Grêmio e Internacional fazem clássico Gre-Nal de número 440 neste domingo (8). Em campo, dois artilheiros estrangeiros vivem momentos diferentes e querem deixar sua marca na partida.
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Do lado colorado, Enner Valencia estreia no clássico em busca do primeiro gol pelo Inter no Campeonato Brasileiro. Além disso, o equatoriano quer se redimir após eliminação na Libertadores. No duelo contra o Fluminense, o atacante perdeu duas chances claras e viu o Tricolor virar o jogo nos últimos 10 minutos.
+ A sua carreira no futebol pode começar hoje. Garanta a sua vaga no curso Gestor de Futebol e capacite-se!
Valencia não marca pelo Internacional há mais um mês. A última vez foi no dia 28 de agosto, quando balançou as redes duas vezes na vitória do time sobre o Bolívar, pelas quartas de final da Libertadores. No Brasileirão, são 10 partidas, nenhum gol e nenhuma vitória.
Já pelo Grêmio, Luis Suárez vai fazer seu último Gre-Nal da carreira. O artilheiro uruguaio tinha contrato até o fim de 2024, mas por problemas no joelho, conseguiu entrar em acordo para encerrar o vínculo ao final da temporada.
No Brasileirão, Suárez marcou oito vezes. Esse é o mesmo número de gols que os atacantes do Internacional somados têm na competição. No primeiro turno, o uruguaio deixou sua marca no Gre-Nal 439, com um golaço e uma assistência. Foi a segunda vitória sobre o rival em clássicos no Brasil. Pelo Gauchão, o Tricolor venceu o Colorado por 2 a 1.
Os dois artilheiros estrangeiros são a esperança dos dois times para o Gre-Nal. Suárez quer marcar para encerrar o ciclo no Grêmio com mais um clássico vencido. Já Valencia busca superar a má fase e dar alegria aos colorados.
+ Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro e simule resultados
Grêmio e Internacional entram em campo às 16h deste domingo (8), pela 26ª rodada do Brasileirão. O Tricolor é o 3º colocado na tabela, enquanto o Colorado ocupa a 14ª posição.
He will work in cricket as an independent contractor going forward
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Aug-2025
Bob Carter was the head coach of New Zealand Women from 2019 to 2022•NZC
Former New Zealand Women head coach Bob Carter will be stepping away from his role as the high-performance coach, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Friday. That will bring down curtains on a 21-year career in which he oversaw progress of New Zealand’s men’s and women’s teams.”I feel like I’ve lived the dream,” Carter said in an NZC release. “I’ve very much enjoyed offering support and contributing and, if that’s helped players or teams go on and achieve success, then that’s terrific – I’m delighted.”But I think what’s worked best at NZC has been the combinations, the teamwork, and the cooperation.”Born in Norfolk in east England, Carter played 60 first-class and 55 List-A matches for Northamptonshire and Canterbury before getting into coaching. He joined New Zealand men’s set-up in 2004 as an assistant coach to John Bracewell. After a five-year tenure, he was again appointed assistant coach to Mike Hesson from 2012 to 2014 before taking over from Haidee Tiffen as New Zealand Women’s head coach in 2019. He coached them in the 2020 T20 World Cup and the 2022 ODI World Cup that New Zealand hosted, before stepping down.”We’ve been able to create sides that have been greater than their sum of parts, and that’s a key ingredient in team sport,” Carter, who will work in cricket as an independent contractor, said. “Sure, the individual performance is important, but it’s the collective that has the greater potential. That’s where the magic is.”Bob Carter: ‘The reason the Black Caps have continued to produce great batters and bowlers is because we have a strong, underlying domestic system’•Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
Carter, 65, said he was pleased to leave the role in Lincoln at a time New Zealand are doing well in international cricket. The women’s team won the T20 World Cup for the first time last year while the men whitewashed India in India in a Test series; no team had defeated India at home in a Test series since 2012, let alone returning a clean sweep.”It’s true that the game has evolved a great deal over the past twenty years,” he said. “But the flipside is that the basics and fundamentals of batting and bowling have never really changed.”Sure, the batters are playing shots we wouldn’t have dreamed of in the nineties, and the bowlers are producing options and change-ups with an incredible degree of difficulty. But within all that, the framework that allows the players to execute so successfully, is still the same as it was 50 years ago.”Our domestic cricket is very strong. I’m not sure that’s widely recognised. The reason the Black Caps have continued to produce great batters and bowlers is because we have a strong, underlying domestic system. The White Ferns have been in transition over the past couple of years, but the domestic competitions have brought new players through and invigorated the established ones.”The World Cup win last year was a great example of what that team is capable of.”Playing tribute to Carter, NZC chief high performance officer Daryl Gibson said, “Bob has been the voice of experience at Lincoln and has been involved in much of the success we’ve seen in the men’s and women’s games over the past decade or more. He’s part of a wider high-performance team that underpinned and supported one of New Zealand cricket’s golden periods – the legacy he leaves in terms of his contribution to NZC is enormous.”
