Tag Futebol

This diligently researched book is a comprehensive account of all matches of the World Cup, laced with long-forgotten factoids

Russell Jackson27-Sep-2014In , Mark Browning and James Grapsas set out on the Herculean task of chronicling every single fixture in the tournament’s history in a way that is exhaustive but not exhausting. For the most part they keep the run rate ticking along nicely in this, the fifth edition of their weighty and authoritative tome.The theme here is tune in, turn on and nerd out. Each match comes complete with a scorecard and detailed match report, many of which sparkle with overlooked and long-forgotten details. Each preliminary game is given equal weighting in approximate quantity of information, if not enthusiasm. It couldn’t have been an easy task making anything interesting of the 1987 Australians going through the motions against Zimbabwe in Cuttack, but soon Bruce Reid is cracking Andy Waller (appearing here as “Chris”, his middle name) on the bridge of the nose and you’re back in the game.As a primer to the upcoming 2015 tournament, it’s full of the kind of trainspottery factoids vital to ensuring readers don’t doze off. I can see myself using this as a reference text, revisiting many of the match reports. Thanks to Browning and Grapsas’ eye for detail and colour, many entries pop with quirky tidbits. They have also called upon the first-hand accounts of players to supplement their diligent research.We find out that the East Africa wicketkeeper Hamish McLeod was a Slazenger sales rep from Zambia, that Wasim Akram considered the memorable 1992 group photo shoot aboard the HMAS Canberra “a shambles” and the cost of the black-tie launch dinner “immoral”, and then you wince at the story of UAE’s captain Sultan Zarawani striding out to face Allan Donald without a helmet in his side’s first game of the 1996 event and promptly getting sconed first ball.The downsides are a little beyond the control of the authors. Rodney Hogg’s foreword, slightly bizarre to anyone familiar with his usual stream of consciousness, reads like a particularly bland Wikipedia entry and sits at odds with the narrative flourishes on display elsewhere. A tournament as rich in visual stimuli as the World Cup might also have benefited from some photos, but I guess that’s not the point of this endeavour.This type of book, which has been perhaps unfairly sidelined by the broader brushstrokes of online resources, is something of an anachronism this late in the millennium but it’s still a welcome addition to the groaning shelves of us diehards who don’t mind swigging the hard stuff straight and often. Nothing worthwhile is overlooked.

Asif Iqbal lay in a Birmingham hospital recovering from a haemorrhoid operation, something I wouldn’t know were it not for Browning and Grapsas. It’s also possible that I didn’t need quite that much detail, but that’s actually a great charm of this book

Each tournament is given a thorough introduction and later a post-mortem that’s perhaps a little short (incredible as that may seem in a 549-page epic), but the detail is always rich and this volume could well serve as the definitive argument-settler when it comes to World Cup encounters.In regards to the prose, I detected throughout that one of the authors is perhaps more content to pat a few defensive strokes back to the bowler, where the other takes a longer blade to the attack, sometimes within the one essay. Thus, Ted Dexter is “semi-eccentric”, Tony Greig wears “silly gloves”, Ian Chappell’s side is “slightly rough-edged”, and the Headingley wicket for the 1975 semi-final “rather strange”, whereas Andy Roberts is a “cold, unsmiling assassin”, and that same Chappell side boasts “a pre-punk image in their disdain of certain conventions”.Sometimes those stylistic disparities meet in the middle with mixed results (“Gilmour wore a long-sleeved jumper to keep out the chilly wind, yet he immediately warmed to his task”). A question mark might well have “hung over Clive Lloyd’s groin”, but putting it like that conjured unintended mental images, and surely only Alan Partridge would describe a Mike Denness/Chris Old partnership as “batting mayhem”. Still, many of the more intentional attempts to entertain readers come off the middle of the bat.It’s a beautiful thing, the World Cup. What’s not to love about a tournament in which Clive Lloyd was once dismissed, decided his team was beyond salvation against Pakistan, and proceeded to hit the ales, unaware West Indies would pull off a one-wicket win? The result also provided a healthy payday for Lloyd’s accountant Gordon Andrews, who plunged £150 on West Indies at 66-1. Imran Khan had missed that game, taking exams at Oxford, and his captain Asif Iqbal lay in a Birmingham hospital recovering from a haemorrhoid operation, something I wouldn’t know were it not for Browning and Grapsas. It’s also possible that I didn’t need quite that much detail, but that’s actually a great charm of this book.When I think of the World Cup, my mind’s eye conjures crystal-clear footage of Martin Crowe and Mark Greatbatch on the rampage in Napier during the 1992 tournament, which is my favourite for the entirely subjective reason that it was the first I watched on TV and the uniforms were brilliant. What this book does is fill all the gaps, particularly for the tournaments that occurred before my time. Raking up memories of Aamer Sohail, Brian McMillan, Eddo Brandes and Ken Rutherford is just the icing on the cake.I noted that the stats for the original 1999 edition of the book were compiled by Mark Browning’s son Ben, who, my own research reveals, is a member of Australian electro band Cut Copy. I guess that would make him Australia’s only noteworthy rock star/cricket statistician. Given the man hours the authors have logged creating this labour of love, I’m sure they’d appreciate such attention to detail.A Complete History of World Cup Cricket
by Mark Browning and James Grapsas
New Holland Publishers
560 pages, A$17.52 (paperback)

ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day in Mumbai

George Dobell in Mumbai25-Nov-2012Wicket of the day
Might this have been Sachin Tendulkar’s final Test innings in Mumbai? There was an audible gasp of shock as Tendulkar was trapped leg before by a Monty Panesar delivery that did not spin and may well have been a bit quicker. It was the second time in the match that Panesar had claimed his wicket and sustained a grim run of form for the 39-year-old. Tendulkar has now not reached 20 in his last six Test innings and, as he returned to the pavilion, it was hard to avoid the feeling that, after a career in which he has defeated all opponents, he may have finally met a foe he cannot beat: time.Near miss of the day
Had R Ashwin produced a direct hit, or even a half decent throw, Alastair Cook would have been run out for 90 in just the third over of the morning session. Responding to an optimistic call for a single from Kevin Pietersen, Cook was well short of his ground. As it was, Ashwin threw wide and allowed the England pair to pick-up an overthrow.Milestone of the day #1
A flowing drive through extra-cover for four off Harbhajan Singh was a suitably classy way for Alastair Cook to reach the 22nd century of his Test career. Not only did that mean he had scored four centuries in four successive Tests as captain – a feat that no-one has previously achieved – but that, aged just 27, he joined Wally Hammond, Geoffrey Boycott and Colin Cowdrey as the record century scorer for England in Test cricket.Milestone of the day #2
Cook was soon joined on the landmark figure by Kevin Pietersen. Just as Cook had, Pietersen reached his milestone with a suitably characteristic stroke: a reverse sweep off Harbhajan that went for four. Whatever the controversies that marred the end of the South Africa series, Pietersen has now produced three match-shaping Test centuries in his last eight Tests.Mix-up of the day
Matt Prior one again looked in fine form until, sent back by Stuart Broad, his desperate dive to recover his ground was beaten by a good pick-up and throw from MS Dhoni. There had never been much chance of a run: the ball had only travelled a few yards into the off side as the delivery, from Ashwin, thudded into Prior’s pads and the bowler appealed for lbw. It was a key moment, too. Prior’s departure precipitated a collapse and, with England losing their last four wickets for just seven runs, India were able to restrict the first innings deficit to 86. It might have been considerably more.Controversy of the day
Jonny Bairstow was caught at silly point by Gautam Gambhir as he tried to turn one spinning across him into the leg side. But replays showed the ball, while being juggled by Gambhir, had touched the visor of his helmet and should, therefore, have not been declared a fair. Perhaps neither Bairstow nor Gambhir noticed the ball had touched the helmet, or perhaps neither of them were fully aware of the intricacies of the laws, but neither they, nor the umpires, noticed anything untoward. But, with Bairstow’s wicket also bringing the lunch* interval, England team director Andy Flower, approached the match referee and the umpires. They replied that, as Bairstow had left the playing area and tea had been called, the only way the decision could be reversed was if the India captain, MS Dhoni, rescinded his appeal. Dhoni subsequently declined to do so.*19:13GMT, November 25: The article had previously said tea interval. This has been corrected.

