The pervading opinion is that Manchester City will cruise to victory in Istanbul, but their Italian opponents lack neither quality nor character
According to , Inter have "no chance" in the Champions League final against Manchester City, and while one should never really pay much attention to some of the English tabloids, it's noteworthy that even the is calling Saturday's showdown in Istanbul "Mission almost impossible" for the Italian team.
There has even been some debate over whether this is, on paper at least, the biggest mismatch we've ever seen at this stage of the competition. In Italy, everyone from Fabio Capello to Antonio Cassano acknowledges that City are the best team in the world right now, the clear favourites to take home the trophy. In England, Jamie Carragher has claimed that Inter are "levels below" their treble-chasing opponents, while Michael Owen is adamant that not a single member of Simone Inzaghi's squad would get in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up.
Fair to say, then, that Inter are under no pressure, but are they feeling any fear? After all, Inter are not only going up against Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan, they must also somehow stop the most terrifying forward in football right now – Erling Haaland.
"I'm scared of murderers and thieves," centre-back Alessandro Bastoni told reporters on Monday, "not guys my own age! We need to go out on the pitch and play football, with a clear mind."
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Quietly confident
Which, in fairness, is exactly what they've done nearly all season long in the Champions League, most notably in the semi-finals against AC Milan. In 'the derby of derbies', Inter rose to the occasion; their city rivals appeared overwhelmed by it.
There is, then, a quiet confidence about Inter right now. They have defied the odds before; they understandably see no reason why they cannot do so again. Remember, nobody expected them to even get out of their group. Having been bracketed with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, it was thought that Inter's most realistic goal was qualification for the Europa League. However, despite losing their tournament-opener, at home to Bayern, they qualified with a game to spare after taking four points off Barca alone.
And several players have stated this week that the 1-0 win over the Blaugrana at San Siro on October 4 was the key moment in their European campaign. Barca had all the ball that night, but Inter held firm, producing an impressively disciplined defensive display to keep Robert Lewandowski & Co. quiet. Something similar may well be required on Saturday night…
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Underestimated attacking threat
Inter can play, though. It's obviously very easy to bill this as the irresistible force against the immovable object, given City are the tournament's top scorers (31 goals), while Inter boast the best defence, with eight clean sheets. But it's a little more nuanced than that.
Inter certainly do not lack attacking quality, as they proved in the group stage. Barcelona's Liga title triumph was founded upon their excellent defensive work, yet Xavi's side was repeatedly ripped to shreds in a 3-3 draw at Camp Nou that effectively sealed Inter's place in the last 16. Indeed, they dominated the majority of that game, which they also should have won right at the death to completely kill off Barca's faint hopes of qualifying for the next round.
City should, therefore, be wary of not only star striker Lautaro Martinez, Inter's big-game player who has hit a career-high 28 goals in all competitions this season, but also a resurgent Romelu Lukaku and an evergreen Edin Dzeko.
Elsewhere, dead-ball specialist Hakan Calhanoglu is a dangerous long-range shooter, while the brilliant box-to-box midfielder Nicolo Barella is always capable of making something happen with his surges into the area (even if he should score more than he does).
And then there is the threat out wide.
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'How are City going to open up that back five?'
After the second-leg win over Milan, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard highlighted the problem posed by Federico Dimarco to opposition defences. The Italian has arguably been the revelation of Inter's entire season, with five assists in the Champions League, and fellow wing-back Denzel Dumfries can also do damage. The Dutchman may be maddeningly inconsistent, but he is capable of getting in behind defences, as he illustrated to impressive effect at the World Cup in Qatar.
Indeed, while discussing the final immediately after Manchester City had routed Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium, Thierry Henry said the aspect of the final he was most looking forward to was seeing how Guardiola tackles Inter's 3-5-2 formation.
