Na noite da última terça-feira o Bahia levou um susto ao sair atrás do Campinense, mas contou com o talento de Rossi para virar o placar e fazer do seu triunfo uma goleada histórica na Copa do Brasil por 7 a 1.
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Na coletiva de imprensa, o aliviado técnico Dado Cavalcanti exaltou o desempenho do seu atacante, que só não fez chover em Campina Grande.
‘Rossi vem passando por um momento de muita confiança. Vem arriscando jogadas e vem sendo decisivo. Isso é bom, contribui com nossa equipe, não só com os gols, mas contagia nosso time dentro de campo. E dentro de campo faz aquelas atuações sempre com muita energia, muita vibração. Isso é positivo demais para contagiar todo o elenco’, afirmou.
Dado também fez questão de exaltar a atuação de gala do seu time, que construiu uma vitória sólida em cima do adversário.
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‘Não é qualquer time que faz sete gols em um jogo, independente do adversário, das circunstâncias. Lembrando também que nós tomamos um gol. Então tivemos também o mérito de termos a tranquilidade de não perder a cabeça no momento de dificuldade. Viramos o jogo e tivemos o controle total da partida. Isso, sem sombra de dúvidas, me deixa muito feliz’, concluiu.
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Australia coach delighted to have Steven Smith and David Warner back ahead of World Cup and Ashes in England
Melinda Farrell18-May-2019As Australia commenced their World Cup preparations on English soil, coach Justin Langer admitted the personal welfare of Steven Smith and David Warner would require sensitive monitoring and handling over the coming months.The two players joined in the centre wicket practice at Whitgift School, in the suburbs of south London, with a small media contingent and a few dozen fans, mainly children in whites, sat on the grassy banks. It was a quiet and even genteel start to a gruelling four-month tour that will incorporate World Cup and Ashes campaigns and Langer knows more hostile crowds and greater scrutiny will greet Smith and Warner now they have served the bans handed to them in the wake of last year’s Cape Town ball tampering affair.”Well we can’t control the crowd,” Langer said. “What I do know? It may ramp up, it may heat up, but it won’t be any hotter than it was 12 months ago. I’ve never seen anything like it so the boys are very well prepared. They’ve paid a heavy price and we’re expecting always to come here and to face the fire and we’re ready for that.”What we’ve got to understand is that they’re human beings as well. There’s not too many I’ve met in my life who like being booed or heckled or disliked so… they’re human beings. We’re going to have to care for them, we’re going to have to put an arm around them and make sure they’re going okay. But what people say, whether it’s in the crowd or social media or wherever, there’s nothing they can do about that, they can’t control it but what we can do is keep an eye on them and make sure they’re going okay as people as much as cricketers.”ALSO READ: Finch ponders tactics to counter run-festsSteven Smith bats during Australia training•Cricket NetworkAside from the expected questions from the media there was little evidence of any lasting effects of a turbulent 12-month period, punctuated by severe recriminations and introspection throughout Australian professional cricket. But Langer suggested both players have shown an understandable eagerness to finally put their exile behind them, from their return to the squad for warm-ups against New Zealand to the squad’s visit to the World War One battlefields of Gallipoli, where they broke their journey to England.”Dave’s got that look on his eye, he’s really hungry, he’s a great player as we all know, he’s so dynamic, he brings so much energy, and that’s what we ask from our players, Langer said. “You watch Glenn Maxwell field or bowl or bat – he brings the energy. Dave Warner always brings energy to the contest. It’s really nice to have him back.””I watched Steve Smith batting against New Zealand in those three practice games, he’s literally a master of the game, so it’s nice to have him back. It’s been hilarious for me because whether on the ANZAC cove or in the lunch room or we’re in the bus playing cards, he’s just shadow batting the whole time. He’s literally – he loves batting, he’s shadow batting on the sand, he’s shadow batting in the shower – I’m not joking. You should see him, he just loves batting. From that point it’s great to have him back.”From a broader perspective, it’s nice to have them back as well, they’ve had 12 months to have a good think about a mistake they and the team made. I’m sure they’ll be better people for that.”Aside from his surprising knowledge of Smith’s daily ablutions, Langer believes both players are physically ready as they continue to progress from elbow surgeries earlier this year, although he admitted they are still at partially restricted in the field.”They both fielded in the three [World Cup warm-up] games against New Zealand. Steve’s in literally career best shape. I mean you just saw a 2K time trial, he’s in great shape and Dave Warner is always elite fit. So in terms of their