Mikel Arteta’s side arrive on the south coast looking to extend their perfect start and set a new club benchmark, so how will the teams line up?

Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

Arsenal are at Brighton today for Matchweek five, looking to open a season with eight wins for the first time in 123 years when they were in the second division.

Ahead of the game, Arsenal had a number of doubts over a few players – Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera – but Mikel Arteta hinted that they were all fit and fine to be included in the squad.

Let’s look at the teams for both sides.

Brighton v Arsenal teams

Brighton starting XI: to come

Brighton subs: to come

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Bruno G, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Tzolis.

Arsenal subs: to come

Brighton v Arsenal head-to-head record

• Arsenal have played Brighton 35 times and have won 20 of them, losing eight and drawing seven.
• Arsenal have won the last three games against Brighton (two home, one away) and have lost none of their last seven.
• The last time Brighton beat Arsenal at the Ammex was in June 2020, with their three wins since then coming at the Emirates.

Brighton v Arsenal match stats

• Brighton have yet to win a home game against the reigning Premier League champions, drawing two and losing five, conceding at least four goals in each game.
• Brighton are the top scorers in the league this season, netting 13 – five more than Arsenal. Nine of those goals came in just two matches – 4-0 v Aston Villa and 5-0 v Coventry.
• Brighton have also conceded five times as many as Arsenal in the league this season so far, with the Gunners letting in just once.
• Brighton rank first this season for forcing high turnovers, and second overall since Fabian Hurzeler took over in 24/25.
• Arsenal have conceded just two goals in their last nine Premier League matches.
• Arsenal have won their last nine Premier League matches. They have only won 10 in a row twice before (1998 and 2002).
• Arsenal have only allowed 2.7 xG in total this season, with 0.8 of that coming from the penalty Sunderland should not have been awarded last week.
• 50% of the goals Arsenal have scored this season have come in the 15 minutes after half-time.
• Brighton, meanwhile, have conceded more goals in the first 15 minutes of a match this season than any other side.
• Stuart Attwell, who, as VAR, did not overturn the Sunderland penalty v Arsenal is referee today for Everton v Ipswich.
• Matt Donohue, who was VAR for United v City is not being used this week in the Premier League.
• In Arsenal’s four Premier League games this season, VAR has failed to award one clear penalty to Arsenal (and a red card to Aston Villa defend Ian Maatsen) while awarding one incorrectly to Sunderland. Arsenal did not concede a single penalty last season.
• Bukayo Saka has scored on each of his last three trips to Brighton. He has three goals and two assists in his last six against the Seagulls.
• Arsenal have failed to score in one of their last 19 Premier League away games and have failed to win just three of their last 35 games on the road.

Brighton vs Arsenal match officials

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Real Madrid Under-20 have been crowned Intercontinental Cup champions after completing a memorable match. The Whites lifted the trophy in front of their fans at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This victory cements Real Madrid’s academy at the summit of world youth football.

The team coached by Álvaro López dominated the match from start to finish against Santiago Wanderers. From the opening whistle, the young Madrid players imposed a blistering tempo that dismantled their opponents. Their tactical control and intensity on the pitch reflected Los Blancos’ superiority.

Goals from Yáñez, Santamaría and Roberto Martín ultimately tipped the balance beyond any doubt. Their clinical finishing and defensive solidity sealed an impeccable victory. Every goal sparked euphoria in the stands of a stadium fully behind its rising stars.

This major trophy endorses and reinforces the outstanding development work being carried out at La Fábrica. This youth generation has shown it has the maturity and quality needed to compete at the highest international level. The club’s academy project has therefore gained another hugely prestigious seal of approval.

With this triumph, Real Madrid have won the Under-20 Intercontinental Cup for the first time in their history. The trophy now rests in the display cabinets at Chamartín after an unforgettable day for Madridismo. The young champions have written a golden page in the club’s recent history.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

The Red Devils, who were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton on Wednesday, have won just one of their opening four Premier League games this season to leave them 13th, already eight points adrift of the early pace-setters Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Brighton defeat rounded off a difficult few days for United head coach Michael Carrick, whose side were insipid in the Manchester derby loss to 10-man City last Sunday. Throw in the uncertainty over academy star JJ Gabriel's future and Carrick is in dire need of three points on the road in west London.

The good news for him is that United's recent record against Fulham is outstanding; they have lost just once in the past 21 league meetings between the two sides, winning 16 and drawing four.

Should Sesko start?

The only out-and-out centre-forward at Carrick's disposal, Benjamin Sesko, has been used as a substitute in the four league games so far, scoring once off the bench against Everton.

With his team drawing blanks in two of those four games, there are calls for the Slovenia striker to start at Craven Cottage, having netted a stoppage-time winner against the same opposition at Old Trafford last season.

The Red Devils have had more shots than any other top-flight side across the first four matchdays of this season, but aren't among the division's top four scorers. So far, only Brighton (10.2) have accumulated a higher xG than United's 8.3.

Although Sesko struggled to make an impact midweek against Brighton, he is fully recovered from the shin injury he sustained in early May, so Carrick may turn to the club's joint-top scorer from last season in the hope he can convert some of the many shots United are creating.

Fears for Fulham

Winless Fulham find themselves in the relegation zone after four games, with new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa cursing his luck just two months into the job.

The Spaniard's side, currently 18th, were booed off at Craven Cottage after a third successive league defeat against Crystal Palace on 5 September. All three have come via a one-goal margin.

A draw against Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday and a 3-2 midweek win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup have given the Fulham faithful some cause for optimism, though - as has Josh King's continued good form.

King, still only 19, is the Cottagers' top league scorer with two goals and the Londoner has his sights set on a senior England call-up this season. He was one of four youngsters to feature in Thomas Tuchel's pre-World Cup training camp in Florida, along with Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha and Ethan Nwaneri.

Since the start of last season, when he cemented his place in the Fulham side, the only teenager to make more appearances than King in Europe's top five leagues is Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig for an initial fee of £107m last month.

On 1 February, the last time the two teams met, late goals from Raul Jimenez and Kevin threatened to earn Fulham a point, before Benjamin Sesko's late winner.

That result triggered a worrying collapse in form – since then, the only ever-present side in the division to win fewer points than Fulham are Tottenham. It is a rut Arbeloa must urgently get out of.

Maresca's tenure got off to a wobbly start with the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal, but his troops have rallied to ensure they are level on points with the table-topping Gunners at this early stage, trailing only on goal difference.

In fact, the Italian is aiming to become just the sixth manager to win his first five Premier League games in charge of a club.

The Blues, last season's runners-up, are on a mightily impressive run of league form, having lost just two of their past 30 matches, winning 20 and drawing eight.

Their record at home to the Black Cats is also enviable. City are unbeaten in all 14 of their Premier League home games against Sunday's opposition, winning 12 of those encounters. Sunderland's last league win in this fixture came at Maine Road in the second tier in January 1998.

Sterling Erling

Erling Haaland, Golden Boot winner in three of his four campaigns in England, is already the pace-setter for this season's prize with four goals. Sunderland, however, are the only top-flight team he has faced without scoring.

The Norwegian has scored in eight of his past nine league appearances, netting nine goals. In two games against the Black Cats, he had had three shots with an xG of 0.75 without finding the net. Don't bet against him breaking his duck on Sunday.

Stadium of delight

Juggling Sunderland's European commitments with their domestic schedule was always going to be one of the biggest tasks facing Regis le Bris this season.

Having got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start against AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday – the club's first game in continental competition since 1973 – the Black Cats must focus on climbing the Premier League table after an unconvincing start.

Four points from four games has them sitting 14th, and history suggests this won't be the fixture to propel them up the table. The Black Cats haven't won any of their past 17 top-flight games against teams starting the day in the top two, losing 13 and drawing four.

Couple that with the fact they are winless in nine league games against Manchester City – since a 1-0 home victory under Gus Poyet in November 2013 – and it looks like a tall order for Le Bris' side to head back to Wearside with all three points.

Something for Sunderland to cling to, however, is the fact they have scored in each of their past eight league away games, their best run of scoring on the road in this competition since another run of eight in 2015-16.

The atmosphere at the Stadium of Light against AZ was electric and Le Bris is keen for that feelgood factor to continue. It is a demanding schedule for his squad, though they will have an extra day's rest over City, who battered Norwich 5-0 in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.

"It is a tough week but it is exactly what we want to do," the Frenchman said.

Up to third in the league and boasting a record of just one defeat in 13 league matches – and just five in their past 29 - these are great times for Leeds fans.

Having already amassed eight points from four matches, a win over Palace would mean Daniel Farke's side equalling their best start to a Premier League season after five games - set under David O'Leary in 2001-02.

Central to the rip-roaring 4-1 victory over Newcastle - and their resurgence as a whole - has been in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who notched two goals and an assist on Monday to continue his red-hot streak in home games.

It made him only the second player after Mark Viduka to score in five successive Premier League fixtures at Elland Road and he now has the chance to become the first Leeds player to score in six consecutive top-flight appearances at home since Arthur Hydes did so in 1932-33.

Since joining the Whites at the start of last season, only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (16) and Brentford's Igor Thiago (13) have scored more Premier League home goals than the 10 by the recalled England's striker.

He has been a key cog in Leeds turning Elland Road into a real fortress, with their last defeat in front of their own fans coming on 3 March.

Going into the weekend, only Arsenal (52), Manchester City (50), Manchester United (45) and Bournemouth (37) had claimed more top-flight points in 2026 than the 35 Farke's side have mustered.

The German boss has been helped by consistent team selections - naming an unchanged starting XI for 10 Premier League games since the start of 2025-26, the most by any side.

Eagles shipping goals

Crystal Palace's rocky start to life under new boss Pierre Sage continued last Saturday with a demoralising late defeat by Ipswich to make it three defeats from four league games.

Once again their suspect defence was exposed. Axel Disasi's 34th minute red card certainly didn't help matters, but shipping multiple goals merely continued an unwanted trend that begun under Oliver Glasner.

The Eagles have now conceded two or more times in 10 consecutive top-flight matches – second only to Fulham's Premier League record of 13 straight games set in January to April 2019.

Defensively they have been all over the place and have shipped the most goals (11), faced the most xG (8.15) and joint most shots on target (26) and allowed their opponents the most touches in their own box (164).

Losing three totems of their defence across the January and summer transfer windows in Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz is being keenly felt, while injuries have also not helped, with goalkeeper and skipper Dean Henderson again absent for this game.

Highly rated defender Jaydee Canvot was left out of the squad to face Ipswich with Sage saying: "I need more from him."

Last season's Conference League champions did at least enjoy a successful step up to the Europa League on Thursday with their debut in the competition ending in a morale boosting 4-0 win over Lech Poznan.

Rose still waiting for first win

Bournemouth's 2-2 draw with Brentford followed a frustratingly familiar pattern for head coach Marco Rose, who remains without a Premier League win.

His side came from behind to lead 2-1, but an error by goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic gifted the Londoners an equaliser as the Cherries made unwanted history. They are the first team to have led in each of their opening four matches of a Premier League season without winning any of them.

Bournemouth have also drawn half of their top-flight games since the start of last season (21 of 42) and have dropped a league-high 31 points from winning positions during that period.

Nevertheless, Rose focused on the positives afterwards, highlighting that his side had 10 shots on target to Brentford's two.

Their performances suggest a first victory won't be far away, but the Cherries have failed to win any of their opening five top-flight matches twice before, doing so under Eddie Howe in 2017-18 and during Iraola's first season in charge in 2023-24.

Iraola back in Bournemouth

Iraola became something of a draw specialist during his final season at Bournemouth, and that trait has continued at Liverpool, with the Reds sharing the points in three of their opening four league matches, including both home games.

However, few recent managers have started their Anfield reigns in truly convincing fashion. Although predecessor Arne Slot had three more points at the same stage, Iraola is the first Liverpool boss this century to remain unbeaten in his opening four Premier League matches.

He can also take some confidence from back-to-back top-flight clean sheets, given Liverpool had managed only one shutout in their previous 13 matches.