The only consolation for this Bangalore fan was the chance to get to see Rahul Dravid live

Minoshni Pillay18-Sep-2010The game

My usual group of suspects and I snapped up tickets for all the Durban games when we heard that the Champions League would be played in South Africa. Having been a Royal Challengers fan since the inception of the Indian Premier League, it was a given that I would be out in full force backing the boys, especially on my home turf in Durban.Team supported
Although it was a choice between two shades of red, it was not a tough decision. I have backed Bangalore since Vijay Mallya signed on the dotted line as owner of the franchise. His heir apparent Siddarth Mallya (Number 82) was at the game. And with my favourite cricketer of all time, Rahul Dravid, as an icon player, I was champing at the bit to see the boys carry on the form from their fine opening game.Key performer
I will be honest and say that the standout performances must go to the Redbacks. Daniel Christian stole the bowling show with 4 for 23 and Shaun Tait steamed down the track and shone under the Durban lights. South Australia’s opening batsman Michael Klinger proved yet again why he currently holds the tournament’s golden bat. Ross Taylor and local boy Dillon du Preez were the only Bangalore players who had performances of note.One thing I’d have changed
I would have relished the opportunity to see Manish Pandey blaze the ball to all parts of the ground. Pandey replaced the domineering and sublime Jacques Kallis and this was a ripe opportunity for this young talent to cement his place. But he only managed four runs. Robin Uthappa was also lackluster, missing the blitz we have all grown accustomed to watching.Face-off I relished
My eyes always light up when Dale Steyn takes the ball. And I expected him to give the South Australia openers some hell tonight. Alas, I found in hell as I watched him dispatched to all ends of the ground. Nothing seemed to go according to my plan tonight.Player watch
Poor captain Kumble dived in front of our seats to stop a boundary late in the Redbacks innings when they were almost home. Not only did he miss the ball (at which point I threw my hands up in frustration and waved around madly) but then limped about when he did get to his feet.Shot of the day
Ross Taylor, the only Bangalore player who did anything worth mentioning, hit a six over midwicket that was poised, glorious and a perfect example of the why the team relies on him to bring out the big guns.Crowd metre
As is typical for a night game in Durban, the fans were out in full strength, despite it being an uncharacteristically chilly night. As far as the eye could see, the Bangalore flags dominated the ground, alongside the odd Indian, South African and Sri Lankan flags.Fancy dress index
The unwelcome cold forced most fans to don their hoodies and beanies. But one lone South African supporter did come to the party dressed in a South African ODI kit, complete with helmet, bat and pads. Good on him for staying strong till the end!Entertainment
One of South Africa’s most loved cricketers and Durban’s most cherished red-haired fast bowler, Shaun Pollock, delighted the fans with a few swift moves to the music. It was at a time when the game looked thoroughly one-sided and the fans needed the pick-up big time!Marks out of 10
6. Any live cricket match with my mates is always a fantastic experience. We have been through many losses and wins and have come away loving the good and laughing about the not-so-good (like this annoying old man who insisted on bringing a conch and pair of cymbals to this game). So although my team lost, this game gets points for great company, some good opposition and for the fact that I got to see Dravid play live again. That always counts for something in my books!Overall experience
The one aspect missing from this game was some kind of Twenty20 excitement. And the weather can only take so much of the blame here. What we needed was to see Bangalore at least try their utmost to secure a win. The Redbacks knew all they had to do was push the ball into the right gaps. Bangalore lacked the hunger to stamp their authority in this game. So now with the Redbacks through to the semi-finals, all I can do is close my eyes and rely on a hope and prayer come Sunday, when Bangalore take on Mumbai in Durban.