throwing, they’re building it up. Where they’ve come from, from surgery, I’m really proud of them and they’re up and running. Are they going to throw like Andrew Symonds or Ricky Ponting? Probably not at the moment but they’re certainly working towards that.”Last week in Brisbane, [Smith] batted beautifully, he played an unbelievable shot off Nathan Coulter-Nile there – it was like watching Sachin [Tendulkar] bat. He’s in pretty good shape I think.”Steven Smith, Justin Langer and David Warner during the Australia World Cup squad’s trip to Gallipoli•Cricket AustraliaOf greater concern to Langer is the task of getting his side prepared for their first World Cup match against Afghanistan in Bristol, the reason for their match scenario practice, which saw bowlers asked to simulate specific stages of an innings. After a difficult home summer, Australia embarked on an eight-match winning streak in India and Pakistan and they now have two warm-up games in England to settle on a starting side. The main selection questions centre on how to fit Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja and Warner into the top three while Coulter-Nile appears to be favoured as the third seamer in an attack also featuring Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.The coaching staff will be bolstered by World Cup winners Ponting and Brad Haddin and, while England’s batting has dominated the local cricket headlines, Langer is adamant that Australia won’t be drawn in to changing their tactics.”We’ve been hearing it for 12 months. We’ve shown if we stick to the formula then we’ll have some success. It’s as simple as that. And when it comes to playing India and England it’s just like match play, we’re just going to have to compete harder and be ready for them. In terms of scores, a lot will have to do with the grounds we play on, the conditions, whether we’re chasing or setting, all those sorts of things but we’re really clear on the game plan. We showed in India and Dubai that, if we stick to it, we’ll score big enough scores to win games of cricket.”We love our cricket and we’ve been good at it. When everyone says we’ve got to start playing like England or start playing like New Zealand or start playing like India, no – we’ll keep playing like Australia because we’ve won four of the past five World Cups and that’s something to be proud of.”The boys are aware of it and we know if we stick to the Australian way of playing great cricket… history has shown we’ll be pretty good.”
Middlesex opened their Royal London One-day Cup campaign with an exciting 38-run victory over Essex at Chelmsford. After posting 366 for 8 in their 50 overs, they bowled their opponents out for 328.Defeat left Varun Chopra with the dubious distinction of being on the losing side after scoring his second century of the week in the competition. He followed up his 111 against Glamorgan 48 hours earlier with a superb 127 from as many deliveries before he was caught on the midwicket boundary by Eoin Morgan attacking Toby Roland-Jones.Chopra’s innings contained two sixes and 14 fours and his removal from the scene in the 38th over with the total on 256 proved the turning point, Essex losing their last seven wickets for 72 runs.With Tom Westley, Chopra shared in a second wicket stand of 158 in 22 overs after Alastair Cook had been caught behind by John Simpson off Tim Murtagh for only 11. Westley made 77 from 59 balls with the help of two sixes and seven fours before he fell to a Nathan Sowter return catch.Middlesex’s innings, after they had been put in, owed much to Dawid Malan. The opener, without taking undue risks, stroked the ball fluently around the field while gathering 11 fours in his 95 made from 102 balls. With his century beckoning, it needed a fine throw by Peter Siddle at cover to remove him with a direct hit.John Simpson, Morgan and Steve Eskinazi all scored better than a run-a-ball before being dismissed in the 20s but it was Nick Gubbins and George Scott who gave the Middlesex innings momentum in the later overs.Gubbins struck seven fours in making 56 in 57 balls while Scott thrashed five sixes and three fours from only 30 deliveries before becoming on of Siddle’s three victims at a cost of 71 from 10 overs.It was not a match Ravi Bopara will want to remember. He conceded 59 while sending down half-a-dozen overs and made just 20 before edging Roland-Jones to wicket-keeper Simpson, who was standing up to the paceman.Following Chopra’s dismissal and that of Bopara in the same over, Essex were always struggling to keep up with the required rate despite the efforts of Ryan ten Doeschate. The Essex captain made 39 from 19 balls, his departure providing the excellent Sowter with his fifth wicket when he was stumped.Sowter’s teasing legspin brought him a personal best of 6 for 62 from 9.2 overs and was just reward for a disciplined performance.Robbie White, on a two-month loan from Middlesex to help Essex overcome a wicket-keeping crisis, underlined his promise with four catches and a stumping to go with the five catches he took in victory against Glamorgan earlier in the week. But his efforts were not enough to spare Essex from defeat after Middlesex finished one run short of their highest 50-over score.