Iraola guided Bournemouth to a 3-2 victory when the sides met at Vitality Stadium in January, but Liverpool have generally dominated this fixture.

The Reds have won 14 of 18 Premier League meetings with the Cherries, scoring 54 goals. Their average of three goals per game is their highest against any opponent they have faced at least 10 times in the competition.

FC Barcelona will be gunning for their seventh win in seven games in La Liga this season when they take on Sevilla later tonight.

The Blaugrana will face off against Luis Garcia Plaza’s men away at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, aiming to extend their 100% start to the 2026/27 campaign.

The reigning champions come into the game on the back of a spectacular 7-2 win over Racing Santander earlier in the week and will hope to carry forward their excellent goalscoring spree against a Sevilla side that has conceded only six goals in six games so far.

With this being their final game before the international break, Barcelona will be intent on signing off on a high, retaining their status as league leaders.

Hansi Flick will go into the game without three players as Joan Garcia joins Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji on the sidelines with a minor injury he sustained in the game against Racing.

The German tactician has been very measured when it comes to rotations to his starting XI this season, and more of the same is expected in tonight’s clash in Seville.

Defence

There will be a change in goal, with Joan Garcia not travelling with the squad after the mild knee injury he picked up earlier in the week.

And, everything suggests that Flick will turn to veteran shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny in goal ahead of Dominik Livakovic, despite the Pole making a costly error in the Racing game after coming on at half-time.

Xavi Espart expected to replace Joao Cancelo. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, there could be another change in defence as Xavi Espart could reclaim the starting berth at left-back from Joao Cancelo despite the Portuguese international scoring a brace in his last game.

On the right side of the defence, Eric Garcia will continue to feature ahead of Jules Kounde, while Pau Cubarsi is expected to return at centre-back, replacing Andreas Christensen. Gerard Martin will continue to partner with him.

Midfield

Flick has been particularly reluctant to rotate his troops in midfield, which has meant that players like Gavi and Marc Bernal have had to make do with limited minutes in recent games.

And, that is unlikely to change tonight either, with the Barcelona manager expected to continue with the partnership of World Cup-winning duo Pedri and Rodri.

But there will be one change in the centre of the park as Fermin Lopez is expected to take the place of Dani Olmo as the attacking midfielder, as the pair continue to trade minutes.

Fermin to replace Olmo? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Attack

Karim Adeyemi was once again brilliant for Barcelona in the game against Racing Santander, putting in a fine display capped off by the assist to Lamine Yamal.

However, the German international is likely to make way for fellow summer arrival Anthony Gordon tonight with Flick continuing to interchange the two players on the left flank.

As for the two other attacking slots, club captain Raphinha will once again feature as the centre-forward, fresh after his hat-trick against Racing Santander, while Lamine will continue on the right.

Gabriel Jesus, who scored his second goal for the club this week, will once again get minutes off the bench.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini faces Inter today, having lost each of his last 10 meetings with the Nerazzurri.

Saturday’s game between Roma and Inter at the Stadio Olimpico is arguably the biggest match in Serie A Round 5.

Roma and Inter have won all their opening four Serie A matches. The Nerazzurri have the best attack, whereas the Giallorossi have the least-beaten defence.

Gasperini’s poor record against Inter

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on pose for a team photograph prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The two teams look as close as ever, but matches against Inter have always been challenging for Roma’s coach, Gasperini.

The Italian tactician has lost all of his latest ten matches against Inter, winning just five games from 36, drawing nine times and losing 22.

However, when a reporter asked the Roma boss whether Inter are his “kryptonite,” Gasperini played down the suggestion.

“There was a period when I often got results with Inter; in recent years, it hasn’t been like that,” he said at a press conference on the eve of the game.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Inter and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“The coaches have also changed. Conte, Inzaghi, Chivu, and the result hasn’t changed,” he added, smiling.

“I think Inter have done this to other teams too. I had experienced the same thing before against Juventus.”

Gasperini hasn’t won any of his last 17 games against Inter, with his most recent victory against the Nerazzurri dating back to November 2018 (Atalanta 4-1 Inter).

Gasperini is also a former Inter coach, but his tenure in the 2011-12 season lasted only 73 days, as he collected four defeats and one draw in five games across all competitions, forcing the Nerazzurri to replace him with Claudio Ranieri.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 17: FC Internazionale Milano head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 17, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Fast forward to today, Roma have a full squad available for today’s fixture against Inter, while the Nerazzurri have travelled to the capital without Djed Spence, John Stones and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Roma have not won the Scudetto since the 2000-01 season under Fabio Capello, and fans in the capital have big expectations for the current campaign, especially after such a strong start.

“Of course, we have to play, and of course-when things go less well, there’s always the risk of getting depressed; but now we don’t have to think about it,” Gasperini added.

“Let’s think about the match, the wait, our environment. I think these are the good games to play.

“I believe Inter are the benchmark team in the league.”

In just a few hours, we’ll find out if Gasp can finally overcome his kryptonite.

Real Madrid defenders Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella have been included in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for the upcoming FIFA break, Managing Madrid report. La Roja will face England, Croatia twice and the Czech Republic during the window.

Spain select Huijsen and Cucurella

Huijsen’s inclusion is the more notable of the two, given that he was left out of Spain’s squad for the FIFA World Cup. The defender has been playing at a very high level since the start of the 2026-27 season, and that recent club form appears to have been enough to convince De la Fuente to bring him back into the fold, alongside emerging centre-back Pau Cubarsí, who has already established himself among Spain’s senior defensive options.

Cucurella’s presence is a much more straightforward call. He remains an undisputed starter on Spain’s left flank, and it is clear he sits ahead of every other option in that position for De la Fuente. That standing persists even though, according to the same report, Cucurella has yet to make a big impact for Real Madrid since his move to the club.

The fixtures ahead

The pair will report for international duty as Spain embark on a four-match run during the FIFA break, with fixtures against England, Croatia on two occasions and the Czech Republic. It is a schedule that follows Spain’s recent run of senior fixtures, including the side that featured heavily in the 2026 World Cup final against France.

What Happens Next

Huijsen and Cucurella will now link up with the rest of De la Fuente’s squad ahead of the trip to face England, before Spain continue through the double meeting with Croatia and the fixture against the Czech Republic. Their performances across the window will be watched closely, not least given the scrutiny already surrounding several senior internationals following the events at the World Cup final.

"In this moment it's not easy for us. I'm not happy for the result but my team today played at the maximum because at the start there were six young players," he said.

"It wasn't the right result but my team played in a different respect to the last match against Stoke City.

"It's not easy because I wanted to change between one match and another match but it's impossible in this moment because we have few players.

"Now it's important to arrive at the international break because it's important to recover a lot of players."

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Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, including the Scudetto showdown Roma-Inter, Raffaele Palladino’s debut in Bologna-Torino, plus Udinese-Cagliari and Venezia-Lazio.

We begin at 14.00 UK time (15.00 CEST) with two Week 5 fixtures, as Bologna debut under new coach Raffaele Palladino against Torino, while Udinese take on impressive Cagliari.

All eyes on the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 UK (18.00 CEST), as the only two sides with a perfect record go head-to-head for top spot, Roma vs. Inter.

Lazio are also flying high at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST) for their trip to rock bottom Venezia.

There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off in every match for Italy and Inter legend Sandro Mazzola, who died this morning aged 83.

After Monza’s 2-1 win over Sassuolo, Serie A Matchday 5 continues with Saturday’s fixtures.

Watch the entire Serie BKT live with LaB Channel on OneFootball: subscribe for just €9.99 per month!

While waiting for the big 6 p.m. clash between Roma and Inter, a hugely important match, the schedule at 3 p.m. features two games: Bologna host Torino at the Dall’Ara, while Udinese welcome Cagliari.

Let’s take a look at the official lineups.

Bologna-Torino

BOLOGNA (3-4-2-1): Skorupski; Helland, Heggem, Theate; Zortea, Pobega, Ferguson, Miranda; Bernardeschi, Cambiaghi; Piccoli. Coach: Palladino

TORINO (3-5-1-1): Perri; Ismajli, Coco, Comert; Fortini, Braganca, Mandragora, Fitz-Jim, Cacciamani; Vlasic; Simeone. Coach: Abate

Udinese-Cagliari

UDINESE (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Karlstrom, Miller, Kamara; Zaniolo, Ekkelenkamp; Davis. Coach: Runjaic

CAGLIARI (4-3-2-1): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez, Obert; Romano, Winks, Deiola; Adopo, Maldini; Mendy. Coach: Pisacane

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta opened the club’s General Assembly earlier today with a measured but ambitious speech, expressing his optimism about the club’s sporting situation and outlining his belief that the team can compete for every major trophy.

During the his opening address, the president reiterated the importance of completing the Spotify Camp Nou redevelopment as quickly as possible, describing the stadium as the future economic centre of the club.

At the same time, he underlined the club’s sporting objectives, making it clear that the team wishes to win every possible trophy this season.

“We aspire to win everything, and I’m convinced that if we support the team and the coaching staff, we will achieve it,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Laporta: “There is no room for complacency”

Looking back at Barcelona’s progress in recent years, Laporta placed particular emphasis on the role of the club’s members.

“Together we have managed to restore the club’s economic strength and together we have defended Barça. Together we will continue building the best club in the world,” he stated.

He also warned against becoming complacent despite the club’s recent progress, saying: “We will not give up. Loving Barça means working every day to become better. There is no room for complacency.”

Laporta wants to win everything. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

A pointed reference to Barcelona’s rivals

Laporta also addressed the financial models of Barcelona’s competitors in Spain and across Europe, arguing that the club must find ways to remain ahead despite operating under a different structure.

“We have to be imaginative and brave to stay ahead of our competitors, who are either limited companies, owned by investment funds, or state-owned clubs who, when they need it, have land reclassified for them and carry on as if nothing happened.”

His comments were a clear reference to the different ownership and financing structures of clubs such as Atletico Madrid (investment fund comment) and Real Madrid (alluding to the Rayo Vallecano land reclassification issue).

Praise for Deco, Flick and the squad

Laporta was particularly positive about the work of sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick, as well as the balance within the squad.

“There is a perfect symbiosis in the dressing room between the players from La Masia and those who have come from elsewhere.”

“The team is being brilliantly managed and has been very well put together thanks to Deco’s work. We have built a team that allows us to say today that we aspire to win everything,” he added.

Barcelona are targeting a third consecutive La Liga title, as well as the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League.

“We aspire to win the third consecutive league title, the Copa and the Super Cup, and of course we aspire to win the Champions League. If we support them, we will achieve it. I’m convinced,” he added.

Laporta pleased with Flick and Deco’s work. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Laporta also highlighted Barcelona’s success across all sections of the club.

He singled out the basketball team, which has undergone a major transformation and has already won the Lliga Catalana, which he hopes will be the first of several trophies.

The president then made a broader point about Barcelona’s European success, saying: “We have 50 Champions Leagues. There is no club in the world that has 50 Champions Leagues.”

Commitment to Barcelona’s identity

Laporta concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Barcelona’s member-owned structure and the club’s identity in Catalonia and around the world.

“The purpose of the coming years is to keep winning, maintain Barça as the biggest club in the world and continue being what we are: a Catalan club, open to the world, a club that contributes to making the world a better place and is committed to Catalonia and our culture.”

He also stressed that Barcelona embraces supporters from different backgrounds, saying: “The identification between Barça and Catalonia is accepted by all Barça fans, wherever they come from.

“Barça accepts and respects diversity, the kaleidoscopic perspectives of Barça fans around the world, and it is a club that embraces freedom, a value linked to Barça and to the social strength and influence of our club.”

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Brentford and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Campbell: Fantastic win; Damsgaard outstanding, Keane Lewis-Potter was also very good. Took on and beat Chelsea in midfield and never reverted to a low block; a clear sign of the development of the team under Andrews.

