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Mohamed Salah has reportedly been given the chance to link up with the Egypt squad earlier than planned amid the furore around his uncertain Liverpool future. The 33-year-old grabbed the headlines when he accused the Reds of "throwing him under the bus" after being left out of the starting XI. While speculation has mounted about an Anfield exit, it seems a January departure is very unlikely.

Salah vents his frustration

Shortly after Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday, a game where Salah was an unused substitute, the former Roma star said that someone at the Reds wanted him to "get all of the blame" and that he no longer had a relationship with manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman later said that he had "no clue" whether the forward had played his last game for the Anfield outfit, while club legend Jamie Carragher branded Salah a "disgrace" and accused him of trying to get the former Feyenoord boss sacked.  

Salah told reporters after the Leeds game, "I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don't have any relationship. I don't know why but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. This club, I will always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I always will. It [the situation] is not acceptable to me, to be fair. I don't get it. It's like I'm being thrown more under the bus. I don't think I'm the problem. I have done so much for this club. I don't have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone but I earned my position. It's football. It is what it is."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSalah wants Liverpool stay

Despite Salah's outburst and being left out of Liverpool's Champions League clash away to Inter on Tuesday night, claims he has 'no intention' of leaving the club in the January transfer window. The veteran, who has been an unused substitute in two of Liverpool's last three Premier League matches, is said to be 'disappointed' by this turn of events, especially as he hoped to retire at the Merseyside outfit. Salah feels someone at the club is trying to push him out, and he himself is aware he would not be short of suitors should he choose to leave the club next month. Incidentally, his comments came as 'no surprise' to some of his team-mates, who have noticed he has cut an 'unhappy figure' in recent weeks.

Salah gets Egypt FA's support

The report adds that Salah has held talks with Egypt's national team coach, Hossam Hassan, who assured him he would be happy to welcome the ex-Chelsea player into the Pharaohs' camp this week. The Egyptian international is available for selection for the Reds' Premier League clash against Brighton this weekend but Hassan has reportedly offered him a chance to get away from this intense situation ahead of their tournament opener against Zimbabwe on December 22.

Incidentally, Egyptian FA football director Ibrahim Hassan added, "Mohamed Salah is a great player and he will return stronger and better, as we have always known him to be, in the upcoming matches. Salah will continue to make history with Liverpool after becoming one of its legends. Mohamed Salah will also make history with the Egyptian national team in the Africa Cup of Nations, along with the coaching staff and his teammates, by winning the championship."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Salah?

adds that Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are monitoring Salah's situation ahead of the January window but are more hopeful of launching a successful bid next summer. Salah's ambition reportedly remains a 'far stronger' driving force than 'financial incentives', so he could stay at Liverpool for the foreseeable future. 

Barcelona’s long-awaited Camp Nou rebirth has stretched a full year beyond schedule, yet the club will not enforce the €1 million-per-day penalty clause against construction firm Limak. Between bureaucratic hurdles, structural surprises, financial strain, and internal dissent, Barca now prioritises finishing the stadium over reclaiming hundreds of millions in fines as fans grow increasingly frustrated.

Multiple delay's in Camp Nou's renovation

Barcelona’s Camp Nou renovation, once positioned as a flagship achievement of the Espai Barca project, spiralled into a saga of delays, criticism and missed milestones. The project has now drifted a year beyond the original November 29, 2024 deadline, yet the club will not enforce the €1m-per-day penalty clause included in Limak’s contract, reports.

This decision arrives after months of concerns surrounding the project’s management. One of the earliest internal ruptures occurred when Jordi Llaurado, the board member overseeing Espai Barca, resigned following president Joan Laporta’s choice of Limak as the construction partner. Llaurado opposed the selection – he believed Camp Nou’s reconstruction warranted a top-tier, perhaps publicly traded firm subject to strict regulatory oversight. Limak, in contrast, submitted its bid late, failed to meet certain formal criteria, and reportedly scored the lowest in technical evaluations. The former board member also refused to attend the vote, signalling his disapproval, and resigned weeks later in protest.