Thursday nights in the Europa League have so often provided Rangers supporters with a sanctuary away from the misery of domestic results.
Well, this season, they’re not even getting that.
This week, the Gers were easily swatted aside 2-0 by Roma, with Matías Soulé ghosting in at the back post to break the deadlock, before Lorenzo Pellegrini slotted home the second, teed up by Artem Dovbyk, rubber-stamping victory for the Giallorossi in Govan.
Having also been beaten by Brann in Bergan and Celtic in Sunday’s League Cup semi-finals at Hampden, Danny Röhl has become the first permanent Rangers manager in history to suffer three defeats from his first five matches in charge; not even Russell Martin started this badly!
Thus, the German faces some tough selection decisions ahead of Sunday’s potentially tricky trip to Dens Park to take on Dundee, but which player in particular deserves to drop out of the lineup?
Rangers' miserable European run
As recently as January, Rangers set the Scottish record for most away European matches unbeaten, a streak of seven games ended by Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Now, they are in danger of also setting the record for most successive European defeats by a Scottish club.
Thursday night’s 2-0 loss at the hands of Roma leaves the Light Blues rock bottom of the Europa League table, having finished eighth last time round, also beaten by Genk, Sturm Graz and Brann in this season’s league phase so far, conceding eight goals and scoring only once.
Overall, the Gers have now lost seven successive outings in UEFA competition, following qualification defeats at the hands of Viktoria Plzeň and Club Brugge twice in August.
The unwanted record is held by Motherwell, who lost eight consecutive games in continental competition between 2010 and 2012, beaten home and away by Odense, Panathinaikos, Levante and Kuban Krasnodar.
Up next for Rangers, Braga will visit Ibrox later this month, before they’ll conclude the league phase with games against Ferencváros, Ludogorets Razgrad and Porto, so more defeats could very much be coming their way in the near future.
Before then, as they go in search of three precious Premiership points at Dens on Sunday, which summer signing suggested that they are not up to the level that Röhl requires?
The Rangers flop Danny Röhl must axe
Following Sunday’s energy-sapping clash with Celtic, playing close to 90 minutes with ten men at Hampden, Röhl made four changes against Roma, with Max Aarons, Connor Barron, Djeidi Gassama and Mikey Moore restored to the lineup.
However, Moore in particular did not stake a case for more regular playing time, as the table below highlights.
Mikey Moore stats vs Roma
Stats
Moore
Match rank
Shots
2
5th
xG
0.14
8th
Attempted dribbles
5
1st
Successful dribbles
2
4th
Accurate passes
14
20th
Key passes
2
5th
Big chances created
1
1st
Possession lost
11
8th
Duels contested
13
2nd
Duels won
5
12
Touches
35
18th
Rating
6.8
17th
All stats via SofaScore
As the table documents, Moore did show glimpses of quality, attempting the most dribbles of any player on the pitch, producing two key passes and creating a big chance for Youssef Chermiti.
Nevertheless, these moments were far too infrequent, successful with only 40% of his dribbles, losing possession on 11 occasions, while winning just five of the 13 duels he contested.
The teenager was also a peripheral figure for long periods too, registering a miserly 35 touches during his 81 minutes on the pitch, which is fewer than both goalkeepers Jack Butland (45) and Mile Svilar (42).
When Moore arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, he did so with sky-high expectations.
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelled the “absolute top talent” as “the English Neymar”, while then-manager Martin called him an “outstanding young player”.