"Dumfries and Dimarco will be quicker to arrive on his wingers than usual, because they will already be there, out wide, in more advanced positions," Henry told . "So, now, how are [City] going to create that overload? How are [they] going to open up that back five? Because it will become a five-man defence in the final because City will have all the ball and Inter will be low. It's easier to kill a back four with how City plays, so Pep might come up with something. I don't know what but I want to see that tactical battle."
Former Italy international Cassano is just as intrigued, pointing out that Brentford, the one side to do the double over City in the Premier League this season, "play with the same formation as Inter".
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'We have what it takes to beat City'
Inter are, of course, acutely aware of the size of the task facing them. Earlier this week, Bastoni dismissed the idea that they will need a miracle to win in Istanbul, but conceded that victory would require a "perfect game from everyone that sets foot on the field".
However, the ball-playing centre-back – who, contrary to what Owen might think, would slot seamlessly into City's defence – promptly added, "We know our value." And they do.
Every single player who faced the press on Monday was at pains to point out that while they hold City in the highest esteem, they are no mugs themselves. They may have been somewhat fortunate to find themselves on the right side of the draw, but they have not made it to Istanbul by chance. They deserve to be in the final.
"We earned this opportunity on the pitch," Robin Gosens declared in an interview with . "We're going there to win. We know it'll be a struggle, but we have what it takes to beat Manchester City."
The Daily Mail may disagree, of course, but as Dimarco argued, "Inter's history speaks for itself." A childhood fan of the club, he has been rewatching the 2010 final win over Bayern Munich for the past decade. He knows that such historic triumphs have as much to do with character as quality.
Arsenal will hope to keep their Premier League title dreams alive when they welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
By the time kick-off swings around, Mikel Arteta's side could be four points adrift of their rivals Manchester City, who play relegation candidates Everton earlier in the day and today's task will be no easy one as the Seagulls will be wanting to get their own European push back on track.
The visitors have slipped to eighth in the standings following a shock 5-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Aston Villa's red-hot form under Unai Emery another factor.
Arteta is left with plenty to consider in terms of team selection as his squad continues to be affected by injuries, but will the Spaniard make any big decisions today?
Will Bukayo Saka start vs Brighton?
A leading star for club and country, it's been one phenomenal season for Gunners winger Bukayo Saka.
The 21-year-old dynamo leads the goal contribution charts in north London and ranks fifth overall in the English top-flight this campaign, with 13 goals and 11 assists to his name.
But it has been a quiet couple of weeks for the England superstar, having failed to register a goal or assist in each of Arsenal's last three league outings, whilst his two contributions against relegated Southampton have been the Hale End prospect's only two returns in his last seven matches, via WhoScored.
Saka has also struggled to see out 90 minutes in the trio of games against Newcastle United, Chelsea and Man City and has arguably looked a little jaded, so perhaps his place against the Seagulls can be questioned.
It would be a huge surprise and one hell of a ruthless call from the Spaniard but with a viable alternative in Leandro Trossard, who will be keen to punish his former club, the decision to put Saka on the bench is surely made a little easier.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in action with Newcastle United's Dan Burn
Gunners legend Ian Wright has also called for the England winger to be dropped, having endured a long and physical campaign, one that was interrupted with a mid-season World Cup.
"Maybe Saka should get a little bit of a rest," claimed Wright (via the Metro). "I think a little rest. Maybe my mouth is going too quickly for my brain, in this situation we can’t afford to lose anymore games. We need everybody out there, but I just worry, I worry for him."
Having also been hailed as "phenomenal" by West Ham star Jarrod Bowen this week, there is no denying that the £76m-rated machine is one of the team's brightest and best players on his day, though it's also evident that he is suffering the effects from his continuous involvement for both Arsenal and England.
Only two other Gunners players have registered more minutes than Saka in the Premier League this term, with the £70k-per-week star playing nearly 200 minutes more than his wide counterpart Gabriel Martinelli, by comparison.
Brighton will likely be preparing for the threat of Saka down the right flank too, where the match-up with Pervis Estupinan is certainly one to watch, so Arteta could even spring a surprise on Roberto De Zerbi by opting for Trossard instead.