Now, the club face the consequences of that choice. Camp Nou remains partly closed, its phased reopening far slower than promised. Having just returned to Camp Nou for their first game last week, Barcelona continue to play matches in a stadium still surrounded by cranes, incomplete roofs and unfinished concourses, undermining the initial pledge of a sparkling return for the club’s 125th anniversary. And despite the long delay, Laporta has made it clear that invoking the penalty clause is “out of the question,” insisting that the project’s setbacks stem from circumstances beyond Limak’s control.

AdvertisementAFPWhy Barcelona refuses to demand the fines

Barcelona argue that many of the delays arose from factors that no contractor could have fully prevented – bureaucratic bottlenecks, permitting challenges, and labour inspections that caused repeated stoppages. The City Council’s prolonged approvals forced work to halt for weeks at a time, while EU safety requirements and municipal restrictions on continuous construction shrank operational hours.

Beyond the red tape, the site itself produced new complications, according to various reports. Construction teams discovered high-voltage cables requiring a full rewiring, hazardous materials that mandated specialised removal, and significant drainage issues in the pitch area that pushed the turf regrowth back by months. Meanwhile, global disruptions, from a major steel supplier’s bankruptcy to shipping delays linked to geopolitical tensions, further slowed progress.

Extreme heat waves in Catalonia brought mandatory labour stoppages under new Spanish regulations, and noise-control laws blocked the possibility of 24-hour shifts that could have accelerated work. Subcontracting delays in the VIP zones, still incomplete and without final facades or luxury seating, extended the timeline further. The enormous roof which required 1,400 tons of steel cabling remains one of the biggest components now pushed into 2026.

Laporta insists these conditions make litigation unwinnable, and that pursuing over €200 million in fines would damage the relationship with Limak and jeopardise completion. The club argues that its priority must be guaranteeing the stadium’s full 105,000-seat reopening by mid-2026, not entering a lengthy legal battle that could stall progress.

Adding to the controversy, the Catalan Labour Inspectorate recently fined an Extreme Works subcontractor €1m for employing 79 undocumented workers on site, an incident that has sparked further scrutiny of oversight standards and casts another shadow over the project’s execution.

Fan outrage and internal pressure mount

Barcelona has repeatedly missed the self-imposed return dates. From the 2024 anniversary target to the 2025 Joan Gamper Trophy and a planned reopening for the Valencia match that was abruptly transferred back to the Johan Cruyff Stadium over last-minute permit complications. Montjuic’s Estadi Olimpic, the temporary home since 2023, has offered little comfort: reduced capacity, muted atmospheres, and away supporters frequently out-chanting the home crowd.

Frustration reached boiling point when a viral video showed a fan confronting Laporta directly, accusing the leadership of making empty promises. Online forums have produced forensic breakdowns of the delays, with some analyses attributing a majority of setbacks to preventable planning errors rather than uncontrollable externalities.

Internally, the strains are equally evident. Fixture scheduling for La Liga and the Champions League has become a logistical ordeal, with multiple departments forced to react to each shift in construction timelines. VIP clients are now voicing dissatisfaction due to unfinished lounges and premium zones, jeopardising key revenue streams.

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Getty Images SportFinancial consequences for Barca and the road ahead

Reduced capacity at Montjuic has cost Barcelona tens of millions annually in lost matchday revenue – money desperately needed amid ongoing debt and salary-cap constraints. Delays also erased potential earnings from events such as Champions League openers and commercial activations tied to the stadium’s reopening. Overrunning material and labour costs have inflated the renovation budget well beyond initial projections, intensifying the strain on a club already navigating a €1.3 billion debt.

By waiving over €200 million in possible penalties from Limak, Barcelona has sacrificed a potential revenue buffer. Meanwhile, the €1m government fine over undocumented workers added yet another financial burden to a project already plagued by unforeseen expenses.

Yet the Espai Barca renovation is not without progress. Partial reopening has allowed Barcelona to host select La Liga and Champions League matches at Camp Nou once more, and an open training session earlier this month offered a glimpse of life after the cranes are gone. Sustainability objectives, such as 18,000 square metres of solar panels, large-scale material recycling, and water-reuse systems, remain on track despite delays to their installation. Still, the road to full completion stretches into 2026.

Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie are in both ODI and T20I squads after missing the Test tour of India

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Oct-2025Ackeem Auguste has earned a first call-up to West Indies’ ODI squad for the white-ball tour of Bangladesh in the second half of October, as replacement for Evin Lewis who has been ruled out with an injured wrist.Khary Pierre, who made his Test debut in the first match against India earlier this month in Ahmedabad, has earned a recall to the ODI side as the third spinner alongside Gudakesh Motie and allrounder Roston Chase, while Alick Athanaze has also made a return to the squad after playing his 13th and last ODI in December last year.”The selection of Ackeem reflects the pathway Cricket West Indies is creating for our emerging players who have shown the qualities to perform at the international level,” head coach Daren Sammy said in a CWI statement. “He is a player for the future, one who has progressed from Under-15s to the senior level, and another Academy graduate to feature in an international squad this year.”West Indies tour of Bangladesh

1st ODI – October 18, Dhaka
2nd ODI – October 21, Dhaka
3rd ODI – October 23, Dhaka
1st T20I – October 27, Chattogram
2nd T20I – October 29, Chattogram
3rd T20I – October 31, Chattogram

Also included for both the ODIs and the T20Is is Shamar Joseph, who missed the Test tour of India, along with Alzarri Joseph, because of an injury, the nature of which CWI didn’t disclose at the time. Motie is another player who missed the Test tour of India as West Indies wanted to manage his workload in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup early next year.The Bangladesh series will be the penultimate one of the year for West Indies.”The squad assembled will strive to maintain a winning mentality and strong team cohesion, essential components for long-term success ahead of the World Cup,” Sammy said. “Facing Bangladesh provides another opportunity to earn crucial points in our push for automatic qualification to the showpiece event.”Ramon Simmonds has been on the rise in recent months•CPL T20 via Getty ImagesFor the T20Is, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds and Amir Jangoo have been included in the squad. While Jangoo has been picked as the back-up wicketkeeper-batter to captain Shai Hope, it’s a continuation of a steady rise for Simmonds, who picked up 13 wickets for Barbados Royals in the recent CPL 2025 and then returned 4 for 15 in only his second T20I, against Nepal last month.Related

Sammy: WI 'did not reap financial rewards' of their legacy

Lara asks West Indies players to 'find a way'

In what CWI called “a concerted effort to provide players with valuable exposure to subcontinent conditions in advance of the series”, Motie, Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Auguste and Jangoo will train at the Chennai Super Kings Academy prior to the Bangladesh series.”With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, it is important for our players to get as much practice as possible in these conditions, with that tournament being held in India and Sri Lanka,” CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said. “In addition to the important aspect of acclimatisation, the camp will feature skill and tactical training and development specific to those conditions, which is critical to preparing the players ahead of this series as well as next year’s World Cup.”The tour of Bangladesh will start with the three ODIs, on October 18, 21 and 23, all in Dhaka, followed by the three T20Is in Chattogram on October 27, 29 and 31.West Indies ODI squad for tour of BangladeshShai Hope (capt), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario ShepherdWest Indies T20I squad for tour of BangladeshShai Hope (capt), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Ramon Simmonds

USMNT icon Landon Donovan expressed disappointment over Ricardo Pepi’s limited minutes during the November 2025 window, saying the young striker has slipped in the team’s forward pecking order – now behind Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright – and that the coach’s selections make that clear. Donovan expressed particular concern about Pepi's complete absence in the USMNT's impressive victory over Uruguay.

ImagnDonovan highlights Pepi's absence against Uruguay

The former USMNT captain noted that despite the team scoring multiple goals and having a comfortable lead, head coach Mauricio Pochettino still opted not to give Pepi any playing time. 

“I would say yeah,” Donovan said on his Unfiltered Soccer podcast when asked if Pepi’s lack of minutes was a concern. “I mean, this is a game where you can’t wait to get on the field if you’re watching from the bench because you’re like, there’s going to be chances, especially when they went down to 10 men. You’re like 'Get me on the field, get me on the field!'

“And yeah, I’m not in Pochettino’s head, I can’t speak for him, but [Pepi] had a chance the other night that he fluffed and should have scored.”

AdvertisementPSV striker now third in depth chart for USMNT

Donovan's assessment placed Pepi clearly third in the striker pecking order under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

“It’s pretty clear right now, although this is always changing, but like it goes, Balogun and then Haji Wright. And I think Pepi right now is third and that’s the way he views it,” Donovan said.

