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Manchester City have reportedly been in contact to sign a £50m star for Pep Guardiola ahead of Vincent Kompany and Bayern Munich this summer.

Final season for Pep Guardiola at Man City?

After another Premier League triumph last season, making it a historic fourth title in a row, Guardiola could be preparing for his final season at the Etihad Stadium.

There has been plenty of speculation regarding the 2024/25 campaign being the Spaniard’s final year in Manchester, and it looks as if despite this, he and the club are still planning for the long run when it comes to signings.

For example, City have recently been credited with an interest in attacking prodigy Dzenan Pejcinovic from Wolfsburg, with the teenager scoring every 55 minutes at academy level.

Some senior incomings could also be made for the Sky Blues, with FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa linked with a move to potentially replace Ederson and rival Stefan Ortega, who has signed a City contract extension.

Manchester City ready to sell £130,000 per week ace who only joined in 2023

They might struggle to find a buyer though.

ByBen Browning Jun 13, 2024

There have also been rumours about Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig. Recent claims said that City had started to move for the attacking midfielder, and it looks as if that has now materialised, with information being collected.

Man City make Dani Olmo contact

According to French outlet Sports Zone, Man City are one of three clubs who have been in contact over a potential move to sign Olmo. The Spaniard, who is set to feature at Euro 2024, is also wanted by Paris Saint-Germain and former City captain Kompany at Bayern Munich.

“Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are following the Dani Olmo file this summer. The player, who has a €60M (£50M) clause this summer, interests Luis Enrique. Initial information has been taken by the 3 clubs.”

Olmo has been with RB Leipzig since 2020 and has gone from strength to strength during that time, now being valued at a career-high €50m by Transfermarkt.

Dani Olmo's career stats

Appearances

Goals

Assists

RB Leipzig

148

29

34

Dinamo Zagreb

124

34

28

Spain

33

8

7

The attacking midfielder, who can also turn out as a winger if needed, also caught the eye of Guardiola back in 2019, with the City boss calling the Spaniard a “top player” and “incredible”.

"He's a top player – he has a bright future, of course. His performance today shows it. About the transfer and the money he deserves, that is not the point. The point is he is an incredible player and I am pretty sure he is able to play in the strong leagues in Europe. Hopefully if Dinamo wants and he wants, it can happen."

Kevin de Bruyne recently hinted at a move to the Saudi Pro League in the future, so who knows, City may view Olmo as a player who could replace the Belgian in the long run.

Manchester United are likely to accept a cut-price offer for a £200,000-a-week star this summer, in what could be a busy few months for new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Man Utd manager latest

The Red Devils, with sporting decisions now down to Ratcliffe and INEOS, have been heavily linked with making a managerial change ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Ratcliffe pushing as "brilliant" manager now the new top target at Man Utd

They may finally have found their replacement for Erik ten Hag this summer.

By
Ben Browning

May 8, 2024

Erik ten Hag will see the current campaign out, but the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City may well be his final game in charge. The Dutchman is adamant he is the right man for the job, though, saying after Monday’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace:

"Absolutely. If the right players are available, we have a good squad. We miss almost the whole backline and then we have problems. I will keep fighting. I prepared the team in the best way I could do. It was not good enough, I have to take responsibility for that but I will find energy and prepare them for Sunday's game."

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has been heavily linked with being the man to replace Ten Hag, with the German finding a move to Old Trafford appealing. Meanwhile, England boss Gareth Southgate is also thought to be a leading candidate, with talks open, so all the signals are pointing to a change in the dugout.

Alongside a possible search for a new boss, United could also have a mass player exodus, with The Manchester Evening News previously listing 21 players that may leave this summer.

Man Utd to sell Harry Maguire for big loss

According to Football Insider, Harry Maguire is set to leave Man Utd over the summer as part of their mass Old Trafford overhaul. The centre-back, on £200,000-a-week, joined from Leicester City in a deal worth £80m back in 2019, however, Ratcliffe and co will now accept a £20m offer, resulting in a huge £60m loss (75%).

