لاعبو بيراميدز: نريد الفوز بدوري أبطال إفريقيا وكأس مصر بعد ضياع الدوري

أكد لاعبو الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بيراميدز، على استعدادهم لمواجهة صن داونز في إياب نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، غدًا الأحد.

وقال أحمد عاطف قطة لاعب بيراميدز في لقاء مع قناة “أون سبورت”: “الشعور مختلف، فهذه أول مرة نصل فيها إلى نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، ولدينا طموح كبير في التتويج بالبطولة”.

وأضاف: “نحن فريق كبير، وقد استطعنا الوصول إلى النهائي، وإن شاء الله نحقق اللقب، لقد ضاعت منا بطولة (يقصد الدوري)، لكن إن شاء الله نحقق كأس مصر ودوري أبطال إفريقيا”.

طالع.. أول تحرك من وزارة الرياضة لدعم بيراميدز قبل مباراة صن داونز في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ومن جهته، قال وليد الكرتي: عازمون على تحقيق بطولة إفريقيا، وقدمنا شوط أول جيد أمام صن داونز، ونحن مركزون على مباراة العودة، وسنحاول ألا تستقبل شباكنا أي أهداف”.

واستطرد عبد الرحمن مجدي: “دخلنا البطولات منذ بداية الموسم بتركيز كامل، ونمتلك قائمة قوية مكونة من فريقين، وليس فريقًا واحدًا، ونتمنى أن نوفق في تحقيق اللقب”.

وقال مروان حمدي: “أغلقنا صفحة المباراة الأولى، ونضع كامل تركيزنا على لقاء العودة، أتمنى أن نحقق الفوز ونتوج باللقب”.

وتابع فيستون مايلي: أعتقد أننا يجب أن نلعب المباراة بكامل طاقتنا بنسبة 100%، صن داونز فريق يقدم كرة قدم جيدة، ولديه نظام لعب واضح، ونعرف كل تفاصيله، وعلينا أن نبذل كل ما في وسعنا لمنع استقبال الأهداف، وتسجيل الأهداف في مرماهم”.

وأتم صديق أيجولا: “من قبل المباراة، كنا مستعدين للفوز والتتويج بدوري الأبطال، اللاعبون قدموا 100% من أدائهم”.

São Paulo x Palmeiras tem vaias da torcida no Morumbi e confusão entre jogadores no final

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Tão logo o apito final ecoou após a vitória do Palmeiras sobre o São Paulo por 2 a 1, de virada, já nos acréscimos, na noite desta segunda-feira (20), o Morumbi foi tomado por uma clima de intensa contradição com o revés do Tricolor.

RelacionadasPalmeirasAutor do gol da virada histórica do Palmeiras no Morumbi, Murilo comemora: ‘Momento muito especial’Palmeiras20/06/2022VídeoVÍDEO: Os melhores momentos da vitória do Palmeiras no clássico contra o São PauloVídeo20/06/2022São PauloAtuações: São Paulo tem setor ofensivo ‘nulo’ no segundo tempo em derrota para o PalmeirasSão Paulo20/06/2022

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Flamengo chega a acordo para a contratação de Everton Cebolinha

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A novela terá um final feliz! O Flamengo chegou a um acordo com o atacante Everton Cebolinha, ex-Benfica. O jogador, de 26 anos, realiza exames nesta sexta antes do anúncio oficial. A informação foi inicialmente divulgada pelo jornalista Venê Casagrande, do SBT, e confirmada pelo Lance!