Competition up front

Over the last few camps, Folarin Balogun has taken over as the USMNT’s No. 9 with the AS Monaco star leading the charge going into 2026. His form has matched that as he has netted three goals in his last five caps for the USA. The same applies to Haji Wright, who has netted two goals in his last two caps while Pepi has struggled for form and fitness.

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AFPCritical four months ahead as World Cup approaches

With only one international window remaining before World Cup qualifying intensifies, the competition for striker positions continues to intensify. 

Tottenham have now been told what it’s going to take to strike a January deal for Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, following the player’s alleged talks with former boss Thomas Frank.

Spurs’ immediate need for a new centre-forward might dwindle in the eyes of some once Dominic Solanke returns to full fitness, with Randal Kolo Muani also steadily getting up to speed after spending most of this season out injured.

Kolo Muani notched an impressive assist against FC Copenhagen in Spurs’ last outing, but missed glorious chances to double the home side’s lead, much to the bewilderment of Xavi Simons, who put the ball on a plate for the Frenchman twice.

However, while Kolo Muani earned Frank’s praise for his overall display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it is important to remember that the 27-year-old is only on a dry loan and there is no guarantee he stays beyond 2025/2026.

Meanwhile, Richarlison has been heavily criticised for his form lately, and his abject penalty miss against Copenhagen, immediately after taking the ball off Dane Scarlett, best sums up the Brazilian’s woes right now.

According to some reports, with his contract expiring in 2027, Richarlison could well leave Tottenham in January and there are suggestions that he would jump at the chance to re-join Everton.

However, any transfer for the 28-year-old may well hinge on Spurs finding a winter replacement.

Depending on developments surrounding Richarlison and the long-term future of Kolo Muani, Tottenham could suddenly find themselves needing a new number nine after all.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Toney is being linked as one of their many potential options alongside the likes of Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović.

Vlahovic’s deal expires at the end of this season and Tottenham have reportedly spoken to his representatives about a move, while Frank is believed to have reached out to Toney personally.

The former Brentford star, who scored 20 Premier League goals during his best campaign under Frank, has scored for fun in Saudi Arabia with 41 goals in just 59 total appearances.

However, ever since his switch to the Gulf, Toney has largely been excluded from the Three Lions squad, bar one call-up earlier this year for games against Andorra and Senegal.

The 29-year-old will be eager to challenge for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s plans, but he may have to consider a return to England for this to be possible.

Tottenham told Ivan Toney deal conditions after Frank talks

According to TEAMtalk, Frank has indeed held ‘direct talks’ with Toney about a possible move to Tottenham in the new year.

The Saudi Pro League side, who are still unbeaten this season, lie eight points behind table-toppers Al-Nassr and could be very reluctant to part company with their star striker.

However, they would entertain talks on a few key conditions.

Al-Ahli value Toney at around £30 million for a permanent January deal, but suitors are said to be ‘baulking’ at this asking price, while the player himself faces a hefty tax bill if he departs Saudi for good just under two years after arriving, meaning a loan to buy is the most likely solution.

Making this option an obligation could apparently sweeten the deal and obtain Al-Ahli’s green light, with Tottenham now ‘leading the race’ to sign Toney ahead of the window’s reopening.

Appearances

59

Goals

41

Assists

8

Bookings

7

Red cards

0

Minutes played

4,796

The Lilywhites apparently view him as the ‘ideal’ solution to potentially replace Richarlison, and Frank’s strong relationship with Toney hands Tottenham a secret weapon to beat off competition for his signature.

The Spurs boss has made no secret of his admiration for Toney, though, once branding him the ‘number two’ striker in England.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made some candid remarks about his side’s plight in recent weeks. He understands the issues in front of him, and yet the Dutchman is struggling to find a route out of this rut.

A summer of sweeping change was always going to run the risk of taking from Slot’s finely-wrought tactical set-up from last season, when the Premier League was conquered so dominantly in his first year.

Hugo Ekitike aside, it is concerning nonetheless that practically all of the Anfield side’s summer signings have flattered to deceive this far. But it’s more concerning still that so many mainstays are just as far down from the wayside.