As such, the Arsenal boss must make a major call on his star man heading into kick-off. Perhaps it's time for Saka to come out of the starting XI for just one game.
Pakistan A romped to an eight-wicket win with 97 balls to spare against Sri Lanka A in the opening game of the triangular series, also involving England Lions, on Monday
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2016 ScorecardFile photo: Sharjeel Khan hit seven fours and three sixes in his 74-ball 90•Associated Press
Pakistan A romped to an eight-wicket win against Sri Lanka A in the opening game of the triangular series, also involving England Lions, in Cheltenham on Monday.Pakistan A’s bowlers backed Babar Azam’s decision to field as Sri Lanka A were dismantled for 199 in 37.5 overs. In reply, Fakhar Zaman (74) and Sharjeel Khan (90), their openers, shared a 155-run stand that helped Pakistan cruise. They eventually sealed the win with 97 balls to spare.Pakistan’s bowlers hunted in packs, but it was Mohammad Asghar, the left-arm spinner, who inflicted the bulk of the damage, taking 4 for 41 in 10 overs.Asghar, introduced in the 14th over with Sri Lanka A reduced to 94 for 3 after a blazing start, struck in consecutive overs to remove Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Ashan Priyanjan, the captain. Angelo Perera then resisted with 35, but there was little contribution of note otherwise.Abbas, the right-arm pacer, took three wickets, but was expensive and leaked 50 runs in seven overs. Bhatti took 2 for 40 in eight overs, while left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz took the last wicket to fall – Lakshan Sandakan.Any hopes Sri Lanka’s bowlers may have had of picking early wickets and bouncing back were emphatically shattered by Zaman and Sharjeel, who kept them at bay for 23.1 overs, scoring at well over a run-a-ball. Zaman hit seven fours and three sixes in his 77-ball knock, while Sharjeel was equally aggressive by striking at 121.62 courtesy 12 fours and four sixes.Both batsmen were dismissed in the space of 25 deliveries by Kasun Rajitha, the right-arm medium pacer, but Umar Siddiq and Abdul Rehman Muzammil made sure to avoid further losses.The second match of the series takes place on Tuesday, with Pakistan facing off against England Lions at the same venue.
Insider Dean Jones has revealed that Marcus Rashford is likely to only start on the bench for Manchester United this weekend amid injury concerns.
What's the latest on Marcus Rashford and Man United?
Ahead of the latest international break, the English striker picked up a knock in the Red Devils' final Premier League game (against Fulham).
As a result, he had to pull out of action with the Three Lions and there has been plenty of speculation since about whether or not he will feature against Newcastle United this weekend.
Now, according to his manager, Rashford has trained this week. And so, when speaking to the press, Erik ten Hag claimed he had "hope" the forward would be fit.
But he wasn't able to clarify if he would definitely start or not. But while speaking on the latest episode of Chasing Green Arrows, Jones seemed to think the 25-year-old will be on the bench.
He said (3:49): “There's a possibility that Rashford's on the bench here. I'm not sure I'm confident that Rashford is going to be starting in this game.
"That's my reading of the situation so far. That's just speaking to a couple of journalists that like cover United, who have basically been at the presser.
"I mean, to be honest, they probably haven't heard that much more than we've actually seen coming from the presser ourselves. But it's just a tough one and it's a dilemma.”
Will Marcus Rashford start against Newcastle?
In full, manager Ten Hag explained of Rashford's current injury status: “I have good hope, he trained but he had to have some treatment, he had to do some individual training.
“Today he joined in with the group. We have one more day. I have a good hope he will be available.”
With that being the case, on top of what Jones was able to learn about the situation from some people in the know, it seems as though the Englishman will likely be involved in some capacity this weekend against the Magpies but the game may come just too soon for him to start.
Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford
With a match to play on Wednesday against Brentford in the Premier League too, it's certainly a boost to at least have Rashford close to full fitness for the first game.
After all, with 27 goals in all competitions, the £200k-p/w star is by far the club's most prolific goalscorer this term – while he also has the joint-second highest number of assists (nine).