However, he is yet to show the Rangers fans much of this quality, still awaiting his first goal for the club, hence why former Gers midfielder Andy Halliday believes “Moore hasn’t shown me anything that tells me that Rangers should be developing a young Spurs player rather than developing their own”.
Moore was replaced by one of those homegrown prospects Findlay Curtis on Thursday, a player who does have three goals to his name this season, on target against Panathinaikos, Alloa Athletic and St Mirren.
Meantime, with Gassama, Danilo, Oliver Antman and Thelo Aasgaard also vying for the starting spots in behind the centre-forward, Moore’s performances, both against Roma and in general, have done little to suggest he should be high up Röhl’s pecking order.
As well as Chermiti: Rohl must drop 4/10 Rangers flop who lost 100% duels
Danny Rohl must drop this Glasgow Rangers flop as well as Youssef Chermiti.
Internacional e América-MG empataram em 1 a 1 nesta quarta-feira (1), no Beira-Rio, pela 31ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Enner Valencia abriu o placar para os donos da casa no início do primeiro tempo, mas o Colorado acabou cedendo o empate aos 28′ da etapa final, após belo gol de Marlon.
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➡️Veja tabela do Brasileirão
Com o resultado, o Inter foi aos 39 pontos, mas caiu para a 13ª posição, enquanto o América-MG segue isolado na lanterna com 20. Essa foi a segunda partida consecutiva da equipe de Eduardo Coudet sem vencer jogando em casa – na última rodada, foi derrotada pelo penúltimo colocado Coritiba por 4 a 3 – distanciando ainda mais o sonho dos gaúchos de conquistarem uma vaga na próxima edição da Libertadores.
O JOGO
A partida começou com o América-MG tentando se postar ao ataque, mas com uma fragilidade defensa nítida. Portanto, logo aos 14 minutos, o Internacional conseguiu abrir o placar com Enner Valencia. Após cruzamento na área, o equatoriano subiu mais alto que a marcação e cabeceou para o fundo da rede americana. Ao longo da primeira etapa, os visitantes pouco ameaçaram, mas os donos da casa também não conseguiam criar grandes oportunidades diante do frágil sistema defensivo do time mineiro.
Em desvantagem, o Coelho começou a tentar sair mais para o ataque no segundo tempo e criou algumas chances de perigo, mas o Inter ainda dominava as principais ações do jogo, controlando bem o resultado e pressionando os visitantes.
Aos 16′ da etapa final, Enner Valencia fez tabelinha com Alan Patrick, e o camisa 10 ficou saiu na cara do gol, mas acabou chutando fraco, permitindo defesa tranquila de Jori. Logo no lance seguinte, mais uma grande chance para os donos da casa, mais uma vez com Alan Patrick, que arriscou finalização de fora da área, e a bola passou perto da trave.
+ Chances de rebaixamento no Brasileirão 2023: veja situação dos clubes após a 30ª rodada
Mesmo com a pressão colorada, o Coelho não jogou a toalha e seguiu em busca do empate no Beira-Rio, aproveitando os espaços deixados pelo Internacional. Até que aos 28′, Marlon finalizou colocado de fora de área e acertou na gaveta do gol de Rochet. Tudo igual em Porto Alegre.
As melhores oportunidades do Inter continuaram sendo criadas por Alan Patrick. Aos 32′, o camisa 10 arriscou cobrança de falta direto para o gol, e a cobrança passou praticamente raspando a trave da equipe mineira. A equipe de Eduardo Coudet tentou uma reação visando garantir os três pontos diante de sua torcida, mas não foi o suficiente, e a partida terminou empatada no Beira-Rio.
E AGORA?
Na próxima rodada, o Colorado entra em campo no domingo (5) para pegar o Cruzeiro, às 16h (de Brasília), no Mineirão. Já o Coelho, no sábado (4), disputa o clássico contra o Atlético-MG, às 19h30, no Parque do Sabiá, em Uberlândia (MG).
تحدث ثنائي الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة روبرت ليفاندوفسكي وفرينكي دي يونج، عن مباراة منتخبهما أمام هولندا ضمن تصفيات كأس العالم.