The January transfer window will offer Leeds United and Daniel Farke with a golden opportunity to add to their squad as they aim to bounce back at the first time of asking to the Premier League.
It has been a promising start to the 2023/24 campaign on the whole for the Whites, who find themselves well within the mix for automatic promotion back to the top flight.
However, there have been some chinks in Leeds' armour thus far, and they find themselves 17 points adrift of Leicester City at the top of the table as we enter the new year.
With this in mind, the winter window will provide Leeds with the chance to add some firepower to their side with the competition at the top of the table heating up amid the winter chill.
A lot could rest on what business Leeds do over the coming weeks and we at Football FanCast have taken a look at the best bits of January business Leeds have done over the years.
10 Richard Naylor January 2009
Eventually being named as Leeds captain, Richard Naylor was a January addition who delivered exactly what the board would have been hoping for.
Amid their struggles in the 2008/09 campaign, Naylor was brought in to add some steel to the Leeds defence, and that is exactly what he did.
Naylor would make 76 appearances for Leeds across all competitions with the defender playing a big role in their promotion to the Championship as well as captaining the side in their infamous FA Cup victory away to Manchester United.
9 Tony Yeboah January 1995
Keeping with the trend, Tony Yeboah was signed by Leeds on an initial loan basis in January 1995 from Eintracht Frankfurt before his stay was made permanent in the summer.
The Ghanian forward made a total of 59 appearances for the Whites across all competitions, where he was able to provide an impressive return of 30 goals – 24 of those coming in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).
Yeboah's time at Elland Road only lasted two-and-a-half years. However, he provided the Premier League one of its truly iconic moments with his stunning goal against Liverpool in the 1995/96 campaign.
8 Lee Chapman January 1990
Leeds signed forward Lee Chapman originally back in January 1990 before he returned for half a season on a short-term loan in 1996.
And it was his first stint at the club which will be remembered so fondly given his short-term loan only saw him play 85 minutes worth of Premier League action (via Transfermarkt).
In total, the Englishman provided an impressive return of 61 goals for Leeds in 134 appearances across all competitions.
And it was Chapman who played a huge role in their 1991/92 title-winning campaign as he scored 21 times in the First Division over his 38 appearances.
7 Sol Bamba January 2015
After signing for the Whites back in January 2015 on an initial loan deal from Palmero in Italy. And it did not take long for the move to Yorkshire to be made permanent as he joined in the following summer.
The central defender was no stranger to letting his feelings known about how Massimo Cellino ran the club. He later revealed why he felt the need to speak out over the actions of the club's chairman:
“The lads were dying for me to say something because none of us were happy about how things were.
“I spoke out for them and I spoke out for myself. I thought ‘if I don’t say something, who will?’ “It wasn’t me trying to cause trouble.
“I just don’t like it when things aren’t right and sometimes that message needs to come from people on the inside, people like me."
Bamba would be made club captain during his time at Leeds and represented the Whites 56 times over his fairly short spell at the club.
6 Adam Forshaw January 2018
Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw.
The midfielder's time at Elland Road may have ended with a feeling that he could have achieved much more whilst at the Whites had it not been for his continuous injury issues.
Indeed, injuries were a serious issue for Adam Forshaw and the Englishman was a regular on the treatment table at Thorp Arch.
The main injury he sustained during his time in Yorkshire was to his hip, which saw Forshaw miss out 71 games, 560 games between 2019 and 2021.
However, despite his issues, he was a favourite under Marcelo Bielsa who played the midfielder 61 times – making up the majority of his appearances for Leeds (via Transfermarkt).
Speaking ahead of Forshaw's contract extension back in 2022, Bielsa had the following to say about the Englishman: “It is very difficult for me to refer myself to Forshaw, in this moment where he's given such a valuable response, because I didn't think Forshaw was going to be the player he was once before,” said Bielsa.
5 Eric Cantona January 1992
There is a handful of signings which have to be caveated by the fact – at the time – signings could be sealed all year round in England, but they happened to land during the early stages of the year.