With that in mind, they won't want to rush him back too soon and then risk making any minor injury a long-term issue.
Greg O’Keeffe has name-dropped last summer’s target Mohammed Kudus as the type of player Everton need to be signing.
The Lowdown: More goals are needed at Everton
Everton are the league’s joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season, which may not be a surprise given that the Toffees have been without star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the majority of this campaign.
The Everton board clearly knew they needed more firepower in the final third because of Calvert-Lewin’s shocking injury record and that they’d sold Richarlison by targeting Ajax star Mohammed Kudus.
While it was reported that Kudus was keen on leaving Ajax for Everton in the summer, his form this season has shown why he was indeed right to stay in the Eredivisie as he will have bigger clubs pushing for his signature.
The Latest: Kudus-like player is what Everton need
Despite his scintillating form for Ajax this season, O’Keeffe name-dropped Kudus on the All Together Now podcast as the player Everton could target and if not him, then someone of a similar mould, despite Ellis Simms’ latest heroics.
He said: (19:00) “It’s dead interesting because I think he’s [Ellis Simms] not the kind of striker if we all, well I can’t speak for everyone, but if I had my choice, I’d want Everton to be in the market for like Mohammed Kudus. I know he’s not a striker but I’m sure he could [play there], a Richarlison or those sorts of players.”
The Verdict: Everton are desperate for a proven goal scorer
While O’Keeffe and many other Evertonians would likely love to have someone such as Kudus in their squad, after his stunning season for Ajax, coupled with the fact he starred for Ghana out in Qatar last winter, he will probably have loftier ambitions having proven himself to be a ‘goal threat’.
Last summer was the chance for Everton to go all out, back Frank Lampard and land a proven goal scorer, but they decided to save their cash and instead brought in Neal Maupay who’s netted just once in the league this term.
Everton managed to get £60 million for last season’s hero Richarlison from Tottenham Hotspur over the summer and at no point did they replace him or even bring in a player similar to him and the qualities he brought to the side, which is simply negligent on Everton’s behalf.
Glasgow Rangers are reportedly ‘highly unlikely’ to bring one Scotland international to Ibrox this summer.
The Lowdown: Long-term interest
Rangers’ interest in Lyndon Dykes dates back to 2020, but he ended up moving to the English Championship instead.
Ibrox legend Ally McCoist urged his former club to sign the now-QPR attacker from Livingston, hailing him as a ‘strong’, ‘aggressive’ and ‘quick’ striker who offers ‘something different’.
The Light Blues were also reportedly ‘keen’ on signing Dykes, who played under Michael Beale at Loftus Road, in this January’s transfer window.
The Latest: ‘Highly unlikely’
As per Football Insider, the Teddy Bears are ‘highly unlikely’ to sign the 27-year-old this summer because they would be priced out of a move.
They are keen to sign another striker given the uncertainty over Alfredo Morelos’ future, but QPR want to keep hold of Dykes, even though the Scotland striker would be interested in a move to Ibrox.
The Verdict: Pay the money!
Whatever transfer fee it would take to sign Dykes, Rangers should be inclined to pay it.
The 26-cap Scotland international is not the most prolific, with just six goals in the Championship so far this season, but he offers so much more to the team with his 6 foot 2 stature.
Former QPR boss Mark Warburton has previously hailed Dykes’ ‘outstanding’ work ethic, while Beale hailed him as ‘fantastic’ in a match earlier this season where he did not score but still bullied opposition defenders.
Indeed, the 27-year-old ranks in the 94th percentile for aerial duels won among all forwards outside of Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, and he would offer Rangers a great plan-B option next season.
Furthermore, Beale has already worked with Dykes before, so the Rangers boss would know how to get the best out of him.
نجح فريق آرسنال في تحقيق الفوز على مضيفه برينتفورد بنتيجة 3/1، في إطار منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وواجه آرسنال نظيره برينتفورد، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “جي تك كوميونيتي”.