Vivek: Brilliant game from the Bees. I think that we had conviction and shut down Chelsea really well and when we did, we found gaps and space for counters which is a strong point for us. Brilliant game and evening if you're a Brentford fan and I hope we see more.

Conor: Wow, wow, wow, just wow!! What a beautiful game of football. Schade on form is massive to see, Thiago's first league goal, incredible and Carvalho. Who says Brentford are the only team yet to get to Europe? The season is only getting started. My blood pressure has shot through the roof.

Sampson: Absolutely incredible performance last night. A deserved win, with most players having a great game, especially Damsgaard, Schade and Schuster. Bring on Villa!

Chelsea fans

Richard: All I have heard of the last three years is about the process, fed up with it tbh. When is this going to be sorted? We need to be braver going forward, and not be bullied like we were in the second half. I couldn't believe that second-half performance, so many players weren't at it. We had a decent first half to be fair. It needs to be sorted, and that's down to the management to get it right - no more excuses.

Alan: This was just about the worst match I've seen this season. The defence was a total unorganised mess with no leader. Lacroix was hopeless and Colwill ran circles round himself. As for Martinez, you can see why he was cheap to buy. Henderson played well for his first game back after injury, but where was James? It was a poor night for Palmer. He will need to be better than this to keep his England place. If we are going to win anything, a major sort out at the back is needed.

David: Chelsea were shown on the night the difference between a team of players that play with heart and a desire to win and a team of so-called skilful individuals who were second best and bullied off every ball. We are easy to beat.

Ash: So poor and zero cutting edge. The fact we are playing old men showed and these should be subs, not starters. Alonso needs to get a grip on the defence as they are easily the worst in the Premier League. The break actually helps somewhat as something needs to change and they can work on it.

Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Make Contact Over German Wonderkid Lennart Karl

Liverpool have made informal contact over a potential move for Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl, according to Ekrem Konur, in a development that will naturally catch the eye of supporters tracking the club’s long-term recruitment.

The 18-year-old is emerging as one of the most highly regarded young players in Germany, with Liverpool understood to be among the clubs showing interest. As outlined in the original report, “Liverpool have made contact to sign an incredibly talented German player”, and that player is said to be Karl, a creative attacker with the profile to fit modern elite football.

Lennart Karl emerging on Liverpool radar

Karl’s reputation is growing quickly. He has been described as “the greatest German talent of his generation” and is viewed as “a phenomenal no.10 who can play out wide and who has brilliant technical ability.” Those descriptions alone explain why elite clubs are monitoring his situation closely.

For Liverpool, this feels aligned with a strategy that increasingly mixes immediate quality with elite upside. Karl is still early in his career, but 19 goal contributions in 45 matches for Bayern Munich’s first team at the age of 18 is a notable return. That level of output, in that environment, puts him firmly in the category of high-end European talent.

The report also makes clear that any pursuit would be far from straightforward. “A lot of clubs are also interested in him,” which is exactly what would be expected for a player of this standing. Liverpool may have made contact, but interest and execution are very different stages in a deal of this nature.

German talent remains a key market

Liverpool have often looked to Germany for value and quality, and the Bundesliga has long been a market the club know well. Recent years have seen several important arrivals from that landscape, while the broader attraction remains obvious, technically polished young players gaining experience in high-level competition.

Photo: IMAGO

Karl appears to belong in that bracket. He is reported to operate best as an attacking midfielder, but his ability to drift wide increases his appeal. Versatility matters, especially for top clubs balancing multiple competitions and tactical adjustments across a season.

Klopp praise adds weight to Karl hype

What adds another layer to the story is the praise previously directed at the player by Jürgen Klopp in his role as Germany head coach. Klopp said, “When I met Lennart for the first time and shook his hand, I immediately realised: this boy is ready. He’s a real powerhouse and very confident, with very pleasant manners. He’s also a bit ‘cheeky/sassy’, which I like. He had some outstanding moments before his injury. It was a really unfortunate time for him to get injured.”

That is a glowing assessment, and it reinforces the sense that Karl is viewed internally within German football as more than a promising youngster. He is considered ready to make significant strides, provided his development continues on the current path.

Our View

From a Liverpool perspective, this is the sort of report that sparks genuine intrigue. Karl sounds like a player with real personality as well as obvious talent, and those details matter. The line about him being “cheeky/sassy” suggests confidence, edge and a willingness to take responsibility in big moments, which supporters tend to love.

There is also a wider point here. Liverpool need to keep refreshing the squad with elite young talent, especially in attacking areas where invention, unpredictability and technical security can change matches. If Karl truly is “the greatest German talent of his generation”, then making contact is the bare minimum. You have to be in those conversations.

Of course, interest alone means little. Bayern rarely let the best young German players go without a fight, and if several clubs are involved then the competition will be fierce. Liverpool would need a compelling sporting project, a clear pathway and likely a substantial financial package if this develops into something serious.

Still, there is enough in this report to be encouraged. Karl’s numbers are strong, his versatility stands out and Klopp’s words carry weight. Supporters will know that not every elite talent becomes available, but the idea of Liverpool positioning themselves early for a player of this calibre makes plenty of sense. At the very least, this is one to watch closely.

Italian Sandro Tonali starts for Tottenham against Matteo Ruggeri’s Aston Villa this evening as both sides aim to win their first Premier League game of the season.

It kicks off at 13:30 CET [12:30 BST] at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tonali starts for his fifth consecutive Premier League game with Tottenham, who have only collected two points in the opening four league games of the campaign and haven’t yet scored a goal in the Premier League.

Tonali is part of Roberto Mancini’s 34-man Italy squad that will play Nations League games against Turkey, France and Belgium during the upcoming two-week break.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Sandro Tonali of Tottenham Hotspur applauds the fans at full-time following defeat in the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Tottenham have another Italian player on the bench, Destiny Udogie, who, by contrast, won’t be part of the Italy squad.

The same is true of Ruggeri, who starts for Aston Villa today.

The former Atletico Madrid and Atalanta defender was only called up once by Italy in 2025, but hasn’t yet made his debut.

Official: Matteo Ruggeri joins Premier League club Aston Villa from LaLiga side Atletico Madrid (via www.avfc.co.uk)

The 23-year-old starts his first Premier League game with Aston Villa today.

Unai Emery’s side have only collected one point in the opening four Premier League games.

Official Tottenham vs. Aston Villa line-ups

Tottenham: Kinsky, Robertson, van Hecke, Tonali, Savio, Fernandes, Solanke, Marmoush, Pedro Porro, Bentancur, van de Ven.

Tottenham bench: Dubravka, Tosin, Senesi, Gallagher, Maddison, Udogie, Gray, Bergvall, Kudus.

Aston Villa: Suzuki, Lindelof, Mings, McGinn (c), Kamara, Buendia, Jackson, Ruggeri, Wan-Bissaka, Gomes, Manzambi.

Aston Villa bench: Wright, Cash, Harwood-Bellis, Barkley, Garnacho, Abraham, Mbaye, Bogarde, Hemmings.

Folarin Balogun sale plan raises Arsenal windfall questions after Everton collapse

Monaco’s position on Folarin Balogun has now been made clear, and it leaves Everton, Arsenal and the wider market with a fresh situation to monitor ahead of January. According to Standard, Monaco are actively planning to move the striker on in the winter window, a development that could hand Arsenal a useful financial boost through the sell-on clause agreed when he left north London.

Balogun had looked set for a Premier League return in the summer after Everton agreed a £40 million deal with Monaco. That transfer, however, fell apart late on Deadline Day, with concerns emerging around how the process had been handled. The report states that Balogun felt uneasy amid Everton’s parallel interest in Joshua Zirkzee, and Monaco chief Thiago Scuro later laid out the player’s frustrations in blunt terms.

Scuro said: “Balogun’s allegation is that I’m not feeling well because of the way the club treated me,” before adding, “I’m not feeling well because Everton’s medical department brought doubts about my future or my health.” He then continued: “I have nothing (no medical problem), so I’m not comfortable to sign a long contract here.”

Monaco transfer strategy comes into focus

There is another layer to this. Balogun has yet to feature for Monaco this season because of a knee injury, although a return against Lens has been left open. Even so, the club’s broader plan appears settled. Scuro told RMC Sport: “The original plan is to find a solution for Balogun. If we find that, it will give Monaco the opportunity to keep Lamine and Golovin until the end of the season.” He added: “That is the ideal plan, but we can’t control the decisions and what will happen in the winter.”

Photo IMAGO

For Arsenal, the key detail is financial. There is no buy-back clause in the original €40 million, £34.2 million, sale, but there is a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause. Any January departure would therefore generate a windfall for Mikel Arteta’s side without them needing to re-enter the picture directly.

Arsenal sell-on clause adds January intrigue

From Everton’s perspective, this story may not be over, but it does feel significant that the breakdown has remained part of the conversation. January often creates opportunities for all parties to reset, and Balogun’s availability could yet tempt clubs seeking a striker with Premier League familiarity and resale value. The challenge will be whether confidence, fitness and trust can all be rebuilt quickly enough to make a deal straightforward.

Our View

As an Everton supporter, this is the sort of report that only deepens the frustration around how the club is perceived in the market. If a player comes away from negotiations feeling uncertain, and those concerns become public, then the damage goes beyond one failed transfer. It reflects on process, communication and credibility.

Everton have spent too long looking reactive in key windows. Supporters can accept missing out on a player, that happens to every club. What is much harder to accept is the idea that a deal for a forward at £40 million got so far down the line and still collapsed amid mistrust. If Balogun believed the club were sending mixed messages, then that is a major concern.

There is also the football side of it. Everton needed goals, needed depth and needed clarity. Instead, the club came away with questions. Reading Scuro’s words, especially “I’m not comfortable to sign a long contract here”, it is difficult not to wonder how badly the situation deteriorated behind the scenes.

For supporters, this should be a lesson. Recruitment must be decisive, aligned and professional from first contact to final signature. If Everton want to compete for the best talent, they cannot afford for these stories to become a pattern. Whether Balogun is revisited or not, the bigger issue is making sure the next major deal does not end in the same public mess.

Since yesterday, one thing has been clear: Nuremberg’s rising star Mohamed Ali Zoma has achieved something historic.

He is the first player from a German second-division club to be called up to the Italian national team and can now hope to make his international debut. Roberto Mancini included him in the Squadra Azzurra squad for the Nations League clashes.

The 22-year-old only joined Nuremberg in the summer of 2025 from Italy’s third division and immediately made quite an impact in his first season with 14 goals.

Zoma has also played his part in the club being considered a serious promotion contender after a more than respectable start to the season. He has already scored five goals in the last five league matches.

Anyone wondering whether the Italy call-up would inspire him or hold him back because he would no longer want to risk an injury now has their answer.

Away at Karlsruhe, the attacker struck again. After an assist from Fernandez, Zoma finished off a beautifully worked move to give Klose’s team a deserved lead (30').

Six goals in six games at the start of this 2. Bundesliga season.

It really is madness that Nuremberg managed to keep him this summer. But if Zoma keeps delivering like this, that will probably become an impossible task in the next transfer windows.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Renée Slegers says the club have a plan in place, although the timetable has already shifted and will continue to depend on how van Domselaar responds.

Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Arsenal have October ‘in mind’ for Daphne van Domselaar’s return as the goalkeeper continues her recovery from a knee procedure carried out during the 2026 off-season.

Van Domselaar has not featured this season, with the club providing little indication until now of when she might be available again.

Arsenal said on 23 August that the goalkeeper had been left out of the pre-season squad against Paris FC but was “progressing well after undergoing a procedure on her knee in the off season.”

The club repeated that position three days later when she also missed the final pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic.

Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images

Speaking ahead of Arsenal Women’s game against Manchester United on Saturday, Renée Slegers offered the clearest indication yet of when Van Domselaar could return.

“At the moment, it’s hard to tell [when she will return],” Slegers said.

“October is in our minds somewhere, but we still have to look at how the new response is.

“Day by day, there is a plan in place, but that plan has been changed several times now. October will be great, but let’s see where it goes. Daphne is working really hard in the background with the medical team.”