RelacionadasFlamengoPablo admite que trabalho de Paulo Sousa no Flamengo não deu certo e fala sobre transição com DorivalFlamengo16/06/2022FlamengoVÍDEO: após jogo do Flamengo, David Luiz deixa Maracanã mancandoFlamengo16/06/2022Flamengo‘Não é normal ver o Flamengo perder três partidas seguidas’, diz lateral após fim de sequência negativaFlamengo16/06/2022

A diretoria do clube carioca encaminhou a compra de 100% dos direitos econômicos do atacante junto aos representantes do Benfica. O valor da negociação gira em torno de 13,5 milhões de euros (R$ 71 mi), com mais 2,5 milhões de euros (R$ 13 mi) a serem pagos por metas estipuladas. Agora, resta a assinatura do vínculo e o anúncio oficial.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

O atleta chegará em um momento importante do Rubro-Negro na temporada com o início de trabalho do técnico Dorival Júnior. Ele assina no momento em que Bruno Henrique sofreu uma lesão multiligamentar no joelho direito, na última quarta-feira, contra o Cuiabá, no Maracanã.

Com passagens pelas categorias de base do Fortaleza, Everton se destacou com a camisa do Grêmio e conquistou títulos importantes como a Copa do Brasil, em 2016, da Copa Libertadores 2017 e a Recopa Sul-Americana no ano seguinte pelo Tricolor gaúcho.

As grandes atuações chamaram atenção do técnico Tite, que o convocou para a Seleção Brasileira. Com a amarelinha, o jogador conquistou a Copa América, em 2019, Ele balançou a rede na final contra o Peru, foi eleito o melhor do jogo, e tornou-se artilheiro da competição.

+ Flamengo confirma lesão de Bruno Henrique; necessidade de cirurgia será avaliada após novos exames

Depois de se destacar no futebol brasileiro, Everton Cebolinha chegou ao Benfica por 20 milhões de euros, que na época era comandado por Jorge Jesus. no futebol português, o atacante disputou 95 partidas, marcou 15 gols e deu 17 assistências pelo clube português.

Aston Villa interested in "lethal" £50m star who’s top scorer in his league

Aston Villa are now interested in signing a “lethal” striker who’s the top scorer in his league this season, according to a report.

Villa searching for a striker

Jhon Duran’s £65m move to Al-Nassr late in the January transfer window leaves Villa a little light on out-and-out strikers, although the signing of Marcus Rashford on loan was a savvy bit of business to replace the 21-year-old.

However, there is no guarantee that Rashford stays beyond the end of the season, and there have been widespread recent reports that the forward is still eyeing a move to Barcelona in the summer.

As such, Unai Emery may be tasked with bringing in a new striker at the end of the campaign, and the manager has a number of options in mind, having taken a particular liking to players in Italy’s Serie A.

Aston Villa plotting Emery reunion in deal to sign "fantastic" 9-goal star

He could replace Duran…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 15, 2025

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Villans are eyeing a move for Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who has been prolific in front of goal this season – and he is not the only Serie A sensation they are considering.

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Aston Villa are interested in signing Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui in the summer, but it may be difficult to win the race for the forward, as there is widespread interest from a number of top clubs.

Atalanta's MateoReteguicelebrates with the match ball

Within the Premier League, potential suitors include Arsenal and Manchester United, while the likes of Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are said to be interested from across Europe.

It is stated that Atalanta would be likely to ask for around €60m (£50m) for the Italian, which seems like a relatively reasonable asking price, given that he has been in outstanding form this season.

Retegui's rise to the top

It has been a steady rise for the Argentina-born forward, who proved himself in the country of his birth during spells with CA Talleres and Tigre before making the move to Europe ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The Italy international had a solid, if not spectacular, first season in Serie A, scoring seven goals, but he has been unstoppable for Atalanta this term, netting 20 times in the league, the highest tally of any player.

The prolific striker has also bagged three goals in the Champions League, and has impressed the manager of his national side, with Luciano Spalletti saying: “Inside the box, he is lethal. And now he has learned how to connect with the team better. He’s going to become a top player.”

Retegui is showing signs he’s destined for the top, so it is promising news that Villa are in the race for his signature, but it could prove to be very difficult to get a deal done if they miss out on Champions League football next season.