وانتهت المباراة بين المنتخبين بالتعادل الإيجابي 1/1 في اللقاء الذي جمعهما ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
وكشف قائد المنتخب البولندي في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”: “دي يونج؟ تحدثنا قليلًا خلال المباراة، رأيته يتنهد وأدركت فورًا أن المباراة لا تسير كما يُريد، حاولت زعزعة إيقاعه بتحركاتي، أعرف من التدريب ما يفعله فرينكي بالكرة عندما يصل إلى إيقاعه، يستطيع استخدام توازنه لتنشيط الفريق، ضغطي عليه دفع فرينكي للبحث عن بدائل”.
وأوضح ليفاندوفسكي عن تمريرته الحاسمة في هدف بولندا: “لمحت ياكوب بطرف عيني يركض، وعرفت أنني يجب أن أمررها له لأن كوبا سريع للغاية، لطالما أحببت اللاعبين الذين يركضون ويبحثون عن مساحات مفتوحة وهذه ميزة كبيرة للمهاجم”.
اقرأ أيضًا | أومتيتي يروي كواليس مؤثرة عن معاناته من الإصابة واعتزاله كرة القدم
وعلى الناحية الأخرى، قال دي يونج: “في الشوط الأول كانت مشكلتنا هي المسافة الكبيرة جدًا بين اللاعبين، عندما تكون المسافات بين اللاعبين كبيرة جدًا لا يمكنك اللعب بسرعة، لا يوجد تفاهم جيد لأن اللاعب التالي يكون على بُعد 20 أو 25 مترًا”.
وأوضح: “إن تمركزنا الهجومي هو ما يمنع اللعب من التطور بشكل طبيعي، هذا ليس مثاليًا، إنها مسألة تنسيق بلا شك وأحيانًا يتعين عليك التكيف، ولكن من حيث المبدأ، الأفضل هو تجنب ذلك”.
وأتم: “لم تكن مباراة جيدة ونحن نعلم ذلك ويجب علينا بالتأكيد أن نؤدي بشكل أفضل من الليلة، لكي نتأهل لكأس العالم علينا أن نتحسن كثيرًا، على الرغم من وجود الجودة في فريقنا، الأمر كله يتلخص في التنسيق الجيد”.
Com o novo patrocínio de naming rigths em vigor, a Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador, iniciou o processo de mudança da comunicação visual. Enquanto a caixaria não fica pronta, vai ser instalado um letreiro provisório com a nova assinatura “Casa de Apostas Arena Fonte Nova”.
continua após a publicidade
O letreiro definitivo deverá ser colocado no prazo de 30 a 60 dias, tempo de produção estimado para a nova caixaria. Ao longo dos próximos meses, toda a comunicação da Arena será atualizada com a nova identidade visual.
➡️ Acompanhe os negócios no esporte em nosso novo canal. Siga o Lance! Biz no WhatsApp
Anunciado no final de 2023, o novo contrato de naming rights entre a Arena Fonte Nova e a Casa de Apostas é válido por quatro anos e o acordo abrange contrapartidas para todas as partidas de futebol e shows sediados no local.
continua após a publicidade
➡️Pacaembu fecha contrato bilionário por naming rights do estádio
كشف عمر هريدي، محامي المتهم في قضية تزوير امتحانات رمضان صبحي لاعب بيراميدز، تفاصيل مثيرة حول الواقعة، مؤكدًا استغلال شاب صغير من أسرة فقيرة لأداء الامتحانات بدلًا من اللاعب، وتورط آخرين.
وقال عمر هريدي، خلال مداخلة عبر برنامج “الصورة” على قناة “النهار”: “أنا محامي المتهم الأول، الطالب يوسف محمد، الذي أدى الامتحان بدلًا من كابتن رمضان صبحي في الواقعة”.
وتابع: “هذا الشاب صغير السن ومن أسرة فقيرة، ويعمل في أحد المقاهي بالمقطم المملوكة لوكيل اللاعبين طارق محمد، المتهم الرابع في القضية، تم استغلال ظروفه، واتُفق معه على دخول امتحانات الفرقة الثالثة مقابل 5000 جنيه، نظرًا لأن الفرقتين الأولى والثانية كانتا مشوبتين بالتزوير أيضًا”.