The struggling Liverpool mainstays

Liverpool are so open defensively, it is shocking. There is a staggering absence of balance from head to toe, and Slot’s comments, alluding that he is currently unsure how to overcome this issue, have been disquieting for anxious fans.

Even during last week’s resounding Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, the five-star Reds conceded first and looked wobbly until the hosts’ own defensive fragilities shattered open.

Virgil van Dijk has cut a forlorn figure during post-match interviews, with his side’s four-game skid in the Premier League weighing heavily on his armband.

The 34-year-old has not been at the races of late, needlessly giving away a penalty during the recent league loss to Brentford and altogether failing to marshal his troops, shipping so many goals each game.

Mohamed Salah, too, is toiling, with last season’s leading man reduced in strength and significance this year.

But Salah has still had his moments this season, while Van Dijk remains dominant in the duel and leads the side in an almost understated way: without the Dutchman, this struggling defence would unspool chaotically.

However, another of Slot’s most trusted lieutenants has been in woeful form all year, and he’s beginning to show shades of one Thiago Alcantara, who was immensely talented but frustrating under Jurgen Klopp’s wing all too often.

Liverpool's new version of Thiago

Liverpool signed Thiago from Bayern Munich for over £20m in 2020. Jurgen Klopp and his side had just won the Premier League, and the glittering Spaniard was identified as the perfect technician to open up new dimensions in the centre of the park.

How a fully-fit Thiago would have done for the Merseysiders across a prolonged period, we will never know. Thiago retired after four seasons with Liverpool, making only 97 appearances, all told. His final year, 2023/24, yielded just one off-the-bench display against Arsenal.

It ended up being a disappointment, such was Thiago’s quality, and now, in different circumstances, Alexis Mac Allister threatens to become the club’s new version.

Mac Allister’s current struggles are not of his presence on the sidelines, but rather, the 26-year-old’s inability to impress in Slot’s system thus far.

He was largely immense across his first two terms in red, but the tough-tackling, slick-passing Mac Allister seems to have lost his physicality and athletic robustness. He is a shadow of himself.

For a player whose completeness and control in the engine room has paid such big dividends for Liverpool in the past, this is a concern, and offers shades of Thiago in that he is arguably the most technically gifted midfielder at the club and yet is proving to be a “huge disappointment” in this regard, according to one Premier League analyst, who drew attention to him being the “Thiago-type” in Slot’s team and yet struggling to muster the requisite technical levels.

Thankfully, Mac Allister has been among Liverpool’s most impressive performers since signing, and there is as much an expectation as an anticipation that he will swiftly return to form and spearhead this new chapter.

During the early phase of the 2023/24 campaign, TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole hailed Mac Allister as a “superstar” of a midfielder whose dynamism and sharp-mindedness allowed him to “play anywhere” across the field.

Applying that theory should see the Argentina international thrive as the perfect cog in the middle of the Slot machine, easing Liverpool away from their current bother. Mac Allister has been anything but the solution, with his output on the decline across most every metric in the top flight.

Alexis Mac Allister in the Prem for Slot

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

35 (30)

8 (7)

Goals

5

0

Assists

5

1

Touches*

55.8

43.1

Accurate passes*

35.5 (87%)

28.4 (85%)

Key passes*

1.3

0.8

Dribbles*

0.5

0.0

Ball recoveries*

4.2

3.1

Tackles + interceptions*

3.3

1.8

Total duels (won)*

4.9 (48%)

2.3 (44%)

Stats via Sofascore

Right in the thick of things in midfield, Mac Allister cannot be expected to emerge on top across every duel he contests. But he’s proving far less willing to engage in combative situations, with mismanagement, residual issues from an affected early-season setback and the absence of confidence that comes from

The good part is that Mac Allister has proven his quality across a number of campaigns in the Premier League, and he’s a world champions with his nation besides.

But we can’t hide from the fact that he hasn’t been pulling his weight, and what’s more concerning is that Liverpool lack an alternative who can provide Slot’s system with the full package in the way he can.

With this in mind, it’s paramount that Mac Allister revives his quality in the middle of the park and lifts the champions back to the standard they were playing at before. Otherwise, this new Thiago-esque reputation will only harden across the looming wintry months.