Having started to prove himself in Europe’s elite competition, it is unlikely the 25-year-old would be willing to join a club who aren’t involved, so Villa will need a strong end to the campaign if they are to attract him.

هو أم زيزو؟.. إمام عاشور يختار صفقة القرن وأفضل لاعب في مصر

علق إمام عاشور، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، على اقتراب أحمد سيد زيزو لاعب الزمالك من القلعة الحمراء عقب نهاية الموسم.

وقال عاشور في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “انضمام زيزو إلى الأهلي سيكون صفقة القرن بعدي، ولم أتأثر بتصريحات دونجا التي قال فيها أنني (بتاع لقطة)”.

واستمر: “أتمنى أن أستمر في الأهلي طوال حياتي، وأن أعتزل كرة القدم داخل جدران النادي، لكنني سأترك القرار بالكامل للإدارة، ولم أطلب تعديل عقدي بعد الصفقات الجديدة، ولم يكن في حساباتي اللعب للأهلي، قبل الرحيل إلى ميتلاند”.

طالع.. إمام عاشور: الأهلي لديه لاعب أفضل من زيزو.. والجميع يعلمون من ألقى الزجاجات على كولر

وواصل: “أحب اللعب تحت ضغط، فأنا أعشق التحديات، هذا الموسم هو الأفضل في مسيرتي الكروية، والأهلي قادر على الوصول إلى دور الثمانية من كأس العالم للأندية، وإمام عاشور أفضل لاعب في مصر”.

واختتم: “كان من أحلامي وأمنياتي أن أتدرب تحت قيادة حسام حسن، وأفضل من ارتدى القميص رقم 10 هو أفشة، ثم عبد الله السعيد ثم محمد إبراهيم”.

Aston Villa lining up summer swoop to sign "aggressive" want-away £20m ace

Already thinking about further reinforcements when the summer transfer window swings open, Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a move to sign a Premier League defender who’s ready to leave his current club.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans are seemingly ready to jump straight back into the transfer market after an incredibly busy January window, in which they welcomed the likes of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on loan. Following a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Crystal Palace last time out, it’s clear that those in the Midlands still have work to do despite those arrivals, igniting several transfer rumours.

Names such as Samu Aghehowa have already threatened to steal the headlines this week, as the Villans look to replace Jhon Duran following his winter departure to join Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

The Porto forward is certainly capable of completing that very task too, having enjoyed a clinical debut season in Portugal after leaving Atletico Madrid last summer. That said, it’s not just attacking targets who have emerged on Villa’s reported radar.

According to The Boot Room, Aston Villa are now lining up a summer swoop to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton this summer. The Saints signed the central defender for a reported £20m last summer, but he is ready to leave just one year on amid their pending relegation.

"Superb" 21 year-old Aston Villa forward suffers indefinite injury setback

Another concern for Aston Villa…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 27, 2025

With Villa interested alongside the likes of Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion, it may well be quite the race for his signature.

Still just 23 years old, Harwood-Bellis is a player with plenty of potential even after a year to forget at St Mary’s. A Manchester City academy graduate, the young defender could yet follow in Morgan Rogers’ footsteps by completing a move to Villa Park.

"Aggressive" Harwood-Bellis needs Premier League redemption

Completing a permanent move from Manchester City last summer, Harwood-Bellis couldn’t have asked for a much tougher task than attempting to keep the current Southampton side afloat.

Whether under Russell Martin or now under Ivan Juric, the Saints simply have not been equipped to keep their Premier League dream alive. They were even outsiders to earn promotion last season, coming up through the play-offs, and that has been telling ever since at St Mary’s.

As Southampton suffer the drop, however, Harwood-Bellis will be desperate to earn the Premier League redemption that Aston Villa could offer him this summer in what would be a far easier ride at a club battling for a European place.

Full of praise for his defender’s aerial ability despite his difficult season and his own eventual sacking, Martin told reporters earlier in the campaign: “I think since he’s come in he’s been really aggressive.

