهادئة، داخل الملعب وخارجه جعلته قدوةً للعديد من المواهب الكروية الشابة وعشاق الرياضة”.
كروس سبق وأن قدم دعمه في أكثر من مناسبة لألونسو من قبل، خصوصًا بعد حادثة الكلاسيكو بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة واعتراض فينيسيوس جونيور على تبديله في شوط اللقاء الثاني.
وقام بتكريم كروس اليوم رئيس ريال مدريد، فلورنتينو بيريز، إلى جانب عدد من الأسماء في الفريق الملكي التي حضرت الحفل كفيديريكو فالفيردي، وأنطونيو روديجر، وألفارو أربيلوا، وروبيرتو كارلوس.
da apostebet： West Bromwich Albion picked up a hard-fought win away at Norwich City on Wednesday night as Ryan Mason’s side momentarily got their stuttering Championship season back on track in Norfolk.
da bet7： Only four points off the top of the league now after narrowly securing the three points through a 1-0 victory, Mason will hope his promotion-dreaming team can push on and pick up some more early season wins soon, with games against Millwall and Preston North End up next in the second tier.
It was certainly a night to remember for Josh Maja, with a first start of the season for the usually injury-ravaged centre-forward resulting in his first strike of the campaign also quickly following.
It was a typical poacher-like finish from the ex-Sunderland man, with a tricky run by Samuel Iling-Junior thankfully not going to waste, as the experienced attacker enjoyed a great return to form versus the Canaries.
Maja's standout night
Aune Heggebo would fall to the substitutes bench as the experience of the 26-year-old was preferred over the promise of the new Norwegian recruit.
It was a smart call by Mason in the end, with West Brom having to be potent in front of goal to secure a slim away day win.
Maja’s performance in numbers
Stat
Maja
Minutes played
60
Goals scored
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
Touches
19
Accurate passes
7/8 (88%)
Stats by Sofascore
Amazingly, Maja’s only shot of the night was the one that beat Vladan Kovačević in the Norwich goal, with the injury-prone forward also only needing a mere 19 touches of the ball to leave his mark on the contest.
Sky Sports’ Jobi McAnuff would sum it up nicely when labelling Maja as a player known for “making a difference”, as the clinical striker now aims to be free of the Hawthorns treatment room to try and match, or even, surpass his 12-goal tally from last season.
However, if it wasn’t for a stern defensive performance in Norfolk, West Brom might have well crumbled late on, with Josh Griffiths hailed as having a “coming of age” moment by journalist Lewis Cox when completing four vital saves in between the sticks.
He wasn’t the only very impressive figure at the back, however, with one defensive titan arguably putting in an even better display than the returning Maja.
West Brom star was even better than Maja
Come the end of the tense game, it was clear that the entire team picked by Mason all contributed to a gutsy three points being secured.
In particular, former Liverpool colossus Nathaniel Phillips stood out at Carrow Road, with the 6-foot-3 centre-back keen to make amends on the road after a late own-goal robbed his team of a win against Leicester City last time out on home soil.
Phillips’ performance in numbers
Stat
Phillips
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
77
Accurate passes
51/59 (88%)
Clearances
10
Tackles
3
Total duels
7/11
Stats by Sofascore
While Maja showed off his goalscoring prowess with an instinctive finish, before then waiting on scraps to come his way, Phillips shone throughout, winning seven duels and making ten clearances, keeping the likes of Josh Sargent for the hosts quiet.
Away from living up to his tag as a “monster” in the air that was handed to him by Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, the towering 28-year-old would also display a necessary composure on the ball in heated moments, with 51 accurate passes tallied up from his 77 touches of the ball.
Truthfully, minus that own-goal hiccup against the Foxes, Phillips has been very impressive in the demanding Championship so far this season, winning 5.8 duels per game, further reinforcing his no-nonsense approach.
Yet – as was visible at Carrow Road – he has also been unerring with his passes out from the back, as seen in an 89% pass accuracy being averaged as well.
Express and Star journalist Jonny Drury dished out a high 8/10 rating to the Baggies number 3 off the back of another assured showing, with Drury simply stating that the 28-year-old was “so solid” once more.
Mason will know he needs both Maja and Phillips to continue delivering, with West Brom’s chances of clinching promotion glory largely resting on the experienced pairing being able to grind out more results together like this 1-0 success.
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He also backed Samson to play the finisher role, if needed
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India vs Pakistan matches have a lot riding on them but, two days out from their first meeting at the 2025 Asia Cup, the focus appears to be squarely on the cricket. And nothing else.”For the players and for us,” India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said, “Once the BCCI says and they are aligned with the government, we are here to prepare and we are here to play. It will be a competitive game. An India-Pakistan game is always a competitive game. So, we would rather focus on that.”Ahead of India’s training session on Friday, Kotak was asked whether it can be tough to focus on cricket amid calls from certain quarters back home to boycott matches against Pakistan. India and Pakistan share a tense political relationship that has only grown more strained in recent months, with the two countries having exchanged cross-border hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack in April.Related
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“Honestly, I don’t think so [not tough],” Kotak said. “Once we are here to play, I think players are focused on playing cricket. I personally don’t think they have anything in mind apart from playing cricket. And that’s what we focus on.”The other big point of focus was India’s batting line-up, and whether Sanju Samson can adapt to a role at No. 5 or 6, where he hasn’t had as much success as in the top order. Kotak was clear, while there was a fair degree of certainty around the openers and No. 3, that the rest of the line-up was flexible, and players were preparing themselves with this in mind.”If you look at our batting line-up, everyone is capable of going to any number and finishing the match,” Kotak explained. “Although, we have four-five aggressive players who, according to the situation, either the head coach or the captain decides where to send them. More or less everyone is prepared to bat at any number.1:48
Dube: ‘I am always prepared to bowl four overs’
“So there is nothing fixed. Everyone knows their role. So, according to the situation, they will be ready. Obviously, the openers and No. 3, we think about particular players. But after that, if required, I think all the players also now mentally and skill-wise, they are prepared to bat at any number. And I think that’s a good sign.”Kotak essentially underlined that all of Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube and Samson can finish off an innings if required. “Everyone knows their role,” he said. “One thing. Maybe we have more than one finisher. So, seriously, depending on the situation, we can go accordingly.”Because if you look at Shivam, if you look at Hardik, if you look at Axar, they all can do whatever is required depending on who is bowling, which bowler of the opposing team is left, how is the wicket. So, it is a great thing to have, where you have three [or] four guys who can go at any number.”Kotak also cleared “confusion” over the team’s workload-management policy, when asked if the prospect of playing a Test match, where he is captain, barely three days after the conclusion of the Asia Cup would impact Gill’s readiness. India host West Indies for two Tests from October 2.”I don’t know what you think about workload management. But workload management is generally done for bowlers, mainly fast bowlers,” Kotak said. “If you talk about batters, if they mentally feel that cricket is too much for them, then it is a matter of thinking. Workload is actually managed by fast bowlers. I don’t think batsmen face workload management issues.”Asked if Arshdeep Singh, India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, could sit out as he did in the opening game, Kotak said that call was made on the basis of the slow, turning conditions in Dubai. If need be, similar calls will be made again.”Everyone knows that there is no agenda,” he said. “There is no personal liking, disliking. Whatever is best for the team, the captain and head coach will decide and do that. And I don’t think there is any doubt in anybody’s mind. So, whoever is not playing, they are always trying to help the guys who are playing. And I think that’s the way the team should play.”