The current knee problem is separate from the quad-tendon issue Van Domselaar was managing late in 2025.

Arsenal will also be without Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang against Manchester United.

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Both are recovering from ACL injuries suffered a month apart late in 2025 and should be closing in on a return.

There is also a fresh concern over Elisa de Almeida, who picked up a muscular problem during the week.

Slegers has ruled the summer signing out of Saturday’s game but did not give any further details about the nature of the problem or how long she could be unavailable.

Florian Wirtz has revealed the advantage Liverpool have over Bournemouth ahead of their Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Liverpool are aiming to record their second Premier League win this season. They remain unbeaten, having won one and drawn three of their opening four matches.

This is head coach Andoni Iraola’s first meeting with the Cherries since leaving the club.

Wirtz, speaking to liverpoolfc.com, believes Iraola’s knowledge of Bournemouth gives Liverpool an advantage.

“We have to be very ready. I think the manager knows them really well, so maybe there’s a small advantage we have – but we have to be ready and very focused for this game.”

The Reds head into the fixture off the back of a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday.

Wirtz watched the match from the stands. He enjoyed his experience and he is hoping that they can take the momentum into the encounter with Bournemouth.

“Of course, I’d rather be on the pitch! But it was the first time I watched it [a game] from higher up in the stadium in the stands,” he continued.

“It was nice to watch, and it was also a good win for us and for the mind. That definitely helps to build the momentum.”

The Germany international is expected to return to the matchday squad against Marco Rose’s side and will be looking to make an impact.

Wirtz has endured a slow start to the season, registering just one assist in five league games.

Iraola is still backing the 23-year-old and maintains that he ‘should be judged like everyone else, whether he plays well or doesn’t’.

However, the Spanish coach could be forced to drop Wirtz if he continues to strong.

Despite spending over £650 million in the last three windows, there is a glaring hole in Liverpool's squad.

Several high-profile additions have been sanctioned at Anfield, but no replacement for Mohamed Salah came through the door this summer.

Federico Chiesa is yet to feature this campaign due to injury, and the Reds are left with no natural option on the right-hand side of their attack.

Bradley Barcola, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz have filled in so far, but an additional right-sided forward would be a huge boost in the winter window.

Luckily for Liverpool a former target could be available.

Liverpool need to look at Johan Bakayoko

Johan Bakayoko is a name that the Anfield faithful will be familiar with, the Belgian forward was almost continually linked with a Merseyside move for a number of years before he made the jump from PSV to RB Leipzig in 2025.

The 23-year-old has failed to impress since his move to Germany however, and now he could once again be on the market in January.

After starting well in Leipzig, Bakayoko fell out of favour and picked up a muscle injury that saw him feature minimally from Christmas onwards last season.

He only managing 892 minutes in all competitions last campaign, and the Belgian has once again failed to nail down a starting place this season.

Although his returns have basically flatlined since he left the Netherlands, it is important to note that the winger managed 43 goals and assists in his last two seasons with PSV.

The left-footed right-winger could be the perfect addition to Iraola's squad, and he would prove a cost-effective option too, with teams being quoted just €20 million (~£17m) in the summer.

At such a low fee, Bakayoko is worth the small risk and could add some much-needed depth to the right-hand side of Iraola's attack.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his Roma squad list for today’s big game against Inter, and, for the first time this season, the Giallorossi can rely on a full squad.

Roma have no injuries or suspensions for their home game against Inter today.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, looks on before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

Coach Gasperini had already announced at a pre-match press conference on Friday that all of his players were available, but joked that he’d keep his “fingers crossed” until match day.

His squad list has now been confirmed with no omissions from his 23-man team.

Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are expected to start in the Roma attack, joined by Matias Soulé.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on September 14, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

According to the latest reports, Evan Ndicka will start on the bench, making room for Leonardo Balerdi after his positive performance against Torino in the previous round.

Roma and Inter are the only Serie A teams to have won all their opening four league games this season.

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, acknowledges the fans after the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri have travelled to the Olimpico without Djed Spence, John Stones and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Official Roma squad list vs. Inter

Goalkeepers: Svilar, De Marzi, Gollini

Defenders: Rensch, Koulierakis, Ndicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli, Ghilardi

Midfielders: Cristante, Pellegrini, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli, Mora

Attackers: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly laid down clear instructions for Vinicius Jr. ahead of the Madrid derby against Atletico, with the Portuguese coach keen to keep his forward away from distractions at the Metropolitano.

According to Defensa Central, Mourinho has spoken directly with the Brazilian about his approach to the game. 

With Real Madrid looking to make an early statement against their city rivals, the manager wants Vinicius focused entirely on his football rather than the atmosphere surrounding the fixture.

The derby is expected to be fiercely contested, with Diego Simeone’s Atletico unlikely to make life comfortable for Madrid,  making discipline particularly important for Mourinho as he prepares his side for one of the biggest fixtures of the season.

Mourinho wants Vinicius focused on football

The message from Mourinho is understood to be simple: Vinicius must concentrate on the match and avoid getting dragged into confrontations.

Mourinho does not want Vinicius to confront the stands. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The Brazilian has frequently been targeted by opposition supporters, while his exchanges with referees and fans have also become part of the conversation around his performances. Mourinho wants that cycle broken in the derby.

The Portuguese coach has, thus, told Vinicius not to confront the stands or the referee, believing such incidents can take the forward away from his responsibilities and ultimately hurt Real Madrid.

Instead, Mourinho expects the winger to stay involved on both sides of the ball. 

His attacking threat will obviously be central to Madrid’s plans, but the manager also wants him to contribute defensively and remain connected to his teammates throughout the contest.

Mourinho has already defended Vinicius

Mourinho’s instructions come with some context. After Real Madrid’s victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, the manager spoke openly about the treatment Vinicius receives during matches.

Mourinho wants Vinicius to focus just on football. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

Defending his forward while acknowledging that the Brazilian is not without fault, Mourinho said: “Vini Jr. isn’t a saint, but what they’re doing to him is too much. It starts right from the first minute. 

“I think it’s a pattern, something that repeats itself from one opponent to the next.”

That situation helps explain why Mourinho is now trying to manage the situation rather than just asking Vinicius to ignore it.

Hence, for Vinicius, the ideal outcome is to let his football do the talking.

Tributes have poured in following the death of Inter and Italy legend Sandro Mazzola, who passed away on Saturday aged 83.

Mazzola is widely regarded as one of Italy’s best players of all time. Second-ranked for the Ballon d’Or in 1971, Mazzola won two consecutive European Cups (now Champions League) with Inter between 1963 and 1965.

He contributed to Inter’s first-ever European Cup victory by scoring seven goals during the competition in 1963-64, including a brace in a 3-1 win in the Final against Real Madrid.

Tributes for Inter and Italy legend Mazzola

With the Italy national team, he won the 1968 Euros and reached the 1970 World Cup final, losing to Pelé’s Brazil.

“Farewell to Sandro Mazzola, champion, legend, and icon for generations of Italians,” FIGC President Giovanni Malagò wrote on X.

“On behalf of myself and the entire FIGC, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and to Inter. Goodbye, Sandro. You will be deeply missed.”

Several Italian clubs have paid tribute to Mazzola today.

A minute’s silence will be observed before each game across Italy’s professional leagues, and Inter will wear a black armband in their away game at Roma.

Torino paid one of the most touching tributes to Mazzola, sharing an iconic photograph of his father, Valentino, tying the young Sandro’s football boots.

Valentino Mazzola was an Italian football legend and captain of the legendary Grande Torino side, who tragically died alongside his teammates in the Superga air disaster in 1949. Sandro Mazzola hadn’t even turned seven when he lost his father.

On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Inter and Italy legend Sandro Mazzola, aged 83. Mazzola won four league titles, two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups with Inter, as well as lifting the EURO 1968 trophy with Italy.… pic.twitter.com/tNRffnG2Xr

Juventus ricorda con grande rispetto Sandro Mazzola, campione e gentleman del calcio italiano, protagonista di un’epoca, simbolo di classe, stile e passione per questo sport. Il nostro profondo cordoglio per la sua scomparsa.

Real Madrid will face off against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid tomorrow in La Liga in the first derby of the 2026/27 season.

The Merengues have made a positive start to the season, winning six of their seven matches in all competitions so far.

But a derby against Atletico is never easy, especially away at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where Real Madrid have not had the best fortune in recent years.

It will be a major test for Jose Mourinho who will go up against his former adversary, Diego Simeone, in one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of this weekend.

Ahead of tomorrow’s derby day, Simeone addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, discussing various things, including the availability of Julian Alvarez and his relationship with Mourinho.

On facing Real Madrid

Talking about the importance of the derby and what it meant for Atletico Madrid to get one over Real Madrid in these clashes, Simeone remarked;

“A derby is different. There’s enormous tension and excitement because of the rivalry, because of the competitiveness we’ve managed to rebuild over the last fifteen years. Confidence is a key factor in this match.”

Simeone looking forward to the derby. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Atleti go into the game on the back of strong performances against Real Sociedad and CA Osasuna, but Simeone refused to read much into it, saying:

“The previous match has nothing to do with the city derby. I don’t think it’s directly linked to Sunday’s match. They are two teams with good players and we have to take the game to where we can cause them problems,” he said.

Respect for Mourinho and key factors in the match

Discussing the key factors that could decide the derby tomorrow, Simeone explained:

“The characteristics of each team. They’ll have a better transition than ours, more direct… They’re powerful, strong players who capitalise on that.

“We have to read the game as well as possible so that they don’t feel too comfortable in their rapid transitions.”

Old rivals set to square off. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Touching upon the topic of new Real Madrid Mourinho, Simeone expressed a great deal of respect for the Portuguese tactician, saying:

“I don’t feel like talking about something from so many years ago. I have enormous respect for Mourinho. I’m a great admirer of his; he knows how highly I regard him.

“Hopefully we can compete as we have done whenever we’ve come up against each other.”

Crucially, Simeone also confirmed that Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez will be fit and available for the derby, saying:

“He’ll be with us. We’ll decide whether he starts or comes on in the second half.”

Source: AS

They had been very excited about him in Braunschweig. The 21-year-old Greek Isidoros Koutsidis arrived late in the summer transfer window. With his anticipatory style of play, the youngster is expected to help stabilize Braunschweig’s defense in the long term.

Today, he made his starting debut in Eintracht’s away match at Kaiserslautern.

But of all matches, against the Red Devils, it turned into something of a nightmare. It was over after just nine minutes.

Koutsidis sat down on the pitch and needed treatment. Apparently without any contact from an opponent, he had earlier injured the back of his left thigh.

He was then substituted with the score at 0-0. Andi Hoti came on for him — the very player Koutsidis had actually displaced from the starting lineup for the first time today.

A pretty bitter blow for the Lower Saxony side and, of course, for the young player himself.

Greek new signings and injury misfortune at the start of the season — somehow that currently seems to be the order of the day in German football...

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Roberto Mancini has returned to the Italy dugout, naming his first squad since beginning his second spell as Azzurri head coach: Lorenzo Bettoni and Alfredo Marabese examine his decisions in the latest episode of the Football Italia Show on YouTube.

Click here to subscribe to the official Football Italia YouTube channel

AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Football Italia Show: Reaction to Mancini’s Italy call-ups

The 61-year-old has selected 34 players for Italy’s next four Nations League fixtures, giving an early indication of his plans for the national team.

Lorenzo Bettoni and Alfredo Marabese take a closer look at Mancini’s choices, discussing the key inclusions, notable omissions and the thinking behind the new-look squad.

With four important matches on the horizon, Mancini faces the immediate challenge of balancing experience with fresh talent. His squad selection is likely to generate plenty of debate among Italian football supporters, particularly as the coach begins shaping the team in his own image.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 15: Roberto Mancini coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Asian 3rd Qualifier Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at King Abdullah Sports City on October 15, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

What does Mancini’s first squad tell us about his vision for Italy? Bettoni and Marabese analyse the main talking points and what could lie ahead for the Azzurri.