اقرأ أيضاً.. ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي بعد فوز ليفربول على وست هام وآرسنال أمام برينتفورد
في الشوط الأول وعند الدقيقة الثالثة عشر، أحرز بريان مبيومو الهدف الأول لصالح برينتفورد من تسديدة أرضية زاحفة سكنت شباك ديفيد رايا.
وتمكن جابرييل جيسوس من تعديل نتيجة المباراة بحلول الدقيقة 29 من ضربة رأسية، أثر متابعته لتسديدة توماس بارتي على حارس برينتفورد فليكين.
ومع بداية الشوط الثاني وعند الدقيقة 50، وقع ميكيل ميرينو على ثاني أهداف الجانرز مستغلاَ حدوث دربكة في دفاعات الخصم.
وبتسديدة يمينية رائعة، أحرز جابرييل مارتينيلي الهدف الثالث لصالح آرسنال بحلول الدقيقة 53.
بذلك ينجح آرسنال في تحقيق الفوز الثالث له توالياً في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ويقلص فارق النقاط مع ليفربول المتصدر إلى 6 نقاط مع مباراة إضافية مؤجلة للريدز.
وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد آرسنال إلى النقطة 39 في المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بينما تجمد رصيد برينتفورد عند النقطة 24 في المركز الثاني عشر. اهداف مباراة ارسنال وبرينتفورد (3-1) الدوري الانجليزي
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor is "really confident" Chloe Kelly will stay at the club despite speculation surrounding her future.
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Kelly linked with transfer exitContract at City runs until 2025Taylor confident she will stayWHAT HAPPENED?
The England winger has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain but City are reportedly keen to get her to extend her contract, which currently runs until 2025. And manager Taylor appeared to be relaxed about the 26-year-old's future.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT GARETH TAYLOR SAID
He said at a press conference: "I'm really confident but at the end of the day, these things happen. When players are doing well, you get these rumours that come out. How true they are, I'm not too sure and how much propaganda is involved. But we try and normalise things and make sure that the players keep their feet on the floor.
"We're on a really good run of unbeaten form, but we have to push to improve. Chloe is one of those players, she's doing well at the moment but there's a lot to come from her. With Chloe, you've got a really good personality to work with and someone who is hungry to learn."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Earlier this season, Kelly, who scored the winner for the Lionesses in the Euro 2022 final, said she wants to be "winning trophies" and City are in the hunt to do that this season. They are second in the Women's Super League, in the last four of the League Cup, and face Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday. But with PSG reportedly offering a very lucrative offer, Kelly may assess her options at the end of the current campaign.
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After Sunday's trip to Arsenal, City take on Chelsea in a top of the table clash next Friday. If they win that, they will draw level on points with Emma Hayes' team – who have won the league for four straight seasons.
Sunderland have reportedly held talks over a move for Fulham striker Jay Stansfield, but the Black Cats aren’t the only club keen on the forward.
Are Sunderland signing a striker?
Tony Mowbray and those at The Stadium of Light have brought in six new players so far this summer in Jenson Seelt, Jobe Bellingham, Eliezer Mayenda, Nectarios Triantis, Bradley Dack and Luis Semedo.
However, the club have been on the search to sign a new forward for a number of weeks now, with Bellingham and Dack, primarily midfielders, occupying attacking roles in the 2-1 win over Rotherham United last time out. Bellingham was the match-winner with two goals, however, Mowbray admitted he wants to bring in a new striker who can run in behind.
"We're trying to control the game on most occasions, and then it's about seeing whether teams are going to press or sit off in a block.
"That's why ultimately you need some mobility at the top end because if people are sitting in a mid-block and your centre-half doesn't think they can get through the lines, sometimes you have to go over the top with some speed and some threat.
"At the moment that's what's missing from this team, because that's not really Hemir or Dack's game. Jobe has that powerful running action that can pressure people, of course, but it's not necessarily speed.
"If we can get a striker in who wants to run in behind and wants to stretch them, it'll give us more space us to play in – that'll help us create more chances and win more games."