Maguire’s contract is set to expire in 2025, so this summer could be the last real opportunity United have to cash in on the 31-year-old. So far this season, United have had a plethora of injury problems at the back, and Maguire has recently suffered has issue of his own.

In total, the Englishman has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring four times and providing two assists. However, it looks as if his days at Old Trafford are now numbered, and if he doesn’t return in time to take on Manchester City at Wembley towards the end of the month, Maguire may have already played his final game for United.

With their Premier League safety secured, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards securing a bargain deal for Sean Dyche to boost his side's attacking options.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees could be in for a difficult summer transfer window if their takeover fails to come into fruition in the coming months. It already looks as though 777 Partners' arrival is unlikely, which leaves those in Merseyside at a panicked crossroads. Without the arrival of new owners, the Toffees may be left with no choice but to show the door to the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana in big-money departures.

Their financial situation also means that they need to be wise when it comes to incomings this summer. Bargains will be the name of the game for those at Goodison Park and that could see one particular free agent arrive to hand Dyche an important boost this summer. In a deal that would avoid handing them any financial ailment, his arrival would be perfectly timed.

Everton were rinsed by Benitez signing who cost £585k per goal

He only made 27 appearances during his time at Goodison Park.

ByEthan Lamb May 15, 2024

According to TeamTalk, Everton are eyeing a move to sign Che Adams, who has rejected offers from Southampton to renew his £30k-a-week contract to stay put at St Mary's this summer. Now certain to leave for nothing, the Merseyside club will now look to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United to the forward's signature in the coming months.

A player who's had Premier League experience before starring in the Championship for the Saints, Adams would be an ideal upgrade on Beto and could finally unlock the best form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin once more. Forming such a strike partnership may well be the key to moving the Toffees from relegation trouble and towards the Premier League's top half.

"Fantastic" Adams would end Beto nightmare

Since arriving last summer, it's fair to say that Beto hasn't exactly set the world alight at Everton, having scored just five goals in 36 appearances to represent a poor debut campaign. Now, just one year later, Adams could arrive to take his place and end a disappointing spell at Goodison Park. The Scotland international has certainly shown signs of thriving where Beto has failed.

Goals

16

4

Assists

3

0

Expected Goals

13.6

6.8

Key Passes

31

17

What stands out most is how much more ruthless Adams has been in front of goal, outperforming his expected goals whilst Beto has struggled in front of goal with almost three less goals than expected. It's the type of difference in finishing that could finally drag Everton away from relegation fears.

Once described as "fantastic" by former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, Adams is primed to make a Premier League return. Everton will just be hoping that Goodison Park is his next destination.

‘Friendly rivalry’ with Jofra Archer could propel England’s pace attack to new heights, says quick

Andrew Miller24-Jun-2020

Mark Wood walks off with the match ball after his five-wicket haul•Associated Press