And Eric Cantona is one of them. The Frenchman made the move to Elland Road from Nimes Olympique for just over £1m in the early stages of 1992.
His arrival in Yorkshire proved to be one that was certainly worth the transfer fee as he helped the Whites to pip their rivals, Manchester United, to the division title in the 1991/92 campaign.
Cantona landed at Leeds with just half the campaign remaining, and he played in 15 of the remaining 16 games where he was able to provide a return of three goals and an assist as he bedded into life in England (via Transfermarkt).
4 Max Gradel January 2009
The Ivorian winger is a player who many Leeds fans will have fond memories of after his initial loan spell was made permanent in January 2010.
Over his time in Yorkshire, the winger played 84 times and he was able to provide the Whites with an impressive return of 25 goal and 13 assists (via Transfermarkt).
His time at Leeds did not last for too long after Leeds turned a healthy profit on the winger when the French side Saint-Etienne came calling in 2011.
3 Bradley Johnson January 2008
Bradley Johnson became a key figure in the Leeds midfield during their Championship days under Simon Grayson. The midfielder provided the Elland Road crowd with a real stunner to celebrate in their FA Cup clash against Arsenal.
And it was apparent that Johnson was a player who was capable of playing at a higher standard during his time at Leeds. Johnson racked up a whopping 140 appearances for the Whites where he returned 17 goals and 10 assists.
He did eventually get a taste for Premier League football, however, he did so away from Elland Road after he departed the club for Norwich City on a free transfer.
2 Georginio Rutter January 2023
Georginio Rutter
Perhaps it is too early to put Georginio Rutter any higher in this list given his arrival at Leeds came less than a year ago, however, the signs are looking promising.
The forward had a difficult start to life at Elland Road as he struggled to find his feet as the Whites headed towards relegation from the Premier League.
But he is one of the few big-name players who decided to remain at Leeds over the summer following their relegation and it is a decision which the club will be thankful for.
Indeed, Rutter has had an impressive start to life in the second tier with a return of four goals and nine assists in his opening 23 appearances (via Transfermarkt).
1 Pablo Hernandez January 2017
Leeds initially signed the Spaniard on a short-term loan in the summer of 2016 from the Qatari side Al-Arabi SC, before making his signing permanent in January 2017 on a free transfer.
And they did so for free. The midfielder did not cost Leeds anything in transfer costs in making his move from the Middle East to Elland Road permanent.
Hernandez proved to be a really important figure in Leeds' return to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa and racked up a whopping 175 appearances for Leeds during his time in Yorkshire.
The midfielder was able to post double-digit figures in goal contributions across all three of his campaigns in the Championship, and although he was not as effective in the top flight upon their Premier League return, the club's escape from lower-league mediocrity may not have happened but for the Spaniard's input.
Manchester United are in need of reinforcements this month as Erik ten Hag looks to improve their fortunes and some encouraging news has emerged regarding their pursuit of a proven goalscorer, according to a report.
Man United's hunt for a striker…
Rasmus Hojlund has been a point of contention for Manchester United fans over the course of this campaign, dividing fans with his performances and noticeable lack of service in the last few months. Nevertheless, the Denmark international scored his second goal in quick succession against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, taking his tally for the season to seven from 25 appearances.
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ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025
Despite the former Atalanta youngster's recent spurt of positivity, there is an undoubted need for another forward at Old Trafford as rumours of an Anthony Martial exit continue to brew.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival at Old Trafford has bred fresh optimism among a beleaguered fanbase and the 71-year-old is believed to have designs on bringing a new attacker to Old Trafford that is on a similar level to Bayern Munich and England talisman Harry Kane, as per The Evening Standard.
Another central midfielder, winger and centre-back will also be on the agenda in the North West, though any future striker purchase would be expected to come in and play alongside Hojlund.
In this window, Brian Brobbey, Donyell Malen, Eric Choupo-Moting and Serhou Guirassy have all been mentioned as potential solutions to the lack of options available to Ten Hag in the final third after the Red Devils missed out on Timo Werner to Tottenham Hotspur.
Now, one of these four players is assumed to be at the centre of a transfer battle between multiple clubs, which Manchester United could have an edge in, as per reports.