“He wants to head the ball. Of course, it comes a bit down to physical prowess and athleticism. I think the biggest thing is having the mentality that you want to go and score.”

When the summer arrives, the Southampton defender looks destined to be among those ready to escape a sinking ship as Aston Villa potentially lie in wait.

Há 10 anos, torcedora do Boca rivalizava com o próprio pai por título do Corinthians na Libertadores

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O Caiazza no sobrenome indica a influência portenha de Giulia. Filha de um pai nascido na Argentina e torcedor fanático do Boca Juniors, a garota descobriu há 10 anos que poderia dividir as cores do seu coração. Então juntou o ‘azul y oro’ dos xeneizes com o alvinegro do Corinthians.

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+Por onde andam os jogadores do Corinthians que conquistaram a Libertadores há 10 anos

O que ela não previa é que meses após a sua escolha pelo Timão, em 2012, as duas equipes se enfrentariam na final da Libertadores, e aí não teria como misturar a paleta de cores.

Muito apegada a figura paterna, a jovem, de 22 anos sempre gostou de futebol, justamente por influência do pai, Carmelo, que deixou a Argentina por volta dos seus 20 anos de idade, por conta de duas paixões: o Brasil, no qual conheceu na adolescência, em uma viagem com amigos, e uma garota, com quem namorava por cartas.

+ Confira a tabela da Copa Libertadores de 2022 e simule os jogos

O relacionamento, no entanto, não deu certo, diferentemente da estadia de Carmelo em território brasileiro, que já dura cerca de 40 anos. Neste tempo, o autônomo conheceu a sua esposa Ivanice. O fruto do relacionamento foi justamente Giulia, filha única do casal.

A jovem de 22 anos se recorda vagamente do primeiro ano em que assistiu futebol com o pai. Era 2007, temporada em que o Boca foi campeão da Libertadores – pela última vez, até o momento.

Ver os jogos do clube xeneize era um programa de pai e filha, mas faltava para Giulia algo que a ligasse com o futebol brasileiro, para se envolver nas brincadeiras entre torcedores na escola e os comentários que estão envolvido no dia a dia de qualquer um que vive no Brasil.

Por conta da influência italiana, na qual a família Caiazza possui descendência, a escolha do pai de Giulia em solo brasileiro foi o Palmeiras. Mas ele não nutria pelo Verdão a mesma gana de torcida como tinha pelo Boca, onde frequentava arquibancada, fazia parte da ‘La 12’ e até mesmo fazia caravanas para outras cidades argentinas.

O verde e branco do Palestra Itália não encantou a filha de Carmelo, que foi acolhida pelo brilho nos olhos da massa corintiana, que superou até as roupinhas e brinquedos alviverdes que ganhava de um primo por parte de mãe desde quando nasceu.

– O clube (Boca) foi formado por italianos, genoveses, por isso xeneizes. A minha família é italiana. A Giulia seguiu a mãe e torce para o Corinthians, porque no Brasil sou Palmeiras. Vim para o Brasil com 20 anos. Morava em Buenos Aires, perto do Amalfitani (estádio do Vélez Sarsfield). Ia quarta e domingo nos jogos do Boca. Estudava perto da Bombonera, saia da escola e ia para o clube, jogar tênis, baralho. Fiz parte da La 12 (organizada do Boca). A gente ficava na segunda bandeja, quando era menino – contou Carmelo ao L!.

A chegada do atacante Ronaldo ao Timão, em 2009, foi um start para Giulia, que acompanhou Time do Povo aquele ano. Mas a falta de influência fez com que a assiduidade diminuísse. Enquanto isso, Carmelo viva com o seu rádio de onda curta, colocando palha de aço na antena para tentar o sinal de rádios argentinas para escutar os jogos do Boca.

Giulia, então, decidiu voltar a estaca única, apenas ‘azul y oro’. Mas ela já estava acolhida pelo Coringão, não tinha jeito. Então, em 2012, ela decidiu voltar a a companhar o clube alvinegro.