Mark Wood believes that he turned a corner in his career when he last faced West Indies in a Test match, at St Lucia in February 2019, and says that the memories of his command performance in that contest could have a bearing when the two teams meet again at the Ageas Bowl next month.After an injury-plagued start to his Test career, Wood had not even been a part of England’s plans for the Caribbean 18 months ago, but was called up from the England Lions tour of Australia when Olly Stone succumbed to a stress fracture in the first week of the tour.And though he played no part in England’s two series-losing defeats at Barbados and Antigua, Wood made up for lost time in startling fashion at the Daren Sammy Ground, unveiling a new more grooved run-up to reach speeds in excess of 95mph and claim his maiden Test five-wicket haul.And though a side strain sustained in the World Cup final ruled Wood out of last summer’s Ashes, he proved that St Lucia performance was no one-off with another ferocious display against South Africa at Johannesburg in January, where he sealed England’s 3-1 series win with his second Player-of-the-Match performance in three Tests.””It really gave me confidence going forward into the World Cup and into South Africa so, yes, it probably was my consistent quickest,” Wood said of the St Lucia spell, in which he claimed four wickets in the space of 23 deliveries on the second afternoon of the match. “I felt in a great place, mentally and physically and I still look back on that performance with fond memories.ALSO READ: England attack is best since 2005 – Darren Gough”I wish I’d changed my run-up sooner,” he added, having previously employed a long-jumper’s sprint-start that put undue pressure on his joints. “That one five-wicket haul, that gave me a massive boost. It sort of calmed me down, where I’m not trying too hard. I had the belief before, but I was frustrated I had not showed people how good I could be, and to get that five-for really allowed me to kick on.West Indies dished out plenty of chin music of their own in sealing their series win, not least through Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph and Shannon Gabriel, who looks set to be drafted into the full squad after recovering from an ankle injury. But Wood’s pace topped the lot, and just as he recalled the discussions about Mitchell Johnson in the England dressing-room ahead of his maiden Ashes series in 2015, so he expects Jason Holder’s men to have his performance firmly in their thoughts this summer.”I think it’s natural,” said Wood. “We had a big chat [about Johnson] before the 2015 Ashes so in a way, it’s actually quite nice to think they might do that about me, though it’s a bit weird. It proves that they do rate me as a cricketer and they are I concerned about what I could bring.”It does give me confidence as a bowler knowing you’ve done well against that team. I think that is normal in any work environment; if you’ve done well previously, you thrive off that experience and use it to your advantage. That’s what I’ll be trying to do again if I’m selected.”The fastest England bowler of them all? Darren Gough thinks so•Getty Images

However, Wood might not be the only 95mph bowler lining up against West Indies this summer. It was Jofra Archer’s elbow injury that gave him his opportunity in South Africa earlier this year, and now that Archer has reported a clean bill of health, there’s every chance that the pair could be united in a Test attack that Darren Gough believes could be England’s best since the 2005 Ashes.”It’s a hell of a comment from Goughie – I love that,” said Wood. “I feel like 2005 is the top of the top. I wouldn’t put myself in that [group]. I remember watching that series as a kid and was blown away by how good that line-up was. Then again, when you think about Jimmy [Anderson] and Broady, they’re going to be the best legends of the fast-bowling department England’s ever had, so when you put them two amongst everyone else – Jofra’s as exciting as they come, you’ve got Stokesy the great all-rounder – he might not be far off.”The prospect of Wood and Archer bowling in tandem in a Test match may not yet have come to pass, but it became a regular feature of England’s 2019 World Cup triumph, and Wood admitted that the desire to outdo one another in the pace stakes was a key feature of their “friendly rivalry”.”I cannot speak for Jofra but I definitely want to be quicker than him and I’m sure he wants to be quicker than me,” Wood said. “Especially in the World Cup, he used to joke about it all the time that they were putting my speeds up higher deliberately. If we were to play together it would be exciting. “I don’t know how it’s going to work, whether we’ll dip in and out to keep each other fresh and stuff. But it’s not a bad rivalry, it’s a friendly rivalry. Now I want to bowl fast all the time to prove that I can bowl as fast as Jofra. I would say he’s probably quicker than I am, and certainly makes it look a lot easier than me, so I want to prove that I can be as fast as Jof and that friendly rivalry does spur you on to be a better cricketer.”For the time being, however, Wood’s primary focus is getting his head around the new normal of England’s locked-down training camp at the Ageas Bowl, where their 30-man squad will live, train and play for the next three weeks until decamping to Emirates Old Trafford for the second Test.”It is slightly weird,” Wood admitted. “It is a bit like a sci-fi movie. Everybody is masked up, so you don’t know whether they are friendly or not. Some people scowl more than you think. It is something we will have to get used to.”Meals, he admitted, were a particularly strange event at the moment. “You have to follow arrows and feet marks everywhere, then you go to the tables which are sporadically spaced out. It’s a bit like when I was at school and you do a test with your individual table – apart from there’s nobody scribbling on the table like I used to. This morning I had breakfast and looked at the back of Jos’ [Buttler’s] head.”Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week works with the charity Chance to Shine to support and grow the grassroots of the game in schools and communities. Join in at www.chancetoshine.org/ncw20