وأضاف: “الولد احتاج المال وعائلته فقيرة، وظروفه الاجتماعية تتشابه مع ظروف نشأة كابتن رمضان صبحي كما أقر في التحقيقات، حضر المتهم الأول بالفعل وأدى الامتحان، وأصدرت له الإدارة كارنيه قبل أن تكتشف الواقعة إدارة معهد الفراعنة للسياحة والفنادق فيما بعد، تبين تورط مشرف الأمن، محمد إبراهيم، المتهم الثاني، في الجريمة”.
وواصل: “المتهمون في القضية هم يوسف محمد، مشرف الأمن محمد إبراهيم، كابتن رمضان صبحي المتهم الثالث، وطارق محمد وكيل اللاعبين المتهم الرابع، الغريب أن طارق محمد كان يتعامل مع العديد من اللاعبين، حيث أقر شريف إكرامي في التحقيقات بأنه تعرف على طارق محمد عن طريق محمد الشناوي، حارس مرمى الأهلي”.
طالع أيضًا | بيراميدز يحسم الجدل بشأن انتقال رمضان صبحي إلى الزمالك مقابل حسام عبد المجيد
وأشار: “تركزت علاقة طارق باللاعبين على تجهيز الأمور المتعلقة بالقيد في المعهد، حيث يتيح لهم إثبات القيد تأجيل الخدمة العسكرية حتى سن 28 عامًا والسفر خارج مصر بتصريح من الهيئة والقوات المسلحة”.
وأردف: “رمضان صبحي أقر في التحقيقات أنه لم يمتحن في السنتين الأولى والثانية، وأن طارق محمد هو الذي تولى هذه الأمور، وتم توجيه سبع اتهامات للمتهمين جميعًا، منها التزوير في امتحانات السنة الثالثة وكراسات الإجابة، والتزوير في كشوف الحضور والانصراف للسنة الثالثة، وإثبات القيد، بالإضافة إلى كراسات الامتحانات وكشوف الحضور للسنتين الأولى والثانية”.
وأوضح هريدي أنه حضر إلى المحكمة لكنه لم يتمكن من المشاركة بسبب الإجهاد، فطلب من زملائه المحامين تأجيل الجلسة يومين، مشيرًا إلى أن حبس رمضان صبحي أو إخلاء سبيله يعود لتقدير المحكمة، والعقوبات في هذه القضية قد تصل إلى السجن من ثلاث إلى عشر سنوات.
واختتم: “بالنسبة لموكلي، أرى أن ما حدث يُعد نوعًا من أنواع الاتجار بالبشر، وجميع المتهمين الأربعة اشتركوا في الجريمة على قدم المساواة وكلهم يتحملون المسؤولية القانونية نفسها”.
Despite losing five wickets inside 15 overs, India’s reluctance to send in Samson raised questions
ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-20252:57
Chopra questions India’s batting order logic
India’s continuous shuffle to their batting order came under the scanner after they were restricted to 168 for 6 in their Super Four match against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2025. After being inserted, India were 72 for 0 in the powerplay, and 112 for 2 after 11, but could score only 56 for 4 in the last nine overs.On ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out, Aakash Chopra called India’s batting order “inexplicable”, while Varun Aaron was left “perplexed” by Sanju Samson not coming out to bat at all. After Rishad Hossain dismissed Shubman Gill in the seventh over, Shivam Dube came in at No. 3 and holed out to long-off in the same over for 2 off three balls.”When Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma were batting, it looked like a very good batting surface – you can play through the line. You could actually hit wherever you wanted. But then a wicket falls, and then the batting order is inexplicable,” Chopra said. “What India were trying to do with the batting order is baffling to say the least. [Bangladesh] bowled alright but we [India] just compounded our problems with a very weird batting line-up. I cannot wrap my head around it.”Related
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Aaron echoed those thoughts: “They thought they could get Dube on to take down the spinners. But Sanju Samson is another option; he could have been slotted in early today. We know how he enjoys [batting] slightly up top.”At the post-match presentation, Suryakumar explained the logic behind the move. “Looking at their bowling line-up – they had a left-arm spinner [Nasum Ahmed], they had a legspinner [Rishad] – Dube was a perfect match-up at that moment. And his entry point was perfect – seven to 15 overs. So we took that chance. It did not go well, but in the games ahead, we might try doing that [again].”India have been flexible with their batting order throughout the tournament, with their batting coach Sitanshu Kotak saying “everyone is prepared to bat at any number”. A reason behind that is to maintain a left-right combination at the crease. When Samson opened the innings before the Asia Cup, the No. 3 position was taken by Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma, depending on whether Samson or Abhishek fell.Rishad Hossain picked up two wickets•AFP/Getty Images