Man United could hijack Serhou Guirassy interest…
According to Football Insider, Manchester United and AC Milan are among the sides who could hijack West Ham United's interest in Stuttgart poacher Guirassy as the Red Devils' search for a striker continues. Formerly of Rennes, the 27-year-old has a release clause of £15 million and has emerged as a target for some of Europe's elite due to his goalscoring exploits in the Bundesliga.
Serhou Guirassy's key statistics in 2023/24 – Bundesliga (Sofascore)
Expected goals
11.56
Shots on target per game
1.8
Goal conversion
35%
Big chances missed
10
Team of the week inclusions
3
The report states that David Moyes will face "huge competition" to sign the Guinea international, who is currently away at the African Cup of Nations, with the Hammers reportedly in ongoing talks over a move. Meanwhile, Manchester United, alongside AC Milan and Newcastle United, are among the clubs keeping a close eye on his situation.
Stuttgart strikerSerhou Guirassy.
Dubbed "outrageous" by Seb Stafford-Bloor, Guirassy has exploded into life this campaign, registering 19 goals in 16 outings across all competitions (Guirassy statistics – Transfermarkt).
Manchester United have only directly outscored Burnley, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace in the Premier League and bringing in someone of Guirassy's ilk could help eradicate that unwanted trend.
It is believed an "underrated" Arsenal target actually would like the club to make a transfer bid for him as sporting director Edu continues his work this month.
Edu looking for January signings at Arsenal
Previous reports have suggested that manager Mikel Arteta would ideally like two new full-backs, a centre midfielder and a striker (Miguel Delaney), but certain roadblocks make strengthening all four positions near impossible this month.
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Arsenal spent north of £200 million last summer, which has somewhat limited their budget, and Financial Fair Play regulations mean they may have to be careful about how much they spend in January.
That being said, that hasn't stopped Edu from attempting to reinforce at least a couple of key areas. Indeed, there have been claims that Arsenal have opened talks to sign Everton midfielder Amadou Onana this month, with the Belgian apparently keen to join them.
Reliable transfer source Fabrizio Romano, speaking to Kick last week, also stated that Arsenal signing a new full-back is certainly a possibility.
“A new full-back for Arsenal? Yes it is a possibility, it is a possibility for Arsenal to bring in a new full-back in January," said Romano this week.
"They have to see what opportunity they can find, if it’s a loan deal, but Arsenal are exploring options in that position, they are in the full-backs market, I can confirm that, there is a possibility, there is a chance, we will have to see, but I think it’s a possibility."
Despite some limitations, Arsenal could still see some new faces make the move to north London. In terms of their chances of signing a new striker, one player who continues to attract attention is Brentford star Ivan Toney.
The England international, who is set to return from his ban for alleged gambling breaches this month, scored 20 league goals last season and has been heavily linked over the last few months.
serhou-guirassy-ivan-toney-tottenham-opinion
Brentford manager Thomas Frank poured cold water on the possibility of Toney leaving before January 31, unless they were handed an unbelievable offer. The Dane refused to clarify what he defined as an irresistible bid for his man, and given the nature of the transfer window, you cannot rule anything out.
Toney would welcome Arsenal move to sign him
According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking on The Done Deal Show, relayed by TBR Football, Toney would welcome an Arsenal bid to sign him over Chelsea.
"My understanding remains that yes Toney would welcome a move from Arsenal, more so than Chelsea, and for Chelsea he’s not necessarily top of the list," said Jacobs.
The desire of the player to join Arsenal is certainly there, and that may help in Edu's possible attempt to bring him to the Emirates Stadium – either this month or later in the year.
The 27-year-old, even before his excellent 2022/2023 campaign, was starring at Brentford with journalist Dean Jones calling him a largely "underrated" player.
Cody Gakpo has revealed what it was like to work with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and the valuable lesson he learned from the German.
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Klopp signed Gakpo from PSV
Dutchman hails manager's influence
Learned vital lesson from Liverpool boss
WHAT HAPPENED?
Gakpo has paid tribute to Klopp after waving an emotional farewell to the German at the end of the season. Klopp brought Gakpo to Liverpool in January 2023 from PSV and the Dutchman has already picked up his first trophy with the Reds, winning the League Cup back in February. The trophy was also Klopp's last as Liverpool manager and one the German described as the "most special" of his time at the club.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Klopp's impact at Liverpool will be felt for a long time to come after also winning the Premier League and the Champions League during his nine years at Anfield. Gakpo has revealed just how important Klopp was to the players and the one "gift" the German gave him that has helped him enormously in his career.