The grand final is expected to be one of the seminal events in the history of sport in Australia, and of women’s sport around the globe

The Preview by Daniel Brettig07-Mar-20201:24

How India made it to their maiden T20 World Cup final

Big PictureTournament organisers have been handed their dream final, between the world’s No. 1 team and hosts Australia, and the world’s mightiest and most populous cricket nation, India. An enormous crowd is expected at the MCG, with the ICC releasing extra standing room tickets on Saturday to cope with demand. With Katy Perry performing either side of a contest on International Women’s Day, it shapes as one of the seminal events in the history of sport in Australia, and of women’s sport around the globe.But what about the cricket? Australia, grappling with tournament favouritism and a pair of ruinous injuries to Tayla Vlaeminck before the event and Ellyse Perry in the middle of it, have had the rockiest possible road to the final. They have not played their best cricket, but instead shown forbearance, determination and big-match temperament to forge through what have effectively been four successive elimination matches after they lost the opening game of the tournament to India.In Meg Lanning, they have a captain and top-order bat of the highest possible quality, while in the field they have shown discipline and athleticism to defend middling targets against New Zealand and South Africa. Fatigue, both physical and mental, will be an obstacle.India, meanwhile, have more or less ridden the wave they caught in defeating Australia at the Sydney Showgrounds on opening night, neither beaten nor particularly troubled at any point in their next three group matches, then enjoying the benefit of a free pass to the final over England due to their higher better qualifying position. Shafali Verma has been the tournament’s undisputed batting star, consistently rocketing her team to rapid starts, while Harmanpreet Kaur has marshalled her spin bowlers and the mediums of Shikha Pandey adroitly.ALSO READ: How Australia and India made their way to the MCG finalIf there are any question marks over India, they are matters of belief, having never played in a T20 World Cup final before, let alone won one, and also sharpness: in a tightly scheduled tournament, their draw and the Sydney rain has meant that they have not played a match in more than a week. Australia, in the meantime, have played twice.Form guideAustralia WWWWL (completed matches, most recent first)
India WWWWL In the spotlightAgainst South Africa, Jess Jonassen essentially took up the bowling role left vacant by Perry’s torn hamstring, sharing the new ball with Megan Schutt in the powerplay and then bowling at the death as Laura Wolvaardt threatened to perform a middle-order miracle for her side. It was Jonassen, too, who was the decisive force against India in the final of the triangular series that preceded the Cup proper, plucking five wickets in quick succession to deliver the Australians a narrow victory. How Jonassen fares in concert with the other spin bowlers at Lanning’s disposal will go a long way towards deciding the outcome.Shafali Verma gets ready to take strike•Getty Images