John Bracewell’s approach to selection is similar to that of John Mitchell

Andrew McLean02-Apr-2006

At the start of last season I suggested on this site that John Bracewell’s reign as New Zealand coach bore parallels with that of John Mitchell, the coach of the All Black side that failed to live up to his own hype at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Tenuous as the link may have been then – I was referring to Bracewell’s Mitchell-like disregard for media in Bangladesh – the comparison now is becoming more apparent with each team selected.Back in December, New Zealand chased down a then world-record score to beat Australia in a one-day international thanks in no small part to Scott Styris’ blinding 101 off 96 balls. His reward was a demotion in the batting order for the next match. And the reason: to give someone else a go ahead of next year’s World Cup. The New Zealand selectors are so obsessed with “building” depth for that tournament that team selection for Test cricket seems to be inconsequential at present.I mention Styris here because the stated this week that Bracewell had indicated it is Styris who faces the selectorial axe from the side for the first Test in South Africa on April 15 to allow the fit-again Jacob Oram to assume the No.6 batting position that Styris occupied in Zimbabwe in August and against the West Indies at home this month.With a Test average of 43.56, Oram is the rightful custodian of the No.6 berth as it means New Zealand can field either two spinners with Oram as the third seamer or three specialist quick bowlers can be chosen with Oram providing back up, but for his inclusion to be at the expense of Styris would be truly bizarre. Make no mistake, had Styris not saved New Zealand in the first Test at Auckland with a sublime 103*, the series with the West Indies would have been an unforgivable 1-1 draw rather than 2-0 to New Zealand.What this goes to show is the irreverence to Test cricket on our shores these days. While we build for the World Cup, developing a strategy aimed at making New Zealand a worthy Test opponent – and one that gets invited to play in lucrative series in India at that – appears at worst to be not happening at all and at best an after-thought.Take the opening position for example. Since Bracewell assumed the dual role of coach and chief selector, New Zealand has played 22 Tests. In that period the most capped openers, outside of the now-retired Mark Richardson, have been Craig Cumming and James Marshall with five Tests each and, although they both toured Zimbabwe just one series back, neither is in the running to open now. In total, Bracewell has used nine openers in those 22 Tests.The combination for the just-completed West Indies series included a new cap in Jamie How and a first-time opener in Hamish Marshall. In addition, Peter Fulton was debutant at No.3 and his half century at Wellington was the only significant score the trio could muster. Thus, the mind boggles to think it is Styris, with five centuries and an average over 40 in his 24 Tests, who could be the one on drinks duty.It should never have been this way. If Oram was a certainty to come back in at No.6, then Styris should have filled his more natural position at No. 4, with Stephen Fleming moving back to first drop, the spot he’s held more often than not over his 99-match career. That way the top-order would have had a more experienced look to it and Fulton, or even the out-of-favour Lou Vincent, could have filled in for Oram. Better still, Fleming could have opened in place of Marshall, for he has had a track record and some success there.

Reading between the lines, Bracewell is adopting a similar approach to selection as Mitchell did. First, just as Mitchell argued vehemently that a “panel” selected each team when in reality the other selectors were merely puppets, Bracewell, who doubles as the live-in coach, appears to wield the real selection power. If it were any other way, would Glenn Turner, a Test opener of some repute, really allow the opening position to become the sacrificial lamb it is at present?Second, it seems that new faces are easier for Bracewell to handle than old heads. The reduced role of Fleming as captain since Bracewell replaced Dennis Aberhart as coach has been widely documented. With the squeeze now going on Styris following on from the in-again-out-again run of Nathan Astle earlier this summer while the newer boys Fulton, How and Hamish Marshall are being given every possible chance to cement their places, the comparison to Mitchell’s dumping of Anton Oliver, Taine Randell and Andrew Mehrtens – senior players who unashamedly spoke their mind – is uncanny.Mitchell sought out and found a man who would follow orders in Reuben Thorne to lead the All Blacks and, while Fleming does not fall into that category, he has been given the privileged position of being able to bat at No. 4 despite the fact it upsets the balance of the team and was allowed to take plenty of time off when his child was born in December. As an aside, Vincent has been deemed ineligible for the upcoming South Africa tour because he wants to be at home for the birth of his child.Third, Bracewell is now infamous for what has become known in New Zealand as “Mitch-speak”. Just as Mitchell had a way of weaving his words to say little and confuse, in his latest pearler Bracewell said this week that once Oram had been passed as medically fit, it was up to the selectors to determine whether he was “skill-fit”. If anyone knows what that means, please let me know. As it happens Oram took a career-best 6 for 45 in domestic cricket a few days back so, presumably, those skills that have seen him rack up 17 Tests have not disappeared.