Since Gill’s return to the top of the order, Samson has batted only once at No. 3 in five games – against Oman. Against Bangladesh, even after Gill got out, a left-hand batter, Dube, came in. Even at the fall of the fifth wicket in the 15th over, India held back Samson and sent in Axar Patel, who made 10 not out off 15 balls.”Axar ahead of Samson? I do not understand it,” Aaron said. “The man [Samson] got three T20I centuries last year, you’ve got to cut him some slack.”There’s not much difference in the strike rates of the Indian batters. It is not like we have four batters who strike above 150 and have a couple who can only play run a ball. Every batter in that top eight can bat at a very high strike rate. I don’t see any motive behind so much chopping and changing in the batting line-up.”Dube’s spin-hitting prowess also has been on the wane, raising questions about the move to send him to take on Rishad. While he averaged 73.4 and struck at 166.1 against spin in T20 cricket from January 2023 to April 2024, since then those numbers read 21.1 and 121.8.”I am also thinking, can you actually take a bowler down and throw him out of the attack in the seventh over?” Chopra said. “You can maintain left-right combination but the game still has 13 overs to go. Dube is the guy [to bat] if Rishad and Nasum are bowling in the 14th-15th over. You can then say, ‘This is the game.’ That will change everything that would unfold, because the options [for a bowling captain] are either exhausted or ones you can’t use. So he would be searching for answers. But in the seventh over, they are not falling behind.”
Although they have yet to win the Premier League since leaving Highbury, Arsenal have had some sensational players represent them at the Emirates Stadium.
The likes of Mesut Özil, Cesc Fàbregas, and more recently Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were, or are, world-class internationals, but perhaps the best of them all was Alexis Sanchez.
The former Barcelona star might have sullied his reputation among the fans by joining Manchester United in 2018, but during his time in North London, he was practically unplayable and racked up a monster tally of 124 goal involvements in 166 games.
So, fans should be seriously excited about reports linking Arsenal with another international superstar who could be their new Sanchez.
Arsenal target another Sanchez
Unlike last season, Arsenal aren’t finding it too difficult to score goals this year, with four players on four or more goals across all competitions this season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, injuries have once again become a problem, and while Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have stepped up this year, it would be unwise for Arteta and Co to solely rely on them to hold down the left flank for the rest of the campaign.
It seems that the club share this opinion, as they now appear ready to go all in for a potentially game-changing Sanchez-esque winger in the winter window.
At least that is according to reports from Spain, which claim Arsenal have maintained a significant interest in Rodrygo.
In fact, the report goes further than that, revealing that as things stand, the Gunners are ready to spend €90m on the Real Madrid star, which is about £80m.
It won’t be an easy deal to get over the line, particularly with Liverpool and Chelsea supposedly interested, but it’s one worth pursuing, especially as Rodrygo could be another Sanchez-type signing for Arsenal.
Why Rodrygo would be another Sanchez
Now there are more than a handful of apparent similarities between Rodrygo and Sanchez, with one of the biggest being where they’d be coming from were the former to join Arsenal.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo looks on
Like the Chilean superstar, the Brazilian international would be coming from one of Spain’s big two, and more than that, he would be leaving a side where he’s a bit-part player to become a leading figure at the Emirates.
Furthermore, while he has spent a lot of time on the right, he, like the former Barça star, is primarily a left-sided attacker, and that’s where he’d play in North London.
And finally, if Arteta can get the best out of him, the 24-year-old could have a similar game-changing effect on the Gunners’ attack.
After all, while he’s not having the best of seasons this year, he has been incredible for Real in the past, and were he platformed correctly out on the left, he could elevate Arteta’s attack.