Seo Carmelo não tinha oposições pra escolha corintiana da filha, mas também não imaginou o que aconteceria no dia 4 de julho de 2012.

Conforme os cruzamentos da Libertadores daquele ano afunilavam o encontro entre Corinthians e Boca em uma decisão foi ficando real e aconteceu.

O coração dividido de Giulia ganhou a exclusividade o Timão. O motivo? Acabar com a piada. Ela queria que o Time do Povo sentisse aquele gosto que o torcedor xeneize havia sentido em sete oportunidades, e que ela, mesmo pequena, tinha desfrutado em 2007.

Sem coragem de comunicar a escolha ao pai, decidiu ficar calada e assistir a partida como se tivesse anestesiada, sem reação. Sem reação, viu ao gol de Roncaglia, abrindo o placar para o Boca no jogo de ida, e sequer vibrou quando Romarinho empatou, em um momento emblemático para a história corintiana.

Sobreviveu aos 90 minutos iniciais, o que não pode se dizer dos finais. Seria demais para uma pessoa com raízes argentinas. Na volta, no Pacaembu, foi ao êxtase com os dois gols de Emerson Sheik. Vibrou na frente da sua televisão e ao lado do pai derrotado.

– Mesmo sendo Boca Juniors de coração, eu torci para o Corinthians porque eles mereciam ser campeões. Foi a primeira vez que ganharam em 102 anos. Eu não falei para o meu pai porque não sabia que o Corinthians chegaria na final. Assistia aos jogos do Boca da mesma maneira do que os do Corinthians. Quando chegou a final, fiquei quieta assistindo. Saiu o gol do Roncaglia e eu falei que não ia torcer. No gol do Romarinho, falei que teria que ser agora. Na outra semana, no primeiro gol do Sheik eu entreguei, agora era Corinthians. Meu pai ficou triste – recordou a jovem.

Além da marca de 10 anos do dia em que Giulia rivalizou com o pai e viu o Corinthians campeão da Libertadores pela primeira vez, esse 4 de julho de 2022 marca a véspera de um novo confronto decisivo entre os times, que se enfrentarão nesta terça-feira (5), pela volta das oitavas de final da Liberta. Na ida, um empate sem gols, na Neo Química Arena, manteve tudo em aberto.

Diferentemente do que ocorreu há uma década, dessa vez a torcida de Giulia é pelo Boca, justamente por conta dos 14 anos dos xeneizes sem levantarem o caneco continental.

– Vou torcer pelo Boca porque estou muito tempo sem ver um título do Boca na Libertadores, o último foi em 2007. Quero ter esse prazer de ver o Boca ganhar – justificou a torcedora.

Mesmo com o prazer de ter a filha do mesmo lado dessa vez, Carmelo não sente confiança na equipe que torce.

– Não estou confiando muito. O Boca tem um bom time, há muito tempo tem uma molecada boa. O problema é que o técnico é de divisões inferiores. Foi um monstro em campo, jogador que mais títulos ganhou, mas não tem tamanho para dirigir. O Boca não é para amador, no vestiário quebra pau. Tem que saber controlar o extracampo. Eu não espero nada – expôs.

Para Carmelo resta a confiança de que a camisa jogue bola e a Bombonera faça do Boca um entre os oito times na próxima fase da Libertadores. Já para Giulia, seja quem passar ela já tem o seu favorito das quartas de final para frente.