Twelve wickets tumble at Edgbaston with Hannon-Dalby sharing honours

ECB Reporters Network11-May-2023Warwickshire 17 for 2 trail Essex 126 (Westley 47, Hannon-Dalby 4-21, Rushworth 4-26) by 109 runs Chris Rushworth continued his stunning start to his Warwickshire career with another four wickets as Essex’s batting imploded on a rain-affected opening day of their LV=Insurance County Championship match at Edgbaston.Former Durham seamer Rushworth went into this game, his fifth for Warwickshire, with 22 wickets at 15.27 apiece and enhanced those figures further with four for 28 as Essex folded to 126 all out.Rushworth delivered a triple-wicket maiden in the last over before tea to reduce Essex from a relatively healthy 76 for two to 76 for five. Olly Hannon-Dalby followed up in the final session with four for 21, taking him past 450 wickets in all formats.Warwickshire then encountered turbulence of their own as they reached 17 for two at the close of a day which provided abundant drama and entertainment despite play not starting until 3pm due to rain.After Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes won the toss for the first time this season, Essex’s batters found life difficult in damp, seamer-friendly conditions. Only skipper Tom Westley (47, 94 balls) lasted more than an hour.Both Essex openers fell to the new ball. Rushworth, fresh from his dazzling seven for 38 in Southampton last week, sent an inswinger into Alastair Cook’s pads to win an lbw decision. Hassan Ali, recalled in place of the rested Chris Woakes, struck with his fifth ball when Nick Browne feathered a leg glance and wicketkeeper Michael Burgess took a fine catch, one-handed and at full stretch.Westley and Dan Lawrence added 52 in 12 overs before Rushworth’s brilliant over sent the innings into ruin. Lawrence chipped the first ball to extra over. Matt Critchley narrowly survived the second and third then edged the fourth to Rob Yates at slip. Michael Pepper fell lbw to the sixth. It was bowling of a level of control, intelligence and potency which would not look out of place in an Ashes series.Control, intelligence and potency are attributes which Hannon-Dalby’s work consistently displays and he heightened Essex’s distress in the last session with a burst of four for ten in 28 balls. Simon Harmer’s obdurate 39-ball resistance for three was ended by a spectacular rearrangement of furniture, Doug Bracewell edged to slip and Westley was caught at extra cover.After Hassan Ali returned to trap Sam Cook lbw and Hannon-Dalby hit Shane Snater’s off stump the last eight wickets had fallen for 50 runs in 19.2 overs. Who needs Chris Woakes?Essex inflicted immediate damage upon Warwickshire’s reply when Jamie Porter’s first ball trapped Yates in front. Porter added a second wicket with the day’s final ball when Alex Davies edged to third slip to leave the visitors still right in the game despite their paltry first innings total.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após ameaças por parte de torcedores do Tigre, que prometem ‘revanche’ e ‘estresse pós-traumático’ para o São Paulo, a maior torcida organizada do Tricolor – a Independente-, disparou um recado para a caravana que organiza rumo a Bueno Aires, palco do jogo de estreia das equipes pela Copa Sul-Americana: são proibidas mulheres e crianças.

RelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo quer adiar decisão do Guarani sobre Jamerson até jogo-treino da próxima sextaSão Paulo29/03/2023São PauloJulio Casares fala sobre o balanço positivo do São Paulo e afirma: ‘A dívida está equilibrada’São Paulo29/03/2023Futebol NacionalSão Paulo encaminha empréstimo de meia uruguaio do Fluminense até final de 2024Futebol Nacional29/03/2023

Faltando exatamente uma semana para o confronto, o clima já é de ‘guerra’. Nem tanto por parte do Tricolor paulista, mas sim pelo lado dos torcedores do Tigre, que querem ‘responder’ pela polêmica da final do continental em 2012.