Rodrygo’s Real Record
Appearances
283
Starts
181
Minutes
16512′
Goals
68
Assists
53
Goal Involvements per Match
0.42
Minutes per Goal Involvement
136.46′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, even though he has been forced onto the right for much of the last two years or so, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has amassed a tally of 68 goals and 53 assists in 283 appearances, totalling 16512 minutes.
In other words, the former Santos gem has averaged a goal involvement every 2.33 games, or every 136.46 minutes for Los Blancos.
Moreover, he has scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in 67 Champions League games, with eight of those goals coming in the knockouts.
Ultimately, while he is not having a great season, Rodrygo’s immense talent and ability to turn games around are undeniable.
Therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him in the winter window, as he could be another Sanchez-type signing.
It’s one step forward and two steps back for Newcastle United, who were defeated on the road in the Champions League against Marseille, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the double.
Eddie Howe’s side responded with vim and vigour after the international break to beat Manchester City at St. James’ Park, but this served as a sobering reminder that there is much work to be done away from Tyneside, with the Toon having won only one game away from home all season.
Harvey Barnes’ fine form continued as he swept home from close range only minutes into the affair, but United failed to channel their counter-attacking approach and were ultimately overwhelmed by the French hosts.
It was a frustrating performance, epitomised by the woes of Nick Pope between the sticks.
Why Howe must consider dropping Nick Pope
Pope joined Newcastle from Burnley for about £10m in 2022, and he has since. This season, he has started all 12 of the Magpies’ Premier League fixtures, though he has failed to keep a clean sheet across five successive matches.
There have been tenuous calls to drop the 33-year-old all year, but these are rising in volume and intensity, and the veteran’s mistake in France will only fan those flames, with United losing clarity and conviction in their performance after the gaffe.
Given that Aaron Ramsdale is patiently waiting in the wings, having been signed on loan this summer, there’s justification for dropping Pope going forward, it may be that Howe needs to drop his mainstay between the sticks and start to rewire his defence, as has already started through the likes of Malick Thiaw and full-backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.
Newcastle still have three wins from five in the Champions League this season, and may yet find the form to seal a place in the automatically-qualifying top eight.
But Howe does need to continue to chop and change, and Pope isn’t the only one whose starting berth is at risk.
Newcastle star is now relegated to the bench
At the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Anthony Gordon was awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Year. But last year was a testing one for the England international, in contrast with United’s resurgence, and he has fallen further into the mire since the summer.
Against Marseille, Gordon’s woes continued as he proved utterly ineffectual in a makeshift centre-forward role.
Writer Firdie Idris remarked that the decision to field Gordon, a pacy left winger, as a central striker “never works”, and his display against Marseille only corroborated that claim.
In his central berth, Gordon only created one chance and hit the target with only one shot. He didn’t even attempt a dribble and won only one of five duels, as per Sofascore. He also completed just 14 passes as an isolated figure in Howe’s offensive line.
Penning their post-match thoughts, The Shields Gazette could only hand the Three Lions star a 4/10 match rating, criticising him for being on the back foot throughout the contest.
Anthony Gordon for Newcastle (25/26)
Match Stats (* per game)
PL
UCL
Matches (starts)
7 (7)
5 (5)
Goals
0
4
Assists
0
1
Touches*
35.4
39.2
Shots (on target)*
2.0 (0.7)
2.2 (1.0)
Accurate passes*
14.7 (80%)
16.4 (77%)
Chances created*
1.0
0.4
Dribbles*
1.4
1.4
Ball recoveries*
2.6
3.2
Tackles + interceptions*
0.7
1.4
Duels (won)*
4.7 (49%)
4.0 (41%)
Data via Sofascore
Truthfully, Gordon has been out of sorts all season. Prolific on the continent, he has yet to kindle any semblance of good form on the domestic front, and this was not a display to imbue within him a kind of confidence that will be needed ahead of Premier League clashes against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Given that Gordon is one of Newcastle’s most profitable players, there’s reasoning behind the call to cash in down the line. Certainly, given the need for further investment over the coming transfer windows, it’s something PIF might consider as Barnes continues to go from strength to strength.
In any case, Gordon needs to raise his level. He is one of the outfit’s most talented players and is horribly underperforming. Like Pope, Howe would be wise to drop him for the forthcoming fixtures and rekindle his will to win.
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