Watch the full show below.

Michael Kayode has received his first-ever Italy call-up and marked the occasion in style, delivering a standout performance in Brentford’s impressive 3–0 victory over Chelsea: ‘He followed the game plan to the letter,’ wrote Gazzetta.

Brentford right-back Kayode is among the potential nine debutants Roberto Mancini called up for Italy’s upcoming Nations League games.

Kayode already left his mark at a youth level with the Azzurri, scoring the winning goal in the Euro U19 Final against Portugal in 2023.

TIRRENIA, ITALY – OCTOBER 12: Michael Olabode Kayode of Italy U21 in action during the Friendly Match between Italy U21 and Italy U18 on October 12, 2023 in Tirrenia, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The 22-year-old collected ten appearances with Italy U21 before receiving his first senior call-up.

Yesterday was a special day for the former Fiorentina defender, who marked his Azzurri call-up with a strong performance against Chelsea, helping Brentford win 3-0.

Kayode started the match and was substituted in the 69th minute, with his team leading 1-0. The Italy international had already played 90 minutes against Reading in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Michael Kayode of Brentford reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Chelsea FC at Gtech Community Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Gazzetta notes that Kayode followed Keith Andrews’ tactical plan perfectly.

The Brentford coach asked Kayode “to stay deep in defence, alongside centre-backs Jannik Schuster and Kristoffer Ajer, and to make his presence felt in attack only on set pieces and with his long throw-ins,” the pink paper wrote.

“Kayode followed the game plan to the letter, staying back to provide stability in defence and pushing Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, the number-one threat to the Bees’ defence, to move away from him and instead exploit the central channels.”

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Michael Kayode of Brentford dries the ball with a towel before taking a long throw-in during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Kayode joined Brentford on loan from Fiorentina in January 2025, and the Bees made his move permanent for €17.5m at the end of the campaign.

Gazzetta notes that the promising right-back has “already become one of the fans’ idols” at Brentford and that during the lap of honour after last night’s victory, Italian flags could be seen among the celebrating supporters.

Kayode signed a contract extension until 2032 this past July.

Ivor Pandur insists Rangers are not focusing on the consequences of winning or losing their Scottish Premiership derby with Celtic on Sunday as they look to repeat the level they showed when the teams met last weekend.

The Ibrox side dominated at home as they ran out comprehensive 3-0 winners over Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, with Martin O'Neill's side defeated again midweek by Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

Rangers currently trail last season's champions by five points, with Celtic holding a 100% league record as they look to defend their title.

When asked whether they considered the outcomes of potentially moving within two points of Celtic or dropping eight behind, goalkeeper Pandur replied: "Not really. I think we just need to focus on what we can do."

That means concentrating on carrying out the gameplan and manager Derek McInnes' instructions.

"I think we did a really good job [in the win over Celtic]," Pandur said. "Obviously we had a week to prepare to see what we can improve and do better, but the performance was good and we just want to do the same."

Rangers enjoyed the backing of exclusive home support, with no away fans at the cup meeting, and the roles are reversed on Sunday.

"You just focus on the game," Pandur said. "The noise outside, everything, you need to shut it out and focus only on the pitch.

"We know they are a good team. It's easy for them, it's their stadium, their fans, it's still a game of football. We know they'll see what they do wrong, they'll try to improve, they'll try to do things better and we need to be ready for it.

The 26-year-old doesn't buy into the idea that Celtic are vulnerable after their latest two defeats.

"They play at home, the fans will be behind them, give them energy," Pandur added.

Liverpool Forward Line Gets the Pace Upgrade as Alexander Isak Salutes Bradley Barcola

Liverpool wanted one thing this summer, speed. They needed it, too. The attack had become too easy to read, too easy to defend against and, over long stretches last season, too easy to slow down. With Mohamed Salah gone, and with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz moved on, the front line had lost its edge in transition.

That has changed quickly. Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz were signed to inject pace and directness, and early signs suggest the fix is obvious. Liverpool now look built to stretch teams again, force defenders backwards and create space for the more technical players around them.

That matters because this attack is being rebuilt around variety. Alexander Isak gives them movement and finishing, Florian Wirtz brings control and invention, Cody Gakpo offers balance, and Barcola supplies the raw speed that can distort a defensive line in seconds.

Bradley Barcola pace already changing Liverpool attack

Barcola has not taken long to make an impression. His top speed of 35.9km/h against Ipswich remains the fastest recorded in the Premier League this season. More importantly, it confirmed what Liverpool thought they were buying, a forward who can turn a broken phase into a chance almost instantly.

Isak has already noticed it. Asked about his new teammate, he said: “Bradley Barcola is even quicker than I was expecting? Yes. He is super fast. I think he reached a crazy speed against Ipswich and it didn’t even look like he was going full throttle. He’s really quick.”

That is the key point. Elite speed only matters when it changes behaviour. Barcola’s does. Full-backs drop earlier, centre-backs hesitate, midfielders stop stepping in. Liverpool become harder to compress.

Photo: IMAGO

Alexander Isak sees elite quality around him

Isak also spoke warmly about the defenders in this squad, and his judgement was straightforward. On Virgil van Dijk, he said: “Yeah, I think that’s a good shout. Last decade I think he’s one of the highest quality, he’s been keeping a top level for a very long time which is very difficult. He’s a really experienced and smart defender, it’s always difficult to come up against him.”

That is not sentiment. It is a striker describing the type of defender he least enjoys facing, one who reads the game early and rarely gives away a clean duel.

Jeremy Jacquet earning respect in new Liverpool era

Isak also gave an honest answer on Jeremy Jacquet. “I would win a 50/50 against Jeremy Jacquet? Yeah I have to back myself,” he said. “Maybe not aerial. I’ll give him aerial. But he’s a really brilliant player. He’s had a really good start for us and I think his potential is massive.”

That sums up where Liverpool are heading. The squad looks quicker, younger and less predictable. If Barcola, Wirtz, Isak and Gakpo click together, the attack will not just look good on paper, it will look like one of Europe’s most difficult units to contain.

Liverpool Scout Kees Smit as £51.5m January Midfield Move Gains Momentum

Liverpool’s search for midfield reinforcement appears to be moving with purpose, with TeamTalk reporting that the club were among a sizeable Premier League contingent watching AZ Alkmaar talent Kees Smit this week. The 20-year-old was in action at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday as AZ slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland, but the result did little to dim attention on one of the Eredivisie’s most highly regarded young midfielders.

Smit “started the game and produced another eye-catching display” despite AZ being beaten by Enzo Le Fee’s late penalty. That detail matters. Scouts rarely judge solely on scorelines, and this was another live check on a player who has been building a reputation at notable speed. The report states that Liverpool are “long-term admirers of Smit” and had representatives on Wearside specifically to monitor his progress.

There was no shortage of company. According to the same report, “Chelsea, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Brighton were all in attendance, with Smit the main reason for their respective scouting visits.” That level of presence says plenty about the market. When multiple Premier League clubs are committing resources to watch the same player in person, it usually points to serious and active interest rather than background noise.

Kees Smit emerges as serious Liverpool target

Smit has “emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfield talents over the past 18 months” and has become a central figure in AZ’s strong start to the season. With the Dutch side currently sitting second in the Eredivisie, his importance has only grown. Liverpool’s interest, therefore, feels aligned with both performance data and trajectory.

The report adds that “his performances have ensured he remains firmly on the radar of clubs across the continent”, while his development since breaking into the AZ first team in 2024 has attracted “sustained interest from England for more than two years.” That suggests this is not a sudden reaction to one outing, but part of a much longer process of assessment.

Photo IMAGO

There is also a financial framework already attached. Smit is described as the “€60m (£51.5m, $69m) rated star”, a figure that places him firmly in the premium young-talent bracket. Liverpool will know that if they choose to act in January, they are unlikely to be alone and they are unlikely to secure any discount once the window opens.

January transfer window could shape Liverpool midfield plans

What sharpens the story further is the suggestion that Liverpool are actively weighing a winter midfield addition. TeamTalk reports that “The Reds are understood to be considering a mid-season swoop for a new midfielder”, with Andoni Iraola said to have concerns that “his current options cannot bring his high-intensity press demands to life.”

That is a notable line, especially in the context of a head coach whose teams rely heavily on energy, pressure and repeat intensity out of possession. If Liverpool believe they need a midfielder capable of raising the collective level in those phases, then Smit’s profile becomes especially relevant.

The report goes on to say Liverpool have “shortlisted four potential options ahead of the January window” and that Smit “too can be added to that list.” For now, no move is presented as imminent. Yet the language around the scouting, the long-term admiration and the tactical need all point towards a situation worth tracking closely in the months ahead.

Premier League race building around AZ Alkmaar midfielder

There is another important aspect here. Smit “had been expected to make a move during the summer, but no transfer materialised despite strong interest from clubs across Europe.” That unresolved backdrop often carries into the next window, particularly when the player continues to perform and interest remains “genuine and widespread”.

His omission from Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad is mentioned as a disappointment, but the report is clear that “That setback has done little to diminish the interest” in his services. If anything, his response at club level appears to have kept the momentum firmly alive.

Tuesday’s match in Sunderland was only one game, but the broader message is clear. Liverpool are watching Kees Smit closely, the competition is building, and a £51.5m January decision could become one of the more intriguing sub-plots of the upcoming transfer window.

Our View

From a Liverpool perspective, this is the sort of report that immediately makes sense. Iraola’s football depends on intensity, aggression and smart pressing, so if the coaching staff feel the current midfield mix does not fully support that, a move for someone like Kees Smit would be logical. The age profile fits, the upside is obvious and the fact Liverpool are described as “long-term admirers of Smit” suggests proper groundwork has already been done.

The £51.5m figure is the part that gives you pause, because that is major money for a player still proving himself at the highest level. Even so, the market for elite young midfielders has moved sharply, and if “Chelsea, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Brighton were all in attendance”, Liverpool will know hesitation can become expensive.

What stands out most is the tactical angle. If Iraola truly believes a new midfielder can help bring “his high-intensity press demands to life”, that need could push this from interest to action quite quickly. Fans will want a signing who lifts the level straight away, not one for the distant future alone. Smit sounds like a player who could offer both development and immediate energy. Whether January is the right moment depends on availability, price and how strongly Liverpool rate the alternatives on that reported shortlist, but this feels like a story with real substance behind it.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion. The Black Country derby. A fixture that goes back to the very dawn of English footballing time itself.

Now it's back as a league fixture for the first time in more than five years, and in front of fans at Molineux since 2012.

It was first contested as a league game in December 1888 - the very first season of the Football League - when Wolves won 2-1. However, Albion had already won their first two meetings, in 1886 and 1887, both in the FA Cup.

Since then, there have been so many derby memories, both magic and tragic at opposite ends of the emotional scale.

And, since the explosion of televised football, so many of those moments captured on video to be relived - or mentally erased depending on your allegiance - over and over again.

It's a fixture that the Black Country never stops talking about, the first the fans look for when the sides are in the same division.

And the pre-match banter begins earlier with every staging - and every look back at all those derby highlights from the past 40 years.

Steve Bull's first derby goal in 1989, a toothlessly grinning Iwan Roberts' Hawthorns hat-trick in 1996, George Ndah's double on the back of an inspired Keith Andrews performance in 2001 and two-goal Steven Fletcher's matchwinning efforts in May 2011 to help keep Mick McCarthy's side in the Premier League.

For Albion, there was Darren Bradley's 35-yard screamer in 1993, Bob Taylor's late Hawthorns clincher in 1995, Jordao's Molineux matchwinner in December 2001, the season when Albion pipped Wolves for promotion by three points, and Carlos Vela's injury-time equaliser in Roy Hodgson's first game in charge in 2011.

And then there was that famous 5-1.

• Wolves legends plead for calm ahead of derby
• Wolves and Albion issue warning over derby disorder

February 2012. Wolves 1-5 Albion. A day when Peter Odemwingie netted a hat-trick and a slightly older Andrews rubbed it in by scoring against his old club.