Scores of 29, 39, 46 and 47, all made at whip-crack pace, have made Shafali Verma the most feared top order bat in the tournament, capable of either setting up a big first innings or supercharging any pursuit of a target. Her danger to Australia is enhanced by the lack of any top pace or bounce bowlers to challenge Verma on the back foot, meaning that Lanning will be relying heavily on the likes of Schutt and Jonassen to nail their lines and lengths. The only thing Verma is yet to achieve in this event is a truly major score, leaving India to hope that the biggest innings will arrive on the biggest day.Team newsAustralia will be tempted to stick with the same formula that saw them through against South Africa, although Molly Strano’s offspin is a worthwhile option given India’s left-handers, and she did play in the opening match of the tournament. Georgia Wareham would be the bowler most likely to make way.Australia (possible): 1 Beth Mooney 2 Alyssa Healy (wk) 3 Meg Lanning (capt) 4 Ashleigh Gardner 5 Rachael Haynes 6 Jess Jonassen 7 Nicola Carey 8 Delissa Kimmince, 9 Georgia Wareham/Molly Strano 10 Sophie Molineux 11 Megan SchuttIndia have a very settled line-up after their smooth progression through the group stage and semi-final walkover against England.India (probable): 1 Shafali Verma 2 Smriti Mandhana 3 Jemimah Rodrigues 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt) 5 Deepti Sharma 6 Veda Krishnamurthy 7 Taniya Bhatiya (wk) 8 Shikha Pandey 9 Radha Yadav 10 Poonam Yadav 11 Rajeshwari GayakwadALSO READ: Factors that can influence the T20 World Cup finalPitch and conditionsMelbourne’s forecast is mercifully fine for the final after Sydney’s weather travails knocked out England and nearly did likewise for Australia. The pitch itself should be hard and flat, although the ground itself has not hosted any cricket since Australia A’s meeting with England Lions more than two weeks ago.Stats and trivia This would be India’s first-ever T20 World Cup final appearance The MCG has hosted one women’s World Cup final previously, the decider of the 1988 ODI tournament, won by Australia over England in front of a crowd of about 3,000 spectators Australia won all of the first seven T20I encounters between the teams, but India have won six of the past 12 and three of the past five.Quotes”This build-up to the game is something I’ve not experienced before and I’m quite glad that the final’s here tomorrow and we can say we’re involved in it. I always dreamed of being involved in this game, when I saw it was the MCG and they were hoping for a big crowd I just wanted to be involved.”
“We are going to have 90,000 in the stadium and it’s a great feeling. We just need to enjoy the moment because it’s a big moment for all of us.”

Legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has defended Andre Onana after a topsy-turvy first season at Old Trafford.

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• Great Dane defends United's No. 1
• 'Mistakes at Old Trafford stay with you'
• Cameroonian let down by inconsistent defence

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Onana had a difficult start to life at Old Trafford after signing from Inter for £47 million ($60m) to replace David de Gea, who was the Red Devils' longest-serving goalkeeper and also kept a record number of clean sheets. The Cameroonian had a particularly torrid time in the Champions League, playing his part in United's disastrous exit from the group stage.

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• WHAT SCHMEICHEL SAID

  "I just thought he was a bit unlucky for two reasons," Schmeichel told GOAL. "First of all, not playing behind a consistent defence. That's a problem as a goalkeeper. You can be the best goalkeeper in the world but if your defence is not protecting you you have a problem. Secondly, the goal he conceded in Munich was unlucky, if you do that for Inter or Ajax it goes away within a week or two. You do that for Man Utd, it stays and you will be a goalkeeper who makes mistakes. That's just the cruel reality of playing for Man Utd."

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Schmeichel, talking on behalf of , who today launch their Official Premier League Trading Card game, believes Onana soon settled into life with United and had a strong finish to the campaign, which ended with the Red Devils stunning Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

  "I saw a lot of improvements with different things in his game over the season. What I particularly liked was he looked like he was enjoying it more and more, that's the first step towards becoming the one that you want in goal," Schmeichel added. "He needs help like any other goalkeeper in the world, he needs a defence in front of him. If he's got that I'm sure we'll have a world-class top quality goalkeeper who will do well."

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• Panini
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Panini’s Premier League Adrenalyn XL Official Trading Card Game is back for the 2024-25 season – bigger, better, and more exciting than ever. Join the conversation via #GOTGOTNEED and for more information visit paniniadrenalynpl.com.

  Schmeichel spoke of his fascination for collecting football stickers when he was growing up. "My first one was the 1974 World Cup. Obviously we didn't have too many things to do with football, there was no Internet, so all of a sudden you had these stickers with all the teams in the World Cup," he recalled. "It became a really big thing between me and my friends and everybody else, you'd get the album filled in first, trading cards, it was a fantastic way to get to know the players playing in the World Cup."

New Arsenal signing Riccardo Calafiori and returning defender Jurrien Timber were surprisingly omitted from the friendly win over Bayer Leverkusen.

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Arsenal strolled to 4-1 friendly winCalafiori and Timber not in the squadArteta explained why they missed outWHAT HAPPENED?