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Ben Stokes embraces the 'why not?' as England look to press harder still

Captain countenances innings forfeiture if play at Multan is limited by the weather

Vithushan Ehantharajah07-Dec-2022

A cut-out of Ben Stokes on the roadside in Multan•Getty Images

At around 1pm at Multan’s Ramada Hotel, a handful of England players (those who weren’t off to play golf with head coach Brendon McCullum) were milling around as a group of Pakistan players were getting a tune-up at the onsite barber. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes was holding court.It was, for all intents and purposes, a run-of-the-mill press engagement. The first of this week’s duties ahead of the second Test, which begins on Friday. A chance to look back on the brilliant win in Rawalpindi and to ask where England go from here.But then the session morphed into a series of hypotheticals to establish something that many inside and outside English cricket have been wondering. We are all onboard with the idea that Stokes and McCullum have got these players performing beyond previous limits in unimaginable fashion. But where, now, is the line? How far off is the cliff face? Like Truman Burbank, at what point in this courageous foray into unchartered waters will our protagonists finally hit the wall?One particular scenario was proposed:It’s the last over of a Test match. You’re nine-down, 20 away from your target. James Anderson is on strike. Would Stokes want him to go for the win? “Yes,” replied England’s Test captain, without hesitation.A mixture of silence and laughter greeted the response – both reactions a mixture of disbelief and knowing that he was deadly serious. Sure, there may well be a multiverse where Anderson pulls out five perfect reverse sweeps to take the target down. Even that tongue-in-cheek suggestion was greeted with a “why not?” shrug of the shoulders from Stokes.So a draw is not considered a good result under any circumstance? “Do I need to answer that?” he responded with a smirk. Not long after, Stokes floated the idea of one day forfeiting an innings to speed the match along. Because, heck, why not?The manner of that victory over Pakistan in the first Test – the batting, the bowling, the field settings, the work ethic and the unwavering belief – reaffirmed that we are in new territory with this Test side, and perhaps the format itself. All associated with the English game are having to recalibrate. And Stokes’ answers were welcome because who knows how far this could go. Why put a cap on something bringing equal amounts of glory and joy?There is, however, a caveat that needs to be added here. These were not just wild shots blazed in the air by Stokes, which admittedly seems to be his approach with the bat nowadays (albeit even that comes from a good place). It was simply a reinforcement that nothing is off the table. No ideas are too crazy. If Anderson has a shot at an unlikely victory in, say, a deciding Test of a series, why should he not go for it? This is all just a game. And at the very least, he could get a single and get the guy at the other end on strike.Stokes has been instrumental to England’s optimistic approach in the field•AFP/Getty Images

The way the first eight Tests of Stokes’ tenure have panned out – seven wins, five brilliant chases, one by an innings and this week’s last-gasp thriller – have created a domino effect that is hard to fully grasp. This week Pakistan have been implored to try and follow England’s lead and adopt their positivity. In a country enamoured with their own cricketers but constantly wrestling with philosophies of style, England are endearing themselves to the locals.It bears repeating: this is more or less the same group of players who went one win out of 17 before the summer of 2022. That they seem so liberated on the field, and so shorn of the conservative whims of the format and the nation’s history therein, is down to Stokes. Someone who, for all his portrayal as a great renegade of our game, has been around the England dressing-room for the best part of a decade, and for most of that period has had a voice that was worthy of being heard.But given the changes he’s overseen: from the style of play to the intuitive fields, to giving the players ownership over their preparation, and the optional training sessions, the later call times to prevent unnecessary waiting around… it all begs the question: why had he not mentioned any of this sooner?”It wasn’t a case of, as soon as I got the job, to do it this way,” he explained. “The way in which things are operating now has always been something that I’ve thought could work, and why not. But whilst Joe [Root] was in charge, it was Joe’s team, and I stood by him every single minute of his time in charge of the team. But when I got the opportunity to lead England out, I wanted to do it in a way which I thought could work, and the lads have responded really well to that.”Test cricket has been pigeon-holed for so long, for such a long time as to how it should be played, how you need to operate, whether that be on the field or off the field … how you prepare. [But] everyone’s played enough cricket and understands their game enough, that if you just give the responsibility to the individual to get ready, why can’t that work? Why not?”There have been moments when Stokes has spoken his mind under previous regimes. He was a regular voice in debriefings, whether at the end of a day’s play or after a match, criticising but – more importantly – offering solutions. Perhaps the best recent example was after defeat at Adelaide during last winter’s Ashes, when he lamented how meek England had been in the face of an onslaught from Australia’s quicks. The feeling at the time was the batters – himself included – needed to give the opposition bowlers something to think about instead of simply allowing themselves to get washed away with the tide. That approach has become the most prominent pillar of Stokes’ team now.Harry Brook and Ben Stokes walk off after England scored 506 for 4 on the first day of the series•Getty Images