Related Move over Salah: Slot's 5/10 Liverpool star is the new Jordan Henderson

Liverpool’s crisis deepened as they were condemned to a fourth successive Premier League defeat at Brentford.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Oct 26, 2025

تحدث أوناي إيمري، المدير الفني لفريق أستون فيلا، عن الخطأ الفادح الذي ارتكبه الحارس إيميليانو مارتينيز والذي تسبب في هدف ليفربول الأول ضدهم، بأقدام المصري محمد صلاح.

واستضاف ملعب “أنفيلد” مباراة ليفربول وأستون فيلا، في الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.

وحقق ليفربول فوزًا بهدفين دون رد، حيث سجل محمد صلاح الهدف الأول بعدما استغل خطأً فادحًا من جانب إيميليانو مارتينيز، بعدما مرر كرة خاطئة، كان يريدها أن تصل إلى زميله باو توريس، ولكنها وجدت طريقها إلى المصري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. “لا نراه كثيرًا”.. سلوت يعلق على إنجاز محمد صلاح بعد هدفه أمام أستون فيلا

وقال أوناي إيمري، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “علينا أن نحاول اللعب بشخصية من خلال هيكلنا وأدوارنا، وأن نتخذ تمركزًا جيدًا”.

وأضاف: “كان باو توريس يجيد مركزه من خلال التمريرات، ولكن في تلك الحالة فقد الكرة، كان الأمر سهلًا على محمد صلاح، كان خطأً فادحًا، لكنه جزء من عملي وتحت مسؤوليتي”.

وواصل: “أتقبل ذلك ونبني فريقًا هنا من خلال الأسلوب الذي نريد الحفاظ عليه في عمليتنا مع النادي وفي المباريات القادمة، يجب أن نتجنب الأخطاء الفادحة، مثل تلك التي ارتكبناها في الهدف الأول الذي استقبلناه”.

واستطرد: “لكن هذا جزء من عمليتنا وسنحللها لتحديد كيفية بناء الفريق في ظل هذه الظروف للمباريات القادمة”.

Rajat Patidar was only fit to bat and was named on the substitutes’ list

ESPNcricinfo staff23-May-20253:08

Flower confirms Salt and Patidar’s availability for SRH clash

A Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side led by Jitesh Sharma asked Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to bat first on a fresh Lucknow track. Jitesh said they wanted to use the early moisture in the surface. Phil Salt was fit and named in the XI, while regular captain Rajat Paitdar was only fit to bat but not to field so he was named in the substitutes list.SRH welcomed back Travis Head, who missed their last match because of illness, Abhinav Manohar and Jaydev Unadkat. Mohammed Shami, who had also missed the last match, was named in the substitute list so he could come in when SRH bowl.This was an important match for RCB, who had already qualified for the playoffs, but were in contention for a top-two finish, which can give them cushion in the playoffs. RCB were second on the table with 17 points, but had a game in hand over Gujarat Titans (GT), who had 18 points. The third team in the race for a top-two finish was Punjab Kings (PBKS), tied with RCB on 17 points from 12 matches.Sunrisers Hyderabad 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Nitish Reddy, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 Aniket Verma, 7 Abhinav Manohar, 8 Pat Cummins (capt.), 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Eshan Malinga, 11 Jaydev Unadkat
Impact sub options: Mohammed Shami, Harsh Dubey, Sachin Baby, Zeeshan Ansari, Simarjeet SinghRoyal Challengers Bengaluru 1 Phil Salt, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Mayank Agarwal, 4 Jitesh Sharma (capt. & wk), 5 Romario Shepherd, 6 Tim David, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Yash Dayal, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Suyash Sharma
Impact sub options: Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh

تحدّث الإعلامي أحمد شوبير عن حالة أحمد سيد زيزو، جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، وموقف بعض اللاعبين الأجانب، موجّهًا رسالة مهمة إلى جماهير الكرة المصرية.

وقال شوبير في برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الأحد: “يُعاني زيزو من نوع من أنواع الإجهاد في العضلة الخلفية، وقد نصحه الأطباء بعدم المشاركة في المباريات حتى لا يتطور الأمر من إجهاد بسيط إلى شد أو تمزق، ولذلك حرص الجهاز الطبي على حمايته”.