Calafiori was seen in attendance as Arsenal ran out 4-1 winners against the German champions at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, but neither he nor Netherlands international Timber were named among the substitutes by coach Mikel Arteta.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Calafiori is expected to play a key role for the Gunners this season after joining from Bologna in a £42 million ($53m) move at the end of June, while the north London team hope to see more of Timber after he missed all but two – the first and last – Premier League games last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

WHAT ARTETA SAID

Arteta, however, decided against calling on the Italian and Netherlands internationals for the visit of Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga winners, and the manager explained why after the game.

Asked about Calafiori's absence, Arteta explained: "So much has happened to him in one week. He has come in to a new environment, a completely different methodology, different training and we are managing him. We want to do it slowly, to get him in the best possible way."

He was then quizzed on Timber's situation, replying: "He had a little discomfort in his foot the last few days. After the time he has been out, we did not want to take any risks."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Gunners supporters will hope to see the defensive duo in action in the near future, with Arteta's men set to take on Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday. Six days later, they will get their Premier League campaign underway with a match against Wolves.

Al-Ittihad are willing to spend big on Ederson after Manchester City turned down Al-Nassr's offer for the Brazilian.

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Al-Ittihad join race to sign EdersonMan City rejected Al-Nassr's bidEderson in the US with City squad for pre-seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

Saudi Pro League clubs' interest in Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has intensified in the past few months as after Al-Nassr, former champions Al-Ittihad have now placed a bid for the Brazilian, according to the Daily Mail.

AdvertisementGetty Image/ GOAL ARTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Fabrizio Romano had reported earlier this week that the Cityzens had turned down Al-Nassr's initial bid worth £25 million ($33m/€30 million) for the custodian as the club valued the player in the region of £50 million ($65m/€60 million). The latest report now claims that Al-Ittihad have reportedly agreed to match the reigning Premier League champions' demands.

DID YOU KNOW?

Per The Sun, City are still trying to negotiate a new deal with their first-choice goalkeeper and are reportedly ready to offer him a weekly salary of £900,000, a substantial signing bonus, and an overall pay increase of 75 per cent.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR EDERSON?

The 30-year-old is currently in the US along with Pep Guardiola's men who will be next seen in action on Tuesday in their first pre-season match against Celtic in North Carolina.

Cobras left-arm spinner George Linde has been called up to the squad as a replacement

Firdose Moonda13-Oct-2019

Keshav Maharaj celebrates a wicket•BCCI

Keshav Maharaj, South Africa’s premier left-arm spinner, has been ruled out of the third Test against India, which starts on Saturday in Ranchi. Maharaj sustained a shoulder injury during the second Test in Pune and will require two-to-three weeks’ recovery time. Cobras left-arm spinner George Linde has been called up to the squad as a replacement.Losing Maharaj is a major blow to South Africa, who are already 2-0 down in the three-Test series but have 40 points of the World Test Championship to still play for in the final fixture. Though Maharaj has not had the success of India’s spinners, he is South Africa’s highest wicket-taker of the series with six scalps – albeit with an average of 85.66 – and has also bowled the most number of overs. He was also one of the few players who showed fight with the bat, scoring a career-best 72 in the first innings in the second Test and featuring in a ninth-wicket stand of 109 with Vernon Philander, after he had already picked up the injury.Watch cricket on ESPN+

India v South Africa is available in the US on Hotstar and ESPN+. Subscribe to ESPN+ and tune in to the Ranchi Test.