He admits he had not spoken of this ethos to the same extent when he was vice-captain, or even as a senior member of the dressing room for so long. But he maintains the fundamentals of enjoying the moment and the grind were central to any of his previous call-to-arms when in the ranks.”I’ve always tried to get across ‘remember what we’re doing, remember where we are, walking out for England with three lions on our chest’,” he said. “It’s an amazing opportunity. You’ve got to have as much fun as we possibly can while we’re doing it, because in the click of a finger it could all be gone. But in terms of all the other messaging and the language that we speak, no, I don’t think so.”The collective buy-in, he believes, has a lot to do with England’s white-ball grooving. On the face of it, the influences are pretty clear: scores of 657 and 264 for 7 in the previous Test, at strike-rates of 6.50 and 7.36 respectively, set in motion by four centurions on day one who all consider themselves to be multi-format cricketers to varying degrees. Such a regular diet of limited-overs cricket, in Stokes’ opinion, lends itself to wanting to reach a satisfying end-point. And crucially, not simply valuing your wicket but seeing it as an opportunity to add value.”You look around the whole squad and pretty much everyone at some point plays all three formats around the summer, and in the winters as well,” he said. “Playing those different formats where you’re always focussing on pushing the game forward and trying to make a result out of that, I guess that helps.”As it happens, Pakistan may be the best place for this England team. The lack of recent, relevant history for touring teams means conclusions from a small sample size aren’t very helpful. But at the same time, pitches here are seemingly so unpredictable that even PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and home skipper Babar Azam have been caught cold.”I see Babar said he wanted a pitch that spun [in Rawalpindi] and it didn’t spin – so I’ve got no idea,” Stokes said. And so, no matter how refined and dexterous England may be, going into these matches without pre-conceived ideas has aided the clarity of thought.”You associate the sub-continent with spin coming into the game a lot more but, as the first Test got further and further in, as that day five got deeper and deeper, it was pretty obvious that seam was going to be the threat with reverse-swing,” he said. “If you look at the attack we had in that first innings, we had all bases covered. We had three seamers and three spin options to go to.”Related

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This next assignment in Multan will require something a little more outrageous than what we’ve seen over the last six months if England are to go 2-0 up. Early-morning smog is a cause of concern, not just for health reasons but with visibility so bad that the daily start time of 10am is looking optimistic. England have already fallen victim to the smog on Tuesday when their flight from Islamabad was delayed by three-and-a-half hours before it cleared.Coupled with the early sunsets, time lost from both ends of the day will make raging against the draw much trickier. While Stokes may seem a dreamer, he is fundamentally a realist with grand ambitions. He knows a draw is coming for his CV, and it may be on the horizon given the various elements at play. But he will do everything within his capacity to make sure that is not the case. Even if it requires something outlandish, such as foregoing an entire innings.”There’s obviously going to be some point along this road where it’s virtually impossible to get a result,” he said. “If it rains for four days, good luck trying to get a result out of a Test match over one day, or two days, but if you get a good amount of time out of a Test match, I’ll always be trying to plan, and talk to Baz about ways in which we can try and force a result, either way. Especially in England with the weather that’s around, you might see something even more out-there, even more than you’ve seen here. I might declare without batting one day, who knows?”We might see that, actually, in this Test, if it does pan out the way that it could, potentially with the late start and early finish. We could end up having only 300-350 overs in the Test match. We might have to get even a bit more adventurous with what we do. We’ll see.”