It looks as if the club are now working on a move for Stansfield, with The Sunderland Echo reporting that talks have been held with Fulham over a loan move. However, the report adds that several other clubs are also keen on bringing in Stansfield before the deadline.
Fulham striker Jay Stansfield.
Who is Jay Stansfield?
Stansfield initially came through the academy at Exeter City before moving to Fulham in 2019. Since then, the 20-year-old has gone on to make eight senior appearances for Fulham and spent last season back in Devon on loan with Exeter.
The forward contributed to 17 goals in 39 games in all competitions for the League One side and is now into the final 12 months of his Fulham contract, although the top-flight side have the option to extend that by a further year.
Kevin McDonald, who played alongside Stansfield at Exeter, praised the player as a forward who has "got it all".
“He's a top, top guy; he's willing to learn every single game and barely ever complains. We get on well and he's a good laugh too. He's technically gifted and a lovely finisher.
“He knows he needs to bulk up as such and he will over time. He's got it all, though. I said that when I was back there [at Fulham] a couple of years ago and even more so now.”
A loan move to a Championship side appears to make sense for Stansfield as he continues his development, and by the looks of things, that could be with Sunderland following discussions over a transfer.
Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be in the race to sign Aston Villa midfielder, Douglas Luiz, with manager Ange Postecoglou seeking to make further moves this month before the close of the window.
What's the latest on Luiz to Tottenham?
According to Football Insider, the Lilywhites – as well as bitter rivals Arsenal – are potentially set to go head to head in order to prise the Brazilian from Villa Park, with the Gunners having notably failed with a late move for the ex-Manchester City asset last summer.
The report suggests that if the Midlands side are to snap up Tyler Adams from Leeds United it could open the door for Luiz to depart, despite the fact that the 25-year-old only signed a new long-term deal with his current side back in October.
Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…
While the piece does not mention what it would take for Daniel Levy to be able to secure the signing of the 5 foot 9 maestro, the in-demand ace has been valued at around €30m (£26m) by CIES Football Observatory.
How good is Douglas Luiz?
This interest in the one-time Girona loanee has come amid reports that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is in line to join La Liga side, Atletico Madrid, with that potential exit ensuring that Postecoglou will be in need of reinforcements in the centre of the park.
If the north Londoners can beat Mikel Arteta's side to the signing of Luiz, the Rio-born machine could prove to be a truly astute capture, having been hailed as a "guy who’s clever with the ball" and "so physically strong" by City boss Pep Guardiola.
Bruno Guimaraes
The nine-cap Brazil international would also represent a worthy addition such is his apparent likeness to his compatriot and Newcastle United talisman, Bruno Guimaraes, with the pair said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, according to FBref.
The duo are notably alike due to their ability to provide a creative, playmaking presence from their deep-lying midfield berths, with Luiz ranking in the top 14% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for assists, while Guimaraes ranks in the top 18% in that regard.
The pair also enjoyed a similar record with regard to goal contributions last season, with the Villa man scoring six goals and providing six assists from his 37 Premier League outings, while Guimaraes scored five goals and registered four assists from his 32 top-flight appearances.
Not only are the international colleagues alike in an attacking sense but they can both also provide an effective screen in front of the back four, with Luiz racking up 73 tackles and 40 interceptions, while Guimaraes recorded 78 tackles and contributed 36 interceptions.
To be compared to the Magpies ace is a real statement as Guimaraes has been something of a revelation since his arrival at St James' Park from Lyon back in January 2022, having been dubbed "world class" by teammate Dan Burn.
Also dubbed a "really, really talented player" by Newcastle legend, Alan Shearer, the 25-year-old was instrumental in helping to guide Eddie Howe's side to Champions League qualification last season, with the hope being that Luiz can enjoy similar success if he is to trade the Villans for Spurs this summer.
Although Levy has already backed Postecoglou by bringing in eight summer signings so far, it could be time to get the chequebook out yet again…