Saiba quais são as finais de estaduais que vão acontecer pelo Brasil

Veja tabela da Copa Sul-Americana e simule os próximos jogos

Na ocasião, o São Paulo só foi declarado como campeão da edição da Sul-Americana porque o segundo tempo simplesmente não existiu. No dia 12 de dezembro de 2012, o Tricolor estava com vantagem na primeira etapa da decisão contra a equipe argentina, vencendo por 2 a 0, com gols de Lucas Moura e Osvaldo.

Porém, na ida para o intervalo, uma grande confusão começou no túnel que levava aos vestiários. A provocação inicial teria partido de Lucas Moura, que teria mostrado um pedaço de algodão com sangue para Orban, um jogador do Tigre que atingiu o rosto do atleta são-paulino.

Mas isso não soou bem entre os argentinos, que cercaram o jogador brasileiro, necessitando de uma intervenção dos policiais militares que estavam presentes para a segurança do jogo. A partida aconteceu no Morumbi e, por pouco, o elenco do Tigre não invadiu os vestiários do time da casa.

A briga foi tão grande que o técnico Nestor Gorosito, em entrevista à ‘ESPN Argentina’, chegou a acusar os policiais na época de terem ameaçado os jogadores do clube argentino com armas de fogo. Lucas Moura, mais tarde, chegou a negar que tenha feito alguma provocação.

Após 30 minutos esperando o retorno do adversário na volta do intervalo, o árbitro Enrique Osses decidiu encerrar a partida e dar a vitória para o São Paulo. Mas o assunto não parece estar superado pelos torcedores argentinos.

Logo no dia do sorteio, uma série de ameaças tomou conta das redes sociais. Entre elas, pedidos para ‘cercar o ônibus do São Paulo’ até ‘não deixar o clube voltar para o Brasil sem um estresse pós-traumático’. Alguns torcedores também disseram que ‘não esqueceram o que aconteceu nas ruas após o jogo de 2012’.

E o clima tenso criado tem um agravante importante. A torcida organizada Independente é aliadados barras bravas do Chacarita Juniors – principal e maior rival do Tigre. E o relacionamento entre os dois clubes argentinos não é nada bom, o que só deve complicar o lado do São Paulo em uma eventual briga entre as torcidas.

Então, como forma de segurança, a organizada são-paulina já estabeleceu algumas regras: proibido mulheres, crianças e menores de 18 anos.

Visando evitar problemas maiores, até o presidente Julio Casares se manifestou sobre o assunto. Casares pediu ‘bom senso’ para a diretoria do Tigre, destacando que quer evitar problemas fora de campo. O presidente ainda destacou que ‘do mesmo jeito que irão receber bem a equipe no Morumbi, querem ser bem recebidos’. Para ele, a polêmica de onze anos atrás deve ser superada.

-Vamos conversar para que tenha luta dentro do campo e respeito fora. Vamos lá ser recebidos por eles e vamos receber no Morumbi com muito respeito, como tem que ser. Foi um acontecimento de 11 anos atrás que eu acho que deve ser superados. Cabe ao São Paulo e ao Tigre promoverem o entendimento. Nós vamos procurar isso – disse durante sorteio da Copa do Brasil, na sede da CBF.

-As questões são superadas. Acho que hoje, com imagens, VAR, tivemos um acontecimento muito chato no Brasil, temos que superar, com inteligência, bom senso, sem dar muitas declarações que possam promover esse tipo de coisa. Do lado São Paulo, estaremos juntos para promover um bom espetáculo, que a luta seja dentro do campo. Sempre com bom senso, com tranquilidade, é o que esperamos dos dois confronto – completou.

A partida está marcada para a próxima quinta-feira (6), às 21h (de Brasília). O jogo no Morumbi será no dia 27 de junho.

Veja o comunicado feito pela Independente:

Teddy Sheringham has told Manchester United to bring Scott McTominay back to the club after his Napoli heroics.