Wolves were ripped apart and boss McCarthy lost his job the next day.

Sunday's game is the first chance since when a 'gold and black' Molineux crowd will have been there to see their team try to avenge that day of great gloating from the 'stars in stripes'.

Wolves, relegated at the end of that campaign, just as they were again in May, have since spent eight seasons in the top flight, to Albion's seven - but only once at the same time.

That was the post-Covid season of 2020-21, when both derbies were played behind closed doors - and the Baggies took four points out of a possible six off their neighbours, but still got relegated.

It all adds up to why this Sunday's meeting is so important.

The first chance to truly avenge that 5-1 embarrassment - Wolves' joint second-worst in a Black Country derby, bettered only by an 8-0 home defeat in 1894, way back in the latter days of Queen Victoria's reign.

• Quiz: How well do you know the Black Country derby?
• Roberts: 'I'll remember it forever'
• Odemwingie: 'It's a special moment'

The history of this fixture is important. So much so for Albion boss James Morrison that, on top of their usual training sessions, he has had his players in for extra pre-match preparation from one of the Baggies' club historians, who will have been able to chiefly inform his players that, in terms of the entire 138-year history of this fixture, it is very close - 55 Albion league wins to Wolves' 52.

But, in recent years, the Baggies hold sway.

Since the beginning of the new Millennium, there have been 18 league and cup derbies, of which Albion have won 10 and Wolves just four - but they did win the most recent meeting, the 2-0 victory in the FA Cup fourth round at The Hawthorns in January 2024.

That was an occasion scarred by the poor behaviour displayed by a minority of fans as play was halted for 38 minutes after police were assaulted, missiles were thrown and flares were set off.

It this week led to the two clubs sending out a joint statement highlighting the need to keep the rivalry friendly.

But Morrison himself has already added to the pre-match mind games by even hinting that he half-expects to still see Wolves striker Raul Jimenez out there on Sunday, despite boss Cesar Peixoto having ruled out the Mexican earlier this week with a knee injury.

"I'll believe it when I see it," said the Albion boss.

Peixoto has since assured the Albion camp that the injury is for real. "I don't play mind games," he told BBC Radio WM.

But always, in any derby game, all the talk counts for little when the game gets under way.

And, prior to his first taste of the fixture, Peixoto said he was well aware of what it means to the fans and had a message for his players.

"Play with passion but also with your head," he said. "I'm very competitive. I don't like to lose."

Much may depend on the mental approach of both teams.

Wolves, just three points adrift of Albion in the early Championship table and with a game in hand, have already tasted one derby this season - the 2-2 thriller with Birmingham City a fortnight ago, when they were forced to settle for a point after conceding a comical own goal.

But Jose Sa's mix-up with Jackson Tchatchoua is just the sort of thing that can happen in a derby game, when the atmosphere is white hot and tensions high.

And, although Albion boss Morrison is experiencing his first Black Country derby as a head coach, he played in five of them - including that 5-1 win.

"These are the games you want to be involved in," he said. "The outcome can be a real positive for the players and myself. You can cement a special place with performances in these games."

• Latest Wolves news, analysis and fan views
• Ask about Wolves - what do you want to know?

• Latest West Bromwich Albion news, analysis and fan views

Bayern hosted Union Berlin in Munich and handed them a resounding 7-0 thrashing, featuring a hat-trick from Olise and two goals from Kane, with Musiala and Saibari rounding out the scoreline.

After the match, Union Berlin took a jab on social media and "blamed" Lamine Yamal for waking up Olise and Kane.

The Barcelona star had "limited" the Ballon d'Or race to just himself and Mbappé.

Couldn’t that 19-year-old joker from Barcelona have just kept his mouth shut? Kane and Olise are really on fire today and proving they have everything it takes to win the Ballon d'Or.

With the result, Vincent Kompany’s team moves to ten points, remains unbeaten, and sits provisionally at the top of the table, although they could still be overtaken by Freiburg and Dortmund, who have yet to play this round.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

African football boss Patrice Motsepe has called for a "heightened sense of urgency" from next year's Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The tournament is set to return to East Africa for the first time in 51 years, with the opening match kicking off on 19 June and the final scheduled for 17 July.

Stadiums are supposed to be ready for testing in around three months' time, and Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Motsepe says there is little room for delay.

"Even though we've got nine months, we need to start using those stadiums in January next year to test them and to see what further improvements are required," he told BBC Sport Africa after inspecting preparations in Kenya on Friday.

Motsepe said there had been "very good progress" while also acknowledging that some facilities were still below the required level.

"We've got very high standards in terms of our expectations of the infrastructure, the facilities and the stadiums, the hotels, the roads, the football pitches where training takes place," the South African added.

"We require those facilities to be world class."

Despite delays in certain areas, Motsepe insisted: "There isn't the slightest consideration of a postponement.

"There should be no need because there's a deep amount of commitment."

Kenya to 'accelerate preparations'

Motsepe began his inspection visit for Afcon 2027 in Tanzania before touring Kenya, where he inspected two venues in Nairobi: Kasarani Stadium and the newly constructed 60,000-capacity Talanta Stadium.

BBC Sport Africa understands that one of the main areas of concern in Kenya is the Kasarani and its corresponding training facility.

The stadium is set to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, which Nairobi was awarded on Tuesday ahead of London and Rome.

When Caf conducted its previous inspection in mid-February, the local organisers were told that stadiums and their associated training facilities should be around 80% ready by August.

However, Kasarani has seen limited progress over the past seven months, with several areas still requiring attention.

One of the biggest challenges is the playing surface, which is yet to be laid. Work is also required on cabling for broadcast and television operations, floodlights and the stadiums' sky boxes.

Motsepe also pointed to the demands created by hosting hundreds of VIPs and heads of state, saying some stadium designs will need to be reconfigured.

"Security issues in relation to where the special guests, particularly the heads of state, will be seated requires a revision of the original plans," the 64-year-old explained.

Kenya's cabinet secretary for sports Salim Mvurya insisted preparations would be completed on time.

"I assure Caf and Kenyans we will accelerate the preparations for Afcon 2027," Mvurya said.

"We will conclude everything by December to be sure we can have test matches in the various facilities."

• How Kenya won its bid for 2029 World Athletics Championships
• African greats inspired by the potential of Nairobi 2029

December is significant because Motsepe is due to return to the region for a final assessment visit in January.

Recent Caf tournaments have regularly been delayed from their original dates.

This year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations was played in July after the planned kick-off in March was postponed with just 12 days' notice.

The 2024 African Nations Championship - the former tournament for home-based players only - in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was postponed from its intended February 2025 dates to August 2025 to ensure infrastructure and facilities were "at the levels necessary". That decision came 18 days before the tournament was due to start.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Afcon in Ivory Coast was moved to the early months of 2024 because of concerns about the rainy season.

Two years ago Motsepe's former deputy Veron Mosengo-Omba admitted that Caf faced a "scheduling nightmare" to fit its biennial tournaments into the crowded football calendar.

Some pundits claim that is part of the reasoning behind the decision to play the men's Afcon every four years after 2028.

Sporting legacy

Despite previous delays to tournaments and concerns over preparations in East Africa, Motsepe has made it clear the Afcon 2027 timetable will not be reconsidered.

"There's no plan B, there's no plan C," he said.

For Kenya, getting it right this time matters more because Afcon has become part of a bigger sporting project.

"One of the reasons why Kenya won the 2029 World Athletics Championship bid is because we are hosting Afcon. Therefore this is a legacy," Mvurya said.

"Sport is not just entertainment, it is livelihood, it is economic transformation.

"Therefore we are aware the opportunity to host Afcon will be key for our economic inspiration. Our tourism will be a big beneficiary.

"As government, we are confident we will host a successful Afcon."

The next three months are likely to be particularly crucial in making that promise a reality.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

The second half is underway between Tottenham and Villa.

In the Championship, Millwall have also scored in first half stoppage time to double their lead. 

A very costly decision from Robertson to keep the ball alive as it was heading out of play. 

A scruffy goal but Villa won't mind! Spurs can't clear their lines and Kamara's low ball into the area is turned home by Manzambi for the his first goal for the Villans.

GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Aston Villa

Manzambi marks his full league debut with a goal!

Ahead of their mouthwatering match up this afternoon, do you agree with this selection? 

Spurs gift Villa possession but Kinsky to the rescue. He denies Buendia.

Suzuki with another double save to deny Spurs - Sávio is struggling to beat him today!

Pedro Porro off for Tottenham and very frustrated at what looks like it could be a bad injury after attempting a challenge. Archie Gray replaces him.

The goal which has sent Millwall wild in the Championship. 

Meanwhile, at the Den... 

Villa's turn to go close now - but Kinsky denies Manzambi on his full Premier League debut.

Big double save from Suzuki to keep Spurs at bay!

KICK-OFF!

We're underway between Spurs and Villa.

A reminder again of Saturday's slate. Let us know how you think the games will go in the comments!

Ten minutes until kick-off in north London. 

Meanwhile in the Championship, there's the small matter of a rather tasty London derby taking place too... 

And the Villans side aiming to leave London with three points. 

Tottenham's starting line-up for the early kick-off. 

First up, we have Tottenham Hotspur taking on Aston Villa. Starting line-ups will follow shortly.

These are the five fixtures we have to look forward to today. What are your predictions? Let us know in the comments! 

Welcome to OneFootball's live coverage of Saturday's Premier League action.

Chelsea signed a striker from Brighton for the second successive summer, bringing in Danny Welbeck to reunite him with Joao Pedro and provide support in attack.

Welbeck, 35, was tidy in possession but, with little service, managed only 17 touches before being substituted in the 71st minute.

Unlike Joao Pedro, who is capable of creating chances for himself, Welbeck found it difficult to influence the game in the same way.

Joao Pedro came into the weekend with the most goal involvements in the Premier League, having scored three and provided three assists in four appearances this season.

His impact extends beyond goals and assists, with the Brazilian linking well with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. Against Brentford, however, Rogers arguably produced his quietest performance since arriving from Aston Villa in the summer.

Rogers eventually moved up front with fellow striker Emmanuel Emegha sidelined through injury and still waiting to make his Chelsea debut.

Before Brentford's opener, it was a closely contested match that appeared likely to be decided by the first goal. Chelsea, however, made victory a certainty for the hosts with a dramatic collapse.

Xabi Alonso has not managed to cure Chelsea's set-piece weaknesses. They have conceded 23 goals from set-pieces since the start of last season - no Premier League side has let in more. And Anthony's simple header from a corner took this season's total to five.

Set-piece defending was an area Chelsea sought to address when they appointed Bernardo Cueva from Brentford two years ago. This summer, he was replaced by another highly regarded specialist in Austin MacPhee.

Asked about Chelsea's defending from set-pieces, stand-in captain Levi Colwill told Sky Sports: "Not good enough. At times we have been bullied in the box and we definitely need to improve.

"We have full trust in our set-piece coach and are still adjusting to new ideas, but we need to improve as a team."

Like many of his predecessors, Alonso has been attempting to instil a stronger competitive edge within his squad and improve the mentality of his players.

That issue has often been linked to the relatively young age profile of the squad, but Chelsea fielded their oldest starting XI since May 2023. Jordan Henderson, in making his debut on Friday, lined up alongside fellow over-30s Welbeck and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

"I would say that we have dropped our consistency and our competitive mentality in the second half. We know that small details can be decisive," Alonso said after Brentford added two late goals.

It is also fair to say Alonso is still experimenting with systems and personnel, and has yet to settle on a style of play that gives his side control throughout a match.

"It's not about looking for excuses," the Spaniard told Sky Sports. "We need to look at each other and know that we have to work and improve because there is still a long way to go."

After the initial excitement - and victories - provided by Alonso's attacking football, Chelsea head into the international break with serious questions to answer.

Read more here

Diego Pablo Simeone spoke at a press conference ahead of Atlético de Madrid vs Real Madrid.

The runs ahead of the derby

"We’re used to the fact that the previous match has nothing to do with the city derby. I don’t see why our previous matches or theirs should have anything to do with this game."