Maharaj was bowling his 50th over in India’s only innings of the Test when he tried to stop a run after Virat Kohli punched the ball towards long-on. Maharaj fell on his right shoulder and immediately rolled over, clutching it in pain. He was treated on the field and completed the over, but left the field for scans shortly after. His first set of scans were inconclusive and he was sent for a second scan on Saturday morning when he was also required to bat. Maharaj was strapped up and batted in a marathon stand, only occasionally grimacing after attempting shoulder-intensive shots like the pull. Nonetheless, Maharaj has been diagnosed as having hurt a muscle and will not be fit in time for the Ranchi Test.South Africa have two other spinners in the squad, left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy and offspinner Dane Piedt. Both played in the first Test in Visakhapatnam, where they were largely ineffective, and Piedt was dropped for Pune. He may come into contention again for the third Test, unless the team management is after a like-for-like replacement for Maharaj, in which case Linde may make his debut.Linde has made a good start to the domestic season, which began earlier in the week, and sits atop the wicket-takers’ chart with 11 for 131 from his first match. Those figures need to be taken in context, as they were claimed on a pitch where 39 wickets fell in two days.However, Linde has been on the national selectors’ radar. He was part of the South Africa A side that toured India for a List A series prior to the senior side’s arrival, and was in the T20I squad, although he did not play a game.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na reta final de preparação para o início da Série B, o Vasco derrotou o Madureira por 2 a 1, em São Januário, e garantiu a classificação para a final da Taça Rio. No vídeo dos bastidores, disponibilizado pelo canal do clube no Youtube (VascoTV), Marcelo Cabo e Leandro Castan aparecem com discursos motivacionais na preleção, e Cano atinge a marca de 30 gols com a camisa do clube.

> Confira a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro – Série B

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Antes da bola rolar, o presidente Jorge Salgado entregou uma placar e um quadro ao atacante Germán Cano. O mandatário homenageou o argentino, que se tornou o maior artilheiro do clube no século XXI, com 29 gols, e ultrapassou o sérvio Dejan Petkovic. A marca durou apenas 90 minutos, já que o jogador voltou a balançar a rede contra o Tricolor Suburbano.

> Confira mais notícias sobre o Vasco da Gama

Na preleção, o capitão Leandro Castan destacou a importância de cada jogador cumprir a sua função dentro de campo e ter atenção. Ele relembrou que a equipe teve 15 dias a mais para treinar e estava preparada para o duelo importante.

– Vamos entrar com vontade, time que quer vencer. E para isso nós temos que cumprir função dentro de campo. Quem vai começar jogando hoje (último sábado) ficou duas semanas treinando. A gente sabe o que tem que fazer. Ligado e concentrado para conseguir essa vitória hoje – disse Leandro Castan.

Além dele, Marcelo Cabo destacou que ouviu muitos questionamentos sobre ter escalado um time alternativo no jogo de ida e pediu aos atletas que provassem dentro de campo. Ele salientou que o time deveria buscar logo o gol com inteligência para transferir a pressão para o adversário.

– Ouvi muito questionamento quando nós tomamos a decisão de deixar o grupo treinando 15 dias. Por que deixou, porque não deixou. Sabe o que a gente vai fazer? Provar no campo a importância desses 15 dias. Sabe como a gente vai responder? dentro do campo. eles vão ver o que vocês vão fazer ai dentro. Intensidade, qualificação refino técnico. Nós vamos colocar esses 15 dias que foi de muito suor e trabalho e traduzir em boa atuação – disse Marcelo Cabo, e em seguida acrescentou.

– A gente precisa entrar forte, buscar logo esse gol para ter controle do jogo. Lembra que a gente começa perdendo de 1 a 0. A gente pode estar voltando do intervalo e buscar o gol, com sabedoria e inteligência. Mas é importante a gente começar intenso, forte, fazer o gol e transferir a responsabilidade para o outro lado. E a gente ter o controle do jogo e buscar os nossos objetivos – completou.

Com gols de Marquinhos Gabriel e Cano, o time conquistou a classificação e fará a final contra o Botafogo nos dois próximos finais de semana. Ao balançar a rede mais uma vez, o argentino chegou a marca de 30 gols com a camisa do Gigante da Colina e segue enfileirando recordes e tendo um lugar no coração do torcedor.

– Parabéns pela classificação. Foram 75 minutos de um excelente futebol. Aquela desatenção ali nos últimos 15 minutos do primeiro tempo. Mas a gente veio para o intervalo, recuperamos e o placar não disse o que foi o jogo. A gora é se preparar para essa final e conquistar esse título que é importante para gente – concluiu o treinador.