محمد عواد يرد على أنباء خلافه مع محمد صبحي.. ويوجه رسالة للجماهير

كشف محمد عواد حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، حقيقة ما يتردد عن وجود غضب بينه وبين محمد صبحي، موجهاً رسالة لجماهير القلعة البيضاء.

والتقى الزمالك مع بيراميدز، على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، في نهائي كأس مصر، وفاز الأبيض بنتيجة 8-7 بركلات الترجيح.

وقال محمد عواد في تصريحات عبر قناة “النهار” عن ما يتردد بوجود غضب بينه وبين محمد صبحي: “لا يوجد أي شيء، نحن عائلة واحدة في الزمالك، يمكن لأن الموسم كان سيئًا والظروف صعبة فالناس كانت تتصيد أي مشكلة صغيرة”.

طالع أيضاً.. الزمالك يوضح حقيقة الاستقرار على مدير فني جديد.. واعتزال شيكابالا

وتابع: “اللاعبون كانوا تحت ضغط كبير، لكننا تخطينا هذا الموسم الصعب، وكلنا نعمل من أجل الكيان وفي النهاية البطولة تُحسب للجميع، وأهم شيء أن نُسعد جماهير الزمالك”.

ما هي رسالتك للجماهير؟ أجاب: “أشكرهم بالتأكيد شكر خاص بمجرد نزولي كان هناك دعم كبير، هناك ثقة بيني وبينهم من أول بطولة لي معهم، وأشكرهم على دعمهم الكبير”.

Crystal Palace talent rejects offer to stay and wants out of Selhurst Park

A quick Crystal Palace gem is planning to leave Selhurst Park this summer after rejecting a new contract offer from the Eagles.

Crystal Palace push for Wembley as Freedman prepares for summer

Oliver Glasner’s side may well be set for an uneventful end to the Premier League season, however, Palace have their eyes on Wembley in the FA Cup.

After defeating Millwall last weekend, the Eagles have been drawn against Fulham in the quarter-finals, looking to make the last four and reach Wembley.

However, away from the pitch, sporting director Dougie Freedman appears to be working on potential signings ahead of the 2025/26 season.

One player who has been linked with a move to Selhurst Park in recent days is Bright Osayi-Samuel of Fenerbahce. Reports have claimed that Palace have offered Osayi-Samuel a £72,500-a-week contract to return to England, with the player on course to become a free agent in the summer.

Defender Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg is also on Palace’s radar, and there could be a number of departures in the summer.

Centre-back Marc Guehi continues to be linked with a move away, as does midfielder Adam Wharton and full-back Tyrick Mitchell. However, one exciting gem has already made his mind up on departing the club, going off a fresh update.

Crystal Palace talent rejects contract offer and is looking to leave

According to Africa Foot, relayed by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace youngster Franco Umeh-Chibueze has rejected a new contract proposal from the Eagles, with his current deal up in the summer.

It is claimed that Glasner’s decision to not hand him minutes with the senior team has convinced him to change clubs over the coming month, with FC Twente and Sporting CP being two clubs eyeing the attacker.

The 20-year-old joined Palace from Cork City in 2023, and since then, Umeh-Chibueze has made more than 30 appearances for Palace’s U21 side, scoring 12 goals in the process.

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He’s a wanted man…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 5, 2025

He’s also featured on the bench in the Premier League on seven occasions during the current campaign and twice in the EFL Cup, however, he is yet to make his senior debut.

Academy director Gary Issott hailed Umeh-Chibueze’s at the time of his arrival, naming his “blistering pace” as a key attribute. “Franco is a tall, exciting, attacking player with blistering pace and a strong left-foot. For him to be in and around the first-team at Cork at such a young age is a major achievement. He now comes into our vibrant squad and will add competition in the attacking third of the pitch.”

Now, though, it looks as if the attacker, once labelled as the potential next Michael Olise, will look to continue his development away from Palace, and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up ahead of the new campaign.

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