• Man Utd sold McTominay last summer 
• Went on to win Serie A in Italy 
• Sheringham urges Red Devils to bring him back

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  McTominay joined Napoli last summer and enjoyed a stunning season in which he inspired Antonio Conte's side to Serie A glory, and was also nominated for the Ballon d'Or. Given that he was a £21 million ($28m) signing, he has given the Italian club an incredible return on their investment. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sheringham, a 1999 treble winner, believes United should try to bring McTominay back as he outlined his ideal XI under Ruben Amorim; he believes that Casemiro's "legs have gone" and that, ideally, the Scotland international would replace him. Alas, he accepts it is very unlikely. 

• WHAT SHERINGHAM SAID

  Sheringham told : "I would definitely go with Sesko up front and Matheus Cunha just off him.

  "That leaves it tough for Fernandes in midfield but he's obviously the captain and has been playing very, very well the last couple of years with his performances and his goals.

  "I would get McTominay back if I could and put him in alongside Fernandes in midfield to add a bit of steel but obviously that was a permanent move. He's not coming back. So you’ve got Casemiro. His legs are gone so it’s going to be tough to play him there so he’d need a lot of help from Fernandes and Cunha.

  "Casemiro can pull his man slightly wide, Cunha can tuck in alongside him in midfield, making Fernandes very secure.

  "Amad Diallo, I would play wide right. I like him. Mbeumo goes wide left. Amad is a very lively player. Very expressive in the way he plays. You can manipulate younger players too in order to fit what the team needs to get close as a unit and go from there."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Napoli are next in action against Cagliari on Saturday. McTominay scored in their first game of the season as they beat Sassuolo 2-0. 

Cesc Fabregas says he's not friends with Alvaro Morata and they haven't spoken for years, but lauds Morata's mentality to take pay cut to join Como.

Fabregas rebuffs claims of being friends with MorataClaims he's not worried about their relationship Como boss praises striker for giving up his salaryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Morata was able to complete his switch from Turkey to Italy after going through a lot of hassle. Como were able to secure the striker after a stalemate with Galatasaray, signing him on loan with an obligation to buy for around €10 million. Coach Fabregas, who is delighted with the signing and has played with the Spaniard for the national team and Chelsea, was asked about his relationship with the forward and questioned if he considers him a friend. Fabregas claimed the two have not spoken for years, but this does not detract from the fact that they have an excellent relationship.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Morata and Fabregas had played together on multiple occasions and won the FA Cup in the 2017-18 season with Chelsea. However, the two have not spoken much after leaving Chelsea. Fabregas says he does not stress about it much, claiming that Morata, with his gesture of dropping a major chunk of his wages, has already shown his desire and mentality to play for the Italian club. This should be a signal enough for how motivated and serious he is about this new challenge. 

WHAT FABREGAS SAID

Speaking to the media in a press conference, the Como head coach said: "Everyone is available, but I need to talk to Alvaro: we have a plan in place. He trained first with Galatasaray, then less, doing his workouts at home. I can't give any details about him."

When asked about his friendship with Morata, Fabregas said: "He's not a friend of mine. Since he left Chelsea, we haven't spoken, except for the occasional compliment. Even if he had been, he isn't today. We still have an excellent relationship: we spent two years together at Chelsea and with the national team. He's an extraordinary person, with a big heart, humble, and with a strong spirit of sacrifice, who can give a lot to the team. I'm not worried about our relationship: he has a great desire to do well. He gave up over 60 per cent of his salary, a gesture that says a lot about his mentality and his intentions. He didn't guarantee me a certain number of goals, but he showed a lot of work and positivity, an important signal for me and the team."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR FABREGAS?

Como are all set to face Sudtirol in the first round of the Coppa Italia on August 15 before the Serie A kicks off on August 24, where they will face Lazio in their opening fixture.

MatériaMais Notícias

Além da dificuldade de enfrentar um Atlético-MG no Mineirão, o Botafogo também precisará lidar com uma escrita histórica nesta segunda-feira, quando as equipes se enfrentam em duelo do Brasileirão. O Glorioso não vence o Galo fora de casa há mais de dez anos.

RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo busca mais amistosos na Inglaterra, mas luta contra calendárioBotafogo06/11/2022BotafogoBotafogo é o clube que menos efetuou substituições neste BrasileirãoBotafogo05/11/2022BotafogoDaniel Borges ganha sequência no Botafogo e busca retomar boa faseBotafogo05/11/2022

+Botafogo anuncia acordo com a Reebok: relembre as fornecedoras do clube neste século

A última vitória foi em 2011, quando as duas equipes se encaravam pela segunda fase da Sul Americana. Naquela partida, os cariocas venceram os mineiros por 2 a 1 com gols de Herrera e Maicosuel.

De lá para cá, Atlético-MG e Botafogo se enfrentaram no Mineirão 12 vezes: foram nove vitórias do Galo, três empates e nenhum triunfo do Glorioso.

+Botafogo divulga relacionados com novidades para jogo contra Atlético-MG pelo Brasileirão

ÚLTIMOS DOZE JOGOS ENTRE ATLÉTICO-MG X BOTAFOGO NO MINEIRÃO

Atlético-MG 2 x 1 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2020)
Atlético-MG 2 x 0 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2019)
Atlético-MG 2 x 0 Botafogo (Sul-Americana 2019)
Atlético-MG 1 x 0 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2018)
Atlético-MG 0 x 0 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2017)
Atlético-MG 1 x 0 Botafogo (Copa do Brasil 2017)
Atlético-MG 5 x 3 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2016)
Atlético-MG 1 x 0 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2014)
Atlético-MG 2 x 2 Botafogo (Copa do Brasil 2013)
Atlético-MG 2 x 2 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2013)
Atlético-MG 3 x 2 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2012)
Atlético-MG 4 x 0 Botafogo (Brasileirão 2011)

Apesar do jejum, o time de Luís Castro vai com tudo em busca de uma vitória. Os alvinegros sonham com uma vaga para Libertadores e precisam conquistar bons resultados nos três jogos restantes da competição.

Atlético-MG e Botafogo se enfrentam nesta segunda-feira, às 20h, no Mineirão, em partida válida pelo Brasileirão.

MatériaMais Notícias

O elenco do Corinthians se reapresentou na tarde desta segunda-feira (7) após o clube alvinegro vencer o Ceará por 1 a 0, no último sábado (5), na Neo Química Arena, pela 36ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O foco do Timão agora será o Coritiba, fora de casa, adversário desta quarta-feira (9), pela penúltima partida da competição nacional.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansMembros da comissão técnica do Corinthians são convocados para a Copa do MundoCorinthians07/11/2022CorinthiansPré-convocados do Corinthians estão fora da Copa, mas crias são chamadas por TiteCorinthians07/11/2022

+Confira detalhes da terceira camisa e a nova linha do Corinthians em alusão ao Mundial do Japão

Os atletas que atuaram mais do que 45 minutos contra o Vozão, no fim de semana, fizeram apenas um trabalho regenerativo, enquanto os demais realizaram um treino de posse de bola em campo reduzido.

Fora do jogo de ida da final do Paulistão Sub-20, na última sexta-feira (4), justamente por estar entregue ao elenco profissional, o atacante Wesley segue treinando com o grupo principal do Corinthians.

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule a reta final da competição

O volante Maycon, que voltou a ser relacionado na última rodada do Brasileirão, foi outro que treinou normalmente e pode ser a novidade entre os titulares contra o Coxa.

Para o próximo compromisso, o técnico Vítor Pereira não terá os laterais Fagner e Fábio Santos, que receberam o terceiro cartão amarelo contra o Ceará. Também lateral, Lucas Piton sentiu uma fisgada na coxa no início do jogo diante do clube nordestino e é dúvida.

Já Róger Guedes, que foi preservado da equipe titular no último sábado (4), por opção do técnico Vítor Pereira, é outro atleta que tem tudo para começar jogando contra o Coritiba.

O elenco corintiano voltará a treinar nesta terça-feira (8), na parte da manhã, e depois a delegação já viajará para a capital paranaense. O confronto acontecerá às 19h, da quarta-feira (9).