Will Julián Álvarez play?

"He’ll be with us. Then we’ll decide whether he starts or comes on during the match."

Real Madrid’s counterattacks

"The characteristics of the two teams are such that they have a more powerful transition than we do. Whenever they lose the ball, they look for that option with Mbappé and Vinicius. On our side, we’ll try not to give the ball away, which is what they’ve shown they do best."

The Simeone vs Mourinho duel

"Taking myself back so many years... I can’t think of an answer to please your question. I have a lot of admiration for Mourinho. I admire him a lot. He knows the affection I have for him. Hopefully we compete the way we have when we’ve faced each other."

Grimaldo’s current form

"It’s logical that his adaptation is gradual. In the Real Sociedad match he already took on responsibility, like taking the penalty and then providing an assist. He had a very good game the other day in every phase. We need to help him in the defensive phase and for him to raise his level of effort to balance all the talent he has. First help him, and then let him help us."

Advice for newcomers like Kang In-Lee

"I’m not someone who gives advice, I don’t think I’m in a position to give advice. But I can share experiences. The pressure is normal, as is the excitement a match like tomorrow’s creates, especially at the Metropolitano with our people. Calm, above all calm. Football is confidence. There’s one word, and that’s confidence. If you have confidence in what you do, it may go badly or well, but you’ll go to sleep with peace of mind."

Lookman

"He’s a footballer I’m very fond of and he has a profile we don’t really have much of. He’s the most unbalancing one-on-one player in the box. We need him, whether it’s for 60 minutes, 90, or however long he’s on the pitch. His attacking potential did us a lot of good in December and although his start to the season isn’t what he would have wanted, he’ll show up because he has qualities that are different."

The atmosphere at the Metropolitano

"Madrid is having an incredible week. I got to take part in Formula 1, yesterday I went for a while to see Shakira... Tomorrow it’s Atlético against Madrid. Madrid is growing, there’s a fantastic energy and hopefully we can enjoy it."

Competition in midfield without Barrios

"For us, the growth of each one of them is very good. It gives us the competition we’ve always wanted so we can perform better out on the pitch. Each one has different characteristics. Hopefully we get it right and every decision we make helps us with whatever the match requires."

Motivation for a derby

"It’s different, that’s the reality. There’s enormous tension and excitement because of the competitiveness we’ve managed to recover over these 15 years. Confidence is an important value in this match."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Former Roma and Inter midfielder Radja Nainggolan insists he could still play for either club and claims he would never have left the Giallorossi had it not been for Monchi: ‘He played a double game and also wanted to sell Edin Dzeko to Chelsea.’

Roma and Inter meet at the Stadio Olimpico at 18:00 CET today in the big match of Serie A Round 5.

The Giallorossi and the Nerazzurri are the only two Serie A sides with 12 points in the opening four matches.

Inter have the league’s best attack with 13 goals scored, while the Giallorossi have the least-beaten defence, conceding only one goal.

Nainggolan: ‘I could still play Roma vs. Inter’

“I have the feeling of someone who would still love to play a match like that. And perhaps I still could,” Nainggolan told Gazzetta.

“Honestly, I think so. I believe I’d find a place, either as an attacking midfielder or a box-to-box midfielder.”

Nainggolan is currently under contract with Belgium’s second division side Patro Eisden and has scored two goals in five league games this season.

“I mean that football is becoming easier, both in terms of rules and overall level,” he said.

“I’m still fit, and I’d love to be out there. I was at the Olimpico for Roma-Fiorentina, and I tell you, I really felt the urge to pull on my boots again.”

Nainggolan went on to preview today’s match.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25: Radja Nainggolan of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

“A great, tough game between two teams who love attacking football,” he said.

“Inter remain stronger; they have no rivals in Italy in terms of squad depth. However, Roma have found stability and identity under Gasperini. I hope they don’t succumb to the pressure on what will be a complicated evening, where anything is possible. Dybala could be the difference-maker.”

The former Belgium international will “naturally” support the Giallorossi: “I left my heart in Rome, with all due respect to Inter. Rome is where I was able to express myself fully. I would never have left.”

So why did he leave the Olimpico to join Inter in the summer of 2018?

“It was Monchi’s decision, the sporting director, who played a double game. He would ask me for advice on transfer market dealings while simultaneously negotiating to sell me.

“On one hand, I understood the logic; he wanted to dismantle the squad Walter Sabatini had built to create one of his own. He used the same approach with Dzeko, whom he tried to sell to Chelsea.

“But at that time, we had just come from the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool; we were a great team, and we felt we could grow further.”

Nainggolan reunited with Luciano Spalletti at Inter.

“I have to thank him, because with him I wrote the most exciting chapters of my career,” the midfielder said.

“It’s a shame that after the first year, things didn’t work out for me.”

PISA, ITALY – MAY 17: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SSC Napoli at Arena Garibaldi on May 17, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Spalletti left the Nerazzurri after Nainggolan’s first season and was replaced by Antonio Conte.

“I paid the price for Spalletti’s departure. Conte told me immediately that I wasn’t part of his plans. Unlike Monchi, Antonio was direct with me, and I respected his assessment,” Nainggolan said.

Conte, however, wanted to sign Nainggolan at Chelsea just a few years earlier, so why didn’t he want him at Inter?

“Who knows. Perhaps he was still enraged by that snub, but it wasn’t the only one,” concluded Nainggolan.

“To stay at Roma, I also turned down a big offer from China.”

"You've got to wait until at least 10 games into a season to talk about that stuff," said Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix when quizzed about Leeds United's chances of qualifying for European football this season.

Daniel Farke's side are yet to lose a Premier League game in 2026-27, picking up eight points from their opening four games of the season.

Defender James Justin has also highlighted "the aspiration is to get to 40 points first and foremost" in their second campaign since Championship promotion.

"Everyone is talking about Leeds United at the minute," Rix said on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast. "Everyone is definitely talking about us in relation to European football and stuff, but it is still early days.

"You've got to wait until at least 10 games into a season to talk about that stuff. At that point, we can see where we are in the table.

"Given the way we have started this season, it would be ace if we could get ourselves 20 points adrift of the bottom three. At that point, we could say: 'Right, we haven't reached 40 points yet, but it is very unlikely we are going to get drawn into a relegation battle.' And then the players can relax.

"We know we play even better when we relax. When we had already been promoted from the Championship, both under Marcelo Bielsa and Daniel Farke, we just ran away with the title. When we knew we were safeish last season, the players started to express themselves a bit more."

On taking on Crystal Palace before the three-week international break, Rix said: "They have scored six goals but conceded 11 goals so far this season, which will actually be quite good for us.

"We can score when we are given chances and we can keep it pretty tight at the back. We have only conceded three goals in the Premier League so far this season as well, which is pretty good.

"Crystal Palace have already lost to Ipswich and Everton, and they have only beaten Fulham, which isn't particularly impressive."

Listen to the full episode of the podcast on BBC Sounds

The Sweden striker arrived from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in September 2025 for a British record transfer fee of £125m.

"[Liverpool] is a massive club, and everything about the club made it pretty clear," he told BBC Sport's The Football Interview.

"And the club's ambition and the club's will to get me in as well, it was a big part of it."

Isak missed pre-season for Newcastle last summer and trained at his former club Real Sociedad amid uncertainty around his future with the Magpies, saying promises made to him there had been "broken".

However, he struggled for goals in his first season at Anfield before a leg break ruled him out from December until April this year.

This campaign, the 26-year-old has already matched last term's tally of three Premier League goals, after only four games.

Asked if there was ever a point last season when he regretted the move, Isak replied: "No, never. I would never think like that."

He added: "[The leg break] was tough. Anyone who had a long injury would know. But on the other hand, when you're in a good place and when you feel good, you don't really tend to look back because it doesn't really benefit you."

New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot in the summer, has told Isak that he wants him to defend from the front as it is an "attacking weapon" for the Reds.

On the style of football since Iraola joined, Isak said: "I think that's what the team needs. It's not just about getting the ball to me, it's about getting the ball forward and to all of the offensive players quickly.

"I think that will benefit the team. I think if we can do that then we should score more goals."

And Isak, who has 60 Premier League goals to his name, is determined to help bring silverware to Liverpool this year but insisted he is not someone who sets personal targets.

His most prolific Premier League season came with Newcastle in 2024-25 when he scored 23 goals.

"Everyone knows that success for this club is winning trophies," said Isak. "I want to score every game. Everyone is different. Some like to set targets and some don't. I'm the one that doesn't."

Read more from Isak here

And listen to the interview in full by hitting play below or on BBC Sounds here

Coventry were served up a couple of shockers by getting Arsenal and Manchester City as their first two away fixtures, and this trip is far from easy for them either.

In fact, this is another stinker of a game for Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard, because they are still struggling while Oliver Glasner seems to be getting Nottingham Forest going after a slow burner of a start.

There is a strong chance Coventry's confidence has been sapped already so Lampard will be trying to rally the troops and give his players some belief they can compete at this level.

That is going to be really difficult because they must be looking at the results of the other promoted teams and not just thinking about where a win is coming from for them but also where a point is coming from and where a goal is coming from too.

I don't think they will get any of those things this week, because Forest are looking pretty solid.

Well done to Forest striker Liam Delap, who got his first goal for them in last week's win at Aston Villa.

He had a tough time at Chelsea, and I know what that is like, so it is great to see him off the mark for his new club.

By the way, Delap scored one league goal for Chelsea - same as me - but his price went up by £20m, from £30m to £50m. My value went down by almost 50% when I left Stamford Bridge - from £10m to £6m - so what has gone on there?

Seriously, though, sometimes you need a change of scene to find your form again and Delap must be feeling a bit freer now he has his first Forest goal.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Le Classique is back, bringing with it promises, tension, and unforgettable memories. This Sunday, Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain meet again at the Vélodrome for another blockbuster clash on Matchday 5 of Ligue 1.

With just one day to go before this must-see encounter, here’s a video look back at five standout moments from the latest chapters of this rivalry like no other.

Mbappé’s 200th goal

February 26, 2023. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé’s PSG travel to Marseille. Paris win 3-0, with Mbappé scoring twice. Those two goals allowed the No. 7 to reach the 200-goal mark in a Paris shirt, drawing level with Edinson Cavani in the ranking of PSG’s all-time top scorers.

OM sets the Vélodrome alight

Two weeks before that match, the two teams had already faced each other, again at the Stade Vélodrome, in the Coupe de France round of 16. It was a night when Igor Tudor’s OM had blown Christophe Galtier’s PSG away...

Game over... before half-time!

In the first Classique of the 2024-2025 season, Paris had won 3-0. All three goals were scored in the first half...

The Mbappé-Neymar connection

This time, we’re at the Parc des Princes! October 2022, and PSG open the scoring against OM just seconds before half-time. The scorer? Neymar, set up by... Kylian Mbappé.

A successful first

On September 24, 2023, at the Parc des Princes, Paris won 4-0. It was a victory in which Randal Kolo Muani scored his very first goal for PSG.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

I nearly went for an Ipswich draw last week but changed my mind and went for Crystal Palace to win.

That meant I'd predicted Ipswich would lose their first four league games and they are joint-bottom of the table based on my predictions.

Gary O'Neil's side have obviously done much better than that in reality - I know Palace went down to 10 men last week but, even so, well done to the Tractor Boys for finding a way to win that game.

Fair play to them, I like the ambition the club's owners have shown in the transfer market, and I really like the way O'Neil sets his team up. They are not just there to sit in in games, and they have got their reward.

I still fancy Everton to win this, though. They have made a great start to the season to stay unbeaten so far and, under David Moyes, they are a battle-hardened, resolute and well-organised outfit.

As a former Norwich striker, I often get accused of being biased against Ipswich, but I am not being overly negative about them here.

I just see it being a tough afternoon for them, without getting a goal, and then a long trip home for their fans on the A14 - hopefully they don't close any of the major roads on Saturday so it is not an even more miserable journey back for them.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

There might be a bit of an edge to this one after Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler had a pop at Arsenal over their time-wasting when they beat the Seagulls near the end of last season.