WHAT GAKPO SAID
He told : "If you look at the impact he has had on the club, the fans, the players, many of whom have experienced him for much longer than I have these one and a half years: that has been very valuable to everyone,” he said.
“The most important thing I learned from him? That you don’t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. When that really hit me? That is not a specific moment, but it is a gift that he was able to trigger us as players in a different way every time, to give just an extra percentage or one and a half. That was special.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot has replaced Klopp at the helm and has big shoes to fill at Anfield. Gakpo says he's yet to speak to his new manager but added that when he came up against the Dutchman previously with Feyenoord "he always made it very difficult for us at PSV."
Ahead of the summer, Celtic have decisions to make on a number of players coming to the end of their contracts. One of those is Rocco Vata, the talented youngster who had looked set to leave Parkhead amid interest from Italy, only for the Hoops to open negotiations over a new deal. Celtic have made progress towards an agreement with the 18-year-old and an extension is now thought to be close.
The outlook is comparatively bleak when it comes to the future of midfielder David Turnbull, though. Speaking last month, Brendan Rodgers said he "won't lose sleep" over his refusal to pen fresh terms after unsuccessful talks last summer.
Celtic contracts expiring in 2024
Player
Age
Joe Hart
36
Scott Bain
32
Rocco Vata
18
David Turnbull
24
Intriguingly, there could be some upheaval in the goalkeeping ranks in Glasgow, with both Joe Hart and Scott Bain into their final six months. And it seems Rodgers is already adamant about what he wants to do with the former.
Celtic to bid farewell to Hart
According to Football Insider, Celtic will replace Hart as their first-choice goalkeeper ahead of next season. The Scottish Premiership leaders are "actively seeking" a new number one in their preparations for the summer transfer window.
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Rodgers is apparently happy to keep Hart between the sticks for the remainder of the current campaign, but he's "eager" to replace him straight away, with the position marked out as the "top priority" for the off-season.
Champions League exposes Hart as Kelleher eyed
It's slightly surprising that Hart's exit is already considered an inevitability given the extent of his involvement this season. He's played 29 games so far, starting all but one match across all competitions – he was suspended for the league game against Motherwell at the end of September after picking up a red card versus Livingston.
There hasn't even been rotation for the cup games, with Hart donning the armband against Highland League side Buckie Thistle last weekend, but that would appear to reflect Rodgers' doubts about the strength of his backup options rather than any overwhelming confidence in Hart.
Indeed, while he's kept 11 clean sheets this term, he struggled in the group stages of the Champions League. Celtic conceded a joint-competition high of 15 goals, and while that isn't automatically a knock on the 'keeper – sometimes there's nothing they can do – Hart only faced a post-shot xG total of 13.3, which gave him the fifth-poorest shot-stopping record in the tournament. Rodgers will want somebody who can truly hold their own against the toughest opponents.
Celtic could land dream O'Riley replacement in £3m Bernardo rival
Speculation is rife regarding the future of Parkhead’s new talisman…
ByRobbie Walls Jan 25, 2024
Who could Celtic go out and get, then? Well, one possible name is Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher. It was reported this week that they're considering a move for the Irishman, who wants to leave Anfield, but they're banking on Liverpool first lowering their £20m demands. As much as Rodgers may view him as a solution to his problems, there's a feeling that no suitor will even come close to that valuation.
O Rio de Janeiro é preto e branco. Na tarde deste sábado, o Botafogo derrotou o Fluminense por 2 a 0 no Estádio Nilton Santos e conquistou o Campeonato Carioca Feminino. Káren e Vivian marcaram para o Alvinegro e carimbaram presença na súmula do título.
Este é o segundo título estadual do Botafogo. Em 2014, quando o clube ainda tinha parceria com o Marinha, o Alvinegro conquistou o primeiro. Esta é a primeira conquista desde o processo de reconstrução do futebol feminino profissional do clube, em 2019.
JOGO TRUNCADO O começo da partida foi de muita inspiração e pouca técnica. O Botafogo tinha a posse de bola e tentava explorar o ataque por meio de bolas longas; o Fluminense respondia com uma defesa em bloco baixo e contra-ataques. As duas equipes, porém, pouco criaram e partida foi marcada por fisicalidade e passes errados.