وأضاف: “قال زيزو لهم: يا جماعة، هذه إصابة قديمة وأنا معتاد عليها، وقد لعبت بها من قبل سواء مع المنتخب أو مع الزمالك، فوثق به المدير الفني بالفعل، لكنه فضّل إبقاءه على دكة البدلاء حتى لا تتفاقم الإصابة، ولهذا السبب لم يشارك زيزو في المباراة، خوفًا من تفاقم حالته”.

وعن موقف اللاعبين الأجانب في الأهلي، قال شوبير: “يا جماعة، ملف اللاعبين الأجانب بالكامل في يد المدير الفني يِيس توروب، وهو من سيقرر من سيستمر ومن سيرحل”.

وأوضح: “هناك حديث عن جراديشار، وأشرف داري، وأليو ديانج، وهؤلاء بالفعل تدور حولهم بعض الأحاديث، لكن لا يوجد شيء رسمي، والأرقام التي ترددت حول طلب ديانج 2 أو 3 ملايين دولار مقابل التجديد غير صحيحة على الإطلاق”.

طالع أيضًا | “هيتجنن”.. تفاصيل جديدة عن وضع إمام عاشور الطبي وموعد عودته لـ الأهلي

وتابع: “توروب يحب جميع اللاعبين ويتعامل معهم باحترام كبير، حتى بعد المباريات يحرص على تحيتهم ومصافحتهم، وهذا واضح في شخصيته، وهو أيضًا ينتظر عودة أشرف داري للملاعب، كما فعل مع شكري الذي بدأ المشاركة تدريجيًا”.

وأضاف: “الإصابات كثيرة جدًا هذه الأيام في جميع الأندية، ففي الزمالك مثلًا هناك عدي الدباغ، ومحمد شحاتة، وناصر منسي وغيرهم، وهذا الأمر يؤثر في أداء كل الفرق، ويدفع المدربين إلى تطبيق مبدأ التدوير بشكل مستمر”.

وأردف: “انظروا إلى مباراة الأمس مثلًا، كان أحمد رمضان بيكهام قائد الفريق، وبعده ديانج، ثم مصطفى شوبير، أي أن الأمور تتغير يومًا بعد يوم، أما عمر كمال، فالبعض قال إنه سيرحل، لكنه شارك وسجل هدفًا، ونال إشادة كبيرة من المدرب، وهذا دليل على أنه يحظى بثقته”.

واختتم: “من فضلكم يا جماعة، لا تتسرعوا في الحكم على اللاعبين أو المدربين، كرة القدم يوم لك ويوم عليك، كما نرى في أوروبا، الأهم أن نساند ونشجع بهدوء، ونترك المدربين يعملون في أجواء مستقرة، لأن العصبية لا تفيد أحدًا”.

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Pulisic sitting on top of Serie A's scoring charts

It might incite a double-take, but yes, U.S. international Christian Pulisic sits at the top of the Serie A Golden Boot race with three goals. That's ahead of noted attackers such as Inter's Marcus Thuram or Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic. 

While it is unlikely Pulisic will have a sustained run at the top of scoring charts in Italy's top flight – he's never tallied more than 12 league goals in a season – he can look to players such as Ousame Dembele or Mohammed Salah as wingers who have been unlocked as attacking threats under unique tactical setups.

Whatever new AC Milan manager Max Allegri is doing, it seems to be bringing out the best in the 27-year-old. And his uptick form is critical, too. are quietly mounting a real challenge for the Scudetto and face their first real test in Napoli this weekend.

Getting a result Sunday could be massive for both Allegri and Pulisic. At Crystal Palace, Chris Richards' stock is rising as he continues to shine on the club's stout backline. While he isn't a household name in the Premier League, he is one of the league's top defenders and will have a gruelling test ahead with table-topping Liverpool.

As for Josh Sargent, the Championship's best player in August has been MIA on the pitch for Norwich since returning from international duty. Can that change against second-placed Stoke?

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad this weekend.

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  Pulisic's sensational start

  The goal tally stands out, but the underlying stats behind Pulisic's start to the club season are equally impressive.

  He is taking 2.8 shots per game, 2.4 of which, on average, are on target – both categories are third in Serie A. Overall, he is putting 83 percent of his shots on target. It's unlikely those numbers will stay as is, and his xG of just 0.80 suggests he will regress to the mean.