I love the way Brighton play and I was at Old Trafford to watch their comeback to beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

It doesn't seem to matter who they are missing from their team, Brighton are just bold as brass with the way they press and get men forward.

Luka Vuskovic, who they got from Spurs for £46m in the summer, is only 19 but he strolled through the game against United. What a player he looks.

The issue I have with Brighton in this game, however, is that Arsenal are not Manchester United. They are a cut above that.

Arsenal are the real deal and I don't see any weaknesses in their team, as their impressive win at Sunderland underlined. They are brave going forward, but they are also streetwise defensively and can see out a game when they have to, time-wasting or not.

They have that steel about them but I also think they could expose Brighton if Hurzeler's side go toe-to-toe with them, which is what I am expecting.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

The England captain broke a mark set 49 years ago by Cologne’s Dieter Muller, who required 129 matches in 1977. Kane’s remarkable efficiency — averaging a league goal every 78.5 minutes since arriving in 2023 — ensured the record was long inevitable.

He now has 152 goals in 154 appearances in all competitions, including 61 in 51 games last term.

He secured the landmark with a 39th-minute penalty before heading in a Michael Olise cross early in the second half, putting Bayern top of the table ahead of the weekend matches.

The feat upstaged Olise, who scored his first Bayern hat-trick, and Jamal Musiala, who also scored a goal worthy of winning the game.

“I’m very proud to have now scored 100 and 101 Bundesliga goals. I haven’t been around that long. I’ve loved every second of it,” he told Sky Germany.

“With Michael, Lucho (Luis Diaz) and Jamal I naturally get chances and today was no exception.

“So I just want to thank the team, the club, the coach, and the staff – everyone who has helped me achieve this.

“Let’s keep going like this. Scoring more goals in games is obviously a big step. Of course, there have been many important goals among them. I can only say that I’m enjoying every minute of it. Just like today.”

The 33-year-old is the bookmakers’ favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in October after scoring 73 goals for club and country last term, beating Cristiano Ronaldo’s career-best single-season record of 69 set in 2011-12, and only being surpassed by Lionel Messi’s record 82 goals from the same season.

Should Kane claim the prize, he would become just the fifth Englishman to receive it, following Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, and the first since Owen’s success in 2001.

In an interview with Owen Hargreaves for TNT Sports, the Bayern Munich striker said: "I’m extremely proud of the season I put up, for sure.

"Not that long ago, I was that fan wanting to become a professional footballer and I am here now and winning awards and the Ballon d’Or is the same.

"Of course, now it is out of my hands, it is down to the voters and the people who decide it. The season I had was my best season by far and we’ll have to wait and see."

Everton vs Ipswich Town Predicted XI and Team News

Everton got the job done in midweek. A 1-0 win over Wolves in the Carabao Cup sent David Moyes and his players into the fourth round, with Charly Alcaraz scoring the only goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Useful result, no drama, move on.

Now it is back to the Premier League, and Ipswich Town arrive on Merseyside with a bit of belief. Gary O’Neil has them organised and competitive, which means Everton will need to be sharper than they were in spells against Wolves. Cup rotation is one thing, league football is another.

Everton team news ahead of Ipswich

Jordan Pickford started the cup tie and should keep his place. In front of him, Everton are likely to restore their first-choice central pairing. That points to James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite coming back in, with Michael Keane and Jake O’Brien dropping to the bench.

At full-back, Vitalii Mykolenko looks set to continue on the left, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles could keep his place on the right. It is a sensible call, particularly against an Ipswich side that will try to work wide areas and test Everton’s shape.

Photo: IMAGO

Midfield battle could define Everton vs Ipswich

In midfield, Hayden Hackney and James Garner look the obvious pairing. They give Everton enough legs and enough control, which matters against a team that will not mind making this scrappy. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall should also come back into the side, offering a bit more craft between the lines.

One of the real selection debates is out wide. Tyler Dibling did well against Wolves and gave Everton a direct threat down the right, even registering the assist for the winner. He made a case for himself. Whether that is enough to convince Moyes in a Premier League game is another matter.

Tyler Dibling decision and attacking setup

The safer bet is that Tyrique George returns to the starting XI, while Jack Grealish could start from the left. That would leave Thierno Barry leading the line again. He did not score in midweek, but the expectation is that he keeps his place.

So the likely Everton predicted XI looks like this: Pickford, Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Hackney, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Grealish, Barry.

Nothing complicated here. Everton need control, physicality and enough quality in the final third to break Ipswich down. If they get that, they should have enough. If they drift, this becomes awkward very quickly.

Tuttosport reports that Juventus sent scouts to watch Cagliari talent Alessandro Romano during their 2-1 win over Atalanta last week, but Inter and Napoli are also interested.

Juventus have set their sights on Italian talent Romano, who has received his first Italy call-up after representing Switzerland at the U21 level.

Juventus set their sights on Italy talent Romano

PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio. celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

According to Tuttosport, Juventus scouts were in the stands at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo last week when the 20-year-old midfielder contributed to the Sardinians’ 2-1 win over Atalanta.

Romano joined Cagliari on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy from Roma this summer and has already impressed in his first outings with the Rossoblu, scoring one goal in the opening four Serie A games of the season.

PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio. celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

Juventus will continue scouting Romano during the season, but the Bianconeri already face competition from Italy as Tuttosport claims that Inter and Napoli are also closely following the promising central midfielder.

Juventus aim to rebuild a strong core of Italian players in the coming years. Mancini’s new Italy squad includes only one Juventus representative: goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The race for the Ballon d’Or is slowly but surely turning into a two-horse race, primarily after the direct comments that Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal have made.

Both players insist the award should be won by them, and the media has also taken the turn to convert a relatively open race into one between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

From the Catalans’ perspective, Lamine Yamal is the deserved winner after he won two domestic trophies playing a pioneering part in Barcelona’s season.

He then enjoyed a starting role at the FIFA World Cup, and while he was not completely in form owing to his recent return from injury, he did go on to win the title.

Munoz backs Lamine

Speaking to AS in a recent interview, Liverpool star and World Cup winner Victor Munoz was asked who he would hand the Ballon d’Or to this year.

The Ballon d’Or winner? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Without hesitation, the Spanish star stated that Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is the deserving winner and that he had no doubt about the same.

“I would give it to Lamine. He is my teammate in the national team and I think he has made merits to conquer it.”

“Any player who wins it will be because he deserves it, but my choice would be Lamine,” he added.

Munoz reflects on La Masia spell

Munoz, who secured a big move to Liverpool this summer, then spoke on how he has been a part of both Barcelona and Real Madrid’s academies, and the differences between them that stood out to him.

“Both are impressive and I have been able to take the best of each one,” he began diplomatically.

Munoz spent a few years at La Masia. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Recounting his days in La Masia, the Spanish winger said,

“At Barça I was very small, but they allowed me to learn the associative work and incorporate into my game the methodology and their own DNA that they try to instil there in all the youth players.”

Comparing La Fabrica to La Masia, the player explained how the style of training was more direct.

“In Madrid, it is another type of game, more direct and that was very good for me for my qualities. I’m grateful to have been in both.”

Newcastle United Predicted Lineup vs Hull City as Injury Problems Force Jaissle Decisions

Newcastle United need a response. A 4-1 defeat at Leeds United strips away the excuses and leaves Matthias Jaissle with a simple task ahead of Hull City, pick a side that can win, and pick one that can cope with a growing injury list.

The problem is obvious. Several players who would usually be in the starting XI are unavailable, the squad looks stretched, and a few positions now pick themselves for the wrong reasons. That does not mean there are no decisions to make. There are. Some are practical, some are tactical, and some are about deciding who can be trusted after a bad afternoon.

Against Hull at St James’ Park, Newcastle should still expect to dominate the ball. That means this is less about sentiment and more about function. They need control in midfield, better use of possession, and more threat in the final third.

Predicted Newcastle United lineup

In goal, Lukas Hornicek remains the clear choice. With Ewen Jaouen injured, there is no real debate. Conceding four at Leeds does not alter the wider picture. Hornicek has been one of Newcastle’s better performers this season and has every chance of keeping that status if the defence in front of him does its job properly.

At right-back, Tino Livramento is expected to return. Amar Dedić being ruled out makes that call straightforward. Fitness is the concern, not quality. Livramento may not be fully sharp, but Newcastle do not have the luxury of waiting around for ideal conditions.

At centre-back, Malick Thiaw should keep his place and likely keep the captain’s armband as well. He has been the steadier option at the back, even in a side that has looked vulnerable too often. Alongside him, Fabian Schar deserves serious consideration. Newcastle’s build-up play has been uneven and Schar remains one of the few defenders in the squad capable of passing through pressure rather than around it. If Jaissle wants more control from deep, Schar is the obvious answer.

Lewis Hall should continue at left-back. He has started every Premier League game this season and there is no reason to think that changes now. He has held his level well, even when the team around him has not.

Photo IMAGO

Midfield choices shaped by injuries

Midfield is where the injury damage really shows. With Nico González and Jacob Ramsey unavailable, Jaissle is left with fewer reliable combinations than he would want. Lewis Miley looks certain to start. There has been some noise about whether he fades when matches become messy, but talent is not the issue. He is still one of the few midfielders in this squad who can bring order when Newcastle need it.

Sean Steur is the logical partner. He came on after González went off against Leeds and, despite one costly mistake, he offers something Newcastle badly need, energy and forward movement. Young midfielders make errors. That is normal. The point is whether they hide afterwards. Steur does not look like the type. Giving him another start against Hull makes sense, especially in a game Newcastle should spend largely on the front foot.

There is a risk the midfield lacks authority, but Hull are likely to defend deep and narrow. In that sort of game, passing range and second-ball aggression matter more than brute force.

Attack built around Wissa and Barnes

Jacob Murphy could keep his place on the right. Whether that is ideal is another matter. Jaissle made it clear in his press conference that the winger remains a valued figure in the group, and managers tend to tell you what they are about to do if you listen carefully enough. Murphy may frustrate, but he is still trusted.

Through the middle, or just off the striker, Yoane Wissa should continue in the advanced central role. He was below his best at Leeds, but Newcastle still need his direct running and instinct in and around the penalty area. Against a Hull side expected to sit in a low block, that capacity to beat a man and attack loose space could be decisive.

On the left, Harvey Barnes remains an automatic selection. He has started every league game and his goal threat gives Newcastle something dependable in a forward line that has lacked consistency. Toure’s goal off the bench at Leeds was useful, but one substitute appearance does not change the pecking order.

Up front, Matias Fernandez-Pardo should get another start. His first outing under Jaissle was difficult, but writing him off after one game would be pointless. Strikers need rhythm, and this fixture gives Newcastle a chance to build some for him. Hull at home is the kind of match where a centre-forward can settle, get touches in the box, and grow into the role.

Likely XI for Hull City clash

Predicted Newcastle XI: Hornicek, Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Miley, Steur, Murphy, Wissa, Barnes, Fernandez-Pardo.

Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2-0 Hull City

Atlético de Madrid trained this Saturday in their final session before Atlético de Madrid vs Real Madrid.

Atlético de Madrid completed their final training session in Majadahonda ahead of the big derby. The squad worked at maximum intensity to fine-tune the details for such a crucial clash. Diego Pablo Simeone put the finishing touches on his strategy and his starting XI.

The session was heavily marked by the notable absences of Alexander Sorloth and Pablo Barrios. Neither player was able to train on the pitch with the rest of their teammates. These two important absences disrupt the coaching staff’s initial plans.

The big positive note of the day came from Julián Álvarez, who trained completely normally. The Argentine forward looked very lively and fully recovered for the match. His talent and goalscoring ability will be the visitors’ main attacking weapon.

Despite the physical setbacks, the Atlético dressing room is full of optimism and complete confidence in the squad. The team is relying on its trademark solidity to overcome the difficulties and try to take the win. Everything is set for a truly thrilling Madrid derby.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.