CLIMA ESQUENTA A reta final do primeiro tempo foi marcada por entradas duras. Uma confusão após uma falta de Maria Luiza, do Fluminense, em Kélen foi instaurada, mas os ânimos logo foram acalmados pela equipe de arbitragem. O Tricolor, vale ressaltar, levou dois cartões amarelos em um espaço de três minutos.
DO CÉU AO INFERNO O Botafogo acordou nos últimos minutos da primeira etapa. Em uma rápida troca de passes, Vivian e Brenda criaram uma trama no campo ofensivo, e a atacante arriscou de fora da área. Luana, goleira do Fluminense, contudo, estragou a felicidade do Alvinegro com uma defesa espetacular.
A arqueira, porém, iria do céu ao inferno. No escanteio seguinte, Luana saiu de forma errada do gol e a bola sobrou para Káren, que teve apenas o trabalho de empurrar para o fundo das redes e sair para o abraço. Botafogo em vantagem no intervalo.
RAINHA DOS CLÁSSICOS! O Fluminense voltou melhor do intervalo, pressionando e obrigando a goleira Rubi a trabalhar. Foi do Botafogo, todavia, a alegria da bola na rede. Em uma falta de longa distância, Vivian surpreendeu Luana e finalizou de cobertura, acertando o ângulo. A camisa 10 saiu para o abraço, justificando o apelido de “Rainha dos clássicos”, por sempre marcar contra os times rivais.
COMEMORA, FOGÃO! Com o 2 a 0 no placar, o Botafogo controlou a partida e os espaços do gramado. Com as melhores chances criadas, o time ainda teve oportunidade de fazer o terceiro gol, mas parou na defesa do Fluminense. No fim, pouco importou: ao som do apito final, a festa tomou conta do Estádio Nilton Santos.
FICHA TÉCNICA BOTAFOGO X FLUMINENSE
Data/Hora: 20/03/2021, às 15h Local: Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Árbitra: Beatriz Oliveira Dantas Assistentes: Beatriz Geraldini de Sousa e Jéssica Marciely Laurentino Brasil Guimarães Cartões amarelos: Brenda (BOT); Lena, Maria Luiza e Andressa Ferreira (FLU) Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Káren (1-0, 50’/1ºT), Vivian (2-0, 16’/2ºT)
BOTAFOGO: Rubi; Mylena, Carol Carioca (Amanda 41’/2ºT), Káren, Chaiane; Cris, Kélen, Vivian; Kamilla (Juliana 32’/1ºT), Karol Lins (Gaby Louvain 41’/2ºT), Brenda (Emily 51’/2ºT). Técnico: Gláucio Carvalho.
Former England captain Steph Houghton has teased a potential move into coaching following her recent retirement as a player.
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Houghton weights up next chapterEx-England captain now retiredCoaching qualifications in progressWHAT HAPPENED?
Playing her final game for Manchester City on the last day of the 2023-24 WSL season, Houghton is weighing up her next move. She completed part of her coaching qualifications towards the end of 2023, something which seemingly accelerated hanging up her boots. However, the 36-year-old isn't sure if she's quite ready to dive into coaching with both feet.
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Houghton said, via : "I completed my B licence over Christmas and I think that was probably part of my decision to retire. I enjoyed being on the grass and giving something in a different way. All the girls have been asking, 'Are you coming back to give the team talks?' I've said, 'No girls, I've done my ten years of that'.
"I think I would have attributes to go down the coaching route but when I was doing 9am-7pm at St George's Park every day I was thinking, 'I don't know if I'm down for this'.
"I like to learn. I like to try something new, so for me it's just about having an open mind to try and wanting to progress in a different area and try different things really."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Houghton has only just stopped playing after a 22-year career that began when she made her first-team debut for Sunderland at the age of just 14 in 2002. As a result, a new-found freedom that she has never known could delay the next chapter.
"I'm actually most looking forward to the simple things. Sunday dinner, seeing my nephews grow up, spending time with family. Just being able to take ownership and having a little bit more freedom, to be honest," she explained.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR HOUGHTON?
In the short-term, Houghton could entertain more media work, having combined the later years of her playing career with ad-hoc punditry gigs. As for Manchester City, their defence is in need of fresh blood ahead of next season after also bidding farewell to long-serving left-back Demi Stokes and the versatile Esme Morgan.