  But there are several other stats that suggest his world-class performance isn't just limited to what he's done on the scoring end. He's seventh in big chances created (two), expected assists per game (.38) and dribble success rate (40 percent). 

  He's also contributing on the defensive end, with five tackles and 16 duels won. This all points to not just an attacking player in good form, but one who could potentially challenge for Player of the Season in Seria A. While much was made of his transition to striker, as opposed to his natural winger role, the move so far has played to his strengths. 

  Pulisic kept his hot streak going for Milan with another goal on Tuesday, this time in Milan's 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Lecce. With Napoli coming to the San Siro on Sunday, Milan will need another well-rounded outing from their No. 11. have Serie A's second-best attack with nine goals and its third-best defense with three conceded. Milan have allowed just two goals – second in the league – this season.

  There are two defensive-minded coaches in Allegri and Antonio Conte on the touchlines – which suggests this will be a match with limited chances. If Pulisic can make an impact, it will be another signal the American is taking his game to another level.

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  Can Sargent get back to his best?

  On the other end of the form chart is Sargent. After capturing the imaginations of fans in the English Championship in August, scoring six goals in five games, the 25-year-old has been largely quiet in his last two outings for

  Some of that is to be expected; it was unrealistic to expect the forward to maintain that pace. But something is amiss. Sargent took just 13 touches of the ball against Coventry, with one shot, and connecting on just two passes in 83 minutes. He was much better against Wrexham, with triple the shots and a more cohesive part of the attack, but he still wasn't able to find a goal contribution in Norwich 3-2 loss. 

  This all came after a substandard outing with the USMNT in the September camp, in which Sargent was given a rare start. Against South Korea, the numbers were similar to what he did against Coventry in the Championship, taking zero shots in 62 minutes and not making a single pass. Confidence could be a factor. 

  With a crucial match against Stoke on Saturday, Sargent needs to get back to his best for not only his club but his chances of being a part of the 2026 World Cup roster. His decision to reject a move to the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg is well-documented, which means he has to be dominant in the second division to gain recognition.

  Norwich's promotion hopes are slipping with each game. Yes, it's just six matches into the season, but the team is 15th in the table. That wasn't expected, especially with Sargent in the squad. Things need to change, and change fast. 

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  Big test for Richards

  Modest-budgeted Crystal Palace have three Premier League clean sheets this season, and Richards has played a big part. The 25-year-old U.S. international is everywhere for the Eagles, thriving in a three-man backline that allows him to play up to his strengths as a centerback.

  Whether it's aerial duels, where he's won an impressive 70 percent, or duels on the ground, a strong 73 percent, Richards has emerged as a key part of Oliver Glasner's backline. 

  Richards will be needed when Palace host Liverpool at Selhurst Park. The Reds sit at the top of the table, barnstorming through England with a league-leading 11 goals. The Eagles, on the other hand, have been under the radar but are a surprising fifth, thanks to their stingy defense – tied for first in goals allowed at just two. This is a classic attack vs defense matchup, as both teams excel at the other's weakness. 

  Palace's attack has been inconsistent this season, likely feeling the impact of losing Eberechi Eze on deadline day to Arsenal. Yet, Glasner is arguably the Premier League's most prepared manager at the moment, extracting incredible value from a relatively small and mostly young squad.

  Bring out the popcorn for a match which could see Richards' star get bigger – if Palace pull off the upset. 

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  McKennie hosts Musah

  Neither Weston McKennie nor Yunus Musah has gotten off to the start they would have envisioned in a World Cup year. McKennie has made just two starts, and Musah has played just 109 minutes in three Serie A outings, with 90 of those coming while with AC Milan prior to his loan to Atalanta. Both have chances to change their fortunes when the Old Lady host La Dea. 

  Juventus are the second-best team in Serie A with 10 points, while Atalanta are fifth. While the Turin side has traditionally dominated, with 67 wins to their favor, Igor Tudor has struggled in his matches against Ivan Juric – with a 1W-1D-2L record.

  And this match is equally significant to the Americans on both squads. The U.S. call-ups could be announced within the next week, and Mauricio Pochettino has indicated this will be his A team. Both McKennie and Musah desperately need to prove why they should be included ahead of October's friendlies.